OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations, yet these sensations are unstable. The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within the distributed network outside the stimulated site. To address this problem, we recruited 69 patients who experienced visual sensations during invasive electrical stimulation while intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data were recorded. We found significantly flattened power spectral slopes in distributed regions involving different brain networks and decreased integrated information during elicited visual sensations compared with the non-sensation condition. Further analysis based on minimum information partitions revealed that the reconfigured network interactions primarily involved the inferior frontal cortex, posterior superior temporal sulcus, and temporoparietal junction. The flattened power spectral slope in the inferior frontal gyrus was also correlated with integrated information. Taken together, this study indicates that the altered electrophysiological signatures provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying subjective visual sensations.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Visual Perception/physiology* ; Electric Stimulation ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Electrocorticography ; Electroencephalography ; Brain Mapping

Objective To explore the predictive value of the blood uric acid/creatinine ratio(SUA/Cr)and the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians(OSTA)for osteoporosis(OP)in middle-aged,older,and elderly adult Tibetan populations in Xizang.Methods A total of 1058 middle-aged and older adult ethnic Tibetans who underwent physical examination in Xizang between June 2020 and December 2023 were selected for the study.Fasting venous blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis.The bone mineral density(BMD)of the radius of the participants was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Based on the BMD measurement results and OP diagnostic criteria,participants were divided into the OP group(n=759)and the non-OP group(n=299).Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to further identify independent predictors associated with OP risk in the middle-aged and older adult Tibetan population.The predictive value of SUA/Cr and OSTA for OP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results 1)The OP prevalence among the middle-aged and older adult Tibetan populations was 28.3％(299 people),including 209 females(69.9％)and 90 males(30.1％).Significant differences between the two groups were found in terms of age(OP group:62[54,69]vs non-OP group:56[51,62]),SUA/Cr(OP group:6.86[5.06,10.23]vs non-OP group:5.36[4.36,6.52]),and OSTA(OP group:[-1.27±3.06]vs non-OP group:[1.25±2.68])(P＜0.05).2)SUA/Cr(OR:1.592,95％CI:1.469-1.726)was identified as a risk factor for OP,while OSTA(OR:0.706,95％CI:0.662-0.752)was a protective factor for OP(P＜0.05).3)For gender-based group analysis,the combined use of SUA/Cr and OSTA showed better diagnostic performance for OP,with AUCs of 0.807(95％CI:0.751-0.863)for males and 0.820(95％CI:0.782-0.857)for females.For age-based group analysis,the combined diagnosis of OP using SUA/Cr and OSTA provided the best performance,with the optimal cutoff value increasing with age.4)In the middle-aged group and the older adult male group,the combined use of SUA/Cr and OSTA for OP diagnosis was more effective than using SUA/Cr or OSTA alone(P＜0.001).In the elderly adult male group,the AUC for SUA/Cr was 0.954(95％CI:0.858-1.000),with a sensitivity of 88.9％and specificity of 100.0％,indicating excellent predictive performance.In females,the diagnostic effectiveness of OSTA and the combined use of SUA/Cr and OSTA increased with age across different age groups.Conclusion The predictive performance of SUA/Cr and OSTA for OP varies across different sex and age groups in the Tibetan population.Both SUA/Cr and OSTA can be used to predict OP in middle-aged and older adult Tibetan populations,with the combined use of SUA/Cr and OSTA providing better predictive performance.

Objective To analyze the trends in incidence and mortality of breast cancer among Chinese women from 1992 to 2021,assess the impact of age,period,and cohort on its incidence and mortality rates,and predict future trends to provide a basis for developing effective intervention strategies.Methods Utilizing the 2021 Global Burden of Disease(GBD2021)database,the Joinpoint regression model was employed to analyze the trends in age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer among Chinese women from 1992 to 2021.The age-period-cohort model was applied to estimate the age,period,and cohort effects on the incidence and mortality of breast cancer among Chinese women during the same period.The autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model was used to predict the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer among Chinese women from 2022 to 2026.A stratified analysis was conducted to explore the impact of different risk factors[including smoking,alcohol consumption,high body mass index(BMI),hyperglycemia,physical inactivity,and diet]on breast cancer mortality.Results From 1992 to 2021,the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer among Chinese women showed an overall upward trend,with incidence rates rising from 15.95/100,000 in 1992 to 55.54/100,000 in 2021,and mortality rates increasing from 7.35/100,000 to 12.41/100,000.The age-standardized incidence rate also exhibited an upward trend,rising from 18.51/100,000 to 37.00/100,000,with an average annual percentage change(AAPC)of 2.43%.However,the age-standardized mortality rate showed an overall downward trend,decreasing from 9.05/100,000 to 8.24/100,000,with an AAPC of-0.35%.The APC model analysis revealed that the age,period,and cohort effects on incidence and mortality were statistically significant(P<0.001).Within the same birth cohort,breast cancer incidence increased in women aged 15-89 years but decreased in those≥90 years.Breast cancer mortality showed a steady increase with age.With the increase in years,the risk of breast cancer incidence gradually increased,reaching the highest between 2017 and 2021,with a relative risk(RR)value of 1.37.Conversely,the risk of breast cancer mortality decreased with the increase in years,with the lowest mortality between 2012 and 2016,and an RR value of 0.86.With the increase in the birth cohort year,the risk of breast cancer incidence gradually increased,while the risk of mortality gradually decreased.The ARIMA model prediction results showed that the age-standardized incidence rate of breast cancer among women would continue to rise from 2022 to 2026,reaching 40.25/100,000 by 2026,while the age-standardized mortality rate would tend to stabilize at 8.28/100,000 by 2026.Among the risk factors for breast cancer,diet was found to have the highest impact on breast cancer mortality.Conclusions The incidence rate of breast cancer among Chinese women continues to rise,indicating that the prevention and control situation remains severe.Future efforts should focus on developing precise screening programs for high-risk populations and optimizing early screening strategies and treatment resource allocation based on predicted trend.

Objective To analyze the effect of Hsa-circ-0101216 on gemcitabine(GEM)chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer and its mechanism.Methods Differentially expressed circRNAs between GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells and parent cells were screened using the GEO database.Pancreatic cancer GEM resistant cell lines(BxPC-3-GEM and Capan-1-GEM)were constructed by intermittent concentration gradient method.qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of Hsa-circ-0101216 in cells.GEM resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines were taken and divided into sh-circ-0101216 group(knockdown of circ-0101216),sh-NC group(transfected with sh-NC),and blank control group(untreated).CCK-8 assay and EdU proliferation assay were used to detect the half inhibitory concentration(IC50)of GEM and proliferation ability of cells in each group.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of multidrug resistance-related protein 1(MRP1),breast cancer resistance protein(BCRP),and human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1(hENT-1).A subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of human pancreatic cancer in nude mice was constructed,and sh-NC+GEM group and sh-circ-0101216+GEM group(n=6)were set up.The volume and weight of xenograft tumor in nude mice were compared between the two groups.Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of MRP1,BCRP,and hENT-1 proteins in xenograft tumor tissues,and EDU proliferation assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of tumor cells.Results The GEO database screening showed that Hsa-circ-0101216 was up-regulated in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines.Pancreatic cancer GEM-resistant cell lines were successfully constructed,and the expression levels of Hsa-circ-0101216 and the IC50 value in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells BxPC-3-GEM and Capan-1-GEM were significantly higher than those in parental cells(P<0.05).In sh-circ-0101216 group,the IC50 values of GEM,cell viability,EdU positivity rate,and the expression levels of MRP1 and BCRP proteins in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells BxPC-3-GEM and Capan-1-GEM were significantly lower than those in blank control group and sh-NC group,while the expression level of hENT-1 protein was significantly higher(P<0.05 or P<0.001).In sh-circ-0101216+GEM group,the weight and volume of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice,the expression levels and positive expression rates of MRP1 and BCRP proteins in tumor tissues,and the EdU positive rate were significantly lower than those in sh-NC+GEM group,while the expression level and positive expression rate of hENT-1 protein were significantly higher(P<0.05).Conclusions Hsa-circ-0101216 is highly expressed in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines.Its knockdown can inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and enhance the chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to GEM.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of transmembrane transporter protein expression.

Objective This study aimed to provide an effective scientific basis for prevention and control of cockroaches on aircrafts by identifying cockroach-carried pathogens,and assess the insecticidal efficacy of gel bait mediated cockroach control on aircrafts,to provide technical guidance for aircraft disinsection.Methods Cassette-trapping was used to trap cockroaches,and the carried pathogens were detected using bacterial cultivation techniques.The gel bait mediated killing rate was calculated after 1,7,and 30 d by field application of gel bait.Results A total of 411 cockroaches were captured,and all were identified as Blattella germanica.26 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the trapped cockroaches.The killing rates of cockroaches were 58.8％-96.3％with 1-30 day application of gel bait.Statistically significant differences were observed in cockroach killing rates on different days(χ2=58.95,P<0.01).Conclusions B.germanica carry a large variety of pathogenic bacteria and opportunistic pathogens and are thus important infectious disease carriers.Gel bait agents have proven to be very effective against cockroaches on aircrafts.

