A Cohort Study on Deficiency of ADA2 from China.

PURPOSE: Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2), an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2), has not been systemically investigated in Chinese population yet. We aim to further characterize DADA2 cases in China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with DADA2 identified through whole exome sequencing (WES) at seventeen rheumatology centers across China was conducted. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, genotype, and treatment response were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty patients with DADA2 were enrolled between January 2015 and December 2021. Adenosine deaminase 2 enzymatic activity was low in all tested cases to confirm pathogenicity. Median age of disease presentation was 4.3 years and the median age at diagnosis was 7.8 years. All but one patient presented during childhood and two subjects died from complications of their disease. The patients most commonly presented with systemic inflammation (92.9%), vasculitis (86.7%), and hypogammaglobinemia (73.3%) while one patient presented with bone marrow failure (BMF) with variable cytopenia. Twenty-three (76.7%) patients were treated with TNF inhibitors (TNFi), while two (6.7%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). They all achieved clinical remission. A total of thirty-nine ADA2 causative variants were identified, six of which were novel. CONCLUSION: To establish early diagnosis and improve clinical outcomes, genetic screening and/or testing of ADA2 enzymatic activity should be performed in patients with suspected clinical features. TNFi is considered as first line treatment for those with vascular phenotypes. HSCT may be beneficial for those with hematological disease or in those who are refractory to TNFi.

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein upregulates mouse mesenteric arterial 5-HT1B receptor in vivo via activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) upregulates mesenteric arterial 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B (5-HT1B) receptor expression by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into the following groups: the normal saline (NS), LDL, mmLDL, mmLDL+galiellactone (GL, a JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor), and mmLDL+DMSO groups. The dose-response curve of mesenteric arterial ring constriction after administration of 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), an agonist of 5-HT1B, was recorded with a microvascular tensiometer. JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, and 5-HT1B receptor protein expression levels were determined by Western blotting. 5-HT1B receptor mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. 5-HT1B receptor protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Injection of mmLDL into the tail vein significantly increased the contractile dose-response curve after 5-CT stimulation, as the Emax was 82.15 ±â€¯6.15% in the NS group and 171.88 ±â€¯5.78% in the mmLDL group (P < 0.01); significantly elevated 5-HT1B receptor mRNA and protein expression levels; and significantly increased p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels. After intraperitoneal injection of GL, the vasoconstrictive response was significantly reduced compared with that in the mmLDL group, as the Emax was decreased to 97.14 ±â€¯1.20% (P < 0.01); 5-HT1B receptor mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced; STAT3 phosphorylation and p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression were not significantly changed; and 5-HT1B receptor expression was altered via inhibition of p-STAT3 binding to DNA, which suppressed transcription. CONCLUSIONS: mmLDL can upregulate 5-HT1B receptor expression in mouse mesenteric arteries by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The traditional ethnic herb Tadehagi triquetrum from China: a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.

CONTEXT: Tadehagi triquetrum (Linn.) Ohashi (Fabaceae) (TT), is a traditional herbal medicine used especially in China's ethnic-minority communities, such as the Zhuang, Dai, Li and Wa aeras. As an ethnic medicine, it has long been used to treat various diseases. OBJECTIVE: This review summarised the phytochemical and pharmacological progress on TT from 1979 to October, 2021 by highlighting its chemical classification, structural features, pharmacological applications and folk applications to provide inspirations and suggestions for accelerating further research of this traditional phytomedicine. METHODS: The information on TT in this article has been obtained using these multiple scientific databases including Scifinder, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS publications, Springer, PubMed, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar. Some information was also collected from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. RESULTS: More than 70 compounds have been isolated and reported from TT to date by the comprehensive analysis of the current literature. A large number of traditional uses and pharmacological studies have exhibited diversified bioactivities of various TT extracts and its metabolites, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-hepatitis B virus, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, etc. CONCLUSIONS: As a famous traditional medicine with a long history, TT has various medicinal uses and some of them have been supported by modern pharmacological researches. Further detailed studies on the action mechanisms, pharmacodynamics and structure-function relationships of single compounds or active constituents from TT are also required.

Role of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key event in the pathogenesis of CVD. The functional and phenotypic changes in vascular cells are mediated by complex signaling cascades that initiate and control genetic reprogramming. Many studies have demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulates a diverse array of functions relevant to atherosclerosis. METHODS: In this review, we summarize the studies on the STAT3-mediated proliferation of VSMCs and subsequent CVDs such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, we describe the general background of STAT3, its structure, function and regulation as well as the STAT3 signaling pathway. Finally, we highlight some potential issues and propose some solutions to these issues.Results and conclusions: STAT3 activation promotes the proliferation of VSMCs by regulating the transcription of genes. Studying the mechanism of VSMC proliferation induced by the STAT3 pathway is valuable for finding therapeutic targets for CVD.

[Preparation process of norcantharidin/tetrandrine dual loaded liposomes and their in vitro release characteristics].

