Objective:To investigate the effects of different doses of rosuvastatin on lipid metabolism and left ventricular function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accompanied by coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods:A prospective study was conducted involving 63 patients with T2DM accompanied by CHD who were treated at Jinan 2 nd People's Hospital and The Fifth People's Hospital of Jinan from January 2022 to June 2023. In a randomized case-control study, patients were assigned to either a control group ( n = 31, receiving 10 mg/d of rosuvastatin) or an observation group ( n = 32, receiving 20 mg/d of rosuvastatin) using a random number table method. After 8 weeks of treatment, the therapeutic effects were evaluated, and blood lipid levels and left ventricular function were recorded before and after treatment. Plasma levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), homocysteine (Hcy), C-reactive protein (CRP), and the distance covered in a 6-minute walk test were compared between the two groups. Patients were followed for 1 year to monitor adverse reactions and the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events. Results:The effective treatment rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [90.63% (29/32) vs. 70.97% (22/31), χ2 = 3.95, P < 0.05). Prior to treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding blood lipid levels, cardiac ultrasound indicators, serum levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy, and CRP, the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test, and the incidences of adverse reactions and adverse cardiovascular events (all P > 0.05). After treatment, both groups showed a reduction in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (both P < 0.05), with the observation group demonstrating significantly lower levels ( t = 10.54, 14.01, both P < 0.001). Additionally, both groups showed an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P < 0.05), but the observation group achieved significantly higher levels ( t = -14.07, P < 0.001). Both groups also exhibited an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction ( P < 0.05), with a greater improvement in the observation group ( t = -2.34, P < 0.05). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased in both groups ( P < 0.05), but the observation group had a smaller diameter ( t = 2.78, P < 0.05). Levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy, and CRP decreased in both groups (all P < 0.05), with the observation group showing significantly lower levels ( t = 6.55, 3.94, 6.38, all P < 0.001). Finally, the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test increased in both groups ( P < 0.05), with the observation group covering a greater distance ( t = -4.32, P < 0.001). Conclusions:High-dose rosuvastatin can effectively improve lipid metabolism and left ventricular function in patients with T2DM complicated by CHD. It significantly reduces levels of NT-proBNP, Hcy, and CRP, enhances exercise capacity, and demonstrates high safety, indicating a high potential for clinical application.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of terlipressin combined with dopamine on intraoperative renal perfusion and early postoperative renal function in patients undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 84 patients of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ, undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2022 to July 2024, in whom dopamine was continuously infused during operation to maintain fluctuation in the mean arterial pressure within 10% of the baseline value, were selected and divided into dopamine group (group D, n=42) and dopamine+ terlipressin group (group DT, n=42) based on whether terlipressin was used during operation. Terlipressin was continuously infused at a constant rate even before induction in group DT. The renal artery resistance index, intraoperative urine output, urine output within 24 h after surgery, concentration of creatinine within 7 days after surgery, glomerular filtration rate and delayed postoperative transplanted renal function were recorded. Results:Compared with group D, the intraoperative renal vascular resistance index was significantly reduced, the intraoperative urine output was increased ( P<0.01), and no statistical change was found in the urine output within 24 h after surgery, concentration of creatinine within 7 days after surgery, glomerular filtration rate and incidence of delayed postoperative transplanted renal function in group DT ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Terlipressin combined with dopamine provides better efficacy than dopamine alone in improving intraoperative renal perfusion and exerts no effect on early postoperative renal function in patients undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation.

Objective To systematically summarize the real experiences of the patients with totally implanted venous access ports(TIVAP)over the survival period of port-carrying,and provide references for formulation of the targeted health management programs.Methods A systematic search was conducted on databases of PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Embase,PsycNET,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),SinoMed,Wanfang Data base,and Vip for a qualitative study on the life experiences,needs,and feelings of patients with implanted infusion ports.The search period spanned from the inception of the databases to 3rd August,2024.Results A total of 14 studies were included,in 12 categories extracted from 38 research findings.Four synthesised results were further summarised,they were:impact on individual physical and mental health,impact on home life,challenges and needs in self-management and self-coping strategies of patients.Conclusion The implantation of TIVAP can produce both positive and negative experiences to the treatment as well as the life of patients.Healthcare professionals should be aware of the differences in emotion,cognition,need and personal coping strategy among the patients,hence to take effective measures to optimise the port-carrying experience of the patients,enhance the self-management enthusiasm and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To systematically evaluate the impact of cough enhancement techniques on weaning outcomes in adult patients under mechanical ventilation(MV).Methods Databases from the inception to 15th November,2024 were searched for randomised controlled trials(RCTs)on cough enhancement technique in MV patients.The searched databases were CNKI,Wanfang Data base,SinoMed,Vip,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Embase,and CINAHL.Literature and evidence quality were evaluated using Cochrane's evaluation tool for intervention research and the GRADE system,and data were extracted and analysed via Meta-analysis with Review Manager 5.3.Results A total of 27 studies were included,involving 2,322 patients(1,169 in the trial group and 1,153 in the control group).Compared with the control group,the trial group had shorter time of mechanical ventilation[MD=-1.40,95%CI(-1.83,-0.97),P<0.001],lower weaning failure rate[OR=0.48,95%CI(0.27,0.85),P=0.01],higher oxygenation index[MD=35.48,95%CI(21.53,49.43),P<0.001],lower pulmonary atelectasis incidence[OR=0.30,95%CI(0.18,0.49),P<0.001],greater sputum volume[MD=1.88,95%CI(0.76,3.01),P=0.001],shorter ICU stay[MD=-1.90,95%CI(-2.95,-0.85),P<0.001]and lower serum procalcitonin(PCT)[MD=-0.89,95%CI(-1.64,-0.14),P=0.02],all with statistically significant differences.However,there was no significant difference in the ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)between the two groups[OR=0.54,95%CI(0.21,1.35),P=0.19].Conclusion Cough enhancement techniques promote sputum discharge,improve infection and oxygenation,shorten mechanical ventilation and ICU stay,reduce weaning failure and atelectasis rates in MV patients.Further studies are required to reduce the incidence of VAP.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological pattern and disease burden of type 2 diabetes have been shifting in China over the past decades. This analysis described the epidemiological transition of type 2 diabetes in the past three decades and projected the trend in the future three decades in China. METHODS: Age-, sex-, and year-specific incidence, prevalence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for people with 15 years or older and diabetes or high fasting glucose in China and related countries from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease. We obtained the trends of age-, sex-, and year-specific rates and absolute numbers of incidence, prevalence, deaths, and DALYs attributable to type 2 diabetes in China from 1990 to 2021. Using the Lee-Carter model, we projected the incidence, prevalence, death, and DALYs attributable to type 2 diabetes to 2050 stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence of type 2 diabetes was 341.5 per 100,000 persons (1.6 times in 1990) and the age-standardized prevalence was 9.96% (9960.0 per 100,000 persons, 2.5 times in 1990) in China 2021. In 2021, there were 0.9 million deaths and 26.8 million DALYs due to type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia, as 2.9 and 2.7 times the data in 1990, respectively. The age-standardized rates of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia were projected to raise to 449.5 per 100,000 persons for incidence, 18.17% for prevalence, 244.6 per 100,000 persons for death, and 4720.2 per 100,000 persons for DALYs by 2050. The incidence of type 2 diabetes kept growing among individuals under the age of 20 years in the past three decades (128.7 per 100,000 persons in 1990 and 439.9 per 100,000 persons in 2021) and estimating 1870.8 per 100,000 in 2050. CONCLUSIONS The incidence, prevalence, and disease burden of type 2 diabetes grew rapidly in China in the past three decades. The prevention of type 2 diabetes in young people and the care for elder adults will be the greatest challenge for the country.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/mortality* ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Female ; Male ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Aged, 80 and over