Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss globally.Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)therapies remain the clinical mainstay, a significant proportion of patients exhibit suboptimal responses, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP), a multifunctional neuropeptide, is gaining attention due to its roles in vascular regulation, neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of CGRP and its receptor-mediated signaling, and explores emerging evidence of CGRP's involvement in DR through its vasodilatory effects and regulatory effect on neurodegenerative disorders and release of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of targeting the CGRP pathway in DR is evaluated, especially in cases unresponsive to VEGF inhibition. Despite currently the lack of CGRP-targeted drugs applied for DR, the peptide demonstrates efficacy and safety in other diseases, such as migraine, suggests promising translational opportunities. However, CGRP may play a dual role in different pathological stages of DR, thus its treatment strategy needs to be considered precisely. Future research elucidating the precise mechanisms of CGRP in DR may pave the way for innovative intervention strategies.

The medicinal history of Zanthoxyli Radix is long,and it is recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing under the name of Manjiao.Modern pharmacological research has proven that Zanthoxyli Radix has anti-tumor,antibacterial,antioxidant,and hemostatic effects.This article reviewed the pharmacological effects of Zanthoxyli Radix based on its functional indications.Based on the basic requirements of TCM quality markers(Q-markers),this article predicted and analyzed the Q-markers of Zanthoxyli Radix from the perspectives of plant phylogeny and chemical component specificity,chemical component and pharmacological correlation,and chemical component testability.It is proposed to select alkaloids,flavonoids,and lignans as the Q-markers for the general classification of Zanthoxyli Radix.The candidate components for Q-marker were identified,including chloramphenicol,white croaker alkaloid,magnolian alkaloid,taro alkaloid,vanillin,hesperidin,L-sesamin and L-asarone,providing a reference for further research on the quality standards of Zanthoxyli Radix.

Objective To investigate the role of RNA-binding motif protein X-linked(RBMX)in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis in human bladder cancer cells.Methods A lentivirus vectors system and RNA interference technique were used to construct bladder cancer 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown,respectively,and successful cell modeling was verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Proliferation and colony forming ability of the cells were evaluated using EdU assay and colony-forming assay,and cell migration and invasion abilities were determined using Transwell experiment.The expressions of glycolysis-related proteins M1 pyruvate kinase(PKM1)and M2 pyruvate kinase(PKM2)were detected using Western blotting.The effects of RBMX overexpression and knockdown on glycolysis in the bladder cancer cells were assessed using glucose and lactic acid detection kits.Results RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed successful construction of 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown.RBMX overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Western blotting results showed that RBMX overexpression increased the expression of PKM1 and decreased the expression of PKM2,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Glucose consumption and lactate production levels were significantly lowered in the cells with RBMX overexpression(P<0.05)but increased significantly following RBMX knockdown(P<0.05).Conclusion RBMX overexpression inhibits bladder cancer progression and lowers glycolysis level in bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2 expression,suggesting the potential of RBMX as a molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

Objective To investigate the role of RNA-binding motif protein X-linked(RBMX)in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis in human bladder cancer cells.Methods A lentivirus vectors system and RNA interference technique were used to construct bladder cancer 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown,respectively,and successful cell modeling was verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Proliferation and colony forming ability of the cells were evaluated using EdU assay and colony-forming assay,and cell migration and invasion abilities were determined using Transwell experiment.The expressions of glycolysis-related proteins M1 pyruvate kinase(PKM1)and M2 pyruvate kinase(PKM2)were detected using Western blotting.The effects of RBMX overexpression and knockdown on glycolysis in the bladder cancer cells were assessed using glucose and lactic acid detection kits.Results RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed successful construction of 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown.RBMX overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Western blotting results showed that RBMX overexpression increased the expression of PKM1 and decreased the expression of PKM2,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Glucose consumption and lactate production levels were significantly lowered in the cells with RBMX overexpression(P<0.05)but increased significantly following RBMX knockdown(P<0.05).Conclusion RBMX overexpression inhibits bladder cancer progression and lowers glycolysis level in bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2 expression,suggesting the potential of RBMX as a molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

