Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection for Fenthion Pesticides Based on Gold Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Solid-State Substrates.

Current label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assay for the detection and analysis of organophosphorus pesticides has achieved initial success, but the application still faces constraints of substrate portability and specificity. To this end, this paper demonstrates a method for portable, rapid, and specific detection of low concentrations of fenthion pesticides based on a solid substrate of gold nanoparticle monolayers combined with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The nano-monolayers were transferred to the surface of mercapto-silicon wafers by interfacial self-assembly technique to form a stable connection with S-Au bonds and, at the same time, prevent nanoparticles from dropping off during the surfactant removal process. Then, the fenthion MIPs were directly generated on the surface of the monolayer film by spin-coating with a pre-polymerization solution and ultraviolet-induced polymerization. Tests showed that the molecular imprint was able to accurately bind to fenthion, but not other molecules, in a mixture of structural analogs, achieving a low concentration detection of 10-8 mol/L. The composite substrate maintained a signal uniformity of a relative standard deviation (RSD) = 7.05% and a batch-to-batch reproducibility of RSD = 10.40%, making it a potential pathway for the extended application of SERS technology.

Artemisinic acid attenuates osteoclast formation and titanium particle-induced osteolysis via inhibition of RANKL-induced ROS accumulation and MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) is the most common cause of joint arthroplasty failure. Its progression involves both biological and mechanical factors. Osteoclastogenesis induced by wear from debris-cell interactions, ultimately leading to excessive bone erosion, is considered the primary cause of PPO; therefore, targeting osteoclasts is a promising treatment approach. Currently available drugs have various side effects and limitations. Artemisinic acid (ArA) is a sesquiterpene isolated from the traditional herb Artemisia annua L. that has various pharmacological effects, such as antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the effect of ArA on osteoclast formation and bone resorption function in vitro, as well as wear particle-induced osteolysis in vivo, and to explore its molecular mechanism of action. Here, we report that ArA inhibits RANKL-stimulated osteoclast formation and function. Mechanistically, ArA suppresses intracellular reactive oxygen species levels by activating the antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway upregulation. It also inhibits the mitogen-activated kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways, as well as the transcription and expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. In vivo experiments demonstrated that ArA reduces osteoclast formation and alleviates titanium particle-induced calvarial osteolysis. Collectively, our study highlights that ArA, with its osteoprotective and antioxidant effects, is a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and treating PPO and other osteoclast-mediated osteolytic diseases.

STK10 mutations block erythropoiesis in acquired pure red cell aplasia via impairing ribosome biogenesis.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is anemia associated with the absence of erythroblasts and is characterized by persistent and easy recurrence. However, the underlying mechanisms of acquired PRCA remain obscure, and the role of gene mutations in the pathogenesis of acquired PRCA is not fully characterized. In the present study, we detected thirty newly diagnosed patients with acquired PRCA using whole exome sequencing, and a potential role for STK10 in acquired PRCA was uncovered. The mRNA levels of STK10 in three patients with STK10 mutations were decreased. These three patients had a poor response to immunosuppressive therapy and two died in the follow-up period. Here we report that knockdown of STK10 inhibits erythroid differentiation and promotes apoptosis of K562 cells. We show that knockdown of STK10 resulted in inhibition of ribosome biogenesis and reduced ribosome levels in K562 cells. We also show that the p53 signaling pathway is activated by knockdown of STK10. Our results imply that ribosome biogenesis downregulation together with pathological p53 activation prevents normal erythropoiesis. Our study uncovers a new pathophysiological mechanism leading to acquired PRCA driven by STK10 mutations.

Immunomodulation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colorectal cancer patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has shown that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are an effective therapeutic approach for managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, further elucidation is required to determine their underlying immunomodulatory effect on the mRNA expression of T helper cell-related transcription factors (TFs) and cytokine release in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). AIM: To investigate the impact of ADSCs on the mRNA expression of TFs and cytokine release in PBMCs from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with severe COVID-19 (CRC+ patients). METHODS: PBMCs from CRC+ patients (PBMCs-C+) and age-matched CRC patients (PBMCs-C) were stimulated and cultured in the presence/absence of ADSCs. The mRNA levels of T-box TF TBX21 (T-bet), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3), RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC), and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) in the PBMCs were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Culture supernatants were evaluated for levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-17A, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with PBMCs-C, PBMCs-C+ exhibited higher mRNA levels of T-bet and RORC, and increased levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A. Additionally, a significant decrease in FoxP3 mRNA and TGF-ß1, as well as an increase in T-bet/GATA-3, RORC/FoxP3, IFN-γ/IL-4, and IL-17A/TGF-ß1 ratios were observed in PBMCs-C+. Furthermore, ADSCs significantly induced a functional regulatory T cell (Treg) subset, as evidenced by an increase in FoxP3 mRNA and TGF-ß1 release levels. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of T-bet and RORC, release of IFN-γ and IL-17A, and T-bet/GATA-3, RORC/FoxP3, IFN-γ/IL-4, and IL-17A/TGF-ß1 ratios, compared with the PBMCs-C+alone. CONCLUSION: The present in vitro studies showed that ADSCs contributed to the immunosuppressive effects on PBMCs-C+, favoring Treg responses. Thus, ADSC-based cell therapy could be a beneficial approach for patients with severe COVID-19 who fail to respond to conventional therapies.

MRI index of glymphatic system mediates the influence of locus coeruleus on cognition in Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Although locus coeruleus (LC) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in the cognitive function of Parkinson's disease (PD), the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. The objective was to investigate the relationship among LC degeneration, cognitive performance, and the glymphatic function in PD. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 71 PD subjects (21 with normal cognition; 29 with cognitive impairment (PD-MCI); 21 with dementia (PDD)) and 26 healthy controls were included. All participants underwent neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI) and diffusion tensor image scanning on a 3.0 T scanner. The brain glymphatic function was measured using diffusion along the perivascular space (ALPS) index, while LC degeneration was estimated using the NM contrast-to-noise ratio of LC (CNRLC). RESULTS: The ALPS index was significantly lower in both the whole PD group (P = 0.04) and the PDD subgroup (P = 0.02) when compared to the controls. Similarly, the CNRLC was lower in the whole PD group (P < 0.001) compared to the controls. In the PD group, a positive correlation was found between the ALPS index and both the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (r = 0.36; P = 0.002) and CNRLC (r = 0.26; P = 0.03). Mediation analysis demonstrated that the ALPS index acted as a significant mediator between CNRLC and the MoCA score in PD subjects. CONCLUSION: The ALPS index, a neuroimaging marker of glymphatic function, serves as a mediator between LC degeneration and cognitive function in PD.

PRDX2 deficiency increases MCD-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in female mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of PRDX2 in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: NASH was induced in wild-type (WT) mice and liver-specific PRDX2 knockout (PRDX2 LKO) mice that were fed a methionine-choline deficient diet (MCD) for 5 weeks. Assessments of PRDX2 LKO's impact on the pathogenesis of NASH include histological analyses, quantitative PCR (q-PCR), western blotting (WB), and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). RESULTS: PRDX2 LKO mice exhibited a significant increase in hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation compared to WT mice after MCD feeding. PRDX2 KO markedly elevated circulating levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways within the liver. There was a notable increase in the activities of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB). We also found that PRDX2 KO significantly increased the extent of lipid peroxidation in the liver, most likely owing to the impaired peroxidase activity of PRDX2. Of interest, these findings were observed only in MCD-fed female mice, suggesting the sexual dimorphism of PRDX2 KO in MCD-induced NASH. CONCLUSION: PRDX2 deficiency increases MCD-induced NASH in female mice, suggesting a protective role for PRDX2.

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells attenuate acute lung injury induced by trauma and haemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown promising therapeutic options for acute lung injury (ALI) caused by multiple factors. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADSCs) in trauma and hemorrhagic shock (THS)-induced ALI. METHODS: ALI model induced by THS was constructed by fractures plus abdominal trauma plus acute hemorrhage plus fluid resuscitation. The ADSCs group rats were generated by injecting 2 × 106 ADSCs at 0 and 1 h after THS. The sham, ALI, and ADSCs group rats were sacrificed at 24 h after resuscitation. The changes in lung histopathology, total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic indicator, and the activity of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in lung tissues were evaluated. RESULTS: Administration of the ADSCs reversed ALI induced by THS, including lung histopathological changes/scores, and BALF total protein concentration. Additionally, ADSCs therapy also significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, up-regulated mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10, anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2, and anti-oxidative molecule HO-1 in THS rats. Furthermore, ADSCs suppressed the expression of TLR4 in lung tissue. CONCLUSION: Our data show that ADSCs administration can exert therapeutic effects on THS-induced ALI in rats and may provide beneficial in preventative strategies for ALI.

