PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-negative alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in Schuurs-Hoeijmakers syndrome

Bmgsb directly activates Bmubxn-4 to inhibit the DNA endoreplication and affect the cell fate in the silk gland of Bombyx mori

Silk protein produced by the silk gland of silkworm (Bombyx mori), finds extensive application in tissue engineering and biomedicine. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing silk gland development is critical for optimizing silk protein production and its biomedical applications. Prior studies demonstrated that Bmgsb influences cell fate determination through modulation of endoreplication. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of Bmgsb, transcriptome analysis identified a novel gene, designated Bmubxn-4. Dual-luciferase reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that Bmgsb directly regulates Bmubxn-4 transcription. Bmubxn-4 knockdown in the ASG resulted in increased cell size, DNA endoreplication and upregulation of cell cycle-related genes. Bmubxn-4 knockdown in the AMSG resulted in developmental defects and upregulation of ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-related genes. These findings indicate that Bmubxn-4, a direct target gene of Bmgsb, plays a crucial role in silk gland cell redifferentiation and DNA endoreplication. This study provides novel insights into silk gland cell differentiation and the transcriptional regulation of silk protein.

Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma of Nasopharynx and Paranasal Sinuses in Children Diagnosis and Treatment-Review of the Literature and Case Report

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is a rare pediatric malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, particularly when located in the rhinopharynx and sphenoidal floor, which complicates diagnosis and increases the risk of misclassification as benign growths. The specific genotype of aRMS is associated with a worse clinical outcome. In young children, especially those aged 4 to 12 years, rhinopharyngeal masses are often attributed to chronic adenoiditis; however, other benign (e.g., angiofibroma in boys) and malignant tumors may also be present. Initial symptoms frequently include nasal obstruction, muco-purulent nasal discharge, serous otitis media, sinusitis, and epistaxis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the second most common ENT neoplasm in children, following lymphoma, with an incidence of approximately 6 cases per 1,000,000 annually. This report presents the case of an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with aRMS, accompanied by a literature review. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma should be suspected in children presenting with a vegetative tumor in the rhinopharynx or paranasal sinuses. Combined treatment approaches (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) should be tailored to tumor characteristics. Neuronavigation-guided functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is an effective option for achieving complete tumor excision, depending on tumor size and extent. The prognosis remains reserved and is contingent upon accurate evaluation and timely intervention. Rigorous follow-up, including endoscopic and imagistic investigation, is crucial for early detection of recurrences, thereby improving treatment outcomes.

In search of a cure: PACS1 Research Foundation as a model of rare disease therapy development

Rare diseases affect nearly 400 million people worldwide and have a devastating impact on patients and families. Although these diseases are collectively common, they are often overlooked by the research community. We present the ongoing work of the PACS1 Syndrome Research Foundation as a paradigm for approaching rare disease research.