In order to optimize the prescription and preparation process of norcantharidin/tetrandrine dual loaded liposomes, the dual drug loaded liposomes were prepared by film dispersion-ultrasonic method using norcantharidin-mesoporous silica nanoparticles（MSN-NCTD）and tetrandrine（Tet）. With particle size and encapsulation efficiency as comprehensive indexes, the influences of phospholipid cholesterol amount, ultrasonic time and ultrasonic power on prescription process were investigated by orthogonal test; the in vitro release characteristics of liposomes were investigated by dialysis method. The results indicated that the best prescription process of prepared norcantharidin/tetrandrine dual loaded liposomes was as follows: phospholipid-cholesterol ratio 2.5:1, ultrasonic time 4 min, ultrasonic power 40%; the encapsulation efficiency was 86.62% and 79.19%respectively for NCTD and Tet;liposomes were well-shaped under the transmission microscope, with average particle size of （207.5±3.6） nm, Zeta potential of （1.345±0.173） mV; and the 48 h cumulative release rates of NCTD and Tet were 85.14% and 85.00% respectively. The experiment results proved that the dual drug loaded liposomes prepared by film dispersion-ultrasonic method had uniform particle size, high encapsulation efficiency and in vitro sustained release characteristics.

Glycosides from the leaves of Fraxinus Hubeiensis.

Fraxinus hubeiensis is a plant endemic to China and widely used as folk medicine to treat various diseases. However, its chemical constituents have never been reported sufficiently. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and biological activities of F. hubeiensis leaves. Hence, combined column chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to identify and characterize the secondary metabolites such as a pair of 3-keto-glycoside epimers (1) and (2), along with five known compounds (3 ~ 7). The results of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity exhibited that 1 and 2 had moderate activity with IC50 values of 359.50 and 468.43 µM, respectively, compared to a positive control acarbose with the IC50 value of 164.08 µM. However, Compounds 1-6 were shown to be inactive against the tested microbes.

[Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds Used to Diagnose and Evaluate Acute Promyelocyte Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in expiratory air components of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and assess the feasibility of VOCs for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of APL. METHODS: The VOCs exhaled from the patients with APL and healthy volunteers should be analyzed with SPME-GC/MS, and compared between newly-diagnosed group, relapse group, remission group, and healthy group with Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Dunn-Bonferroni test. RESULTS: Dimethyl sulfide, toluene, and dodecane obtained of newly-diagnosed APL patients were significantly higher, while ethanol, n-hexanal, and benzaldehyde were significantly lower than those of healthy people (P<0.05). Compared with the newly-diagnosed group, dimethylsulfide, toluene, and dodecane of the remission group significantly decreased, while ethanol, n-hexanal, and benzaldehyde significantly increased (P<0.05), which was just opposite from the relapse group. CONCLUSION: Dimethyl sulfide, toluene, dodecane, ethanol, n-hexanal, and benzaldehyde can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis assessment of APL patients.

[Studies on the HPLC fingerprint of Radix Codonopsis from different localities].

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze Radix Codonopsis from 18 different localities. METHODS: The HPLC was used to detect samples. MATLAB Software and the Computer Aided Similarity Evaluation was used to analyze the fingerprints. Similarity combined with principal component analysis (PCA) were used to compare and analyze Radix Condonopsis in different localities. RESULTS: It was found that processing drugs have effect on the quality of Radix Condonopsis and there are differences in species of Radix Codonopsis. CONCLUSION: This method could be used to compare and analyze the samples of Radix Codonopsis sources.

[SIRT2-Reverses Drug-Resistance of HL-60/A through Autophagy Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of targeting the silent information regulator 2 hemolog 2 (SIRT2) expression on the apoptosis of drug-resistant AML cell line HL-60/A and its mechanism. METHODS: The expression of SIRT2 and antophagy-related protein LCT, P62 in HL-60/A and HL-60 was detected by Western blot, the effect of cytorabine on the apoptosis of HL-60/A cells was detected by using Annexin V/PI double staining after targeting inhibition of SIRT2 expression resulting from transfecting HL-60/A cells with SiRNA. The Western blot and transmission electray microscopy were used to detect the cell autophagy. To further clarify the role of autophragy in the regulatory effect of SIRT2 on the drug-resistance of HL-60/A cells, the autophagy-specific agonist, repamycin, was added into the cell culture medium after SIRT2-siRNA transfection. Then, the autophagy and apoptosis of HL-60/A were detected, respectively. RESULTS: The SIRT2 protein expression obviously increased in HL-60/A cells than that in HL-60 cells. Moreover, the expression rate of LC3II/I was higher, but P62 expression was lower in HL-60/A cells. After siRNA successfully transfecting into HL-60/A cells, quantitative PCR and Western blot should that the expression of SIRT2 significantly decreased. Meawhile, Western blot showed that the expression of LC3 II/I decreased, but P62 increased. Meanwhile, By TEM found that the number of autophagosome also decreased, suggesting the autophagy was inhibited after down-regulation of SIRT2. In addition, the drug senstivity of HL-60/A cells to cytarabine in siRNA-transfection group increased, and the apoptotic rate detected by Annexin V/PI double staining significantly increased. However, after co-culture with rapamycin, the suppressed autophagy in siRNA-trasfect HL-60/A cells was activated, leading to the reappearance of drug resistance of cells to cytarabine, and more significantly decrease of apoptotic rate. CONCLUSION: The high expression of SIRT2 in HL-60/A cells activates the protective autophagy mechanism, which closely related with drug resistance.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Yunnan black goat (Capra hircus).

