Elemene is widely recognized as an effective anti-cancer compound and is routinely administered in Chinese clinical settings for the management of several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its detailed molecular mechanism has not been adequately demonstrated. In this research, it was demonstrated that elemene effectively curtailed NSCLC growth in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Mechanistically, employing high-throughput screening techniques and subsequent biochemical validations such as microscale thermophoresis (MST), microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) was pinpointed as a critical target through which elemene exerts its anti-tumor effects. Interestingly, elemene serves as a binding stabilizer for miR-145-5p, demonstrating a strong binding affinity (dissociation constant (K _D) = 0.39 ± 0.17 μg/mL) and preventing its degradation both in vitro and in vivo, while not interfering with the synthesis of the primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) and precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs). The stabilization of miR-145-5p by elemene resulted in an increased level of this miRNA, subsequently suppressing NSCLC progression through the miR-145-5p/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3)/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. Our findings provide a new perspective on revealing the interaction patterns between clinical anti-tumor drugs and miRNAs.

Objectives:The study assessed the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and the rapid progression of coronary non-target lesions.Methods:A total of 1 247 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent two coronary angiography examinations at Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2010 and September 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study.The AIP is defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Patients were divided into the high AIP group(n=623)and the low AIP group(n=624)based on the median value of AIP.Lesion rapid progression is defined as an increase of more than 10%in the lumen stenosis of the lesion with a stenosis rate of more than 50%,or an increase of more than 30%in the lumen stenosis rate of the lesion with a stenosis rate of less than 50%,or a progression to total occlusion within 2 years.Results:Median AIP was 0.39(0.23-0.56)in this patient cohort.Rapid progression of non-target lesions occurred in 65(5.21%),including 42(6.74%)in the high AIP group.The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the cumulative incidence of rapid progression of non-target lesions was higher in the high AIP group than in the low AIP group(HR=1.751,95%CI:1.053-2.912,log-rank P=0.028).In univariate cox analysis,the AIP and high AIP correlated with rapid progression of non-target lesions.After multivariate adjustment,AIP was an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions(adjusted HR=2.731,95%CI:1.090-6.844,P=0.032).Conclusions:AIP is an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions.AIP should be considered as a biomarker for estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease,along with other traditional risk factors.

Objectives:Coronary slow flow(CSF)has long been regarded as a marker of coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD).This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of CSF for CMD in patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries(ANOCA).Methods:The study data were derived from the ANOCA-CMD prospective cohort study.All enrolled patients underwent coronary angiography and concurrent coronary physiological assessments in the left anterior descending artery using pressure-wire and thermodilution techniques to obtain coronary flow reserve(CFR)and the index of microcirculatory resistance(IMR).Based on the results,CMD was classified into four subtypes:CMD with elevated IMR(IMR≥25),CMD with reduced CFR(CFR<2.5),CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR(CFR<2.5 or IMR≥25),and CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR(CFR<2.5 and IMR≥25).The corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)frame count(CTFC)in the left anterior descending artery was calculated from coronary angiography images,with CSF defined as CTFC>27.This study evaluated the correlation between CTFC,CFR,and IMR,and investigated the diagnostic value of CSF for CMD in ANOCA patients.Results:A total of 103 ANOCA patients were enrolled in this study,with a mean age of(64.2±10.6)years,and 53.4％were female.Among them,57 patients(55.3％)were diagnosed with coronary slow flow.Patients with slow flow had higher IMR(P<0.001)and CFR(P=0.041).Similarly,the proportion of CMD with elevated IMR was higher in the slow flow group(P<0.001),while the proportion of CMD with reduced CFR was lower(P=0.044).There was no significant difference between the groups in the proportions of CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR or CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR(all P>0.05).CTFC was positively correlated with hyperemic mean transit time(r=0.424,P<0.001),IMR(r=0.430,P<0.001),and CFR(r=0.211,P=0.032).The area under the curve(AUC)of CTFC for diagnosing CMD with elevated IMR was 0.721(95％CI:0.623-0.819)with an accuracy of 67％(57％,76％),for diagnosing CMD with reduced CFR was 0.610(95％CI:0.499-0.720)with an accuracy of 60％(50％,70％),for diagnosing CMD with either reduced CFR or elevated IMR was 0.549(95％CI:0.425-0.673)with an accuracy of 47％(37％,57％),and for diagnosing CMD with both reduced CFR and elevated IMR was 0.582(95％CI:0.471-0.693)with an accuracy of 47％(37％,57％).Thus,CSF demonstrated limited diagnostic values across all subtypes of CMD.Conclusions:In ANOCA patients,CSF cannot serve as an effective diagnostic marker for CMD.Therefore,in clinical practice,the slow flow phenomenon should not be directly equated with the presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction in ANOCA patients.

