Cross-trait assortative mating is widespread and inflates genetic correlation estimates

The observation of genetic correlations between disparate human traits has been interpreted as evidence of widespread pleiotropy. Here, we introduce cross-trait assortative mating (xAM) as an alternative explanation. We observe that xAM affects many phenotypes and that phenotypic cross-mate correlation estimates are strongly associated with genetic correlation estimates (R²=74%). We demonstrate that existing xAM plausibly accounts for substantial fractions of genetic correlation estimates and that previously reported genetic correlation estimates between some pairs of psychiatric disorders are congruent with xAM alone. Finally, we provide evidence for a history of xAM at the genetic level using cross-trait even/odd chromosome polygenic score correlations. Together, our results demonstrate that previous reports have likely overestimated the true genetic similarity between many phenotypes.

Tripartite extended amygdala-basal ganglia CRH circuit drives locomotor activation and avoidance behavior

An adaptive stress response involves various mediators and circuits orchestrating a complex interplay of physiological, emotional, and behavioral adjustments. We identified a population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the lateral part of the interstitial nucleus of the anterior commissure (IPACL), a subdivision of the extended amygdala, which exclusively innervate the substantia nigra (SN). Specific stimulation of this circuit elicits hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, locomotor activation, and avoidance behavior contingent on CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) located at axon terminals in the SN, which originate from external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons. The neuronal activity prompting the observed behavior is shaped by IPACL^CRH and GPe^CRHR1 neurons coalescing in the SN. These results delineate a previously unidentified tripartite CRH circuit functionally connecting extended amygdala and basal ganglia nuclei to drive locomotor activation and avoidance behavior.

Exploration of micro-video teaching mode of college students using deep learning and human–computer interaction

In order to improve the efficiency of teaching and learning in Colleges and Universities (CAUs), this work combines the Browser/Server (B/S) framework with Model View Presenter (MVP) technology to build a college student–oriented micro-video teaching system based on Deep Learning (DL) and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) technology. Firstly, it makes an in-depth analysis of the problems in the classroom teaching of Chinese CAUs. Three functional modules are designed for the micro-video online teaching platform: video management, user learning, and system management. Then, it uses MVP technology to analyze the use-cases of these three functional modules in detail. Based on this, the micro-video online teaching platform is designed using the B/S framework. The teaching platform interface layer realizes the HCI between the platform and users. The business logic layer responds to the user requests submitted and returns the processing results to the interface layer. Finally, the function test and stress test of each module of the micro-video online teaching platform is carried out. The test results show that the response time of the proposed micro-video teaching platform increases with the number of users. Under the peak concurrent users, the system response time is 6 s, without abnormalities. Meanwhile, the proposed teaching platform has improved students' satisfaction with classroom teaching by nearly 15% and improved the compactness of the college classroom by nearly 12%. When the number of virtual users increases and the number of services increases linearly, the Random Access Memory and Central Processing Unit growth rate is significantly lower than that of the number of services. These outcomes indicate that many system resources are reused, and the system has good scalability, which can meet users' needs for the network video teaching system. The proposed teaching platform provides a new idea for applying DL and HCI technology in researching college students' micro-video teaching mode.

A Decrease in Hb and Hypoproteinemia: Possible Predictors of Complications in Neonates with Late-Onset Sepsis in a Developing Country

Objective

The main purpose of our study was to determine the predictors of complications in neonates with late-onset sepsis (LOS).

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit between June 2016 and February 2020. Neonates with LOS were enrolled in this study. According to whether complications were merged after LOS, neonates were divided into a complicated group and a noncomplicated group. The demographic data, perinatal conditions, blood cell count analysis, blood cultures, hypoproteinemia within 1 week after the onset of sepsis and treatment measures were compared between the groups.

Results

A total of 87 neonates with LOS were enrolled in this study. Significant differences were observed between the complicated and noncomplicated groups with regard to hemoglobin (Hb), a decrease in Hb, hypoproteinemia and red blood cell transfusions (P < 0.05). Further comparison found that neonates with LOS who had moderate or severe anemia at the time of sepsis onset were more likely to have complications than those with mild or no anemia. The results of binomial stepwise logistic regression suggested that a decrease in Hb (OR=0.045, P=0.025 < 0.05) and hypoproteinemia (OR=0.266, P=0.007 < 0.05) were independent predictors of complications in neonates with LOS. A receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.807 for a decrease in Hb.

