Objective To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)in hepatocyte regeneration after acet-aminophen(APAP)-induced injury in human normal liver cell(L02)and its possible mechanism.Methods L02 cells were cultured in vitro,and cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay.The optimal concentration and duration of APAP and the concentration of TLR4 inhibitor(TAK-242)were determined.The protein expression levels of nu-clear factor-κB(NF-κB),microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),p62,receptor interacting protein kinase 1(RIP1),receptor interacting protein kinase 3(RIP3),signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3),phosphorylation of STAT3(p-STAT3),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blot.The mRNA expression levels of TLR4,NF-κB,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),inter-leukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β),PCNA,Cyclin D1 and Ki67 were detected by qRT-PCR.Results Ac-cording to the results of CCK-8,L02 cells were treated with 5 mmol/L APAP for 24,36,48 h to simulate liver in-jury and regeneration model in vitro,and TAK-242 100 nmol/L was pretreated 2 ht before APAP to inhibit TLR4.Compared with the control group,the protein levels of NF-κB,RIP1,p-STAT3,PCNA,Cyclin D1 and the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β and PCNA increased in the APAP 24 h group;the protein levels of NF-κB,RIP1,RIP3,p-STAT3,PCNA,Cyclin D1 and the mRNA levels of TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1 β,PCNA and Cyclin D1 in-creased in the APAP 36 h group;the protein levels of NF-κB,RIP1,p-STAT3,PCNA,Cyclin D1 and the mRNA levels of TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,PCNA,Cyclin D1 and Ki67 increased in the APAP 48 h group.The protein levels of NF-κB,RIP1,RIP3,p-STAT3,PCNA,Cyclin D1 and the mRNA levels of TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,PCNA,Cyclin D1,Ki67 significantly decreased in APAP+TAK-242 24 h and 48 h group than the APAP group at the same time point;the protein levels of NF-κB,PCNA and the mRNA levels of TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,PCNA and Ki67 in APAP+TAK-242 36 h group were also significantly lower than those in APAP 36 h group.Compared with the control group,autophagy was activated in the APAP group,while autophagy was inhibited in the APAP+TAK-242 group.Conclusion TLR4 may affect the TLR4/NF-κB pathway,up-regulate the levels of inflammatory factors and autophagy,and promote hepatocyte regeneration after APAP-in-duced liver injury in L02 cells.

Objective:To screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)under high phosphate-induced calcification in the vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by mRNA high-throughput sequencing technology,and to analyze the key genes and signaling pathways involved in the VSMCs calcification.Methods:The human VSMCs were divided into control group and model group.The cells in model group was exposed to the high-phosphate medium,while the cells in control group were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum under the same conditions.The VSMCs in two groups,stably transfected,were cultured for 12 d.The morphology of the cells in two groups were observed and photographed under inverted microscope.The DEGs were selected by Hisat2 software,and Gene Ontology(GO)functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Stringtie software from three aspects,such as biological processes(BP),molecular functions(MF),and cellular components(CC).The calcification of the cells in two groups was observed by Von Kossa staining method.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to analyze the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),tumor protein 53(Tp53),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin light chain 1(Ftl1),and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D1(GPLD1)mRNA in the cells in two groups.Results:Compared with control group,there were 2 524 DEGs in the cells in model group,and there were 1 368 upregulated DEGs and 1 156 downregulated DEGs.Clustering of DEGs between the cells in two groups was distinct.The GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the upregulated DEGs were primarily involved in regulating the microtubule cytoskeleton,cell polarity,protein localization,and cell cycle regulation among BPs;in constructing cell membrane,microtubule organization,chromosomes,and kinetochore among CCs;and functioning in phosphatidylinositol phosphate,Rho GTPase protein binding,transmembrane transport,and protein kinase regulatory activity among MFs.Downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in cytoplasmic translation,protein membrane localization,mRNA metabolism,and protein endoplasmic reticulum localization among BPs;in forming ribosome subunits,cell membrane,and autophagy among CCs;and functioning in single-stranded DNA,ribonucleoprotein complex,growth factor binding,regulating protein kinase activity,and catalytic activity among MFs.Seven signaling pathways were significantly enriched in upregulated genes,most notably in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)anchors;whereas 18 signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the downregulated genes,most notably in ferroptosis.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of GPX4,Ftl1,and Tp53 mRNA in the cells in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression level of GPLD1 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the expression level of α-SMA mRNA in the cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression levels of ALP and BMP2 mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The VSMCs underwent calcification and normal cells exhibit the DEGs.The key signaling pathways in the calcification induced by high phosphate in the VSMCs include ferroptosis and GPI anchor biosynthesis,mediated primarily through GPX4,Ftl1,Tp53,and GPLD1.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with facial dysmorphism and multiple malformations. METHODS: The child, born at 34⁺⁶ weeks' gestation due to premature rupture of amniotic membrane, dichorionic diamniotic twinning and gestational diabetes, was subjected to chromosomal karyotyping analysis and copy number variations sequencing (CNV-seq). RESULTS: The child was found to have facial dysmorphism, hypospadia, cryptorchidism and hypotonia. He was found to have a 46,XY,del(3)(p26) karyotype in addition with a 9.80 Mb deletion (chr3: 60 000-9 860 000) encompassing 33 protein coding genes. CONCLUSION The 3p26.3p25.3 deletion probably underlay the multiple malformations in this child. Continuous follow-up is required to improve his quality of life.
Humans ; Male ; Chromosome Deletion ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Quality of Life ; Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Phenotype

Objective To investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibition affects liver regeneration during acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice, as well as the mechanism of TLR4 involved in liver regeneration. Methods A total of 78 male CD-1 mice were divided into nine groups using a random number table, i.e., three control groups (normal control group, solvent control group, inhibitor control group) with 6 mice in each group and six experimental groups (APAP 24-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 24-hour group, APAP 48-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 48-hour group, APAP 72-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 72-hour group) with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the experimental groups were given a single dose of intraperitoneally injected APAP (300 mg/kg), and TAK-242 was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 3 mg/kg at 3 hours before APAP administration. Serum and liver tissue samples were collected at different time points. The biochemical method was used to measure the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT); HE staining was used to observe liver pathological changes; RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression levels of Cyclin D1, PCNA, Ki-67, STAT3, and p-STAT3. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the normal control group, the APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT (both P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). HE staining showed typical central lobular necrosis in the liver of APAP-treated mice, and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly larger necrotic area than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry showed that the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). In addition, the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower phosphorylation level of STAT3 than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). Conclusion TLR4 may promote liver regeneration by increasing the phosphorylation level of STAT3 during APAP-induced liver injury in mice.

