ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of health literacy among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Shanghai communities, to analyze its correlation with glycemic and lipid metabolic indicators and quality of life (QoL), and to provide an evidence for the development of effective intervention measures. MethodsA follow⁃up survey was conducted among diabetic patients diagnosed at hospitals above the secondary level from March to June, 2023, who were part of a diabetes cohort study jointly established by Songnan Community in Baoshan District and the Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology. Patients were assessed using a simplified evaluation form for diabetes-related health literacy and a QoL scale, and metabolic indicators such as blood glucose and blood lipids were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to assess the relationship between health literacy levels and metabolic indicators as well as QoL. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between patients’ health literacy levels, metabolic status, and QoL. ResultsAmong the 932 diabetic patients surveyed, the health literacy level was low, with an average score of (65.2±13.4) points of which (62.6±13.8) points for males and (67.9±12.5) points for females. The average QoL score was (44.1±9.2) points of which (44.0±9.5) points for males and (44.2±8.9) points for females. The achievement rates of HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were 51.6%, 30.3%, and 64.8%, respectively. The TC achievement rate among male patients (37.6%) was significantly higher than that among females (22.8%). Significant differences in HbA1c achievement rates were observed across age groups, education levels, disease durations, and BMI levels (P<0.05). Similarly, significant differences were found in FPG achievement rates across different age groups, annual household incomes, disease durations, and family histories (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in TG and HDL-C achievement rates across all variables (P>0.05). However, LDL-C achievement rates were significantly higher in patients without complications compared to those with complications (P<0.05). Health literacy showed a significant negative correlation with psychological dimension, treatment dimension, and QoL scores (r=-0.14, P<0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a significant association was found between patients’ health literacy levels and QoL, but not with metabolic indicators. ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between health literacy levels and QoL among diabetic patients in community settings. Further exploration is needed to identify factors influencing patients’ QoL and glycemic and lipid metabolic indicators.

Objective:To discuss the point-selection and point-grouping patterns and therapeutic application features in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of acute gouty arthritis(AGA)based on complex networks and to provide references for treating AGA with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Methods:Articles related to acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of AGA were searched across the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform(Wanfang),Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System(SinoMed),PubMed,Web of Science(WOS),and Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE)from their inception till March 31,2023.An acupuncture-moxibustion prescription database was established after the articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The association rule and complex network analyses of points were conducted using SPSS Modeler 18.1 and Gephi 0.9.7. Results:A total of 145 articles were collected,contributing 382 pieces of acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions involving 104 points with a total frequency of 1 288.Ashi points contributed the highest frequency.The Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin and the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming were more commonly selected.Filiform-needle acupuncture and bloodletting therapy were more frequently used.The association rule analysis revealed that the highest degree of support belonged to"Ashi point-Zusanli(ST36)"and"Sanyinjiao(SP6)-Zusanli(ST36)",which reflected the rules of point combination of distal and proximal areas and point combination of the coupled meridians.The complex network analysis of the major points discovered a core point prescription mainly consisting of Ahi point,Zusanli(ST36),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Yinlingquan(SP9),and Taichong(LR3).Pattern differentiation and region differentiation were used in selecting adjunct points,stressing the improvements of patterns and joint-related symptoms. Conclusion:Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of AGA follows the principle of combining major points with adjunct points selected based on pattern or region differentiation;the selection of major points focuses on regulating the deficient Zang-Fu organs,and the selection of adjunct points emphasizes improving patterns and symptoms.The specificity of therapeutic effects is also stressed.

POEMS syndrome is a rare plasma cell dysplasia. Its clinical manifestations include polyneuropathy, monoclonal protein, increased extravascular volume load, endocrinopathy, organomegaly and skin changes. The complex and atypical symptoms at presentation make early diagnosis challenging due to multiple system involvement. Peripheral neuropathy, limb numbness, is the most common initial symptom of this disease. However, case reports of increased extravascular volume load are rare. This article collected and analyzed the clinical data of two groups of patients with different initial symptoms (increased extravascular volume load and limb numbness). The clinical characteristics and treatment responses were summarized.