This study investigated the mechanism of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction in improving hippocampal neuroinflammation in depressed rats based on complement component 3(C3)/C3 receptor(C3aR). A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, high, medium, and low dose groups of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction, and a positive drug group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) was used to construct depression models in other groups. Sucrose preference, open-field experiment, forced swimming, and water maze were used to detect the changes in depression-like behavior in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum inflammatory factor level in rats, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons. Golgi-Cox staining was used to observe the dendritic spine damage of hippocampal neurons, and immunofluorescence and Western blot were utilized to detect the expression of microglial marker Iba-1 and C3/C3aR protein in the hippocampus of rats. The behavioral results showed that compared with the model group, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could significantly strengthen the sugar water preference, increase the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant. ELISA results showed that the content of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of depressed rats was significantly higher than that of the blank group, and the content of inflammatory factors decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction. In addition, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could relieve pathological damage such as cell swelling and loose arrangement of hippocampus tissue. In the Western blot experiment, the expression levels of C3 and C3aR proteins in the model group were higher than those in the blank group, while the expression of C3 and C3aR in Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could be down-regulated. Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the model group, the fluorescence intensity of microglia marker Iba-1 decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction and positive drugs. The antidepressant effect of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction may be related to the down-regulation of C3/C3aR signaling pathway-related proteins, thus alleviating hippocampal inflammation.
Animals ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Complement C3/metabolism* ; Receptors, Complement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/genetics*

Metal ion-promoted chemodynamic therapy(CDT) combined with photodynamic therapy(PDT) offers broad application prospects for enhancing anti-tumor effects. In this study, glycyrrhizic acid(GA), copper ions(Cu~(2+)), and norcantharidin(NCTD) were co-assembled to successfully prepare a natural small-molecule, carrier-free hydrogel(NCTD Gel) with excellent material properties. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, NCTD Gel responded to the tumor microenvironment(TME) and acted as an efficient Fenton reagent and photosensitizer, catalyzing the conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) within the tumor into oxygen(O_2), and hydroxyl radicals(·OH, type Ⅰ reactive oxygen species) and singlet oxygen(~1O_2, type Ⅱ reactive oxygen species), while depleting glutathione(GSH) to stabilize reactive oxygen species and alleviate tumor hypoxia. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that NCTD Gel exhibited significant CDT/PDT synergistic therapeutic effects. Further safety evaluation and metabolic testing confirmed its good biocompatibility and safety. This novel hydrogel is not only simple to prepare, safe, and cost-effective but also holds great potential for clinical transformation, providing insights and references for the research and development of metal ion-mediated hydrogel-based anti-tumor therapies.
Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Animals ; Photochemotherapy ; Humans ; Mice ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Photosensitizing Agents/chemistry* ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Female ; Copper/chemistry* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Male

Based on the high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia rat model, this study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of Arisaema Cum Bile and explore its mechanisms, providing experimental evidence for its clinical application. Biochemical analysis was used to detect serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Arisaema Cum Bile. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were employed to jointly elucidate the lipid-lowering mechanisms of Arisaema Cum Bile. The experimental results showed that high-dose Arisaema Cum Bile(PBA-H) significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels(P<0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01). The effect was similar to that of fenofibrate, with no significant difference. Furthermore, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and mitigated fatty degeneration in liver tissues. As indicated by 16S rDNA sequencing results, PBA-H significantly enhanced both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the model rats, notably increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum species(P<0.01). Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that PBA-H primarily regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B_6 metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. In summary, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly improved abnormal blood lipid levels and liver pathology induced by a high-fat diet, regulated hepatic metabolic disorders, and improved the abundance and structural composition of gut microbiota, thereby exerting its lipid-lowering effect. The findings of this study provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Arisaema Cum Bile and the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Hyperlipidemias/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Humans ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism*

This study investigated the chemical constituents of Rhododendri Mollis Flos. The n-butanol fraction of 95% ethanol extract of Rhododendri Mollis Flos was separated and purified using chromatographic techniques, including normal-phase silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques. Seven compounds were isolated and identified as rhodomollein LXⅦ(1), rhodomollein X(2), nivalenol(3),(3S,6S)-cis-linalool-3,7-oxide-β-D-glucopyranoside(4), thymidine(5), cyclo(Ala-Tyr)(6), and(S)-5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one(7). Among them, compound 1 was identified as a new compound, and compound 3 was isolated from this plant for the first time. The analgesic activity of compound 1 was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test. At a dose of 5.0 mg·kg~(-1), compound 1 showed a 75.4% inhibition rate in the writhing test, indicating significant analgesic activity.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Rhododendron/chemistry* ; Animals ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Mice ; Male ; Analgesics/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure