Objective To quantitatively assess the exposure-response association between exposure to heatwave and sudden death, estimate the attributable excess deaths, and identify potential vulnerable subgroups. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted among residents who died from sudden death in Jiangsu Province, China between 2015 and 2021. Heatwave events in Jiangsu Province, defined using varying relative temperature thresholds and durations, were identified using temperature data from the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS V2.0). Individual heatwave exposure was assessed based on each subject's residential address. The exposure-response association between heatwave and sudden death was evaluated using conditional logistic regression model combined with a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model(DLNM). Heatwave-attributable excess deaths were estimated. Stratified analyses by sex and age were performed to assess potential effect modifications. Results Under all definitions, exposure to heatwave was significantly associated with an increased risk of sudden death, and the risk increased with the intensity of heatwave. Using the P95_3d definition (temperature exceeding the 95th percentile for ≥3 consecutive days), heatwave was significantlyassociated with a 56% increased risk of sudden death (95% CI: 31%, 86%). The population-attributable fraction of sudden death due to heatwave exposure was 1.45% (95% CI: 0.97%, 1.90%). Stratified analyses indicated no statistically significant differences in the association between heatwave exposure and sudden death across age or sex subgroups. Conclusion Heatwave exposure was associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Reducing heatwave exposure during summer may help lower the occurrence of sudden death.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of magnolol ester derivative YW against cisplatin （Cis）-induced acute kidney injury （AKI） and to explore its effect and preliminary mechanisms on Cis-induced AKI. MethodsThe research group designed and synthesized the magnolol ester derivative YW using magnolol as the parent core. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding interaction between YW and lysine acetyltransferase 7 （KAT7）. A Cis-induced AKI model was established in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into the normal control group， model group， YW low/medium/high dose groups （17.5， 35， 70 mg/kg）， and the positive control amifostine group. Renal function was assessed by measuring serum creatinine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels. Pathological changes were evaluated via HE staining and scoring of kidney tissues. Protein expression levels of kidney injury molecule 1 （KIM-1）， lysine acetyltransferase 7 （KAT7）， and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （p21） in kidney tissues were detected by Western blot （WB）. HK-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of YW； cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. WB was used to detect the expression levels of the renal injury marker KIM-1， KAT7， and its downstream protein p21. Cellular senescence was assessed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-Gal） staining. ResultsYW could stably bind to KAT7. In vivo experiments showed that， compared with the model group， all YW dose groups， especially the medium and high doses， significantly reduced the elevated levels of Scr and BUN in AKI mice （P<0.001） and effectively ameliorated renal histopathological damage. YW significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of KIM-1， KAT7， and p21 in kidney tissues （P<0.05）. Concentrations of YW≤10 μmol/L had no significant effect on HK-2 cell viability. YW inhibited the Cis-induced decline in HK-2 cell viability （P<0.05）， suppressed the Cis-induced upregulation of KIM-1， KAT7， and p21 proteins （P<0.05）， and significantly decreased the percentage of SA-β-Gal-positive cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionYW suppresses the expression of KAT7 and p21 proteins and inhibits the decline in HK-2 cell viability in cisplatin-induced AKI， significantly mitigates HK-2 cell senescence， and improves renal function， providing preliminary experimental evidence for developing AKI treatment strategies based on structural optimization of natural products.

ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article， based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance， Work Injury Insurance， and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue （2023） （more than 50% of the total）， were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally， the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills， Danshen tablets， Qili Qiangxin capsules， Breviscapine tablets， etc.， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines， salty flavor was the most common （48）， followed by pungent （33）， and sweet （26）. According to the dominant herbal flavor， salty flavor was the most common （37）， followed by pungent （9）， and sour （5）. According to the dominant herbal quantity， salty flavor was the most common （27）， followed by sour （7）， and pungent （5）. Furthermore， Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example， most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen （9/10）， most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver （7/8）， and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys （6/6）. However， the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas， as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty， sour， and pungent flavors， which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart， heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subsequent radiotherapy (RT) following first-line treatment with durvalumab plus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with ES-SCLC from three hospitals during July 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to address potential confounding factors. The primary focus of our evaluation was to assess the impact of RT on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: After IPTW analysis, 49 patients received durvalumab plus platinum-etoposide (EP) chemotherapy followed by RT (Durva + EP + RT) and 72 patients received immunochemotherapy (Durva + EP). The median OS was 17.2 months vs . 12.3 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.85, P = 0.020), and the median PFS was 8.9 months vs . 5.9 months (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97, P = 0.030) in Durva + EP + RT and Durva + EP groups, respectively. Thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) resulted in longer OS (17.2 months vs . 14.7 months) and PFS (9.1 months vs . 7.2 months) compared to RT directed to other metastatic sites. Among patients with oligo-metastasis, RT also showed significant benefits, with a median OS of 17.4 months vs . 13.7 months and median PFS of 9.8 months vs . 5.9 months compared to no RT. Continuous durvalumab treatment beyond progression (TBP) prolonged OS compared to patients without TBP, in both the Durva + EP + RT (NA vs . 15.8 months, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14-1.63, P = 0.238) and Durva + EP groups (12.3 months vs . 4.3 months, HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10-0.81, P = 0.018). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 13 (26.5%) and 13 (18.1%) patients, respectively, in the two groups; pneumonitis was mostly low-grade. CONCLUSION Addition of RT after first-line immunochemotherapy significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable toxicity in ES-SCLC.
Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is crucial for regulating blood pressure and maintaining fluid balance, while clock genes are essential for sustaining biological rhythms and regulating metabolism. There exists a complex interplay between RAAS and clock genes that may significantly contribute to the development of various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Although current literature has identified correlations between these two systems, the specific mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. Moreover, the interaction patterns under different physiological and pathological conditions need further investigation. This review summarizes the synergistic roles of the RAAS and clock genes in cardiovascular diseases, explores their molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological connections, discusses the application of chronotherapy, and highlights potential future research directions, aiming to provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.
Humans ; Renin-Angiotensin System/genetics* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics* ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Animals

A scoping review was performed to systematically search and summarize the clinical research in the treatment of dysmenorrhea with oral Chinese patent medicines. The oral Chinese patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea in three major drug lists, guidelines, and textbooks were screened, and the relevant clinical trials were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases. The key information of the included trials was extracted and visually analyzed. A total of 50 Chinese patent medicines were included, among which oral Chinese patent medicines for the dysmenorrhea patients with the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis accounted for the highest proportion, and the average daily cost varied greatly among Chinese patent medicines. A total of 150 articles were included, involving 22 Chinese patent medicines, among which Guizhi Fuling Capsules/Pills, Sanjie Zhentong Capsules, and Dan'e Fukang Soft Extract were the most frequently studied. These articles mainly reported randomized controlled trial(RCT), which mainly focused on the comparison of the intervention effect between Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine and western medicine alone, and the sample size was generally 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators belonged to nine domains such as effective rate, adverse reactions, and laboratory examinations. This study showed that oral Chinese patent medicines had advantages in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and the annual number of related clinical trials showed an overall growing trend. However, there were still problems such as insufficient safety information and vague description of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes types in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines. The available clinical research had shortcomings such as uneven distribution of Chinese patent medicines, limited research scale, poor methodological rigor, and insufficient standardization of outcome indicators. In the future, it is necessary to deepen the development of high-quality clinical research and improve the contents of the instructions to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the clinical application of oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Administration, Oral ; Nonprescription Drugs/administration & dosage*

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets/administration & dosage*