Tanshinol inhibits trophoblast cell migration and invasion by regulating Gadd45a in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Tanshinol is an active constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza that possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Therefore, this study attempted to detect whether it has a role in the treatment of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: In this study, we explored the effect of tanshinol on the development of PE at the cellular level. The effect of tanshinol on cell proliferation was measured by colony formation and EdU assays. The migration, invasion, and in vitro angiogenesis of HTR-8/SVneo cells were detected by wound-healing, transwell, and tube formation assays, respectively. In addition, a PE cell model was established by overexpression of Gadd45a, and this cell model was assessed with the optimal concentration of tanshinol. RESULTS: The results show that tanshinol enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation of HTR-8/SVneo cells in vitro. Furthermore, the reduction in proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation of cells by Gadd45a overexpression was partially reversed by tanshinol treatment. Tanshinol also inhibited the apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells transfected with Gadd45a. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, tanshinol promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation and inhibited the apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells. It may be a novel therapeutic compound to attenuate the development of PE.

Traditional Chinese medicine has maintained the health of people in Asia for thousands of years and is increasingly used worldwide. Tanshinol has been found to be useful in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Through experiments, we found that tanshinol is a novel therapeutic compound that promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion and tubular formation of HTR-8/SVneo cells. In addition, tanshinol also inhibited the apoptosis rate of preeclampsia cell models. Follow-up experiments will further validate the results of this study.

China's air quality improvement strategy may already be having a positive effect: evidence based on health risk assessment.

Aiming to investigate the health risk impact of PM2.5 pollution on a heavily populated province of China. The exposure response function was used to assess the health risk of PM2.5 pollution. Results shows that the total number of premature deaths and diseases related to PM2.5 pollution in Shandong might reach 159.8 thousand people based on the new WHO (2021) standards. The health effects of PM2.5 pollution were more severe in men than in women. Five of the 16 cities in Shandong had higher health risks caused by PM2.5 pollution, including LinYi, HeZe, JiNing, JiNan, and WeiFang. PM2.5 pollution resulted in nearly 7.4 billions dollars in healthy economic cost, which accounted for 0.57% of GDP in Shandong in 2021. HeZe, LiaoCheng, ZaoZhuang, and LinYi were the cities where the health economic loss was more than 1% of the local GDP, accounted for 1.30, 1.26, 1.08, and 1.04%. Although the more rigorous assessment criteria, the baseline concentration was lowered by 30 µg/m3 compared to our previous study, there was no significant increase in health risks and economic losses. China's air quality improvement strategy may already be having a positive effect.

Preparation of ß-Cyclodextrin Functionalized Platform for Monitoring Changes in Potassium Content in Perspiration.

The monitoring of potassium ion (K+) levels in human sweat can provide valuable insights into electrolyte balance and muscle fatigue non-invasively. However, existing laboratory techniques for sweat testing are complex, while wearable sensors face limitations like drift, fouling and interference from ions such as Na+. This work develops printed electrodes using ß-cyclodextrin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (ß-CD-RGO) for selective K+ quantification in sweat. The ß-CD prevents the aggregation of RGO sheets while also providing selective binding sites for K+ capture. Electrodes were fabricated by screen printing the ß-CD-RGO ink onto conductive carbon substrates. Material characterization confirmed the successful functionalization of RGO with ß-CD. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed enhanced electrochemical behavior for ß-CD-RGO-printed electrodes compared with bare carbon and RGO. Sensor optimization resulted in a formulation with 30% ß-CD-RGO loading. The printed electrodes were drop-casted with an ion-selective polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane. A linear range from 10 µM to 100 mM was obtained along with a sensitivity of 54.7 mV/decade. The sensor showed good reproducibility over 10 cycles in 10 mM KCl. Minimal interference from 100 mM Na+ and other common sweat constituents validated the sensor's selectivity. On-body trials were performed by mounting the printed electrodes on human subjects during exercise. The K+ levels measured in sweat were found to correlate well with serum analysis, demonstrating the sensor's ability for non-invasive electrolyte monitoring. Overall, the facile synthesis of stable ß-CD-RGO inks enables the scalable fabrication of wearable sensors for sweat potassium detection.

Molecular mechanism of paraquat-induced ferroptosis leading to pulmonary fibrosis mediated by Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used and highly toxic pesticide that is often actively ingested and causes pulmonary fibrosis in patients. Ferroptosis is a regulated form of non-apoptotic cell death associated with iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Previous studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of acute lung injury (ALI). In this study, a model rat with inflammatory response, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and pulmonary fibrosis was successfully established by PQ administration. The occurrence of ferroptosis in PQ model rats was confirmed by TUNEL staining, iron ion detection, and Ferroptosis related biomarkers detection. Western blotting (WB) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the expression of Keap1 was significantly up-regulated and the expression of Nrf2 was significantly down-regulated in the lung tissue of PQ rats. Further transcriptomics and proteomics confirmed: (1) Enrichment of molecular processes related to iron ion binding; (2) Keap1 may promote Nrf2 ubiquitination and lead to Nrf2 degradation; (3) There is functional enrichment in ferroptosis related pathways. Our results suggest that PQ can regulate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, leading to increased lipid peroxidation and abnormal iron uptake, thereby inducing iron death and exacerbating the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Our study provides new insights into PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Orientin suppresses osteoclastogenesis and ameliorates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis via suppressing ROS production.

The aberrant differentiation of osteoclasts is a key feature of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, which has a devastating impact on human health. While the effects of Orientin (Ori) on osteoporosis, particularly on RANKL-stimulated osteoclast production and activation, remain still unclear, Ori has been found to display several biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In this work, we investigated the possible pathways through which Ori suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast development and showed for the first time that it does so. The macrophages from the bone marrow (BMMs) were cultivated and then treated with Ori after being stimulated with RANKL. Then, TRAP-positive multinucleated cells were counted, and F-actin ring analysis was used to assess Ori's impact on mature osteoclast development. In addition, dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to evaluate the impact of Ori on RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, we performed western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR analysis to investigate probable causes of these downregulation effects. We discovered that Ori inhibits the creation of osteoclasts, the gene and protein expressions unique to osteoclasts, and the ROS production. By activating Nrf2 and other ROS-scavenging enzymes, Ori reduces intracellular ROS levels. The expression of the main transcription factor of osteoclast development, c-Fos, was downregulated together with NFATc1, CTSK, and NFATc2, thanks to Ori's inhibition of RANKL-induced NF-κB. Consistent with its in vitro antiosteoclastogenic action, Ori therapy in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was also able to restore bone mass and improve microarchitecture in the distal femurs. Together, our results demonstrate that Ori is a flavonoid molecule with therapeutic promise for bone illnesses associated with osteoclasts, such as osteoporosis.

Significance of sTREM-1 and sST2 combined diagnosis for sepsis detection and prognosis prediction.

The diagnosis of sepsis still lacks a practical and reliable gold standard. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) combined with soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in the diagnosis of sepsis through the correlation between sTREM-1, sST2, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores. Baseline data of 91 patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit were collected, sTREM-1 and sST2 were detected, and the correlation between markers and SOFA score was analyzed. Besides, the prognostic value of baseline and postadmission indicators for sepsis was analyzed with death as the outcome. The results showed that the expressions of sST2 and sTREM-1 in death group and survival group were higher than those in the survival group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that sST2, sTREM-1, and the joint diagnosis model had a high correlation with SOFA score (p < 0.05), but poor correlation with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ score (p > 0.05). Among them, joint diagnosis model has the highest correlation. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that combined diagnosis had higher area under curve values. sTREM-1/sST2 can be better used in the diagnosis of sepsis than the single biomarker detection, and the combination of the above two biomarkers has potential application value in the detection and prognosis prediction of sepsis.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of Cytokines and Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of cytokines and lymphocyte subsets in the diagnosis, prognosis and efficacy evaluation of DLBCL patients, and the effects of Tislelizumab on immune function and cytokines in DLBCL patients. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL were selected as DLBCL group and 34 patients with megaloblastic anemia as the control group. The levels of peripheral blood cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF- α and IFN-γ by ELISA method. The levels of peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and NK cells， the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokins and lymphocyto subsets in DLBCL patients with different clinical data and different therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 in DLBCL group were significantly higher than those in control group, but there was no significant correlation between cytokine levels and age and gender. The higher IPI score, higher Ann Arbor stage, B symptoms, higher ß 2-MG, LDH and CRP levels, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher, and IL-4 was also significantly higher in patients with high LDH levels. Compared with the ineffective group, the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly lower and the level of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was significantly higher in the effective group before therapy. The levels of IL-6, IL-10 and B lymphocytes in the effective group decreased significantly after therapy compared to those before therapy. After 4 cycles of therapy, the level of IL-2 and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the Tislelizumab group were significantly higher than those in the non-Tislelizumab group, and the level of CD8+ T cells was significantly lower than that in the non-Tislelizumab group(P<0.05). The level of B lymphocytes in both the Tislelizumab group and the non-Tislelizumab group after therapy was significantly lower than that before therapy. CONCLUSION: The expression of cytokines and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with DLBCL is abnormal, which is related to the severity, prognosis and therapeutic effect of the disease. Tislelizumab can improve the immune function of patients with DLBCL by affecting cytokines and lymphocyte subsets and strengthen anti-tumor immunity.

Efficacy and Safety of Triptorelin 3-Month Formulation in Chinese Children with Central Precocious Puberty: A Phase 3, Open-Label, Single-Arm Study.

INTRODUCTION: Triptorelin is available as 1- and 3-month prolonged-release (PR) formulations; at the time of the study, only the former was approved for central precocious puberty (CPP) in China. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of the triptorelin 3-month PR formulation in Chinese children with CPP. METHODS: In this 12-month, prospective, open-label, multicentre, single-arm study (NCT04736602), Chinese children (mean age [standard deviation (SD)], 7.6 ± 0.8 years) with CPP received triptorelin pamoate 15 mg on day 1 and at months 3, 6 and 9. The primary endpoint was the proportion with luteinizing hormone (LH) suppression (stimulated peak LH ≤ 3 IU/L after gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] stimulation) at month 3. Secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in hormone levels and clinical parameters, as well as safety assessments. RESULTS: Overall, 32 children were enrolled, including three boys. LH suppression to prepubertal levels (≤ 3 IU/L) after GnRH stimulation was observed in 100%, 93.5% and 93.5% of participants at months 3, 6 and 12, respectively. Basal and peak LH and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were substantially suppressed at months 3, 6 and 12, and most participants showed sex hormone suppression. At months 6 and 12 respectively 92.9% and 89.3% of girls had stable breast development, and all boys had stable genital development. There was a decrease in mean growth velocity from baseline (8.96 cm/year) to months 3, 6 and 12 (8.07, 5.24 and 6.94 cm/year, respectively). The mean difference between bone and chronological age decreased from baseline (2.85 years) to month 12 (2.39 years). In girls, uterine length was stable or reduced at month 12; in boys, testicular volume was reduced. Triptorelin was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The triptorelin 3-month PR formulation demonstrated similar efficacy to that previously reported in non-Chinese patients with CPP and had an acceptable safety profile. This supports triptorelin 3-month PR as a viable option for Chinese children with CPP.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) occurs when the reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics develop too early in children (before 8 years old in girls or 9 years old in boys). It can cause significant psychological harm and may lead to health problems later in life. Triptorelin is a type of treatment designed to suppress the hormonal activity responsible for CPP and therefore slow down early pubertal development. Triptorelin can be given as an injection into muscle every month or every 3 months; the 3-monthly formulation is commonly used in many countries but at the time of this study it was not licensed for patients with CPP in China. Our trial assessed the effect of triptorelin treatment every 3 months for 1 year in 32 Chinese children with CPP. For all patients who had measurements available, 3-monthly triptorelin suppressed luteinizing hormone­a key hormone involved in CPP­to below typical prepubertal levels. Other hormones involved in puberty were also suppressed. Children experienced a slowing down of the development of secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, genitals and pubic hair), and stabilization or reduction in the size of internal sexual organs (uterine length in girls and testicular volume in boys). Their height also increased less rapidly than previously. There were no concerning side effects of triptorelin treatment, and the safety profile matched that seen in other countries where triptorelin is widely used for CPP. Overall, our study findings suggest that the 3-monthly triptorelin formulation may be a good option for Chinese children with CPP.

