Clinical clues for differential diagnosis between verruca plana and verruca plana‐like seborrheic keratosis

Sometimes the clinical differentiation between verruca plana (VP) and VP‐like seborrheic keratosis (SK) could be challenged. However, there have been no studies on this issue to date. The aim of this study was to elucidate clinical and dermoscopic differences between these two diseases, and also to suggest a diagnostic algorithm of VP and VP‐like SK without skin biopsy. The patients who had lesions clinically considered as VP or VP‐like SK were the target of our study. We took clinical and dermoscopic photos with informed consent and conducted a questionnaire. All patients had their diagnoses confirmed by biopsy. Thirty‐three patients were enrolled in our study. Seventeen patients were finally diagnosed with VP (51.5%) and 16 patients with VP‐like SK (48.5%). In clinical findings, VP‐like SK showed significantly more scattered distribution than VP (P = 0.039), which exhibited more clustered or grouped distribution (P = 0.039). In dermoscopic findings, brain‐like appearance was more commonly observed in VP‐like SK (P = 0.003) whereas VP showed more red dots or globular vessels (P = 0.017) and even‐colored light brown to yellow patch (P < 0.001). Sex, onset age, the size of each lesion, location, color and shape showed no significant differences between them (P > 0.05). Based on our results, we suggest a diagnostic algorithm using Koebner's phenomenon, dermoscopic findings, distribution of each lesion and biopsy for multiple VP‐like lesions in adults, and we think it will be a very useful diagnostic tool in daily clinical dermatological practice.     

Characterization of membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat containing 3, meiosis expressed gene 1 binding partner,in mouse male germ cells

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a well-organized process of cell development and differentiation. Meiosis expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) plays an essential role in the regulation of spermiogenesis. To explore potential mechanisms of MEIG1''s action, a yeast two-hybrid screen was conducted, and several potential binding partners were identified; one of them was membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat containing 3 (MORN3). MORN3 mRNA is only abundant in mouse testis. In the testis, Morn3 mRNA is highly expressed in the spermiogenesis stage. Specific anti-MORN3 polyclonal antibody was generated against N-terminus of the full-length MORN3 protein, and MORN3 expression and localization was examined in vitro and in vivo. In transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, the antibody specifically crossed-reacted the full-length MORN3 protein, and immunofluorescence staining revealed that MORN3 was localized throughout the cytoplasm. Among multiple mouse tissues, about 25 kDa protein, was identified only in the testis. The protein was highly expressed after day 20 of birth. Immunofluorescence staining on mixed testicular cells isolated from adult wild-type mice demonstrated that MORN3 was expressed in the acrosome in germ cells throughout spermiogenesis. The protein was also present in the manchette of elongating spermatids. The total MORN3 expression and acrosome localization were not changed in the Meig 1-deficient mice. However, its expression in manchette was dramatically reduced in the mutant mice. Our studies suggest that MORN3 is another regulator for spermatogenesis, probably together with MEIG1.     

肺腺癌对一代EGFR-TKIs原发耐药的危险因素分析

目的:分析对一代表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors,EGFR-TKIs)原发耐药的EGFR突变肺腺癌患者的临床特征,为预测肺腺癌患者是否对一代EGFR-TKIs原发耐药提供依据。方法:收集2014年01月至2019年04月于本院住院,一线使用一代EGFR-TKIs且随访时间超过6个月的EGFR敏感突变(19Del/21L858R)肺腺癌患者,根据疗效纳入原发性耐药组(NR=40)和敏感组(NS=237),比较两组患者的临床、影像特征及实验室指标之间的差异,分析对一代EGFR-TKIs原发耐药的危险因素。结果:EGFR敏感突变患者的原发性耐药发生率为14.4%。原发性耐药组与敏感组患者相比,二者在吸烟指数(P=0.004)及淋巴结转移(P=0.03)的差异有统计学意义。血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(neuron specific enolase,NSE)≥10.725 ng/mL、肿瘤直径≥3.55 cm的患者更易对一代EGFR-TKIs耐药(P<0.05),各因素AUC值分别为0.615、0.716。联合NSE+肿瘤直径两项指标时AUC为0.735(95%CI:0.665~0.804),联合NSE+肿瘤直径+吸烟指数三项指标时AUC为0.751(95%CI:0.679~0.822),均优于单项指标。多因素Logistics回归分析证实,血清NSE浓度、肿瘤直径及吸烟指数是预测EGFR敏感突变患者对一代EGFR-TKI原发耐药的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。结论:吸烟指数≥400、病灶直径≥3.55 cm、血清NSE浓度≥10.725 ng/mL的患者更易对一代EGFR-TKIs原发耐药。单因素对预测EGFR突变患者是否对一代EGFR-TKIs原发耐药准确性较低,综合上述三项指标预测效果更好。     

Necroptotic TNFα-Syndecan 4-TNFα Vicious Cycle as a Therapeutic Target for Preventing Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a chronic degenerative disease for which the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. Compared with apoptosis and autophagy, necroptosis causes greater harm to tissue homeostasis by releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). However, the role of necroptosis and downstream key DAMPs in TMJOA is unknown. Here, rodent models of TMJOA were established by the unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry of receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/phosphorylation of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (pMLKL) were conducted to evaluate the occurrence of necroptosis in vivo. The therapeutic effects of blocking necroptosis were achieved by intra-articularly injecting RIPK3 or MLKL inhibitors and using RIPK3 or MLKL knockout mice. In vitro necroptosis of condylar chondrocyte was induced by combination of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics and carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]- fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk). The possible DAMPs released by necroptotic chondrocytes were screened by quantitative proteomics and blocked by specific antibody. Translucent cytosol, swollen organelles, and ruptured cell membranes, features of necroptosis, were frequently manifested in chondrocytes at the early stage of condylar cartilage degeneration in TMJOA, which was accompanied by upregulation of RIPK3/pMLKL. Inhibiting or knocking out RIPK3/MLKL significantly prevented cartilage degeneration. DAMPs released by necroptotic condylar chondrocytes, such as syndecan 4 (SDC4) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), were verified. Furthermore, blocking the function of SDC4 significantly attenuated the expression of TNFα in cartilage and synovium, and accordingly increased cartilage thickness and reduced synovial inflammation. Thus, the necroptotic vicious cycle of TNFα-SDC4-TNFα contributes to cartilage degeneration and synovitis, and can serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating TMJOA. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

产前超声诊断胎儿右房异构一例

本文报道产前超声诊断胎儿右房异构一例。孕妇孕24周产前超声检查发现胎儿左位心合并复杂心血管畸形(右心室双出口、房室间隔缺损、肺动脉发育不良、双侧上腔静脉、心下型完全型肺静脉异位引流)、胃泡位于腹腔右侧、中位肝、可疑无脾、腹主动脉与下腔静脉位于脊柱左侧、双侧支气管呈右侧支气管对称形态,综合考虑右房异构可能。引产后经尸体解剖证实脾脏发育不良、右房异构。右房异构常合并复杂心血管畸形,因此产前超声发现复杂心血管畸形时,应警惕右房异构的可能。右房异构病死率极高,产前诊断具有重要意义。     

针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验方案关键点设计的思考＊

肠易激综合征（Irritable bowel syndrome，IBS）是临床常见病、多发病，其治疗方法丰富，但部分患者疗效欠佳，发展成难治性IBS。目前国内外关于针灸治疗难治性IBS的临床随机对照试验尚不多见。本文立足试验方案设计的“PICOS”原则，从研究对象及诊断标准、干预措施、对照措施、结局指标四个方面入手，重点探讨针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验设计的关键要点。从选择特色优势病种、明确诊断标准、制定符合临床实际的干预方案、运用符合目标的安慰针刺、结合研究设计和目的选定结局指标几个角度，阐述试验相关环节设计的原因和思考。     

Metabolism of deltamethrin and cis- and trans-permethrin by human expressed cytochrome P450 and carboxylesterase enzymes

1. The metabolism of the pyrethroids deltamethrin (DLM), cis-permethrin (CPM) and trans-permethrin (TPM) was studied in human expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) and carboxylesterase (CES) enzymes.

2. DLM, CPM and TPM were metabolised by human CYP2B6 and CYP2C19, with the highest apparent intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values for pyrethroid metabolism being observed with CYP2C19. Other CYP enzymes contributing to the metabolism of one or more of the three pyrethroids were CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9*1, CYP2D6*1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. None of the pyrethroids were metabolised by CYP2A6, CYP2E1, CYP3A7 or CYP4A11.

3. DLM, CPM and TPM were metabolised by both human CES1 and CES2 enzymes.

4. Apparent CL_int values for pyrethroid metabolism by CYP and CES enzymes were scaled to per gram of adult human liver using abundance values for microsomal CYP enzymes and for CES enzymes in liver microsomes and cytosol. TPM had the highest and CPM the lowest apparent CL_int values for total metabolism (CYP and CES enzymes) per gram of adult human liver.

5. Due to their higher abundance, all three pyrethroids were extensively metabolised by CES enzymes in adult human liver, with CYP enzymes only accounting for 2%, 10% and 1% of total metabolism for DLM, CPM and TPM, respectively.