Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into the prevention and intervention of chronic diseases for these populations. Methods: The HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART were recruited at designated HIV/AIDS medical institutions in Wuxi City using the convenient sampling method from March to June 2024. Demographic information, treatment status and self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting the prevalence of chronic diseases were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 830 HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART were surveyed, including 656 males (79.04%) and 375 patients aged 50 to <60 years (45.18%). Among them, 366 patients reported having at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with a self-reported prevalence rate of 44.10%. Specifically, 280, 114 and 61 patients reported having hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with the self-reported prevalence rates of 33.73%, 13.73% and 7.35%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male patients (OR=1.725, 95%CI: 1.187-2.507), those with monthly income less than 3 000 yuan (OR=1.521, 95%CI: 1.122-2.063), those with body mass index of 24 kg/m2 and above (OR=1.577, 95%CI: 1.168-2.130), those who initiated ART at ages of 50 years and above (50 to <60 years, OR=1.535, 95%CI: 1.052-2.238; ≥60 years, OR=3.322, 95%CI: 2.191-5.038), those with ART duration of 10 years and above (OR=2.069, 95%CI: 1.419-3.017), and those who received non-first-line regimens (OR=1.776, 95%CI: 1.304-2.418) had higher risks of developing at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Conclusions The self-reported prevalence of at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART in Wuxi City was 44.10%. Gender, monthly income, body mass index and ART status are the main influencing factors for the risk of chronic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subsequent radiotherapy (RT) following first-line treatment with durvalumab plus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with ES-SCLC from three hospitals during July 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to address potential confounding factors. The primary focus of our evaluation was to assess the impact of RT on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: After IPTW analysis, 49 patients received durvalumab plus platinum-etoposide (EP) chemotherapy followed by RT (Durva + EP + RT) and 72 patients received immunochemotherapy (Durva + EP). The median OS was 17.2 months vs . 12.3 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.85, P = 0.020), and the median PFS was 8.9 months vs . 5.9 months (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97, P = 0.030) in Durva + EP + RT and Durva + EP groups, respectively. Thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) resulted in longer OS (17.2 months vs . 14.7 months) and PFS (9.1 months vs . 7.2 months) compared to RT directed to other metastatic sites. Among patients with oligo-metastasis, RT also showed significant benefits, with a median OS of 17.4 months vs . 13.7 months and median PFS of 9.8 months vs . 5.9 months compared to no RT. Continuous durvalumab treatment beyond progression (TBP) prolonged OS compared to patients without TBP, in both the Durva + EP + RT (NA vs . 15.8 months, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14-1.63, P = 0.238) and Durva + EP groups (12.3 months vs . 4.3 months, HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10-0.81, P = 0.018). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 13 (26.5%) and 13 (18.1%) patients, respectively, in the two groups; pneumonitis was mostly low-grade. CONCLUSION Addition of RT after first-line immunochemotherapy significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable toxicity in ES-SCLC.
Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over

In hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), the programmed cell death known as ferroptosis is significantly activated. Microglial cells demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to iron accumulation. Understanding how to regulate the dual role of microglia and transforming the microglial ferroptosis to a moderate and controllable process has considerable implications for the targeted treatment in HIBD. This paper serves as an overview of microglia-mediated ferroptosis in HIBD as a disease model. We discuss various aspects centered around microglia, including pathophysiological mechanisms, polarization and functions of microglia, molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, signaling pathways, and therapeutic strategies. The review aims to provide a reference for studies of ferroptosis in microglia.
Microglia/physiology* ; Ferroptosis/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology* ; Signal Transduction

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.

As the brain's resident immune cells, microglia perform crucial functions such as phagocytosis, neuronal network maintenance, and injury restoration by adopting various phenotypes. Dynamic imaging of these phenotypes is essential for accessing brain diseases and therapeutic responses. Although numerous probes are available for imaging pro-inflammatory microglia, no PET tracers have been developed specifically to visualize anti-inflammatory microglia. In this study, we present an ¹⁸F-labeled PET tracer (QTFT) that targets the P2Y₁₂, a receptor highly expressed on anti-inflammatory microglia. [¹⁸F]QTFT exhibited high binding affinity to the P2Y₁₂ (14.43 nmol/L) and superior blood-brain barrier permeability compared to other candidates. Micro-PET imaging in IL-4-induced neuroinflammation models showed higher [¹⁸F]QTFT uptake in lesions compared to the contralateral normal brain tissues. Importantly, this specific uptake could be blocked by QTFT or a P2Y₁₂ antagonist. Furthermore, [¹⁸F]QTFT visualized brain lesions in mouse models of epilepsy, glioma, and aging by targeting the aberrantly expressed P2Y₁₂ in anti-inflammatory microglia. In a pilot clinical study, [¹⁸F]QTFT successfully located epileptic foci, showing enhanced radioactive signals in a patient with epilepsy. Collectively, these studies suggest that [¹⁸F]QTFT could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for imaging various brain disorders by targeting P2Y₁₂ overexpressed in anti-inflammatory microglia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of gastrodin against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal mice and explore the role of GPX4/SLC7A11/FTH1 signaling in mediating its effect. METHODS: Twenty-four 9- to 11-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into 4 groups for sham operation, HIBD modeling by right common carotid artery ligation and subsequent exposure to hypoxia for 1 h, or gastrodin treatment at 100 or 200 mg/kg before and at 1 and 2 days after modeling. The mice then underwent neurological assessment (Zea-Longa scores), and the cerebral cortical penumbra tissue were collected for HE and Nissl staining, detection of ferroptosis biomarkers and protein expressions of GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 with Western blotting and immunofluorescence co-localization, and observation of mitochondrial ultrastructure with electron microscopy. In cultured HT22 neuronal cells with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 h, the effects of pretreatments with 0.5 mmol/L gastrodin, 10 μmol/L RSL3 (a GPX4 inhibitor), alone or in combination, were analyzed on expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins, cellular Fe²⁺, ROS, lipid peroxidation, MDA, and GSH levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1), and cell viability. RESULTS: Gastrodin treatment at the two doses both significantly ameliorated HIBD and neurological deficits of the mice, reduced mitochondrial damage and Fe²⁺, MDA and ROS levels, increased GSH level, and upregulated GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions. In HT22 cells, gastrodin pretreatment obviously attenuated OGD-induced ferroptosis and improved cell viability and mitochondrial function. Co-treatment with RSL3 potently abrogated the inhibitory effects of gastrodin on Fe²⁺, ROS, BODIPY-C11, and MDA levels and attenuated its protective effects on GSH level, cell viability, and mitochondrial membrane potential. CONCLUSIONS Gastrodin provides neuroprotective effects in neonatal mice with HIBD by suppressing neuronal ferroptosis via upregulating the GPX4/SLC7A11/FTH1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/drug therapy* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glucosides/pharmacology* ; Animals, Newborn ; Benzyl Alcohols/pharmacology* ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*

Objective:To understand the uptake of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and related factors among male sex workers (MSW) and provide references for the promotion of PEP.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit MSW participants with the help of a community-based organization in October 2023, in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. The sample size was estimated at 340 people. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect their social demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, knowledge, beliefs, and uptake of PEP. A logistic regression model was used to analyze factors associated with the uptake of PEP in MSW. The SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 357 participants were recruited, mainly aged 18-20 (55.7%,199/357), unmarried (94.4%,337/357), and having an education background of junior high school or below (50.1%,179/357). Among 357 participants, 64.4% (230/357) knew about PEP, 51.0% (182/357) believed in the efficacy of PEP, and 13.4% (48/357) had experience of using PEP. Among 68 respondents having high-risk sexual behaviors in the past 3 months, 17.6% (12/68) have had uptake of PEP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that group sex with men in the past 3 months (a OR=7.51, 95% CI: 1.37-41.09), HIV testing in the past 3 months (a OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.16-7.16), the experience of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (a OR=30.18,95% CI: 12.60-72.24) and believing in the efficacy of PEP (a OR=2.94, 95% CI: 1.04-8.29) were the associated factors with the uptake of PEP in MSW. Conclusions:Although the overall uptake rate of PEP in MSW was high, the proportion of using PEP was still low among participants having high-risk sexual behaviors in the past 3 months. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen HIV risk awareness education considering their characteristics and promote timely uptake of PEP to interrupt HIV transmission.

Anthropometric indexes play a crucial role in identifying obesity. However, as an internationally commonly used indicator of obesity diagnosis, BMI has limitations in distinguishing lean body mass from fat mass. The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), a novel anthropometric index, assesses adiposity through standardized waist circumference for weight, which presents an excellent capacity to predict the morbidity and mortality risks of various diseases. However, research on WWI is still in the exploratory stage, and there is a lack of unified standards for using this indicator to determine obesity. In addition, its potential application in children and adolescents also urgently needs to be explored. Therefore, this article comprehensively summarizes and compares the distinctive characteristics between WWI and other obesity-related anthropometric indexes. Bibliometric methods are used to analyze the hotspots and trends of WWI-related research, and we focus on discussing the value of WWI in predicting adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases. We aim to promote the application of WWI in a broader field and fully demonstrate its important public health significance and broad application prospects.

Objective To investigate the impact of acacetin(Aca)on angiogenesis in diabetes retinopathy(DR)rats by regulating Hippo signaling pathway.Methods Sixty SD rats were grouped into the control group,the DR group,the Aca low dose group(10 mg/kg),the Aca medium dose group(20 mg/kg),the Aca high dose group(30 mg/kg)and Hippo-YAP signaling pathway inhibitor Verteporfin group(Aca high dose 30 mg/kg+Verteporfin 0.8 pmol/kg),with 10 rats in each group.Except the control group,streptozotocin and high-fat feed were used to construct the DR model.Body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels of rats were measured.Fluorescein angiography(FFA)was applied to observe retinal angiogenesis and fluorescein leakage.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2).Pathological changes of retinal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Western blot assay was applied to detect expression levels of VEGF,hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha(HIF-1α),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)and Hippo signaling pathway proteins.Results Compared with the control group,retinal cells of rats in the DR group were arranged in a disordered and loose manner,with neovascularization and a large amount of fluorescein leakage,and body weight,the expression of large tumor suppressor homolog 2(LATS2),p-Yes-associated protein(YAP)were reduced.FBG and expression levels of VEGF,Ang-2,HIF-1α,VCAM-1,YAP,transcription activator with PDZ binding motif(TAZ),TEA domain family member 1(TEAD1)were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the DR group,retina cells of rats in the Aca low,medium and high-dose groups and the Verteporfin group were arranged neatly,with reduced neovascularization and fluorescence leakage,body weight and the expression levels of LATS2 and p-YAP were increased,and FBG,expression levels of VEGF,Ang-2,HIF-1α,VCAM-1,YAP,TAZ and TEAD1 were reduced(P＜0.05).The effect was more obvious in the Aca high dose group.However,there was no significant difference in each indicator between the Verteporfin group and the Aca high dose group.Conclusion Aca can inhibit angiogenesis and improve retinal pathological damage in DR rats,and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating the Hippo signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the biomechanical effects of the medial protrusio technique on the acetabular cup in adult patients with developmental hip(DDH)after total hip arthroplasty.Methods The CT scanning data of bilateral hips from an adult patient with unilateral DDH were obtained further to develop a finite element model of the affected hemipelvis.The medial protrusio technique with various levels of medial protrusio was simulated,and the biomechanical differences between the medial protrusio and non-protrusio groups were evaluated.Results In the simulated pull-out test,the maximum anti-pull-out load strength of the non-protrusio group was 1 166 N.Compared with the non-protrusio group,the anti-pull-out load strength of the 4 mm and 8 mm medial protrusio groups increased by 45.8％and 57.1％,respectively.The peak micromotion at the cup-bone interface for the non-protrusio group was 166.4 μm in the standing phase of the gait cycle,and that of the 4 mm and 8 mm medial protrusio groups was decreased by 46.2％and 62.1％,respectively.Regarding the immediate stress distributions of periacetabular bone tissues following cup implantation,the differences between the groups were not significant.Under the loading condition of the standing phase,the non-protrusio group yielded the lowest average and peak stresses.The average stress increased with the level of medial protrusio,and the highest peak stress was observed in the 4 mm medial protrusio group.Conclusions The medial protrusio technique can improve the initial stability of the acetabular cup,and the initial stability is positively proportional to the protrusio level.However,owing to the concentration of marginal stress at the cup-bone interface,a minor medial protrusio cup with insufficient bone coverage might increase the risk of various prosthesis-related complications.