Expanding the phenotype of males with OFD1 pathogenic variants-a case report and literature review

Pathogenic variants in the OFD1 gene have been classically associated with the Orofaciodigital syndrome type 1 in females, a condition previously considered to be X-linked dominant with male embryonic lethality. However, an increasing number of males with pathogenic OFD1 variants who survived beyond the neonatal period have now been reported in the literature. Although each new report has added to the ever-broadening spectrum of clinical findings seen in males, many questions about genotype-phenotype correlations and disease mechanism remain. Herein, we describe a 9-year-old male child with a novel hemizygous pathogenic OFD1 variant identified by exome sequencing and a unique combination of findings, not previously reported, including presence of both a hypothalamic hamartoma and the molar tooth sign. His clinical features overlap multiple ciliopathy phenotypes, blurring the boundaries of distinct ciliopathy gene-disease relationships. This case provides further evidence for the consideration of a broad OFD1-relateddisorder spectrum in affected males rather than multiple distinct phenotypes. Additionally, a review of previously published cases of the disorder in males support the inclusion of the OFD1 gene in the differential diagnosis and work up for all individuals who present with primary ciliopathy-type features, regardless of their gender. We also highlight current information about OFD1 variant types and pathogenesis and explore how these could mechanistically drive some of the observed phenotypic differences.     

The impact of the covalently closed circular DNA level on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial hepatectomy: an analysis of patients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection

BackgroundWe assessed whether or not covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels in the background liver influence the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.MethodsAmong 425 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between 2010 and 2018, a retrospective review was performed in 44 with resolved HBV infection. The clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed for correlation with tumor recurrence. The HBV cccDNA levels were tested via a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay.ResultsHBV cccDNA was detected in 27 of 44 patients (61%), and the median level was 1.0 copies/1000 ng (range, 0-931.3 copies/1000 ng). Anti-HBc ≥8.9 S/CO was associated with cccDNA detection (odds ratio, 11.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.48-49.46; P = 0.002). Twenty-eight patients (64%) developed HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. The overall 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 45.7% and 34.3%, respectively.19 HBV cccDNA levels was not significantly associated with HCC recurrence, while the presence of multiple tumors was an independent risk fact or (hazard ratio, 6.53; 95% CI, 2.48-17.19; P < 0.001.ConclusionHBV cccDNA levels did not influence HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. Anti-HBc levels may be used as a surrogate marker for cccDNA.     

Association between C1236T Genetic Variant of ABCB1 Gene and Molecular Response to Imatinib in Indonesian Chronic Myeloid Patients

Objective: Imatinib is the first-line drug used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients due to high molecular response and overall survival rate. However, some patients develop resistance to imatinib even after attaining a response. Mutation in ABCB1 efflux transporters is one of the known mechanisms of resistance to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia patients. This study was aimed to investigate the association of ABCB1 C1236T polymorphism in Indonesian chronic myeloid patients with molecular response to imatinib treatment. Methods: We analyzed 120 samples from chronic myeloid leukemia patients in the chronic phase, who had been on imatinib treatment for at least 12 months. We analyzed the C1236T variant of the ABCB1 gene using PCR, followed by direct sequencing, and associate them with the achievement of major molecular response (MMR). Results: The major molecular response was achieved in 28% of patients. The frequencies of the SNPs were CC (40%), CT (46%), and TT (14%). Our result showed that there was a lack of association between polymorphism of ABCB1 C1236T and imatinib response in Indonesian patients, with OR = 0.646 (95% CI: 0.283, 1.471; p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no association between ABCB1 C1236T variants with the major molecular response in Indonesian chronic myeloid leukemia patients receiving imatinib treatment.     