PRDX1 Cys52Ser variant alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by reducing inflammation in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) is a peroxidase and guards against oxidative stress by scavenging intracellular peroxides, whereas it also has been shown to stimulate inflammatory response by functioning as a chaperone protein. The potential in vivo link between PRDX1's peroxidase activity and its pro-inflammatory activity remains elusive. METHODS: We generated peroxidase-dead PRDX1 variant mice by mutating its peroxidatic cysteine at 52 (Cys52) to serine, here referred to as PRDX1Cys52Ser. Trx-TrxR-NADPH coupled activity assay was applied to evaluate the peroxidase activity of global PRDX in PRDX1Cys52Ser variant mice. PRDX1Cys52Ser mice and their wild-type littermates were subjected to western diet or methionine and choline deficient diet feeding. NASH phenotypes were assessed through different analyses including physiological measurements, immunohistochemical staining, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). RNA sequencing, qPCR and western blotting were used to reveal and validate any changes in the signaling pathways responsible for the altered NASH phenotypes observed between WT and PRDX1Cys52Ser variant mice. RESULTS: PRDX1Cys52Ser variant mice showed impaired global PRDX peroxidase activity and reduced susceptibility to diet-induced NASH and liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, PRDX1 Cys52Ser variant suppressed NF-κB signaling and STAT1 signaling pathways that are known to promote inflammation and NASH. CONCLUSION: The peroxidatic Cys52 of PRDX1 is required for its pro-inflammatory activity in vivo. This study further suggests that PRDX1 may play dual but opposing roles in NASH.

Coexistence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and untreated lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/waldenström macroglobulinemia in a same patient: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The Coexistence of myeloid and lymphoid malignancies is rare. Myeloid leukemia occurs more frequently as a secondary event in patients receiving chemotherapy agents for lymphoid malignancies. Synchronous diagnoses of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and untreated lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM) in the same patient have not been reported. Here we report one such case. CASE SUMMARY: An 89-year-old man had a chest wall mass histopathologically diagnosed as DLBCL. The bone marrow and peripheral blood contained two groups of cells. One group of cells fulfilled the criteria of AML, and the other revealed the features of small B lymphocytic proliferative disorder, which we considered LPL/WM. Multiple chromosomal or genetic changes were detected in bone marrow mononuclear cells, including ATM deletion, CCND1 amplification, mutations of MYD88 (L265P) and TP53, WT1 overexpression, and fusion gene of BIRC2-ARAP1, as well as complex chromosomal abnormalities. The patient refused chemotherapy because of old age and died of pneumonia 1 mo after the final diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of DLBCL, AML, and untreated LPL/WM in the same patient is extremely rare, which probably results from multiple steps of genetic abnormalities. Asymptomatic LPL/WM might have occurred first, then myelodysplastic syndrome-related AML developed, and finally aggressive DLBCL arose. Therefore, medical staff should pay attention to this rare phenomenon to avoid misdiagnoses.

[Research advance on structure and function of amides in Zanthoxylum plants].

Zanthoxylum belongs to the Rutaceae family, and there are 81 Zanthoxylum species and 36 varieties in China. Most of the Zanthoxylum plants are used as culinary spice. In recent years, scholars in China and abroad have carried out in-depth research on Zanthoxylum plants, and found that the peculiar numbing sensation of Zanthoxylum plants originates from amides. It is also determined that amides are an important material basis for exerting pharmacological effects, especially in anti-inflammatory analgesia, anesthesia and other aspects. In this paper, 123 amides in 26 Zanthoxylum plants and their pharmacological activity that have been reported were summarized, which provided scientific reference for the clinical application of Zanthoxylum plants and the research and development of new drugs, and also facilitated the sustainable development and utilization of Zanthoxylum plant resources.

Biomarkers as targets for CAR-T/NK cell therapy in AML.

The most common kind of acute leukemia in adults is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is often treated with induction chemotherapy regimens followed by consolidation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, some patients continue to develop relapsed or refractory AML (R/R-AML). Small molecular targeted drugs require long-time administration. Not all the patients hold molecular targets. Novel medicines are therefore needed to enhance treatment outcomes. T cells and natural killer (NK) cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target antigens associated with AML have recently been produced and are currently being tested in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. This review provides an overview of CAR-T/NK treatments for AML.

Alkylamides from Zanthoxylum armatum DC. and their neuroprotective activity.

Zanthoxylum armatum DC. is an important medicinal plant, and its pericarps are commonly used as a natural spice in Asian countries. In this study, fifteen alkylamides were isolated and elucidated from the pericarps of Z. armatum, including five undescribed alkylamides (1-5) and ten known compounds (6-15). The molecular structures of all compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry, among which the absolute configuration of compound 15 was determined by the Mo2(OAc)4-induced circular dichroism method. Moreover, all compounds were screened for their neuroprotective activity against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells for the evaluation of their neuroprotective activity. Especially, compounds 2-4 expressed potential neuroprotective activity, and further research showed that the cell viability was significantly enhanced in a concentration dependent manner when the cells were treated for 6 h. Moreover, compounds 2-4 could decrease reactive oxygen species accumulation. This paper enriched structure types of alkylamides in Zanthoxylum armatum.