OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotypes and genetic characteristics of five children with Lamb-Shaffer syndrome (LAMSHF). METHODS: Five children with LAMSHF diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2021 to December 2024 were selected as study subjects. Clinical data of the children was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen for variants. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (Ethics No.: S2025-411-01). RESULTS: All five children had presented with global developmental delay. Among them, two had manifestations of autism spectrum disorder, two had abnormal electroencephalogram findings, four had abnormal MRI results, and two had ocular abnormalities. WES has detected five novel variants in the SOX5 gene. Among these, c.1771G>C (p.Gly591Arg) was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing confirmed that none of the parents had carried the same variants, suggesting that they were all de novo variants. According to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), two nonsense variants and one missense variant were classified as pathogenic, whilst two missense variants were classified as likely pathogenic. CONCLUSION This study has clarified the correlation between the clinical phenotypes of five children with LAMSHF and variants of the SOX5 gene, which expanded the mutational spectrum of the SOX5 gene and provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Phenotype ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; SOXD Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation ; Infant

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the role of Danlou tablet in treating coronary heart disease （CHD） with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs by improving platelet function and explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Danlou tablet in regulating platelet function by using proteomics technology. MethodsThirty Bama minipigs were randomly divided into a normal control group （6 pigs） and a high-fat diet group （24 pigs）. After 2 weeks of high-fat diet feeding， the high-fat diet group was randomly subdivided into a model group， an atorvastatin group （1 mg·kg^-1）， and Danlou tablet groups （0.6 g·kg^-1 and 0.3 g·kg^-1）. All groups continued to receive a high-fat diet for 8 weeks after the procedure. The normal control group was given a regular diet， underwent only coronary angiography， and did not receive an interventional injury procedure. The model group and each administration group were fed a high-fat diet. Two weeks later， they underwent a coronary angiography injury procedure. After the procedure， drugs were mixed into the feed every morning for 8 consecutive weeks， with the minipigs maintained on a continuous high-fat diet during this period. Quantitative proteomics technology was further used to study platelet proteins， and differential proteins were obtained by screening. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze key regulatory proteins and biological pathways involved in the therapeutic effect of Danlou tablet on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome. ResultsCompared with the normal control group， the model group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） of minipigs' serum （P<0.01）， a significant shortening in prothrombin time of （PT） （P<0.01）， a coagulation function index， and an increase in whole blood viscosity （P<0.01） and platelet aggregation rate （P<0.01）. Moreover， the platelet morphology was altered， and the contents of endothelin-1 （ET-1） and nitric oxide （NO） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Hemodynamic parameters were obviously abnormal， including significantly decreased systolic blood pressure （SBP）， diastolic blood pressure （DBP）， mean arterial pressure （MAP）， left ventricular systolic pressure （LVSP）， and left ventricular maximal positive dp/dt （LV+dp/dt_max） （P<0.01）. Left ventricular maximal negative dp/dt （LV-dp/dt_max） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Besides， there were myocardial cell hypertrophy， obvious edematous degeneration， massive interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration， high degree of fibrosis， and coronary endothelial atherosclerosis. TC and TG levels in minipigs' serum were significantly reduced in Danlou tablet groups with 0.6 g·kg^-1 and 0.3 g·kg^-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， compared with those in the model group. LDL-C was decreased in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg^-1 （P<0.05）. The whole blood viscosity under low and high shear conditions was significantly reduced in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg^-1 （P<0.05）. In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet， maximum aggregation rate （MAR） and average aggregation rate （AAR） were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and platelets' morphological changes such as pseudopodia extension were reduced. ET-1 levels in the serum were significantly reduced. In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg^-1， NO level in the serum was reduced （P<0.05）. In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet， DBP and MAP were significantly increased （P<0.05）. In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg^-1， LVSP and LV+dp/dt_max were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and LV-dp/dt_max was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet， edematous degeneration in myocardial tissue was milder， and coronary artery lesion degree was significantly alleviated. Compared with the normal control group， there were 94 differentially expressed proteins in the model group， including 81 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated proteins. Compared with the model group， the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg^-1 showed 174 differentially expressed proteins， including 100 up-regulated and 74 down-regulated proteins. A total of 30 proteins were reversed after Danlou tablet intervention. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that its pharmacological mechanism may exert anti-platelet activation， aggregation， and adhesion effects through biological pathways such as regulation of actin cytoskeleton， platelet activation pathway， Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis， as well as proteins such as growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 （GRB2）， Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 （RAC2）， RAC1， and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 （HSP90AA1）. ConclusionDanlou tablet can effectively reduce platelet activation and aggregation， exerting a good therapeutic effect on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs. Its pharmacological mechanism may involve regulating biological pathways such as actin cytoskeleton and platelet activation pathway， as well as proteins like GRB2， RAC2， RAC1， and HSP90AA1， thereby exerting a pharmacological effect in anti-platelet activation， aggregation， and adhesion.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans on schizophrenia induced by dizocilpine maleate （MK-801） in mice and to clarify its mechanism. MethodsMale mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into blank， model， positive drug， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （40， 80， 160 mg·kg^-1， respectively） Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans groups. The blank group was administrated with distilled water， and the other groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg^-1 MK-801 to induce schizophrenia symptoms. Meanwhile， risperidone was injected at 0.2 mg·kg^-1 in the positive drug group， and mice in the intervention groups were injected with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomous activity test， open field test， forced swimming test， and water maze test. The levels of dopamine （DA） and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in the brain and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in peripheral blood were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the prefrontal lobe of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining. The protein levels of silencing information regulatory factor 1 （SIRT1） and forkhead box protein O3a （FoxO3a） in the hippocampus of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， low， medium， and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans reduced the total number of autonomous activities， total distance in the open field test， immobile time in the forced swimming test， and levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in peripheral blood （P<0.05）， while increasing the number of platform crossings in the water maze test and DA and 5-HT levels in the brain tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， risperidone and low， medium， and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans improve the neural cell morphology in the CA1 region， with full cells in neatly dense arrangement and exhibiting clear membrane boundary. Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans inhibited the expression of SIRT 1 and FoxO3a in the hippocampus （P<0.05）. ConclusionTo sum up， Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans may improve the behavior of schizophrenic mice by activating the SIRT1/FoxO3a signaling pathway to exert neuroprotective effects.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of transmembrane protein 16B （TMEM16B） on brain edema and blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. MethodsTMEM16B overexpression and knockdown was performed by adeno-associated virus （AAV）， and then adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. Rats were randomly divided into Sham group， MCAO group， AAV no-load group， TMEM16B overexpression group and TMEM16B knockdown group. Modified neurological severity scores， adhesive removal test and cylinder test were used to evaluate neurologic function. The ultrastructure of ischemic brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope. Brain water content was reflected by dry wet weight ratio of brain tissue. The expressions of TMEM16B， aquaporin4 （AQP4）， Claudin5 and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） were investigated by immunofluorescence and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the AAV no-load group， the sensory and motor functions of rats in TMEM16B overexpression group were significantly impaired. Mitochondria were swollen； mitochondrial cristae and tight junctions disappeared. The brain water content was higher in overexpression group. The expression of TMEM16B and AQP4 increased while the expression of Claudin5 and ZO-1 decreased （all P<0.05）. Compared with the AAV no-load group， the rats in TMEM16B knockdown group showed some recovery in motor function. The mitochondrial cristae and structure were clear， and the basement membrane was partially blurred. The brain water content was lower in knockdown group. The protein levels of TMEM16B and AQP4 were lower while the levels of Claudin5 and ZO-1 were higher in TMEM16B knockdown group than in AAV no-load group （all P<0.05）. ConclusionAn increase in TMEM16B expression aggravates brain edema and blood-brain barrier damage in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， while a decrease in TMEM16B expression alleviates brain edema and protects the blood-brain barrier.

BACKGROUND:Gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds can mimic unique anatomical features in musculoskeletal tissues,showing great potential for repairing injured musculoskeletal tissues. OBJECTIVE:To review the latest research advances in gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds for tissue engineering in the musculoskeletal system and describe their advantages and fabrication strategies. METHODS:The first author of the article searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases for articles published from 2000 to 2023 with search terms"gradient,bone regeneration,scaffold".Finally,76 papers were analyzed and summarized after the screening. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As an important means of efficient and high-quality repair of skeletal system tissues,gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds are currently designed bionically for the natural gradient characteristics of bone tissue,bone-cartilage,and tendon-bone tissue.These scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix of native tissues to a certain extent in terms of structure and composition,thus promoting cell adhesion,migration,proliferation,differentiation,and regenerative recovery of damaged tissues to their native state.(2)Advanced manufacturing technology provides more possibilities for gradient artificial bone repair scaffold preparation:Gradient electrospun fiber scaffolds constructed by spatially differentiated fiber arrangement and loading of biologically active substances have been developed;gradient 3D printed scaffolds fabricated by layered stacking,graded porosity,and bio-3D printing technology;gradient hydrogel scaffolds fabricated by in-situ layered injections,simple layer-by-layer stacking,and freeze-drying method;and in addition,there are also scaffolds made by other modalities or multi-method coupling.These scaffolds have demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro experiments,were able to accelerate tissue regeneration in small animal tests,and were observed to have significantly improved histological structure.(3)The currently developed gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds have problems such as mismatch of gradient scales,unclear material-tissue interactions,and side effects caused by degradation products,which need to be further optimized by combining the strengths of related disciplines and clinical needs in the future.

