In a healthy human, the airway mucus forms a thin, protective liquid layer covering the surface of the respiratory tract. It comprises a complex blend of mucin, multiple antibacterial proteins, metabolic substances, water, and electrolytes. This mucus plays a pivotal role in the lungs' innate immune system by maintaining airway hydration and capturing airborne particles and pathogens. However, heightened mucus secretion in the airway can compromise ciliary clearance, obstruct the respiratory tract, and increase the risk of pathogen colonization and recurrent infections. Consequently, a thorough exploration of the mechanisms driving excessive airway mucus secretion is crucial for establishing a theoretical foundation for the eventual development of targeted drugs designed to reduce mucus production. Across a range of lung diseases, excessive airway mucus secretion manifests with unique characteristics and regulatory mechanisms, all intricately linked to mucin. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms associated with excessive airway mucus secretion in several prevalent lung diseases.
Humans ; Mucus/metabolism* ; Mucins/physiology* ; Lung Diseases/metabolism* ; Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Asthma/physiopathology* ; Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology* ; Mucociliary Clearance/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of pomalidomide-based regimen in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). METHODS: 60 patients with RRMM in hematology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from November 2020 to January 2023 were selected. Among them, 15 cases were treated with PDD regimen (pomalidomide + daratumumab + dexamethasone), and 45 cases were treated with PCD regimen (pomalidomide + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone). The clinical effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The median number of treatment cycles for the entire cohort was 5 (2-11), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 75.0%. The ORR of patients treated with PDD regimen was 73.3%, while the ORR of patients treated with PCD regimen was 75.6%. The ORR of 46 patients with non high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (non-HRCA) was 86.9%, significantly higher than the 35.7% of 14 patients with HRCA (χ² =15.031, P < 0.05). The median PFS for all patients was 8.0(95%CI : 6.8-9.1) months and the median OS was 14.0 (95%CI : 11.3-16.7) months. Among patients treated with PDD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 7.0(95%CI : 4.6-9.3) months vs 4.0(95%CI : 3.1-4.8) months, χ² =5.120, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 6.0(95%CI : 1.1-10.9) months, χ² =9.870, P < 0.05]. Among patients treated with PCD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 9.0(95%CI : 6.2-11.8) months vs 6.0(95%CI : 5.4-6.6) months, χ²=14.396, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 11.0(95%CI : 6.4-15.6) months, χ² =7.471, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION The pomalidomide-based regimen has a good clinical effect and safety in the treatment of RRMM.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Thalidomide/administration & dosage* ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Aged ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antibodies, Monoclonal

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

Objective To investigate the characteristics,clinical indicators and risk factors of levofloxacin-induced arrhythmias in large hospitalized populations.Methods Using the"Adverse Event Active Monitoring and Intelligent Assessment Alert System-Ⅱ"(ADE-ASAS-Ⅱ),the electronic medical record of inpatients using levofloxacin in 2019 was monitored to obtain relevant data for patients with arrhythmias.Patients without arrhythmia were selected by propensity score matching,and the risk factors of levofloxacin-induced arrhythmias were analyzed by univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression.Results The incidence of levofloxacin-induced arrhythmias was 1.64％in 12 879 people who used levofloxacin.The incidence in people over 65 years was 3.22％.The main manifestations of levofloxacin-induced arrhythmias were extrasystole(0.84％),tachycardia(0.63％),QT interval prolongation(0.44％),and no severe arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of administration(OR=1.030,95％CI 1.009 to 1.050,P=0.004)and intravenous administration(OR=2.392,95％CI 1.478 to 3.870,P＜0.001)independent risk factors for levofloxacin-induced arrhythmias.Conclusion Arrhythmias caused by levofloxacin are common and have various types,among which the occurrence of QT interval prolongation is occasional.We should pay more attention to elderly patients who receive intravenous levofloxacin and try to avoid long courses of medication.

Objective To develop a portable collection device of human exhaled breath condensate(EBC)based on natural breathing to meet the needs for rapid screening of human respiratory tract(especially lower respiratory tract)infections.Methods The device consisted of a refrigeration unit,a heat dissipation unit and a condensation unit.The refrigeration unit adopted a TES1-7102 thermoelectric Peltier cooler semiconductor as the refrigeration element;the heat dissipation unit was composed of a high thermal conductivity aluminum heat sink and a high-speed brushless cooling fan;the condensation unit was made up of a cold guide plate and a condenser,in which the cold guide plate was made of thin sheet of aluminum alloy,and the condenser was prepared by 3D printing technology and made of hydrophobic polylactic acid,with primary and secondary 2-stage guide grooves and an ultra-thin condensing surface.The performance of the device was verified in terms of cooling,thermal conductivity,condensation and human EBC collection and content analysis.Results Performance analysis showed that after refrigeration began the temperature difference between the condenser surface and the exhaled gas met the requirements of the condenser,and no obvious thermal resistance was found on the condensing surface so that large droplets could be formed rapidly and then be collected after the gas-liquid phase change of the exhaled gas on the condensing surface.Human EBC collection and content analysis indicated the device realized home self-collection of EBCs from people of all ages,and the concentrations of interleukins,C-reactive protein and other inflammation-related indexes and the pH value of the collected EBC samples were all correlated with respiratory infections in the subjects.Conclusion The device developed with easy operation avoids the discomfort of blowing collection and the risk of saliva contamination,and is worthy promoting for rapid diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of respiratory tract infection and other related diseases.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):32-37]

Objective To understand the incidence and characteristics of adverse drug reactions(ADRs)of carbapenems,explore the relevant risk signals,and provide a reference for clinically safe drug use.Methods All spontaneous reports of carbapenem drug-related ADRs from January 2008 to October 2022 in the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center,PLA General Hospital's ADR database were retrieved,and information such as patients'general conditions,involved systems and organs damage,and the names of ADRs involved were retrospectively analysed.Using the reporting odd ratio method,the proportional reporting ratio method,the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency method,and information component method to obtain risk signals of carbapenem antimicrobial drug-related ADR.Results A total of 2 642 ADR reports of carbapenems were reported,of which 410 serious ADR reports(15.52％)were serious ADR reports,five cabapenem antimirobial drug species were mainly involved.In descending order of composition were imipenem cilastatin(51.28％),meropenem(32.13％),biapenem(8.10％),ertapenem(7.68％),and panipenem(0.79％).The male to female ratio of patients was 1.74:1,with the most age＞60 years(59.69％).A total of 14"drug-ADR name"combinations generated risk signals in all four data mining methods,with meropenem being the most signals,and imipenem cilastatin and ertapenem had a high number of reported ADR in nervous system.Conclusion The results of risk signal mining are basically consistent with the known carbapenem ADR information,during the use of carbapenem antimicrobial drugs in the clinic,it is recommended to monitor patients'liver and kidney functions as well as blood biochemical indexes,so as to strengthen the awareness of vigilance in the clinical use of carbapenem antimicrobial drugs,and timely recognize and deal with ADRs in a timely manner,and to avoid the occurrence of serious ADRs.

Objective To construct a module for drug-induced central nervous system adverse reactions(CNS-ADR)within the Clinical Adverse Drug Event Active Monitoring and Intelligent Assessment Alert System-Ⅱ(ADE-ASAS-Ⅱ),and to conduct a large-scale,real-world active monitoring and evaluation of CNS-ADR specifically related to imipenem/cilastatin.Methods Based on literature review,spontaneous report evaluation,and initial word set of CNS-ADR related descriptions in electronic medical records,text recognition technology was used to construct and optimize the condition settings of the CNS-ADR automatic monitoring module.Hospitalized patients using imipenem/cilastatin were retrospectively monitored from 2017 to 2021,and the positive patients which had CNS-ADR were statistically described in terms of the demographic characteristics,CNS symptoms,and hospital departments.Results Based on a repeated testing optimization using 1 185 manually monitored results,the best setting for the determined module includes 62 sets of keywords,with a positive predictive value(PPV)of 13.63％and a recall rate of 100％.Expanding the monitoring to 8 222 medication users using this module,281 cases of positive causality were identified,with an incidence rate of 3.42％.Among them,patients over 60 years old accounted for 50.17％,and the main manifestations of CNS-ADR were epileptic seizures,headaches,mania,and delirium.Conclusion The CNS-ADR automatic monitoring module established based on ADE-ASAS-Ⅱ provides fast and reliable text data mining support for conducting real-world research on CNS-ADR.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

Background/Aims: Ubiquitination is widely involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regulating various cellular processes. However, systematic strategies for screening core ubiquitin-related genes, clarifying their functions and mechanisms, and ultimately developing potential therapeutics for patients with HCC are still lacking. Methods: Cox and LASSO regression analyses were performed to construct a ubiquitin-related gene prediction model for HCC. Loss- and gain-of-function studies, transcriptomic and metabolomics analysis were used to explore the function and mechanism of UBE2S on HCC cell glycolysis and growth. Results: Based on 1,423 ubiquitin-related genes, a four-gene signature was successfully constructed to evaluate the prognosis of patients with HCC. UBE2S was identified in this signature with the potential to predict the survival of patients with HCC. E2F2 transcriptionally upregulated UBE2S expression by directly binding to its promoter. UBE2S positively regulated glycolysis in a HIF-1α-dependent manner, thus promoting the proliferation of HCC cells. Mechanistically, UBE2S enhanced K11-linkage polyubiquitination at lysine residues 171 and 196 of VHL independent of E3 ligase, thereby indirectly stabilizing HIF-1α protein levels by mediating the degradation of VHL by the proteasome. In particular, the combination of cephalomannine, a small molecule compound that inhibits the expression of UBE2S, and PX-478, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, significantly improved the anti-tumor efficacy. Conclusions UBE2S is identified as a key biomarker in HCC among the thousands of ubiquitin-related genes and promotes glycolysis by E3 enzyme-independent ubiquitination, thus serving as a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Objective:To systematically compare the efficacy and safety of chrono-chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:Seven databases were searched, including the Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2021), PubMed, Embase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Database. The method ological quality of the eligible studies was evaluated. The Meta-analysis was performed by the Revman 5.3 software.Results:Sixteen studies consisting of 1275 patients were finally included. Among them, 642 patients were treated with chrono-chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and 633 patients received conventional chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Results showed that compared with conventional chemotherapy group, the effective rate was significantly elevated ( OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.17-2.34, P=0.004), the incidence of leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal reaction, grade 3-4 oral mucosal reaction and grade 3-4 radiothermitis was significantly reduced (all P<0.001), and the quantity of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 was significantly increased in the chrono-chemotherapy group. Conclusion:Current evidence shows that compared with conventional chemotherapy, chrono-chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy could improve the effective rate, reduce adverse reactions and mitigate the destruction of immune function simultaneously.