Modulating Tankyrases (TNKS), interactions with USP25 to promote TNKS degradation, rather than inhibiting their enzymatic activities, is emerging as an alternative/specific approach to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we identified UAT-B, a novel neoantimycin analog isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus, as a small-molecule inhibitor of TNKS-USP25 protein-protein interaction (PPI) to overcome multi-drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The disruption of TNKS-USP25 complex formation by UAT-B led to a significant decrease in TNKS levels, triggering cell apoptosis through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Importantly, UAT-B successfully inhibited the CRC cells growth that harbored high TNKS levels, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo studies utilizing cell line-based and patient-derived xenografts, as well as APC^min/+ spontaneous CRC models. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the TNKS-USP25 PPI using a small-molecule inhibitor represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment, and UAT-B emerges as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigations.

Objective:To investigate the effect of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on the progression of retinal arteriosclerosis by using a deep learning model.Methods:A cohort study was performed.Data of 1 928 individuals who underwent the medical examination at Beijing Yijiandian Clinic between January 2016 and August 2023 were reviewed, including baseline demographics, physical examination, serological test and fundus photography.Retinal arteriosclerosis was identified using a deep learning model.Five groups were divided according to LDL-C levels, including 389 subjects in group 1 (0.64-1.90 mmol/L), 387 subjects in group 2 (1.91-2.26 mmol/L), 384 subjects in group 3 (2.27-2.57 mmol/L), 385 subjects in group 4 (2.58-2.95 mmol/L), and 383 subjects in group 5 (2.96-6.06 mmol/L).The association between LDL-C levels and progression of retinal arteriosclerosis and the dose-response relationship were analyzed by logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital (No.2021PHB058-001).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The incidence of retinal arteriosclerosis progression was 22.10% (426/1 928) during the mean follow-up (66.84±6.58) months.The proportions of fundus progression in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 15.68%(61/389), 21.71%(84/387), 21.35%(82/384), 25.71%(99/385), and 26.11%(100/383), respectively, with statistical significant differences among them ( χ2=15.97, P=0.003).Using group 1 as a reference, LDL-C 2.58-2.95 mmol/L was an independent risk factor for progression of retinal arteriosclerosis ( OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.04-2.22), and RCS analysis showed an " L" shaped association.The effect of LDL-C on retinal arteriosclerosis showed a threshold effect, with the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis progression increasing with increasing LDL-C when LDL-C was <2.34 mmol/L ( OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.10-3.62), and stabilizing when LDL-C was ≥2.34 mmol/L. Conclusions:LDL-C has a threshold effect on the impact of retinal arteriosclerosis progression, and the threshold is 2.34 mmol/L.

Objective:To establish a polymerase chain reaction(PCR)method to accurately discriminate the crude materials and aqueous extract of Zaocys dhumnades,Elaphe carinata,Elaphe meollendorff and Ptyas korros.Methods:Specific primers were designed using mitochondrial Cytb gene(CO1)as a target gene,and annealing temperature,number of cycles and the type of DNA polymerases were optimized.The mixed samples were detected by this method.Results:By this multiplex allele-specific PCR identification method,135,182,246 and 197 bp of specific fragments were amplified from DNA templates of Zaocys dhumnades,Elaphe carinata,Elaphe meollendorffi and Ptyas korros,respectively,following the conditions:cycle number of 35,annealing temperature of 62 ℃.The adulterants and the blank control showed no bands.The method could simultaneously and accurately identify the snake-derived components in the mixed samples.Conclusion:The method can be used to identify the samples of Zaocys dhumnades,Elaphe carinata,Elaphe meollendorffi and Ptyas korros simultaneously,accurately and rapidly,and is suitable for the identification of standard decoctiond and formula granules samples.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and immunotherapy responsiveness of patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G-antibody associated disease (MOGAD) with epilepsy, and display the risk factors of epilepsy in MOGAD.Methods:Eighty-nine patients with MOGAD diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2019 and May 2023 were enrolled and classified into 2 groups upon MOGAD with ( n=29) or without epilepsy ( n=60). The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Clinical Assessment Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) were used for evaluation of severity, and EDSS or CASE scores on the 30th day after first-line immunotherapy initiation lower than that on admission were defined as well treatment responsiveness. The differences of general data, clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood biochemical examination results, and immunotherapy reactivity between the 2 groups were thoroughly explicated. In addition, the risk factors of epilepsy in MOGAD were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results:Compared with patients with MOGAD without epilepsy, patients with MOGAD with epilepsy were characterized by lower age of onset [24.5(10.3, 34.0) years vs 11.0(6.5, 20.0) years, Z=-2.348, P=0.019], higher percentage of male patients [43.3%(26/60) vs 75.9%(22/29), χ 2=8.326, P=0.004], higher virus infection rate [28.3%(17/60) vs 51.7%(15/29), χ 2=4.645, P=0.031], higher incidence of prodromal symptoms [11.7%(7/60) vs 34.5%(10/29), χ 2=6.586, P=0.010], higher blood-brain barrier breakdown rate [35.0%(21/60) vs 58.6%(17/29), χ 2=4.458, P=0.035], higher percentage of CSF albumin level>450 mg/L [48.3%(29/60) vs 75.9%(22/29), χ 2=6.056, P=0.014] and higher creatine kinase level [45.50(28.50, 69.75) U/L vs 57.50(41.75, 97.25) U/L, Z=-2.349, P=0.019]; more epilepsy [0(0) vs 29/29 (100.0%), χ 2=89.000, P<0.001] and disturbance of consciousness [0(0) vs 6/29(20.7%), χ 2=10.224, P=0.001] as clinical manifestations, and more cerebral cortex lesions [30/60(50.0%) vs 25/29(86.2%), χ 2=10.856, P=0.001] on magnetic resonance imaging. Nevertheless, the patients with MOGAD without epilepsy were featured with more visual impairment [23/60(38.3%) vs 3/29(10.3%), χ 2=7.406, P=0.007], limb weakness [18/60(30.0%) vs 1/29(3.4%), χ 2=8.209, P=0.004], sensory disturbance [15/60(25.0%) vs 0(0), Fisher exact probability test, P=0.002] and more cervical cord lesions [22/60(36.7%) vs 4/29(13.8%), χ 2=4.946, P=0.026] on magnetic resonance imaging. Immunotherapy responsiveness was relatively poor in the MOGAD with epilepsy group [EDSS score lower than that on admission: 15/29(51.7%) vs 46/60(76.7%), χ 2=5.641, P=0.018; CASE score lower than that on admission: 16/29(55.2%) vs 47/60(78.3%), χ 2=5.072, P=0.024] compared with the MOGAD without epilepsy group. Male was the independent risk factor of epilepsy in MOGAD ( OR=7.078, 95% CI 1.709-29.326, P=0.007). Conclusions:Compared with patients with MOGAD without epilepsy, patients with MOGAD with epilepsy reported more male patients, lower age of onset and higher incidence of prodromal symptoms, blood-brain barrier dysfunction rate, virus infection rate, CSF albumin level and creatine kinase level; clinical phenotypes were mainly meningoencephalitis and more cerebral cortex lesions were shown on magnetic resonance imaging. MOGAD with epilepsy was closely related to poor immunotherapy responsiveness, and gender was found to be the independent risk factor for epilepsy in MOGAD.

