Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)balloon—Vesscrack shockwave balloon—for vascular preparation before stent implantation in patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods This was a prospective,single-arm,multicenter study conducted in China from June 2022 to October 2022.Patients with severe CAC were treated with the Vesscrack shockwave balloon for lesion preparation,followed by drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation.Of these,33 patients underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT).The primary endpoint was procedural success,defined as successful stent implantation with residual stenosis≤30％and the absence of in-hospital major adverse events,including cardiac death,target vessel-related myocardial infarction,or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 170 patients[mean age:(65.9±7.9)years,116 males]were enrolled.After treatment with IVL and DES,the minimum lumen diameter increased significantly compared to baseline[(2.34±0.40)mm vs.(0.95±0.33)mm,P＜0.001],the degree of stenosis was significantly reduced[(13.24±6.60)％vs.(65.18±10.59)％,P＜0.001].Procedural success was achieved in 100％of cases,and device success was 98.8％.The 30-day patient-related cardiovascular clinical composite endpoint(POCE)rate was 0.0,with no target lesion failure,no confirmed or potential thrombotic events were observed.The shockwave energy generator demonstrated excellent stability and ease of use.Among the 33 patients assessed with OCT,after IVL intervention,the maximum calcified area of the lumen[(3.51±1.51)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001],and the minimum lumen area within the target lesion[(3.08±1.04)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001],and after DES intervention,the luminal area of the largest calcified site[(6.59±1.64)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001]and the minimum luminal area within the target lesion[(6.19±1.45)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001]were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The Vesscrack shockwave balloon is effective and safe for vascular preparation in patients with severe CAC prior to stent implantation.It achieves significant calcified plaque modification,high procedural success rates,and minimal complications.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)balloon—Vesscrack shockwave balloon—for vascular preparation before stent implantation in patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods This was a prospective,single-arm,multicenter study conducted in China from June 2022 to October 2022.Patients with severe CAC were treated with the Vesscrack shockwave balloon for lesion preparation,followed by drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation.Of these,33 patients underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT).The primary endpoint was procedural success,defined as successful stent implantation with residual stenosis≤30％and the absence of in-hospital major adverse events,including cardiac death,target vessel-related myocardial infarction,or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 170 patients[mean age:(65.9±7.9)years,116 males]were enrolled.After treatment with IVL and DES,the minimum lumen diameter increased significantly compared to baseline[(2.34±0.40)mm vs.(0.95±0.33)mm,P＜0.001],the degree of stenosis was significantly reduced[(13.24±6.60)％vs.(65.18±10.59)％,P＜0.001].Procedural success was achieved in 100％of cases,and device success was 98.8％.The 30-day patient-related cardiovascular clinical composite endpoint(POCE)rate was 0.0,with no target lesion failure,no confirmed or potential thrombotic events were observed.The shockwave energy generator demonstrated excellent stability and ease of use.Among the 33 patients assessed with OCT,after IVL intervention,the maximum calcified area of the lumen[(3.51±1.51)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001],and the minimum lumen area within the target lesion[(3.08±1.04)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001],and after DES intervention,the luminal area of the largest calcified site[(6.59±1.64)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001]and the minimum luminal area within the target lesion[(6.19±1.45)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001]were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The Vesscrack shockwave balloon is effective and safe for vascular preparation in patients with severe CAC prior to stent implantation.It achieves significant calcified plaque modification,high procedural success rates,and minimal complications.