Objective To assess the impact of freeze-drying and dry heat virus inactivation processes on the activity ofα2-macroglobulin(A2M)derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ.Methods A2M derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ was prepared and subjected to programmed freeze-drying with dry heat virus inactivation.The lyophilized products were evaluated for their appearance,water content,and validation of the viral inactivation process.The bioactivity of the products before and after lyophilization as well as before and after dry heat inactivation was determined via trypsin inhibition,and the comparisons were studied.Results The appearance of the lyophilized product was fluffy,and the water content was(5.83±0.45)％.The specific activities of the samples before and after lyophilization were(10.199±0.137)and(10.033±0.201)μg/mg,respectively,with no statistically significantdifference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The viral inactivation of the samples was carried out by using dry heat inactivation conditions at 100 ℃ for 30 min.After inactivation,the reduction was ≥5.125 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in Pseudorabies virus(PRV)titers,≥4.500 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in Sindbis virus(SinV)titers,≥6.375 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in encephalomyocarditis virus(EMCV)titers,and≥4.500 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in porcine parvovirus(PPV)titers.The specific activities of the samples before and after dry heat were(9.921±0.292)and(10.091±0.278)μ g/mg,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion A2M derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ,when subjected to freeze-drying followed by dry heat inactivation at 100 ℃ for 30 minutes,can effectively inactivate viruses without altering the biological activity of the product.

Objective To investigate the abnormal changes characteristics of the degree centrality(DC)of the brain functional network in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)in the classical frequency band(0.010-0.080 Hz),the slow-4 frequency band(0.027-0.073 Hz),and the slow-5 frequency band(0.010-0.027 Hz).Methods Twenty patients with BPPV(BPPV group)and 14 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were selected.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)scans were performed,and the clinical data were analyzed.The DC method was used to analyze the changes of centrality of resting state network in patients with BPPV.Results Compared with the HC group,the BPPV group showed an increase in DC in the left caudate nucleus in the classical frequency band(P＜0.05),and a decrease in DC in the right auxiliary motor region in the classical frequency band(P＜0.05);within the slow-4 frequency band,no significant differences were observed in brain regions(P＞0.05);within the slow-5 frequency band,the BPPV group showed an increase in DC in the left thalamus(P＜0.05),while the left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus showed a decrease in DC(P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with BPPV have spontaneous activity disorders in multiple brain regions at resting states,and these changes show frequency band specificity.

Objective:To identify the trajectories of dietary choline intake in middle-aged and older population, and to analyze its longitudinal association with cognitive function.Methods:Subjects aged 55 to 79 years with at least two rounds of completed population economics, lifestyle, disease history, cognitive function, dietary assessments and physical measurements in 1997-2018 and those with at least three rounds of dietary measures in 1991-2015 were selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey was conducted using three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a weighing inventory at the household level. Cognitive assessment was performed using part of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale. Group-based univariate trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory of choline intake, and three-level linear mixed-effects models or three-level logistic mixed-effects models was employed to analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and cognitive function. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age at baseline.Results:Four trajectories of dietary choline intake were identified in the whole population, named as low-intake-stable group (61.0%), medium-intake-stable group (23.9%), medium-intake-slowly-declined group (11.2%), and high-intake-stable group (3.9%). Three trajectories were identified for each subgroup. Low-intake-stable group accounted for more than 60% in total population as well as each subgroup, especially in women and 55-59 years group. After adjusting for covariates, global cognitive scores were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36-1.18), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.21-1.48) points higher in medium-intake-stable, medium-intake- slowly-declined and high-intake-stable groups in the whole population, respectively, compared with the low-intake-stable group. The likelihoods of cognitive decline were 18.4% ( OR=0.816,95% CI: 0.709-0.939), 17.6% ( OR=0.824, 95% CI: 0.680-0.998), 24.4% ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.589-0.970) and 22.4% ( OR=0.776,95% CI: 0.623-0.968) lower in medium-intake-stable group of dietary choline in the whole population, medium-intake-stable group in males, medium-intake-slightly-increased group in females and medium-intake-slowly-increased group in 55-59 years at baseline than in low-intake-stable group, respectively. Conclusions:Dietary choline intake is generally lower in the Chinese population aged 55-79 years. Long-term lower choline intake has a negative impact on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults and may increase the risk of cognitive decline. The increment in the consumption of choline-enriched foods should be recommended.

