Objective To investigate the regulatory mechanism of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in different types of mitral valvular disease (MVD) with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods From August 2011 to August 2012, patients with moderate to severe MVD accompanied by AF who required mitral valve replacement at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, were included. Based on echocardiographic results, patients were divided into two groups: a mitral regurgitation (MR) with AF (MR-AF) group and a mitral stenosis (MS) with AF (MS-AF) group. Left atrial tissue samples were collected during surgery. Techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to detect key molecules in the TGF-β1/JNK pathway. Results Sixteen patients were enrolled. There were 8 patients in the MR-AF group, including 5 males and 3 females, with an average age of (41.38±11.19) years; and 8 patients in the MS-AF group, including 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of (43.12±5.30) years. The left atrial volume load was higher in MR-AF patients, while the left atrial pressure load was higher in MS-AF patients. In MS-AF patients, the relative expression levels of MAPK9, JUN, CASP3, BAX, and BCL2 mRNA in left atrial tissues were significantly upregulated. The serum TGF-β1 protein level and the relative expression levels of p-JNK, p-c-Jun, and Caspase-3 proteins in the left atrial tissues of the MR-AF group were higher. Myocardial cell damage was more severe in the MS-AF group, and the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was higher. Conclusion Different MVD have distinct hemodynamic characteristics. The myocardium of the left atrium in MR-AF patients is more prone to apoptosis, possibly through the activation of the TGF-β1/JNK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

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 To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

This study aims to construct the core outcome set for the clinical trials of adhesive capsulitis treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Using systematic review, semi-structured interview, Delphi questionnaire survey, analytic hierarchy process and expert consensus meeting, the primary outcomes are obtained, i.e. local tenderness, pain degree during movement, range of motion, changes in range of motion, function score, and score of local symptoms of shoulder joint. The secondary outcomes are myofascial thickness, thickness of the inferior wall of the joint capsule, health status, activity of daily living, incidence of adverse events, laboratory indexes, vital signs, cost-effectiveness, total effective rate, and patient satisfaction. It is expected to provide a reference for the outcome selection in clinical trials and the generation of medical evidences in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis with acupuncture and moxibustion.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bursitis/therapy* ; Consensus ; Moxibustion ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care

Objective: To report the clinical manifestations and laboratory features of five patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) and explore its standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment along with a review of literature. Methods: Clinical data of patients, such as age of onset, disease manifestation, personal history, family history, and misdiagnosed disease, were collected. Treatment outcomes, therapeutic effects of plasma infusion, and organ function evaluation were observed. The relationship among the clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes, and ADAMTS13 gene mutation of patients with cTTP was analyzed. Additionally, detection of ADAMTS13 activity and analysis of ADAMTS13 gene mutation were explored. Results: The age of onset of cTTP was either in childhood or adulthood except in one case, which was at the age of 1. The primary manifestations were obvious thrombocytopenia, anemia, and different degrees of nervous system involvement. Most of the patients were initially suspected of having immune thrombocytopenia. Acute cTTP was induced by pregnancy and infection in two and one case, respectively. ADAMTS13 gene mutation was detected in all cases, and there was an inherent relationship between the mutation site, clinical manifestations, and degree of organ injury. Therapeutic or prophylactic plasma transfusion was effective for treating cTTP. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of cTTP vary among individuals, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis that delays treatment. ADAMTS13 activity detection in plasma and ADAMTS13 gene mutation analysis are important bases to diagnose cTTP. Prophylactic plasma transfusion is vital to prevent the onset of the disease.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Adult ; Blood Component Transfusion ; Plasma ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/therapy* ; Mutation ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; ADAMTS13 Protein/therapeutic use*