Abstract: Due to the continued emergence of multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, the ongoing pandemic has resulted in severe mortality over the past two years. After the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, the most recent new variant of concern (VOC) strain to emerge is Omicron (B.1.1.529), which evolved as a result of the accumulation of a large number of mutations. The Omicron variant, which has a much higher transmission rate than the Delta variant, soon replaced the Delta variant and others, is now the dominant variant worldwide. The emergence of Omicron poses new challenges for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and has raised a number of concerns worldwide. Recently, cases of Omicron infection have been reported in several parts of China, and therefore this paper provides a comprehensive analysis and summary of the epidemiology and immune escape mechanisms of the Omicron variant. We also suggest some therapeutic strategies against the Omicron variant, including rapid diagnosis, genome analysis of emerging variants, ramping up of vaccination drives and receiving booster doses, updating the available vaccines, designing of multivalent vaccines able to generate hybrid immunity, up-gradation of medical facilities and strict implementation of adequate prevention and control measures need to be given high priority to handle the on-going COVID-19 pandemic successfully.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus medication in treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Method By using the random number table, sixty-eight patients with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group of 34 cases and a medication group of 34 cases. The clinical efficacies were compared after 2 courses of treatment, and the symptoms and body signs scores and syndrome score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were also compared. Result There was a significant difference in comparing the therapeutic efficacy between the acupuncture-medication group and the medication group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the symptoms and body signs scores and TCM syndrome score dropped significantly in both groups (P<0.05), indicating that the two groups both had improvement in the symptoms, body signs and TCM syndrome; there were significant between-group differences in comparing the score differences in the symptoms and body signs scores and TCM syndrome score after the treatment (P<0.05), and the acupuncture-medication group was higher than the medication group. Conclusion Acupuncture plus medication can better ameliorate the symptoms and body signs and TCM syndrome in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression and myocardial mitochondria injury in rats with sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODSThe rat model of sepsis was established through an intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into control group (an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline), sepsis 6 h group (LPS-6 h group), sepsis 12 h group (LPS-12 h group), sepsis 24 h group (LPS-24 h group), and sepsis 48 h group (LPS-48 h group). The serum and heart tissues were harvested at corresponding time points and myocardial mitochondria was extracted. The microplate reader was applied to measure creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Flow cytometry was applied to measure the degree of mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Western blot was used to measure the expression level of UCP2. Electron microscopy was applied to observe the morphological changes in heart tissues and myocardial mitochondria.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the LPS groups had significantly increased serum levels of CK, CK-MB, and myocardial ROS, as well as a significantly increased degree of mitochondrial swelling (P<0.05), and these values reached their peaks at 24 hours after LPS injection. The LPS groups had a significant decrease in MMP (P<0.05), which reached the lowest level at 24 hours after LPS injection. Western blot showed that the LPS groups had a significant increase in the expression level of myocardial UCP2 compared with the control group (P<0.05), which reached its peak at 24 hours after LPS injection. The results of electron microscopy showed mitochondrial swelling, partial rupture of the mitochondrial membrane, and cavity formation in rats in the LPS groups. The most severe lesions occurred in the LPS-24 h group. In rats with LPS, the ROS level in the myocardial mitochondria and the degree of mitochondrial swelling were positively correlated with the expression level of UCP2 (r=0.796 and 0.893, respectively; P<0.05), while MMP was negatively correlated with the expression level of UCP2 (r=-0.903, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn the rat model of sepsis, the myocardium and myocardial mitochondria have obvious injuries, and the expression level of UCP2 is closely correlated with mitochondrial injury. Therefore, UCP2 might play an important role in myocardial mitochondrial injury in sepsis.

Animals ; Cardiomyopathies ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uncoupling Protein 2

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of Yanyankang powder on Th1/Th2 in rats with experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).

METHODSThe EAU models were induced in Lewis rats by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) 1177-1191 in complete Freund's adjuvant. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model control group, a Yanyankang group, and a prednisone group, 9 rats in each group. The model control group was intervened with saline solution by gavage. The Yanyankang group was intervened with Yanyankang powder 4 g/(kg day) by gavage. The prednisone group were intervened with prednisone acetate tablets 5 mg/(kg d) by gavage. All groups were intervened after immunization once every 2 days for 18 days and monitored by slit-lamp biomicroscopy daily until day 18. The levels of gamma interferon (INF-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatants of T cells were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology was used for measuring Th1 and Th2 related cytokine mRNA expressions.

RESULTSSlighter intraocular inflammation was found in the Yanyankang group and the prednisone group than the control group. The levels of the IFN-γ and IL-10 in the supernatants of the spleen lymph node cells were 382.33±6.30, 155.87±4.46 μg/L in the Yanyankang group and 270.93±7.76, 265.32±11.88 μg/L in the prednisone group. Both had significant differences compared with the control group (941.53±8.59, 20.67±4.65 μg/L; =0.01). The PCR results showed the same tendency.

CONCLUSIONYanyankang powder showed favorable effects in the rats with EAU by influencing the function of Th1 and Th2 cells.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Eye ; pathology ; Female ; Immunization ; Inflammation ; pathology ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lymph Nodes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Powders ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Uveitis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology

BACKGROUNDEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) commonly infects the general population and has been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which has a high incidence in certain regions. This study aimed to address how EBV variations contribute to the risk of NPC.

METHODSUsing logistic regression analysis and based on the sequence variations at EBV-encoded RPMS1, a multi-stage association study was conducted to identify EBV variations associated with NPC risk. A protein degradation assay was performed to characterize the functional relevance of the RPMS1 variations.

RESULTSBased on EBV-encoded RPMS1 variations, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the EBV genome (locus 155391: G>A, named G155391A) was associated with NPC in 157 cases and 319 healthy controls from an NPC endemic region in South China [P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 4.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.71-7.37]. The results were further validated in three independent cohorts from the NPC endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 5.20, 95% CI 3.18-8.50 in 168 cases vs. 241 controls, and P < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.06-6.85 in 726 cases vs. 880 controls) and a non-endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 7.52, 95% CI 3.69-15.32 in 58 cases vs. 612 controls). The combined analysis in 1109 cases and 2052 controls revealed that the SNP G155391A was strongly associated with NPC (P(combined) < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.31-6.44). Moreover, the frequency of the SNP G155391A was associated with NPC incidence but was not associated with the incidences of other EBV-related malignancies. Furthermore, the protein degradation assay showed that this SNP decreased the degradation of the oncogenic RPMS1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSOur study identified an EBV variation specifically and significantly associated with a high risk of NPC. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of NPC and strategies for prevention.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genome, Viral ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; virology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Pilot Projects ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Background C57BL/6(B6) is a kind of routine mouse specie used in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) research.Previous studies showed that the pathogenesis of uveitis related to inflammatory cytokines secreted by different helper T(Th) cells.However,the interaction of different Th cells in EAU is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the dynamic changes of inflammatory factors in the spleen and serum after immunization in EAU mice.Methods Forty-four SPF B6 mice were immunized by injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) emulsion via caudal vein and footpad.Indirect ophthalmoscope was used to examine the eyes 3 times per week and the inflammatory response was scored based on Thurau's criteria.In the thirty day after injection,20 model eyes were extracted and the sections of eye tissue were prepared for histopathological examination.The spleens of model mice were enucleated before injection and 2,5,10,15,20,25,30 days after injection,and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the contents of interleukin-17 (IL-17) mRNA,interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and IL-10 mRNA,and the contents of IL-17,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 in model serum were assayed by ELISA in 24 model mice.The experimental protocol and use of the animals were approved by Ethic Committee for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Results Mild inflammatory response was seen in 12 days under the indirect ophthalmoscope with the scores of 0.5.The inflammatory scores peaked in 13-15 days with the scores of 1.0 and alleviated after that with the inflammatory scores of 0.5 in 30 days after injection.The histopathological score was consistent with the clinical score in the models on the 30 days.The serum IL-17 content of model mice was (0.98±0.05) ng/L before injection and increased to (51.85 ±2.42) ng/L on the fifth day,and decreased to (4.01±0.06)ng/L on the fifteen day.But,the serum IL-17 level increased to (25.00±0.94)ng/L again on the 25th day,and then lowed to (6.01 ±0.21)ng/L 30 days after injection,showing a significant elevation in comparison with that of before injection (P=0.000).The serum IFN-γ content of the model mice was (1.02±0.09)ng/L before injection and increased to (50.54±0.48) ng/L on the fifth day,and (73.21±0.12) ng/L on the tenth day,and then it declined gradually until (5.15±0.18)ng/L in the 30th day,which was still higher than that of before injection (P=0.000).After injection of IRBP+CFA,the serum TNF-α level upregulated from the second day to fifth day with the peak values (134.25±0.59)ng/L,and declined to valley on 15th day.A repeat elevation of serum TNF-α level was found on the 20th day with the values (60.54±0.62)ng/L and followed by decrease till the 30th day,which was higher than that of before injection (P=0.660).Serum IL-10 was detectable in the tenth day and peaked on the 15th day.Then a slight decrease was seen till the 30th day,compared with before injection(P =0.000).The contents of IL-10 mRNA,IL-17 mRNA,TNF-α mRNA,IFN-γmRNA in mice spleens followed the same pattern with serum levels of their proteins.Conclusions IL-17,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 are key inflammatory factors of Th1,Th2 and Th17,they present with specific changes during EAU,it confirming that IFN-γ probably play a pathogenic role in EAU,IL-17 and TNF-α levels probably associated with the chronic and recurrent procedure of uveitis,IL-10 plays an inhibit role in EAU.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of nimotuzumab combined with palitaxel liposome and carboplatin (LP) regimen for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to observe the changes of tumor markers and toxicities in the treatment. METHODS Forty-one patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients in the observation group were treated with nimotuzumab (200 mg per week for 6 weeks), palitaxel liposome 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin (AUC = 6). 20 patients in the control group were given LP regimen. Each group completed two cycles of chemotherapy. The level of tumor markers (CEA, CYFR21-1 and NSE) and toxicities were checked at one week before and after the treatment. Thoracic CT examinations were taken before treatment and at the fourth week and eighth week after treatment.

RESULTSIn the observation group, there were 2 cases of CR, 7 cases of PR, 9 cases of SD and 3 cases of PD. The objective response rate (RR) was 42. 9% in the observation group. In the control group, there were 1 case of CR, 6 cases of PR, 8 cases of SD and 5 cases of PD, with a RR of 35.0% in this group. There was no significant difference in the RR between the two groups (P = 0.751). The time to progression (TIP) was 6. 9 months in the observation group and 5. 7 months in the control group, with a significant difference (P = 0.027). The levels of NSE decreased significantly in both groups and showed a significant difference (P = 0.039). The levels of CEA and CYFRA21 in both groups were decreased after treatment, but did not show a significant difference before and after treatment, respectively. Except 3 cases had I-II skin toxicities on the faces in the observation group, there was no significant difference in toxicities between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONNimotuzmab combined with LP regimen shows a synergistic effect, can increase the efficacy and prolong TFP in advanced NSCLC patients. The toxicities are mild and tolerable.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Remission Induction

Objective To group and characterize natural plague foci in China.Methods A novel two-class typing method as well as a three-indication nomenclature method were established to group and characterize the natural plague foci,on the basis of eco-geographical landscapes of plague foci,genetics of Yersinia pestis,zoology of rodent reservoirs and the entomology of flea vectors.Results A total of 12 distinct natural plague foci (including 19 subtypes) as well as their biological features were characterized.Conclusion Natural plague foci in China were grouped and characterized in this study.