New Progress on DNA Primase Subunit Enzymes Research and Link to Cancer Development and Treatment Approaches.

In eukaryotic cells, primases are the key polymerase during DNA replication and DNA damage repair, which includes primase subunit 1 (PRIM1) and primase subunit 2 (PRIM2). Recent studies reported that the aberrant expression and activity of PRIM enzymes are closely associated with the carcinogenesis and development of various cancers. PRIM1 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and other cancers, while PRIM2 is highly expressed in lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other cancers. Further studies revealed that the knockdown of PRIM1 promoted the apoptosis of liver cancer cells, while Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) can inhibit PRIM2 expression, suppress lung cancer cell proliferation, and result in ferroptosis. The present review summarized the recent advancements in the research of the aberrant expression of PRIM1 and PRIM2 and their activity in DNA replication, DNA damage repair, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the strategies targeting PRIM1 or/and PRIM2 become potential therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.

Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination: A Survey of Chinese Patients with Rheumatic Diseases.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed enormous morbidity and mortality burdens. Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection, given their immunocompromised status. Ensuring acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is important and has attracted attention by health professionals. In this study, we designed an online cross-sectional survey that used an online questionnaire from 8 May 2021 to 4 October 2021. Attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccination, personal information, current disease activity status, adverse events (AEs), and knowledge sources of vaccines were collected. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the data. A total of 1022 questionnaires were received, among which 70.2% (720/1022) of patients with RDs agreed to vaccination, while only 31.6% of patients were actually vaccinated. Male, employed, high-income patients and those with inactive disease showed a more positive attitude. Concerns of AEs and disease flare were the main factors affecting vaccination willingness. Only 29.6% (304/1022) of patients thought they had received enough information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their doctors. In conclusion, most patients with RDs in China intended to get vaccinated, although the vaccination rate in this particular population was low. Rheumatologists should take more responsibility in COVID-19 vaccination education of patients with RDs.