Network pharmacology study and in vitro experimental validation of Xiaojianzhong decoction against gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the most serious threats to human health worldwide. Conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy are associated with some drawbacks. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine treatment has been increasingly advocated by patients and attracted attention from clinicians, and has become an indispensable part of the comprehensive treatment for gastric cancer. AIM: To investigate the mechanism of Xiaojianzhong decoction (XJZ) in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) by utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation, so as to provide a theoretical basis for later experimental research. METHODS: We analyzed the mechanism and targets of XJZ in the treatment of GC through network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Subsequently, we verified the impact of XJZ treatment on the proliferative ability of GC cells through CCK-8, apoptosis, cell cycle, and clone formation assays. Additionally, we performed Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR to assess the protein and mRNA expression of the core proteins. RESULTS: XJZ mainly regulates IL6, PTGS2, CCL2, MMP9, MMP2, HMOX1, and other target genes and pathways in cancer to treat GC. The inhibition of cell viability, the increase of apoptosis, the blockage of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and the inhibition of the ability of cell clone formation were observed in AGS and HGC-27 cells after XJZ treatment. In addition, XJZ induced a decrease in the mRNA expression of IL6, PTGS2, MMP9, MMP2, and CCL2, and an increase in the mRNA expression of HOMX1. XJZ significantly inhibited the expression of IL6, PTGS2, MMP9, MMP2, and CCL2 proteins and promoted the expression of the heme oxygenase-1 protein. CONCLUSION: XJZ exerts therapeutic effects against GC through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. Our findings provide a new idea and scientific basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of XJZ in the treatment of GC.

A multicenter prospective study of next-generation sequencing-based newborn screening for monogenic genetic diseases in China.

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening (NBS) is an important and successful public health program that helps improve the long-term clinical outcomes of newborns by providing early diagnosis and treatment of certain inborn diseases. The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology provides new opportunities to expand current newborn screening methodologies. METHODS: We designed a a newborn genetic screening (NBGS) panel targeting 135 genes associated with 75 inborn disorders by multiplex PCR combined with NGS. With this panel, a large-scale, multicenter, prospective multidisease analysis was conducted on dried blood spot (DBS) profiles from 21,442 neonates nationwide. RESULTS: We presented the positive detection rate and carrier frequency of diseases and related variants in different regions; and 168 (0.78%) positive cases were detected. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD) and phenylketonuria (PKU) had higher prevalence rates, which were significantly different in different regions. The positive detection of G6PD variants was quite common in south China, whereas PAH variants were most commonly identified in north China. In addition, NBGS identified 3 cases with DUOX2 variants and one with SLC25A13 variants, which were normal in conventional NBS, but were confirmed later as abnormal in repeated biochemical testing after recall. Eighty percent of high-frequency gene carriers and 60% of high-frequency variant carriers had obvious regional differences. On the premise that there was no significant difference in birth weight and gestational age, the biochemical indicators of SLC22A5 c.1400C > G and ACADSB c.1165A > G carriers were significantly different from those of non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that NBGS is an effective strategy to identify neonates affected with treatable diseases as a supplement to current NBS methods. Our data also showed that the prevalence of diseases has significant regional characteristics, which provides a theoretical basis for screening diseases in different regions.

[Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: neonatal screening and follow-uP].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, phenotype, genotype, and prognosis of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) in the Chinese population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of the neonates who underwent screening with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry from January 2009 to June 2018 and were diagnosed with MCADD by gene detection. RESULTS: A total of 2 674 835 neonates underwent neonatal screening, among whom 12 were diagnosed with MCADD. Gene detection was performed for 10 neonates with MCADD and found 13 mutation types at 16 mutation sites of the ACADM gene, among which there were 7 reported mutations (p.T150Rfs*4, p.M1V, p.R206C, p.R294T, p.G310R, p.M328V, and p.G362E), 5 novel mutations (p.N194D, p.A324P, p.N366S, c.118+3A>G, and c.387+1del G), and 1 exon 11 deletion; p.T150Rfs*4 was the most common mutation (4/16). The detection rate of mutation sites in the ACADM gene was 80%. No phenotype-genotype correlation was observed. Dietary guidance and symptomatic treatment were given after confirmed diagnosis. No acute metabolic imbalance was observed within 4-82 months of follow-up. All neonates had good prognosis except one who had brain dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: MCADD is relatively rare in southern China, and p.T150Rfs*4 is a common mutation in the Chinese population. Cases with positive screening results should be evaluated by octanoylcarnitine C8 value and gene detection.

Comparison of second-line immunosuppressants for childhood refractory nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Although, most patients respond initially to therapy for nephrotic syndrome, about 70% of patients have a relapse. Currently, there is no consensus about the most appropriate second-line agent in children who continue to suffer a relapse. This network meta-analysis was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of the commonly used immunosuppressive agents in second-line therapeutic agents (ie, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil) for refractory childhood nephrotic syndrome. MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases were searched until October 17, 2015 using the following search terms: cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and childhood nephrotic syndrome. Randomized controlled trials, prospective 2-arm studies and cohort studies were included. 7 studies with 391 patients were included. Bayesian network meta-analysis found that treatment with mycophenolate mofetil had the greatest odds of relapse compared with tacrolimus (pooled OR=49.72, 95% credibility interval (CrI) 1.65 to 2483.32), cyclophosphamide (pooled OR=72.05, 95% CrI 1.44 to 13633.33) and cyclosporine (pooled OR=11.42, 95% CrI 1.03 to 131.60). Rank probability analysis found cyclophosphamide was the best treatment with the lowest relapse rate as compared with other treatments (rank probability=0.58), and tacrolimus was ranked as the second best (rank probability=0.38). Our findings support the use of cyclophosphamide and tacrolimus in treating children with relapsing nephrotic syndrome.

Recurrent rhabdomyolysis and glutaric aciduria type I: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by mutation of the glutaryl- CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) gene. The occurrence of rhabdomyolysis with GA-I is extremely rare. METHODS: We reported a child with recurrent rhabdomyolysis and undiagnosed glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I). And a literature review was performed. RESULTS: A 4.5-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to recurrent rhabdomyolysis for 3 times within three years. At the third admission, she was diagnosed with GA-I by biochemical testing and mutation analysis. The girl was found to have a serine to leucine replacement mutation of the GCDH gene in exon 8 at position 764. Other three patients with rhabdomyolysis and GA-I were discovered by literature searching. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights that patients with GA-I may have an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis.

Persistent asymptomatic isolated hematuria in children: clinical and histopathological features and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: This study involving 351 children who had undergone kidney biopsy secondary to persistent asymptomatic isolated hematuria was undertaken to assess histological diagnosis of the disease and its natural history and prognosis. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups: 215 patients with asymptomatic isolated microhematuria (AIMH; proteinuria <0.1 g/day) and 136 patients with persistent asymptomatic microhematuria, recurrent macrohematuria and/or proteinuria (AMHP; proteinuria 0.1-0.25 g/day). After kidney biopsy, the patients were monitored for 2-10 years. RESULTS: Normal biopsies or minor abnormalities were more frequent in AIMH patients than those in AMHP patients, who exhibited IgA nephropathy more frequently. During the 2- to 10-year follow-up period, adverse renal events (i.e., development of proteinuria, hypertension, or impaired renal function) were observed in 13/215 (6.0%) patients with AIMH and 31/136 (22.8%) patients with AMHP (χ(2)=15.521, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Normal biopsies or minor abnormalities were more frequently observed in AIMH patients, whereas IgA nephropathy and adverse renal events were more frequent in AMHP. Microscopic hematuria, especially when accompanied by macroscopic hematuria and proteinuria, may represent an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease.