Cerebellar encephalitis associated with anti-mGluR1 antibodies: a case report and comprehensive literature review.

Anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 encephalitis is an uncommon autoimmune condition characterized by a subacute onset of cerebellar syndrome. Frequently, it also manifests as sleep disorders and cognitive or behavioral changes. While immunotherapy is the primary treatment approach, the disease remains poorly understood. Herein, we present a case of anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 encephalitis, highlighting its primary cerebellar syndrome manifestation. The first magnetic resonance imaging scan showed no obvious abnormality. Lumbar puncture showed increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, increased white blood cell count and protein level. The next-generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid showed Epstein-Barr virus infection, and the patient was diagnosed with viral cerebellar encephalitis. However, antiviral therapy was ineffective. Finally, anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 was measured at 1:1,000, and the patient was definitely diagnosed with anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 encephalitis. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to such diseases to avoid misdiagnosis.

Chemical genomics reveals targetable programs of human cancers rooted in pluripotency.

Overlapping principles of embryonic and tumor biology have been described, with recent multi-omics campaigns uncovering shared molecular profiles between human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and adult tumors. Here, using a chemical genomic approach, we provide biological evidence that early germ layer fate decisions of hPSCs reveal targets of human cancers. Single-cell deconstruction of hPSCs-defined subsets that share transcriptional patterns with transformed adult tissues. Chemical screening using a unique germ layer specification assay for hPSCs identified drugs that enriched for compounds that selectively suppressed the growth of patient-derived tumors corresponding exclusively to their germ layer origin. Transcriptional response of hPSCs to germ layer inducing drugs could be used to identify targets capable of regulating hPSC specification as well as inhibiting adult tumors. Our study demonstrates properties of adult tumors converge with hPSCs drug induced differentiation in a germ layer specific manner, thereby expanding our understanding of cancer stemness and pluripotency.

Influence of nano-Fe3O4 biochar on the methanation pathway during anaerobic digestion of chicken manure.

Volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen (AN) accumulate during anaerobic digestion (AD) of high N substrates, such as chicken manure (CM), causing decreases in methane yield. Previous research found that the addition of nano-Fe3O4 biochar can alleviate the inhibition caused by acids and ammonia and increase methane production. The mechanism of enhanced methane production in nano-Fe3O4 biochar-mediated AD of CM was explored in depth in this study. The results showed the lowest AN concentration in the control and nano-Fe3O4 biochar addition groups were 8,229.0 mg/L and 7,701.5 mg/L, respectively. Methane yield of volatile solids increased from 92.0 mL/g to 219.9 mL/g in the nano-Fe3O4 biochar treatment, which was attributed to the enrichment of unclassified Clostridiales and Methanosarcina. The mechanism of nano-Fe3O4 biochar in AD of CM under high AN level was to improve methane production by promoting syntrophic acetate oxidation and facilitating direct electron transfer between microorganisms.

Robust Carbon Nitride Homojunction Photoelectrode for Solar-Driven Water Splitting.

Achieving intimate particle-to-particle and particle-to-substrate contacts is the first priority for fabricating high-quality photoelectrodes to ensure sufficient visible light absorption and efficient charge separation/transport. To achieve this goal, a seeding strategy is designed to construct a robust carbon nitride (CN) homojunction photoelectrode, in which vaporized precursors are condensed into a compact seeding layer at low temperatures, inducing the further deposition of the top layer. This optimized photoelectrode displays an excellent photocurrent density of 320 µA cm-2 in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte at 1.23 VRHE (V vs reversible hydrogen electrode) under AM 1.5G illumination, with H2 and O2 evolution rates of 2.98 and 1.47 µmol h-1 cm-2, respectively. Characterizations show that both the robust contact and the homojunction of the double-layered CN film contribute to enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. This work may provide a new strategy for the design of high-performing CN photoelectrodes.

Frontiers in liver transplantation for liver cancer: sarcopenia / 中华器官移植杂志

Liver cancer patients scheduled for liver transplantation (LT) are frequently accompanied by liver cirrhosis.Within a state of long-term malnutrition and inflammatory stress, they are prone to sarcopenia with a poor efficacy of LT.Influenced by such multiple factors as surgery, infections and metabolic disorders, there is an elevated risk of exacerbation or a new onset of sarcopenia after LT.Therefore meticulous managements of sarcopenia are required throughout all aspects and periods of LT.A refined recipient stratification system of sarcopenia can accurately predict the efficacy of LT and its evaluating system has been becoming more precise, diverse and intelligent.Currently basic researches of sarcopenia have remained in infancy and its interactions with the related organs have become a novel research field.Sarcopenia has become an emerging challenge of LT for liver cancer.Further mechanistic explorations of sarcopenia are warranted and clinical precision managements should be further optimized.