Objective : To used Toll⁃like receptor 4( TLR4) inhibitor ( TAK⁃242) investigate the role of TLR4 in the early stage of acetaminophen (APAP) Ⅳinduced acute liver injury in mice. Methods : Fifty⁃eight male institute of cancer research( ICR) mice were randomly divided into control group ( normal control group , solvent control group , inhibitor control group) and experimental group (APAP 4 ⁃ hour group , APAP + TAK⁃242 4 ⁃ hour group , APAP 12 ⁃ hour group , APAP + TAK⁃242 12 ⁃ hour group) . Mice in the experimental group were given a single dose of APAP (300 mg/kg) and TAK⁃242 (3 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneal injection 3 ⁃ hour before APAP injection. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and liver index of mice in each group were compared ; HE staining showed pathological changes of liver tissue;the level of high mobility group box⁃1 (HMGB1) was determined by immunohistochemistry;the levels of TLR4 , HMGB1 and nuclear factor kappa B(NF⁃κB) protein were detected by Western blot;the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein⁃1( MCP⁃1) , interleukin( IL) Ⅳ1β , tumor necrosis factor⁃α ( TNF⁃α ) and IL⁃6 genes were determined by real⁃time fluorescence quantitative PCR ( RT⁃qPCR) . The content of IL⁃6 in liver tissue was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Results : HE staining showed liver tissue of mice obvious swelling and congestion of in APAP group at 4 ⁃hour and typical lobular central necrosis in APAP group at 12 ⁃ hour;the degree of liver necrosis in APAP + TAK⁃242 groups at 4 ⁃ hour and 12⁃ hour was less than that in APAP group at the same time point. Compared with the normal control group , serum ALT level , liver index , TLR4 , HMGB1 , NF⁃κB protein content , MCP⁃1 , IL⁃1β , TNF⁃α , IL⁃6 gene levels and IL⁃6 content in liver tissue of APAP 4 ⁃ hour group increased ; serum ALT level , liver index , HMGB1 protein content and IL⁃6 content in liver tissue increased in APAP 12 ⁃ hour group. Compared with APAP 4 ⁃ hour group , serum ALT level , liver index , TLR4 , HMGB1 , NF⁃κB protein content , MCP⁃1 , IL⁃1β , TNF⁃α , IL⁃6 gene level and IL⁃6 content in liver tissue decreased in APAP + TAK⁃242 4 ⁃ hour group. Compared with APAP 12 ⁃hour group , the levels of TLR4 , HMGB1 protein and MCP⁃1 , IL⁃1β , TNF⁃α genes in APAP + TAK⁃242 12 ⁃ hour group decreased. Conclusion nhibition of TLR4 may inhibit TLR4/HMGB1 pathway to reduce the inflammatory response in the early stage of acetaminophen⁃induced acute liver injury in mice.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of delayed methotrexate (MTX) elimination after high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the effects of delayed MTX elimination and HD-MTX reduction on the prognosis of children with ALL.Methods:The clinical data of 242 children with ALL diagnosed and treated in Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2015 to June 2020 in accordance with the Chinese Children's Cancer Group study ALL 2015 (CCCG-ALL 2015) were retrospectively analyzed. Low risk and intermediate/high risk children respectively received 3 g/m 2 and 5 g/m 2 HD-MTX for 4 times, and the serum MTX concentration was monitored. The serum MTX concentration > 1 μmol/L at 44 h of administration was considered as the delayed elimination, which was divided into mild (> 1 μmol/L and ≤ 5 μmol/L), moderate (> 5 μmol/L and ≤ 10 μmol/L) and severe (> 10 μmol/L) delayed elimination. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of delayed MTX elimination, and univariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the related factors of ALL relapse. Results:The 242 children with ALL completed 962 times of HD-MTX chemotherapy. The median serum MTX concentration [ M ( Q1, Q3)] at 44 h of administration was 0.45 μmol/L (0.33 μmol/L, 0.72 μmol/L). The total incidence of delayed MTX elimination was 17.7% (170/962). The incidence of mild, moderate and severe delayed elimination was 13.8% (133/962), 2.6% (25/962) and 1.2% (12/962), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 7 years old ( OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.41, P = 0.005), MTX dose >3 g/m 2 at each course ( OR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.52-3.03, P < 0.001) and the first course of HD-MTX chemotherapy ( OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.43-2.93, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for delayed MTX elimination. The median follow-up time was 50 months (34 months, 68 months), 12.8% (31/242) of the children relapsed, and the median relapse time was 30 months (30 months, 39 months). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the relapse rates among children with different gender, immunophenotype, risk, the number of delayed MTX elimination, and the completion of HD-MTX chemotherapy (the ratio of MTX average dose to initial planned dose) (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:The independent risk factors of delayed elimination of MTX in children with ALL are age ≥ 7 years old, MTX dose > 3 g/m 2 at each course and the first course of HD-MTX chemotherapy. Delayed elimination of MTX and reduction of HD-MTX have no significant effect on ALL relapse.

