Immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN） is the primary glomerulonephritis with the highest incidence rate in the world. It is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD） in China， which has brought heavy economic burden to the society and patient families. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has certain advantages in treating IgAN. In TCM， IgAN is classified into consumptive disease， hematuria， and edema categories， with the location in the kidney and involving the lung， liver， and spleen. Professor Ren Jixue， a master of TCM， believes that kidney deficiency and spleen deficiency are the root causes of IgAN， and the throat is the source of the disease. He proposed the theory of throat-kidney correlation and used the method of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat to treat IgAN， achieving significant therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that IgAN is closely related to mucosal immune defense. IgAN patients often experience recurrent and gradually worsening symptoms due to mucosal infections， and polymeric Ig receptor （PIgR） is an important component of mucosal defense function. The lack of PIgR leads to the accumulation of IgA molecules in the mucosal lamina propria， and the molecules enter the bloodstream in large quantities and ultimately deposit in the kidneys， causing kidney damage. Complement regulatory protein complement receptor type 1 （CR1） exists on red blood cells and glomeruli and has the function of inhibiting the activation and differentiation of B cells， clearing immune complexes， and inhibiting excessive activation of the complement system. Therefore， regulating the immune defense function through the mucosal-renal axis mediated by PIgR-CR1 will be an important target for preventing and treating IgAN. Based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation， this article explores the effects and molecular mechanisms of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat in preventing and treating IgAN by regulating the mucosal-kidney axis mediated by PIgR-CR1. It provides effective theoretical support and a scientific basis for TCM prevention and treatment of IgAN based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN） is the primary glomerulonephritis with the highest incidence rate in the world. It is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD） in China， which has brought heavy economic burden to the society and patient families. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has certain advantages in treating IgAN. In TCM， IgAN is classified into consumptive disease， hematuria， and edema categories， with the location in the kidney and involving the lung， liver， and spleen. Professor Ren Jixue， a master of TCM， believes that kidney deficiency and spleen deficiency are the root causes of IgAN， and the throat is the source of the disease. He proposed the theory of throat-kidney correlation and used the method of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat to treat IgAN， achieving significant therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that IgAN is closely related to mucosal immune defense. IgAN patients often experience recurrent and gradually worsening symptoms due to mucosal infections， and polymeric Ig receptor （PIgR） is an important component of mucosal defense function. The lack of PIgR leads to the accumulation of IgA molecules in the mucosal lamina propria， and the molecules enter the bloodstream in large quantities and ultimately deposit in the kidneys， causing kidney damage. Complement regulatory protein complement receptor type 1 （CR1） exists on red blood cells and glomeruli and has the function of inhibiting the activation and differentiation of B cells， clearing immune complexes， and inhibiting excessive activation of the complement system. Therefore， regulating the immune defense function through the mucosal-renal axis mediated by PIgR-CR1 will be an important target for preventing and treating IgAN. Based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation， this article explores the effects and molecular mechanisms of tonifying kidney and invigorating spleen as well as detoxifying and relieving sore-throat in preventing and treating IgAN by regulating the mucosal-kidney axis mediated by PIgR-CR1. It provides effective theoretical support and a scientific basis for TCM prevention and treatment of IgAN based on the theory of throat-kidney correlation.

Objective The aim is to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to construct Dmd gene mutant mice with a point mutation in exon 23 of the Dmd gene. Subsequently, the phenotypic changes of the mice in muscles and immune systems are analyzed and verified, providing an evaluation model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other related diseases.MethodsBased on the sequence characteristics of exon 23 of the Dmd gene, small guide RNA (sgRNA) was designed and synthesized. Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA fragments, and oligo donor DNA were microinjected into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6J mice. After transferring the fertilized eggs to surrogate mice, F0 generation mice were born. After mating with F0 generation mice, offspring mice were obtained, and Dmd gene positive mutant (Dmd^Mu/+) mice were obtained after genotype identification. Male hemizygous Dmd^Mu/+(Dmd^Mu/Y) mice were selected for phenotype validation. The body weight of live 3- and 9-month-old mice were recorded. Muscle tension was evaluated through the grid test. Hearts and semitendinosus muscles were collected, and the histopathological changes were observed using HE staining. Further, the expression of Dmd protein in muscle tissue of 9-month-old mice was analyzed by Western blotting.An acute inflammation model was established in Dmd^Mu/Y mice using lipopolysaccharide induction. Peripheral blood from the submandibular vein was collected, and the changes in the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes were detected by flow cytometry.Results The results of genome sequencing and Western blotting confirmed the successful construction of Dmd gene point mutant mice (Dmd^Mu/+ mice). Dmd protein expression was not detected in skeletal muscle and myocardium of Dmd^Mu/+ mice, and it was significantly reduced compared to wild-type C57BL/6J mice (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type mice of the same background, Dmd^Mu/Y mice at 3 and 9 months of age showed significant weight loss (P<0.01) and decreased muscle tension (P<0.05). 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice exhibited significant pathological changes in skeletal muscle and myocardium, including widening of intermuscular space. Under normal condition, compared with wild-type mice, the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes in the peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice remained significantly lower compared to that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). The proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice significantly decreased after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.01), with a trend of change observed in monocytes between groups.Conclusion The successful construction of the Dmd gene mutant mouse model has confirmed the vital function of Dmd gene in maintaining normal muscle tissue morphology and muscle tone. It preliminarily indicated that Dmd gene deletion could significantly reduce the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood, offering a new perspective for the study of immune system alterations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

