[Clinical study of 15 cases of primary non-immunodeficient central nervous system lymphoma in children]

Clinical data of 15 primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) children aged ≤18 years admitted to our hospital between May 2013 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Our goal was to summarize the clinical features of children and investigate the therapeutic effect of a high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) based chemotherapy regimen on this disease. The male-to-female ratio was 2.7∶1, and the median age was 7.2 (2.3-16.4) years at diagnosis. The initial clinical symptoms were primarily cranial hypertension, with imaging findings revealing multiple lesions. Pediatric PCNSL with normal immune function has a favorable prognosis with HD-MTX-based chemotherapy. Patients with a stable disease can be treated with minimal or no maintenance. HD-MTX-based chemotherapy remains effective when the disease progresses or recurs after an initial course of non-HD-MTX-based chemotherapy.

Gut microbial dysbiosis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review protocol of case-control studies

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a huge societal impact due to the high prevalence, irreversible joint damage and systemic complications. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of RA by regulating the host immune system. Restoring intestinal homeostasis by altering the microbiota could be an attractive strategy for the prevention and treatment of RA. However, the signature features of microbial dysbiosis in RA are still controversial. Therefore, we aim to elucidate the characteristic change in the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in RA.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will systematically search through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, as well as dissertations and conference proceedings. The reference lists of all included studies will be also reviewed to retrieve additional relevant studies. The case-control studies that reported either the relative abundance of bacteria at the phylum or genus level or at least one of the alpha-diversity, beta-diversity indexes in both RA and healthy controls will be included. Eligible studies will be screened independently by two reviewers according to the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale will be used to assess the quality of the included studies. Data extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis will be performed within the gut microbial dysbiosis in RA. The expected outcomes will be the identification of the specific changes in composition and diversity of the gut microbiota in patients with RA. The quality of evidence will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is unnecessary as this review does not address the data and privacy of patients. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and conference presentations.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021225229.

Screening and identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on microRNA microarray

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults and the pathogenesis of DLBCL is multifactorial and complex. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in DLBCL is important to identify new therapeutic targets. The present study aimed to screen and identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and control [lymph node reactive hyperplasia (LRH)] groups, and to investigate whether miRNAs associated with DLBCL could serve as potential therapeutic targets. In total, 5 DLBCL experimental samples and 5 control samples were obtained from fresh patient tissues. Firstly, the fresh samples were analyzed using miRNA microarray to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Next, three databases (TargetScan, microRNA.org and PITA) were used to predict by intersection the potential target genes of the 204 differential miRNAs identified, and a Venn diagram of the results was performed. Subsequently, the target genes of differential miRNAs were analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. Finally, to validate the miRNA microarray data, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed for 8 differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-193a-3p, miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, miR-370-3p, miR-1275, miR-490-5p, miR-630 and miR-665) using DLBCL and LRH fresh samples. In total, 204 miRNAs exhibited differential expression, including 105 downregulated and 54 upregulated miRNAs. The cut-off criteria were set as P≤0.05 and fold-change ≥2. A total of 7,522 potential target genes for the 204 miRNAs were predicted. Potential target genes were enriched in the following pathways: ‘Cancer’, ‘MAPK signaling pathway’, ‘regulation of actin cytoskeleton’, ‘focal adhesion’, ‘endocytosis’, ‘Wnt signaling pathway’, ‘axon guidance’, ‘calcium signaling pathway’ and ‘PI3K/AKT signaling pathway’. A total of 8 miRNAs were validated by RT-qPCR, and 4 miRNAs (miR-19b-3p, miR-193a-3p, miR-370-3p and miR-490-5p) exhibited low expression levels in DLBCL (P<0.05), while miR-630 was highly expressed in DLBCL (P<0.05). Overall, the present study screened 204 differentially expressed miRNAs and analyzed the expression levels of 8 differentially expressed miRNAs in DLBCL. These differentially expressed miRNAs may serve as therapeutic targets for improvement of therapeutic efficacy in DLBCL in the future.

Identification of Hub Genes and Key Pathways Associated with Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a very aggressive and heterogeneous hematological malignancy and has no effective targeted therapy. The molecular pathogenesis of PTCL remains unknown. In this study, we chose the gene expression profile of GSE6338 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify hub genes and key pathways and explore possible molecular pathogenesis of PTCL by bioinformatic analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PTCL and normal T cells were selected using GEO2R tool. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Moreover, the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) were utilized to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and perform module analysis of these DEGs. A total of 518 DEGs were identified, including 413 down-regulated and 105 up-regulated genes. The down-regulated genes were enriched in osteoclast differentiation, Chagas disease and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The up-regulated genes were mainly associated with extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion and pertussis. Four important modules were detected from the PPI network by using MCODE software. Fifteen hub genes with a high degree of connectivity were selected. Our study identified DEGs, hub genes and pathways associated with PTCL by bioinformatic analysis. Results provide a basis for further study on the pathogenesis of PTCL.

Expression of YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 and their prognostic value in glioma

AIMS

A growing research demonstrated that YAP1 played important roles in gliomagenesis. We explored the expression of YAP1 and STAT3, the relationship between them and the effect of YAP1, STAT3 on prognosis in glioma.

METHODS

Expression of YAP1, p-YAP1, STAT3, pSTAT3-S727 and pSTAT3-Y705 in 141 cases of low-grade gliomas (LGG) and 74 cases of high-grade gliomas (HGG) of surgical specimens were measured by immunohistochemistry. Pearson's X² test was used to determine the correlation between immunohistochemical expressions and clinicopathological parameters. Pearson's or Spearman correlation test was used to determine the association between these proteins expression. Survival analysis was used to investigate the effect of these proteins on prognosis.

RESULTS

High expressions of YAP1, STAT3, pSTAT3-S727 and pSTAT3-Y705 were found in HGG compared with LGG (p=0.000). High expressions of YAP1, STAT3, pSTAT3-S727 and pSTAT3-Y705 were found in 63.5%, 59.5%, 66.2% and 31.1% cases of HGG, respectively. YAP1 expression was associated to tumour location, Ki-67 and P53, STAT3 expression was related with Ki-67 and P53, and the expression of pSTAT3-S727 was associated with Ki-67. There was a significantly positive correlation between YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 (p<0.0001; r=0.5663). Survival analysis revealed that patients with YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 coexpression had worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (p<0.0001). Tumour grade, age, Ki-67 and YAP1 expression were independent prognostic factors for OS. In LGG group, both YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 expressions were negative correlation with IDH1 mutation, YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 coexpression showed worse OS and PFS of glioma patients.

CONCLUSION

Our research showed that YAP1 and STAT3 were significantly activated in HGG compared with LGG. YAP1 significantly correlated with pSTAT3-S727 in glioma, YAP1 and pSTAT3-S727 coexpression may serve as a reliable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma.

Proteomics reveals protein phosphatase 1γ as a biomarker associated with Hippo signal pathway in glioma

Hub proteins related with Hippo signal pathway in glioma were investigated using proteomics methods (Tandem Mass Tag, TMT) to determine the differentially expressed proteins in glioblastoma (GBM). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was performed to complement proteomic findings by identifying the top canonical pathways as well as to suggest novel proteins for the targeted therapy of glioma. A total of 222 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) glioma tissue samples were used to verify the expression of protein phosphatase 1γ (PP1γ), Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), and SOX2 via immunohistochemistry. Bioinformatics analysis revealed these proteins as crucial in the Hippo signaling pathway in GBM. Spearman correlation was performed to analyze the relationship of these three proteins, and survival analysis was conducted to investigate their effects on prognosis. Among the 5808 proteins identified by TMT with the standard of P-value < 0.05 and fold change (FC) of>1.2 or <0.83, 1398 upregulated and 1060 downregulated differentially expressed proteins were found. IPA revealed that the Hippo signaling was activated in the top 10 canonical pathways, and PP1γ was activated in the Hippo signaling. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that PP1γ, YAP1, and SOX2 were highly and positively expressed in glioma. PP1γ expression was related to WHO grade (p = 0.003) and ki-67 expression (p = 0.012). Low PP1γ expression was associated with IDH1-mut in low-grade glioma (LGG; WHO grades II and III) (p = 0.037). PP1γ was positively correlated with YAP1 (p < 0.001; r = 0.259) and SOX2 (p = 0.009; r = 0.175). In survival analysis, age, WHO grade, ki-67 expression, and PP1γ expression independently predicted a short OS in total cohort (p < 0.05). Therefore, PP1γ is a hub protein associated with Hippo signal pathway in glioma, and its expression indicates poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Therefore, PP1γ may be a promising prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in glioma.

