Vein graft (VG) failure (VGF) is associated with VG intimal hyperplasia, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Most neointimal VSMCs are derived from pre-existing VSMCs via a process of VSMC phenotypic transition, also known as dedifferentiation. There is increasing evidence to suggest that ginger or its bioactive ingredients may block VSMC dedifferentiation, exerting vasoprotective functions; however, the precise mechanisms have not been fully characterized. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginger on VSMC phenotypic transition in VG remodeling after transplantation. Ginger significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia and promoted lumen (L) opening in a 3-month VG, which was primarily achieved by reducing ferroptotic stress. Ferroptotic stress is a pro-ferroptotic state. Contractile VSMCs did not die but instead gained a proliferative capacity and switched to the secretory type, forming neointima (NI) after vein transplantation. Ginger and its two main vasoprotective ingredients (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) inhibit VSMC dedifferentiation by reducing ferroptotic stress. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that 6-gingerol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting P53, while 6-shogaol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting 5-lipoxygenase (Alox5), both promoting ferroptosis. Furthermore, both ingredients co-target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), decreasing PPARγ-mediated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 (Nox1) expression. Nox1 promotes intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and directly induces VSMC dedifferentiation. In addition, Nox1 is a ferroptosis-promoting gene that encourages ferroptotic stress production, indirectly leading to VSMC dedifferentiation. Ginger, a natural multi-targeted ferroptotic stress inhibitor, finely and effectively prevents VSMC phenotypic transition and protects against venous injury remodeling.

Uveal melanoma (UM) poses a significant lethality, with approximately 50% of those developing metastases surviving less than one year. In the progression of UM, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) induced by hypoxia plays a pivotal role, which also partially explains the resistance of UM to anti-angiogenic therapies. Nevertheless, the crucial molecular mechanisms underlying VM in the progression of UM remain unclear. We identified ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 G2 (UBE2G2) as a critical suppressor through transcriptomic sequencing and metastasis correlation screening. In UM, hypoxia-induced VM and metastasis are markedly exacerbated by UBE2G2 knockdown and significantly alleviated by its overexpression. Mechanistically, UBE2G2 directly binds to galectin 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) and forms a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif containing 38 (TRIM38), facilitating ubiquitination-mediated degradation of LGALS3BP at the K104 residue. Furthermore, UBE2G2 inhibits oncogenic phenotypes by inactivating intracellular PI3K/AKT signaling and reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting intercellular and intracellular molecular mechanisms of the hypoxia-UBE2G2-LGALS3BP axis may contribute to developing various therapeutic strategies for UM.

Objective:To study the intervention effect of ganoderma triterpenoids combined with exogenous monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside(GM1) on cognitive dysfunction and synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons in rats with epilepsy caused by pentylenetetrazol(PTZ).Methods:A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into blank control group, epileptic model group, ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group according to the random number table method( n=8 in each group). The rats were intraperitoneally injected with PTZ subconvulsant dose (35 mg·kg -1·d -1) once a day for 28 days to replicate the models of chronic epilepsy. And the rats in different medication groups were given corresponding administration based on daily intraperitoneal injection of PTZ(GM1: intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg -1·d -1, ganoderma triterpenoids: gavage 1 000 mg·kg -1·d -1). Morris water maze was used to test the spatial exploration and learning and memory ability of epileptic rats.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons in epileptic rats.Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression levels of cofilin and SYN protein in hippocampus CA1 of rats. In addition, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of cofilin, p-cofilin and synaptophysin(SYN) protein in hippocampus of rats. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Repeated one-way ANOVA was used for comparing among groups, LSD test was used for pairwise comparisons. Results:Morris water maze results showed that there were statistically significant differences in escape latency, times of crossing the platform and time spent in the target quadrant among the groups( F=5.259, 8.240, 5.961, all P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy model group, the escape latencies((20.31±7.39) s, (21.81±6.05) s, (17.66±4.76) s) of the ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were shorter (all P<0.05), the numbers of crossing the platform ((4.63±1.41) times, (4.50±1.93) times, (5.50±1.77) times) were more (all P<0.05), the residence time in target quadrant ((31.91±5.00) s, (30.49±5.72) s, (35.70±5.34) s) were longer (all P<0.05). And the most obvious change was found in the GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group ( P<0.01). The results of transmission electron microscope showed that there were significant differences in the numbers of hippocampal neurons synapses, the synaptic gap, the density of postsynaptic membrane and length of active area of postsynaptic membrane among the groups( F=3.693, 7.201, 5.012, 4.033, all P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy model group, the numbers of synapses ((8.00±1.79), (7.83±1.84), (8.50±1.87)) in the ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were all more (all P<0.05), synaptic gap ((33.83±3.81)nm, (32.43±4.14)nm, (30.23±3.08)nm)were narrower, and the postsynaptic dense substances ((57.50±6.03)nm, (58.10±2.40)nm, (60.73±3.81)nm) were all thicker (all P<0.05). The length of active region of postsynaptic membrane ((271.66±11.80) nm, (279.06±13.58) nm) in ganoderma triterpenoid group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were longer than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the average fluorescence intensity of cofilin in the epilepsy model group was higher than that in the blank control group, and the average fluorescence intensity of SYN was lower than that in the blank control group (both P<0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of cofilin in GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were lower than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05), and the average fluorescence intensity of SYN in ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids combined with GM1 group was higher than that in epilepsy model group ( P<0.05). Western blot showed that the expression levels of cofilin protein in the epilepsy model group was higher than that in the blank control group ((1.454±0.080), (1.092±0.099), P<0.05), and the expression of p-cofilin and SYN were lower than those in the blank control group ((1.103±0.120) vs (1.420±0.934), (1.650±0.062) vs (1.958±0.062), both P<0.05). The expression of cofilin protein ((1.227±0.071), (1.262±0.078), (1.162±0.129), P<0.05) in ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were lower than that in epilepsy model group, and the expression levels of p-cofilin(1.357±0.199) and SYN protein(1.873±0.010) in ganoderma triterpenoids combined with GM1 group were higher than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05). Compared with ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids group and GM1 group, there was no significant difference in each index of GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids may promote the synaptic plasticity of neurons, improve the learning and memory ability of epileptic rats.Combination medication is better than single medication in some observed indicators.