Conclusion

A decrease in Hb and hypoproteinemia were independent predictors of complications and may help to predict the occurrence of complications in neonates with LOS in the early stage.

Development and validation of a PLE scale from academic administrative perspective (PLES-AA) in tertiary education: A pilot study in China

The study aims to construct and validate a rubric to assess the effectiveness of PLEs from an academic administrative perspective (PLER-AA) in tertiary education in China. A qualitative-quantitative sequential mixed-method design was used for the scale validation. A total of 206 teachers and administrative staff participated in the Confirmative Factor Analysis (CFA), which supported the 4-dimensional scale, with policy (n = 4), program design (n = 4), curriculum/instruction (n = 4), and capacity (n = 4). Meanwhile, another 189 teachers and administrative staff participated in the current sequence of PLE applications in higher education surveys, revealing a developing phase in China. Consequently, the rubric can be used as a benchmark that provides insight to educators and administrators in developing PLEs in tertiary education in China and worldwide.

Exploring Quercetin Anti-Osteoporosis Pharmacological Mechanisms with In Silico and In Vivo Models

Since osteoporosis critically influences the lives of patients with a high incidence, effective therapeutic treatments are important. Quercetin has been well recognized as a bone-sparing agent and thus the underlying mechanisms warrant further investigation. In the current study, the network pharmacology strategy and zebrafish model were utilized to explain the potential pharmacological effects of quercetin on osteoporosis. The potential targets and related signaling pathways were explored through overlapping target prediction, protein–protein interaction network construction, and functional enrichment analysis. Furthermore, we performed docking studies to verify the specific interactions between quercetin and crucial targets. Consequently, 55 targets were related to osteoporosis disease among the 159 targets of quercetin obtained by three database sources. Thirty hub targets were filtered through the cytoNCA plugin. Additionally, the Gene Ontology functions in the top 10 respective biological processes, molecular functions, and cell components as well as the top 20 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were depicted. The most significance difference in the KEGG pathways was the TNF signaling pathway, consisting of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit (NF-κB), Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases (ERK) 1/2, Activator Protein 1 (AP-1), Interleukin 6 (IL6), Transcription factor AP-1 (Jun), and Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase (PI3K), which were probably involved in the pharmacological effects. Moreover, molecular docking studies revealed that the top three entries were Interleukin 1 Beta (IL1B), the Nuclear Factor NF-Kappa-B p65 Subunit (RelA), and the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit 1 (NFKB1), respectively. Finally, these results were verified by alizarin red-stained mineralized bone in zebrafish and related qPCR experiments. The findings probably facilitate the mechanism elucidation related to quercetin anti-osteoporosis action.

Abstract 2071: Probody-interferon-alpha 2b combines antitumor activity with improved tolerability

Type I interferons can exert direct antitumor effects, modulate tumor stroma, and induce de novo antitumor immune responses. They have demonstrated combination activity with PD-(L)1 blockade to potentially expand the benefit to patients with unresponsive tumors. Despite its potential, the toxicity of interferon alpha has limited its clinical use. Here we applied CytomX proprietary Probody® Therapeutics (Pb-Tx) technology to create a conditionally active IFN-α2b (Pb-IFN-α2b) with minimal activity in its prodrug form. The prodrug is activated in the tumor microenvironment (TME), leading to preferential activity in the TME but not in healthy tissues. Pb-IFN-α2b demonstrated an enhanced tolerability profile compared to standard IFN therapy without compromising its antitumor effects. The Pb-Tx platform technology attenuates activity of a molecule by blocking its active regions through affinity or steric interference. Such blockade, termed masking, is reversed upon proteolytic cleavage of a substrate-containing linker between the molecule and the mask by tumor associated proteases. Pb-IFN molecules were engineered with a dual masking approach combining the effects of steric inhibition by Fc fusion and affinity interference by a peptide mask. Pb-IFN-α2b demonstrated significant reduction (1000-fold or more) of its specific activity in vitro, including antiproliferative effects and immune cell activation. Treatment with tumor-associated proteases or exposure to viable tumor tissues fully restored its activity. Activated but not masked Pb-IFN-α2b induced a gene expression profile consistent with interferon signaling in primary human immune cells. In vitro studies with dissociated human tumors demonstrated the ability of Pb-IFN to activate tumor immune infiltrate, which could be further enhanced by concomitant PD-L1 blockade. Antitumor activity of the Pb-IFN-α2b in xenograft studies is equal to or greater than Peg-IFN-α2b. Pb-IFN-α2b demonstrated significant antitumor activity in syngeneic mouse tumor models without evidence of toxicity. Consistent with in vitro observations, this anti-tumor activity was further enhanced by PD-(L)1 blockade. Toxicology studies performed in hamsters demonstrated enhanced tolerability of the molecule compared to its unmasked control. Pb-IFN-α2b did not cause hematological changes or body weight loss associated with unmasked interferon. In cynomolgus monkey Pb-IFN-α2b demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics, extended half-life, and was well tolerated at doses up to 15 mg/kg. Pb-IFN-α2b shows improved tolerability and antitumor activity in preclinical studies compared to traditional IFN treatment. These data support Probody cytokine therapeutics as a promising addition to current immunotherapy regimens, potentially expanding their benefits to patients with typically unresponsive tumors.

Citation Format: Alexey Berezhnoy, Hsin Wang, Nicole Lapuyade, Na Cai, Carol LePage, Michael B. Winter, Ivan Ye, Hong Lu, Michael Krimm, Ken Wong, Robert T. Dunn, Leila Boustany, Madan Paidhungat, Marcia Belvin, Erwan Le Scolan, Dylan Daniel. Probody-interferon-alpha 2b combines antitumor activity with improved tolerability [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2071.

Efficacy of intravitreal conbercept combined with panretinal photocoagulation for severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema

AIM: To assess efficacy of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) injection in combination with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) vs PRP alone in patients with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (SNPDR) without macular edema (ME). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with SNPDR without ME (56 eyes) were divided into the PRP group and IVC+PRP group (the pulse group) in this retrospective clinical study. Conbercept was intravitreally administered to patients in the pulse group 1wk before treatment with PRP and followed up for 1, 3, and 6mo. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), center foveal thickness (CFT), visual acuity (VA) improvement, and adverse reactions were compared between groups. RESULTS: In the PRP group, the BCVA reduced at 1 and 3mo before improving at 6mo. In the pulse group, baseline BCVA decreased continuously at 1mo, increased at 3 and 6mo. BCVA in the pulse group was better than that in the PRP group at 1, 3, and 6mo. There was an increase in CFT in the PRP group during follow-up compared with baseline. In the pulse group, CFT was increased at 1mo relative to baseline, steadily decreased to the baseline level at 3 and 6mo. There was a more significant reduction in CFT in the pulse group during follow-up compared with the PRP group. The effective rates of VA in the PRP and the pulse groups were 81.48% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: As PRP pretreatment, a single dose of IVC administration has beneficial effects for preventing PRP-induced foveal thickening and increasing VA in patients with SNPDR without ME.

A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula and nasal continuous positive airway pressure in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

When it comes to preterm newborns, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most frequent respiratory condition. Despite the fact that it is well acknowledged that preterm delivery plays a significant role, the causes of lung damage are still not completely understood. In newborns with extremely low birth weight and neonatal RDS, nasal continuous positive airway pressure has been suggested as the first respiratory assistance for spontaneous breathing. In the current research, we aim to carry out a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in patients with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS).

METHODS

We intend to search the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Google Scholar, starting from their initial publication until February 2022, to identify randomized controlled trials comparing HFNC to nCPAP in patients with NRDS. The suitable papers will be chosen by 2 writers who will work independently of one another. Using the Cochrane updated technique for risk of bias, each included article will be subjected to an independent data extraction process by the 2 writers who will then independently evaluate the risk of bias. Consequently, a third author will be asked to address any discrepancies that may arise between the writers. It will be necessary to pool the data and do a meta-analysis with the help of the RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

In this study, the effectiveness and safety of HFNC will be compared with those of nCPAP in patients with NRDS.

CONCLUSION

If the results of this research are confirmed, they may serve as a summary of the most recent data for non-invasive respiratory assistance in NRDS.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study will require ethical approval.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/BKSQ5.

The Mean Platelet Volume Combined with Procalcitonin as an Early Accessible Marker Helps to Predict the Severity of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Identifying the Common Genetic Basis of Antidepressant Response

Background

Antidepressants are a first-line treatment for depression. However, only a third of individuals experience remission after the first treatment. Common genetic variation, in part, likely regulates antidepressant response, yet the success of previous genome-wide association studies has been limited by sample size. This study performs the largest genetic analysis of prospectively assessed antidepressant response in major depressive disorder to gain insight into the underlying biology and enable out-of-sample prediction.

Methods

Genome-wide analysis of remission (n remit = 1852, n nonremit = 3299) and percentage improvement (n = 5218) was performed. Single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability was estimated using genome-wide complex trait analysis. Genetic covariance with eight mental health phenotypes was estimated using polygenic scores/AVENGEME. Out-of-sample prediction of antidepressant response polygenic scores was assessed. Gene-level association analysis was performed using MAGMA and transcriptome-wide association study. Tissue, pathway, and drug binding enrichment were estimated using MAGMA.

Results

Neither genome-wide association study identified genome-wide significant associations. Single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability was significantly different from zero for remission (h 2 = 0.132, SE = 0.056) but not for percentage improvement (h 2 = -0.018, SE = 0.032). Better antidepressant response was negatively associated with genetic risk for schizophrenia and positively associated with genetic propensity for educational attainment. Leave-one-out validation of antidepressant response polygenic scores demonstrated significant evidence of out-of-sample prediction, though results varied in external cohorts. Gene-based analyses identified ETV4 and DHX8 as significantly associated with antidepressant response.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that antidepressant response is influenced by common genetic variation, has a genetic overlap schizophrenia and educational attainment, and provides a useful resource for future research. Larger sample sizes are required to attain the potential of genetics for understanding and predicting antidepressant response.

Genetic heterogeneity and subtypes of major depression

Major depression (MD) is a heterogeneous disorder; however, the extent to which genetic factors distinguish MD patient subgroups (genetic heterogeneity) remains uncertain. This study sought evidence for genetic heterogeneity in MD. Using UK Biobank cohort, the authors defined 16 MD subtypes within eight comparison groups (vegetative symptoms, symptom severity, comorbid anxiety disorder, age at onset, recurrence, suicidality, impairment, and postpartum depression; N ~ 3000-47000). To compare genetic component of these subtypes, subtype-specific genome-wide association studies were performed to estimate SNP-heritability, and genetic correlations within subtype comparison and with other related disorders/traits. The findings indicated that MD subtypes were divergent in their SNP-heritability, and genetic correlations both within subtype comparisons and with other related disorders/traits. Three subtype comparisons (vegetative symptoms, age at onset, and impairment) showed significant differences in SNP-heritability; while genetic correlations within subtype comparisons ranged from 0.55 to 0.86, suggesting genetic profiles are only partially shared among MD subtypes. Furthermore, subtypes that are more clinically challenging, e.g., early-onset, recurrent, suicidal, more severely impaired, had stronger genetic correlations with other psychiatric disorders. MD with atypical-like features showed a positive genetic correlation (+0.40) with BMI while a negative correlation (-0.09) was found in those without atypical-like features. Novel genomic loci with subtype-specific effects were identified. These results provide the most comprehensive evidence to date for genetic heterogeneity within MD, and suggest that the phenotypic complexity of MD can be effectively reduced by studying the subtypes which share partially distinct etiologies.

Analysis of independent cohorts of outbred CFW mice reveals novel loci for behavioral and physiological traits and identifies factors determining reproducibility

Combining samples for genetic association is standard practice in human genetic analysis of complex traits, but is rarely undertaken in rodent genetics. Here, using 23 phenotypes and genotypes from two independent laboratories, we obtained a sample size of 3076 commercially available outbred mice and identified 70 loci, more than double the number of loci identified in the component studies. Fine-mapping in the combined sample reduced the number of likely causal variants, with a median reduction in set size of 51%, and indicated novel gene associations, including Pnpo, Ttll6, and GM11545 with bone mineral density, and Psmb9 with weight. However, replication at a nominal threshold of 0.05 between the two component studies was low, with less than one-third of loci identified in one study replicated in the second. In addition to overestimates in the effect size in the discovery sample (Winner's Curse), we also found that heterogeneity between studies explained the poor replication, but the contribution of these two factors varied among traits. Leveraging these observations, we integrated information about replication rates, study-specific heterogeneity, and Winner's Curse corrected estimates of power to assign variants to one of four confidence levels. Our approach addresses concerns about reproducibility and demonstrates how to obtain robust results from mapping complex traits in any genome-wide association study.

Concept of the Munich/Augsburg Consortium Precision in Mental Health for the German Center of Mental Health

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) issued a call for a new nationwide research network on mental disorders, the German Center of Mental Health (DZPG). The Munich/Augsburg consortium was selected to participate as one of six partner sites with its concept "Precision in Mental Health (PriMe): Understanding, predicting, and preventing chronicity." PriMe bundles interdisciplinary research from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Technical University of Munich (TUM), University of Augsburg (UniA), Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU), and Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (MPIP) and has a focus on schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). PriMe takes a longitudinal perspective on these three disorders from the at-risk stage to the first-episode, relapsing, and chronic stages. These disorders pose a major health burden because in up to 50% of patients they cause untreatable residual symptoms, which lead to early social and vocational disability, comorbidities, and excess mortality. PriMe aims at reducing mortality on different levels, e.g., reducing death by psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, and will approach this goal by addressing interdisciplinary and cross-sector approaches across the lifespan. PriMe aims to add a precision medicine framework to the DZPG that will propel deeper understanding, more accurate prediction, and personalized prevention to prevent disease chronicity and mortality across mental illnesses. This framework is structured along the translational chain and will be used by PriMe to innovate the preventive and therapeutic management of SZ, BPD, and MDD from rural to urban areas and from patients in early disease stages to patients with long-term disease courses. Research will build on platforms that include one on model systems, one on the identification and validation of predictive markers, one on the development of novel multimodal treatments, one on the regulation and strengthening of the uptake and dissemination of personalized treatments, and finally one on testing of the clinical effectiveness, utility, and scalability of such personalized treatments. In accordance with the translational chain, PriMe's expertise includes the ability to integrate understanding of bio-behavioral processes based on innovative models, to translate this knowledge into clinical practice and to promote user participation in mental health research and care.

CNNM proteins selectively bind to the TRPM7 channel to stimulate divalent cation entry into cells

Magnesium is essential for cellular life, but how it is homeostatically controlled still remains poorly understood. Here, we report that members of CNNM family, which have been controversially implicated in both cellular Mg²⁺ influx and efflux, selectively bind to the TRPM7 channel to stimulate divalent cation entry into cells. Coexpression of CNNMs with the channel markedly increased uptake of divalent cations, which is prevented by an inactivating mutation to the channel’s pore. Knockout (KO) of TRPM7 in cells or application of the TRPM7 channel inhibitor NS8593 also interfered with CNNM-stimulated divalent cation uptake. Conversely, KO of CNNM3 and CNNM4 in HEK-293 cells significantly reduced TRPM7-mediated divalent cation entry, without affecting TRPM7 protein expression or its cell surface levels. Furthermore, we found that cellular overexpression of phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRLs), known CNNMs binding partners, stimulated TRPM7-dependent divalent cation entry and that CNNMs were required for this activity. Whole-cell electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that deletion of CNNM3 and CNNM4 from HEK-293 cells interfered with heterologously expressed and native TRPM7 channel function. We conclude that CNNMs employ the TRPM7 channel to mediate divalent cation influx and that CNNMs also possess separate TRPM7-independent Mg²⁺ efflux activities that contribute to CNNMs’ control of cellular Mg²⁺ homeostasis.

Magnesium is essential for cellular life, but how is it homeostatically controlled? This study shows that proteins of the CNNM family bind to the TRPM7 channel to stimulate divalent cation entry into cells, independent of their function in regulating magnesium ion efflux.

706 Conditional cytokine therapeutics for tumor-selective biological activity: preclinical characterization of a dual-masked IFN-a2b

Background

Cytokines have been shown to elicit broad anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. These results have translated into the approval for clinical use of IFN-alpha and IL-2 before the checkpoint therapy era. However, to date, the clinical success of cytokines has been limited by systemic toxicity and poor exposure. CytomX Therapeutics has developed a new class of antibodies called Probody® therapeutics (Pb-Tx), designed to widen the therapeutic window by minimizing binding to targets in healthy tissue while being preferentially activated in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by tumor-associated proteases. CytomX has applied the Pb-Tx platform across multiple modalities including traditional antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and T-cell engaging bispecifics and has advanced multiple programs into clinical studies. Here we have expanded the Pb-Tx platform with a conditionally activated cytokine version of IFN-α2b that has the potential to improve the therapeutic index of IFN-alpha therapy and allow systemic delivery.

