BACKGROUND: Early control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is crucial for reducing the progress of cardiovascular disease. However, its additional role to the risk of primary osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease was inconclusive. Our study aims to determine the association of LDL-C and its trajectories for osteoporosis risk in the middle-aged and aged men of China. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study of 1546 men aged 69.74 ± 11.30 years conducted in Beijing, China from 2015 to 2022. And the incidence of primary osteoporosis was annually recorded. LDL-C trajectories were further identified by latent class growth model using repeated measurements of LDL-C. The association of baseline LDL-C for osteoporosis was estimated using hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI in Cox proportional hazard model, while mean level and trajectories of LDL-C for osteoporosis were evaluated using odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI in logistic regression model. RESULTS: During the median 6.2-year follow-up period, 70 men developed primary osteoporosis. The higher level of baseline LDL-C (HR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.012-2.342) and mean LDL-C (OR = 2.190, 95% CI: 1.443-3.324) were associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease after adjusted for covariates. Compared with those in the LDL-C trajectory of low-stable decrease, participants with medium-fluctuant trajectory, whose longitudinal LDL-C started with a medium LDL-C level and appeared an increase and then decrease, were negatively associated with osteoporosis risk (OR = 2.451, 95% CI: 1.152-5.216). And participants with initially high LDL-C level and then a rapid decrease demonstrated a tendency towards reduced risk (OR = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.212-2.437). CONCLUSIONS Elevated LDL-C level and its long-term fluctuation may increase the risk of primary osteoporosis in men. Early controlling a stable level of LDL-C is also essential for bone health.

Delirium is a common cause and complication of hospitalization in the elderly and is associated with higher risk of future dementia and progression of existing dementia, of which 70% is Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD and delirium, which are known to be aggravated by one another, represent significant societal challenges, especially in light of the absence of effective treatments. The intricate biological mechanisms have led to numerous clinical trial setbacks and likely contribute to the limited efficacy of existing therapeutics. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a promising avenue for overcoming these hurdles by deploying algorithms to uncover hidden patterns across diverse data types. This review explores the pivotal role of AI in revolutionizing drug discovery for AD and delirium from target identification to the development of small molecule and protein-based therapies. Recent advances in deep learning, particularly in accurate protein structure prediction, are facilitating novel approaches to drug design and expediting the discovery pipeline for biological and small molecule therapeutics. This review concludes with an appraisal of current achievements and limitations, and touches on prospects for the use of AI in advancing drug discovery in AD and delirium, emphasizing its transformative potential in addressing these two and possibly other neurodegenerative conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze sex and age distribution of global disease burden of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: CAVD data during 1990-2021 were obtained from the IHME website for Global Burden of Disease (GBD). The prevalence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed by gender and age groups. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). RESULTS: In 2021, there were 13.32 million CAVD patients and 142 000 deaths caused by CAVD globally. Age-standardized prevalence was higher in males (193.2/10⁵) than that in females (128.9/10⁵). Patients in 65-<85 age group accounted for 64.0% of total cases, while those ≥85 years old accounted for 16.1%. From 1990 to 2021, prevalence increased in both sexes with an AAPC of 0.72% for males and 0.57% for females, respectively. Prevalence grew fastest from 2000 to 2010, slowed thereafter, and declined from 2015 to 2021. In <65 years old, the mortality of males was 2.4 times higher than that of females, while in ≥85 years old, mortality of females (117.3/10⁵) exceeded that of males (99.1/10⁵). YLD rates increased with age, and were higher in males for all age groups. DALY rates decreased overall but increased in ≥85 years old, with a greater increase in females. CONCLUSIONS There are significant gender and age disparities in global disease burden of CAVD, with the elderly, especially super-elderly females deserving particular attention. It is recommended to develop personalized intervention strategies for these populations.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Calcinosis/mortality* ; Prevalence ; Global Burden of Disease ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Aortic Valve/pathology* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/epidemiology* ; Age Distribution ; Adult ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Sex Distribution ; Global Health ; Aortic Valve Disease/epidemiology* ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVE: Baicalein has been reported to have wide therapeutic effects that act through its anti-inflammatory activity. This study examines the effect and mechanism of baicalein on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC). METHODS: A thorough screening of a small library of natural products, comprising 100 diverse compounds, was conducted to identify the most effective drug against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The core target proteins and their associated signaling pathways involved in baicalein's efficacy against LPS-induced myocardial injury were predicted by network pharmacology. RESULTS: Baicalein was identified as the most potent protective agent in LPS-exposed H9C2 cardiomyocytes. It exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell injury and inflammation. In the LPS-induced septic mouse model, baicalein demonstrated a significant capacity to mitigate LPS-triggered myocardial deficits, inflammatory responses, and ferroptosis. Network pharmacological analysis and experimental confirmation suggested that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit α (HIF1-α) is likely to be the crucial factor in mediating the impact of baicalein against LPS-induced myocardial ferroptosis and injury. By combining microRNA (miRNA) screening in LPS-treated myocardium with miRNA prediction targeting HIF1-α, we found that miR-299b-5p may serve as a regulator of HIF1-α. The reduction in miR-299b-5p levels in LPS-treated myocardium, compared to the control group, was reversed by baicalein treatment. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and dual-luciferase reporter gene analyses together identified HIF1-α as the target of miR-299b-5p in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION Baicalein mitigates SIC at the miRNA level, suggesting the therapeutic potential of it in treating SIC through the regulation of miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α/ferroptosis pathway. Please cite this article as: Zhou WY, Du JK, Liu HH, Deng L, Ma K, Xiao J, Zhang S, Wang CN. Baicalein attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):560-575.
Flavanones/pharmacology* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cardiomyopathies/etiology* ; Cell Line ; Sepsis/complications*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

AIM To prepare the borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine.METHODS The equilibrium solubilities of tetramethylpyrazine in different oil phases,emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers were determined,after which compatibility experiment was performed,and pseudo-ternary phase diagram was drawn.With Km value,oil phase proportion and water phase consumption as influencing factors,particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading as evaluation indices,the formulation was optimized by central composite design-response surface method.The drug-loaded nanoemulsion was dispersed into carbomer 940 gel matrix to prepare nanoemulsion gel,then the physicochemical properties,in vitro drug release and transdermal absorption properties were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 3.31∶6.16∶1.56∶88.97 for eutectic mixture-EL-40-1,2-propylene glycol-water ratio,the particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading were 37.85 nm,23.04 and 5.82 mg/g,respectively.The obtained white,semi-solid nanoemulsion gel demonstrated the average pH value and viscosity of 6.68±0.07 and(289.69±1.06)mPa·s,respectively,whose in vitro drug release accorded with Higuchi equation,and the accumulative permeability per unit area was(2 048.23±55.6)μg/cm2 within 24 h,which were 3.72 and 1.21 times higher than those of hydrogel and aqueous solution,respectively.CONCLUSION The borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine meets preparation requirements,thus can achieve the effective transdermal delivery of raw medicine.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of antiviral therapy and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) negative conversion for hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) in children.Methods:The clinical data of 38 children with CHB who received antiviral treatment in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected.All patients were treated with interferon alpha monotherapy or combined with nucleoside analogues for 48 weeks.The patients were divided into HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group according to the therapeutic results at 48 weeks.Multivariate Logistic regression were used to identify influencing factors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks.The receiver operator characteristic（ROC）curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each factor to HBsAg negative conversion.Results:The alanine aminotransferase normalization rate，hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate，HBeAg negative rate and HBsAg negative rate were 76.3%，94.7%，39.5% and 47.4%，respectively at 48 weeks.There were 18 cases in HBsAg negative group and 20 cases in HBsAg non-negative group.There were statistical significant differences in age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment between HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group（ P<0.05）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment were independent predictors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks（ OR=0.664，95% CI 0.473-0.932， P=0.018； OR=8.719，95% CI 1.920-39.604， P=0.005； OR=6.182，95% CI 2.083-18.347， P=0.001）.The area under the curve of age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks were 0.737（95% CI 0.576-0.899， P=0.012），0.847（95% CI 0.725-0.969， P<0.001）and 0.939（95% CI 0.811-0.991， P<0.001），respectively.When the age was less than 4.625 years，the sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks were 83.3%，65.0%，68.2% and 81.3%，respectively.A decrease in HBsAg level of >1.07 lg IU/mL at 12 weeks of treatment had a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 72.2%，90.0%，86.7%，and 78.3%，respectively，for predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks.A reduction in HBsAg of >1.92 lg IU/mL at 24 weeks of treatment showed a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 83.3%，90.0%，88.2%，and 85.7%，respectively，in predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks. Conclusion:The children with CHB have a higher rate of HBsAg negative conversion after antiviral therapy at 48 weeks.Age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment can serve as early predictors for HBsAg negative conversion in children with CHB.

