Objective To explore the safety and effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number NCT03491969). From January 2019 to January 2023, 300 patients with IHF were enrolled in four medical centers in China, and were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio to receive ALA (600 mg daily) or placebo on top of standard care for 24 months. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or all-cause mortality events. The second outcome included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) from baseline to 24 months after randomization. Results Finally, 138 patients of the ALA group and 139 patients of the placebo group attained the primary outcome. Hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality events occurred in 32 patients (23.2%) of the ALA group and in 40 patients (28.8%) of the placebo group (HR＝0.753, 95%CI 0.473-1.198, P＝0.231; Figure 1A-1C). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 5.6%, the relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with ALA therapy was approximately 19.4% compared to placebo, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 18 patients to prevent one event. In the secondary outcome analysis, the composite outcome of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including the hospitalization for HF, all-cause mortality events, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke occurred in 35 patients (25.4%) in the ALA group and 47 patients (33.8%) in the placebo group (HR＝0.685, 95%CI 0.442-1.062, P＝0.091; Figure 1D). Moreover, greater improvement in LVEF (β＝3.20, 95%CI 1.14-5.23, P＝0.002) and 6MWD (β＝31.7, 95%CI 8.3-54.7, P＝0.008) from baseline to 24 months after randomization were observed in the ALA group as compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in adverse events between the study groups. Conclusions These results show potential long-term beneficial effects of adding ALA to IHF patients. ALA could significantly improve LVEF and 6MWD compared to the placebo group in IHF patients.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective:To analyze antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) of interferon (IFN)-α2b and IFN-λ1 on Hep2 cells and human airway epithelial (HAE) cells.Methods:IFN-α2b or IFN-λ1 was incubated with Hep2 cells after RSV infection, and 48 hours later, the cytopathic effect was observed, the viral load was determined using real time/reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT qPCR), RSV F protein expression was detected using immunofluorescence, and cell survival rate was detected using crystal violet. HAE cells were incubated with IFN-α2b or IFN-λ1 for 24 hours, and then HAE were challenged with RSV. The viral load in the culture supernatant was determined on days 1-7 using RT qPCR, RSV F protein was determined with immunofluorescence and the viral titers in the culture supernatant was detected on day 7 by plaque assay.Results:In Hep2 cells, the CPE of the treatment groups (IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1) was alleviated compared to the virus control group, and the CPE of the high concentration group was lighter than that of the low concentration group. Different concentrations of IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could significantly reduce the viral load of RSV ( P<0.001), and the viral load of the high concentration group was significantly lower than that of the low concentration group ( P<0.001). In addition, IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could reduce the RSV F protein expression after RSV infection and improve cell survival rate. In HAE cells, IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 could inhibit RSV virus replication, reduce virus titers ( P<0.001) and reduce RSV F protein expression. Conclusions:IFN-α2b and IFN-λ1 both showed great antiviral activity against RSV in Hep2 and HAE cells, providing data reference for the study of interferon against respiratory viruses.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Objective To investigate the intervention efficacy of best possible self (BPS)on the mental health of new recruits (including state optimism and pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being).Methods A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on 212 new recruits subjected with cluster sampling from an army unit in a training base for new recruits in September 2023.Based on their organizational structure,they were divided into a study group (n=100,receiving BPS intervention 15 min/d,for 2 consecutive weeks)and a control group[n=112,typical day (TD)intervention,15 min/d,same period].Future Expectancy Scale (FEX),Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS),Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS ) were used to measure the 2 groups of participants at T0 (baseline),T1 (end of the first week of intervention),T2 (end of the second week of intervention)and T3 (1 week after the end of intervention)in order to evaluate the intervention efficacy on above mentioned mental health indicators.Results There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline psychological variables listed above between the 2 groups.However,as the training progressed,obvious differences were observed in the training effects on state pessimism,perceived stress and subjective well-being (including affective and cognitive well-being)between them.When compared with the baseline data (T0),the study group had notably reduced state pessimism (P<0.01)and elevated affective (P<0.001) and cognitive well-being (P<0.001)during T1 and T3,and decreased perceived stress at T1 (P<0.05)and T3 (P<0.001).However,no such changes of above indicators were observed in the control group before and after training.Conclusion A 2-week BPS intervention can effectively reduce state pessimism and perceived stress,promote subjective well-being,and improve mental health in new recruits during new recruit training.