Objective: To understand the infection status of Enterovirus (EV) in cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in Luohe City, Henan Province from 2017 to 2021, and analyze the prevalence and type composition of EV in ARIs. Methods: From October 2017 to May 2021, pharyngeal swab samples were collected from 1 828 patients with ARIs in Luohe Central Hospital and the clinical epidemiological data of these cases were also collected. EV-positive samples were identified by Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) was amplified by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The results of 5'UTR region were initially typed by Enterovirus Genotyping Tool Version 1.0. Based on the typing results, the full-length of VP1 region was amplified by RT-PCR. The EV typing was identified again by VP1 region. Results: Among 1 828 cases of ARIs, 56.7% (1 036) were males. The median (Q₁, Q₃) age was about 3 (1, 5) years. Patients under 5 years old accounted for 71.6% (1 309 cases). Among all cases, a total of 71 EV-positive samples were identified by qPCR, with a detection rate of 3.88% (71/1 828). The EV detection rates for men and women were 3.28% (34/1 036) and 4.67% (37/792), without statistically significant differences (χ²=2.32, P=0.14). The EV detection rates for 2 to <6 years, 6 months to <2 years, 6 to <10 years, and <6 months were 6.29% (48/763), 3.00% (18/600), 2.52% (4/159), and 1.67% (1/60) (χ²=27.91, P<0.001). The EV detection rate was 0.92% (3/326) in autumn and winter of 2017. The EV detection rates were 1.18% (6/508), 2.47% (12/485) and 8.31% (34/409) in each year from 2018 to 2020, with an increasing trend year by year(χ²_trend=29.76, P<0.001). The main prevalent seasons were summer and autumn. The detection rate in spring of 2021 was 4.00% (4/100). A total of 12 types were identified and classified as CVA2, CVA4, CVA5, CVA6, CVA10, CVB3, CVB5, E5, E11, E30, PV-1, and EV-D68. The types of CVA2, CVA10, CVA6, and CVB3 were the dominant phenotypes. In 59 sample of EV typing, the main clinical manifestation was upper respiratory tract infection (36/59, 61.01%). The dominant types detected in upper respiratory tract infections were CVA10 (10/36, 27.78%), CVA6 (9/36, 25.00%) and CVB3 (8/36, 22.22%). The dominant type detected in lower respiratory tract infections was CVA2 (7/19, 36.84%). Conclusion: In Luohe City, Henan Province from 2017 to 2021, EV infection in ARIs cases has clear seasonal and age-specific patterns, and the dominant types of upper and lower respiratory tract infections are different.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Enterovirus/genetics* ; 5' Untranslated Regions ; Enterovirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Phenotype ; Antigens, Viral/genetics* ; Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology* ; Phylogeny

Genetic risk factors have been shown to contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction. However, the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 1254 participants who underwent ED assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The MTHFR c.677C>T variant was also measured by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No significant difference in the genotypic frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (CC, CT, and TT) was observed between men from the ED and non-ED groups. In addition, on binary logistic regression analysis, both crude and adjusted models showed that the risk of ED was not significantly associated with the C677T polymorphism. Interestingly, a significantly higher frequency of the 677TT polymorphism was found in severe and moderate ED (P = 0.02). The positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and severe ED was confirmed by logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-5.50, P = 0.02). These findings suggest a positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and the risk of severe ED. Identification of MTHFR gene polymorphisms may provide complementary information for ED patients during routine clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and extracorporeal shock wave in treating chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. METHODS: From February 2019 to August 2021, 42 patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were selected and divided into PRP group(20 patients, 28 feet) and shock wave group (22 patients, 29 feet). In PRP group, there were 12 males and 8 females, aged 47.00(28.00, 50.75) years old, and the courses of disease ranged 7.00(6.00, 7.00) months;PRP injection was performed in the Achilles tendon stop area of the affected side. In shock wave group, there were 16 males and 6 females, aged 42.00(35.75, 47.25) years old;and the courses of disease was 7.00(6.00, 8.00) months;shock wave was performed in Achilles tendon stop area of the affected side and triceps surae area. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) were applied to evaluate clnical effect before treatment, 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, and satisfaction of patients was investigated. RESULTS: VAS and VISA-A score in both groups were significantly improved at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05), VAS and VISA-A score in PRP group at 6 months after treatment were significantly higher than those at 1 and 3 months after treatment, and VAS and VISA-A score in shock wave group were lower than those at 1 and 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS and VISA-A score between two groups before treatment, 1 and 3 months after treatment(P>0.05), while VAS and VISA-A score in PRP group were better than those in shock wave group at 6 months after treatment(P<0.05), and the satisfaction survey in PRP group was better than that in shock wave group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION PRP injection has a good clinical effect on chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy with high patient satisfaction, and medium-and long-term effect of PRP injection for the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy is better than that of extracorporeal divergent shock wave.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Achilles Tendon ; Tendinopathy/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Exercise Therapy ; Platelet-Rich Plasma