Objective:To understand the usage situation of e-cigarettes among residents aged 18-65 in Beijing, explore the relationship between e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking as well as smoking cessation behaviors, and provide scientific support for the developing and improving policies and measures related to e-cigarettes.Methods:Using 19 684 residents data from the Beijing Non-communication Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance in 2022, complex sampling weighted methods were used to estimate proportions, and complex sampling logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationship between e-cigarette use, cigarette smoking, and smoking cessation.Results:Among all study participants, the proportion of those who had ever used e-cigarettes was 3.36%, with the current e-cigarette use at 1.26%. The proportion of current e-cigarette users (1.87%) and the former e-cigarette users (3.47%) were higher ( χ2=64.70, P<0.001) among males compared to females (0.60% and 0.64% respectively). The top three reasons for using e-cigarettes were wanting to quit smoking, perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful, and enjoying the flavors of e-cigarettes. 83.54% of e-cigarette users started with cigarettes. The results of the complex sampling multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that current smoking ( OR=61.35, 95% CI: 36.98-101.76) and former smoking ( OR=31.20, 95% CI: 15.52-62.71) were positively associated with e-cigarette, while current e-cigarette use ( OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.39) was negatively associated with quitting cigarette smoking. Conclusions:The proportion of e-cigarette use in Beijing was relatively low. E-cigarette use was associated with cigarette use and was not conducive to smoking cessation. Therefore, stronger regulatory measures and health education campaigns regarding the risks of e-cigarettes should be implemented.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of black blood computed tomography(BBCT)in vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation.Methods The imaging data of 73 patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of conventional computed tomography angiography(CTA)ima-ges and BBCT images were compared by paired sample t-test.The 5-level scoring method was applied to evaluate the image quality subjectively,and the Friedman test was used to compare the differences in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the groups.Taking high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging(HRMR-VWI)as the gold standard,the diagnostic value between BBCT and conventional CTA was compared,and the consistency of BBCT and HRMR-VWI in the evaluation of vulnerable plaques was calculated.Results The standard deviation(SD)value of BBCT images was lower than that of conventional three-phase CTA images,indicating better quality of BBCT images(P＜0.001).The mean CT value and CNRplaque-lumen of non-calcified plaques were higher in BBCT images than those in conventional three-phase CTA images,suggesting that BBCT had a higher contrast with sur-rounding tissues and could better display the fine structure of non-calcified plaques(P＜0.001).BBCT images achieved the highest scores in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P＜0.001).Compared with conventional CTA images,BBCT had higher sensi-tivity(88.2％vs 29.4％)and accuracy(90.9％vs 54.5％)in identifying vulnerable plaques(P＜0.001).The Kappa value between BBCT and HRMR-VWI was 0.813,showed good consistency.Conclusion The image quality of neck BBCT is superior to that of conventional CTA.BBCT has a better effect than conventional CTA in identifying vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation,which is comparable to HRMR-VWI.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective To investigate the value of CT perfusion imaging(CTP)and CT angiography(CTA)combined with serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in assessing the status and prognosis of collateral circulation(CC)in hemiplegic patients with stroke.Methods A total of 106 patients with stroke hemiplegia were selected in this study.All patients underwent CTA and CTP,and patients were classified into the good CC group(n=67)and the poor CC group(n=39)based on CTA images.Patients were also classified into the good prognostic group(n=56)and the poor prognostic group(n=50)based on modified Rankin Scale(mRS)scores after 3 months of treatment.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum NSE levels.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlation between CC scores and CTP parameters and serum NSE levels.