AIM:This study aims to explore the impact of Escherichia coli(E.coli)high-pathogenicity island(HPI)on pyroptosis and intestinal inflammation.METHODS:Kunming mice and IPEC-J2 cells(porcine small intesti-nal epithelial cells)were treated with HPI-containing E.coli strain(HPI+),HPI-deleting E.coli strain(ΔHPI),or lipo-polysaccharide(LPS).The intestinal lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activity,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,IgA expression and secretory IgA(SIgA)content were assessed in mice.The expression of key regulatory factors in the nucleo-tide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/caspase-1 signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse intestinal tract and IPEC-J2 cells was analyzed by RT-qPCR,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 in mouse serum and IPEC-J2 cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.The pivotal role of NLRP3 in HPI+infection was confirmed by silencing NLRP3 in IPEC-J2 cells using siRNA.RE-SULTS:The HPI+infection markedly decreased SOD activity,increased IgA+B cell count,and induced the LDH release and SIgA secretion in the mouse intestine compared with ΔHPI infection.The results of ELISA,HE staining and TUNEL staining indicated that E.coli HPI triggered DNA damage,tissue injury and inflammation in mouse intestinal epithelial cells.Western blot revealed an increase in intestinal gasdermin D N-terminal fragment(GSDMD-N)protein level with HPI+infection compared with ΔHPI infection.E.coli HPI significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 in mouse intestinal tissues and IPEC-J2 cells,accompanied by the elevated secretion of IL-1β and IL-18.The confo-cal microscopy demonstrated an enhanced assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome with HPI+infection compared with ΔHPI infection,leading to colocalization of NLRP3 and caspase-1.Furthermore,NLRP3 silencing in IPEC-J2 cells attenuated E.coli HPI-induced cell inflammation,damage,and NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway activation.CONCLUSION:The presence of HPI enhances the virulence of E.coli and exacerbates intestinal inflammation.Moreover,pyroptosis,regu-lated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway,plays a pivotal role in the intestinal injury induced by E.coli HPI.

Post-dialysis fatigue is a common complication in hemodialysis patients, which can lead to increased all-cause mortality and readmission rates, limiting their participation in daily life. This article mainly summarizes the application of assessment tools and theoretical models on post-dialysis fatigue in the management of post-dialysis fatigue in hemodialysis patients, providing a reference for medical and nursing staff to manage post-dialysis fatigue in patients.

In recent years, the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC) has made great progress, but chemoresistance is still one of the main reasons for reducing the survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, ameliorating chemotherapy resis-tance is an urgent problem to be solved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory role and related molecular mechanisms of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) in colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) chemoresistance. In this study, HCT116 and HT-29 cells were used as research subjects. Firstly, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and colony formation assay were used to detect and analyze the effect of HSYA on the proliferation of CRC cells. Secondly, the effect of HSYA on the cell cycle in CRC cells was analyzed by cell cycle assay. Furthermore, the effect of HSYA on the migration of CRC cells was analyzed by wound-healing assay and Transwell assay. Based on the above, the influences of HSYA on 5-FU chemoresistance of CRC cells and related molecular mechanisms were explored and analyzed. The results showed that HSYA significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of CRC cells, and arrested the cell cycle in G_0/G_1 phase. In addition, HSYA significantly ameliorated the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5-FU. The results of acridine orange staining and Western blot showed that the autophagy activity of CRC cells in the HSYA and 5-FU combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the 5-FU single drug treatment group. As compared with the 5-FU single drug treatment group, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B(Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) in the HSYA and 5-FU combined treatment group were significantly reduced, indicating that the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in the combined treatment group was down-regulated in CRC cells. In conclusion, HSYA may upregulate autophagy activity through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and migration of CRC cells and ameliorating the chemoresistance to 5-FU.
Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Cell Line, Tumor ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Fluorouracil/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Autophagy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Objective:This study aimed to examine the relationship between low T3 syndrome (LT3S) and the prognosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients.Methods:A retrospective examination of 211 NDMM patients treated at the Department of Hematology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from July 2009 to December 2020 was performed, and all patients received thyroid function testing to determine if they had LT3S. We investigated the relationship between LT3S and clinical features, as well as its impact on MM prognosis.Results:Of the 211 patients, 119 were males, and 92 were females, with a median age of 60 (33-86) years. Patients with LT3S had significantly higher levels of β 2-microglobulin, C-reactive protein, and blood creatinine compared to those with normal T3 levels. They also had lower levels of hemoglobin, platelets, and serum albumin, as well as more advanced ISS stages ( P<0.001) . Patients with LT3S had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (16 months vs 30 months, P=0.003) and overall survival (OS) (57 months vs 75 months, P=0.004) than patients without LT3S. LT3S was found to be a standalone unfavorable factor in multivariate analysis, LT3S was an independent unfavorable factor in predicting both PFS ( HR=2.114, 95% CI 1.271-3.516, P=0.004) and OS ( HR=2.231, 95% CI 1.088-4.577, P=0.029) . Conclusions:Low T3 syndrome was an independent unfavorable prognostic predictor for NDMM.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the influence of FGFR3 gene mutations on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) .Methods:A total of 198 patients with NDMM admitted to the Department of Hematology in Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2016 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Next-generation sequencing and cytoplasmic light chain immunofluorescence with fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed for all patients. The prognostic significance of FGFR3 mutation and clinical features were analyzed using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.Results:Among 198 patients, 28 carried the FGFR3 gene mutation. These patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels, higher β 2-microglobulin levels, advanced Revised International Staging System stages, more frequent occurrence of t (4;14) , and shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) time (28 months vs 33 months, P=0.024) and overall survival (OS) time (54 months vs undefined, P=0.028) than patients without FGFR3 mutation. Additionally, patients carrying either FGFR3 mutation or t (4;14) had lower PFS (30 months vs 38 months, P=0.012) and OS (54 months vs undefined, P=0.017) than those without. The Cox proportional hazards model identified FGFR3 mutation as an independent risk factor for PFS and OS. Conclusion:FGFR3 gene mutation was an unfavorable independent prognostic predictor for NDMM.

ObjectiveOptimize the latex perfusion technique and apply it to the construction of a murine craniofacial venous vascular model.Methods A total of nine 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice weighing (25.0±1.3) g were randomly divided into three groups: 60% latex physiological saline group, 60% latex heparin group, and 30% latex heparin group. After completion of the perfusion, the specimens were immersed in 4 °C formalin fixative for 24 h, followed by dissection, observation, and measurement of the extracranial blood vessel diameters. Results After 200 μL latex perfusion solution was injected into the external jugular vein, the supraorbital vein, infraorbital vein, temporal vein, retrofacial vein, masseter vein and external jugular vein were perfused in each group.After comparing the perfusion degree of the distal branches of blood vessels, sublingual vein and tip venule, it was found that the 30% latex heparin group had the best perfusion effect, followed by the 60% latex heparin group, and the 60% latex saline group had the worst perfusion effect.ConclusionThe optimized latex perfusion technique can effectively infuse the veins in the head and face of mice, and this technique can provide a good reference for the study of the direction and morphology of facial veins in mice.

Objective: Total neoadjuvant therapy has been used to improve tumor responses and prevent distant metastases in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Patients with complete clinical responses (cCR) then have the option of choosing a watch and wait (W&W) strategy and organ preservation. It has recently been shown that hypofractionated radiotherapy has better synergistic effects with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors than does conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, increasing the sensitivity of microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer to immunotherapy. Thus, in this trial we aimed to determine whether total neoadjuvant therapy comprising short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) combined with a PD-1 inhibitor improves the degree of tumor regression in patients with LARC. Methods: TORCH is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, phase II trial (TORCH Registration No. NCT04518280). Patients with LARC (T3-4/N+M0, distance from anus ≤10 cm) are eligible and are randomly assigned to consolidation or induction arms. Those in the consolidation arm receive SCRT (25Gy/5 Fx), followed by six cycles of toripalimab plus capecitabine and oxaliplatin (ToriCAPOX). Those in the induction arm receive two cycles of ToriCAPOX, then undergo SCRT, followed by four cycles of ToriCAPOX. Patients in both groups undergo total mesorectal excision (TME) or can choose a W&W strategy if cCR has been achieved. The primary endpoint is the complete response rate (CR, pathological complete response [pCR] plus continuous cCR for more than 1 year). The secondary endpoints include rates of Grade 3-4 acute adverse effects (AEs) etc. Results: Up to 30 September 2022, 62 patients attending our center were enrolled (Consolidation arm: 34, Induction arm:28). Their median age was 53 (27-69) years. Fifty-nine of them had MSS/pMMR type cancer (95.2%), and only three MSI-H/dMMR. Additionally, 55 patients (88.7%) had Stage III disease. The following important characteristics were distributed as follows: lower location (≤5 cm from anus, 48/62, 77.4%), deeper invasion by primary lesion (cT4 7/62, 11.3%; mesorectal fascia involved 17/62, 27.4%), and high risk of distant metastasis (cN2 26/62, 41.9%; EMVI+ 11/62, 17.7%). All 62 patients completed the SCRT and at least five cycles of ToriCAPOX, 52/62 (83.9%) completing six cycles of ToriCAPOX. Finally, 29 patients achieved cCR (46.8%, 29/62), 18 of whom decided to adopt a W&W strategy. TME was performed on 32 patients. Pathological examination showed 18 had achieved pCR, four TRG 1, and 10 TRG 2-3. The three patients with MSI-H disease all achieved cCR. One of these patients was found to have pCR after surgery whereas the other two adopted a W&W strategy. Thus, the pCR and CR rates were 56.2% (18/32) and 58.1% (36/62), respectively. The TRG 0-1 rate was 68.8% (22/32). The most common non-hematologic AEs were poor appetite (49/60, 81.7%), numbness (49/60, 81.7%), nausea (47/60, 78.3%) and asthenia (43/60, 71.7%); two patients did not complete this survey. The most common hematologic AEs were thrombocytopenia (48/62, 77.4%), anemia (47/62, 75.8%), leukopenia/neutropenia (44/62, 71.0%) and high transaminase (39/62, 62.9%). The main Grade III-IV AE was thrombocytopenia (22/62, 35.5%), with three patients (3/62, 4.8%) having Grade IV thrombocytopenia. No Grade V AEs were noted. Conclusions: SCRT-based total neoadjuvant therapy combined with toripalimab can achieve a surprisingly good CR rate in patients with LARC and thus has the potential to offer new treatment options for organ preservation in patients with MSS and lower-location rectal cancer. Meanwhile, the preliminary findings of a single center show good tolerability, the main Grade III-IV AE being thrombocytopenia. The significant efficacy and long-term prognostic benefit need to be determined by further follow-up.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thrombocytopenia/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Aged