Enhancing genetic association power in endometriosis through unsupervised clustering of clinical subtypes identified from electronic health records.

Endometriosis is a complex and heterogeneous condition affecting 10% of reproductive-age women, and yet, it often goes undiagnosed for several years. Limited observed heritability (7%) of large genetic association studies may be attributable to underlying heterogeneity of disease mechanisms. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate genetic associations across sub-phenotypes of endometriosis. We performed unsupervised clustering of 4,078 women with endometriosis based on known endometriosis risk factors, symptoms, and concomitant conditions. The clusters were characterized by examining electronic health record (EHR) data and comprehensive chart reviews. We then performed genetic association for each cluster with 39 endometriosis-associated loci (Total Nendometriosis cases = 12,350). We identified five sub-phenotype clusters: (1) pain comorbidities, (2) uterine disorders, (3) pregnancy complications, (4) cardiometabolic comorbidities, and (5) HER-asymptomatic. Bonferroni significant loci included PDLIM5 for the cluster 1, GREB1 for cluster 2, WNT4 for cluster 3, RNLS for cluster 4, and ABO for cluster 5. The difference in associations between the groups suggests complex and varied genetic mechanisms of endometriosis and its symptoms. This study enhances our understanding of the clinical patterns of endometriosis sub-phenotypes, showcasing the innovative approach employed to investigate this complex disease.

Chinese Cases of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy with the Novel Missense Mutations in ARSA Gene.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy(MLD) is an autosomal recessive hereditary neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by the mutations in arylsulfatase A gene (ARSA), which results in the deficiency of ARSA enzyme. The common clinical characteristics of MLD are abnormal gait, and then gradually appears ataxia, spastic quadriplegia, optic atrophy, cortical blindness, and dementia. We describe two patients in China who were diagnosed with MLD and find that the four ARSA gene mutations (c.1115G>A, c.302G>T, c.893 G> T, and c.302G>T) are associated with MLD, in which c.893 G>T and c.302G>T are novel mutations by gene sequence and clinical manifestations, to further understand the relationship between MLD and ARSA gene.

[Effect of Graft Composition on Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Aplastic Anemia after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between acute graft-versus-host disease and graft composition in patients with aplastic anemia(AA) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-seven cases of AA after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether presence or absence grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD, the relationship between aGVHD and graft composition was analyzed by comparing the differences of graft components between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Fourteen out of 57 patients had grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD and the other 43 did not have grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD. The mononuclear cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK cells, NKT cells, B cells and Treg cells were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05), the CD34+ cell count in the patients with grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 3.85（1.73-10.61）×106/kg, which was significantly lower than that without grade Ⅱ-ⅣaGVHD: 6.31（2.98-19.35）×106/kg (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD may be related with CD34+ cell count in AA after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation..

Effect of gender difference on antigen induced Sjogren's syndrome model in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of gender differences in C57BL / 6J mice on antigen induced Sjogren's syndrome(SS)model. Methods The submandibular gland protein of C57BL/6J female and male mice was extracted and mixed with the same amount of Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA)for the first three times, the antigen concentration was adjusted to 2.5 g·L-1, mixed with Freund's incomplete adjuvant(FIA)for the fourth time, and the same-sex mouse antigen was injected into the back of mice for a total of four times to induce the mouse SS model. The mouse SS model was induced by multi-point intradermal injection of antigen on the back of mice for four times,the body weight of female and male mice was measured every week, the general condition was observed, the saliva volume of mice was measured at the sixth week of modeling. After the mice were sacrificed, the pathological changes of submandibular gland and the changes of T and B lymphocyte subsets in spleen were detected, and the differences in SS model preparation between female and male mice were compared. Results The SS model of male and female mice was successfully established, and there was no significant difference in general condition, saliva volume, submandibular gland pathology, plasma cells and memory B cells between male and female SS mice. The success rate of SS model was 75% in female mice and 60% in male mice. Compared with normal mice of the same sex, the weight loss of female SS mice was earlier and more obvious than that of male SS mice; the submandibular gland index of male mice was significantly higher than that of female mice. Compared with normal mice of the same sex, the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells in spleen of female SS mice was more statistically significant than that of male SS mice. Conclusions The success rate of SS modeling in female mice is higher than that in male mice. Compared with male SS mice, female SS mice have more significant SS like manifestations and pathological manifestations, which can provide a reference basis for the selection of gender when establishing SS model.

Synthesis of Hollow ß-Phase GeO2 Nanoparticles.