Objective:To explore the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on balance function in stroke patients.Methods:A total of 238 patients randomized to a rTMS group and a control group by using the random number table at the ratio of 1∶1. Patients in the rTMS group were treated with low-frequency rTMS delivered to the contralateral M1 area, while those in the control group were treated with sham rTMS. The intervention was administered 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Both groups were also treated with conventional physical therapies in addition to rTMS. At one day before the intervention, two days and six weeks after the intervention, Fugl-Meyer Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Modified Barthel index were employed to evaluate the functional outcome of all the patients.Results:After intervention, the scores of Fugl-Meyer Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Modified Barthel index in both groups were significantly improved, and the rTMS group improved significantly more than control group ( P<0.05). When compare to the control group, the rTMS group improved to a significantly greater extent with regard to all the outcomes measures p after intervention and at follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS is beneficial to the recovery of balance function in patients with stroke.

Turnner syndrome is a common sex chromosome disorder. We reported a rare case with Turnner syndrome caused by abnormal number and structure of sex chromosomes. Hereby fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and copy number variation by whole genome low depth sequencing (CNV-seq) were used to clarify the abnormal chromosome. This study provides a diagnostic strategy for clinicians and genetic researchers.

Objective:To explore the accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MR in preoperative localization of refractory epilepsy patients with conventional MRI negative. Methods:From August 2016 to December 2018, 57 refractory epilepsy patients (36 males, 21 females, age (24.0±10.3) years) with conventional MRI negative who underwent surgery in Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. All patients received interictal 18F-FDG PET/MR before surgery and the epileptogenic foci were determined by using visual and semi-quantitative methods. Patients were followed up for 1 year and the surgical outcome was evaluated according to Engel classification. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/MR in locating epileptogenic foci were calculated according to surgical resection and followed-up results as the " gold standard" . Results:Of 57 patients, 51(89.5%, 51/57) showed single or multiple hypo-metabolism focus on 18F-FDG PET/MR, and 6(10.5%, 6/57) showed no abnormal metabolism changes. The microstructure abnormality was found in 18 patients (31.6%, 18/57) on 18F-FDG PET/MR images. Follow-up results were obtained from 46 patients, and 84.8%(39/46) with seizure improvement (Engel Ⅰ-Ⅲ). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/MR in preoperative localization of epileptic foci was 90.0%(27/30), 3/16 and 65.2%(30/46), respectively. Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/MR is helpful for the detection of epileptic foci in patients with MRI-negative refractory epilepsy, and can provide reliable information for further surgical treatment.

Objective:To analyze the differences in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and preoperative localization between patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal epilepsy (ETLE) caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Methods:From April 2015 to August 2018, a total of 71 patients (45 males, 26 females, age (24.3±9.1) years) with refractory epilepsy who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before surgery and confirmed as FCD by pathology in Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into TLE and ETLE groups based on pathological results. 18F-FDG PET/CT images were analyzed qualitatively and compared with the operation result, then region of interest (ROI) was used to calculate the asymmetry index (AI), and evaluated the hypometabolism of every cerebral region by |AI| semi-quantitatively. Engle classification were followed-up after surgery. Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to analyze data. Results:Of 71 FCD patients, 35 were TLE and 36 were ETLE. The onset age of ETLE patients were younger than TLE patients ((10.1±6.5) vs (14.9±9.7) years; t=2.48, P=0.02). In TLE group, 54.29%(19/35) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 42.86%(15/35) showed hypometabolized brain regions in extratemporal lobe. In ETLE group, 27.78%(10/36) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 47.22%(17/36) showed hypometabolized brain regions in temporal lobe. There were significant differences in the lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT between TLE and ETLE patients (97.14%(34/35) vs 75.00%(27/36), 54.29%(19/35) vs 27.78%(10/36); χ2 values: 7.19, 6.27, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in |AI| values between the brain regions of TLE and ETLE patients ( z values: from -1.25 to -0.06, all P>0.05). Conclusion:The lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in TLE patients are better than that in ETLE patients.