Objective To determine the prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic targets of the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), based on which to establish a prediction model for the survival of LUAD patients. Methods An integrative analysis was conducted on gene expression and clinicopathologic data of LUAD, which were obtained from the UCSC database. Subsequently, various methods, including screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), were employed to analyze the data. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to establish an assessment model. Based on this model, we constructed a nomogram to predict the probable survival of LUAD patients at different time points (1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year). Finally, we evaluated the predictive ability of our model using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and time-dependent ROC curves. The validation group further verified the prognostic value of the model. Results The different-grade pathological subtypes' DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antigen processing and presentation, and regulation of enzyme activity, which were closely related to tumor development. Through Cox regression and LASSO regression, we constructed a reliable prediction model consisting of a five-gene panel (MELTF, MAGEA1, FGF19, DKK4, C14ORF105). The model demonstrated excellent specificity and sensitivity in ROC curves, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.675. The time-dependent ROC analysis revealed AUC values of 0.893, 0.713, and 0.632 for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival, respectively. The advantage of the model was also verified in the validation group. Additionally, we developed a nomogram that accurately predicted survival, as demonstrated by calibration curves and C-index. Conclusion We have developed a prognostic prediction model for LUAD consisting of five genes. This novel approach offers clinical practitioners a personalized tool for making informed decisions regarding the prognosis of their patients.

The study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of Xinyang Tablets( XYP) in modulating the fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)/N6-methyladenosine(m6A) signaling pathway to ameliorate ventricular remodeling in heart failure(HF). A mouse model of HF was established by transverse aortic constriction(TAC). Mice were randomized into sham, model, XYP(low, medium, and high doses), and positive control( perindopril) groups(n= 10). From day 3 post-surgery, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 6 consecutive weeks. Following the treatment, echocardiography was employed to evaluate the cardiac function, and RT-qPCR was employed to determine the relative m RNA levels of key markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide( ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide( BNP), β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), collagen type I alpha chain(Col1α), collagen type Ⅲ alpha chain(Col3α), alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), and FTO. The cardiac tissue was stained with Masson's trichrome and wheat germ agglutinin(WGA) to reveal the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression levels of Col1α, Col3α, α-SMA, and FTO in the myocardial tissue. The m6A modification level in the myocardial tissue was measured by the m6A assay kit. An H9c2 cell model of cardiomyocyte injury was induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), and small interfering RNA(siRNA) was employed to knock down FTO expression. RT-qPCR was conducted to assess the relative m RNA levels of FTO and other genes associated with cardiac remodeling. The m6A modification level was measured by the m6A assay kit, and Western blot was employed to determine the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p-PI3K)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase(p-Akt)/serine/threonine kinase(Akt) ratios in cardiomyocytes. The results of animal experiments showed that the XYP treatment significantly improved the cardiac function, reduced fibrosis, up-regulated the m RNA and protein levels of FTO, and lowered the m6A modification level compared with the model group. The results of cell experiments showed that the XYP-containing serum markedly up-regulated the m RNA level of FTO while decreasing the m6A modification level and the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, FTO knockdown reversed the protective effects of XYP-containing serum on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, XYP may ameliorate ventricular remodeling by regulating the FTO/m6A axis, thereby inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Animals ; Ventricular Remodeling/drug effects* ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Male ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Adenosine/analogs & derivatives* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

Cardiac fibrosis(CF) is a cardiac pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). When the heart is damaged by adverse stimuli, cardiac fibroblasts are activated and secrete a large amount of ECM, leading to changes in cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness, and cardiac function declines and accelerating the development of heart failure. There is a close relationship between heart yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis, which have similar pathogenic mechanisms. Heart Yin deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin fluids, causes the heart to lose its nourishing function, which acts as the initiating factor for myocardial dystrophy. The deficiency of body fluids leads to stagnation of blood flow, resulting in blood stasis and water retention. Blood stasis and water retention accumulate in the heart, which aligns with the pathological manifestation of excessive deposition of ECM, as a tangible pathogenic factor. This is an inevitable stage of the disease process. The lingering of blood stasis combined with water retention eventually leads to the generation of heat and toxins, triggering inflammatory responses similar to heat toxins, which continuously stimulate the heart and cause the ultimate outcome of CF. Considering the syndrome of heart Yin deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine capable of nourishing Yin, activating blood, and promoting urination can reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast activation, and lower the inflammation level, showing significant advantages in combating CF.
Humans ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Yin Deficiency/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

