ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription （BSZY） on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group （Control）， a model group （Model）， low-dose BSZY （BSZY-L）， medium-dose BSZY （BSZY-M）， and high-dose BSZY （BSZY-H） groups （2.57， 5.14， 10.28 g·kg^-¹）， and a Zishen Yutai Pill （ZSYT） group （1.575 g·kg^-¹）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure levels of estrogen （E₂）， progesterone （P）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， prolactin （PRL）， and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform （TCMSP） and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP） v2.0 databases， while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA） were retrieved from GeneCards， DrugBank， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， and Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）. The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor （ERα）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， and protein kinase B （Akt） and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine， ovarian， and embryonic wet weights （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles， primary follicles， mature follicles， and corpora lutea， along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner， and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast， compared with the model group， the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine， ovarian， and embryonic wet weights， along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles， primary follicles， mature follicles， and corpora lutea increased， while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened， and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally， the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂， P， PRL， and FSH in serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast， the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂， P， LH， PRL， and FSH in serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα， PI3K， and p-Akt proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome， possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function， thereby lowering the abortion rate.

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.

Kidney is a highly energy-demanding organ rich in mitochondria. Numerous studies have indicated that mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining normal kidney function and in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases. Mitochondrial DNA is the exclusive genome of mitochondria. Damage to mtDNA not only leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and degradation of mitochondrial quality, but also acts as an endogenous inflammatory molecule, activating various inflammatory pathways, which contribute to cellular damage and the progression of kidney diseases. This article reviews the mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA damage and its significant role in triggering inflammatory injury in kidney diseases. Additionally, it summarizes the current research progress on various intervention strategies targeting this type of damage.

Outpatient humanistic care refered to providing a full process of caring medical services to outpatients. In order to standardize the human caring services for outpatients in medical institutions, promote the comprehensive service level of outpatient services, and improve the patient′s medical experience, Chinese Association for Life Care issued the group standard of Management Norms for Human caring of Outpatients in April 2023. This standard clarified the relevant terms and definitions of human caring for outpatients, specified the basic requirements for human caring, the humanistic quality and care responsibilities of outpatient staff, the outpatient care environment and facilities, the outpatient care process and measures, and quality management. It designed standardized and personalized full process care service norms, providing references for medical institutions at all levels to promote the development of human caring for outpatients.

Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

Objective:To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα) antibody on the immune inflammation and renal injury in MRL/lpr lupus mice.Methods:Fifteen 3-4-week-old female MRL/lpr lupus mice (specific pathogen free) weighing 15-16 g were bred to 14-week-old and randomly divided into three groups: IL-7Rα antibody intervention group, isotype antibody (positive control) group and normal saline (negative control) group. The mice in the threc groups were intraperitoneally injected with IL-7Rα antibody, isotype antibody and normal saline respectively, with 100 μg three times a week for 4 weeks. At the age of 18-week old, the mice were sacrificed. Twenty-four-hour urinary protein was detected by Coomassie brilliant blue method, serum creatinine was detected by peroxidase method, and the expression of autoantibody (anti-double strand DNA antibody) and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-21 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Renal pathology was detected by PAS and Sirius red staining, and CD3 and F4/80 in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry method. Regulatory T cells, follicullar helper T cells (Tfh) and follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) were detected by flow cytometry.Results:The 24-hour urinary protein, serum creatinine, serum anti-double strand DNA antibody and serum IFN-γ and IL-21 in the IL-7Rα antibody intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control groups (all P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in serum TNF-α among the three groups ( F=0.39, P>0.05). The positive infiltrating cells of CD3 and F4/F80, and the ratio of type Ⅰ/Ⅲ collagen fibers ( F=41.11, P<0.01) of renal tissues in the IL-7Rα antibody intervention group were lower than those in the other two groups. Compared with the control groups, the ratio of regulatory T cells (CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 +)/effector T cells (CD4 +CD25 +) in blood of IL-7Rα antibody intervention group increased ( F=21.64, P<0.01), while the ratio of Tfr (CD4 +CXCR5 +Foxp3 +)/Tfh (CD4 +CXCR5 +) in peripheral blood and spleen increased ( F=38.95, P<0.01; F=12.90, P<0.01). Conclusion:IL-7Rα antibody can reduce the production of autoantibodies such as anti-double strand DNA antibody and inflammatory factors by increasing the ratio of regulatory T cells and Tfr/Tfh, thus alleviating immune inflammation and renal damage in MRL/lpr lupus mice.

Objective:To investigate the role of mitofusion 2 (Mfn2) in high glucose (HG)-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis of podocytes.Methods:(1) Streptozocin was used to induce a diabetes mellitus (DM) rat model. Renal histopathological changes in rats were observed by HE staining. Expression of Mfn2 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) in glomeruli was observed by immunohistochemistry. Protein levels of Mfn2, protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), phospho(p)-PERK, and CHOP in glomeruli were analyzed by Western blotting. (2) Conditionally immortalized human podocytes (HPC) cultured in vitro were divided into control, mannitol (MA) and HG groups. Expression of Mfn2 was observed by immunofluorescence. Protein levels of Mfn2, p-PERK, PERK and CHOP in HPC were analyzed by Western blotting. Podocyte apoptosis in each group was evaluated by flow cytometry with AnnexinⅤ-PE/7AAD double staining method. (3) HPC were divided into control, HG, HG+Mfn2-Myc plasmid-transfected and HG+control plasmid-transfected groups. Protein levels of Mfn2, p-PERK, PERK and CHOP in HPC were analyzed by Western blotting. Expression of CHOP was observed by immunofluorescence. Mitochondrial membrane potential in each group was observed by mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit with JC-1. Podocyte apoptosis in each group was evaluated by flow cytometry with AnnexinⅤ-PE/7AAD double staining method. Results:(1) Compared with the control group, the glomerular mesangial matrix of the DM group rats was significantly proliferated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated with the expression of ERS-related proteins p-PERK/PERK and CHOP up-regulated (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, Mfn2 was down-regulated and p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were up-regulated in HPC of HG group (all P<0.05). Apoptosis of HPC was also increased in HG group. There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the control group and the mannitol group (all P>0.05). (3) Compared with the HG group, mitochondrial membrane potential of HPC was alleviated and apoptosis of HPC was decreased in HG+Mfn2-Myc plasmid-transfected group ( P<0.05). P-PERK/PERK and CHOP were down-regulated in HG+Mfn2-Myc plasmid-transfected group (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the HG group and the HG+control plasmid-transfected group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Mfn2 down-regulation in HG-stimulated podocytes may induce ERS to increase apoptosis of podocytes. Up-regulation of Mfn2 can alleviate the HG-induced ERS and apoptosis in podocytes.

Objective:To observe the expression of sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) and mitochondrial damage-associated proteins in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury mouse model and renal tubular epithelial cells, and to explore the role of Sirt3 in LPS-induced abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods:Eighteen specific pathogen free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to control group, LPS 24 h group and LPS 48 h group. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline (0.1 ml/10 g), and LPS 24 h group and LPS 48 h group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (10 mg/kg) solution. Renal functional indexes of mice were analyzed by automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological change of the kidney was observed by HE staining, and the expressions of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1), optic atrophy type 1 (Opa1) and Sirt3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Expression and distribution of Sirt3 in kidney was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were exposed to 10 μg/ml LPS for 24 h, and the expression of Drp1, Opa1 and Sirt3 were detected by Western blotting. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst-33342 staining. After transfection to HK-2 cells with pcDNA3.1-Sirt3 recombinant plasmid, the expressions of Sirt3, Drp1, Opa1 and cell apoptosis were detected by the same methods as above.Results:(1) The levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (both P<0.05), and the pathological changes of kidney were obvious. (2) Compared with the control group, the expression of mitochondrial fission-associated protein Drp1 in renal tissue of LPS group was significantly higher ( P<0.05), and the expression of mitochondrial fusion associated protein Opa1 was significantly lower ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with the control group, the expression of Sirt3 in LPS group was significantly lower ( P<0.05), and immunohistochemistry results showed that Sirt3 was mainly expressed in glomerular vascular endothelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells. (4) In vitro, LPS stimulation induced increased Drp1 expression in HK-2 cells ( P<0.05), decreased Opa1 and Sirt3 expression (both P<0.05), and increased apoptosis ( P<0.05). (5) LPS-induced mitochondrial dynamics disturbance and apoptosis were alleviated by pcDNA3.1-Sirt3 recombinant plasmid transfection. Conclusions:LPS can induce down-regulation of Sirt3 expression and disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics, and Sirt3 may play a protective role in LPS-induced acute kidney injury by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.