OBJECTIVES: Whether vortioxetine has a utility as an adjuvant drug in the treatment of bipolar depression remains controversial. This study aimed to validate the efficacy and safety of vortioxetine in bipolar depression. METHODS: Patients with bipolar Ⅱ depression were enrolled in this prospective, two-center, randomized, 12-week pilot trial. The main indicator for assessing treatment effectiveness was a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) of ≥50%. All eligible patients initially received four weeks of lurasidone monotherapy. Patients who responded well continued to receive this kind of monotherapy. However, no-response patients were randomly assigned to either valproate or vortioxetine treatment for eight weeks. By comprehensively comparing the results of MADRS over a period of 4‍‒‍12 weeks, a systematic analysis was conducted to determine whether vortioxetine could be used as an adjuvant drug for treating bipolar depression. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients responded to lurasidone monotherapy, and 60 patients were randomly assigned to the valproate or vortioxetine group for eight weeks. After two weeks of combined valproate or vortioxetine treatment, the MADRS score in the vortioxetine group was significantly lower than that in the valproate group. There was no difference in the MADRS scores between the two groups at 8 and 12 weeks. The incidence of side effects did not significantly differ between the valproate and vortioxetine groups. Importantly, three patients in the vortioxetine group appeared to switch to mania or hypomania. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that lurasidone combination with vortioxetine might have potential benefits to bipolar II depression in the early stage, while disease progression should be monitored closely for the risk of switching to mania.
Humans ; Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy* ; Vortioxetine/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Valproic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Lurasidone Hydrochloride/administration & dosage* ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Pilot Projects ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Sulfides/therapeutic use* ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the structure and content of the long-term care insurance(LTCI)policy in China's deeply aging areas.Methods Using the Policy Modeling Consistency(PMC)index model indicator design method,a LTCI policy evalua-tion index system was constructed,consisting of nine primary indicators and 34 secondary indicators.A total of 123 provincial-level LTCI policies issued in deeply aging regions of China between June 1,2014,and October 1,2024 were analyzed.High-frequency word extraction was performed using ROSTCM 6.0,and a social network diagram of LTCI policies was created.The policy structure and content were quantitatively evaluated and ana-lyzed based on the established policy evaluation index system.Results The main content of LTCI policies in deeply aging areas of China covered services,institutions and assessment.The highest policy score was 7.28,and the lowest was 2.20,with an average score of 5.00.There were 25 perfect policies,63 excellent policies,28 good policies and seven qualified policies.In the dimension of policy content,the indexes of five primary indicators of policy evaluation,policy target groups,policy nature,policy perspective and policy tools were 0.60 or more;while the indexes of four primary indicators of policy content,incentives and constraints,policy timeliness,and policy level were 0.50 or less.Conclusion LTCI policies issued in China's deeply aging areas provide comprehensive coverage in aspects such as poli-cy evaluation,policy target groups and policy nature,and need to be improved in policy tool selection and the construction of incentive and constraint mechanisms.

Objective:To investigate the effects of eupatilin on ferroptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in high glucose-induced human renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells and its mechanism.Methods:HK2 cells were divided into a blank control group and a high glucose group according to the glucose concentration in the medium. The cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 5.6 or 30.0 mmol/L glucose. Additionally, an eupatilin control group and an eupatilin group were established, and 1 μmol/L eupatilin was added to the blank control group and the high glucose group, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 assay and a flow cytometry assay, respectively. The relative reactive oxygen species content was detected using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe method and the relative expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein was detected using Western blotting to investigate eupatilin′s regulatory effect on ferroptosis. The effect of eupatilin on mitochondrial damage was detected by JC-1 staining. The relative expression of the EMT marker vimentin and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein were evaluated using Western blotting. Data were analyzed by an independent sample t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results:Eupatilin treatment promoted the viability of HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The cell proliferation rate in the eupatilin group [(92.00±6.00)%] was higher than that in the high glucose group [(70.00±4.00)%], and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.284, P<0.01). Eupatilin treatment inhibited the apoptosis of HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The apoptosis rate of HK2 cells in the eupatilin group [(5.00±1.50)%] was lower than that in the high glucose group [(43.00±4.00)%], and the difference was statistically significant ( t=15.410, P<0.01). Eupatilin blocked the ferroptosis in HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The relative reactive oxygen species content in the eupatilin group (1.50±0.23) was lower than that in the high glucose group (3.20±0.21), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.454, P<0.01). The relative expression of GPX4 protein in the eupatilin group (0.89±0.20) was higher than that in the high glucose group (0.21±0.02), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=6.721, P<0.01). Eupatilin reduced the mitochondrial damage in HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The red-green fluorescence intensity ratio in the eupatilin group (0.65±0.12) was higher than that in the high glucose group (0.32±0.11), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.298, P<0.01). Eupatilin inhibited the EMT process in HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The relative expression of vimentin in the eupatilin group (1.32±0.20) was lower than that in the high glucose group (2.12±0.12), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.941, P<0.01). Eupatilin activated the Nrf2 pathway in HK2 cells induced by high glucose. The relative expression of Nrf2 protein in the eupatilin group (0.87±0.12) was higher than that in the high glucose group (0.45±0.14), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.945, P<0.01). Conclusions:Eupatilin may inhibit ferroptosis and EMT process in high glucose-induced HK2 cells by activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the structure and content of the long-term care insurance(LTCI)policy in China's deeply aging areas.Methods Using the Policy Modeling Consistency(PMC)index model indicator design method,a LTCI policy evalua-tion index system was constructed,consisting of nine primary indicators and 34 secondary indicators.A total of 123 provincial-level LTCI policies issued in deeply aging regions of China between June 1,2014,and October 1,2024 were analyzed.High-frequency word extraction was performed using ROSTCM 6.0,and a social network diagram of LTCI policies was created.The policy structure and content were quantitatively evaluated and ana-lyzed based on the established policy evaluation index system.Results The main content of LTCI policies in deeply aging areas of China covered services,institutions and assessment.The highest policy score was 7.28,and the lowest was 2.20,with an average score of 5.00.There were 25 perfect policies,63 excellent policies,28 good policies and seven qualified policies.In the dimension of policy content,the indexes of five primary indicators of policy evaluation,policy target groups,policy nature,policy perspective and policy tools were 0.60 or more;while the indexes of four primary indicators of policy content,incentives and constraints,policy timeliness,and policy level were 0.50 or less.Conclusion LTCI policies issued in China's deeply aging areas provide comprehensive coverage in aspects such as poli-cy evaluation,policy target groups and policy nature,and need to be improved in policy tool selection and the construction of incentive and constraint mechanisms.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of exacerbating chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) in mice with inflammatory status and enhancing immune injury in mice with PD-1.Method:Bone marrow and spleen cells of DBA/2 mice were injected into BALB/C mice pretreated with chemotherapy regimen (Flu+Bu) for constructing a chronic GVHD model. The animals were assigned into two groups of zymosan (100M SPL+10M BM+Zymosan) and control (100M SPL+10M BM+ PBS). After transplantation, two groups of mice were observed for weight changes, survival status and chronic GVHD manifestations. Target organ tissues were harvested for pathological scoring. Flow cytometry was employed for detecting cell subpopulations and surface co-stimulatory molecules in target organs. PD-1 monoclonal antibody was injected into inflammatory murine model. Mice were observed and target organ cells were harvested for subsets and co-stimulatory factors.Result:In in vivo experiments, zymosan group showed more significant changes of chronic GVHD with higher mortality rate, faster weight loss and more severe symptoms of GVHD. At Week 2 post-transplantation, hematoxylin-eosin stain of target organ tissue was performed for pathology examination. Zymosan group showed more lymphocyte infiltration, more severe inflammation and more significant tissue injury with higher GVHD pathological score. The proportion of M2 in liver/lung of zymosan group was significantly lower than that of control group ( P<0.05) and no significant difference existed in the proportion of M1. In in vivo experiments, M1 ratio of splenic cell spiked markedly in zymosan group as compared to control group while M2 ratio declined greatly. The secretions of IL-4 and IL-10 dropped significantly while co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 rose obviously. Conclusion:The worsening graft-versus-host disease in inflammatory mice with anti-PD1 treatment is associated with a decline of Treg proportion.

RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes or encode proteins for the synthesis desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United States, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications can be applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems such as lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of eleven RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.
Aptamers, Nucleotide ; RNA, Small Interfering/therapeutic use* ; RNA, Messenger ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense/therapeutic use*

RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes, or synthesize proteins encoded by the desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United State, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications are applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems like lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of 11 RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.

Objective:To construct the evaluation index system of lumbar puncture teaching for medical students, aiming to create a scientific assessment and evaluation method covering theoretical knowledge, skill practice, and professional accomplishment, so as to comprehensively evaluate the teaching effect of lumbar puncture for medical students, and improve the practical ability of clinical skills of medical students more effectively.Methods:The evaluation index scheme of lumbar puncture teaching for medical students was initially formulated through literature review and group discussion, and 20 experts related to clinical front-line work and medicine were invited to revise the scheme by applying Delphi expert consultation and applying analytic hierarchy process to quantify the entries and establish the final index weights at all levels.Results:The valid recovery rate of both rounds of expert consultation questionnaires in this study was 100%. The second round of expert consultation was conducted without changing experts, with an authority factor of 0.88. Kendall's coefficient of harmony was 0.136 and 0.184, respectively. After two rounds of expert consultation, the evaluation index system of lumbar puncture teaching for medical students, including 3 primary indicators (theoretical knowledge, comprehensive clinical ability and professionalism), 7 secondary indicators and 22 tertiary indicators, was initially constructed.Conclusion:The evaluation index system of lumbar puncture teaching for medical students constructed in this study is scientific and credible, which can provide quantitative basis for the training and assessment of medical students, and is of great theoretical and practical significance.

Objective: To construct nomogram to predict the risk of bone metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods: The clinical data of NSCLC patients diagnosed in the hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including the occurrence of bone metastasis, age, gender, pathological type, smoking status, PS score, TN stage, metastasis of other sites before bone metastasis, carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) level, alpha fetoprotein(AFP) level, serum calcium(Ca2+), serum phosphorus(P), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) level, which were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) and decision curve analysis were used, DCA was used to verify the accuracy and clinical benefit of the model, and nomogram was used to visualize the model. Results: Area under the ROC curve(AUC) showed that in the modeling group(n=138) and the validation group(n=92), the AUC value predicted by combined indicators(age, gender, pathological type, CEA, ALP)(modeling group=0.792, validation group=0.629) was higher than that predicted by single indicator. Conclusion The prediction model constructed in this study has good effect and can provide reference for clinical screening of high-risk patients with bone metastasis of NSCLC.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of Vici syndrome in a Chinese family. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) technology was used to detect gene variants in a fetus of abnormal ultrasonic structure without abnormalities in routine chromosome karyotype analysis and SNP-array. Sanger sequencing and bioinformatics prediction were performed for the suspected variants of the fetus and parents. RESULTS: The fetus and the elder sister have carried c. 2427delC (p.T809fs) and c.1886A>T (p.E629V) compound heterozygous variants of the EPG5 gene, which were respectively inherited from their mother and father. Neither variant was reported previously. According to ACMG guidelines, the c.2427delC variant was predicted as pathogenic, while the c.1886A>T variant was of uncertain significance. PolyPhen-2 and PROVEAN software indicated that c.1886A>T variant was probably damaging. CONCLUSION The c.2427delC and c.1886A>T variants of the EPG5 gene probably underlie the pathogenesis of the Vici syndrome in this family. Above finding has enriched the variational spectrum of EPG5 gene and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.
Aged ; Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; Autophagy-Related Proteins ; Cataract ; Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing