Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and optimize microbial DNA extraction methods from urine, a non-invasive sample source, to enhance DNA quality, purity, and reliability for urinary microbiome research and biomarker discovery in bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 302 individuals (258 with genitourinary cancers and 44 with benign urologic diseases) participated in this study. Urine samples were collected via sterile catheterization, resulting in 445 vials for microbial analysis. DNA extraction was performed using three protocols: the standard protocol (SP), water dilution protocol (WDP), and chelation-assisted protocol (CAP). DNA quality (concentration, purity, and contamination levels) was assessed using NanoDrop spectrophotometry.Microbial analysis was conducted on 138 samples (108 cancerous and 30 benign) using 16S rRNA sequencing. Prior to sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform, Victor 3 fluorometry was used for validation. Results: WDP outperformed other methods, achieving significantly higher 260/280 and 260/230 ratios, indicating superior DNA purity and reduced contamination, while maintaining reliable DNA yields. CAP was excluded due to poor performance across all metrics. Microbial abundance was significantly higher in WDP-extracted samples (p<0.0001), whereas SP demonstrated higher alpha diversity indices (p<0.01), likely due to improved detection of low-abundance taxa. Beta diversity analysis showed no significant compositional differences between SP and WDP (p=1.0), supporting the reliability of WDP for microbiome research. Conclusions WDP is a highly effective and reliable method for microbial DNA extraction from urine, ensuring high-quality and reproducible results. Future research should address sample variability and crystal precipitation to further refine microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, chronic, nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease. The longer the course of the disease, the higher the risk of cancerization. In recent years, the incidence and mortality rates of colon cancer in China have been increasing year by year, seriously threatening the life and health of patients. Therefore, studying the mechanism of "inflammation cancer transformation" in UC and conducting early intervention is crucial. The "Kenang" theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of phlegm and blood stasis. It is based on the coexistence of phlegm and blood stasis in the body and deeply explores the pathogenic syndromes and characteristics of phlegm and blood stasis. Kenang is a pathological product formed when long-term Qi stagnation leads to the internal formation of phlegm and blood stasis, which is hidden deep within the body. It is characterized by being hidden, progressive, and difficult to treat. The etiology and pathogenesis of "inflammation cancer transformation" in UC are consistent with the connotation of the "Kenang" theory. The internal condition for the development of UC "inflammation cancer transformation" is the deficiency of healthy Qi, with Qi stagnation being the key pathological mechanism. Phlegm and blood stasis are the main pathogenic factors. Phlegm and blood stasis accumulate in the body over time and can produce cancer toxins. Due to the depletion of healthy Qi and a weakened constitution, the body is unable to limit the proliferation and invasion of cancer toxins, eventually leading to cancer transformation in UC. In clinical treatment, the focus should be on removing phlegm and blood stasis, with syndrome differentiation and treatment based on three basic principles: supporting healthy Qi to strengthen the body's foundation, resolving phlegm and blood stasis to break up the Kenang, and regulating Qi and blood to smooth the flow of energy and resolve stagnation. This approach helps to dismantle the Kenang, delay, block, or even reverse the cancerization process of UC, reduce the risk of "inflammation cancer transformation", improve the patient's quality of life, and provide new perspectives and strategies for early intervention in the development of colon cancer.
Humans ; Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro. METHODS: In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets. RESULTS: RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding. CONCLUSION RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Male ; Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Inflammation/complications* ; Uric Acid ; Quinazolines/therapeutic use* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Gout/chemically induced* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; THP-1 Cells ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Quinazolinones

