BACKGROUND: There is little literature describing the artificial intelligence (AI)-aided diagnosis of severe pneumonia (SP) subphenotypes and the association of the subphenotypes with the ventilatory treatment efficacy. The aim of our study is to illustrate whether clinical and biological heterogeneity, such as ventilation and gas-exchange, exists among patients with SP using chest computed tomography (CT)-based AI-aided latent class analysis (LCA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 413 patients hospitalized at Xinhua Hospital diagnosed with SP from June 1, 2015 to May 30, 2020. AI quantification results of chest CT and their combination with additional clinical variables were used to develop LCA models in an SP population. The optimal subphenotypes were determined though evaluating statistical indicators of all the LCA models, and clinical implications of them such as guiding ventilation strategies were further explored by statistical methods. RESULTS: The two-class LCA model based on AI quantification results of chest CT can describe the biological characteristics of the SP population well and hence yielded the two clinical subphenotypes. Patients with subphenotype-1 had milder infections ( P <0.001) than patients with subphenotype-2 and had lower 30-day ( P <0.001) and 90-day ( P <0.001) mortality, and lower in-hospital ( P = 0.001) and 2-year ( P <0.001) mortality. Patients with subphenotype-1 showed a better match between the percentage of non-infected lung volume (used to quantify ventilation) and oxygen saturation (used to reflect gas exchange), compared with patients with subphenotype-2. There were significant differences in the matching degree of lung ventilation and gas exchange between the two subphenotypes ( P <0.001). Compared with patients with subphenotype-2, those with subphenotype-1 showed a relatively better match between CT-based AI metrics of the non-infected region and oxygenation, and their clinical outcomes were effectively improved after receiving invasive ventilation treatment. CONCLUSIONS A two-class LCA model based on AI quantification results of chest CT in the SP population particularly revealed clinical heterogeneity of lung function. Identifying the degree of match between ventilation and gas-exchange may help guide decisions about assisted ventilation.
Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Artificial Intelligence ; Aged ; Pneumonia/diagnosis* ; Latent Class Analysis ; Adult

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are significant drug targets, but their potential in cancer therapy remains underexplored. Conventional GPCR agonists or antagonists have shown limited effectiveness in cancer treatment, necessitating new GPCR-targeting strategies for more effective therapies. This study discovers that Yersinia pestis LcrV, a crucial linker protein for plague infection, acts as a biased agonist of a GPCR, the formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1). The LcrV protein induces unique conformational changes in FPR1, resulting in G proteins being activated in a distinctive state without subunit dissociation. This leads to a biased signaling profile characterized by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses and β-arrestin2 recruitment, but not calcium mobilization. In FPR1-expressing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, LcrV bi-directionally modulates intracellular signaling pathways, downregulating extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and Akt pathways while upregulating Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 pathways. This dual modulation results in cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of TNBC cell proliferation. In TNBC xenograft mouse models, long-term LcrV treatment inhibits tumor growth more effectively than a conventional FPR1 antagonist. Additionally, LcrV treatment reprograms tumor cells by reducing stemness-associated proteins OCT4 and c-MYC. Our findings highlight the potential of biased GPCR agonists as a novel GPCR-targeting strategy for cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Acute hypobaric hypoxic brain damage is a potentially fatal high-altitude sickness. Autophagy plays a critical role in ischemic brain injury, but its role in hypobaric hypoxia (HH) remains unknown. Here we used an HH chamber to demonstrate that acute HH exposure impairs autophagic activity in both the early and late stages of the mouse brain, and is partially responsible for HH-induced oxidative stress, neuronal loss, and brain damage. The autophagic agonist rapamycin only promotes the initiation of autophagy. By proteome analysis, a screen showed that protein dynamin2 (DNM2) potentially regulates autophagic flux. Overexpression of DNM2 significantly increased the formation of autolysosomes, thus maintaining autophagic flux in combination with rapamycin. Furthermore, the enhancement of autophagic activity attenuated oxidative stress and neurological deficits after HH exposure. These results contribute to evidence supporting the conclusion that DNM2-mediated autophagic flux represents a new therapeutic target in HH-induced brain damage.
Mice ; Animals ; Hypoxia ; Oxidative Stress ; Autophagy ; Cognition ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use*

Objective To explore the correlation between the immune related adverse(irAEs)reactions in patients treated with pembrolizumab and traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)constitution.Methods A total of 110 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer for the first time were selected.When receiving pembrolizumab immunotherapy for the first time,a general information questionnaire,a TCM constitution classification and judgment scale,an immune related adverse reaction follow-up record book,and a patient's self-perception diary were used to investigate and analyze the TCM syndrome and adverse reactions of the patients.Results Among non-small cell lung cancer patients,there were more than four TCM constitutions,with 48 cases(43.64%)having a calm constitution,20 cases(18.18%)having a biased constitution,30 cases(27.27%)having a yang deficiency constitution,and 12 cases(10.91%)having a yin deficiency constitution.Qi deficiency and Yang deficiency were more prone to fatigue,while Yang deficiency was more prone to rash;Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency were more prone to itching;Yang deficiency was more prone to diarrhea;Non-small cell lung cancer patients with mild constitution were less prone to immune related adverse reactions.Conclusion TCM constitution is related to irAEs,which could predict the occurrence of immune related adverse reactions from the perspective of TCM constitution and intervene in adverse reactions early.

