ObjectiveThe exacerbating trend of global population aging poses profound socioeconomic and public health challenges, making the comprehensive elucidation of biological aging mechanisms and the discovery of effective anti-aging interventions an urgent priority in the life sciences. Based on our previous serum metabolomics findings that dimethylglycine, an intermediate metabolite of amino acid metabolism naturally present in the human body, was significantly enriched in the serum of longevity families, this study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of dimethylglycine both in living organisms and in controlled laboratory environments, and to preliminarily elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. While existing literature indicates that dimethylglycine possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, its direct anti-aging efficacy and the specific molecular pathways through which it operates remain largely unexplored. MethodsTo comprehensively evaluate the anti-aging properties of dimethylglycine, we utilized replicative senescent human embryonic lung fibroblasts, specifically the WI-38 cell line, as an experimental model in a controlled laboratory environment. Cell viability and safety were thoroughly assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays across various concentrations of dimethylglycine. The impact of dimethylglycine on cellular senescence phenotypes, oxidative stress, and proliferative capacity was evaluated via senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, reactive oxygen species fluorescence detection, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Furthermore, the molecular alterations of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and core senescence signaling pathways were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the messenger RNA levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of p16 and p21 protein expression levels. For the living organism model, the wild-type nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate systemic physiological effects. We conducted a comprehensive lifespan analysis at 20°C, heat stress resistance survival assays at 35℃, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, lipofuscin accumulation tracking, intracellular reactive oxygen species measurement, and Oil Red O staining to ascertain systemic lipid accumulation. Additionally, network pharmacology bioinformatics tools, including PharmMapper and STRING databases, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were utilized to predict target pathways, alongside highly detailed molecular docking simulations utilizing SwissDock and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler to examine interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein. ResultsThe experimental outcomes robustly demonstrate the potent anti-aging capabilities of dimethylglycine. At the cellular level, toxicity analyses firmly confirmed that dimethylglycine is highly safe; continuous treatment with 50 mol/L and 70 mol/L of dimethylglycine for 5 d did not induce any cellular membrane damage or cytotoxicity, but rather actively promoted cellular proliferation. Utilizing the optimal standardized concentration of 50 mol/L, dimethylglycine treatment significantly ameliorated senescent phenotypic markers in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which was evidenced by a drastic and highly significant reduction in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cell percentage (P<0.000 1) and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels (P<0.000 1), alongside a marked increase in the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive proliferation rate (P=0.003 5). On a molecular expression scale, dimethylglycine significantly downregulated the messenger RNA expression of multiple core senescence-associated secretory phenotype inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1. Concurrently, it effectively suppressed the protein expression of critical cell cycle arrest markers, diminishing p16 protein levels by 57.3% (P=0.000 4) and p21 protein levels by 27.2% (P=0.000 7). In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans animal model, dimethylglycine significantly extended the mean lifespan from 20.402 d to an impressive 23.066 d (P<0.000 1) and notably enhanced overall survival rates under severe heat stress environmental conditions (P=0.017). Furthermore, systemic dimethylglycine intervention significantly mitigated age-related physiological decline by decreasing bodily lipofuscin accumulation (P<0.000 1), significantly reducing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, lowering systemic reactive oxygen species fluorescence (P=0.008), and effectively alleviating overall fat accumulation (P<0.000 1). Mechanistically, extensive network pharmacology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses strongly revealed that the potential targets of dimethylglycine are significantly enriched in fundamental drug metabolism and oxidative stress response pathways. Precision molecular docking simulations conclusively demonstrated that dimethylglycine forms highly stable structural interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein, specifically highlighting the definitive formation of 5 stable hydrogen bonds involving serine 365, leucine 366, and serine 429 residues, as well as two critical salt bridge formations with arginine 97 and histidine 368 residues. It is additionally predicted to interact favorably with glutathione S-transferase family proteins. ConclusionDimethylglycine exhibits a profoundly significant and multifaceted anti-aging activity at both the cellular and entire living animal levels. By powerfully alleviating oxidative stress, heavily suppressing the core p16 and p21-dependent cellular senescence signaling pathways, and substantially mitigating the detrimental senescence-associated secretory phenotype, dimethylglycine effectively delays fundamental cellular senescence processes and drastically extends whole-organism lifespan. The biological mechanisms driving these robust protective effects are highly likely closely associated with its direct stable interactions with crucial metabolic and detoxifying enzyme systems, such as cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 and glutathione S-transferase family proteins, thereby systemically improving metabolic dysregulation and restoring critical redox homeostasis. This comprehensive study provides highly solid experimental evidence supporting dimethylglycine as a highly potent and safe potential anti-aging intervention agent, while simultaneously offering a clear molecular mechanistic explanation for the previously documented high abundance of dimethylglycine observed within exceptionally long-lived human populations.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the minimum-cost-path-based CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve(MCP-FFR)and the deep learning-driven CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve(DeepCL-FFR),and to particularly explore the potential value of the DeepCL algorithm in improving diagnostic accuracy within the"gray zone."Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 151 coronary vessels from 109 patients with coronary artery disease,who were hospitalized at the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army between January 2020 and June 2021.Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots were employed to assess the correlation and agreement of the two CT-FFR methods with invasive FFR.A CT-FFR range of 0.70-0.80 was defined as the diagnostic"gray zone."The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value for detecting hemodynamic abnormalities were calculated and analyzed.The DeLong test was used to compare the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUC)between the two CT-FFR calculation methods.Results Both CT-FFR methods exhibited a positive correlation with invasive FFR(MCP-FFR:r=0.75,P＜0.001;DeepCL-FFR:r=0.86,P＜0.001)and showed good agreement(MCP-FFR:mean difference=0.010,P=0.351;DeepCL-FFR:mean difference=-0.003,P=0.772).Both DeepCL-FFR(AUC 0.97,95％CI 0.94-0.99)and MCP-FFR(AUC 0.92,95％CI 0.88-0.97)demonstrated favorable diagnostic performance for detecting hemodynamic abnormalities(P=0.122).In the"gray zone"for hemodynamic abnormality,the diagnostic accuracy of MCP-FFR was 68.8％,whereas DeepCL-FFR increased it to 89.7％.DeepCL-FFR also exhibited superior diagnostic performance(AUC 0.89,95％CI 0.73-0.99)within the"gray zone,"which was significantly higher than that of MCP-FFR(AUC 0.71,95％CI 0.54-0.87)(P＜0.001).Conclusions The deep learning-driven coronary centerline extraction algorithm,DeepCL,demonstrates superior diagnostic performance in CT-FFR for detecting hemodynamic abnormalities,particularly by significantly improving diagnostic accuracy in the"gray zone."