Clinical characteristics of patients with colon complications after necrotizing pancreatitis: a retrospective cohort study / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of colon complications in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis(NP). Methods: The clinical data of 403 patients with NP admitted to the Department of General Surgery,Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 273 males and 130 females,aged (49.4±15.4) years(range: 18 to 90 years). Among them,there were 199 cases of biliary pancreatitis,110 cases of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis,and 94 cases of pancreatitis caused by other causes. A multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment model was used to diagnose and treat patients. Depending on whether the patients had colon complications,they were divided into colon complications group and noncolon complications group. Patients with colon complications were treated with anti-infection therapy,parental nutritional support,keeping the drainage tube unobstructed,and terminal ileostomy. The clinical results of the two groups were compared and analyzed using a 1∶1 propensity score match(PSM) method. The t test,χ2 test, or rank-sum test was used to analyze data between groups,respectively. Results: The incidence of colon complications was 13.2%(53/403),including 15 cases of colon obstruction,23 cases of colon fistula,and 21 cases of colon hemorrhage. After PSM,the baseline and clinical characteristics at admission of the two groups of patients were comparable (all P>0.05). In terms of clinical outcome,compared to patients with NP without colon complications,the number of patients with colon complications who received minimally invasive intervention(88.7%(47/53) vs. 69.8%(37/53),χ2=5.736,P=0.030),the number of minimally invasive interventions (M(IQR))(2(2) vs. 1(1), Z=4.638,P=0.034),the number of patients with multiple organ failure(45.3%(24/53) vs. 32.1%(17/53),χ2=4.826,P=0.041),and the number of extrapancreatic infections(79.2%(42/53) vs. 60.4%(32/53),χ2=4.476,P=0.034) increased significantly. The time required for enteral nutrition support(8(30)days vs. 2(10) days, Z=-3.048, P=0.002), parental nutritional support(32(37)days vs. 17(19)days, Z=-2.592, P=0.009),the length of stay in the ICU(24(51)days vs. 18(31)days, Z=-2.268, P=0.002),and the total length of stay (43(52)days vs. 30(40)days, Z=-2.589, P=0.013) were also significantly prolonged. However,mortality rates in the two groups were similar(37.7%(20/53) vs. 34.0%(18/53),χ2=0.164,P=0.840). Conclusions: Colonic complications in NP patients are not rare,which can lead to prolonged hospitalization and increased surgical intervention. Active surgical intervention can help improve the prognosis of these patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) attenuates tacrolimus-induced hepatic lipid accumulation through transcription factor EB (TFEB)-regulated lipophagy / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Tacrolimus (TAC), also called FK506, is one of the classical immunosuppressants to prevent allograft rejection after liver transplantation. However, it has been proved to be associated with post-transplant hyperlipemia. The mechanism behind this is unknown, and it is urgent to explore preventive strategies for hyperlipemia after transplantation. Therefore, we established a hyperlipemia mouse model to investigate the mechanism, by injecting TAC intraperitoneally for eight weeks. After TAC treatment, the mice developed hyperlipemia (manifested as elevated triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)). Accumulation of lipid droplets was observed in the liver. In addition to lipid accumulation, TAC induced inhibition of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3B) II/I and LC3B II/actin ratios, transcription factor EB (TFEB), protein 62 (P62), and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)) and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in vivo. Overexpression of FGF21 may reverse TAC-induced TG accumulation. In this mouse model, the recombinant FGF21 protein ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and hyperlipemia through repair of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. We conclude that TAC downregulates FGF21 and thus exacerbates lipid accumulation by impairing the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Recombinant FGF21 protein treatment could therefore reverse TAC-caused lipid accumulation and hypertriglyceridemia by enhancing autophagy.

