BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

This study aims to establish the S_(180) tumor-bearing mice model, and to investigate the influence of Shenqi Erpi Granules(SQEPG) on immune function, as well as the drug's tumor-suppressive effect and mechanism. SPF grade KM mice(half male and half female) were randomly divided into 6 groups: a control group, a model group, a cyclophosphamide group(50 mg·kg~(-1)), as well as SQEPG groups in low-, medium-, and high-dose(5.25, 10.5, 21 g·kg~(-1)). The control group and the model group were given distilled water, and the other 4 groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. The administration continued for 10 days before the mice were sacrificed. The antitumor and immune regulation effects of SQEPG were evaluated. The effect of SQEPG on delayed type hypersensitivity reaction(DTH), carbon clearance index, and serum hemolysin antibody level was observed to reflect the effect on the immune function of tumor-bearing mice. Tumor weight was recorded to calculate the tumor suppression rate and the immune organ index. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to detect morphological changes in tumor tissues. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the percentage of CD4~+ and CD8~+ T-cells in the spleen tissues and the tumor tissue apoptosis levels. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the KI67 protein expression level of tumor tissues. ELISA resorted to the detection of the following expression levels in tumor tissues: tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-2(IL-2), interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Western blot was performed to detect the expression levels of caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cyclin-dependent kinases 4(CDK4), G_1/S-specific cyclin D1(cyclin D1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA). The results showed that, compared with the model group, the SQEPG could increase the swelling of the auricle of the tumor-bearing mice; significantly increase the phagocytic index of carbon granule contour(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the middle dose of SQEPG could significantly increase the antibody level of hemolysin(P<0.05); different doses of SQEPG significantly inhibit the growth of the tumor, and decrease the mass of the tumor tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.01); the low dose of SQEPG significantly decreased spleen index(P<0.05), low and high doses of SQEPG increased thymus index, while medium doses of SQEPG decreased thymus index. High doses of SQEPG significantly elevated the levels of CD4~+ and CD8~+ T-cells in the spleens of the homozygous mice(P<0.01 or P<0.001), and increased the apoptosis rate of the cells of the tumor tissues(P<0.05); Meanwhile, high-dose SQEPG elevated the levels of immunity factors such as IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the serum of tumor-bearing mice(P<0.01); medium-and high-dose SQEPG significantly lowered the rate of positive expression of KI67 protein in tumor tissues(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high-dose SQEPG significantly up-regulated the expression of caspase-3 and Bax proteins in tumor tissues(P<0.05), and significantly down-regulated the expression of CDK4, cyclin D1, and VEGFA proteins(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, SQEPG has the effect of improving immune function and inhibiting tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. Its mechanism of tumor-suppressive effects may be related to apoptosis promotion, cell cycle progression block, and tumor cell proliferation inhibition.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Sarcoma 180/genetics* ; Humans

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) plays an essential role in regulating the necroptosis and apoptosis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the regulation of RIPK1 kinase activity after cerebral I/R injury remains largely unknown. In this study, we found the downregulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) was induced by cerebral I/R injury, which negatively correlated with the activation of RIPK1. Mechanistically, we proved that PRMT1 directly interacted with RIPK1 and catalyzed its asymmetric dimethylarginine, which then blocked RIPK1 homodimerization and suppressed its kinase activity. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of PRMT1 aggravated I/R injury by promoting RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis, while PRMT1 overexpression protected against I/R injury by suppressing RIPK1 activation. Our findings revealed the molecular regulation of RIPK1 activation and demonstrated PRMT1 would be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely recognized for its blood-activating and stasis-removing properties in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The synthesis and regulatory mechanism of tanshinones, the key active constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza, have been a hot topic of research. The paper summarized the research findings on the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis by transcription factors such as AP2/ERF, bHLH, MYB, bZIP, and WRKY in recent years. The review identifies the existing issues in the transcriptional regulation studies of Salvia miltiorrhiza and discusses the research direction of transcription factors in the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis, providing a theoretical basis for the further discovery and utilization of functional genes involved in the regulation of tanshinone bioactive constituents.