Background and objective Both of lung cancer incidence and mortality rank first among all cancers in China.Previous lung cancer screening trials were mostly selective screening for high-risk groups such as smokers.Non-smoking women accounted for a considerable proportion of lung cancer cases in Asia.This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of community-based mass screening in Guangzhou and identify the high-risk factors for lung cancer.Methods Residents aged 40-74 years in Guangzhou were screened with low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)for lung cancer and the pulmonary nodules were classified and managed according to China National Lung Cancer Screening Guideline with Low-dose Computed Tomography(2018 version).The detection rate of positive nodules was calculated.Before the LDCT examination,residents were required to complete a"lung cancer risk factors questionnaire".The risk factors of the questionnaire were analyzed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)penalized Logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 6256 residents were included in this study.1228 positive nodules(19.63％)and 117 lung cancers were confirmed,including 6 cases of Tis,103 cases of stage Ⅰ(accounting for 88.03％of lung cancer).The results of LASSO penalized Logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥50 yr(OR=1.07,95％CI:1.06-1.07),history of cancer(OR=3.29,95％CI:3.22-3.37),textile industry(OR=1.10,95％CI:1.08-1.13),use coal for cooking in childhood(OR=1.14,95％CI:1.13-1.16)and food al-lergy(OR=1.10,95％CI:1.07-1.13)were risk factors of lung cancer for female in this district.Conclusion This study highlighted that numerous early stages of lung cancer cases were detected by LDCT,which could be applied to screen-ing of lung cancer in women.Besides,age ≥50 yr,personal history of cancer,textile industry and use coal for cooking in childhood are risk factors for women in this district,which suggested that it's high time to raise the awareness of early lung cancer screening in this group.

Background:A large number of studies have confirmed that the combination therapy of high-dose proton pump inhibitor(PPI)and amoxicillin has a good efficacy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori(Hp).As a new high-efficiency acid inhibitor,vonoprazan is expected to improve the efficacy of Hp eradication and has a good application prospect.Aims:To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy,so as to provide new treatment idea and choice for Hp eradication therapy.Methods:This is a single-center,prospective,randomized controlled clinical trial.Two hundred and ten patients positive for Hp infection and naive to eradication therapy were recruited consecutively and randomly divided into two groups.One group received dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin:vonoprazan 20 mg bid and amoxicillin 1 g tid for 14 days;the other group received bismuth-containing quadruple therapy:rabeprazole 20 mg bid,potassium bismuth citrate 600 mg bid,clarithromycin 500 mg bid,and amoxicillin 1 g bid for 14 days.After 4-6 weeks of treatment completion,the Hp eradication rate(primary outcome)was evaluated by 14C-urea breath test.Safety and compliance(secondary outcomes)were also observed and recorded in the treatment course.Results:In intention-to-treat(ITT)analysis,the Hp eradication rate of dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin was 89.6%,and that of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy was 92.3%(P＞0.05).In per-protocol(PP)analysis,the eradication rates of these two groups were 90.5%and 94.1%,respectively(P＞0.05).The adverse events rate of dual therapy was significantly lower than that of the quadruple therapy(5.7%vs.20.2%,P＜0.05).Conclusions:The efficacy of 14-day dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin for initial eradication of Hp is equal to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy,with fewer adverse events and simpler medications.It can be considered as the first-line treatment scheme of empirical treatment of Hp infection.

Background:A large number of studies have confirmed that the combination therapy of high-dose proton pump inhibitor(PPI)and amoxicillin has a good efficacy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori(Hp).As a new high-efficiency acid inhibitor,vonoprazan is expected to improve the efficacy of Hp eradication and has a good application prospect.Aims:To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy,so as to provide new treatment idea and choice for Hp eradication therapy.Methods:This is a single-center,prospective,randomized controlled clinical trial.Two hundred and ten patients positive for Hp infection and naive to eradication therapy were recruited consecutively and randomly divided into two groups.One group received dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin:vonoprazan 20 mg bid and amoxicillin 1 g tid for 14 days;the other group received bismuth-containing quadruple therapy:rabeprazole 20 mg bid,potassium bismuth citrate 600 mg bid,clarithromycin 500 mg bid,and amoxicillin 1 g bid for 14 days.After 4-6 weeks of treatment completion,the Hp eradication rate(primary outcome)was evaluated by 14C-urea breath test.Safety and compliance(secondary outcomes)were also observed and recorded in the treatment course.Results:In intention-to-treat(ITT)analysis,the Hp eradication rate of dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin was 89.6%,and that of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy was 92.3%(P＞0.05).In per-protocol(PP)analysis,the eradication rates of these two groups were 90.5%and 94.1%,respectively(P＞0.05).The adverse events rate of dual therapy was significantly lower than that of the quadruple therapy(5.7%vs.20.2%,P＜0.05).Conclusions:The efficacy of 14-day dual therapy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin for initial eradication of Hp is equal to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy,with fewer adverse events and simpler medications.It can be considered as the first-line treatment scheme of empirical treatment of Hp infection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.08.024.].

In situ and real-time monitoring of responsive drug release is critical for the assessment of pharmacodynamics in chemotherapy. In this study, a novel pH-responsive nanosystem is proposed for real-time monitoring of drug release and chemo-phototherapy by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The Fe₃O₄@Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) deposited graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites with a high SERS activity and stability are synthesized and labeled with a Raman reporter 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) to form SERS probes (GO-Fe₃O₄@Au@Ag-MPBA). Furthermore, doxorubicin (DOX) is attached to SERS probes through a pH-responsive linker boronic ester (GO-Fe₃O₄@Au@Ag-MPBA-DOX), accompanying the 4-MPBA signal change in SERS. After the entry into tumor, the breakage of boronic ester in the acidic environment gives rise to the release of DOX and the recovery of 4-MPBA SERS signal. Thus, the DOX dynamic release can be monitored by the real-time changes of 4-MPBA SERS spectra. Additionally, the strong T₂ magnetic resonance (MR) signal and NIR photothermal transduction efficiency of the nanocomposites make it available for MR imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT). Altogether, this GO-Fe₃O₄@Au@Ag-MPBA-DOX can simultaneously fulfill the synergistic combination of cancer cell targeting, pH-sensitive drug release, SERS-traceable detection and MR imaging, endowing it great potential for SERS/MR imaging-guided efficient chemo-phototherapy on cancer treatment.

Objective:To explore the effect of the developmental stages and quality on pregnancy outcome and birth outcome, and provide evidence for single blastocyst selection in frozen-thawed cycles.Methods:A retrospective cohort study analysis was performed on the data of patients with a total of 893 cycles who underwent single blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles in the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Qingyuan People's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2021. The cycles were divided into day 5 (D5) and day 6 (D6) groups according to the time of blastocyst formation. Then the two groups were divided into four subgroups according to the quality of blastocyst, namely, D5 good-quality embryo subgroup, D5 non-good-quality embryo subgroup, D6 good-quality embryo subgroup and D6 non-good-quality embryo subgroup. The general data, clinical outcomes and neonatal outcomes of each group were compared.Results:1) The clinical pregnancy rate [60.14% (332/552)], the implantation rate [60.14% (332/552)] and the live birth rate [47.64% (263/552)] in D5 group were significantly higher than those in D6 group [45.75% (156/341), 45.75% (156/341), 36.36% (124/341), all P<0.001], but there were no significant differences in body mass index, duration of infertility, intimal thickness of transplantation day and miscarriage rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). In addition, there were also no significant differences in birth weight, low birth weight rate, fetal macrosomia rate and male/female ratio (all P>0.05). 2) There were significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate [61.00% (294/482), 54.29% (38/70), 51.00% (127/249), 31.52% (29/92)] and live birth rate [48.96% (236/482), 38.57% (27/70), 41.37% (103/249), 22.83% (21/92)] among D5 good-quality embryo subgroup, D5 non-good-quality embryo subgroup, D6 good-quality embryo subgroup and D6 non-good-quality embryo subgroup (all P<0.001). D5 good-quality embryo subgroup had the highest clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, while D6 non-good-quality embryo subgroup had the lowest clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. There were also no significant differences in birth weight, fetal macrosomia rate and male/female ratio among the four subgroups (all P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in low birth weight rate [5.08% (12/236), 0 (0/27), 4.85% (5/103), 23.81% (5/21)] among the four subgroups ( P=0.014). 3) There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between D5 non-good-quality embryo subgroup and D6 good-quality embryo subgroup (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate of 4BC in D5 were lower than those of 4AA, 4AB and 4BA in D6, while the miscarriage rate of 4BC in D5 was higher than that of 4AA, 4AB and 4BA in D6, but there were no significant differences (all P>0.05).The clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate of 4BC in D5 were higher than those of 4BB in D6, but there were no significant differences (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In the frozen-thawed cycle of single blastocyst transplantation, D5 good-quality blastocysts are preferred. When faced with D5 non-good-quality embryos and D6 good-quality embryos, the optimal choice was D6 4AA>D6 4BA>D6 4AB>D5 4BC>D6 4BB.