Objective:To analyze the relations of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity with clinical features and their response to immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE).Methods:One hundred and forty-seven AE patients confirmed in Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to December 2021 were chosen; their clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. In accordance with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumin/serum albumin (QAlb) value of 7, patients were classified into normal BBB group ( n=101, QAlb value ≤7.00) and damaged BBB group ( n=46, QAlb value >7.00). Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Clinical Assessment Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) were used to evaluate the severity on admission and 30 d after first-line immunotherapy; and good immunotherapy responsiveness was defined as CASE or mRS scores 30 d after first-line immunotherapy lower than those at admission. Differences of general data, clinical manifestations, CSF and peripheral blood biochemical results, and response to immunotherapy between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results:The damaged BBB group had significantly higher proportions of patients with decreased consciousness level (58.7% vs. 37.6%), increased CSF protein, increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) and increased 24 h intramural IgG synthesis rate, and significantly higher fibrinogen in peripheral blood than normal BBB group ( P<0.05). On 30 th d of treatment, mRS scores of patients in damaged BBB group were significantly higher than those of patients in normal BBB group ( P<0.05), and the differences of CASE scores and mRS scores before and after treatment in damaged BBB group were significantly lower than those in normal BBB group (0.50±0.46 vs. 3.24±2.93, 0.70±0.62 vs. 1.15±1.04, P<0.05). In damaged BBB group, good immunotherapy response rate in patients receiving single immunotherapy was significantly lower than that in patients receiving two or three combinations of first-line immunotherapy ( P<0.05). Conclusion:BBB integrity is closely related to clinical characteristics and response to immunotherapy of AE; combined first-line immunotherapy is recommended for AE patients with BBB injury.