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the evaluation value of serum NSE for the prognosis of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Kappa test was used to analyse the consistency of the prognosis and follow-up results of hemiplegic stroke patients assessed by CTP and CTA alone and in combination with serum NSE.Results The CTP parameters rCBF and rCBV were lower in the poor CC group than those in the good CC group(P＜0.05),and levels of rTTP,rMTT and serum NSE were higher than those in the good CC group(P＜0.01).CC score was positively correlated with rCBF and rCBV,and negatively correlated with rTTP,rMTT and serum NSE levels(P＜0.05).The rCBF and rCBV were lower in the poor prognosis group than those in the good prognosis group,and the proportion of poor CC,rTTP,rMTT,serum NSE level and mRS score were higher than those in the good prognosis group(P＜0.01).The area under the curve of serum NSE alone for predicting poor prognosis in hemiplegic patients with stroke was 0.878(95%CI:0.800-0.934),with a sensitivity of 74.00%and a specificity of 91.07%,which was in good agreement with the results of the follow-up(Kappa value=0.654,P＜0.001).Conclusion CTP,CTA combined with serum NSE have a relatively high evaluation value for the assessment of the CC status and prognosis of stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of black blood computed tomography(BBCT)in vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation.Methods The imaging data of 73 patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of conventional computed tomography angiography(CTA)ima-ges and BBCT images were compared by paired sample t-test.The 5-level scoring method was applied to evaluate the image quality subjectively,and the Friedman test was used to compare the differences in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the groups.Taking high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging(HRMR-VWI)as the gold standard,the diagnostic value between BBCT and conventional CTA was compared,and the consistency of BBCT and HRMR-VWI in the evaluation of vulnerable plaques was calculated.Results The standard deviation(SD)value of BBCT images was lower than that of conventional three-phase CTA images,indicating better quality of BBCT images(P＜0.001).The mean CT value and CNRplaque-lumen of non-calcified plaques were higher in BBCT images than those in conventional three-phase CTA images,suggesting that BBCT had a higher contrast with sur-rounding tissues and could better display the fine structure of non-calcified plaques(P＜0.001).BBCT images achieved the highest scores in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P＜0.001).Compared with conventional CTA images,BBCT had higher sensi-tivity(88.2％vs 29.4％)and accuracy(90.9％vs 54.5％)in identifying vulnerable plaques(P＜0.001).The Kappa value between BBCT and HRMR-VWI was 0.813,showed good consistency.Conclusion The image quality of neck BBCT is superior to that of conventional CTA.BBCT has a better effect than conventional CTA in identifying vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation,which is comparable to HRMR-VWI.

Objective:To understand the usage situation of e-cigarettes among residents aged 18-65 in Beijing, explore the relationship between e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking as well as smoking cessation behaviors, and provide scientific support for the developing and improving policies and measures related to e-cigarettes.Methods:Using 19 684 residents data from the Beijing Non-communication Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance in 2022, complex sampling weighted methods were used to estimate proportions, and complex sampling logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationship between e-cigarette use, cigarette smoking, and smoking cessation.Results:Among all study participants, the proportion of those who had ever used e-cigarettes was 3.36%, with the current e-cigarette use at 1.26%. The proportion of current e-cigarette users (1.87%) and the former e-cigarette users (3.47%) were higher ( χ2=64.70, P<0.001) among males compared to females (0.60% and 0.64% respectively). The top three reasons for using e-cigarettes were wanting to quit smoking, perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful, and enjoying the flavors of e-cigarettes. 83.54% of e-cigarette users started with cigarettes. The results of the complex sampling multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that current smoking ( OR=61.35, 95% CI: 36.98-101.76) and former smoking ( OR=31.20, 95% CI: 15.52-62.71) were positively associated with e-cigarette, while current e-cigarette use ( OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.39) was negatively associated with quitting cigarette smoking. Conclusions:The proportion of e-cigarette use in Beijing was relatively low. E-cigarette use was associated with cigarette use and was not conducive to smoking cessation. Therefore, stronger regulatory measures and health education campaigns regarding the risks of e-cigarettes should be implemented.

Objective To investigate the value of CT perfusion imaging(CTP)and CT angiography(CTA)combined with serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in assessing the status and prognosis of collateral circulation(CC)in hemiplegic patients with stroke.Methods A total of 106 patients with stroke hemiplegia were selected in this study.All patients underwent CTA and CTP,and patients were classified into the good CC group(n=67)and the poor CC group(n=39)based on CTA images.Patients were also classified into the good prognostic group(n=56)and the poor prognostic group(n=50)based on modified Rankin Scale(mRS)scores after 3 months of treatment.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum NSE levels.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlation between CC scores and CTP parameters and serum NSE levels.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the evaluation value of serum NSE for the prognosis of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Kappa test was used to analyse the consistency of the prognosis and follow-up results of hemiplegic stroke patients assessed by CTP and CTA alone and in combination with serum NSE.Results The CTP parameters rCBF and rCBV were lower in the poor CC group than those in the good CC group(P＜0.05),and levels of rTTP,rMTT and serum NSE were higher than those in the good CC group(P＜0.01).CC score was positively correlated with rCBF and rCBV,and negatively correlated with rTTP,rMTT and serum NSE levels(P＜0.05).The rCBF and rCBV were lower in the poor prognosis group than those in the good prognosis group,and the proportion of poor CC,rTTP,rMTT,serum NSE level and mRS score were higher than those in the good prognosis group(P＜0.01).The area under the curve of serum NSE alone for predicting poor prognosis in hemiplegic patients with stroke was 0.878(95%CI:0.800-0.934),with a sensitivity of 74.00%and a specificity of 91.07%,which was in good agreement with the results of the follow-up(Kappa value=0.654,P＜0.001).Conclusion CTP,CTA combined with serum NSE have a relatively high evaluation value for the assessment of the CC status and prognosis of stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of endothelial activation and stress index(EASIX)for the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma(MCL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess prognosis and compare the clinical features of patients diagnosed with MCL who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to June 2023,had therapeutic indications and received standard treatment.Results:A total of 66 patients were included and divided into high EASIX group and low EASIX group,according to a cutoff value of 0.97 determined by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prealbumin＜0.2 g/L,high EASIX,and ECOG PS score ≥2 were independent risk factors influencing overall survival(OS)in MCL patients.The median OS of patients in the high and low EASIX group was 13.0 and 37.5 months,and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 and 26.0 months,respectively.The proportions of patients with ECOG PS score ≥2 and prealbumin＜0.2 g/L at onset significantly increased in the high EASIX group compared to those in the low EASIX group.Conclusion:At the time of initial diagnosis,EASIX can serve as an independent prognostic indicator impacting OS in patients with MCL.Furthermore,patients in the high EASIX group experience a poorer prognosis and shorter survival duration compared with those in the low EASIX group.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the combination of Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R.J. Wang (SB-SD) being a recognized Chinese medicinal herbal pair that is commonly used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, there is a poor understanding of their pharmacological mechanisms. This study examines the antitumor properties and potential mechanisms of SB-SD on human ovarian cancer A2780 cells through a multi-omics approach, establishing a pharmacological basis for clinical utilization. METHODS: A range of mass ratios and reagents were used in the hot reflux extraction of SB-SD. The inhibitory effect of the SB-SD extracts on A2780 cell proliferation was assessed using the cell-counting kit 8 assay. A zebrafish tumor implantation model was used to evaluate the effects of SB-SD extracts on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Transcriptomics and proteomics were used to investigate alterations in biological pathways in A2780 cells after treatment with different concentrations of SB-SD extract. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis, intracellular free iron concentration, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were utilized to investigate the effects of heme catabolism and ferritinophagy on ferroptosis induced by SB-SD extract in A2780 cells. RESULTS: The 70% ethanol extract of SB-SD (a mass ratio of 4:1) inhibited A2780 cell proliferation significantly with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 660 μg/mL in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, it effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in a zebrafish tumor implantation model. SB-SD extract induced the accumulation of free iron, ROS, MDA, and mitochondrial damage in A2780 cells. The mechanisms might involve the upregulated expression of ferritinophagy-related genes microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, autophagy-related gene 5, and nuclear receptor coactivator 4. CONCLUSION SB-SD extract effectively inhibited the development of ovarian cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanism of action involved inducing ferroptosis by facilitating heme catabolism and ferritinophagy. This herbal pair holds promise as a potential therapeutic option for ovarian cancer treatment and may be utilized in combination with routine treatment to improve the treatment outcomes of ovarian cancer patients. Please cite this article as: Wang Z, Liu M, Li GX, Zhang L, Ding KY, Li SQ, Gao BQ, Chen P, Choe HC, Xia LY, Yang YT, Liu Y, Sui X, Ma JN, Zhang L. A herbal pair of Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R.J. Wang induced ferroptosis in ovarian cancer A2780 cells via inducing heme catabolism and ferritinophagy. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 666-683.
Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Female ; Humans ; Animals ; Scutellaria/chemistry* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics* ; Zebrafish ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Ferritins/genetics* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Heme/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*