This study investigates the effect and underlying mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTL) in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in a mouse model. Apolipoprotein E-knockout(ApoE~(-/-)) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: model, high-, medium-, and low-dose GZTL, and atorvastatin(ATV), and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. ApoE~(-/-) mice in other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and administrated with corresponding drugs via gavage for 8 weeks. General conditions, signs of blood stasis, and body mass of mice were monitored. Aortic plaques and their stability were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and oil red O staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays, and those of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze the differential expression of CD72hi macrophages(CD72hi-Mφ) in the aortas of AS patients and mice. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to visualize CD72hi-Mφ expression in mouse aortic plaques, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was utilized to determine the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. The results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body mass, aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, a notable decrease in collagen fiber content, and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, the model group showcased elevated serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, alongside marked upregulations in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. In comparison with the model group, the GZTL groups and the ATV group showed a reduction in body mass, and the medium-and high-dose GZTL groups and the ATV group demonstrated reductions in aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, an increase in collagen fiber content, and a decrease in apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment goups showcased lowered serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The data of scRNA-seq revealed significantly elevated CD72hi-Mφ signaling in carotid plaques of AS patients compared with that in the normal arterial tissue. Animal experiments confirmed that CD72hi-Mφ expression, along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly upregulated in the aortas of AS mice, which were downregulated by GZTL treatment. In conclusion, GZTL may alleviate AS by inhibiting CD72hi-Mφ activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Tablets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Knockout

Based on latent structure model and association rule analysis, this study investigates the prescription patterns used by professor YANG Zhong-qi in treating hypertension with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and infers the associated TCM syndromes, providing a reference for clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment. The observation window spanned from January 8, 2013, to June 26, 2024, during which qualified herbal decoction prescriptions meeting efficacy criteria were extracted from the outpatient medical record system of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and compiled into a standardized database. Statistical analysis of high-frequency herbs included frequency counts and herbal property-channel tropism analysis. Latent structure modeling and association rule analysis were performed using R 4.3.2 and Lantern 5.0 software to identify core herbal combinations and infer TCM syndrome patterns. A total of 2 436 TCM prescriptions were included in the study, involving 263 drugs with a cumulative frequency of 29 783. High-frequency herbs comprised Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis, Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma, predominantly categorized as deficiency-tonifying, heat-clearing, and blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs. Latent structure analysis identified 18 latent variables, 74 latent classes, 5 comprehensive clustering models, and 15 core herbal combinations, suggesting that the core syndrome clusters include liver Yang hyperactivity pattern, Yin deficiency with Yang hyperactivity pattern, phlegm-stasis intermingling pattern, and liver-kidney insufficiency pattern. Association rule analysis revealed 22 robust association rules. RESULTS:: indicate that hypertension manifests as a deficiency-rooted excess manifestation, significantly associated with functional dysregulation of the liver, lung, spleen-stomach, heart, and kidney. Key pathogenic mechanisms involve liver Yang hyperactivity, phlegm-stasis interaction, and liver-kidney insufficiency. Therapeutic strategies should prioritize liver-calming, spleen-fortifying, and deficiency-tonifying principles, supplemented by dynamic regulation of Qi-blood and Yin-Yang balance according to syndrome evolution, alongside pathogen-eliminating methods such as phlegm-resolving and stasis-dispelling. Synergistic interventions like mind-tranquilizing therapies should be tailored to individual conditions.
Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drug Prescriptions ; Latent Class Analysis

