Background Deoxynivalenol (DON), a priority contaminant for food safety risk monitoring, is produced by Fusarium spp. infesting crops, and its common derivatives are 3-acetyl-DON (3A-DON) and 15-acetyl-DON (15A-DON), which have been shown to possess gastrointestinal toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and cytotoxicity. Due to the stable physicochemical properties of the DON family of toxins (DONs), they cannot be effectively removed during food processing, thus following the food chain, entering the human body, and posing health risks. Objective To understand the contamination status of DONs in commercial foods (cereals and bakery products) in Shanghai in 2022–2023, and to assess the exposure risk of DONs in pregnant women by combining their dietary consumption data. Methods Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the contamination level of DONs in 1 100 food samples (cereals and baked goods) collected in 2022 and 944 samples collected in 2023 from Shanghai. The dietary monitoring data of pregnant women in Shanghai from 2016 to 2017 were adopted. The monitoring employed the food frequency questionnaire distributed among pregnant women through a combination of online telephone enquiry and offline on-site face-to-face survey to estimate their food consumption levels. An exposure assessment model was established to calculate the exposure level to DONs, and the probability distribution of the DONs exposure level in the pregnant women group in Shanghai was obtained by applying @Risk 7.5 software and simulating the calculation according to the Monte Carlo principle. With reference to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of DONs [1.00 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹] proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, the risk of exposure to DONs from commercial cereals and bakery products in pregnant women in Shanghai was assessed. Results DONs were detected in cereal and bakery samples collected in 2022 and 2023 with different levels of contamination. The level of DONs in cereal foods in 2023 (mean: 36.33 µg·kg⁻¹) decreased compared to 2022 (mean: 23.64 µg·kg⁻¹). However, the positive rate (71.67%) and level (mean: 51.22 µg·kg⁻¹) of DONs in bakery products increased significantly compared with 2022 (positive rate: 10.00%, mean: 24.39 µg·kg⁻¹). The mean consumption of cereals in 783 pregnant women was 222.48 g·d⁻¹ and the mean consumption of bakery products was 36.07 g·d⁻¹, and there was no statistically significant difference in the intake of all types of cereals and bakery products across the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy. The modelled intakes of DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products for pregnant women in Shanghai were calculated to be 0.20 and 0.57 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ in 2022 for the mean level and the 95th percentile level, respectively, and 0.16 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ and 0.35 µg·(kg·d)⁻¹ in 2023, respectively. The results of the health risk assessment showed that pregnant women in Shanghai had 2.6% and 1.4% probability of exposure to DONs from cereal consumption in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Conclusion The risk of exposure of pregnant women in Shanghai to DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products is relatively low (1.4%-2.6%). However, considering the physical sensitivity of pregnant women, they should avoid consuming moldy grains and appropriately reduce intake of bakery products.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

COMPERA 2.0 risk stratification has been demonstrated to be useful in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, its suitability for patients at risk for post-capillary PH or PH associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is unclear. To investigate the use of COMPERA 2.0 in patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), who are at risk for post-capillary PH, a total of 327 eligible SAS patients undergoing TAVR at our institution between September 2015 and November 2020 were included in the study. Patients were classified into four strata before and after TAVR using the COMPERA 2.0 risk score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression model. The study cohort had a median (interquartile range) age of 76 (70‒80) years and a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of 33 (27‒43) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before TAVR. The overall mortality was 11.9% during 26 (15‒47) months of follow-up. Before TAVR, cumulative mortality was higher with an increase in the risk stratum level (log-rank, both P<0.001); each increase in the risk stratum level resulted in an increased risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% confidential interval (CI) 1.54‒4.18, P<0.001), which was independent of age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, albumin, and valve type (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01‒3.07, P=0.047). Similar results were observed at 30 d after TAVR. COMPERA 2.0 can serve as a useful tool for risk stratification in patients with SAS undergoing TAVR, indicating its potential application in the management of PH-LHD. Further validation is needed in patients with confirmed post-capillary PH by right heart catheterization.
Humans ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/complications* ; Aged ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Aged, 80 and over ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Retrospective Studies

In this study, araucarene diterpenes, characterized by a pimarene skeleton with a variably oxidized side chain at C-13, were investigated. A total of 16 araucarene diterpenoids and their derivatives were isolated from the woods of Agathis dammara, including 11 previously unreported compounds: dammaradione (1), dammarones D-G (2, 5, 14, 15), dammaric acids B-F (8-12), and dammarol (16). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS) and one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), while their absolute configurations were determined through the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) exciton chirality method and Snatzke's method. The hypoglycemic activity of all isolated compounds was evaluated using a transgenic zebrafish model, and a structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted. Araucarone (3) and dammaric acid C (9), serving as representative compounds, demonstrated significant hypoglycemic effects on zebrafish. The primary mechanism involves the promotion of pancreatic β cell regeneration and glucose uptake. Specifically, these compounds enhance the differentiation of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells (PEP cells) into β cells in zebrafish.
Zebrafish ; Animals ; Diterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Regeneration/drug effects*