We fabricated mono-dispersed hollow waxberry shaped ß-quartz GeO2 by a facile one-step synthesis in emulsion at room temperature. TEM images indicated that hollow waxberry shaped GeO2 were consisted of nano-sphere whose average size were estimated to be 20 nm. The growth mechanism and optical properties of the products were also investigated. It was found that addition of n-butanol and PVP were crucial factors to control the morphology of GeO2. The possible formation mechanism of the hollow interior is proposed as the Ostwald ripening. The optical properties of the ß-GeO2 nanoparticles with hollow shapes were also studied with photoluminescence spectrum, which reveals a broad emission, suggesting potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic nanodevices. These attractive results provide us a new simple method further used to fabricate other specific hollow structure and indicate hollow waxberry shaped GeO2 may have potential applications in light-emitting nanodevices.

Angiotensin II induces histomorphologic features of unstable plaque in a murine model of accelerated atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: We explored the role of angiotensin II in determining the histomorphometric features of plaque stability in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice submitted to ligation of the carotid artery. METHODS: Six-month-old apolipoprotein E-deficient mice underwent ligation of the common left carotid artery and were immediately assigned to receive either angiotensin II (1.4 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1) subcutaneously) or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline; control) via a subcutaneous osmotic minipump for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Ligated arteries from control animals developed intimal lesions composed of macrophage foam cell plaques, which accumulated adjacent to the internal elastic lamina and were surrounded by a fibromuscular layer. Angiotensin II-treated mice had a greater intimal area (threefold), which was accompanied by a fivefold increase in the foam cell area. Lesions from angiotensin II-treated mice also displayed complex morphology characterized by intralesional neovasculature and hemorrhage. The content of active matrix metalloproteinase 2, mainly colocalized with macrophage foam cells, and the production of the inflammatory mediators monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 were also increased by angiotensin II treatment. Although angiotensin II induced vessel expansion and lumen loss to a similar extent, only vessel enlargement correlated with intimal area. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, this study's results support a role of angiotensin II in plaque vulnerability by promoting intraplaque neovascularization/hemorrhage, inflammation, and expansive remodeling.

Study on the changes in the distribution and chemical states of the hepatic intra-and extra-cellular sodium ion in the rats with severe burns at early stage / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in the distribution and chemical states of the hepatic intra- and extra-cellular sodium ion in the rats with severe burns, so as to provide guidance for fluid resuscitation at early postburn stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were employed in the study and were randomly divided into control (n = 12) and burn (n = 7) groups. The changes in the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of hepatic intra-cellular and extra-cellular sodium in the two groups were studied with 23Na NMR spectroscopy and a shift reagent.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After infusion of the shift reagent,the extra-cellular sodium content in rat liver decreased by 17%, with obvious increase in fast T2 component (P < 0.01), indicating an increase in the fraction of Na+ binding sites in the extra-cellular space. The characteristics of relaxation of intra-cellular sodium remained unchanged despite a 57% increment in intra-cellular sodium content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The deficiency of sodium as a permeable molecule might be related to the postburn movement of hypertonic sodium from extra-cellular to intra-cellular space. The results indicated that it is reasonable to administer high concentration of sodium in fluid resuscitation during the first 24 postburn hours.</p>

The effects of recombinant human endostatin on adjuvant arthritis in rats / 中国药理学通报

AIMTo investigate the effects of the recombina nt human endostatin on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats and its mechanisms. METHODSThe model of rat AA was induced by injection of intradermal CFA. ConA and LPS induce d splencytes proliferation was examined by MTT asssy and the activities of inter leukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-2 were measured by the method of thymocytes prolifera tion. Synoviocytes were dispersed with incubation of collagenase and trypsin, an d IL-1, TNF production of synoviocytes was estimated with radio-immunity assay . RESULTSThe secondary inflammation of AA rats appeared on the 1 0th day after injection of CFA. The therapeutic administration of endostatin (0 1, 0 5, 2 5 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 , sc, ?7 d) was given at that time(d 10). It was found that endostatin significantly inhibited the secondary paw swel ling. The increased ConA-induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation reaction and the activated IL-1 and IL-2 activity of AA rats was reversed by the treatment with endostatin. Meanwhile,IL-1 produced by PM? was increased. Endostatin inh ibited IL-1 production from PM? and IL-1 and reduced TNF level of Synoviocyte s in AA rats. CONCLUSIONThe recombinant human endostatin has the rapeutical effect on AA rats, its mechanisms is related to its immunoregulative function.