BACKGROUND: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are both hypoglycemia agents that specifically impact on postprandial hyperglycemia. We compared the effects of acarbose and sitagliptin add on to metformin on time in range (TIR) and glycemic variability (GV) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus through continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). METHODS: This study was a randomized, open-label, active-con-trolled, parallel-group trial conducted at 15 centers in China from January 2020 to August 2022. We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes aged 18-65 years with body mass index (BMI) within 19-40 kg/m 2 and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between 6.5% and 9.0%. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either metformin combined with acarbose 100 mg three times daily or metformin combined with sitagliptin 100 mg once daily for 28 days. After the first 14-day treatment period, patients wore CGM and entered another 14-day treatment period. The primary outcome was the level of TIR after treatment between groups. We also performed time series decomposition, dimensionality reduction, and clustering using the CGM data. RESULTS: A total of 701 participants received either acarbose or sitagliptin treatment in combination with metformin. There was no statistically significant difference in TIR between the two groups. Time below range (TBR) and coefficient of variation (CV) levels in acarbose users were significantly lower than those in sitagliptin users. Median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) of TBR below target level <3.9 mmol/L (TBR 3.9 ): Acarbose: 0.45% (0, 2.13%) vs . Sitagliptin: 0.78% (0, 3.12%), P = 0.042; Median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) of TBR below target level <3.0 mmol/L (TBR 3.0 ): Acarbose: 0 (0, 0.22%) vs . Sitagliptin: 0 (0, 0.63%), P = 0.033; CV: Acarbose: 22.44 ± 5.08% vs . Sitagliptin: 23.96 ± 5.19%, P <0.001. By using time series analysis and clustering, we distinguished three groups of patients with representative metabolism characteristics, especially in GV (group with small wave, moderate wave and big wave). No significant difference was found in the complexity of glucose time series index (CGI) between acarbose users and sitagliptin users. By using time series analysis and clustering, we distinguished three groups of patients with representative metabolism characteristics, especially in GV. CONCLUSIONS: Acarbose had slight advantages over sitagliptin in improving GV and reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. Time series analysis of CGM data may predict GV and the risk of hypoglycemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000039424.
Humans ; Metformin/therapeutic use* ; Sitagliptin Phosphate/therapeutic use* ; Acarbose/therapeutic use* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Blood Glucose/drug effects* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; China ; East Asian People

Objective:To summarize the clinical features associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in patients following the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and exploring the risk factors for death.Methods:Patients who had RSV infection after undergoing HSCT from October 2023 to January 2024 in the hematology department of Peking University People’s Hospital were enrolled in the study. The clinical characteristics of the participating patients were summarized. The clinical characteristics of the surviving and the dying patients were compared, and the risk factors of death were analyzed by binary logistic regression.Results:Among the 43 RSV-positive HSCT patients, 20 (46.5%) were hypoxemic, six (14.0%) were admitted to the ICU for further treatment, four (9.3%) required tracheal intubation assisted ventilation, and seven patients (16.3%) died. A comparison of the clinical features of the surviving patients and the deceased patients demonstrated that the deceased patients had a lower PLT when infected with RSV [74.5 (8.0-348.0) ×10 9/L vs 15.0 (10.0-62.0) ×10 9/L, P=0.003], a higher incidence of simultaneous bacterial infections (85.7% vs 41.7%, P=0.046), and a higher rate of hematological recurrence (71.4% vs 13.9%, P=0.004). Hematological recurrence ( OR=15.500, 95% CI 2.336-102.848, P=0.005), influenza A viral infection ( OR=14.000, 95% CI 1.064-184.182, P=0.045), and low PLT at the time of RSV infection ( OR=0.945, 95% CI 0.894-0.999, P=0.048) were the factors associated with death following HSCT. Conclusion:Patients infected with RSV after undergoing HSCT have a poor prognosis, and active prevention and treatment of RSV in the autumn and winter requires urgent attention.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tongluo Mingmu capsules in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. MethodA randomized， double-blind， positive-control， and multi-center clinical trial design method was used. 416 patients with diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome in four test centers were included （the ratio of the treatment group to the control group was 3∶1）. On the basis of standardized hypoglycemic treatment， the treatment group was given both four Tongluo Mingmu capsules and two Calcium Dobesilate capsule agents three times a day， while the control group were given both two Calcium Dobesilate capsules and four Tongluo Mingmu capsule agents three times a day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. The curative effect of Tongluo Mingmu capsules was evaluated by comparing the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome score， corrected visual acuity， fundus changes， fundus fluorescence angiography， and other curative effect indexes before and after treatment in the two groups. At the same time， general examination， laboratory examination， and adverse events were performed to evaluate the safety of the drug. ResultThe baseline demographic data and disease characteristics of the treatment group and the control group were balanced and comparable， with the difference not statistically significant. After 12 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate of the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy in the treatment group （61.0%， 189/310） was better than that in the control group （44.1%， 45/102）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=8.880， P<0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in the treatment group （88.4%， 259/293） was better than that in the control group （69.9%， 65/93）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=17.927， P<0.01）. The disappearance rate of dry eyes （χ²=8.305）， dull complexion （χ²=4.053）， lassitude （χ²=10.267）， shortness of breath （χ²=8.494）， and dry stool （χ²=8.657） in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group， and the difference between the groups was statistically significant （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of improving corrected visual acuity （χ²=8.382）， fundus changes （χ²=6.026） ， the treatment group was significantly better than the control group （P<0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 1.3% and 2.9%， respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition， there were no serious adverse events and adverse events leading to withdrawal in both groups. ConclusionTongluo Mingmu capsules can improve the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy and enhance the efficacy of TCM syndromes， visual acuity， fundus changes， and fundus fluorescein angiography， with great safety. Therefore， it can provide a new alternative therapeutic drug for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Objective Neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)-evoked kinesthetic information in muscle spindle can be purely extracted from the mixed motor and sensory afferents using Ischemic nerve block(INB).This study aims to investigate the somatosensory cortical response evoked by NMES activating muscle spindle afferents in forearm.Methods All subjects performed four experimental tasks designed according to a 2×2 factors,including one factor of the INB state(without INB and within INB)and the other of the stimulation intensity(above and below motor threshold).During the experiment,we recorded EEG data with 64 channels and then beta event-related desynchronization(Beta ERD)were utilized quantize somatosensory cortical excitability evoked by the tasks.The subjective perception about the sensation and movement of the right hand were evaluated by a psychophysical test after the right wrist was performed by INB.Results INB significantly reduced beta ERD on the contralateral somatosensory cortex evoked by NMES above the motor threshold,and there was significant difference of NMES-evoked beta ERD values on the contralateral somatosensory cortex between above and below motor threshold.Meanwhile,contralateral dominance of NMES-evoked beta ERD on the somatosensory cortex was transferred to ipsilateral hemisphere under INB.Conclusion INB can significantly reduce NMES-evoked somatosensory cortical response above motor threshold and decrease cortical perception on the stimulus intensity,which may be due to INB resulting in rapid functional reorganization of somatosensory cortex.

Objective:To investigate the biological effects of acute high-dose radon exposure on mice.Methods:BALB/c male mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were exposed once in an HD-3 ecological radon chamber with an average radon concentration of 7 × 10 5 Bq/m 3 for 10 h. Mice were weighed, their lung tissues and blood samples were collected at 1, 2 and 3 months after exposure. Control groups were set up at the three time points with four mice in each group. For these mice, the lung tissue pathology was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method, routine blood tests were conducted using a hematology analyzer and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and lung tissues were measured using corresponding assay kits. Results:The HE staining result revealed that compared to the control groups, the experimental groups exhibited thickening of alveolar walls and increased infiltration of granulocyte, whose degrees, however, reduced over time and displayed no significant difference at 3 months after exposure. There was no significant difference in body weight or blood routine between the experimental and control groups. The detection result revealed decreased SOD levels in the lung tissues at 2 months after exposure, which were (11.34 ± 1.03) U/mgprot and (9.75 ± 0.71) U/mgprot, respectively for the control and experimental groups ( t = 2.54, P < 0.05). The MDA levels in lung tissue increased at 1 month after exposure, which were(2.30 ± 0.24) and (2.77 ± 0.29) nmol/mgprot, respectively for the control and experimental groups ( t = 2.49, P < 0.05). At 3 months after exposure, the SOD and MDA levels differed insignificantly between the control and experimental groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:After acute high-dose radon exposure, the mice suffered damage to the lung tissue, with changes in their oxidative stress indicators being detected. However, these effects gradually diminished at 3 months after exposure. Additionally, acute high-dose radon exposure did not give rise to significant changes in the body weight or routine blood result of the mice.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the expression of antioxidant 1 copper chaperone protein(ATOX1)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and its relationship with tumor proliferation,migration and invasion.Methods The expression of ATOX1 mRNA in HCC cancer tissue and normal liver tissue was analyzed using the Human Genome Atlas database.Immunohistochemical experiment was used to detect the expression of ATOX1 in 15 cases of HCC cancer tissue and adjacent tissue.Human HCC cell lines Hep3B and HepG2 were divided into the control group(NC),the ATOX1 knockdown group 1(si-ATOX1#1)and the ATOX1 knockdown group 2(si-ATOX1#2).The effects of ATOX1 knockdown on the malignant biological behavior of HCC cells were observed through CCK-8 cell proliferation experiment,scratch experiment and Transwell invasion experiments.A nude mouse xenograft tumor model was constructed to analyze the effect of ATOX1 knockdown on the quality and volume of transplanted tumors.Western blot assay was used to detect the relationship between ATOX1 and JAK2/STAT3 pathway protein expression.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that expression of ATOX1 mRNA in HCC cancer tissue was higher than that in adjacent normal tissue(P＜0.05).The immunohistochemical staining results showed that the positive rate of ATOX1 protein was higher in HCC cancer tissue than that in adjacent tissue(93.33%vs.13.33%,P＜0.01).In vitro experimental results showed that siRNA knockdown of ATOX1 protein expression in Hep3B and HepG2 cells significantly reduced the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells(P＜0.05).In vivo experiments in mice showed that the volume and weight of subcutaneous xenograft tumors were significantly smaller in the sh-ATOX1 group than those in the sh-con group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related proteins p-JAK2,p-STAT3,CyclinD1 and MMP2 were significantly lower in the subcutaneous transplanted tumor tissue of the sh-ATOX1 group than that of the sh-con group(P＜0.05).Conclusion ATOX1 can promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of HCC through JAK2/STAT3 pathway,which can potentially become a potential tumor marker and therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness and safety of the Chinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules （明视方颗粒） for low myopia in children with heart yang insufficiency. MethodsA multicentre， prospective， double-blind randomised controlled study was conducted， in which 290 children with low myopia from 8 centres were randomly divided into 145 cases in the treatment group and 145 cases in the control group， and the treatment group was given education， dispensing glasses， and Chinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules， while the control group was given education， dispensing glasses， and granules placebo. Both Mingshi Granules and placebo granules were taken orally， 1 bag each time， twice daily， 4 weeks of oral intake and 2 weeks of rest as 1 course of treatment， a total of 4 courses of treatment （24 weeks）. Equivalent spherical lenses， best naked-eye distance visual acuity， ocular axis， corneal curvature K1， adjustment amplitude， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores， calculate the amount of progression of equivalent spherical lenses， were observed at the 12th and the 24th week of treatment， at the 36th week and 48th week of follow-up， resectively， the