An 11-year-old boy presented with erythematous plaques over the bilateral mandibular and mental regions for 2 years, accompanied by cough and dyspnea for more than 2 months. Chest computed tomography angiography revealed marked stenosis of the right pulmonary artery, irregular aortic caliber, and aortic wall thickening. Histopathological examination of the skin lesion, including immunohistochemistry and special stains, confirmed a chronic suppurative inflammation. Whole-exome sequencing was negative. A final diagnosis of granuloma faciale and Takayasu arteritis was established. Combination therapy with systemic tocilizumab, prednisone, and methotrexate, along with topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, resulted in a favorable clinical response. This report summarizes the clinical features of a pediatric case of granuloma faciale and Takayasu arteritis and reviews the etiology, diagnostic approach, and current treatment strategies for the disorders, aiming to enhance clinicians' understanding of these conditions.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Takayasu Arteritis/diagnosis* ; Facial Dermatoses/diagnosis*

Objective:To preliminarily explore the role of silent information regulator 3 (SIRT3) in ferroptosis induced by high glucose in renal tubular epithelial cells, and to provide a new theoretical basis and treatment ideas for renal tubular injury in diabetic kidney disease patients.Methods:The single-cell transcriptomic analysis from "Tabula-muris" database was used to evaluate the expression of SIRT3 gene in different cellular subtypes of kidney tissues. HK-2 cells, a human immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cell line, were cultured in vitro and divided into following groups: (1) control group, mannitol group and high glucose group; (2) control group, negative control group, SIRT3 overexpression group, high glucose group and SIRT3 overexpression + high glucose group; (3) control group, negative control group, SIRT3 knockdown group, high glucose group and SIRT3 knockdown + high glucose group; (4) control group, Erastin intervention group and SIRT3 overexpression + Erastin intervention group. Normal glucose was 5.5 mmol/L, high glucose was 30 mmol/L, mannitol was 24.5 mmol/L, Erastin was 10 μmol/L, and the intervention time was 48 h. Cell counting kit-8 proliferation and cytotoxicity assay was used to determine cell viability. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were performed to assess the expression of SIRT3, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and ferroptosis-related proteins acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) at the mRNA and protein levels. The malondialdehyde, glutathione, and iron levels were measured to evaluate the degree of cellular ferroptosis. DCFH-DA was used to analyze the intracellular reactive oxygen species level, while the JC-1 staining method was employed to evaluate alterations of mitochondrial membrane potential in HK-2 cells. Results:(1) The results of single-cell transcriptomic database analysis demonstrated that SIRT3 gene was expressed at the highest level in the subtypes of proximal tubule epithelial cells of kidney tissues. (2) Compared with the control group, the expression levels of KIM-1 and ACSL4 were higher, and the expression levels of SIRT3 and GPX4 and cell viability were lower in the high glucose group (all P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference of the aforementioned indicators between the mannitol group and the control group (all P>0.05). (3) Compared with the high glucose group, HK-2 cell vitality, GPX4 expression and intracellular glutathione were higher, ACSL4 expression, intracellular iron, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species were lower, mitochondrial membrane potential partially recovered in SIRT3 overexpression + high glucose group (all P<0.05). Compared with the high glucose group, HK-2 cell vitality and GPX4 expression were lower, ACSL4 expression was higher in SIRT3 knockdown + high glucose group (all P<0.05), and there were no statistically significant differences in intracellular iron, malondialdehyde and glutathione (all P>0.05). (4) Compared with the control group, Erastin intervention group had upregulated ACSL4 expression and downregulated GPX4 expression in HK-2 cells (all P<0.05). Compared with the Erastin intervention group, SIRT3 overexpression + Erastin intervention group had upregulated GPX4 expression and downregulated ACSL4 expression (all P<0.05). Conclusions:High glucose can decrease SIRT3 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase oxidative stress and ferroptosis in HK-2 cells. Overexpression of SIRT3 may reduce oxidative stress and alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby mitigating glucose-induced ferroptosis in HK-2 cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of postoperative platelet-to-neutrophil ratio(PNR)in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute anterior circulation cardiogenic large-vessel occlusion stroke after receiving endovascular treatment.Methods A total of 95 patients with acute anterior circulation cardiogenic large-vessel occlusion stroke,who were admitted to the Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China from January 2019 to January 2022,were enrolled in this study.Venous blood sampling was performed at admission and within 24 hours after thrombectomy,and the PNR,platelet-white blood cell ratio(PWR),platelet-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)were calculated.According to the modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days(mRS-90),the patients were divided into good prognosis group(mRS-90 ≤2 points,n=45)and poor prognosis group(mRS-90 3-6 points,n=50).The clinical data were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors of 90-d good prognosis.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was used to compare the efficacy of PWR,PNR,and NLR in predicting good prognosis.Results Compared with poor prognosis group,in good prognosis group the patients were younger,the NIHSS score at admission was smaller,the incidence of postoperative contrast extravasation was lower,the postoperative 24-hour PWR and PNR values were higher,and the postoperative 24-hour NLR value was lower,the differences in the above indexes between the two groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that bridging therapy(OR=4.746,P=0.021,95％CI:1.262-17.856),postoperative contrast medium extravasation(OR=0.254,P=0.022,95％CI:0.079-0.824)and postoperative 24-h PNR(OR=1.087,P=0.006,95％CI:1.025-1.153)were the independent predictors for 90-d good prognosis in patients with acute anterior circulation cardiogenic large-vessel occlusion stroke after receiving endovascular treatment.AUCs of postoperative 24-h PWR,PNR and NLR for predicting a good prognosis after thrombectomy were 0.734,0.736 and 0.704 respectively.PNR had the highest predictive efficacy,with a cutoff value of 25.08,a specificity of 84.00％,and a sensitivity of 67.78％.Conclusion In patients with acute anterior circulation cardiogenic large-vessel occlusion stroke after receiving endovascular treatment,a better clinical prognosis can be expected when the patient has a higher postoperative 24-h PNR value.

Objective To explore the application of polysomnography combined with arterial spin labeling(ASL)perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of insomnia.Methods Forty-two insomnia patients admitted to Department of Neurology were included as insomnia group,while 41 healthy subjects during the same period were included as control group.The two groups were assessed using sleep habits questionnaire,hospital anxiety and depression scale,polysomnography,and ASL perfusion magnetic resonance imaging.Results Compared with control group,insomnia group took significantly more time to fall asleep(P<0.05),and has shorter sleep duration(P<0.05).The differences in the levels of anxiety and depression between two groups were trivial.The total sleep time,rapid eye movement sleep duration,and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage S2-S4were shorter,while the sleep latency and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage S1were longer in insomnia group as compared with control group(all P<0.05).In insomnia group,perfusion was increased in bilateral prefrontal lobes,right temporal lobe,left parietal lobe,right thalamus,and pons(P<0.05),but decreased in bilateral insula and bilateral basal ganglia(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of polysomnography and ASL perfusion magnetic resonance imaging enables precise quantification of sleep condition.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the common pathogens isolated from urine from 2015 to 2021 in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program.Methods The bacterial strains were isolated from urine and identified routinely in 51 hospitals across China in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer method,automatic microbiological analysis system and E-test according to the unified protocol.Results A total of 261 893 nonduplicate strains were isolated from urine specimen from 2015 to 2021,of which gram-positive bacteria accounted for 23.8％(62 219/261 893),and gram-negative bacteria 76.2％(199 674/261 893).The most common species were E.coli(46.7％),E.faecium(10.4％),K.pneumoniae(9.8％),E.faecalis(8.7％),P.mirabilis(3.5％),P.aeruginosa(3.4％),SS.agalactiae(2.6％),and E.cloacae(2.1％).The strains were more frequently isolated from inpatients versus outpatients and emergency patients,from females versus males,and from adults versus children.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae and P.mirabilis was 53.2％,52.8％and 37.0％,respectively.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii was 1.7％,18.5％,16.4％,and 40.3％,respectively.Lower than 10％of the E.faecalis isolates were resistant to ampicillin,nitrofurantoin,linezolid,vancomycin,teicoplanin and fosfomycin.More than 90％of the E.faecium isolates were ressitant to ampicillin,levofloxacin and erythromycin.The percentage of strains resistant to vancomycin,linezolid or teicoplanin was＜2％.The E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii strains isolated from ICU inpatients showed significantly higher resistance rates than the corresponding strains isolated from outpatients and non-ICU inpatients.Conclusions E.coli,Enterococcus and K.pneumoniae are the most common pathogens in urinary tract infection.The bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance of urinary isolates vary with different populations.More attention should be paid to antimicrobial resistance surveillance and reduce the irrational use of antimicrobial agents.