Objective To explore the effects of expressive writing on repetitive negative thinking(RNT)and anxiety and depression in new recruits,and to compare the effectiveness of different writing intervals on the training effects.Methods A total of 262 new recruits of a troop were sampled using cluster sampling and then divided into 3 groups based on their own organizational company.There were 2 groups receiving RNT-focused expressive writing,including 6-week group(n=90),once a week for 6 consecutive weeks,and 6-day group(n=83)once a day for 6 consecutive days,as well as a control group without any intervention(control group,n=89).Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire(PTQ),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)were used to survey all participants at following 3 time points:before intervention(T0),at the end of intervention(T1)and 1 month after intervention(T2).Results There were no significant differences in demographic information and psychological indicators among the 3 groups before the intervention.After intervention,the scores of RNT,depression,and anxiety were significantly lower in the 6-week group at T1 and T2 than the baseline levels(T0)(P＜0.01).The 6-day group showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing in the 3 scores,the scores of RNT and depression were significantly higher at T1 than T0(P＜0.01),then all 3 scores fell back at T2,and the scores of depression and anxiety at T2 were significantly lower than at T0(P＜0.01).No significant changes were observed in these psychological indicators in the control group before and after training.Conclusion RNT-focused expressive writing for 6 weeks can reduce RNT and relieve emotions such as depression and anxiety in new recruits,but similar effects are not observed in the 6-day consecutive writing program.So,we recommend a 6-week writing intervention to promote mental health in new recruits.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of cardiac resident macrophages in heart repair after myocardial infarction in mice.Methods Macrophage-specific Cre tool mice(CX3CR1CreER-YFP mice)with doubly transgenic mice(R26tdTomato/DTR mice)were hybridized to obtain cardiac resident macrophage-specific red fluorescent labels in mice.Sixty Cx3crlCreER-YFP:R26Td/DTR hybrid mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:Sham group,DT+Sham group,MI group,and DT+MI group,with 15 mice in each group.MI group and DT+MI group underwent myocardial infarction modeling by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.The DT+MI group mice were induced to deplete resident macrophages in the heart tissue using diphtheria toxin(DT)to establish a cardiac resident macrophage knockout model.On the 5th day after myocardial infarction modeling,heart tissue slices of mice were stained with H-E to observe inflammation infiltration and myocardial infarct size were calculated;on the 14th day of modeling,echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function-related parameters in mice,and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected.Results Compared with the MI group,the DT+MI group mice showed a significant reduction in cardiac resident macrophages([53.75±4.62]vs[6.37±1.25],P＜0.05).On the 14th day after myocardial infarction modeling,compared with the Ml group,the DT+MI group mice had significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter([5.11±0.22]mm vs[5.92±0.26]mm,P＜0.05)and left ventricular end-systolic diameter([4.77±0.17]mm vs[5.38±0.16]mm,P＜0.05),while the ejection fraction significantly decreased([27.76±1.20]％vs[17.61±0.94]％,P＜0.05);in addition,the DT+MI group mice showed increased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines,increased inflammatory cell infiltration,and significantly larger myocardial infarct size.The protein expression levels of NF-KB/p-P65 in DT+MI group mice were significantly higher than those in the MI group([0.28±0.14]vs[1.09±0.12],P＜0.05).Conclusions Cardiac resident macrophages play an important role in heart tissue repair after myocardial infarction by reducing inflammation cell infiltration and myocardial infarct size.

Psoriasis is a chronic,recurrent,systemic inflammatory skin disease that is immune-media-ted.The balance and communication between the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites and the host play an important role in maintaining the body's normal functions,such as immune homeostasis and vitamin synthe-sis.Recent studies have found that compared with the healthy individuals,the psoriasis patients have experi-enced significant changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota,including an imbalance in in-testinal microbiota,reduced production of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),and abnormal Firmicutes/Bacte-roidetes(F/B)ratio.The gut microbiota also changed after systematic medication treatment,biologic agents treatment and small molecule chemotherapy,indicating that the gut microbiota could be a potential biomarker for assessing treatment efficacy.The relationship between psoriasis and gut microbiota is not fully under-stood,and further research is needed.

ObjectiveTaking Shengxuebao as the model traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， this study aims to explore the methodologies and transfer patterns in the composition changes of TCM compound preparations from liquid to solid dosage forms. MethodBased on the previously established ultra-high performance liquid chromatography（UPLC） qualitative and quantitative methods for Shengxuebao， the fingerprint profiles of three preparations of Shengxuebao（homemade decoction， commercially available granules and mixtures） were established， and nineteen components were quantitatively analyzed. The similarities of fingerprint profiles among these three preparations were assessed using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM（2012 edition） and the total quantum statistical moment similarity method， respectively. The molecular connectivity index （MCI） and the average molar MCI of the chemical components in the three preparations were calculated. Seventy-two MCI values across 0-8 orders， including 8 subclasses， were calculated. The average molar MCI of 0-3 orders was used to study the "imprint template" structural characteristics and transfer patterns of the medicinal component groups. ResultThe similarities of the fingerprint profile of the decoction with those of the control， granules， and mixtures were 0.971， 0.888 and 0.799， respectively， indicating that the chemical composition of the granules and mixtures differed from that of the decoction， and that the 19 components were able to basically respond to the overall situation of the component group of Shengxuebao decoction. The total mass fractions of the detectable major components in Shengxuebao decoction， granules and mixtures was measured to be 5.498 6， 2.282 0， 1.416 6 mg·g^-1， respectively. The average molar MCI of 0-3 orders showed a gradual decrease across the three preparations， with the trend of decoction>granules>mixtures， indicating subtle changes in the overall structural characteristics of the chemical components in the samples of the three preparations. ConclusionAmong the three formulations of Shengxuebao， the traditional decoction contained the highest variety and quantity of components and carried the most substantial amount of component information， with a decreasing order observed in the granules and mixtures. This study further validates that traditional decoction is a reliable and fundamental dosage form， providing a reference for the modernization of TCM dosage forms and the quality consistency evaluation of compound preparations.

Poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a common complication after ischemic stroke, which seriously affects the recovery of neurologic function and lowers the quality of daily life of patients. In a considerable portion of patients, the PSCI is reversible. This article reviews the influencing factors of cognitive impairment after ischemic stroke, including genetic predisposition, demographic factors, lifestyles, clinical manifestations, imaging findings and drug administration, etc. to provide references for prevention and intervention of PSCI.