Deficiency of nucleosome-destabilizing factor GLYR1 dampens spermatogenesis in mice

Aberrant sperm morphology hinders sperm motility and causes male subfertility. Spermatogenesis, a complex process in male germ cell development, necessitates precise regulation of numerous developmental genes. However, the regulatory pathways involved in this process remain partially understood. We have observed the widespread expression of Glyr1, the gene encoding a nucleosome-destabilizing factor, in mouse testicular cells. Our study demonstrates that mice experiencing Glyr1 depletion in spermatogenic cells exhibit subfertility characterized by a diminished count and motility of spermatozoa. Furthermore, the rate of sperm malformation significantly increases in the absence of Glyr1, with a predominant occurrence of head and neck malformation in spermatozoa within the cauda epididymis. Additionally, a reduction in spermatocyte numbers across different meiotic stages is observed, accompanied by diminished histone acetylation in spermatogenic cells upon Glyr1 depletion. Our findings underscore the crucial roles of Glyr1 in mouse spermiogenesis and unveil novel insights into the etiology of male reproductive diseases.

[Pathological features related to onco-immunity and their clinical significance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the tumor immunity-related pathologic features and clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: All pathologic materials and clinical information of 192 PDAC patients from the Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences from January 2010 to December 2020 were collected. The onco-immune microenvironment associated morphologic features were evaluated, and MHC-Ⅰ, PD-L1, CD3, and CD8 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then the correlation between the factors and their influence on prognosis was analyzed. Results: There were 163 cases of non-specific adenocarcinoma (163/192, 84.90%), 18 cases of adeno-squamous carcinoma (18/192, 9.37%), and 11 cases of other rare subtypes (11/192, 5.73%). Perineural invasion was observed in 110 cases (110/192, 57.29%) and vascular invasion in 86 cases (86/192, 44.79%). There were 84 cases (84/182, 46.15%) with severe chronic inflammation. Tumor infiltrating immune cell numbers (TII-N) were increased in 52 cases (52/192, 27.08%). Lymphocytes and plasma cells were the main infiltrating immune cells in 60 cases (60/192, 31.25%), whereas in 34 cases (34/192, 17.71%) the tumors were mainly infiltrated by granulocytes, and 98 cases (98/192, 51.04%) showed mixed infiltration. CD3+T cells were deficient in 124 cases (124/192, 66.31%). CD8+T cells were deficient in 152 cases (152/192, 79.58%). MHC-Ⅰ expression was down-regulated in 156 cases (156/192, 81.25%), and PD-L1 was positive (CPS≥1) in 46 cases (46/192, 23.96%). Statistical analysis showed that TII-N was negatively correlated with vascular invasion (P=0.035), perineural invasion (P=0.002), stage (P=0.004) and long-term alcohol consumption (P=0.039). The type of immune cells correlated positively with chronic pancreatic inflammation (P=0.002), and negatively with tumor differentiation (P=0.024). CD8+T cells were positively correlated with CD3+T cells (P=0.032), MHC-Ⅰ expression (P<0.001) and PD-L1 expression (P=0.001), and negatively correlated with long-term smoking (P=0.016). Univariate analysis showed that histological nonspecific type (P=0.013) and TII-N (P<0.001) were the factors for good prognosis. Vascular invasion (P=0.032), perineural invasion (P=0.001), high stage (P=0.003) and long-term alcohol consumption (P=0.004) were adverse prognostic factors. COX multivariate risk analysis found that TII-N was an independent favorable factor for PDAC, while perineural invasion was an independent adverse risk factor. Conclusions: TII-N is an independent superior prognostic factor for PDAC, and significantly correlated with many factors; chronic alcohol consumption and smoking may inhibit onco-immunity in PDAC patients.

[Primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma: clinicopathological features and prognostic analysis of fifteen cases]

Objective: To assess the clinical features and treatment outcomes in patients with primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma (POSCC). Methods: Fifteen patients with primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed from January 2009 to December 2018 in Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences were collected. The expression of p16, hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 and PMS2 in POSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the status of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) by RNAscope test. Results: Squamous cell carcinoma with different degrees of differentiation was found in 15 cases, including three cases with high differentiation and 12 cases with medium to low differentiation. There were four cases with in situ squamous cell carcinoma, four cases with teratoma, one case with endometrial carcinoma/atypical hyperplasia, and one case with endometriosis. p16 was expressed in five cases (5/15), indicating coexisting high-risk HPV infection. There was no high-risk HPV infection in the remaining 10 cases, and p16 staining was negative. There was no deficient mismatch repair protein in all cases. The overall survival time (P=0.038) and progression free survival (P=0.045) of patients with high-risk HPV infection were longer than those without HPV infection. Conclusions: POSCC is more commonly noted in postmenopausal women and often occurs unilaterally. Elevated serological indexes CA125 and SCC are the most common finding. Morphologically, the tumors show variable degrees of differentiation, but the current data suggest that the degree of differentiation cannot be used as an independent prognostic index. High-risk HPV infection may be associated with the occurrence of POSCC, and that the prognosis of POSCC patients with HPV infection is better than that of patients without infection.

Inhibition of DRP1 Impedes Zygotic Genome Activation and Preimplantation Development in Mice

Mitochondrion plays an indispensable role during preimplantation embryo development. Dynamic-related protein 1 (DRP1) is critical for mitochondrial fission and controls oocyte maturation. However, its role in preimplantation embryo development is still lacking. In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of DRP1 activity by mitochondrial division inhibitor-1, a small molecule reported to specifically inhibit DRP1 activity, can cause severe developmental arrest of preimplantation embryos in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Meanwhile, DRP1 inhibition resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction including decreased mitochondrial activity, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced mitochondrial copy number and inadequate ATP by disrupting both expression and activity of DRP1 and mitochondrial complex assembly, leading to excessive ROS production, severe DNA damage and cell cycle arrest at 2-cell embryo stage. Furthermore, reduced transcriptional and translational activity and altered histone modifications in DRP1-inhibited embryos contributed to impeded zygotic genome activation, which prevented early embryos from efficient development beyond 2-cell embryo stage. These results show that DRP1 inhibition has potential cytotoxic effects on mammalian reproduction, and DRP1 inhibitor should be used with caution when it is applied to treat diseases. Additionally, this study improves our understanding of the crosstalk between mitochondrial metabolism and zygotic genome activation.

Cleavage-embryo genes and transposable elements are regulated by histone variant H2A.X

During mammalian preimplantation development, stimulation of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and transposable elements (TEs) shapes totipotency profiling. A rare mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) subpopulation is capable of transiently entering a state resembling 2-cell stage embryos, with subtypes of TEs expressed and ZGA genes transiently activated. In this study, we found that deletion of H2A.X in mESCs led to a significant upregulation of ZGA genes and misregulated TEs. ChIP-seq analysis indicated a direct association of H2A.X at the Dux locus for silencing the Dux gene and its downstream ZGA genes in mESCs. We also demonstrated that histone variant H2A.X is highly enriched in human cleavage embryos when ZGA genes and TEs are active. Therefore, we propose that H2A.X plays an important role in regulating ZGA genes and TEs to establish totipotency.

[Recommended intakes of protein and energy in patients with chronic kidney disease: from guidelines of KDOQI and KDIGO in 2020]

The recommended intakes of protein and energy play a key role in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In September 2020, the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) released the clinical practice guideline for nutrition in CKD, which updated its previous version published 20 years ago. In October 2020, "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Diabetes Work Group" published KDIGO 2020 clinical practice guideline for diabetes management in chronic kidney disease. The opinions and recommendations on protein and energy intakes from these two guidelines were different. This article compares and discusses the differences among various national and international guidelines so as to facilitate the clinical practice for CKD patients.

[The prognostic analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the tumor neo-vessels, macrophages and α-SMA in tumor microenvironment]

Objective: To analyze the quantitative expression and prognostic significance of tumor neo-vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts in tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The clinic-pathological features and tissue samples for 101 HCC cases were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to stain the tumor neo-vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts on tumor tissue. The distribution results and quantitative data of above key components were acquired by inverted microscopy equipped with CRi Nuance multispectral analysis system. The number of tumor neo-vessels and macrophages on HCC tissue were counted and the thickness of cancer stroma based on the expression of fibroblasts was measured. The clinic-pathological characteristics and overall survival were analyzed. Results: The median disease free survival (DFS) of 101 HCC cases was 5 month. The quantitative analysis of tumor neo-vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts showed that the expression range was 51-429 with median 218, 110-555 with median 259, 35.61-555.35 with median 246.98, respectively. To take the median as cutoff, all the cases could be classified into high and low expression group. The survival analysis demonstrated that the high density group of macrophages (P=0.022) and fibroblasts (P<0.001) has shorter DFS than low density group, with statistical significance. The high tumor neo-vessels group has shorter DFS with median 5 month than low density group with median 7 month. However, there was no statistical significance between these two group (P=0.197). Combined with above the three stromal components, all the cases could be classified into low, middle and high group. The survival analysis demonstrated that the high density group of stromal components has shorter DFS than the other two groups with median 3 month (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis by Cox regression indicated that cirrhosis, metastasis status, macrophages and fibroblasts density were the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: The key elements in tumor microenvironment including tumor neo-vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts were heterogenic in HCC tissues and played significant roles in HCC invasion and metastasis.