Objective To investigate the effects of pretreatment with Xuebijing injection on renal tubular injury in rats with contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CI-AKI).Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were selected and divided into normal group,model group,control group,and treatment group according to the random number table method,with 6 rats in each group.The animal model of CI-AKI was prepared by adopting iohexol,and the normal group was not subjected to any treatment.The rats in the treatment group were injected with Xuebijing injection via the tail vein 15 hours before modeling until 24 hours after modeling.The injection volume was 10 mL/kg for every 6 hours.The control group was injected with normal saline at the same time point.After 24 hours of modeling,the urine of rats in each group was collected to determine the levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and urine N-acetyl-β-D-gluco-aminidase(uNAG),and the blood was collected to determine the levels of serum creatinine(SCr).Then the rats were killed and the kidney tissues were extracted,and then stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE),and the pathological changes of the kidney tissues were observed under the light microscope.Results BUN,SCr and uNAG were significantly higher in the model group than those in the normal group[BUN(μmol/L):37.29±6.18 vs.6.37±1.19,SCr(mmol/L):30.43±4.44 vs.14.90±1.61,uNAG(U/L):47.77±4.71 vs.11.32±3.62,all P<0.01];BUN,SCr and uNAG levels were obviously decreased in the treatment group compared to the model group[BUN(μmol/L):9.45±3.04 vs.37.29±6.18,SCr(mmol/L):19.83±2.16 vs.30.43±4.44,uNAG(U/L):21.70±6.21 vs.47.77±4.71,all P<0.05],however,BUN and uNAG in the treatment group were still significantly higher than those in the normal group[BUN(μmol/L):9.45±3.04 vs.6.37±1.19,uNAG(U/L):21.70±6.21 vs.11.32±3.62,P<0.05 or P<0.01];SCr in the treatment group was not statistically significant compared to the normal group(μmol/L:19.83±2.16 vs.14.90±1.61,P>0.05).Under the light microscope,the renal tubular epithelial cells at the junction of cortex and dermatomedulla in the kidneys of the model group were obviously vacuolated,accompanied by cell detachment and necrosis,and the tubules were dilated,with no obvious lesions in the glomeruli.The degree of damage in the control group and the treatment group was reduced compared with that in the model group.The degree of renal tubular damage in the model group was higher than that in the normal group;while the degree of renal tubular damage in the control group was significantly lower than that in the model group;and the degree of renal tubular damage in the treatment group was lower than that in the model group.There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of renal tubular damage between the treatment group and the control group.Conclusion Xuebijing injection may exert a protective effect on renal function in rats with CI-AKI by attenuating renal tubular injury.

The testis is pivotal for male reproduction, and its progressive functional decline in aging is associated with infertility. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying primate testicular aging remains largely elusive. Here, we resolve the aging-related cellular and molecular alterations of primate testicular aging by establishing a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas. Gene-expression patterns along the spermatogenesis trajectory revealed molecular programs associated with attrition of spermatogonial stem cell reservoir, disturbed meiosis and impaired spermiogenesis along the sequential continuum. Remarkably, Sertoli cell was identified as the cell type most susceptible to aging, given its deeply perturbed age-associated transcriptional profiles. Concomitantly, downregulation of the transcription factor Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1), essential for Sertoli cell homeostasis, was associated with accelerated cellular senescence, disrupted tight junctions, and a compromised cell identity signature, which altogether may help create a hostile microenvironment for spermatogenesis. Collectively, our study depicts in-depth transcriptomic traits of non-human primate (NHP) testicular aging at single-cell resolution, providing potential diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions against testicular aging and age-related male reproductive diseases.
Animals ; Male ; Testis ; Sertoli Cells/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Primates ; Aging/genetics* ; Stem Cells

Objective To explore the mutation characteristics of neurexin 1(NRXN1)gene in children with Tourette syndrome(TS).Methods A total of 524 children with TS were enrolled.DNA extracted from peripheral blood was sequenced for NRXN1 gene by using target region sequencing which was further verified by using Sanger sequencing.DNAMAN software,SIFT,PolyPhen2,Mutation Taster,FATHMM and ClinPred were used to analyze the hazard of suspected variants.Finally,the genotype and phenotype of the patients with NRXN1 gene variants were analyzed.Results We found 13 variants of the NRXN1 gene in 13 TS patients such as 11 point mutations and 2 deletion mutations including two novel point mutations:c.79G>T(p.A27S)and c.58G>T(p.G20C).The other nine point mutations and two deletion mutations were c.3523A>G(p.I1175V),c.4180A>T(p.T1394S),c.1697A>T(p.H566L),c.3715G>A(p.A1239T),c.878A>C(p.N293T),c.475C>T(p.P159S),c.320C>T(p.T107M),c.365A>G(p.Q122R),c.611T>A(p.L204Q)c.68_79del(p.G23_G26del),c.65_79del(p.G22_G26del).Bioinformatics analysis showed that the six gene variants c.58G>T,c.1697A>T,c.475C>T,c.365A>G,c.878A>C,c.79G>T were relatively harmful.There were 6 children with different parts of the tic,1 child with obsessive-compulsive symptoms,1 child with emotional instability,3 children with irritability,6 children did not have repetitive language,attention deficit,hyperactivity disorder,sleep disorder and depression.Conclusion NRXN1 gene mutation sites are detected in TS children,which expands the NRXN1 mutation spectrum.Children with different gene variants exhibit different clinical manifestations and the relationship between genotype and phenotype need further exploration.

Objective To explore the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the frequency of chest CT scan. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to extract information on the number of outpatient, emergency, and inpatient visits and patients who had chest CT imaging examination from January 1 to December 31, 2020 and in the same period in 2019 through the hospital’s medical data platform for analysis, and the chi-square test was used to analyze whether the difference in the proportion of patients who had chest CT imaging examination between 2019 and 2020 was statistically significant. Results The proportion of outpatients and emergency patients with chest CT examination was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019 (2.48% vs 1.47%, χ² = 581.7, P < 0.000). The proportion of inpatients who underwent chest CT examination was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019 (35.47% vs 28.01%, χ² = 182.0, P < 0.000). Conclusion Under the COVID-19 epidemic, the proportion of chest CT examination in this hospital in 2020 shows a significant upward trend compared with the same period in 2019, which will increase the collective dose due to medical exposure, and the hospital should pay attention to the determination of the legitimacy of chest CT scan.

Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate peel polyphenols on a rat auriclular model of acne and its mechanism of action.Methods:Totally, 36 specific-pathogen-free SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups and positive control group. In all groups except the blank group, 0.5 ml of 100% oleic acid was applied to the openings of bilateral auricular ducts once a day for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by subcutaneous injections of 50 μl of Propionibacterium acnes suspension at the oleic acid-applied sites once a day for 3 consecutive days, so as to establish a rat auriclular model of acne. After the model was confirmed to be successfully established by naked eyes, the low-, medium-, high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups were topically treated with 0.5 mg of 1.4%, 2.8%, 5.6% (mass fraction) pomegranate peel polyphenol ointment respectively, the positive control group was topically treated with 0.5 mg of clindamycin hydrochloride gel, and the blank group and model group were topically treated with the same amount of distilled water. All the topical treatments were performed twice a day for 2 consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last topical treatment, abdominal aortic blood samples were collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect the serum level of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in rats; rat auricular tissues were resected, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe histopathological changes of the skin tissues in each group, and immunohistochemical study to determine the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) , hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) , and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) in local tissues. Data meeting the assumptions of homogeneity of variances were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance, and those that did not meet the assumptions of homogeneity of variances were analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis H test; multiple comparisons were performed by using least significant difference- t test. Results:Compared with the model group, the pomegranate peel polyphenol groups and positive control group showed marked improvement in cysts, desquamation, crusts and epidermal keratinization, and reduced infiltration with inflammatory factors in the dermis at the modeling site. The serum level of IL-17 was significantly lower in the low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (61.03 ± 5.99 ng/L, 55.35 ± 2.24 ng/L, 54.35 ± 4.29 ng/L, respectively) , positive control group (48.11 ± 4.07 ng/L) and blank group (42.10 ± 5.62 ng/L) than in the model group (70.24 ± 3.30 ng/L; t = 3.12, 5.34, 5.70, 8.29, 10.54, respectively, all P<0.05) . Immunohistochemical study revealed that the HIF-1α expression level was significantly lower in the low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (0.29 ± 0.05, 0.29 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.02, respectively) and positive control group (0.30 ± 0.01) than in the model group (0.41 ± 0.04; t = 4.89, 5.50, 3.62, 5.21, respectively, all P<0.05) ; the RORγt expression level was significantly lower in the low- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (0.28 ± 0.02, 0.31 ± 0.04, respectively) than in the model group (0.35 ± 0.02, t = 3.68, 2.18, respectively, both P<0.05) ; there was no significant difference in the mTOR expression level among these groups ( P = 0.119) . Conclusion:Pomegranate peel polyphenols could improve inflammatory reactions in the rat auriclular model of acne, which may be related to the down-regulation of HIF-1α/RORγt signaling pathway.