control rate of myopia progression was evaluated at the 24th week， and safety indexes were observed before treatment. ResultsThe amount of progression of equivalent spherical lenses was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at the 48-week follow-up （P＜0.05）. The control rate of myopia progression at 24 weeks after treatment in the treatment group was higher （57.60%， 72/125） than that in the control group （44.63%， 54/121） （P＜0.05）. The best naked-eye distance visual acuity at 36-week follow-up in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group （P＜0.05）. Equivalent spherical lenses were significantly lower in both groups at all observation time points compared with pre-treatment （P＜0.05）， and were higher in the treatment group than in the control group at the 48-week follow-up （P＜0.05）. The ocular axes of both groups were significantly higher at each observation time point after treatment and at follow-up compared with before treatment （P＜0.05）. The amount of eye axis growth in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group at 24 weeks after treatment and at the 48-week follow-up （P＜0.05）. Corneal curvature K1 was significantly lower in the treatment group at the 24th week of treatment compared to pre-treatment （P＜0.05）. The magnitude of adjustment in the treatment group was significantly higher at the 36-week follow-up and at the 48-week follow-up than before treatment （P＜0.05）. The scores of white/dark complexion， white coating thin pulse， fatigue and total TCM symptom scores of children in both groups at the 12th， 24th， 36th and 48th weeks of follow-up were significantly lower than those before treatment （P＜0.05）； the scores of blurred vision at the 24th and 36th weeks of follow-up were significantly lower than those before treatment （P＜0.05）； and the scores of blurred vision in the treatment group at the 48th week of follow-up were signi-ficantly lower than those before treatment （P＜0.05）. In the treatment group， the score of fatigue was higher than that of the control group at the 36-week follow-up， and the score of blurred vision was lower than that of the control group at the 48-week follow-up （P＜0.05）. No adverse reactions or obvious abnormalities of the safety indexes were observed of the two groups during the treatment. ConclusionChinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules showed the effect of controlling the progression of low myopia， improving the best naked eye distance visual acuity， slowing down the growth of the eye axis， improving some of the TCM symptoms， with good safety.

Objective:To discuss the effect of curcumin on ameliorating doxorubicin(DOX)-induced cytotoxicity in the H9c2 cardiomyocytes,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with DOX to establish the cardiotoxicity model.The H9c2 cells were divided into normal group,DOX group,DOX+curcumin group,and DOX+curcumin+silent information regulator 3(SIRT3)inhibitor-3(3-TYP)group.After 24 h,the morphology of the cells in various groups were observed;CCK-8 method was used to detect the viabilities of the cells in various groups;TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the activities of catalase(CAT)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the cells in various groups;2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)staining was used to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)oxidase 2(NOX2),NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4),SIRT3,acetylated superoxide dismutase 2(Ac-SOD2),and superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2)proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:Compared with normal group,the H9c2 cells in DOX group exhibited swelling,the activity of the cells was decreased(P＜0.05),the CAT and SOD activities were decreased(P＜0.05),the MDA and ROS levels were increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of NOX2,and NOX4 proteins were increased(P＜0.05),the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and the expression level of SIRT3 protein were decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of SOD2 and Ac-SOD2 proteins were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with DOX group,the H9c2 cells in DOX+curcumin group showed improved morphology,the activity of the cells was increased(P＜0.05),the CAT and SOD activities were increased(P＜0.05),the MDA and ROS levels were decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of NOX2,and NOX4 proteins were decreased(P＜0.05),the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and the expression level of SIRT3 protein were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of SOD2 and Ac-SOD2 proteins were decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with DOX+curcumin group,the cells in DOX+curcumin+3-TYP group exhibited swelling,the activity of the cells was decreased(P＜0.05),the apoptotic rate of the cells was significantly increased(P＜0.05),the CAT and SOD activities were decreased(P＜0.05),the MDA and ROS levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of NOX2 and NOX4 proteins were increased(P＜0.05),the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and the expression level of SIRT3 protein were decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of SOD2 and Ac-SOD2 proteins were increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Curcumin suppresses the oxidative stress and apoptosis by activating the SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway,improving the cell activity and alleviating the DOX-induced cytotoxicity in the H9c2 cells.