Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tongsai Granules(TSG)on macrophage-mediated inflammatory response to alleviate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)in rats and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into control group,AECOPD model group,TSG treatment group,and moxifloxacin+salbutamol(MXF+STL)treatment group.In the rat models of COPD,AECOPD was induced by nasal instillation of Klebsiella pneumoniae on day 3 of week 9 after modeling,and saline,TSG or MXF+STL were administered via gavage on days 1 and 2 and days 4 to 7 of week 9.After the treatments,lung tissues were collected for examining for pathologies and expressions of inflammatory markers,MMP2,and MMP9.In cultured macrophage MH-S cells with LPS stimulation,the effect of TSG-medicated serum on IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,and iNOS expressions and phosphorylation levels of p38,p-p62,LC3,FoxO3a,and mTOR were evaluated.Results TSG significantly improved lung pathologies and lung function in AECOPD rats by reducing bronchial wall thickness and mean alveolar linear intercept,increasing alveolar numbers,and reducing pulmonary expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP2 and MMP9.In MH-S cells,TSG significantly suppressed LPS-induced expressions of inflammatory cytokines,COX-2 and iNOS.Serum pharmacology coupled with network pharmacology identified 10 chemical components in TSG-medicated serum,and functional analysis of their 466 targets suggested that the therapeutic effect of TSG on AECOPD was mediated primarily by luteolin and quercetin,which regulate the MAPK,mTOR,FoxO,and autophagy pathways.In MH-S cells,luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses and expressions of p-p38,FoxO3a,mTOR,p-p62 and LC3.Conclusion TSG reduces macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses to alleviate AECOPD in rats possibly by modulating p38,mTOR,and FoxO3a pathways and inhibiting autophagy.

Background::Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The androgen receptor (AR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for luminal androgen receptor (LAR) TNBC. However, multiple studies have claimed that anti-androgen therapy for AR-positive TNBC only has limited clinical benefits. This study aimed to investigate the role of AR in TNBC and its detailed mechanism.Methods::Immunohistochemistry and TNBC tissue sections were applied to investigate AR and nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (NECTIN4) expression in TNBC tissues. Then, in vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore the function of AR and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in TNBC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), molecular docking method, and luciferase reporter assay were performed to identify key molecules that affect the function of AR. Results::Based on the TNBC tissue array analysis, we revealed that ERβ and AR were positive in 21.92% (32/146) and 24.66% (36/146) of 146 TNBC samples, respectively, and about 13.70% (20/146) of TNBC patients were ERβ positive and AR positive. We further demonstrated the pro-tumoral effects of AR on TNBC cells, however, the oncogenic biology was significantly suppressed when ERβ transfection in LAR TNBC cell lines but not in AR-negative TNBC. Mechanistically, we identified that NECTIN4 promoter –42 bp to –28 bp was an AR response element, and that ERβ interacted with AR thus impeding the AR-mediated NECTIN4 transcription which promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition in tumor progression. Conclusions::This study suggests that ERβ functions as a suppressor mediating the effect of AR in TNBC prognosis and cell proliferation. Therefore, our current research facilitates a better understanding of the role and mechanisms of AR in TNBC carcinogenesis.

A case of secondary Burkitt lymphoma of prostate was reported. A 39-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with no apparent cause for impaired urination with frequent/urgent urination. CT scan of the whole abdomen showed irregular soft tissue mass of the prostate, involving the bladder and rectum, and mild obstructive hydronephrosis of the renal pelvis and ureter. Biopsy of the prostatic mass was performed, and the pathological findings were consistent with Burkitt lymphoma. PET-CT examination showed multiple lesions and lymph node enlargement throughout the body, secondary prostate lymphoma was diagnosed. After diagnosis, the patient was treated with R-DA-EPOCH chemotherapy and followed up for 9 months. Prostate lymphoma is rare and needs to be combined with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests to determine whether it is primary or secondary, but also to distinguish from prostate diseases such as prostatitis and poorly differentiated prostate cancer.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of tirofiban versus argatroban in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Sixty-eight patients with acute ischemic stroke who were continuously admitted to Department of Neurology of The Third People's Hospital of Hubei Province from August 2022 to September 2023 were divided into tirofiban group ( n = 33) and argatroban group ( n = 35) according to the treatment regimen. Both groups were treated according to their respective treatment protocols for 7 days. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. The excellent clinical outcome (mRS score 0-1 points), good clinical outcome (mRS score 0-2 points), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality rates were compared between the two groups at 90 days post-treatment. Results:In the tirofiban group, the proportion of excellent clinical outcomes was 30.3% (10/33), which was significantly lower than the 65.7% (23/35) in the argatroban group (χ2 = 8.53, P = 0.003). However, the difference in the proportion of good clinical outcomes between the two groups was not statistically significant [54.5% (18/33) vs. 74.3% (26/35), χ2 = 2.90, P = 0.089]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality rates (both P > 0.05). Conclusion:For patients with acute ischemic stroke, the use of tirofiban or argatroban is effective and safe. Patients treated with argatroban are more likely to achieve excellent clinical outcomes; however, larger randomized controlled trials are needed for further confirmation.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tongsai Granules(TSG)on macrophage-mediated inflammatory response to alleviate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)in rats and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into control group,AECOPD model group,TSG treatment group,and moxifloxacin+salbutamol(MXF+STL)treatment group.In the rat models of COPD,AECOPD was induced by nasal instillation of Klebsiella pneumoniae on day 3 of week 9 after modeling,and saline,TSG or MXF+STL were administered via gavage on days 1 and 2 and days 4 to 7 of week 9.After the treatments,lung tissues were collected for examining for pathologies and expressions of inflammatory markers,MMP2,and MMP9.In cultured macrophage MH-S cells with LPS stimulation,the effect of TSG-medicated serum on IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,and iNOS expressions and phosphorylation levels of p38,p-p62,LC3,FoxO3a,and mTOR were evaluated.Results TSG significantly improved lung pathologies and lung function in AECOPD rats by reducing bronchial wall thickness and mean alveolar linear intercept,increasing alveolar numbers,and reducing pulmonary expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP2 and MMP9.In MH-S cells,TSG significantly suppressed LPS-induced expressions of inflammatory cytokines,COX-2 and iNOS.Serum pharmacology coupled with network pharmacology identified 10 chemical components in TSG-medicated serum,and functional analysis of their 466 targets suggested that the therapeutic effect of TSG on AECOPD was mediated primarily by luteolin and quercetin,which regulate the MAPK,mTOR,FoxO,and autophagy pathways.In MH-S cells,luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses and expressions of p-p38,FoxO3a,mTOR,p-p62 and LC3.Conclusion TSG reduces macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses to alleviate AECOPD in rats possibly by modulating p38,mTOR,and FoxO3a pathways and inhibiting autophagy.

Although olaparib has demonstrated substantial clinical benefits as maintenance therapy in BRCA mutation-carrying women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, its effectiveness in patients without BRCA mutations remains poorly investigated. This study aims to provide the first evidence on the efficacy of mono-olaparib maintenance therapy in such context. Using real-world data from 11 high-volume tertiary care centers in China, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of olaparib as first-line maintenance therapy in patients with BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer. The primary objective was 1-year progression-free survival rate. Safety was also evaluated. Fifty patients with a median age of 54 years were included, and all of them tested negative for BRCA mutations but positive for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). The 1-year PFS rate was 75.2% (95% CI, 63.4 to 89.2), and the median PFS was 21.0 months (95% CI, 13.8 to 28.2). All the patients received olaparib at a starting dose of 300 mg twice daily, and none experienced serious adverse events (AEs). Eight (16%) patients had dose adjustment, but none discontinued olaparib treatment due to AEs. We provide the first evidence that mono-olaparib could be a safe and effective maintenance treatment option for patients newly diagnosed with HRD-positive/BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Phthalazines/adverse effects* ; Piperazines/administration & dosage* ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Aged ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/administration & dosage* ; China ; Maintenance Chemotherapy ; BRCA2 Protein/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Progression-Free Survival ; BRCA1 Protein/genetics*

CRISPR, as an emerging gene editing technology, has been widely used in multiple fields due to its convenient operation, less cost, high efficiency and precision. This robust and effective device has revolutionized the development of biomedical research at an unexpected speed in recent years. The development of intelligent and precise CRISPR delivery strategies in a controllable and safe manner is the prerequisite for translational clinical medicine in gene therapy field. In this review, the therapeutic application of CRISPR delivery and the translational potential of gene editing was firstly discussed. Critical obstacles for the delivery of CRISPR system in vivo and shortcomings of CRISPR system itself were also analyzed. Given that intelligent nanoparticles have demonstrated great potential on the delivery of CRISPR system, here we mainly focused on stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. We also summarized various strategies for CIRSPR-Cas9 system delivered by intelligent nanocarriers which would respond to different endogenous and exogenous signal stimulus. Moreover, new genome editors mediated by nanotherapeutic vectors for gene therapy were also discussed. Finally, we discussed future prospects of genome editing for existing nanocarriers in clinical settings.