Parkinson's disease(PD)is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the motor system.Various genetic factors and cellular mechanisms underlying PD have recently been discovered.Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications play a very important role in the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of PD.Epigenetic modification mediates genetic and environmental interactions mainly through complex interactions of DNA methylation,histone modification,and non-coding RNA,thereby affecting expression in the absence of changes in DNA sequence.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.In this review,we summarize the epigenetic modification mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.Recent studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine can participate in the regulation of abnormal epigenetic modifications in the treatment of PD.Traditional Chinese medicine benefits from its multi-level and multi-target regulatory effects,and various traditional Chinese medicine monomers,compound prescriptions,and techniques have been evaluated,confirming that this is a promising approach for improving symptoms in PD.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications contribute to P D,explores the role of traditional Chinese medicine,and provides new ideas for clinical treatment and drug development in PD through epigenetic intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential role of mRNA m7G modification in the pathogenesis of human adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). METHODS: Pathological tissue specimens from four AEG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from these patients. RNA was extracted from both tissue types and subjected to m7G methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m7G-MeRIP-seq) to analyze the patterns of m7G modification, the characteristics of differential m7G modification sites, the differentially expressed mRNA, and the correlation between m7G modification and mRNA expression levels. Differential m7G-modified genes (MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9) were further validated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (MeRIP-qPCR), while the expression of METTL1 and WDR4 genes was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University (Ethics No. 20150083). RESULTS: m7G-MeRIP-seq analysis revealed that m7G modifications in both AEG and adjacent normal tissues were predominantly located in the GC-rich region surrounding the internal start codon of mRNA. Differential m7G modification sites between the two groups were closely associated with cancer-related genes. mRNA library analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNA were predominantly upregulated in AEG tissues and downregulated in adjacent normal tissues. Cross-analysis indicated that genes with hypermethylation tended to exhibit upregulated expression, while genes with hypomethylation were typically downregulated in AEG tissues. MeRIP-qPCR validation confirmed that the mRNA expression of MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9 were significantly upregulated in AEG tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 were also upregulated in AEG tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.000 5). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that mRNA m7G modification plays a significant role in the development of AEG. Furthermore, proteins as METTL1 and WDR4 may facilitate AEG progression by regulating mRNA m7G modification. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AEG and may inform future therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.
Humans ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology* ; Esophagogastric Junction/metabolism* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; DNA Methylation ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*

Zhishi Shaoyaosan is the 34^th prescription in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Formulas （Second Batch） published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2023. It is widely used in clinical practice and has a definite curative effect. However， there is currently a lack of its ancient literature analysis and textual research， and there is no corresponding Chinese patent medicine preparation. By consulting and combing the relevant ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine， this paper analyzes and conducts textual research of the origin， composition， measurement， administration， and efficacy of Zhishi Shaoyaosan. The results show that Zhishi Shaoyaosan is derived from Essentials from the Golden Cabinet written by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is mainly recorded in the name of Zhishi Shaoyaosan in the literature of the past dynasties. The prescription is composed of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing method is stir-frying Aurantii Fructus Immaturus to scorch and using raw Paeoniae Radix Alba. The dose of the prescription recorded in the ancient books is mainly an equal amount of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Paeoniae Radix Alba in one square-cun spoon， taken three times a day， which is converted into a modern dose of 1.5 g each time （0.75 g Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and 0.75 g Paeoniae Radix Alba each time）. The components of the prescription are ground into powder and taken with barley porridge， three times a day. The efficacy is to break stagnated Qi， harmonize blood， and relieve restlessness and pain. It is mainly used to treat postpartum abdominal pain， acute pelvic inflammatory disease， acute cholecystitis and intestinal diseases， stroke sequelae， and other diseases. This study combs and analyzes the ancient literature recording Zhishi Shaoyaosan and clarifies the key information of the prescription， which provides a basis for promoting the research and development of its patent medicine.

ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

The escalating pressure from global population growth, climate change, and resource consumption is intensifying the burden on traditional agricultural production. Against this backdrop, soil degradation and pollution present increasingly severe challenges, creating a vicious cycle with rising food demands. Maintaining soil health and its ecosystem services has thus become a critical prerequisite for achieving sustainable agriculture in the future. This review explores the impacts of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics on soil microbial communities and their interactions. Soil C and N are key determinants of microbial diversity and community structure, intrinsically linked to soil C/N cycling, crop productivity, and ecological balance. Environmental factors such as nitrogen fertilizer application, organic matter amendment application, litter decomposition, elevated CO₂ concentrations, and nitrogen deposition significantly influence soil C and N dynamics. Changes in soil C and N content regulate microbial community dynamics and the synergistic, competitive, and antagonistic interactions among microorganisms. Meanwhile, microbial communities actively respond to alterations in soil C and N availability. The resulting shifts in microbial communities and their interactions subsequently regulate soil C/N cycling and ecosystem stability, ultimately influencing ecosystem functions. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying soil carbon-nitrogen-microbial interactions, this review significantly advances our understanding of soil ecosystem responses and feedback mechanisms in the context of global change, while also providing crucial practical guidance for enhancing soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural development through microbial regulation.
Soil Microbiology ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Carbon/metabolism* ; Soil/chemistry* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Fungi/metabolism* ; Ecosystem ; Fertilizers ; Agriculture