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective To analyze the risk factors influencing the occurrence of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, and to construct and evaluate a nomogram prediction model. Methods Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and R software was used to build a nomogram prediction model. The accuracy and clinical validity of the model were verified by using H-L fit curve, area under ROC curve and calibration curve. Results The prevalence rate of atherosclerosis was 56.37%. Independent risk factors for atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (P<0.05) were body weight (OR=1.42，P<0.05), glycated serum protein (OR=1.35, P<0.05), lactate dehydrogenase (OR=1.17, P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (OR=0.79, P<0.05), hyperlipidemia (OR=2.30, P<0.05), stroke (OR=4.20, P<0.05), coronary heart disease (OR=64.54, P<0.05), lower extremity artery disease (OR=24.52, P<0.05), and other endocrine diseases (OR=1.65 , P<0.05). The area under ROC curve was 0.91, the slope of the calibration curve was close to 1, and the H-L fit curve χ²=3.11. The internal verification result of the constructed nomogram prediction model was P=0.93. External verification of patients in the test set showed that the area under ROC curve was 0.91, indicating good differentiation and accuracy of the model. Conclusion The prediction model established by using the risk factors screened in this study has a high accuracy and differentiation, and medical staff can take effective prevention measures according to the individual factors of patients.

Ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS),a pathological type of breast cancer that is limited to the terminal ducts of the breast without breaking through the basement membrane,is considered as the precursor of invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC).When DCIS breaks through the basement membrane and invades surrounding tissues,it can form infiltrating lesions.If the maximum diameter of a single infiltrating lesion is less than 1mm or the maximum diameter of multiple infiltrating lesions is less than 1mm,it is defined as ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion(DCIS-Mi).About 12%-40%of untreated and intervened DCIS will progress to IDC,and DCIS and IDC can also coexist.However,there is a considerable portion of DCIS that never progresses with good prognosis.Recently,overdiagnosis and overtreatment of DCIS have become the research hotspots.The histological grade of DCIS is mainly based on the morphology of the nucleus,which is divided into three nuclear levels:low,medium,and high.There are also significant differences in receptor expression and molecular type distribution between DCIS,DCIS-Mi,and IDC.For DCIS with or without microinvasion as well as different histological grades,there are many controversies about the treatment regimen,clinical prognosis and risk.The development of modern imaging technology has achieved preliminary evaluation of histological grading,infiltration status,and prognosis prediction of DCIS.The most commonly used breast imaging techniques in clinical practice currently include mammography(MG),ultrasound(US),and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The imaging principles of these three techniques are different,and each has its own advantages and disadvantages in breast disease imaging diagnosis.However,they can complement each other and play an important role in disease diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis evaluation.Mammography has the advantages of safety,reliability and good repeatability.It is the preferred screening method for breast cancer recommended by international guidelines.The main manifestations of DCIS on MG can be divided into non calcified lesions and calcified lesions.On US,the main manifestations are lesions and non-lesion type,which can be further divided into hypoechoic changes,calcification,ductal changes,and structural disorders and distortions.MRI has higher sensitivity in detecting DCIS without calcification and multifocal DCIS compared with MG,and has higher accuracy in evaluating the lesion range.However,there are also shortcomings such as low diagnostic specificity and insensitivity to microcalcification display.In addition,radiomics has great potential in the histopathological evaluation,prediction,and guidance of individualized precision treatment of DCIS.In the current era of precision medicine,image features,histopathology,molecular genes,etc.are increasingly significant in predicting the prognosis of breast cancer.The early accurate diagnosis and molecular type of DCIS are also extremely important in clinical work.It has become a consensus in clinical treatment to predict the potential benefits of different treatments through molecular typing,histological grade,and imaging findings,in order to develop the most suitable personalized treatment plan.This article reviewed the correlation between imaging features and the molecular subtype,histopathology and prognosis of DCIS.

OBJECTIVE To compare the anti-oxidative effects of "three decoctions for COVID-19" (Qingfei Paidu decoction, Huashi Baidu decoction, Xuanfei Baidu decoction) in parallel experimental models. METHODS In the cell-free system, the total antioxidant capacity was investigated by FRAP method. The scavenging effects of DPPH radicals and superoxide anions were evaluated by DPPH and NBT reduction method, respectively. The scavenging effect of hydroxyl radicals was determined by a fluorescence method based on the end-product MDA. The anti-lipid peroxidation activity was investigated using the FeSO4-induced rat liver homogenate MDA method. Based on these five antioxidant indicators, the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts of three decoctions were parallelly compared in the cell-free system. Furthermore, in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells, the productions of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected using the L-012 probe and the MitoSOX mitochondrial superoxide red fluorescence probe, respectively; and intracellular NADPH oxidase activity was measured using the lucigenin probe. These three indicators were used to parallelly compare the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts of three decoctions. RESULTS In the cell-free system, three decoctions for COVID-19 could concentration-dependently scavenge DPPH radicals, superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, and potently inhibit the lipid peroxidation. At the equal extract concentration, their scavenging effects on DPPH radicals and superoxide anions and the total antioxidant capacity were comparable; while Huashi Baidu decoction exhibited the strongest ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation. In the cell system, three decoctions could reduce lipopolysaccharide-elevated intracellular ROS level by weakening NADPH oxidase activity; meanwhile, they could decrease mitochondrial ROS productions, among which Qingfei Paidu decoction possessed the most comprehensive effection. CONCLUSION Collectively, three decoctions for COVID-19 exert diverse antioxidant effects in both cell-free and cell systems, and each of them possesses the distinct advantages. Given that oxidative stress is pivotal during the pathological process of COVID-19, the results may suggest that the antioxidant ability of three decoctions is one of the pharmacodynamic basis for their clinical use.

Objective To explore the mechanism of modified Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction in regulating apolipoproteinA-Ⅰ (apoA-Ⅰ),improving endoplasmic reticulum stress,regulating glucose and lipid metabolism,and preventing and treating dyslipidemia in mice. Methods Wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the WT,WT+high-fat diet(HFD),and WT+HFD+Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction(XSLJZ) groups according to the random number table method. ApoA-Ⅰ-/-mice were randomly divided into the apoA-Ⅰ-/-,apoA-Ⅰ-/-+HFD,and apoA-Ⅰ-/-+HFD+XSLJZ groups (n=10) according to the random number table method. D12492 was used for HFD feeding to establish a hyperlipidemic mouse model. Modified XSLJZ (23.66g/kg) was administered daily by gavage from the ninth week. Serum and liver tissue were collected for testing after 4 weeks. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect blood lipid levels;an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin (INS) levels,and the INS resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Oil red O staining was used to observe the lipid deposition in the liver. TG levels in liver tissue were detected using the microplate method. Real-time PCR was used to detect apoA-Ⅰ,glucose-regulated proteins (GRP78),sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c),acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1),and fatty acid synthase (FASN) mRNA expression levels in liver tissue. The WES fully automated protein expression analysis system was used to detect apoA-Ⅰ,GRP78,inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1),p-IRE1,c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p-JNK,insulin receptor substrate (IRS1),p-IRS1,protein kinase B (Akt),p-Akt,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN protein expression levels in liver tissue. Results Compared to the WT group,the WT+HFD group showed a significant increase in serum lipids,FBG,INS levels,and the HOMA-IR index (P<0.05). The orange-red lipid droplets in liver tissue increased,fat vacuoles were apparent,and TG levels were significantly increased. ApoA-Ⅰ mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced,whereas GRP78,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN mRNA expression levels were increased,GRP78,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN protein levels and the IRE1,JNK,IRS1,and Akt phosphorylation degree were increased (P<0.05). The serum TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,FBG,and INS levels and the HOMA-IR index in the WT+HFD group were significantly reduced after administering modified XSLJZ (P<0.05). The orange-red lipid droplets in liver tissue were significantly reduced,fat vacuolization was alleviated,and TG levels were significantly reduced,ApoA-Ⅰ mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased,whereas GRP78,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN mRNA expression levels were reduced,GRP78,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN protein expression levels and the IRE1,JNK,IRS1,and Akt phosphorylation degree were reduced (P<0.05). Compared to the WT+HFD group,the TG,LDL-C,and FBG levels and HOMA-IR index in the serum of the apoA-Ⅰ-/-+HFD group were significantly increased,whereas the HDL-C levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Diffuse orange-red lipid droplets in liver tissue and a significant increase in fat vacuoles were observed. Furthermore,TG levels were significantly increased,SREBP-1c,ACC1,FASN mRNA,SREBP-1c,and ACC1 protein expression levels and IRE1,JNK,IRS1,and Akt phosphorylation levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the WT+HFD+XSLJZ group,the apoA-Ⅰ-/-+HFD+XSLJZ group showed a significant increase in serum TG,LDL-C,FBG,and INS levels,and the HOMA-IR index,whereas HDL-C levels decreased significantly (P<0.05). The deposition of orange-red lipid droplets in liver tissue improved,and TG levels significantly decreased,GRP78,SREBP-1c,ACC1,and FASN mRNA expression levels,GRP78,SREBP-1c,and ACC1 protein levels,and IRE1,JNK,IRS1,and Akt phosphorylation levels increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified XSLJZ improves liver glucose and lipid metabolism disorder by regulating apoA-Ⅰ to alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress.