Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is a critical transcription factor that governs the differentiation of cluster of differentiation 4⁺ (CD4⁺) T cells. The pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis are primarily attributed to an immune imbalance stemming from the overproduction of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) by T lymphocytes. However, the role of IRF4 in psoriasis remains unexplored. In this study, we found that IRF4 activity is increased in the cutaneous lesions of patients with psoriasis in response to stimulation by IL-23A and IL-1β. This IRF4 elevation heightens its binding to the E1A binding protein p300 (EP300) promoter, triggering the transcription of downstream retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) and increasing the secretion of IL-17A, thereby establishing the IL-1β/IL-23A-IRF4-EP300-RORC-IL-17A inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. The alleviation of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic-like symptoms was achieved through the creation of a Irf4 ^-/- gene deletion mouse model and pharmacological inhibition using antisense oligonucleotides targeted for Irf4. This amelioration was accompanied by a decreased number of IL-17A-producing CD4⁺ T cells in the skin. The findings of this study suggest that IRF4 plays a crucial role in the promotion of inflammation and exacerbation of IMQ-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. Consequently, IRF4 targeting could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy,safety,and prognostic factors associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in pa-tients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)comorbid with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:Clinical and patholo-gical data were collected from 100 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC who received one or more cycles of ICI treatment at Peking University Shougang Hospital between January 2018 and October 2024 were collected.Based on COPD diagnosis,patients were assigned into the NSCLC with COPD(LC-COPD,n=52)and NSCLC without COPD(non-COPD,n=48)groups.The efficacy,safety,and prognostic factors of ICIs treatment were retrospectively analyzed in both groups.Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and survival rates were compared using the Log-rank test.Results:Among the patients who received ICIs treatment,median progression-free survival(PFS)in the LC-COPD group was longer than that in the non-COPD group(11.97 vs.7.83 months,P=0.022),but no significant difference was detec-ted in overall survival(OS)(22.37 vs.16.80 months,P=0.110).Compared with the LC-COPD group and patients with normal lung function,the preserved ratio impaired spirometry(PRISm)subgroup showed worse median PFS and OS following immunotherapy(all P<0.05).Multivari-ate analysis revealed that COPD comorbidity,programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression,treatment line,and neutrophil to lympho-cyte ratio(NLR)were independently associated with PFS(P<0.05).Additionally,PD-L1 expression,immunotherapy efficacy,NLR,and inhaled corticosteroids(ICS)use were significantly associated with OS(P<0.05).The incidence of immune-related adverse events was comparable between the two groups.Conclusions:ICI treatment demonstrated a greater positive impact on PFS in patients with NSCLC and COPD than in patients with NSCLC alone in a real-world study,with a good safety profile in both groups.NSCLC patients with PRISm showed poorer out-comes following ICI treatment.PD-L1 expression,FeNO,NLR,and ICS may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy effic-acy in NSCLC patients with COPD.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy,safety,and prognostic factors associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in pa-tients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)comorbid with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:Clinical and patholo-gical data were collected from 100 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC who received one or more cycles of ICI treatment at Peking University Shougang Hospital between January 2018 and October 2024 were collected.Based on COPD diagnosis,patients were assigned into the NSCLC with COPD(LC-COPD,n=52)and NSCLC without COPD(non-COPD,n=48)groups.The efficacy,safety,and prognostic factors of ICIs treatment were retrospectively analyzed in both groups.Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and survival rates were compared using the Log-rank test.Results:Among the patients who received ICIs treatment,median progression-free survival(PFS)in the LC-COPD group was longer than that in the non-COPD group(11.97 vs.7.83 months,P=0.022),but no significant difference was detec-ted in overall survival(OS)(22.37 vs.16.80 months,P=0.110).Compared with the LC-COPD group and patients with normal lung function,the preserved ratio impaired spirometry(PRISm)subgroup showed worse median PFS and OS following immunotherapy(all P<0.05).Multivari-ate analysis revealed that COPD comorbidity,programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression,treatment line,and neutrophil to lympho-cyte ratio(NLR)were independently associated with PFS(P<0.05).Additionally,PD-L1 expression,immunotherapy efficacy,NLR,and inhaled corticosteroids(ICS)use were significantly associated with OS(P<0.05).The incidence of immune-related adverse events was comparable between the two groups.Conclusions:ICI treatment demonstrated a greater positive impact on PFS in patients with NSCLC and COPD than in patients with NSCLC alone in a real-world study,with a good safety profile in both groups.NSCLC patients with PRISm showed poorer out-comes following ICI treatment.PD-L1 expression,FeNO,NLR,and ICS may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy effic-acy in NSCLC patients with COPD.

In order to solve the problem of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to multiple antibiotics, it is an effective way to find inhibitors of P. aeruginosa efflux pump. In this study, 15 new ornithine peptidomimetic derivatives were designed and synthesized by changing the side chain structure of natural amino acids with PAβN, a dipeptide efflux pump inhibitor, and their synergic activity with aztreonam, a monocyclic β-lactam antibiotic, against P. aeruginosa was evaluated. Among them, the representative compound 12b not only enhanced the antibacterial activity of β-lactam antibiotics aztreonam, ceftazidime and meropenem, but also significantly enhanced the antibacterial action of macrolide antibiotics clarithromycin, showing a broad-spectrum synergic sensitization effect. In addition, compound 12b also has a good safety. Preliminary mechanisms suggest that 12b works by directly targeting the efflux transporter MexB. These results provide a new lead compound for the development of a new class of efflux pump inhibitors against P. aeruginosa.

Objectives The combined use of bedaquiline and delamanid(BDQ-DLM)is limited by an increased risk of prolonging the QTc interval.We retrospectively evaluated patients who received DLM/BDQ-containing regimens at a TB-specialized hospital.We aimed to present clinical efficacy and safety data for Chinese patients. Methods This case-control study included patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB)treated with BDQ alone or BDQ plus DLM. Results A total of 96 patients were included in this analysis:64 in the BDQ group and 32 in the BDQ+DLM group.Among the 96 patients with positive sputum culture at the initiation of BDQ alone or BDQ combined with DLM,46 patients(71.9%)in the BDQ group and 29(90.6%)in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion during treatment.The rate of sputum culture conversion did not differ between the two groups.The time to sputum culture conversion was significantly shorter in the BDQ-DLM group than in the BDQ group.The most frequent adverse event was QTc interval prolongation;however,the frequency of adverse events did not differ between the groups. Conclusion In conclusion,our results demonstrate that the combined use of BDQ and DLM is efficacious and tolerable in Chinese patients infected with MDR-TB.Patients in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion sooner than those in the BDQ group.

Objective To evaluate the perioperative safety and feasibility of day-case transurethral holmium laser enucleation of prostate(HoLEP)under over-night mode.Method From January 2021 to March 2023,83 patients of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)were elected and treated with HoLEP by the one surgeon.According to different management methods,these patients were divided into the over-night day-case HoLEP group and the ordinary HoLEP group.Again,these patients were divided into large volume(≥50 mL)group and small volume(<50 mL)group according to the prostate volume.Record the age and perioperative data of all patients[total prostate volume,prostate resection weight,proportion of prostate resection,operating time,changes in peripheral venous blood hemoglobin(Hb),bladder flushing duration,catheter insertion duration,and success rate of first tube removal],the parameters of each group were compared.Result All of the 83 patients undergoing HoLEP surgery in this study,and there were no cases of HoLEP related reoperation or readmission.Among them,there were 43 cases in the over-night HoLEP group,aged 57～90 with an average of(70.1±7.3)years old,and the prostate volume was 29～161 mL with an average of(63.0±28.8)mL,All of them were discharged within 24 h,and there were no cases transferred to the ordinary HoLEP group,the success rate of first tube removal was 88.4%(38/43),and with average catheterization duration was(17.8±3.6)h;The other 40 cases were included into the ordinary HoLEP group,aged 55～87 with an average of(70.4±8.2)years old,the volume of the prostate was 22～118 mL with an average of(59.4±29.0)mL,the success rate of first tube removal was 90.0%(36/40),and with average catheterization duration was(77.5±25.1)h;There was no statistically significant difference in the perioperative parameters(total prostate volume,prostate resection weight,proportion of prostate resection,operating time,changes in peripheral venous blood Hb,and bladder flushing time)between the two groups(P>0.05),while the difference in catheter duration was statistically significant(P<0.01).Conclusion Regardless of the size of the prostate volume,day-case HoLEP is safe and feasible.Day-case HoLEP under the over-night mode is suitable for widespread and routine implementation in China,especially in medical centers with rich experience of HoLEP.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and further explore the relationship between microbiota and CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets and disease activity. Methods:Fecal samples were collected from 96 patients with SLE, and 96 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). The gut microbiota were investigated via 16s rRNA sequencing. Flow cytometry was used to detect peripheral CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. Indicators of disease activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C3 and C4, Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index(SLEDAI) for each patient were recorded. Differential abundance analysis was carried out using the edgeR algorithm. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare alpha diversity indices, bacterial abundances, and the F/B ratio between groups. R (version 4.0.1) was used for comparative statistics, and Pearson′s correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations between the relative abundances of bacterial genera and serum levels of ESR, CRP, C3 and C4 in the samples. Results:The alpha estimators of richness (ACE and Chao 1) were significantly reduced in SLE feces samples compared with those of HCs ( P<0.01). Bacterial diversity estimators, including the Shannon ( P<0.01) and Simpson′s ( P<0.01) indices, were also significantly lower in SLE. Significant differences in gut microbiota composition between SLE and HCs were found using the edgeR algorithm. Compared with HC, 24 species of bacteria were significantly different in SLE patients at the genus level ( P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between CRP and Coprococcus ( r=0.30, P=0.014), C4 and Corynebacterium ( r=0.31, P=0.013) and Faecalibacterium( r=0.25, P=0.048), Hemoglobin and Morganella( r=0.41, P=0.001), as well as SLIDA and Corynebacterium( r=0.25, P=0.047). In terms of lymphocyte subsets, there was significant positive correlation between B cells, Treg cells and Eubacterium eligens group, as well as CD8 +T, CD4 +T, NK cells and Corynebacterium. In additional, Th1 was positively correlated with Shigella Escherichia coli ( r=0.52, P=0.008), and Th2 was positively correlated with Dielma ( r=0.51, P<0.001). Conclusion:The abundance and diversity of intestinal flora in SLE patients were significantly reduced, and the differentially expressed bacteria were closely related to the CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets and disease activity indicators of patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important global public health problem that greatly threatens population health. Application of risk prediction model is a crucial way for the primary prevention of CKD, which can stratify the risk for developing CKD and identify high-risk individuals for more intensive interventions. By now, more than twenty risk prediction models for CKD have been developed worldwide. There are also four domestic risk prediction models developed for Chinese population. However, none of these models have been recommended in clinical guidelines yet. The existing risk prediction models have some limitations in terms of outcome definition, predictors, strategies for handling missing data, and model derivation. In the future, the applications of emerging biomarkers and polygenic risk scores as well as advances in machine learning methods will provide more possibilities for the further improvement of the model.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Biomarkers

Objective: To investigate the association of the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with frailty and its components among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Health Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS, 2017-2018) were used and the elderly over 65 years old were included in this study. Through questionnaire interview and physical examination, the information including demographic characteristics, behavior, diet, daily activity, cognitive function, and health status was collected. The association between hs-CRP and frailty and its components in the participants was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restrictive cubic spline. Results: A total of 2 453 participants were finally included, the age was (84.8±19.8) years old. The median hs-CRP level was 1.13 mg/L and the prevalence of frailty was 24.4%. Compared with the low-level group (hs-CRP<1.0 mg/L), the OR (95%CI) value of the high-level group (hs-CRP>3.0 mg/L) was 1.79 (1.35-2.36) mg/L. As for the components, the hs-CRP level was also positively associated with ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the low-level group, the OR (95%CI) values of the high-level group for the four components were 1.68 (1.25-2.27), 1.88 (1.42-2.50), 1.68 (1.31-2.14) and 1.39 (1.12-1.72), respectively. Conclusion: There is a positive association between the levels of hs-CRP and the risk of frailty among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. The higher hs-CRP level may increase the risk of frailty by elevating the risk of four physical functional disabilities, namely ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity.
Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Frailty/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: To describe the epidemiological distribution characteristics of peripheral blood mosaic chromosomal alteration (mCA) in community adults aged 30-79 years in 10 regions of China. Methods: A total of 100 297 participants with complete baseline information (demographic characteristics, lifestyle, physical examination, etc.) and genotyping data of blood-derived DNA in ten regions of the China Kadoorie Biobank study were included. The mCAs were detected with the Mosaic Chromosomal Alterations pipeline, and logistic regression models were used to compare the differences in the detection rate of mCAs in different regions and populations. Results: A total of 5 810 mCA carriers were detected, with the detection rate of 5.8%. The standardized detection rate was 5.1%. The baseline detection rate of mCA increased with age, which were 3.4%, 5.0%, and 9.4% in those aged 30-, 51-, and >60 years, respectively (trend test P<0.001). A more significant proportion of mCAs were found in men (8.0%) than women (4.0%), as well as in urban areas (6.4%) than in rural areas (5.3%), the difference was significant (P<0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, the detection rate of mCA was higher in current smokers or people quitting smoking due to illness and people with low physical activity level, and the mCA detection rate was lower in obesy people (5.3%) than that in people with normal body weight (5.9%) (P=0.006). Conclusions: The detection rate of mCAs varied with region and population in community adults aged 30-79 years in 10 regions of China. The study results might contribute to the molecular identification of aging populations and guide precision prevention of age-related diseases such as cancers.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Life Style ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Aged