NRP-1单克隆抗体对乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响

 目的 探讨NRP-1单克隆抗体（NRP-1 MAb）的特异性，以及不同剂量的NRP-1 MAb治疗乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤的疗效。方法 Western blot和共聚焦免疫荧光法检测NRP-1 MAb是否识别MCF7细胞上NRP-1蛋白。将MCF7细胞接种于BALB/c裸鼠皮下建立乳腺癌细胞移植瘤模型，并进行瘤组织传代。传代的肿瘤体积生长至300~500 mm3时，随机分为对照组、NRP-1 MAb低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组，每组6只，给药7次。观察荷瘤裸鼠一般状况，测量瘤体大小及裸鼠体重。实验结束时剥离瘤体称重，提取组织蛋白，Western blot检测组织中VEGF蛋白和NRP-1蛋白的表达量。结果 NRP-1MAb成功识别MCF7细胞上的NRP-1蛋白；NRP-1 MAb能够有效抑制MCF7细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长，低剂量组（1 mg/kg）抑瘤率为47.01%，中剂量组（5 mg/kg）抑瘤率为65.70%，高剂量组（10 mg/kg）抑瘤率为69.19%。。结论 NRP-1 MAb能够识别并有效结合MCF7细胞膜上的NRP-1蛋白，且可抑制MCF7细胞移植瘤的生长，NRP-1 MAb抑制移植瘤的增长可能与下调NRP-1和VEGF表达有关。     

芒针对脊髓损伤大鼠运动功能和炎症水平的影响

目的探究芒针深刺秩边穴对大鼠脊髓损伤后运动功能的影响及可能作用机制。方法选择健康雄性Wister大鼠81只,随机分为正常组、模型组和芒针组(正常组9只,其余两组各36只),采用改良Allen's造模法制备大鼠脊髓中度损伤模型,模型组不做特殊处理,芒针组采用芒针深刺秩边穴,每日1次,每次30 min。分别于术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d行BBB(Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan)运动功能评分;术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d取受损段脊髓组织行酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)、实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和苏木素-伊红染色(HE染色)。结果术后5 d和7 d,芒针组大鼠BBB评分高于模型组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);脊髓损伤后,模型组和芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)、核转录因子kB(NF-kB)、白介素-6(IL-6)含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平显著升高(P<0.05);受损的脊髓组织松散,灰质中有许多空洞形成,伴有炎性细胞浸润。芒针治疗后,芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中HMGB1、NF-kB、IL-6含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平较模型组降低,且在3 d、5 d、7 d差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);受损部位的空洞及炎性细胞逐渐减少。结论脊髓损伤后,炎症因子的大量聚集引起级联性炎症反应,影响大鼠运动功能的恢复。芒针的抗炎机制可能包括抑制HMGB1的表达,降低NF-kB信号通路的传导,下调促炎因子IL-6的分泌。     

黄芪多糖对人鼻咽癌CNE-1细胞的放疗增敏及上皮间质转化的作用

目的:采用黄芪多糖(APS)与放射治疗(IR)联用,研究APS对人鼻咽癌CNE-1细胞的放疗敏感性及上皮间质转化(EMT)的作用机制。方法:采用细胞计数(CCK-8)法检测不同质量浓度APS(0,6.25,12.5,25,50,100,200 g·L-1)对CNE-1细胞的细胞毒性;克隆形成实验计算12.5 g·L-1APS与不同放射剂量(0,2,4,6 Gy)联用后对CNE-1细胞的存活分数(SF),利用线性二次方程数学模型(LQ)根据SF值绘制放射敏感曲线;细胞划痕和transwell小室实验分别检测各组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力;流式细胞仪检测各组细胞的凋亡情况;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组细胞的EMT标记物、凋亡标记物以及蛋白激酶B/细胞外调节蛋白激酶(Akt/ERK)通路蛋白的表达水平。结果:克隆形成实验和放射敏感曲线结果表明,非毒性剂量12.5 g·L-1APS与4 Gy放射剂量联合给药可以明显增加CNE-1细胞的放疗敏感性;与空白组及IR组比较,APS与IR联用可以抑制CNE-1细胞的迁移和侵袭能力(P0.05),明显增加CNE-1细胞的凋亡率(P0.05)。与空白组及IR组比较,APS与IR联用可以显著下调间质型钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin),p-Akt和p-ERK蛋白表达水平,明显上调上皮型钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin),B淋巴细胞瘤-2相关X蛋白(Bax)和半胱天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白表达水平(P0.05)。结论:APS与IR联用可以抑制CNE-1细胞的迁移和侵袭,增加放疗引起的细胞凋亡,其可能通过抑制EMT和Akt/ERK通路有关。