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of residual Murray's law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)on long-term vessel-oriented composite endpoints(VoCE).Methods:This retrospective study included 3 510 patients from the FAVOR Ⅲ China trial.Offline residual μQFR analysis was performed on all vessels(diameter≥2.5 mm)with 50%-90%stenotic lesions.Patients were stratified into high-,intermediate-,and low-risk groups based on residual μQFR tertiles.The primary endpoint was 3-year VoCE,defined as a composite of cardiac death related to the target vessel,target vessel-related spontaneous myocardial infarction,and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization.Results:Offline analysis was performed on 5 256 vessels from 3 510 patients.The mean residual μQFR was 0.92±0.75.The high-risk group(residual μQFR≤0.91)with 1 554 patients(1 958 vessels);the intermediate-risk group(residual μQFR 0.92-0.96)with 1 211 patients(1 906 vessels);and the low-risk group(residual μQFR>0.96)with 745 patients(1 392 vessels).Over 3-year follow-up,VoCE occurred in 227 vessels(4.3%).The 3-year VoCE incidence was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the intermediate-and low-risk groups(6.2%vs.4.1%vs.2.5%,log-rank P<0.001),primarily driven by ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization(5.0%vs.3.0%vs.1.6%,log-rank P<0.001).Hypertension(OR=0.83,95%CI:0.72-0.96),hypercholesterolemia(OR=0.84,95%CI:0.73-0.97),bifurcation lesions(OR=0.72,95%CI:0.63-0.83),moderate/severe calcification(OR=0.70,95%CI:0.57-0.84),and tandem lesions(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.47-0.75)were independent predictors of lower residual μQFR values.Conclusions:Lower residual μQFR is significantly associated with increased VoCE risk during the 3-year follow up period.

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance(Angio-IMR)for early prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:This multicenter study enrolled 1 629 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI at three grade A tertiary hospitals(The Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine;Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University;Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)from June 1,2017,to May 31,2020.According to postoperative Angio-IMR,patients was stratified into two groups:the Angio-IMR>40 group(n=508)and the Angio-IMR≤40 group(n=1 121).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE;defined as a composite endpoint including cardiac death,heart failure rehospitalization,cardiogenic shock,malignant arrhythmia,cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stent thrombosis)within 1-month post-PCI was compared between the two groups.Results:The median Angio-IMR after PCI was 32.4(22.3,42.6).The cumulative incidence of early-term MACE was significantly higher in patients with Angio-IMR>40,compared to those with Angio-IMR≤40(5.5%vs.2.3%,log-rank P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Angio-IMR>40 was an independent predictor of early-term MACE(HR=2.07,95%CI:1.20-3.58,P=0.009).The addition of Angio-IMR enhanced the predicting performance of the clinical risk model to predict early adverse outcomes(AUC:0.820 vs.0.794,P=0.043).Conclusions:In patients with STEMI after PCI,Angio-IMR can predict the occurrence of early-term MACE.The incorporation of Angio-IMR to clinical models significantly improves the model ability to predict early adverse outcomes in these patients.