Double-negative T cells: a promising avenue of adoptive cell therapy in transplant oncology / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Tumor recurrence is one of the major life-threatening complications after liver transplantation for liver cancer. In addition to the common mechanisms underlying tumor recurrence, another unavoidable problem is that the immunosuppressive therapeutic regimen after transplantation could promote tumor recurrence and metastasis. Transplant oncology is an emerging field that addresses oncological challenges in transplantation. In this context, a comprehensive therapeutic management approach is required to balance the anti-tumor treatment and immunosuppressive status of recipients. Double-negative T cells (DNTs) are a cluster of heterogeneous cells mainly consisting of two subsets stratified by T cell receptor (TCR) type. Among them, TCRαβ+ DNTs are considered to induce immune suppression in immune-mediated diseases, while TCRγδ+ DNTs are widely recognized as tumor killers. As a composite cell therapy, healthy donor-derived DNTs can be propagated to therapeutic numbers in vitro and applied for the treatment of several malignancies without impairing normal tissues or being rejected by the host. In this work, we summarized the biological characteristics and functions of DNTs in oncology, immunology, and transplantation. Based on the multiple roles of DNTs, we propose that a new balance could be achieved in liver transplant oncology using them as an off-the-shelf adoptive cell therapy (ACT).

Plastic bending in a semiconducting coordination polymer crystal enabled by delamination.

Coordination polymers (CPs) are a class of crystalline solids that are considered brittle, due to the dominance of directional coordination bonding, which limits their utility in flexible electronics and wearable devices. Hence, engineering plasticity into functional CPs is of great importance. Here, we report plastic bending of a semiconducting CP crystal, Cu-Trz (Trz = 1,2,3-triazolate), that originates from delamination facilitated by the discrete bonding interactions along different crystallographic directions in the lattice. The coexistence of strong coordination bonds and weak supramolecular interactions, together with the unique molecular packing, are the structural features that enable the mechanical flexibility and anisotropic response. The spatially resolved analysis of short-range molecular forces reveals that the strong coordination bonds, and the adaptive C-H···π and Cu···Cu interactions, synergistically lead to the delamination of the local structures and consequently the associated mechanical bending. The proposed delamination mechanism offers a versatile tool for designing the plasticity of CPs and other molecular crystals.

The outcomes and prognostic factors of patients who underwent reoperation for persistent/recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: While the most suitable approach for treating persistent/recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial, reoperation may be considered an effective method. The efficacy of reoperation in patients with locoregional persistent/recurrent PTC, especially those with unsatisfactory radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation results, is still uncertain. This study aimed to clarify the clinical management strategies for locoregional persistent/recurrent PTC and to explore factors that may affect long-term patient outcomes after reoperation. METHODS: In total, 124 patients who initially underwent thyroidectomy and variable extents of RAI therapy and finally received reoperation for locoregionally persistent/recurrent PTC were included. The parameters associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Overall, 124 patients presented with structural disease after initial therapy and underwent secondary surgical resection, of whom 32 patients developed further structural disease during follow-up after reoperation. At the time of reoperation, metastatic lymph nodes with extranodal extension (P = 0.023) and high unstimulated thyroglobulin (unstim-Tg) levels after reoperation (post-reop) (P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Neither RAI avidity nor the frequency and dose of RAI therapies before reoperation affected RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation is an ideal clinical treatment strategy for structural locoregional persistent/recurrent PTC, and repeated empirical RAI therapies performed prior to reoperation may not contribute to the long-term outcomes of persistent/recurrent PTC patients. Metastatic lymph nodes with extranodal extension and post-reop unstim-Tg > 10.1 ng/mL may predict a poor prognosis.

[Evaluation of the effect of repairing unilateral cleft lip nose deformity with autogenous concha cartilage].

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of nasal deformity correction after unilateral cleft lip repair with autogenous concha cartilage transplantation. METHODS: Thirteen patients with nasal deformity after unilateral cleft lip surgery were collected, who were treated with autogenous concha cartilage and nasal septum deviation correction at the same time. Their chin-lifting photos were taken before operation, five days, one month and six months after operation. The nasal morphology was evaluated by subjective evaluation and objective measurement, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 software package. RESULTS: Subjective evaluation showed that there was significant difference in nasal morphology between prior to operation and 5 days postoperatively (P=0.000), but there was no significant difference between 5 days postoperatively and 1 month and 6 months postoperatively(P=0.110, 0.053). In objective measurement, there was no significant difference in the symmetry rate of nasal tip between prior to operation and 5 days, 1 month and 6 months after operation(P=0.051, 0.136, 0.204), but there was significant difference in the symmetry rate of nasal base, nasal columella, extranasal convex angle and nasal alar base inclination angle between prior to operation and 5 days postoperatively(P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000). However, there was no significant difference in symmetry rate of the above four indexes between 5 days after operation and 1 month and 6 months after operation(P＞0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous concha cartilage transplantation can effectively improve the symmetry of nasal floor, columella and alar after operation, and the effect is stable half a year after operation.