OBJECTIVE: This study examines utilizes the advantages of machine learning algorithms to discern key determinants in prognosticate postoperative circulatory complications (PCCs) for older patients. METHODS: This secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial involved 1,720 elderly participants in five tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China. Participants aged 60-90 years undergoing major non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. The primary outcome metric of the study was the occurrence of PCCs, according to the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Anaesthesiology diagnostic criteria. The analysis metrics contained 67 candidate variables, including baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, and scale assessments. RESULTS: Our feature selection process identified key variables that significantly impact patient outcomes, including the duration of ICU stay, surgery, and anesthesia; APACHE-II score; intraoperative average heart rate and blood loss; cumulative opioid use during surgery; patient age; VAS-Move-Median score on the 1st to 3rd day; Charlson comorbidity score; volumes of intraoperative plasma, crystalloid, and colloid fluids; cumulative red blood cell transfusion during surgery; and endotracheal intubation duration. Notably, our Random Forest model demonstrated exceptional performance with an accuracy of 0.9872. CONCLUSION We have developed and validated an algorithm for predicting PCCs in elderly patients by identifying key risk factors.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Machine Learning ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Secondary Data Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To describe survival trends and global patterns of esophageal cancer (EC) using survival data from population-based cancer registries. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SEER, and SinoMed databases for articles published up to 31 December 2023. Eligible EC survival estimates were evaluated according to country or region, period, sex, age group, pathology, and disease stage. RESULTS: After 2010, Jordan exhibited the highest age-standardized 5-year relative survival rates (RSRs)/net survival rates (NSRs) at 41.1% between 2010 and 2014, while India had the lowest, at 4.1%. Survival rates generally improved with diagnostic age across most countries, with significant increases in South Korea and China, of 12.7% and 10.5% between 2000 and 2017, respectively. Survival was higher among women compared to men, ranging from 0.4%-10.9%. Survival rates for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were similar, differing by about 4%. In China, the highest age-standardized RSRs/NSRs was 33.4% between 2015 and 2017. Meanwhile, the lowest was 5.3%, in Qidong (Jiangsu province) between 1992-1996. CONCLUSION Global EC survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, but substantial geographical, sex, and age disparities still exist. In Asia, squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated superior survival rates compared to adenocarcinoma, while the opposite trend was observed in Western countries. Future research should clarify the prognostic factors influencing EC survival and tailor prevention and screening strategies to the changing EC survival patterns.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality* ; Registries ; Male ; Female ; Survival Analysis ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Aged ; Global Health

The FDA approved a total of 37 new drugs in 2022, including 22 new molecular entities and 15 new biological products. This is the year with the lowest number of new drugs approved by the FDA since 2017. Among these approved drugs, 21 new drugs belong to the "first-in-class" category, accounting for 56% of the total approved drugs, which is the highest ratio in the past 10 years. Among the drugs approved in 2022, there are 5 small molecule kinase modulators, including the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) allosteric inhibitor deucravacitinib, the first oral pyruvate kinase (PK) activator mitapivat, the Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) selective inhibitor abcrocitinib, the JAK2 selective inhibitor pacritinib and the broad-spectrum fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor futibatinib. This review briefly describes the discovery background, research and development process, synthesis routes and clinical efficacy and safety of small molecule kinase modulators approved by the FDA in 2022, hoping to provide ideas and methods for further research on kinase modulators.

Objective:To compare the efficacy between vonoprazan fumarate and rabeprazole for the treatment of artificial ulcers after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled study, patients who underwent ESD between December 2021 and August 2023 at Jiangsu Province Hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. Vonoprazan fumarate combined with rebamipide (vonoprazan group) or rabeprazole combined with rebamipide (rabeprazole group) were given respectively from the 4th day after ESD. After 8 weeks, the healing of the ulcers was compared.Results:Ninety-one patients were enrolled in the study, including 51 in the vonoprazan group and 40 in the rabeprazole group. The ulcer area reduction rate of the vonoprazan group was significantly higher than that of the rabeprazole group (92.86%±3.80% VS 90.04%±4.28%, t=3.281, P=0.001), but there was no significant difference in the healing rate [15.69% (8/51) VS 7.50% (3/40), χ2=1.414, P=0.234] or the adverse event occurrence ( P>0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion:Vonoprazan fumarate can achieve better ulcer treatment without increasing the risk of adverse events.

Objective To establish a rapid screening method for 34 emerging contaminants in surface water by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Methods The pretreatment conditions of solid phase extraction(SPE)were op-timized by orthogonal experimental design and the surface water samples were concentrated and ex-tracted by Oasis? HLB and Oasis? MCX SPE columns in series.The extracts were separated by Kine-tex? EVO C18 column,with gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1%formic acid methanol solution.Q-TOF-MS'fullscan'and'targeted MS/MS'modes were used to detect 34 emerging contaminants and to establish a database with 34 emerging contaminants precursor ion,prod-uct ion and retention times.Results The 34 emerging contaminants exhibited good linearity in the con-centration range respectively and the correlation coefficients(r)were higher than 0.97.The limit of de-tection was 0.2-10 ng/L and the recoveries were 81.2%-119.2%.The intra-day precision was 0.78%-18.70%.The method was applied to analyze multiple surface water samples and 6 emerging contaminants were detected,with a concentration range of 1.93-157.71 ng/L.Conclusion The method is simple and rapid for screening various emerging contaminants at the trace level in surface water.

Objective To investigate the effects of the Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription(mainly composed of Drynariae Rhizoma,Eucommiae Cortex,Dipsaci Radix,Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix,Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens,Coicis Semen,and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)in combination with Methotrexate on the disease activity and serum core-binding factor a1(Cbfa1)level of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)of kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type.Methods Ninety AS patients with kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group,with 45 patients in each group.The control group was given Methotrexate treatment,and the trial group was treated with Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment in the two groups lasted for 3 months.The changes of Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI)scores,Bath ankylosing spondylitis function index(BASFI)scores and serum levels of Cbfa1,type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide(CTX-Ⅰ)and Dickkopf1 protein(DKK1)of the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse effects were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 97.78%(44/45)and that of the control group was 82.22%(37/45).The intergroup comparison by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the disease activity scores of BASDAI and BASFI in the two groups of patients were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the trial group's reduction of BASDAI scores and BASFI scores were significantly superior to those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of serological indicators of Cbfa1,CTX-Ⅰ,and DKK1 in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of Cbfa1,CTX-Ⅰ and DKK1 levels in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.01).(4)During the treatment,the incidence of adverse reactions in the trial group was 6.66%(3/45)and that in the control group was 11.11%(5/45),and the difference of the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Bushen Quhan Huashi Prescription combined with Methotrexate exerts certain effect in treating AS patients with kidney deficiency and governor-vessel cold type,and the therapy can effectively control the disease activity and reduce the level of serum Cbfa1 expression in the patients.

Objective To calculate median effective dose(ED50)of remimazolam combined with sufentanil for inhibition of nasopharyngeal airway insertion reaction in elderly patients.Methods Thirty-eight patients,aged≥65 years,BMI 18-25 kg/m2,ASA physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ,undergoing elective cata-ract surgery under nasopharyngeal airway were selected.Patients received intravenous sufentanil injections of 0.1 μg/kg,followed by intravenous remimazolam injection 3 minutes later,then nasopharyngeal airway in-sertion after 2 minutes.The initial dose of remimazolam was 0.2 mg/kg and adjusted by 0.01 mg/kg,based on the modified Dixon sequential method.A positive reaction was defined as head shaking,choking,body movement,an increase in HR＞20%of the basal value,or an increase in SBP or DBP＞20%of the basal value at the time of nasopharyngeal airway placement.The procedure was stopped after seven crossovers.The ED50,95%effective dose(ED95)of remimazolam,and 95%confidence intervals(CI)were calculated by probabilistic unit(Probit)regression analysis.Results When combined with sufentanil,the ED50 and ED95 of remimazolam for inhibition of nasopharyngeal airway insertion in elderly patients was 0.193 mg/kg(95%CI 0.191-0.195 mg/kg)and 0.209 mg/kg(95%CI 0.205-0.213 mg/kg),respectively.Conclusion The ED50 of remimazolam combined with sufentanil for inhibition of nasopharyngeal airway in-sertion reaction in elderly patients were 0.193 mg/kg(95%CI 0.191-0.195 mg/kg).