Objective:To evaluate the role of a single PET-CT scan in predicting survival and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who did not undergo surgery but received radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 23 NSCLC patients treated at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from May 2022 to June 2024. All patients were pathologically confirmed, received neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, did not undergo surgery for various reasons, and instead received radiotherapy. Each patient underwent only one PET-CT scan after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy and before radiotherapy. According to the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) on PET-CT, patients were divided into the low-uptake group (SUV max < 8, n=12) and high-uptake group (SUV max ≥ 8, n=11). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with survival curves plotted. Univariate analysis of influencing factors of survival was conducted using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of the two groups were compared, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results:The 1-year PFS rates were 100% in the low-uptake group, 54.5% in the high-uptake group. This difference was statistically significant ( P=0.007). The 1-year and 2-year OS rates were both 100% in the low-uptake group, the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were both 90.9% in the high-uptake group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.394). Univariate Cox analysis identified age as an independent factor affecting PFS. Conclusions:For NSCLC patients who did not undergo surgical resection but received radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, a single PET-CT scan before radiotherapy has potential value in predicting PFS. However, clinical studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are required to evaluate its predictive value for OS.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory score (SIS) in patients with unresectable stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) combined with or without consolidation immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI).Methods:The medical record data of 229 patients who received dCRT from January 2014 to December 2017 and 183 patients who received dCRT combined with any form of ICI (induction, concurrent, consolidation or combination) from August 2018 to August 2022 in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. Upon admission, 1 and 3 months after treatment (efficacy evaluation) and upon tumor recurrence, peripheral blood count was collected, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and SIS were calculated, respectively. The SIS before, 1 and 3 months after treatment was defined as SIS 0, SIS 1 and SIS 3, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was considered as the primary endpoint. All patients were divided into dCRT group and dCRT+ICI group according to whether received immunotherapy, and then divided into different subgroups based on the cutoff value of SIS determined by X-Tile software. The prognostic value of SIS was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive efficiency. The predictive value of SIS was compared with inflammatory indexes (NLR, PLR) and independent prognostic factors. Results:In the dCRT group, the optimal cutoff value of SIS 0 was 590×10 9 and 530×10 9 in the dCRT+ICIs group. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that SIS 0 was an independent predictive factor of OS, progression - free survival (PFS), local - recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) in the dCRT group, but not associated with DMFS in the dCRT+ICI group. In the dCRT group, SIS 1>970×10 9 (optimal cutoff value) predicted poor OS ( HR=2.512, 95% CI=1.622-3.198, P<0.001), PFS ( HR=1.726, 95% CI=1.187-2.509, P=0.004), and DMFS ( HR=1.625, 95% CI=1.029-2.564, P=0.037). In the dCRT+ICI group, SIS 3>1570×10 9 (optimal cutoff value) indicated poor OS ( HR=5.107, 95% CI=1.731-15.069, P=0.003). In both groups, the AUC of SIS was higher than NLR, PLR and other traditional clinicopathological predictive indexes except T stage. Conclusions:SIS before treatment can be considered as an independent, dependable and easily acquired prognostic marker in patients with unresectable stage Ⅲ NSCLC treated by dCRT or dCRT+ICI. In the dCRT+ICI group, the optimal time point of post-radiotherapy SIS (3 months after treatment) is postponed than that (1 month after treatment) in the dCRT group.