Identification of core differentially methylated genes in glioma

Differentially methylated genes (DMGs) serve a crucial role in the pathogenesis of glioma via the regulation of the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, infiltration, DNA repair and signaling pathways. This study aimed to identify aberrant DMGs and pathways by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The gene expression profile of GSE28094 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the GEO2R online tool was used to find DMGs. Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of the DMGs were performed by using the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Analysis of modules in the PPI networks was performed by Molecular Complex Detection in Cytoscape software, and four modules were performed. The hub genes with a high degree of connectivity were verified by The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A total of 349 DMGs, including 167 hypermethylation genes, were enriched in biological processes of negative and positive regulation of cell proliferation and positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter. Pathway analysis enrichment revealed that cancer regulated the pluripotency of stem cells and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, whereas 182 hypomethylated genes were enriched in biological processes of immune response, cellular response to lipopolysaccharide and peptidyl-tyrosine phosphorylation. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, type I diabetes mellitus and TNF signaling pathway. A total of 20 hub genes were identified, of which eight genes were associated with survival, including notch receptor 1 (NOTCH1), SRC proto-oncogene (also known as non-receptor tyrosine kinase, SRC), interleukin 6 (IL6), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), interleukin 10 (IL10), caspase 3 (CASP3), erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Therefore, bioinformatics analysis identified a series of core DMGs and pathways in glioma. The results of the present study may facilitate the assessment of the tumorigenicity and progression of glioma. Furthermore, the significant DMGs may provide potential methylation-based biomarkers for the precise diagnosis and targeted treatment of glioma.

Mechanism of miR-107-targeting of regulator of G-protein signaling 4 in hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of microRNA (miR)-107 in targeting regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) in hepatic carcinoma. SK-HEP-1 cells were transfected with miR-107 mimics and control mimics. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to determine the miR-107 expression levels, and following miR-107 upregulation, MTT, colony formation, transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to assess cell proliferation, colony-forming ability, invasion and migration, respectively. In addition, the effect of miR-107 upregulation on the cell cycle and apoptosis in SK-HEP-1 cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of RGS4, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and −9. Expression level changes and the association between miR-107 and RGS4 in HCC cells were assessed using dual luciferase analysis. The results indicated that the overexpression of miR-107 in HCC cells suppressed cellular proliferation, invasion, migration and colony-forming ability, but promoted apoptosis and G₁ phase arrest. Furthermore, miR-107 mimics notably increased the protein expression level of RGS4, but significantly downregulated that of EGFR, CXCR4 and MMP-2 and −9. Together, these findings suggest that targeting this potential mechanism of miR-107 may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with HCC.

[Process optimization for extraction and purification of polysaccharides from Cistanche deserticola]

In this study, taking Cistanche deserticola in Xinjiang as the experimental material, the optimal process for extracting polysaccharides from C. deserticola with water extraction was studied by using single factor and orthogonal experiment. Its effects on protein removal and polysaccharides retaining were investigated by using Sevag, enzymatic method or combination of these two methods, so as to determine the optimal method for protein removal from polysaccharides of C. deserticola; the decolorization and purification methods such as macroporous resin of AB-8 and activated Carbon were used to determine the optimal process. The results showed that the extraction rate of polysaccharides from C. deserticola was 18.40% during the optimal process of the water extraction as follows: extraction temperature 75 ℃, extraction time 165 min and solid-liquid ratio 1∶55. The protein removal rate can reach 31.40% and polysaccharide retention rate can reach 96.00% under the optimal protein removal process: temperature 50 ℃, time 2 h, and papain dosage 0.2%. The decolorization rate of activated Carbon and macroporous resin called AB-8 was 80.37% and 86.43%, and the recovery rate of polysaccharides was 77.05% and 91.93%, respectively, suggesting that macroporous resin was more suitable for decoloration. Macroporous resin named AB-8 increased the purity of the polysaccharide crude extract from 67.70% to 84.80% under the following conditions: concentration of the sample 4 g·L~(-1), concentration of the eluent 60% ethanol, and the flow rate 1 mL·min~(-1), showing significant purification effect.