[Assessment of comprehensive nutritional status and eating behavior among 311 middle aged and aged women with osteoporosis in Chengdu]

Objective: To investigate the comprehensive nutritional status and diet behavior of middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis, and thereby to explore the relationship between diet behavior and comprehensive nutritional status. Methods: 311 middle-aged and elderly women with osteoporosis in Chengdu were included in this study. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was applied to assess their comprehensive nutritional status. Information of social-demographic characteristics and diet behavior (about meals, snacks and water drinking, etc.) of the subjects was collected by questionnaire. Chi square test was used to assess the differences in nutritional status among patients who have different eating behaviors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between diet behaviors and comprehensive nutritional status. Results: The mean MNA score of subjects was 25.8±2.5. 20.3% (63/311) of the subjets were at risk of potential malnutrition, but there was no malnourished subjects found. 46.9% (46/311) of the subjects were in good appetite. 95.2% (296/311) of them had a fixed food intake each meal. 65.8% (198/311) of them had snacks every day, and the most common choice was fruit (86.4% (248/287)). 54.8% (165/311) of them had initiative drinking water habits, and the most common choice was plain boiled water (79.9%, 246/308). 76.5% (238/311) of them had daily portable water less than 1 500 ml. After adjusting the effects of age, occupation and education level, bad appetite (OR=3.50, 95%CI: 1.18-10.62), unfixed food intake (OR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.40-35.83), and seldom or never intake of snack (OR=3.71, 95%CI: 1.42-9.72) were risk factors for malnutrition risk, while tea drinking was protective factor(OR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.11-0.93). Conclusion: Risk of potential malnutrition and unhealthy diet behavior among the middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis should be paid more attention. Unhealtghy diet behavior has a negative effect on their comprehensive nutritional status.

Conjunctival melanotic lesions in Chinese: comparison with Caucasian series

Conjunctival melanotic lesions in Chinese were studied and compared with those of Caucasians. These lesions were diagnosed in Chinese patients over a two-year period. They were excised under the clinical diagnoses of nevi, primary acquired melanosis (PAM) and malignant melanoma. For the cases included, the histology slides and clinical information were reviewed. Eighteen cases of nevi and nine non-nevoid lesions were identified. Among the non-nevoid lesions, there were eight cases of basal cell hyperpigmentation (one congenital, five acquired, two unknown) and one malignant melanoma. Benign or atypical melanocytic hyperplasias (MH) were not seen. This pattern is very different from that of Caucasian series. Acquired hyperpigmentation is almost only seen in Chinese and seldom in Caucasians. On the other hand, atypical MH is only seen in Caucasians, and not in Chinese. We conclude that conjunctival hyperpigmentation is associated with ethnicity and does not progress to MH, whether benign or atypical. It should be recognised as a distinct entity of no malignant potential that is part of the PAM clinical spectrum.

Ocular complications of pediatric bone marrow transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ocular complications in pediatric bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 29 pediatric BMT patients were studied.

TESTING

Comprehensive ophthalmic check-up, including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), Schirmer's test, tear breakup time, and slit-lamp and fundus examinations, was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Tear film instability and its related complications, IOP, cataract, and fundus lesions were measured.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 9.1 years (range, 1.5-15 years). The mean post-BMT duration was 20.2 months (range, 3-54 months). Fifteen patients (51.7%) had tear abnormalities. Subconjunctival fibrosis was detected in two patients (6.9%). Dry and scaly skin of the eyelids was seen in one patient (3.4%). Lens opacities were found in 2 (33.3%) of 6 irradiated patients and 2 (8.7%) of 23 nonirradiated patients. Two patients (6.9%) had fundus changes, one with unilateral epiretinal membrane and the other with bilateral multiple discrete chorioretinal hypopigmented lesions in the middle to peripheral part of the retina. The overall complication rates for the anterior and posterior segments were 75.8% and 6.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ocular manifestations of BMT in children are not uncommon. The most common anterior segment problem is tear dysfunction. Posterior segment complications are less common but do exist. High rate of cataract formation is reported, and this probably is the most important long-term "amblyogenic" problem in these immature eyes. Awareness and management of these problems with routine eye examination and early intervention are recommended.

Autogenous palmaris longus tendon as frontalis suspension material for ptosis correction in children

PURPOSE

To determine the safety and efficacy of autogenous palmaris longus tendon as a sling material in frontalis suspension surgery for ptosis correction in children.

METHODS

In a prospective study, the authors evaluated 15 frontalis sling suspension surgeries using palmaris longus tendon in 14 consecutive children with congenital ptosis. The method of harvesting the palmaris longus tendon is described in detail.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 4.7 years (range, 2 to 7 years). At a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 20 to 40 months), all ptotic eyelids were successfully corrected with good final lid position. No recurrence of ptosis was encountered. In one eye, knot slippage of the sling was related to upper eyelid trauma, which was readily repaired. Otherwise, no exposure keratitis, wound infection, eyelid contour abnormality, or ptosis overcorrection occurred. There were no complications associated with the palmaris longus tendon donor site.

CONCLUSION

Frontalis suspension with autogenous palmaris longus tendon appears to be an effective treatment for congenital ptosis with poor levator function in children. Its use as an alternative material to fascia lata for sling surgery in children can be considered.