Methods

We engineered an IFN-α2b with a dual masking strategy using a cleavable Fc domain at one end of IFN-a2b, and a cleavable affinity peptide mask at the other end. The construct was optimized to both maximize cleavability and minimize IFN-a2b toxicity. All animal experiments were reviewed and approved by CytomX's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC Protocol AP303).

Results

The optimized IFN-a2b conditionally activated cytokine strongly reduced IFN-a2b activity in vitro (5,000X) in its dual-masked form. Its activity was fully restored upon protease activation. Transcriptional profiling of in vitro treated PBMC confirmed reduction of interferon-mediated activities of the masked molecule. In vitro studies with dissociated tumors indicated its ability to activate tumor immune infiltrate, that could be further enhanced by concomitant PD-L1 blockade. In mouse xenograft studies, conditionally activated IFN-a2b cytokines induced complete regression at doses as low as 0.1mpk (activity comparable to peginterferon). Surrogate conditionally activated IFN-a2b molecules were also highly potent in syngeneic mice in vivo efficacy studies. Finally, we established an in vivo safety model in hamster which has been shown to be sensitive to IFN-a-mediated toxicity in the liver and bone marrow. In hamster, we showed that conditionally activated IFN-a2b cytokines are well tolerated up to 15mpk and have reduced systemic IFN-a2b mediated toxicity as compared to the unmasked cytokine.

Conclusions

Taken together these preclinical data further support the development of conditionally activated IFN-a2b with the potential to improve the therapeutic index of IFN-a therapy and to enable single agent and combination treatment in multiple clinical settings.

Ethics Approval

All animal experiments were reviewed and approved by CytomX's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC Protocol AP303).

The Role of IL-36 in the Pathophysiological Processes of Autoimmune Diseases

A member of the interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily was IL-36, which contained IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, and IL-36Ra. Heterotrimer complexes, consisting of heterodimeric receptor complexes and IL-36 agonist, gave signals through intracellular functional domains, so as to bind to downstream proteins and induce inflammatory response. IL-36 agonists upregulated mature-associated CD80, CD86, MHCII, and inductively produced several pro-inflammatory cytokines through the IL-36R-dependent manner in dendritic cells (DCs). Besides, DCs had the ability to initiate the differentiation of helper T (Th) cells. Up to date, the role of IL-36 in immunity, inflammation and other diseases is of great importance. Additionally, autoimmune diseases were characterized by excessive immune response, resulting in damage and dysfunction of specific or multiple organs and tissues. Most autoimmune diseases were related to inflammatory response. In this review, we will conclude the recent research advances of IL-36 in the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases, which may provide new insight for the future research and the treatment of these diseases.

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the determination of vanillic acid in rat plasma with application to pharmacokinetic study

Vanillic acid, a phenolic compound isolated from Angelica sinensis and green tea, exhibits excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, a rapid and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the determination of vanillic acid in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax RRHD Eclipse Plus C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min, using mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). Vanillic acid and caffeic acid (internal standard, IS) were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring in negative ion mode. The method was fully validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 2-1,000 ng/ml with a correlation coefficient of >0.99. The carryover, matrix effect, extraction recovery, dilution effect, intra- and interday precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. The method was then applied to a pharmacokinetic study of vanillic acid in rats. After oral administration at doses of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg, the plasma concentration reached peaks of 0.42 ± 0.09, 0.73 ± 0.21 and 0.92 ± 0.28 μg/ml at the time of 0.55-0.64 h, respectively. The oral bioavailability was calculated as 25.3-36.2% in rat plasma. The result provided pre-clinical information for further application of vanillic acid.

Mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution width is associated with prognosis in premature neonates with sepsis

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of the mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in sepsis among premature neonates.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit between May 2015 and May 2020. Premature neonates with late-onset sepsis were enrolled. The demographic data, blood cell count analysis, C-reactive protein, and blood culture were compared between survivors and non-survivors.

Results

A total of 73 premature neonates with sepsis in the survivor group and 10 cases in the non-survivor group. Significant differences were observed between the survivor and non-survivor groups with regard to birth weight, MPV, and RDW (P < 0.05). The results of binomial stepwise logistic regression suggested that MPV (OR = 3.226, P = 0.017 < 0.05) and RDW (OR = 2.058, P = 0.019 < 0.05) were independent predictor for prognosis in preterm with sepsis. A receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the areas under the curves were 0.738 for MPV alone, 0.768 for RDW alone, and 0.854 for MPV combined with RDW.

Conclusion

MPV and RDW were independent predictors of prognosis and the combination of the two helps in predicting the prognosis of preterm with late-onset sepsis in the early stage.

Mitochondrial DNA variants modulate N-formylmethionine, proteostasis and risk of late-onset human diseases

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants influence the risk of late-onset human diseases, but the reasons for this are poorly understood. Undertaking a hypothesis-free analysis of 5,689 blood-derived biomarkers with mtDNA variants in 16,220 healthy donors, here we show that variants defining mtDNA haplogroups Uk and H4 modulate the level of circulating N-formylmethionine (fMet), which initiates mitochondrial protein translation. In human cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) lines, fMet modulated both mitochondrial and cytosolic proteins on multiple levels, through transcription, post-translational modification and proteolysis by an N-degron pathway, abolishing known differences between mtDNA haplogroups. In a further 11,966 individuals, fMet levels contributed to all-cause mortality and the disease risk of several common cardiovascular disorders. Together, these findings indicate that fMet plays a key role in common age-related disease through pleiotropic effects on cell proteostasis.

The genotype and phenotype of chromosome 18p deletion syndrome: Case series

RATIONALE

The chromosome 18p deletion syndrome is a syndrome with a deletion of all or a portion of the short arm of the chromosome 18. The phenotypes of the chromosome 18p deletion syndrome vary widely among individuals due to differences in size and breakpoints and the involved genes on the deletions. Given the varied and untypical clinical presentation of this syndrome, the prenatal diagnosis of the syndrome still presents as a challenge.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We described 4 China cases with different chromosomal breakpoints. In case 1, a woman who with mild phenotypes gave birth to a severely deformed fetus. Three other cases were for prenatal diagnosis. Their phenotypes are the increased nuchal translucency (INT) and the noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) indicated deletions on the chromosome 18p and severe hydronephrosis respectively.

DIAGNOSIS

The 4 cases were diagnosed with chromosome 18p deletion syndrome through karyotype analysis and array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH).

INTERVENTIONS

Karyotype analysis and array-based comparative genomic hybridization were used to analyze the abnormal chromosome.

OUTCOMES

Case 1 and case 2 revealed 11.51 and 12.39 Mb deletions in 18p11.32p11.21. Case 3 revealed 7.1 Mb deletions in 18p11.3218p11.23. Case 4 revealed 9.9 Mb deletions in 18p11.3218p11.22.

LESSONS

In our report, we are the first to report that mother and progeny who have the same chromosomal breakpoint have different phenotypes, significantly. In addition, we found a new phenotype of chromosome 18p deletion syndrome in fetus, which can enrich the phenotypes of this syndrome in the prenatal diagnosis. Finally, we demonstrate that the individuals with different chromosomal breakpoints of 18p deletion syndrome have different phenotypes. On the other hand, the individuals with the same chromosomal breakpoints of 18p deletion syndrome may also have remarkably different phenotypes.

Leveraging eQTLs to identify individual-level tissue of interest for a complex trait

Genetic predisposition for complex traits often acts through multiple tissues at different time points during development. As a simple example, the genetic predisposition for obesity could be manifested either through inherited variants that control metabolism through regulation of genes expressed in the brain, or that control fat storage through dysregulation of genes expressed in adipose tissue, or both. Here we describe a statistical approach that leverages tissue-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) corresponding to tissue-specific genes to prioritize a relevant tissue underlying the genetic predisposition of a given individual for a complex trait. Unlike existing approaches that prioritize relevant tissues for the trait in the population, our approach probabilistically quantifies the tissue-wise genetic contribution to the trait for a given individual. We hypothesize that for a subgroup of individuals the genetic contribution to the trait can be mediated primarily through a specific tissue. Through simulations using the UK Biobank, we show that our approach can predict the relevant tissue accurately and can cluster individuals according to their tissue-specific genetic architecture. We analyze body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) in the UK Biobank to identify subgroups of individuals whose genetic predisposition act primarily through brain versus adipose tissue, and adipose versus muscle tissue, respectively. Notably, we find that these individuals have specific phenotypic features beyond BMI and WHRadjBMI that distinguish them from random individuals in the data, suggesting biological effects of tissue-specific genetic contribution for these traits.

Identification of rare and common regulatory variants in pluripotent cells using population-scale transcriptomics

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an established cellular system to study the impact of genetic variants in derived cell types and developmental contexts. However, in their pluripotent state, the disease impact of genetic variants is less known. Here, we integrate data from 1,367 human iPSC lines to comprehensively map common and rare regulatory variants in human pluripotent cells. Using this population-scale resource, we report hundreds of novel colocalization events for human traits specific to iPSCs, and find increased power to identify rare regulatory variants compared with somatic tissues. Finally, we demonstrate how iPSCs enable the identification of causal genes for rare diseases.

Development of a mutation hotspot detection kit for the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene by ARMS-PCR combined with fluorescent probe technology

To develop a screening kit for detecting mutation hotspots of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. Thirteen exons of the PAH gene were sequenced in 84 cases with phenylketonuria (PKU) diagnosed during neonatal genetic and metabolic disease screening in Shaanxi province, and their mutations were analyzed. We designed and developed a screening kit to detect nine mutation sites covering more than 50% of the PAH mutations found in Shaanxi province (c.728G>A, c.1197A>T, c.331C>T, c.1068C>A, c.611A>G, c.1238G>C, c.721C>T, c.442-1G>A, and c.158G>A) by using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) combined with fluorescent probe technology. Peripheral blood and dried blood samples from PKU families were used for clinical verification of the newly developed kit. PAH gene mutations were detected in 84 children diagnosed with PKU. A total of 159 mutant alleles were identified, consisting of 100 missense mutations, 28 shear mutations, 24 nonsense mutations, and 7 deletion mutations. Exon 7 had the highest mutation frequency (32.08%). Among them, the mutation frequency of p.R243Q was the highest, accounting for 20.13% of all mutations, followed by p.R111X, IVS4-1G>A, EX6-96A>G, and p.R413P; these five loci accounted for 47.17% (75/159) of all mutations. In addition, we identified three previously unreported PAH gene mutations (p.C334X, p.G46D, and p.G256D). Fifteen mutation sites were identified in the 47 PAH carriers identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS), which were verified by the newly developed kit, with an agreement rate of 100%. This newly developed kit based on ARMS-PCR combined with fluorescent probe technology can be used to detect common PAH gene mutations.

Spectrum analysis of inborn errors of metabolism for expanded newborn screening in a northwestern Chinese population

Expanded newborn screening facilitates early identification and intervention of patients with inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), There is a lack of disease spectrum data for many areas in China. To determine the disease spectrum and genetic characteristics of IEMs in Xi'an city of Shaanxi province in northwest China, 146152 newborns were screening by MSMS from January 2014 to December 2019 and 61 patients were referred to genetic analysis by next generation sequencing (NGS) and validated by Sanger sequencing. Seventy-five newborns and two mothers were diagnosed with IEMs, with an overall incidence of 1:1898 (1:1949 without mothers). There were 35 newborns with amino acidemias (45.45%, 1:4176), 28 newborns with organic acidurias (36.36%, 1:5220), and 12 newborns and two mothers with FAO disorders (18.18%; 1:10439 or 1:12179 without mothers). Phenylketonuria and methylmalonic acidemia were the two most common disorders, accounting for 65.33% (49/75) of all confirmed newborn. Some hotspot mutations were observed for several IEMs, including PAH gene c.728G>A for phenylketonuria; MMACHC gene c.609G>A and c.567dupT, MMUT gene c.323G>A for methylmalonic acidemia and SLC25A13 gene c.852_855del for citrin deficiency. Our study provides effective clinical guidance for the popularization and application of expanded newborn screening, genetic screening, and genetic counseling of IEMs in this region.