Evaluation of the four breeds in synthetic line of Jiaxing Black Pigs and Berkshire for meat quality traits, carcass characteristics, and flavor substances

To investigate breed characteristics and the effect of hybridization of Jiaxing Black Pig (JBP) with Western breeds, the carcass and meat quality traits and flavor substances such as inosinic acids (IMP), intramuscular fat (IMF) in longissimus muscle (LM) from five breeds including JBP, Berkshire, Berkshire × JBP (BJBP), Duroc × Berkshire × JBP (DBJBP), Duroc × Landrace × JBP (DLJBP) were compared in this study. It was found that water holding capacity (WHC) of LM in JBP was significantly higher than that in the other strains (p < 0.01). Dressing out percentage and lean percentage of JBP were both significantly lower than those in the others (p < 0.01) in connection with their lighter carcass weight and higher subcutaneous fat percentage (p < 0.01). Heterosis was realized in DJBP, DBJBP, and DLJBP since their carcass weight, lean percentage, and loin eye muscle area (LEMA) were markedly higher when compared to JBP, whereas lower than those in Berkshire. Among the breeds, the content of IMF and IMP in the LM of JBP were the highest. These traits were also palpably improved in the crossbreds, especially for DBJBP, of which pork was considered outstanding for containing the most abundant essential amino acids (EAA) and total amino acids (TAA).

Parachordoma/myoepithelioma of the kidney: first report of a myxoid mimicry in an unusual location

We report a case of parachordoma (or myoepithelioma) of the right upper kidney in a 56 year-old male patient. Light microscopic features of the tumor exhibited epithelioid, glomoid, and spindle cells with eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm as well as round to oval nuclei. These cells were embedded in a myxoid and hyaline stroma separated by a fibrous tissue with minimal cellular atypia and a few small nucleoli. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen, calponin, vimentin, S-100, and type-IV collagen. All kidney and adrenal were resected, and the patient was carefully followed up. During the 11 months follow-up, recurrence and metastases were not observed. To our knowledge, this study is the first to document a case of parachordoma/myoepithelioma of the kidney. We add this new case to existing tumors and discuss its distinction from other types.

Characteristics and molecular basis of celecoxib modulation on K(v)7 potassium channels

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Emerging and accumulating evidence suggests that celecoxib can affect cellular targets other than COX, such as ion channels. In this study, we characterized the effects of celecoxib on K(v)7 K(+) channels and compared its effects with the well-established K(v)7 channel opener retigabine.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

A perforated whole-cell patch technique was used to record K(v)7currents expressed in HEK 293 cells and M-type currents from rat superior cervical ganglion neurons.

KEY RESULTS

Celecoxib enhanced K(v)7.2-7.4, K(v)7.2/7.3 and K(v)7.3/7.5 currents but inhibited K(v)7.1 and K(v)7.1/KCNE1 currents and these effects were concentration dependent. The IC(50) value for inhibition of K(v)7.1 channels was approximately 4 µM and the EC(50) values for activation of K(v)7.2-7.4, K(v)7.2/K(v)7.3 and K(v)7.3/K(v)7.5 channels were approximately 2-5 µM. The effects of celecoxib were manifested by increasing current amplitudes, shifting the voltage-dependent activation curve in a more negative direction and slowing the deactivation of K(v)7 currents. 2,5-Dimethyl-celecoxib, a celecoxib analogue devoid of COX inhibition activity, has similar but greater effects on K(v)7currents. K(v)7.2(A235T) and K(v) 7.2(W236L) mutant channels, which have greatly attenuated responses to retigabine, showed a reversed response to celecoxib, from activation to inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that K(v)7 channels are targets of celecoxib action and provide new mechanistic evidence for understanding the effects of celecoxib. They also provide a new approach to developing K(v)7 modulators and for studying the structure-function relationship of K(v)7 channels.

DCCP and DICP: construction and analyses of databases for copper- and iron-chelating proteins

Copper and iron play important roles in a variety of biological processes, especially when being chelated with proteins. The proteins involved in the metal binding, transporting and metabolism have aroused much interest. To facilitate the study on this topic, we constructed two databases (DCCP and DICP) containing the known copper- and iron-chelating proteins, which are freely available from the website http://sdbi.sdut.edu.cn/en. Users can conveniently search and browse all of the entries in the databases. Based on the two databases, bioinformatic analyses were performed, which provided some novel insights into metalloproteins.

[Antagonistic effects of melatonin on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal neurons]

The effects of glutamate (Glu) and melatonin (MEL) on the evoked populaion spike (PS) following stimulation of the schaffer collateral fiber were studied by extracellular recording technique in perfused slices of rat hippocampus: 5.0 mmol/L Glu decreased the PS peak values to 4.1% of control. This effect of Glu (5.0 mmol/L) on PS peak values was changed to 14.7%, 105.2% and 24.3% of control by 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 mumol/L of MEL. But when the interaction between MEL (0.5 mumol/L) and Glu (5.0 mmol/L) was entirely suppressed by CDP (0.5 mumol/L), the PS values reduced to zero. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of MEL on Glu-induced neurotoxicity may be mediated by 5-HT receptors.