Therapeutic effect of liraglutide on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats and its influence on the expression of FGF21 / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To study the therapeutic effect of liraglutide on rat models with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its influence on the expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21).Methods:Thirty five Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group (15 rats) and control group (20 rats). They were fed with normal diet and high fat diet respectively. The NAFLD rat model was established by feeding the model group for 12 weeks. After successful modeling, the model group was randomly divided into liraglutide group and model group. 600 μg/(kg·d) liraglutide and equal volume normal saline were injected intraperitoneally respectively. All rats were killed at the 16th week. Serum FGF21, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were measured; Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat liver tissue, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of FGF21 mRNA in rat liver tissue.Results:The liver index and serum ALT, AST, TC and TG contents in model group were significantly higher than those in normal control group (all P<0.05). The above indexes in liraglutide group were significantly lower than those in model group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum FBG level among the three groups ( P>0.05). HE staining showed that there were no abnormal pathological changes in liver of normal control group. Steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration occurred in liver cells of model group. Compared with model group, liver steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in liraglutide group were significantly reduced. The level of FGF21 in serum and mRNA expression of FGF21 in liver tissue in model group were significantly higher than those in normal control group ( P<0.05). The levels of FGF21 in serum and FGF21 mRNA in liver tissue in liraglutide group were lower than those in model group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Liraglutide can effectively delay the development of NAFLD in rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of FGF21.

Study on mechanisms of Th17/Treg imbalance in patients with cystic echinococcosis based on miRNA expression profiles / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the serum microRNA (miRNA) expression and examine the impact of miRNA expression profiles on T helper type 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) imbalance among patients with cystic echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into the illustration of the mechanisms underlying chronic Echinococcus granulosus infections, and long-term pathogenesis.@*METHODS@#Total RNA was extracted from the sera of cystic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, and subjected to high-throughput sequencing with the Illumina sequencing platform. Known miRNAs were annotated and new miRNAs were predicted using the miRBase database and the miRDeep2 tool, and differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using the software miRanda and TargetScan, and the intersection was selected for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs with the 20 highest fold changes, miRNAs that targeted genes relating to key transcription factors RORC and FOXP3 that determine the production of Th17 and Treg cells or their important regulatory pathways (PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways) were matched.@*RESULTS@#A total of 53 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in sera of cystic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, including 47 up-regulated miRNAs and 6 down-regulated miRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed miRNA were involved DNA transcription and translation, cell components, cell morphology, neurodevelopment and metabolic decomposition, and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed miRNA were mainly involved in MAPK, PI3K-Akt and mTOR signaling pathways. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs with the 20 highest fold changes, there were 3 miRNAs that had a potential for target regulation of RORC, and 15 miRNAs that had a potential to target the PI3K-Akt and mTOR signaling pathways.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Significant changes are found in serum miRNA expression profiles among patients with E. granulosus infections, and differentially expressed miRNAs may lead to Th17/Treg imbalance through targeting the key transcription factors of Th17/Treg or PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways, which facilitates the long-term parasitism of E. granulosus in hosts and causes a chronic disease.

Historical Evolution and Modern Clinical Application of Shengyang Yiweitang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Shengyang Yiweitang is one of the first 100 classical prescriptions published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It originated from the Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes by physician LI Dongyuan of Jin dynasty， and is composed of Astragali Radix， Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， Poria， Pinelliae Rhizoma， Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium， Angelicae Pubescentis Radix， Saposhnikoviae Radix， Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix， Bupleuri Radix， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Alismatis Rhizoma， and Coptidis Rhizoma. With the effects of replenishing Qi， promoting Yang， clearing heat and removing dampness， Shengyang Yiweitang is used to treat spleen-stomach weakness and dampness-heat accumulation syndrome. Using bibliometrics， the authors systematically sorted out the source，composition， dosage， preparation， efficacy， indications， principle of composition， origin and processing of drugs，and modern clinical application of the prescription， and explored its history and key information. Additionally， it was found that Shengyang Yiweitang was widely used in modern clinical practice and was suitable for multisystem diseases， of which digestive system （264） was the most common， accounting for 41.71%， followed by urogenital system （57， 9.00%） and nervous system （48， 7.58%）. Although the treatment scope was wide， the pathogenesis of the diseases in traditional Chinese medicine belongs to "spleen-stomach weakness"， which fully reflected Li's academic thought of "internal injury of spleen and stomach leads to various diseases". The key information of Shengyang Yiweitang was determined by summarizing the relevant ancient books and modern literature， so as to provide accurate reference for its rational clinical application and further research and development.

Historical Evolution and Modern Clinical Application of Shengyang Yiweitang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Shengyang Yiweitang is one of the first 100 classical prescriptions published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It originated from the Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes by physician LI Dongyuan of Jin dynasty， and is composed of Astragali Radix， Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， Poria， Pinelliae Rhizoma， Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium， Angelicae Pubescentis Radix， Saposhnikoviae Radix， Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix， Bupleuri Radix， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Alismatis Rhizoma， and Coptidis Rhizoma. With the effects of replenishing Qi， promoting Yang， clearing heat and removing dampness， Shengyang Yiweitang is used to treat spleen-stomach weakness and dampness-heat accumulation syndrome. Using bibliometrics， the authors systematically sorted out the source，composition， dosage， preparation， efficacy， indications， principle of composition， origin and processing of drugs，and modern clinical application of the prescription， and explored its history and key information. Additionally， it was found that Shengyang Yiweitang was widely used in modern clinical practice and was suitable for multisystem diseases， of which digestive system （264） was the most common， accounting for 41.71%， followed by urogenital system （57， 9.00%） and nervous system （48， 7.58%）. Although the treatment scope was wide， the pathogenesis of the diseases in traditional Chinese medicine belongs to "spleen-stomach weakness"， which fully reflected Li's academic thought of "internal injury of spleen and stomach leads to various diseases". The key information of Shengyang Yiweitang was determined by summarizing the relevant ancient books and modern literature， so as to provide accurate reference for its rational clinical application and further research and development.

Inhibitory effect of CLC-2 chloride channel targeted blocking on fibrosis of human conjunctival fibroblasts / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of CLC-2 chloride channel targeted blocking on fibrosis of human conjunctival fibroblasts (HConF).Methods:HConF were divided into blank control group, lipofectamine 2000 (Lipo2000) group, nonsense small interfering RNA (siRNA) group, and CLC-2 siRNA transfected group.The HConF were cultured in medium containing the corresponding transfection reagents according to grouping.No intervention was given to blank control group.The expression level of CLC-2 mRNA of HConF was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR; absorbance ( A) value indicating the proliferative ability of HConF was determined by CCK-8 kit; the apoptosis ratio of HConF was tested by flow cytometry; the migration ability of HConF was identified by cell scratch test and Transwell migration assay; the contraction rate of HConF was assayed by collagen contraction test; the expression levels of collagenⅠ, collagen Ⅲ, PI3K, Akt, p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins were measured by Western blot. Results:Significant differences were found in relative expression levels of CLC-2 mRNA and A value among four groups ( F=90.110, 198.680; both at P<0.001). The relative expression level of CLC-2 mRNA and A value were significantly lower in CLC-2 siRNA transfected group than nonsense siRNA group, showing statistically significant differences (both at P<0.001). The proportion of apoptotic HConF in blank control group, Lipo2000 group, nonsense siRNA group, and CLC-2 siRNA transfected group was (4.78±1.10)%, (4.54±1.51)%, (4.82±0.88)% and (28.90±0.91)%, respectively, and a statistically significant difference was found ( F=363.260, P<0.001). The proportion of apoptotic HConF was significantly higher in CLC-2 siRNA transfected group than nonsense siRNA group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). Statistically significant differences were found in cell migration rate and the number of migrating cells among four groups ( F=74.493, 1 625.431; both at P<0.01). The cell migration rate of HConF in CLC-2 siRNA transfected group was significantly lower and the number of migrating cells was significantly smaller than those of nonsense siRNA group, with statistically significant differences (both at P<0.001). A statistically significant difference in contraction rate was found among four groups ( F=104.692, P<0.001). The contraction rate of HConF was significantly lower in CLC-2 siRNA transfected group than nonsense siRNA group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Statistically significant differences were found in relative expression levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ proteins, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio, and p-Akt/Akt ratio among four groups ( F=112.073, 456.931, 340.889, 43.021; all at P<0.001). The relative expression levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ proteins, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio and p-Akt/Akt ratio in CLC-2 siRNA transfected group were significantly lower than those of nonsense siRNA group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Targeted blocking of CLC-2 chloride channel gene expression can inhibit fibrosis of HConF by promoting apoptosis of HConF through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibit fibrotic processes such as cell migration, collagen synthesis and collagen contraction.

Colchicine for Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of colchicine administration for coronary heart disease remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of colchicine administration versus placebo on treatment efficacy for coronary heart disease. METHODS: We have searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases through May 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of colchicine administration versus placebo in patients with coronary heart disease. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Six RCTs involving 6,321 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control groups for coronary heart disease, colchicine intervention can significantly reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio [OR] 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59 to 0.92; P = .006), but revealed no obvious impact on mortality (OR=0.93; 95% CI=0.63 to 1.36; P = .69), serious adverse events (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.31 to 1.61; P = .41), or restenosis (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.64; P = .95). CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine treatment may be effective to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease.

Targeting SUMOylation dependency in human cancer stem cells through a unique SAE2 motif revealed by chemical genomics.

Natural products (NPs) encompass a rich source of bioactive chemical entities. Here, we used human cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a chemical genomics campaign with NP chemical space to interrogate extracts from diverse strains of actinomycete for anti-cancer properties. We identified a compound (McM25044) capable of selectively inhibiting human CSC function versus normal stem cell counterparts. Biochemical and molecular studies revealed that McM025044 exerts inhibition on human CSCs through the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) cascade, found to be hyperactive in a variety of human cancers. McM025044 impedes the SUMOylation pathway via direct targeting of the SAE1/2 complex. Treatment of patient-derived CSCs resulted in reduced levels of SUMOylated proteins and suppression of progenitor and stem cell capacity measured in vitro and in vivo. Our study overcomes a barrier in chemically inhibiting oncogenic SUMOylation activity and uncovers a unique role for SAE2 in the biology of human cancers.

Race-ethnicity and Perceptional Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions: A Cross-sectional Study Among Health Workers and the General Population in the San Francisco Bay Area

ObjectiveTo compare intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination by race-ethnicity, to identify perceptional factors that may mediate the association between race-ethnicity and intention to receive the vaccine, and to identify the demographic and perceptional factors most strongly predictive of intention to receive a vaccine. DesignCross-sectional survey conducted from November, 2020 to January, 2021, nested within two longitudinal cohort studies of prevalence and incidence of SARS CoV-2 among the general population and healthcare workers. Study Cohort3,161 participants in the Track COVID cohort (a population-based sample of adults) and 1,803 participants in the CHART Study cohort (a cohort of employees at three large medical centers). ResultsRates of high vaccine willingness were significantly lower among Black (45.3%), Latinx (62.5%), Asian (65%), multi-racial (67.2%), and other race (61.0%) respondents than among white respondents (77.6%). Black, Latinx, and Asian respondents were significantly more likely than white respondents to endorse reasons to not get vaccinated, especially lack of trust. Participants motivations and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination only partially explained racial-ethnic differences in vaccination willingness. Being a health worker in the CHART cohort and concern about a rushed government vaccine approval process were the two most important factors predicting vaccination intention. ConclusionsSpecial efforts are required to reach historically marginalized racial-ethnic communities to support informed decision-making about COVID-19 vaccination. These campaigns must acknowledge the history of racism in biomedical research and health care delivery that has degraded the trustworthiness of health and medical science institutions among non-white population and may continue to undermine confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

Abnormal dopamine receptor signaling allows selective therapeutic targeting of neoplastic progenitors in AML patients.

The aberrant expression of dopamine receptors (DRDs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells has encouraged the repurposing of DRD antagonists such as thioridazine (TDZ) as anti-leukemic agents. Here, we access patient cells from a Phase I dose escalation trial to resolve the cellular and molecular bases of response to TDZ, and we extend these findings to an additional independent cohort of AML patient samples tested preclinically. We reveal that in DRD2+ AML patients, DRD signaling in leukemic progenitors provides leukemia-exclusive networks of sensitivity that spare healthy hematopoiesis. AML progenitor cell suppression can be increased by the isolation of the positive enantiomer from the racemic TDZ mixture (TDZ+), and this is accompanied by reduced cardiac liability. Our study indicates that the development of DRD-directed therapies provides a targeting strategy for a subset of AML patients and potentially other cancers that acquire DRD expression upon transformation from healthy tissue.