Yunnan black goat (Capra hircus) is one of the famous native goat breed in China. In this study, the complete nucleotide sequence of Yunnan black goat mitochondrial genome was determined for the first time. Sequence analysis showed that the genome structure was in typical with other vertebra animals. It contained 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). The base composition was A (33.6%), G (13.1%), C (26.0%) and T (27.3%), so the percentage of A and T (60.9%) was higher than that of G and C.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sus cebifrons (Sus, Suidae).

In this work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Sus cebifrons (Visayan warty pig). The total length of the mitogenome was 16,475 bp, and its overall base composition was estimated to be 35.0% for A, 25.8% for T, 26.2% for C and 13.0% for G, indicating an A-T (60.8%)-rich feature in Sus cebifrons mitogenome. It contained the typical structure of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a noncoding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of these genes was the same as that found in other pigs. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Sus cebifrons would provide new genetic resources for pig domestication study.

[Clinical experience on treating Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy by using acetyl spiramycin combined with azithromycin].

OBJECTIVE: To explore an effective therapy for pregnant Toxoplasma gondii infection by using acetyl spiramycin combined with azithromycin. METHODS: ELISA and PCR were used to diagnose and evaluate the therapy efficiency to toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. RESULTS: The serological test showed that the positive rates of specific antibodies IgM and IgG to Toxoplasma gondii in 285 pregnant women were 1.05% (3/285) and 5.97% (17/285), respectively. All the 3 cases of serum IgM positive pregnant women received the amniotic fluid PCR tests for Toxoplasma gondii DNA and 2 were positive, and they received spiramycin combined with azithromycin. After the therapy, their serum IgM antibody specific to Toxoplasma gondii and positive amniotic fluid PCR test for Toxoplasma gondii DNA turned to be negative. CONCLUSION: Acetyl spiramycin in combination with azithromycin is effective in the treatment of pregnant toxoplasmosis.

[Changes of body weight and galanin in epileptic children treated with topiramate].

OBJECTIVE: Topiramate is a new broad-spectrum anti-epileptic drug. Decreased body weight and appetite are common side effects of topiramate. The side effect affects the growth and development in children greatly. Little is known about the mechanisms of topiramate-induced weight loss and decreased appetite in children with epilepsy in China and abroad. galanin is one of factors that affect appetite. It is a neuroendocrine peptide and play an important role in the control of appetite and body weight in the mechanism of hormone release. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of topiramate-induced weight loss in children with epilepsy and the relation of weight loss with change of galanin, thereby to provide evidences for improvement of quality of life, compliance to treatment and reduce side effects of growth and development in children with epilepsy. METHODS: Totally 61 patients with especial epilepsy were enrolled into this study and the disease was defined by clinical manifestations and electroencephalography (EEG). Among them 32 cases had generalized seizures and 29 had local seizures. Sixteen normal children were enrolled as control group. The patients' age ranged from 0.5 to 14 (4.76 +/- 4.05) years and the patients were instructed to take 0.5 - 1 mg/kg of topiramate per day, with 0.5 - 1 mg/kg every 3 - 5 d increased to maximum of 3 - 8 mg/kg per day. Patients continued receiving the doses for 4 months. All patients' serum galanin levels and body height and weight and hepatic function were detected before and after antiepileptic drugs treatment. The galanin was detected by using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: After treatment with topiramate (61 cases) for 4 months, plasma galanin [(22.01 +/- 8.12) pg/ml] declined as compared with baseline [(26.56 +/- 9.35) pg/ml, t = 2.85, P < 0.01] in children with epilepsy. Twenty-two of 61 patients lost weight, their plasma galanin concentration was significantly lower [(26.51 +/- 10.00) pg/ml vs. (20.45 +/- 8.09) pg/ml, t = 2.91, P < 0.01], but there was no significant change in the weight-gained patients (39/61) and control group (n = 16). In children with epilepsy, the mean value of body weight decreased as compared with the pre-treatment values, but the difference was not significant; however, the body-mass index (BMI) was significantly lower than that obtained before treatment (t = 8.628, P < 0.01). Eighteen of 22 patients who lost weight had decreased appetite, but only five of 39 patients who gained weight showed decreased appetite (chi(2) = 28.50, P < 0.001). The mean value of plasma galanin declined after treatment in patients (23 cases) with decreased appetite [(18.35 +/- 7.80) pg/ml vs. (27.28 +/- 6.90) pg/ml, t = 4.84, P < 0.001]; while plasma galanin did not change significantly after treatment in patients (38 cases) without decreased appetite [(24.23 +/- 7.66) pg/ml vs. (26.12 +/- 5.49) pg/ml, t = 1.04, P > 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Topiramate treatment may lower the body weight and reduce appetite in part of children with epilepsy which may be mediated by the reduced plasma galanin level.