Objective To observe the value of synthetic MRI(SyMRI)MAGnetic resonance image Compilation(MAGiC)sequence parameters for differentiating cervical squamous cell carcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma.Methods Sixty-six patients with pathologically confirmed cervical cancer were retrospectively enrolled and divided into cervical squamous cell carcinoma group(n=56)and cervical adenocarcinoma group(n=10).Quantitative MAGiC parameters were collected and compared between groups,and those being significantly different were combined to construct a logistic regression model.The performance of each parameter alone and their combination for differentiating cervical squamous cell carcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve(AUC).Results In cervical adenocarcinoma group,lesions's T1 and T2 were higher,while R1 and R2 were lower than those in cervical squamous cell carcinoma group(all P＜0.05).No statistically significant difference of proton density was found between groups(P＞0.05).The AUC of T1,T2,R1,R2 alone and their combination for differentiating cervical squamous cell carcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma was 0.959,0.945,0.961,0.942 and 0.996,respectively,and no significant difference was found between each two ones(Z=0.267 to 1.396,all P＞0.05).Conclusion SyMRI had high value for differentiating cervical squamous cell carcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To identify the trajectories of dietary choline intake in middle-aged and older population, and to analyze its longitudinal association with cognitive function.Methods:Subjects aged 55 to 79 years with at least two rounds of completed population economics, lifestyle, disease history, cognitive function, dietary assessments and physical measurements in 1997-2018 and those with at least three rounds of dietary measures in 1991-2015 were selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey was conducted using three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a weighing inventory at the household level. Cognitive assessment was performed using part of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale. Group-based univariate trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory of choline intake, and three-level linear mixed-effects models or three-level logistic mixed-effects models was employed to analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and cognitive function. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age at baseline.Results:Four trajectories of dietary choline intake were identified in the whole population, named as low-intake-stable group (61.0%), medium-intake-stable group (23.9%), medium-intake-slowly-declined group (11.2%), and high-intake-stable group (3.9%). Three trajectories were identified for each subgroup. Low-intake-stable group accounted for more than 60% in total population as well as each subgroup, especially in women and 55-59 years group. After adjusting for covariates, global cognitive scores were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36-1.18), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.21-1.48) points higher in medium-intake-stable, medium-intake- slowly-declined and high-intake-stable groups in the whole population, respectively, compared with the low-intake-stable group. The likelihoods of cognitive decline were 18.4% ( OR=0.816,95% CI: 0.709-0.939), 17.6% ( OR=0.824, 95% CI: 0.680-0.998), 24.4% ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.589-0.970) and 22.4% ( OR=0.776,95% CI: 0.623-0.968) lower in medium-intake-stable group of dietary choline in the whole population, medium-intake-stable group in males, medium-intake-slightly-increased group in females and medium-intake-slowly-increased group in 55-59 years at baseline than in low-intake-stable group, respectively. Conclusions:Dietary choline intake is generally lower in the Chinese population aged 55-79 years. Long-term lower choline intake has a negative impact on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults and may increase the risk of cognitive decline. The increment in the consumption of choline-enriched foods should be recommended.

Objective To investigate the abnormal changes characteristics of the degree centrality(DC)of the brain functional network in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)in the classical frequency band(0.010-0.080 Hz),the slow-4 frequency band(0.027-0.073 Hz),and the slow-5 frequency band(0.010-0.027 Hz).Methods Twenty patients with BPPV(BPPV group)and 14 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were selected.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)scans were performed,and the clinical data were analyzed.The DC method was used to analyze the changes of centrality of resting state network in patients with BPPV.Results Compared with the HC group,the BPPV group showed an increase in DC in the left caudate nucleus in the classical frequency band(P＜0.05),and a decrease in DC in the right auxiliary motor region in the classical frequency band(P＜0.05);within the slow-4 frequency band,no significant differences were observed in brain regions(P＞0.05);within the slow-5 frequency band,the BPPV group showed an increase in DC in the left thalamus(P＜0.05),while the left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus showed a decrease in DC(P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with BPPV have spontaneous activity disorders in multiple brain regions at resting states,and these changes show frequency band specificity.

Objectives:The study assessed the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and the rapid progression of coronary non-target lesions.Methods:A total of 1 247 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent two coronary angiography examinations at Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2010 and September 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study.The AIP is defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Patients were divided into the high AIP group(n=623)and the low AIP group(n=624)based on the median value of AIP.Lesion rapid progression is defined as an increase of more than 10%in the lumen stenosis of the lesion with a stenosis rate of more than 50%,or an increase of more than 30%in the lumen stenosis rate of the lesion with a stenosis rate of less than 50%,or a progression to total occlusion within 2 years.Results:Median AIP was 0.39(0.23-0.56)in this patient cohort.Rapid progression of non-target lesions occurred in 65(5.21%),including 42(6.74%)in the high AIP group.The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the cumulative incidence of rapid progression of non-target lesions was higher in the high AIP group than in the low AIP group(HR=1.751,95%CI:1.053-2.912,log-rank P=0.028).In univariate cox analysis,the AIP and high AIP correlated with rapid progression of non-target lesions.After multivariate adjustment,AIP was an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions(adjusted HR=2.731,95%CI:1.090-6.844,P=0.032).Conclusions:AIP is an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions.AIP should be considered as a biomarker for estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease,along with other traditional risk factors.