OBJECTIVE Investigating the clinical characteristics,risk factors,treatment strategies and prognosis of head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma(HNEMP).METHODS To analyze indicators affecting survival and prognosis,retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 38 newly diagnosed and untreated patients with HNEMP who were admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital from September 2008 to January 2022.RESULTS Among 38 patients,5 cases(13.2%)displayed a manifestation as cranial-nasal-orbital communication,and 8 cases(21.1%)involved a tumor with diameter≥5 cm.There were 17 patients(44.7%)who underwent surgical resection along,13 patients(34.2%)who received postoperative radiotherapy,8 cases(21.1%)who accepted chemotherapy,and 5 cases(13.2%)who experienced combined radiochemotherapy.Following treatment evaluation,32 cases achieved CR,3 cases showed PR,1 case demonstrated SD and 2 cases experienced PD.The median follow-up time was 86 months,with 5-year PFS and OS rates of 92.1%and 94.7%,respectively.Of note,the patients with cranial-nasal-orbital communication exhibited significantly unfavorable 5-year PFS and OS rates of 40%and 60%,respectively,with median PFS of 13 months,whereas the patients in other groups achieved 100%of 5-year PFS and OS rates.Additionally,tumor diameter≥5 cm and the involvement of cranial-nasal-orbital communication were adverse prognostic factors for both PFS and OS.CONCLUSION HNEMP is a rare disease and the primary treatment approach is surgery combined with radiotherapy.The prognosis for HNEMP tends to be relatively favorable,with the involvement of cranial-nasal-orbital communication and high tumor burden as the adverse prognostic indicators.

Objective To investigate the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2(NOD2)modified by palmitoyltransferase(ZDHHC5)in brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)in mice.Methods Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the blank group,the control group,the ZDHHC5-si group and the NOD2-si group,with 6 mice in each group.Except for the blank group without any treatment,CPR modeling was performed in the other three groups.At 24 h before CPR,mice in the ZDHHC5-si group and the NOD2-si group were injected with ZDHHC5 siRNA and NOD2 siRNA via tail vein,respectively.The modified neurological deficit scale(mNSS)was used to evaluate the neurological function at 24 h,48 h and 72 h in each group.Blood samples and brain tissue were collected 72 h after modeling.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to detect ZDHHC5 and NOD2 in brain tissue.The protein expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Colorimetric method and thiobarbituric acid(TBA)method were used to detect protein expression levels of MDA and MPO in brain tissue,respectively.Western blot assay was used to detect expression levels of Cleaved Caspase-3,ZDHHC5 and NOD2 in brain tissue.HE pathological sections of brain tissue were observed under light microscope.The pathological sections of brain tissue were observed by TUNEL under fluorescence microscope.Results Compared with the blank group,the mNSS score,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6,MDA and MPO,and the protein expression levels of Cleaved Caspase-3,ZDHHC5 and NOD2 were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and brain tissue damage and cell apoptosis were aggravated in the other three groups.Compared with the control group,the above indicators were significantly decreased in the ZDHHC5-si group and the NOD2-si group(P＜0.05),and brain tissue damage and cell apoptosis were significantly attenuated.Compared with the NOD2-si group,the above parameters were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and brain tissue damage and cell apoptosis were further attenuated in the ZDHHC5-si group.Conclusion In the mouse CPR model,NOD2 can produce palmitoylated NOD2 after regulated by ZDHHC5,which further promotes the release of inflammatory factors and causes neuronal apoptosis,ultimately damaging brain tissue and affecting neurological function.

Natural killer/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a malignant tumor originating from NK or T cells, characterized by its highly aggressive and heterogeneous nature. NKTCL is predominantly associated with Epstein–Barr virus infection, disproportionately affecting Asian and Latin American populations. Owing to the application of asparaginase and immunotherapy, clinical outcomes have improved significantly. However, for patients in whom first-line treatment fails, the prognosis is exceedingly poor. Overexpression of multidrug resistance genes, abnormal signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications and active Epstein–Barr virus infection may be responsible for resistance. This review summarized the mechanisms of resistance for NKTCL and proposed potential therapeutic approaches.

Objective To explore the correlation between cognitive function and methylation levels of various CpG sites in the promoter region of the glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 2B(GRIN2B)gene in patients with bipolar depression accompanied by anxiety symptoms.Methods According to the 14-item Hamilton anxiety rating scale(HAMA)score,31 bipolar depression patients were divided into a group of 15 with anxiety symptoms and a group of 16 without anxiety symptoms.Sixteen healthy individuals were selected as controls during the same period.The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA),digital span test(DST),trail making test A(TMT-A),and Stroop color and word test(SCWT)were used to measure cognitive areas such as global cognitive function,attention and executive control,information processing speed,executive function in three groups.The DNA methylation levels of the CpG site in the GRIN2B gene promoter region in the peripheral blood of all participants were measured using Massarray spectrometry.Results The CpG sites showing differences in DNA methylation levels among the three groups were CpG3,CpG5,CpG7,CpG10,and CpG12(P<0.05),and the level of CpG12 methylation was lower in the group with anxiety than in the group without anxiety(36.23%±16.41%vs.50.20%±19.79%,P<0.05).Partial correlation analysis showed that,in the group with anxiety,poor naming ability was correlated with the lower methylation level of GRIN2B gene's CpG4(r=0.670,P=0.034),poor executive function was correlated with the lower CpG6 methylation level(r=0.926,P<0.001),poor attention was correlated with the higher CpG8 methylation level(r=-0.810,P=0.025),poor verbal memory was correlated with the higher CpG9 methylation level(r=-0.810,P<0.001),and poor abstract ability was correlated with the higher CpG10 methylation level(r=-0.756,P=0.011).Conclusion The DNA methylation level in the promoter region of the GRIN2B gene may be associated with cognitive impairment and anxiety symptoms in patients with bipolar depression.

Humans ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Skin Diseases ; Necrosis ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy

ObjectiveOptimize the latex perfusion technique and apply it to the construction of a murine craniofacial venous vascular model.Methods A total of nine 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice weighing (25.0±1.3) g were randomly divided into three groups: 60% latex physiological saline group, 60% latex heparin group, and 30% latex heparin group. After completion of the perfusion, the specimens were immersed in 4 °C formalin fixative for 24 h, followed by dissection, observation, and measurement of the extracranial blood vessel diameters. Results After 200 μL latex perfusion solution was injected into the external jugular vein, the supraorbital vein, infraorbital vein, temporal vein, retrofacial vein, masseter vein and external jugular vein were perfused in each group.After comparing the perfusion degree of the distal branches of blood vessels, sublingual vein and tip venule, it was found that the 30% latex heparin group had the best perfusion effect, followed by the 60% latex heparin group, and the 60% latex saline group had the worst perfusion effect.ConclusionThe optimized latex perfusion technique can effectively infuse the veins in the head and face of mice, and this technique can provide a good reference for the study of the direction and morphology of facial veins in mice.

Objective Exploring the relationship between anxiety symptoms and neurometabolism in the ventrome-dial prefrontal cortex(vmPFC)of adolescents with bipolar depression.Methods Thirty-six adolescent patients with bi-polar depression were assessed and grouped by using the 14-item Hamilton anxiety rating scale(HAMA),including 20 pa-tients with anxiety symptoms and 16 patients without anxiety symptoms.The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the 24-Hamilton depression scale(HAMD),and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS)was used.The dif-ference of vmPFC neurometabolism between 2 groups was compared.Results Compared with the group without anxiety symptoms,the HAMD score[24.50(24.00,26.75)vs.23.00(22.00,24.00)]and the proportion of family history(40.0%vs.0)were significantly higher in the group with anxiety symptoms than in the group without anxiety symptoms(P<0.05).The level of mI/Cr was higher in the group with anxiety symptoms than that in the group without anxiety symptoms(0.58±0.12 vs.0.47±0.11),and the difference was significant(P<0.05).Cho/Cr and HAMD scores in patients with anxiety symptoms were positively correlated(r=0.589,P=0.006),and mI/Cr was negatively correlated with disease duration(r=-0.481,P= 0.032).Conclusions Anxiety symptoms in adolescent bipolar depression patients may be related to elevated levels of mI,a neurometabolite in the brain region of vmPFC.