Objective To explore the changes of resting-state degree centrality(DC)in elderly patients with chronic insomnia disorder(CID).Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)data were collected from 26 untreated elderly patients with CID(CID group)and 45 healthy controls(HC)(HC group).Two-sample t-test was conducted to compare the intergroup differences in whole-brain DC values,and the correlation between DC values in different brain regions and clinical indicators were analyzed,and logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the diagnostic efficacy of changes in DC values for elderly CID.Results Compared with the HC group,the DC values of the right insula,left rolandic operculum,and opercular part of right inferior frontal gyrus in the elderly CID group decreased[P＜0.05,false discovery rate(FDR)corrected],while the DC values of the right middle frontal gyrus increased(P＜0.05,FDR corrected).And the DC values of the opercular part of right inferior frontal gyrus in the elderly CID group were positively correlated with sleep efficiency(r=0.504,P=0.009)and self-rating depression scale(SDS)(r=0.401,P=0.042),respectively.The sensitivity of DC value in the opercular part of right inferior frontal gyrus for diagnosing elderly CID was 0.822,the specificity was 0.615,and the accuracy was 0.701.Conclusion Elderly CID patients have abnormal DC values in the right insula,left rolandic operculum,opercular part of right inferior frontal gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus,which may provide imaging evidence for exploring the pathogenesis of CID and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) for refractory glaucoma.Methods:A prospective multicenter observational case series study was conducted.A total of 63 refractory glaucoma patients (67 eyes) who underwent MP-TSCPC treatment were enrolled at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Chengdu First People's Hospital (Chengdu Integrated TCM& Western Medicine Hospital), and Changsha Aier Eye Hospital from August 2022 to April 2023.Among these cases, there were 40 eyes (59.7%) with unreduced intraocular pressure (IOP) after glaucoma surgery, 4 eyes (6.0%) with secondary glaucoma after vitrectomy, 2 eyes (3.0%) with secondary glaucoma after keratoplasty, 8 eyes (11.9%) with neovascular glaucoma, 3 eyes (4.5%) with secondary glaucoma due to iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, 6 eyes (9.0%) with primary open-angle glaucoma and 4 eyes (6.0%) with primary angle-closure glaucoma.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured using the ETDRS chart and the IOP was measured using the Goldmann applanation tonometry before and 6 months after the surgery.The usage of anti-glaucoma medications before and after surgery and postoperative complications were recorded.Surgical success rate was calculated and surgical success was defined as an IOP reduction of more than 20% from baseline or a reduction in the number of ocular hypotensive medications with no change in IOP.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University (No.2022KYPJ225).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:There was a statistically significant overall difference in IOP at different time points before and after surgery ( F=60.10, P<0.001), and the IOP at different time points after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001).IOP reduction at 6 months after surgery was (43.7±20.7)%.The number of anti-glaucoma medications used postoperatively was 2(0, 3) types, which was significantly less than the 3(2, 3) types used preoperatively ( Z=-2.70, P=0.007).The 6-month postoperative BCVA (LogMAR) was 1.40(0.52, 2.70), which showed no significant change compared to the preoperative 1.40(0.70, 2.70) ( Z=-0.10, P=0.952).The surgical success rate was 83.6%(56/67) at 6 months postoperatively.Postoperative complications included mydriasis (11/67), conjunctival hemorrhage (11/67), mild anterior chamber inflammation (1/67), mild ciliary body detachment (3/67), local choroidal detachment (1/67), and cystoid macular edema (1/67), all of which were reversible after treatment. Conclusions:MP-TSCPC appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for refractory glaucoma.

Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR)is a condition caused by the degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs and facet joints,primarily manifesting as the pain,sensory abnormalities,and motor dysfunction in the cervical nerve innervation area of neck,shoulder,and upper limb.For the treatment of CSR,tendon-bone syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine often faces the issues of conceptual confusion and non-standard syndrome differentiation.Based on the traditional tendon-bone syndrome differentiation and by integrating modern anatomical insights,Professor LIN Ding-Kun,an esteemed scholar of Traditional Chinese Medicine,proposed a classification system for the cervical spine that includes the categories of tendons,joints,bones and marrow.This paper explored the thoughts of Professor LIN for the tendon-bone syndrome differentiation of CSR,summarized the targets of manual therapy,and proposed the four kinds of pathological changes such as tendon overstrain,joint dislocation,bone lesion,and marrow injury,as well as the four techniques of traditional Chinese medicine manipulations,i.e.relaxation of tendons,reduction of joints,protection of marrow,and treatment of bones.The aim is to improve the syndrome-differentiation and treatment for CSR with orthopedic and traumatologic manipulations,and to provide reference for clinical practice.

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

Objective To investigate the value of the quantitative analysis of digital subtraction angiography(DSA)and dynamic contrast-enhanced CT in evaluating the efficacy of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)for liver cancer.Methods Fifty patients who were clinically diagnosed with primary liver cancer and treated with HAIC at least 3 times were enrolled in the study.Based on the enhanced CT scans taken within 1 week before the 1st and 3rd HAIC,patients were divided into good response group(CR+PR)and poor response group(SD+PD)according to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor.The hemodynamic parameters[time to peak(TP),peak density(PV),and slope of the rising edge of the time-density curve(SU)]of liver cancer on DSA before treatment and after two HAIC,as well as the changes in the CT values of liver cancer in each phase of CT enhancement were compared,and then sensitivity analysis was conducted.Significant indicators were further analyzed with Logistic regression and ROC curve to assess their efficacies in evaluating HAIC response in liver cancer.Results The differences in pre-treatment CT values and DSA indicators between two groups were trivial(P>0.05).All patients successfully completed HAIC twice.The enhanced CT taken 1 week before the 3rd HAIC showed reductions in the arterial-and venous-phase CT values in good response group(P<0.05),while no significant difference was found in the delayed-phase CT value(P>0.05).At the 3rd HAIC,DSA angiography demonstrated significant reductions in PV and SU,and a significant prolongation of TP in good response group(P<0.05);while there were no significant differences in various indicators in poor response group.Regression analysis showed that arterial-phase CT values and DSA angiography SU were significantly correlated with therapeutic efficacy.ROC curve results indicated that arterial-phase CT values and SU were effective indicators for evaluating therapeutic efficacy.Conclusion The SU from DSA angiography and the CT values from dynamic contrast-enhanced CT which can objectively reflect the changes in blood supply of liver cancer after HAIC and are associated with HAIC efficacy can serve as radiological evidence for evaluating HAIC response.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.