Objective To explore the strategies of drug treatment and pharmaceutical care for children with bacterial meningitis. Methods The anti-infective therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment of vancomycin in children with bacterial meningitis were analyzed and discussed according to relevant guidelines and literatures. Results Clinical pharmacists analyzed therapeutic regimen. According to the results of etiology and drug sensitivity, meropenem was discontinued and rifampicin was added. Based on drug monitoring of vancomycin, it is suggested to extend the infusion time of vancomycin to reach the target concentration. The child was discharged from hospital. Conclusion Recommendations of the relevant drug treatment guidelines and the latest medical research evidence should be provided by clinical pharmacists in order to promote reasonable and effective clinical uses of medicine.

Objective To investigate the status of self‐management of blood pressure (BP) among elderly hypertensive patients living in new rural communities of Shanghai. Methods We enrolled a total of 2 241 hypertensive patients over 60 years old who participated in the National Key Research and Development Project "Cohort study on hypertension" of the 13th Five‐Year Plan in Langxia, Shanghai from May to July 2018. Questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests were conducted. We collected participants' demographic information, cardiovascular history, and self‐management behaviors related to hypertension. The status of self‐management of BP among participants with hypertension was analyzed. Pearson's chi‐squared test was used to explore the differences between males and females. Results Participants'mean age was (70.0±6.8) years, and males accounted for 38.8% of all participants. The systolic and diastolic BP levels of participants were (147.8±15.4) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (82.8±9.8) mmHg, respectively. The systolic blood pressure level of women was higher than that of men, and the diastolic blood pressure level of men was higher; the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The awareness, treatment, and control rate of hypertension were 79.0%, 78.0%, and 25.6%, respectively. Males had a significantly higher control rate than females (P<0.05). The status of self‐management of blood pressure was as follows: (1) As to lifestyle, 84.4% of participants lacked exercise, and 69.2% were overweight or obese. The prevalence of smoking and drinking was higher in males (40.7% and 46.2%, respectively), and the proportion of females (12.4%) with anxiety and/or depression was higher than that of males (P all<0.001). (2) Concerning BP‐monitoring, only 10.1% of participants measured BP every week, 22.9% had BP measurement instruments at home, and 4.6% recorded their BP levels. There was no significant difference in self‐blood pressure monitoring behavior between men and women. (3) Regarding adherence to medication treatment, 97.6% took antihypertensive drugs regularly, and 21.6% were on combination therapy. The proportion of men taking combined drugs was higher than that of women, but there was no significant difference. Conclusions The rates of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in elderly hypertensive patients in new rural communities of Shanghai were above the national average. However, the status of self‐management of BP was still not satisfactory. More attention should be paid to healthy lifestyle, home BP monitoring, and effective pharmaceutical treatment strategies for hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on all-cause mortality in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) at real world scenarios. Methods: Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of HFpEF in the China National Heart Failure Registration Study (CN-HF) were divided into death and survival groups. The demographic data, physical examination, results of the first echocardiography, laboratory results at admission, complications, drug use and clinical outcomes were obtained from CN-HF. The univariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to screen the variates that might predict prognosis, and then the covariates with statistical significance were included in the multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the predictive value of baseline NT-proBNP on all-cause death. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), so as to further explore the predictive value of the interaction between renal dysfunction and NT-proBNP on death. Since NT-proBNP did not obey the binary normal distribution, it was expressed by the natural logarithm of NT-proBNP (LnNT-proBNP). Results: A total of 1 846 HFpEF patients were enrolled in this study, with an average age of 71.5 years, 1 017 males(55.1%), median NT-proBNP 860 ng/L, and median eGFR 73.9 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2. After a median follow-up of 34 months, 213 (11.5%) patients died. Patients in the death group were older, with higher NYHA classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ ratio, longer hospital stay, higher serum potassium and NT-proBNP level, prevalence of complications of diabetes mellitus, arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, use of angiotensin receptor antagonist(ARB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), diuretic and digoxin was significantly higher in death group than in survival group. Body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemoglobin, serum cholesterol(TC), serum triglycerides (TG) and eGFR, and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), statins and aspirin were lower in death group than in survival group. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP was a predictor of all-cause death in HFpEF patients (HR=2.522, 95%CI 2.040-3.119, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated NT-proBNP remains as the independent predictor of all-cause death in patients with HFpEF (HR=1.230, 95%CI 1.049-1.442, P=0.011) after adjusting for age, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, LVEF, hemoglobin, serum potassium, serum sodium, TC, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TG, eGFR, atrial fibrillation, as well as the treatment of ACEI/ARB, MRA, diuretics and digoxin. Spearman correlation analysis showed that LnNT-proBNP was negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.361, P<0.001), but there was no interaction between NT-proBNP and renal dysfunction in predicting death in HFpEF patients (P>0.05). Conclusion The elevated level of NT-proBNP at admission is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in HFpEF patients.

