Pregnancy complicated by aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome is one of the main causes of termination of pregnancy or even death in pregnant women. A very small number of pregnant women require cardiac surgery to preserve pregnancy under extracorporeal circulation, and all surgeries use aortic root replacement. We reported a 30-year-old patient with severe aortic regurgitation combined with giant aortic root aneurysm and Marfan syndrome in mid-pregnancy. Valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation technology was performed via a multidisciplinary cooperation model. This not only achieved the patient’s desire to continue pregnancy but also avoided the anticoagulation and bleeding complications brought by mechanical valve replacement, reduced pregnancy risks and improved long-term quality of life. Postoperative echocardiography showed a small amount of aortic valve regurgitation, aortic valve coaptation height of 0.6 cm, effective height of 1.1 cm, maximum aortic flow velocity of 1.4 m/s, mean transvalvular pressure gradient of 4.4 mm Hg, and satisfactory clinical results.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Scutellariae Radix combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors （EGFR-TKIs） on cell proliferation， apoptosis， cancer stem cell （CSC） marker expression， and metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） cells. MethodsThe anti-tumor effects of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs （gefitinib or osimertinib） in NSCLC cells were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） double staining apoptosis assay. The activity of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs in three-dimensional （3D） cultures of NSCLC cells was assessed using the CellTiter-Glo® 3D cell viability assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CSC markers， sex determining region y box protein 2 （SOX2） and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 （ALDH1A1）， were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were detected by ROS staining， and the redox ratio was detected by femtosecond laser labeling free imaging （FLI）. ResultsUnder both two-dimensional （2D） and 3D culture conditions， compared with the blank group and EGFR-TKI group， the combination group showed significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05）. Compared with the EGFR-TKI group， the mRNA and protein levels of CSC markers were significantly downregulated in the combination group （P<0.05）. Additionally， the redox ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， and ROS levels were also increased in the combination group compared with the EGFR-TKI group. ConclusionIn NSCLC cells， Scutellariae Radix enhances the redox ratio and increases ROS levels， thereby inhibiting the expression of CSC markers and strengthening the anti-tumor effects of EGFR-TKIs. This provides a novel molecular mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix may enhance the sensitivity of targeted therapies.

The PA-PB1 interface of the influenza polymerase is an attractive site for antiviral drug design. In this study, we designed and synthesized a mini-library of indazole-containing compounds based on rational structure-based design to target the PB1-binding interface on PA. Biological evaluation of these compounds through a viral yield reduction assay revealed that compounds 27 and 31 both had a low micromolar range of the half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) values against A/WSN/33 (H1N1) (8.03 μmol/L for 27; 14.6 μmol/L for 31), while the most potent candidate 24 had an EC₅₀ value of 690 nM. Compound 24 was effective against different influenza strains including a pandemic H1N1 strain and an influenza B strain. Mechanistic studies confirmed that compound 24 bound PA with a K _d which equals to 1.88 μmol/L and disrupted the binding of PB1 to PA. The compound also decreased the lung viral titre in mice. In summary, we have identified a potent anti-influenza candidate with potency comparable to existing drugs and is effective against different viral strains. The therapeutic options for influenza infection have been limited by the occurrence of antiviral resistance, owing to the high mutation rate of viral proteins targeted by available drugs. To alleviate the public health burden of this issue, novel anti-influenza drugs are desired. In this study, we present our discovery of a novel class of indazole-containing compounds which exhibited favourable potency against both influenza A and B viruses. The EC₅₀ of the most potent compounds were within low micromolar to nanomolar concentrations. Furthermore, we show that the mouse lung viral titre decreased due to treatment with compound 24. Thus our findings identify promising candidates for further development of anti-influenza drugs suitable for clinical use.

The anti-inflammatory phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Illicium dunnianum (I. dunnianum) resulted in the isolation of five pairs of new lignans (1-5), and 7 known analogs (6-12). The separation of enantiomer mixtures 1-5 to 1a/1b-5a/5b was achieved using a chiral column with acetonitrile-water mixtures as eluents. The planar structures of 1-2 were previously undescribed, and the chiral separation and absolute configurations of 3-5 were reported for the first time. Their structures were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis [nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass (HR-ESI-MS), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV)] and quantum chemistry calculations (ECD). The new isolates were evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effect on NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Compounds 1a, 3a, 3b, and 5a demonstrated partial inhibition of NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that 1a down-regulated the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), COX-2, and iNOS and the protein expressions of COX-2 and iNOS. This research provides guidance and evidence for the further development and utilization of I. dunnianum.
Lignans/isolation & purification* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Mice ; Animals ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Illicium/chemistry* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Lipopolysaccharides

ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the clinical characteristics and medication rationality of liver injury related to Epimedii Folium preparation （EP） and explore the possible risk factors of liver injury， so as to provide a reference for the safe clinical application of Epimedii Folium （EF）. MethodA retrospective analysis was conducted on liver injury cases related to EP from 2012 to 2016. ResultThe number of reported liver injury cases and the proportion of severe cases related to the use of EP show an increasing trend， indicating the objective existence of liver injury caused by EP. There are more cases of liver injury related to EP in women than in men， with an onset age range of 15-91 years old and a median onset age of 60 years old （median onset ages for men and women are 59 and 60 years old， respectively）. The time span from taking EP alone to the occurrence of liver injury is 1-386 days， with a median of 38 days. The time span from taking both EP and Western medicine to the occurrence of liver injury is 1-794 days， with a median of 34 days. EF-related liver injury preparations are mostly composed of traditional Chinese medicines that promote immunity and tonify the liver and kidney， indicating that immune stress in the body may be the mechanism of liver injury caused by the use of EP alone or in combination. There is no increasing trend of toxicity with time or dose in the liver injury caused by EP. By further exploring its risk factors， it is found that patients have unreasonable medication methods such as excessive dosage， repeated use， and multi-drug combination， which may also be one of the important risk factors for EF-related liver injury. ConclusionEP has a certain risk of liver injury and should be emphasized in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Immune stress may be the mechanism of liver injury caused by EP， and in clinical use， it is necessary to be vigilant about the risk of liver injury caused by unreasonable use and combined use with Western medicine.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)followed by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)combined with TKI drugs and PD-1 inhibitors as the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 70 patients with advanced HCC treated in the Department of Oncology of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between July,2020 and June,2023.23 of the patients received TACE combined with HAIC and TKI(TACE+HAIC+TKI group)and 47 received TACE combined with HAIC,PD-1 inhibitors and TKI(TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI group).The clinical characteristics,laboratory test results,efficacy,outcomes and adverse events of the patients were compared between the two groups.Results The TACE+HAIC+TKI and TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI groups had significantly different objective remission rates(ORR;60.87%vs 36.17%,P=0.031),comparable disease control rates(95.65%vs 93.62%,P=0.068),and different median progression-free survival(PFS)time(10.2 vs 11.8 months,P=0.003)and median overall survival(OS)time(15.7 vs 19.5 months,P=0.035).After propensity score matching(PSM),the median PFS and OS time of the two groups was 10.1 vs 14.5 months(P=0.024)and 14.2 vs 21.2 months(P=0.221),respectively.The 1-year PFS rates of the 2 groups were 24.0%vs 52.2%,and the 1-,2-and 3-year OS rates were 72.3%vs 93.1%,23.9%vs 63.8%,and 23.9%vs 36.5%,respectively.The incidence of proteinuria was significantly higher in TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI group than in TACE+HAIC+TKI group(21.28%vs 0,P=0.025),but the incidences of grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were all similar between the two groups.Conclusion The first-line treatment with TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI is safe and effective for advanced HCC and can significantly prolong the survival of the patients.

Today, medication remains a fundamental guarantee of long-term improvement in the quality of life for patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD). Since the 1960s, compound levodopa has been used to treat PD, and has been proved to be the most effective drug for the treatment of PD, which can not only improve the motor symptoms of PD patients, but also improve the quality of life. However, there are still some misunderstandings about the use of compound levodopa in clinical practice. With the progression of the disease, the related motor complications caused by its treatment have caused certain troubles to both clinicians and patients. This paper reviewed the results of related clinical studies at home and abroad, as well as guidelines and consensus, and carried out a comprehensive and systematic analysis and summary of the pharmacological characteristics of compound levodopa, evidence-based research evidence, clinical standard use, etc, combined with China′s national conditions and clinical practice, hoping to standardize the reasonable clinical application of compound levodopa and provide drug reference for the majority of clinical workers.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)followed by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)combined with TKI drugs and PD-1 inhibitors as the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 70 patients with advanced HCC treated in the Department of Oncology of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between July,2020 and June,2023.23 of the patients received TACE combined with HAIC and TKI(TACE+HAIC+TKI group)and 47 received TACE combined with HAIC,PD-1 inhibitors and TKI(TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI group).The clinical characteristics,laboratory test results,efficacy,outcomes and adverse events of the patients were compared between the two groups.Results The TACE+HAIC+TKI and TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI groups had significantly different objective remission rates(ORR;60.87%vs 36.17%,P=0.031),comparable disease control rates(95.65%vs 93.62%,P=0.068),and different median progression-free survival(PFS)time(10.2 vs 11.8 months,P=0.003)and median overall survival(OS)time(15.7 vs 19.5 months,P=0.035).After propensity score matching(PSM),the median PFS and OS time of the two groups was 10.1 vs 14.5 months(P=0.024)and 14.2 vs 21.2 months(P=0.221),respectively.The 1-year PFS rates of the 2 groups were 24.0%vs 52.2%,and the 1-,2-and 3-year OS rates were 72.3%vs 93.1%,23.9%vs 63.8%,and 23.9%vs 36.5%,respectively.The incidence of proteinuria was significantly higher in TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI group than in TACE+HAIC+TKI group(21.28%vs 0,P=0.025),but the incidences of grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were all similar between the two groups.Conclusion The first-line treatment with TACE+HAIC+PD-1+TKI is safe and effective for advanced HCC and can significantly prolong the survival of the patients.