Objective To explore the types of symptom clusters in patients with bladder instillation and identify the core symptoms through symptom network analysis,and to provide evidence for symptom management of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 226 patients with bladder instillation for bladder cancer at a Tier-IIIA hospital in Guiyang from March 2023 to July 2024.Data were collected through review of medical record,general information questionnaires and symptom assessment questionnaires specific to the patients with bladder instillation.Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters,and symptom relationships were analysed using R language for network layout and centrality calculations.Results A total of 223 patients with bladder cancer completed the survey.Four symptom clusters were identified,namely the urinary system symptom cluster,digestive system symptom cluster,somatic symptom cluster and psychological symptom cluster,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 66.038%.The symptom network analysis showed strong associations between dysuria and urethral pain during catheterisation,incomplete emptying and dysuria,as well as distress and poor sleep quality.In terms of centrality indicators,the top three symptoms by strength were dysuria(rS=2.26),incomplete emptying(rS=0.99)and poor sleep quality(rS=0.90).Of the expected impacts,the top three were dysuria(rE=2.09),poor sleep quality(rE=1.34)and frequency of urinary(rE=0.55).Regarding the closeness centrality,the top three were dysuria(rC=2.23),incomplete emptying(rC=0.64)and poor sleep quality(rC=0.54).Dysuria had the highest strength,expected impact and closeness centrality,indicating the dysuria was the core symptom in the patients with bladder cancer.Conclusion For the patients with bladder instillation experience,multiple and interconnected symptoms appear at the same time and together they form a symptom clusters,of which the pain in urination is the core symptom.Medical staff should consider symptom prevalence and core symptoms and to develop the targeted and precise management strategies for targeted nursing.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for upper arm ports(UAP)related infections and develop a nomogram for predicting the UAP related infections.Methods Patients(n=6 028)with UAP between 2014 and 2023 in Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were included and assigned to a training set(n=4 219)or a validation set(n=1 809).Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator(LASSO)regression were built and non-zero factors were screened out.Multivariate logistic regression was performed for these non-zero factors to screen significant factors out for constructing a prediction model.The performance of the model was evaluated by the area under curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves,the decision curve analysis(DCA)curve,and clinical impact curves(CICs)in both training set and validation set.Results The model incorporated gender,venous access,venous status,catheter-related thrombosis(CRT),and diameter of catheter.The model performed well.The AUC of ROC was 0.801 in the training set and 0.746 in the validation set.The calibration curve was close to the ideal curve,indicating good discriminative ability of the model.The DCA curve suggested that the model could help make beneficial clinical decisions when the risk assessment value was 30％-41％.CICs proved that the model had good clinical value.Conclusions A model was successfully constructed to predict UAP-related infections.The brachial/basilic vein and 5F catheter was proposed as the first choice.Thicker catheter diameter,male,CRT,abnormal venous status,and axillary vein approach may increase the risk of UAP related infection.

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of residual Murray's law-based quantitative flow ratio(μQFR)on long-term vessel-oriented composite endpoints(VoCE).Methods:This retrospective study included 3 510 patients from the FAVOR Ⅲ China trial.Offline residual μQFR analysis was performed on all vessels(diameter≥2.5 mm)with 50%-90%stenotic lesions.Patients were stratified into high-,intermediate-,and low-risk groups based on residual μQFR tertiles.The primary endpoint was 3-year VoCE,defined as a composite of cardiac death related to the target vessel,target vessel-related spontaneous myocardial infarction,and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization.Results:Offline analysis was performed on 5 256 vessels from 3 510 patients.The mean residual μQFR was 0.92±0.75.The high-risk group(residual μQFR≤0.91)with 1 554 patients(1 958 vessels);the intermediate-risk group(residual μQFR 0.92-0.96)with 1 211 patients(1 906 vessels);and the low-risk group(residual μQFR>0.96)with 745 patients(1 392 vessels).Over 3-year follow-up,VoCE occurred in 227 vessels(4.3%).The 3-year VoCE incidence was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the intermediate-and low-risk groups(6.2%vs.4.1%vs.2.5%,log-rank P<0.001),primarily driven by ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization(5.0%vs.3.0%vs.1.6%,log-rank P<0.001).Hypertension(OR=0.83,95%CI:0.72-0.96),hypercholesterolemia(OR=0.84,95%CI:0.73-0.97),bifurcation lesions(OR=0.72,95%CI:0.63-0.83),moderate/severe calcification(OR=0.70,95%CI:0.57-0.84),and tandem lesions(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.47-0.75)were independent predictors of lower residual μQFR values.Conclusions:Lower residual μQFR is significantly associated with increased VoCE risk during the 3-year follow up period.

Objectives:To explore the predictive value of angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance(Angio-IMR)for early prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:This multicenter study enrolled 1 629 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI at three grade A tertiary hospitals(The Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine;Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University;Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)from June 1,2017,to May 31,2020.According to postoperative Angio-IMR,patients was stratified into two groups:the Angio-IMR>40 group(n=508)and the Angio-IMR≤40 group(n=1 121).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE;defined as a composite endpoint including cardiac death,heart failure rehospitalization,cardiogenic shock,malignant arrhythmia,cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stent thrombosis)within 1-month post-PCI was compared between the two groups.Results:The median Angio-IMR after PCI was 32.4(22.3,42.6).The cumulative incidence of early-term MACE was significantly higher in patients with Angio-IMR>40,compared to those with Angio-IMR≤40(5.5%vs.2.3%,log-rank P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Angio-IMR>40 was an independent predictor of early-term MACE(HR=2.07,95%CI:1.20-3.58,P=0.009).The addition of Angio-IMR enhanced the predicting performance of the clinical risk model to predict early adverse outcomes(AUC:0.820 vs.0.794,P=0.043).Conclusions:In patients with STEMI after PCI,Angio-IMR can predict the occurrence of early-term MACE.The incorporation of Angio-IMR to clinical models significantly improves the model ability to predict early adverse outcomes in these patients.

Objective To explore the types of symptom clusters in patients with bladder instillation and identify the core symptoms through symptom network analysis,and to provide evidence for symptom management of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 226 patients with bladder instillation for bladder cancer at a Tier-IIIA hospital in Guiyang from March 2023 to July 2024.Data were collected through review of medical record,general information questionnaires and symptom assessment questionnaires specific to the patients with bladder instillation.Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters,and symptom relationships were analysed using R language for network layout and centrality calculations.Results A total of 223 patients with bladder cancer completed the survey.Four symptom clusters were identified,namely the urinary system symptom cluster,digestive system symptom cluster,somatic symptom cluster and psychological symptom cluster,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 66.038%.The symptom network analysis showed strong associations between dysuria and urethral pain during catheterisation,incomplete emptying and dysuria,as well as distress and poor sleep quality.In terms of centrality indicators,the top three symptoms by strength were dysuria(rS=2.26),incomplete emptying(rS=0.99)and poor sleep quality(rS=0.90).Of the expected impacts,the top three were dysuria(rE=2.09),poor sleep quality(rE=1.34)and frequency of urinary(rE=0.55).Regarding the closeness centrality,the top three were dysuria(rC=2.23),incomplete emptying(rC=0.64)and poor sleep quality(rC=0.54).Dysuria had the highest strength,expected impact and closeness centrality,indicating the dysuria was the core symptom in the patients with bladder cancer.Conclusion For the patients with bladder instillation experience,multiple and interconnected symptoms appear at the same time and together they form a symptom clusters,of which the pain in urination is the core symptom.Medical staff should consider symptom prevalence and core symptoms and to develop the targeted and precise management strategies for targeted nursing.

Objective To discuss the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)in combination with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to identify the influencing factors.Methods A total of 60 patients with advanced HCC,who were admitted to the Air Force Medical Center of China from January 2016 to December 2022,were enrolled in this study.Thirty patients received TACE combined with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors(TACE-L-P group),and the other 30 patients received TACE combined with targeted therapy(TACE-L group).The progression-free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS),disease control rate(DCR),and objective response rate(ORR)were compared between the two groups.Results In the TACE-L group and TACE-L-P group,the median PFS(mPFS)was 7 months and 10 months respectively(P=0.011),the median OS(mOS)was 15.5 months and 29 months respectively(P=0.014).Child-Pugh class B(HR=3.89,95％CI:1.27-11.94,P=0.018)and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)stage C(HR=2.83,95％CI:1.32-6.03,P=0.007)were the independent risk factors for OS,while micro wave ablation(HR=0.21,95％CI:0.07-0.63,P=0.005)and TACE-L-P(HR=0.09,95％CI:0.03-0.3,P=0.001)were the independent protection factors for OS.Besides,elevated bilirubin level(HR=1.03,95％CI:1-1.06,P=0.032)and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)level(HR=1.01,95％CI:1-1.01,P=0.002)were the independent risk factors for disease progression,and TACE-L-P(HR=0.27,95％CI:0.09-0.79,P=0.017)was the independent protection factor for disease progression.The ORR and DCR in TACE-L-P group were remarkably higher than those in TACE-L group,which were 43.4％vs 13.3％and 63.4％vs 23.3％respectively,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).Conclusion In treating advanced HCC,TACE combined with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors is superior to TACE combined with targeted therapy in therapeutic efficacy.