Objective To explore the association between ACTN3 gene R577X polymorphism and serum lipid levels in an elderly Chinese Han population.Methods This study was based on the ageing arm of The Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study (RtLAS).Genotyping was performed by Taqman MGB method.Lipids includedtotal cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).Cut points of dyslipidemia were based on that reported in the NCEP ATPIII.We explored the associations between R577X polymorphism loci and dyslipidemia by using analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis.Results Overall 1 618 samples was included (741 males and 877 females) in this study.Covariance analysis found that TC level of RR,XX and RX genotype in the general population were 1.34,1.37,1.43 mmol/L with an increasing trend (P =0.024);TC and LDL-C levels of RR,XX and RX genotype (TC:5.13,5.29,5.43 mmol/L,P =0.004;LDL-C:2.76,2.88,3.00 mmol/L,P =0.004) were significantly different in females.Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased copies of X allele were significantly associated with increased TC and LDL-C levels in the general population and females.For the general population,TC:OR=1.184,95％CI:1.030-1.361,P =0.018;LDL-C:OR =1.334,95％CI:1.101-1.588,P=0.003;For females,TC:OR=1.332,95％ CI:1.102-1.616,P =0.003;LDL-C:OR =1.549,95 ％CI:1.208-1.986,P =0.001.After adjusting for other covariates,the above associations remained significant.Conclusions ACTN3 gcnc R577X polymorphism is associated with plasma TC and LDL-C levels in elderly woman of Han populations in Rugao,China.

Objective To investigate the effect of Zhuang medicine acupuncture on brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in patients with posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (PCIV).Methods Eighty-five PCIV patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 45 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The control group received conventional basic therapy and the treatment group, Zhuang medicine acupuncture in addition. The peak latencies (Pg) of BAEP waveⅠ ,Ⅰ andⅠ and the interpeak latencies (IPg) of waveⅠ-Ⅰ,Ⅰ-Ⅰ andⅠ-Ⅰ were compared between the two groups after treatment.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in waveⅠ andⅠ Pg and waveⅠ-Ⅰ andⅠ-Ⅰ IPg between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Zhuang medicine acupuncture plus medication is an effective way to treat PCIV. It can improve BAEP indicators in the patients.

Objective To examine the existing Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Chinese Risk Score (CRS) in predicting the development of ischemic cardiovascular diseases (ICVD),and determine potential added value of novel risk factors.Methods The China Multi-Provincial Cohort Study (CMCS) was a population-based prospective cohort study in 11 provinces of China.An annual follow up was conducted in 840 men aged 35 to 64 years in Shanghai cohort,who were without coronary heart disease and stroke at baseline examination in 1992,to collect the incidence data of ICVD events (coronary death,myocardial infarction,and ischemic stroke).The detection of novel risk factors were conducted for the cohort in 2007.The basic Framingham and Chinese prediction scores power were assessed by using C-statistic of ICVD events associated with risk scores,then the novel risk factors were evaluated by adding them independently to the basic Chinese models.The area under the curve (AUC),net reclassification improvement (NRI),and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated to determine if each of the novel risk factors improved risk prediction.Results By the end of December 2014,24 cases of coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction or/and coronary death),45 cases of ischemic stroke had occurred in 840 subjects in Shanghai cohort with a follow-up of 22.3 years averagely.Both the FRS and CRS had predicting power for ICVD,the AUCs were 0.657 6 (95％ CI:0.594 2-0.724 0) and 0.726 5 (95％ CI:0.664 3-0.788 7),respectively.The incremental AUC was 0.068 9 (95％ CI:0.019 6-0.117 1) (P=0.006).None of the novel risk factors significantly improved the AUC.High-sensitive-CRP (hs-CRP) was the only novel risk factor resulting in a significant increase of NRI.CRS in 2007 significantly improved the IDI,but net changes were small.Conclusions CRS had high power in the 20-year risk prediction for ICVD in middle-aged men in Shanghai.The inclusion of hs-CRP could make some improvement in risk prediction,but is unlikely to be meaningful when reclassification or new discrimination strategy are made which can change the clinical risk.

Objective To investigate the effects of an ar?turmerone derivative(ATD)on the proliferation and apoptosis of A375 human melanoma cells. Methods Both A375 cells and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were cultured with different concentrations(5, 10, 20, 40 and 80μmol/L)of ATD, vincristine and ar?turmerone, separately, for 48 hours in vitro. Subsequently, cell counting kit?8 (CCK?8) was used to evaluate cell proliferation, inverted microscopy to observe cell morphology after acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, and a colorimetric method to estimate caspase?3 activity. DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess cell apoptosis, and flow cytometry was conducted to analyze cell cycle. Results ATD, vincristine and Ar?turmerone all inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells in a dose?dependent manner(ATD:R2=0.99, F=340.96, P<0.05;vincristine:R2=0.99, F=349.19, P<0.05;ar?turmerone:R2=0.89, F=25.41, P<0.05). The fifty percent inhibitory concentra?tions(IC50s)of ATD, vincristine and ar?turmerone against A375 cells were 15.96 ± 0.02μmol/L, 77.00 ± 0.04μmol/L and 356.95 ± 0.01μmol/L respectively. When the drug concentrations were 5 and 10μmol/L, the proliferation of HSFs was inhibited by 8%± 0.06%and 25%± 0.02%respectively by ATD, by 49%± 0.09%and 34%± 0.07%respectively by ar?turmerone, and by 33%± 0.04%and 29%± 0.08%respectively by vincristine, and the proliferation of A375 cells was inhibited by 26%± 0.06%and 39%± 0.02%respectively by ATD, by 6%± 0.09%and 10%± 0.07%respectively by ar?turmerone, and by 8% ± 0.04% and 17% ± 0.08% respectively by vincristine, with the inhibitory effects of the three drugs being significantly different from that of dimethyl sulfoxide(all P<0.05). ATD showed stronger inhibitory effects on the proliferation of A375 cells, but weaker cytotoxic effects on HSFs compared with ar?turmerone and vincristine(all P<0.05). Meanwhile, ATD, vincristine and ar?turmerone all induced the apoptosis of A375 cells(P<0.05), and caspase?3 activity increased with the increase in drug concentrations(ATD:R2=0.98, F=162.30, P<0.05;vincristine:R2=0.96, F=94.39, P<0.05;ar?turmerone:R2=0.95, F=57.35, P<0.05). The effect of ATD on caspase?3 activity was strongest, followed by that of vincristine and ar?turmerone. As flow cytometry showed, all the three drugs induced cell apoptosis to different degrees, and ATD showed a relatively strong effect on cell apoptosis, especially late apoptosis, compared with the other two drugs. In the ATD group, the number of A375 cells in G1 phase gradually increased, while that in G2 phase and S phase significantly decreased with the increase in drug concentrations. Conclusions ATD exhibited proliferation?inhibiting and apoptosis?inducing effects on A375 cells, and the effects were stronger than those of vincristine and ar?turmerone. It is quite possible that ATD affects cell proliferation and differentiation by activating caspase?3 and arresting cell cycle in the G1 phase.