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma (IDH) is an uncommon complication of myocardial infarction that can potentially lead to cardiac rupture.[1] Two distinguishable types of cardiac rupture have been identified: a simple tear, which is the most common case and is characterized by a lineal or tortuous tear along the myocardial wall, and complex hemorrhagic dissection. IDH is generally classified as complex hemorrhagic dissection, in which blood infiltrates into the myocardial wall.[2] IDH is characterized by a serpiginous tract within the myocardium, which is also known as subepicardial aneurysm. The mechanisms of IDH are multifactorial and contribute to the rupture of intramyocardial vessels, diminished tensile strength of the infarcted myocardium, abrupt increases in perfusion pressure during the perfusion phase, or in rare cases, iatrogenesis.[3] Furthermore, the anatomical substrate of IDH is the spiral helical structure of the heart that favors hemorrhage spreading along the spiral myocardial fibers.[4] IDH is often a challenging diagnosis and prone to misdiagnosis because of its rarity and various clinical presentations. Here, we report a patient with IDH.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the molecular characteristics of the H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) causing human infection in Yunnan Province in 2019, and to provide the scientific basis for the prevention and control of avian influenza in Yunnan Province. Methods Influenza virus typing was performed by real-time RT-PCR in two influenza-like illness samples, and the Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencer was used to determine the viral genome sequence. HA and NA gene sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction were performed using Mega7.0 software. Results Real-time RT-PCR results showed that two influenza-like illness samples were positive for H9N2 subtype. The full length of HA and NA were obtained by genomic sequencing. Sequence system evolution analysis showed that the HA and NA of the two AIVs in Yunnan Province were in the same evolutionary clade as A/Chicken/Zhejiang/HJ/2007 and belonged to the G57 type. The HA nucleotide and amino acid homology of the two AIVs were 93.92% and 95.00%, respectively, and the NA nucleotide and amino acid homology was 93.31% and 82.03%, respectively. The nucleotide (amino acid) homology of HA was 92.29%-96.94% (93.77%-98.43%) and 92.84%-94.92% (94.18%-96.23%), respectively, and NA nucleotide homology (amino acid) were 91.81%-97.60% (77.82%-94.83%), 94.38%-97.22% (85.47%-94.55%), respectively, compared with that of human infected H9N2 epidemic strains obtained in China from 2015 to 2020. Both AIVs HA protein cleavage site sequences were PSRSSR↓GLF, which was in line with the characteristics of low pathogenic influenza. The analysis of HA protein receptor binding site showed that amino acids at positions 109, 161, 163, 191, 202, 203 and 234 were consistent with the reference strains, while amino acids at position 198 were mutated to T. N166D and 168N mutations were also found in HA protein, and both AIVs had 7 potential glycosylation sites. Analysis of the erythrocyte binding site of NA gene found that there were amino acid mutations at positions 369, 402, 403, and 432, and amino acid deletion at positions 63-65 was found in the NA genes. There were 4 and 5 potential glycosylation sites in the two AIVs, respectively, and no drug resistance site mutations were found. Conclusions　The receptor binding sites, erythrocyte binding sites and glycosylation sites of HA and NA genes of H9N2 AIV in Yunnan Province have different degrees of variation, and monitoring and prevention and control should be strengthened.

Aortic dissection, especially Stanford type A aortic dissection, is an acutely progressive and highly fatal cardiovascular disease.Early prevention and timely treatment can greatly reduce mortality and reduce the burden on families and society.However, due to the etiological mechanism is still unclear, the clinical treatment is still mainly surgery, and the early prevention and drug application are very limited.And some recent studies have found that ferroptosis may play an important role in the occurrence and development of aortic dissection, revealing the relationship between them may provide ideas for the prevention, treatment and scientific research of the disease.

Objective:To develop a rapid, simple and cost-effective quantitative TaqMan RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) that could be used as an alternative to sequencing for the detection of Omicron variants and to evaluate its performance.Methods:Primers and TaqMan probes targeting the conserved domains of SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab and the high-frequency mutation sites in the S gene of Omicron variants were designed. Then a RT-qPCR for the detection of Omicron variants was established. The consistency of the method was verified using samples identified by whole-genome sequencing. The specificity and sensitivity of the method were also evaluated.Results:The established RT-qPCR could distinguish Omicron variants from early epidemic A strains and Alpha and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2, and the results were consistent with those of whole-genome sequencing with a coincidence rate of 100% (28/28). There was no cross-reactivity with other six respiratory viruses or coxsackievirus group A16. For RNA standards, this method showed good linearity in the range of 10 9-10 3 copies/μl with a correlation coefficient ( R2) greater than 0.99 and detection sensitivity of 10 3 copies/μl. Conclusions:The RT-qPCR designed in this study for Omicron variant detection had good sensitivity and specificity and could be easily performed in laboratories, which would greatly facilitate the monitoring of Omicron variants.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in Crohn′s disease (CD) patients.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 41 CD patients who received adalimumab in Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from January 2020 to August 2021. General clinical data, laboratory results, endoscopy and radiologic findings were collected, meanwhile, disease activity and safety events were evaluated at baseline and at 12, 24 and 48 weeks of administration. Adalimumab was given subcutaneously once every 2 weeks in doses of 160 mg for the first time, 80 mg for the second time, and 40 mg for each subsequent time.Results:The clinical remission rates at 12, 24, and 48 weeks of treatment were 43.9% (18/41), 60.6% (20/33), 60.9% (14/23), and the clinical response rates were 75.6% (31/41), 69.7% (23/33), and 56.5%( 13/23), respectively. The proportion of endoscopic remission at 12, 24 and 48 weeks were 4/14, 2/6, 1/4 in patients undergoing endoscopy, and 1/14 patients achieved mucosal healing at 24 weeks. Primary nonresponse rate (PNR) was 17.1% (7/41), loss of response (LOR) rate was 14.6% (6/41). The incidence of adverse reactions was 9.8%(4/41).Conclusion:Adalimumab can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and intestinal disease activities of Crohn′s disease, and deserves to be popularized clinically. Patients with disease course <2 years, first-line biologics, low baseline HBI score, and longer duration of medication may have better results.