The innate immune sensor NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. PGAM5 is a mitochondrial phosphatase involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, the role of PGAM5 in ulcerative colitis and the mechanisms underlying PGAM5 regulating NLRP3 activity remain unknown. Here, we show that PGAM5 deficiency ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By combining APEX2-based proximity labeling focused on PGAM5 with quantitative proteomics, we identify NEK7 as the new binding partner of PGAM5 to promote NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation in a PGAM5 phosphatase activity-independent manner upon inflammasome induction. Interfering with PGAM5-NEK7 interaction by punicalagin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Altogether, our data demonstrate the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction in macrophages for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and further provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis by blocking the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a child with intellectual development disorder and seizures due to a variant of AP2M1 gene. METHODS: Clinical data of a child with intellectual development disorder and epilepsy who was admitted to the Department of Pediatric Neurology of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for whole exome sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and pathogenicity analysis. The three-dimensional structure of the AP2M1 protein was visualized using Chimera v1.10.1 software. Pathogenicity of candidate variant was classified according to the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). With "AP2M1 gene" "epilepsy" "intellectual disability" as the keywords, relevant cases were searched from CNKI, Wanfang Data knowledge service platform and PubMed databases with the search time spanning from the establishment of the database to September 2024. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No.: 2020-57). RESULTS: The child was a 8-years-and-6-months-old boy, who could raise his head at 3 months and sit alone at 8 months old. He could not walk alone at 1 year old and underwent 2 months' rehabilitation treatment, and could walk alone and call his parents at 1-and-a-half-years-old. At 4-years-and-10-months-old, he started to have frequent seizures, manifesting as low level of consciousness, body shaking, accompanied by blinking, lasting about a few seconds several times a day and could be relieved. With the treatment of sodium valproate combined with lamotrigine, the convulsions were controlled, but his movement and cognition were lagged behind. DNA sequencing revealed that he has harbored a novel variant of the AP2M1 gene (NM_004068.3) c.508C>T (p.Arg170Trp). Sanger sequencing confirmed that both of his parents were of the wild-type. According to the guidelines from the American College for Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was rated as pathogenic (PS2+PS4+PM1+PM2+PP2+PP3). The difference between the wild-type and mutant AP2M1 proteins can be clearly viewed through its three-dimensional structure. Two previous reports have included 5 cases due to the same variant. Common manifestations have included seizures (100%, 5/5), motor retardation (100%, 5/5), intellectual impairment (100%, 5/5), autism spectrum disorder (60%, 3/5), ataxia (100%, 5/5), and special facial features (20%, 1/5). CONCLUSION The c.508C>T (p.Arg170Trp) variant of the AP2M1 gene may underlie the intellectual retardation and seizure in this child.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Seizures/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation

Objective To explore the feasibility and precautions of small incision bile duct stone removal in primary hospitals in extremely high-altitude areas.Methods The experience of small incision biliary exploration and cholecystectomy under general anesthesia at primary hospitals during the author's medical aid to Xizang in the high-altitude areas of northern Xizang was summarized(from June 2022 to December 2022).Results A total of 11 cases of small incision common bile duct stone removal were completed.Abdominal drainage was performed in all patients,including 6 cases with T-shaped tubes and 5 cases with primary closure of the common bile duct.The patients recovered well after surgery and was discharged.Conclusion In extreme high-altitude areas,under the guidance of medical aid doctors,it is completely feasible for primary hospitals to carry out small incision bile duct stone removal by selecting appropriate cases,training surgical skills,and performing detailed preoperative preparation.

Objective To investigate the diarrhea after minilaparotomy cholecystectomy among Tibetan residents in extremely high-altitude areas.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 71 patients who underwent small incision cholecystectomy at the County People's Hospital during the period of medical aid(from June 2022 to December 2022).There were 38 patients(53.52%)with postoperative diarrhea and 33 patients(46.48%)without diarrhea.Results The duration of diarrhea was less than 1 week in 8 patients,ranged from 1 week to 3 months in 21 patients,and lasted for more than 3 months in 9 patients.There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age(P<0.000 1),body mass index(P<0.000 1),proportions of patients with liver cirrhosis(P=0.012 9),history of acute cholecystitis(P=0.002 1),history of coronary heart disease(P=0.040 7),and presence of tenderness in the right upper abdomen during admission(P<0.000 1),white blood cell count(P=0.007 0),alanine aminotransferase(P=0.047 3),gallbladder diameter(P=0.003 4),gallbladder wall thickness(P=0.000 4),surgical duration(P=0.004 7),postoperative antibiotic use(P=0.000 6),postoperative hospital stay(P=0.000 2),and immediate resumption of butter tea(P<0.000 1).Age and immediate resumption of butter tea after surgery were independent risk factors for diarrhea after minilaparotomy cholecystectomy.Conclusion There is a higher incidence of diarrhea following small incision cholecystectomy in the residents of extremely high-altitude areas,which is associated with various factors such as the environment and lifestyle of the region.It is essential to enhance health education on gallstone and cultivate good personal health habits.Clinicians should conduct a detailed preoperative assessment.Patients should avoid drinking butter tea during perioperative period to avoid postoperative diarrhea.

Clinically,the incidence of portal vein thrombosis(PVT)in patients with cirrhosis can be up to 10％-23％.When PVT is not treated promptly,it may develop to cavernous transformation of the portal vein(CTPV).CTPV can aggravate portal hypertension,accelerate the progression of esophagogastric varices bleeding,refractory ascites,refractory peritonitis,biliary tract diseases,and hepatic insufficiency.At present,noninvasive imaging techniques such as portal vein reconstruction,enhanced CT and ultrasound are mostly used to make the diagnosis and evaluation of CTPV.It is rather difficult to perform portosystemic shunt surgery in patients with CTPV complicated by portal hypertension,which was once regarded as a contraindication for interventional portosystemic shunt procedures.With the improvement of related technologies and surgical instruments,the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)has become an important treatment for CTPV.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the relevant researches concerning the portosystemic shunt surgery in patients with CTPV so as to clarify the importance of TIPS in the treatment of CTPV.

Objective:To analyze the protective effect of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine based on bacterial outer membrane vesicle (OMV) in mice.Methods:The pre-fusion protein (preF) of RSV was linked to the surface of OMV through the transmembrane protein cytolysin A (ClyA) to form the nanovaccine OMV-preF. The morphological characteristics of OMV and OMV-preF were observed under a transmission electron microscope. OMV-preF was intramuscularly injected into BALB/c mice and the elicited humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated. The protective effect of OMV-preF was assessed by challenging the immunized mice with RSV Long strain. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for statistical analysis.Results:The results showed that preF was stably expressed in OMV, and both OMV-preF and OMV exhibited a double-layer vesicle structures under the microscope. OMV-preF could significantly activate the cellular and humoral immune responses in mice, causing a significant increase in CD8 + T cells and CD19 + B cells as well as a significant increase in the serum level of specific IgG. The neutralizing antibodies produced in the immunized mice could significantly inhibit the replication of RSV Long strain in vivo. Conclusions:The nanovaccine OMV-preF can induce high-level humoral and cellular immune responses, and the antibodies produced following immunization can effectively inhibit viral replication. This study provides a new strategy for RSV subunit vaccines.

Objective:To investigate risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes(APO) in women with hypertriglyceridemia(HTG) during late pregnancy despite normal thyroid function, focusing on thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR) levels.Methods:A total of 242 pregnant women with normal thyroid function who delivered in General Hospital of Central Theater Command from October 2023 to June 2024 were divided into HTG( n=111) and non-HTG groups( n=131). Clinical data, lipid profiles, thyroid function, TSHR levels, and APO were compared, and the influencing factors of APO were analyzed. Results:Compared with non-HTG group, APO, adverse maternal outcomes, and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) were significantly more frequent in the HTG group( P<0.05). The HTG group also had higher triglyceride(TG), fasting plasma glucose(FPG), triglyceride glucose index(TyG), triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol(TG/HDL-C), thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and TSHR, with lower free triiodothyronine (FT 3)( P<0.05). TSHR was an independent risk factor for APO, maternal adverse outcomes, and GDM in all pregnant women( OR=1.112, 95% CI 1.007-1.229; OR=1.126, 95% CI 1.020-1.243; OR=1.133, 95% CI 1.025-1.253) and was also an independent risk factor for APO in the HTG group( OR=1.165, 95% CI 1.005-1.351). Conclusion:Pregnant women with normal thyroid function and HTG in late pregnancy are more likely to have APO, manifested as maternal adverse outcomes and GDM. TSHR is an independent risk factor for APO.

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of exogenous chitosan on the growth and metabolism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (G. uralensis) and to improve the quality of cultivated G. uralensis for both medicine and food and aid in the increase in the content of effective components in G. uralensis.MethodsIn this study, whole G. uralensis plants were treated with exogenous chitosan, and comprehensive analyses of secondary metabolites and proteins were conducted using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation, respectively. Effects of chitosan induction on endogenous hormones of G. uralensis were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene ontology function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation were conducted to study the effect of chitosan induction on the proteome.ResultsChitosan induction significantly increased the levels of flavonoids in G. uralensis; however, the variation in triterpenoids was not substantial. Biological processes, including photosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and abiotic stress responses, were significantly enriched. Additionally, the photosynthetic pathway, photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway were significantly enriched. In the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, the upstream-related enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and the downstream-related enzymes chalcone synthase (CHS), polyketide reductase (PKR), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and vestitone reductase (VR) were significantly upregulated.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that chitosan induction may promote the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the TCA cycle enhancement significantly upregulated PAL, CHS, PKR, CHI, and VR, the five key enzymes involved in flavonoid synthesis of G. uralensis, indicating that chitosan induction activated the entire metabolic pathway associated with flavonoids in G. uralensis. Our findings provide a reference for improving the quality of cultivated G. uralensis from the perspective of pharmacodynamic components.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of mitotane in adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) at high risk of recurrence.Methods:A prospective observational study was designed from September 2022 to November 2023. ACC patients undergoing surgery with high recurrence risk (positive margin or Ki-67 index >10% or capsule rupture or large size or high-grade ACC) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled in this study. All patients started mitotane treatment within 3 months after surgery, with a dose of 1.5 g/d, increased by 0.5 g per week. Once the dose reached 3 g/day, adjustments were made based on blood concentration levels. All patients received mitotane therapy for at least 1 year, and CT was performed every 12 weeks to evaluate the efficacy. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. The efficacy was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method for survival, and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse events was summarized.Results:A total of 12 ACC patients at high risk of recurrence were screened, comprising 6 males and 6 females. Tumors were located on the left side in 8 patients, on the right in 3, and bilaterally in 1. Five patients were classified as ENSAT stageⅡ, while 7 were classified as ENSAT stage Ⅲ. The maximum diameter of tumor was (9.07 ± 2.86) cm; the median age at diagnosis was 48 (35, 51) years, and the median Ki-67 index was (28.9 ± 16.1)%. The median time from surgery to initiation of mitotane therapy was 31 (23.0, 43.2) days, and 9 patients had blood drug concentrations of 14-20 mg/L. The median follow-up time was 16.7 (12.4, 25.2) months. At 1 year after mitotane therapy, 10 (83.8%) patients were still in disease-free survival state, with a median mitotane PFS of 27.6 months (95% CI 16.4-not reached). All ACC patients experienced 1-2 grade adverse events after taking mitotane. One patient (8.3%) experienced grade 3 adverse event, including the increasing of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as anorexia. No grade 4-5 adverse events occurred. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms (10 cases), including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea, followed by liver function damage(9 cases) and neurotoxicity(4 cases). Conclusions:Mitotane has shown the prospect of improving the prognosis of ACC patients at high risk of recurrence after surgery. Because of its serious toxic and side effects, it is necessary to monitor its blood concentration to adjust the dosage, and take measures for adverse reactions to ensure the safety of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the construction of a canine model of vascularized allogeneic spinal cord transplantation (vASCT) and preliminarily evaluate its therapeutic efficacy for spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Sixteen female Beagle dogs aged 8-12 months were randomly selected, with 8 dogs serving as donors for the harvesting of spinal cord tissue with a vascular pedicle [dorsal intercostal artery (DIA) at the T₁₀ level and accompanying vein]. The remaining 8 dogs underwent a 1.5-cm-length spinal cord defect at the T₁₀ level, followed by transplantation of the donor spinal cord tissue for repair. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was applied to both ends to spinal cord graft; then, using a random number table method, the dogs were divided into an experimental group (n=4) and a control group (n=4). The experimental group received immunosuppressive intervention with oral tacrolimus [0.1 mg/(kg∙d)] postoperatively, while the control group received no treatment. The operation time and ischemia-reperfusion time of two groups were recorded. The recovery of hind limb function was estimated by Olby score within 2 months after operation; the motor evoked potentials (MEP) was measured through neuroelectrophysiological examination, and the spinal cord integrity was observed through MRI. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operation time and ischemia-reperfusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). All dogs survived until the completion of the experiment. Within 2 months after operation, all dogs in the control group failed to regain the movement function of hind limbs, and Olby scores were all 0. In the experimental group, the movement and weight-bearing, as well as walking abilities of the hind limbs gradually recovered, and the Olby scores also showed a gradually increasing trend. There was a significant difference between the two groups from 3 to 8 weeks after operation (P<0.05). Neuroelectrophysiological examination indicated that the electrical signals of the experimental group passed through the transplanted area, and the latency was shortened compared to that at 1 month after operation (P<0.05), showing continuous improvement, but the amplitude did not show significant improvement (P>0.05). The control group was unable to detect any MEP changes after operation. MRI examination showed that the transplanted spinal cord in the experimental group survived and had good continuity with normal spinal cord tissue, while no relevant change was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION The vASCT model of dogs was successfully constructed. This surgical procedure can restore the continuity of the spinal cord. The combination of tacrolimus anti-immunity is a key factor for the success of transplantation.
Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Spinal Cord/blood supply* ; Spinal Cord Injuries/surgery* ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Disease Models, Animal ; Recovery of Function ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Tacrolimus ; Immunosuppressive Agents