Breast cancer has become the malignant tumor with the highest incidence rate among women， seriously threatening the life and health of women all over the world. The pathogenic factors and development mechanisms of breast cancer are complex and diverse. The development of breast cells from ordinary hyperplasia to atypical hyperplasia， and from pre-cancerous lesions to cancerous lesions， is a long-term progressive process. Therefore， early screening and prevention of breast cancer is particularly important. Western medicine has a relatively mature treatment program for breast cancer， which is mainly based on surgery and systemic treatment， whereas the ensuing complications and adverse reactions often bring a heavy burden to patients. For the precancerous lesions of breast cancer， surgery is also the mainstay of treatment. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has increasingly highlighted its advantages in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Increasing studies have shown that in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and pre-cancerous lesions， TCM compound prescriptions， single herbs or herb pairs， and active components are able to regulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways through multi-targets to inhibit the proliferation and invasion， promote the apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells， and regulate the cell cycle and the immune microenvironment， thus exerting anti-tumor effects. At the same time， they can significantly attenuate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and drug resistance of patients. However， the specific mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions have not been fully clarified. The available studies are tanglesome regarding the TCM inhibition of tumor development through the regulation of classical signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， and Notch， which still need to be verified by a large number of clinical and experimental studies. Therefore， this paper reviews the research progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions by TCM through interfering with the relevant signaling pathways in recent years， aiming to summarize the possible mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and provide references for subsequent studies.

Chronic heart failure （CHF） is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction， neuroendocrine dysregulation， and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches， significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin， a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata， exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects， such as vasodilatory effects， regulation of neuroendocrine balance， enhancement of metabolic homeostasis， and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network， elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin （AMPK/mTOR） pathway， inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signals， and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 （E₂）-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB（Nrf2/NF-κB） axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology， offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Chronic heart failure （CHF） is an end-stage cardiac syndrome driven by multiple factors. Its pathological process involves interactions of multiple pathways such as energy metabolism dysfunction， neuroendocrine dysregulation， and myocardial fibrosis. Although current clinical medicine can alleviate symptoms through single-target approaches， significant limitations in reversing cardiac remodeling and disease progression remain. Puerarin， a major bioactive isoflavone constituent derived from Pueraria lobata， exhibits multidimensional pharmacological effects， such as vasodilatory effects， regulation of neuroendocrine balance， enhancement of metabolic homeostasis， and suppression of myocardial apoptosis. This review systematically integrated puerarin's multi-target regulatory network， elucidating its mechanisms such as improving energy metabolism by AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin （AMPK/mTOR） pathway， inhibiting fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signals， and attenuating oxidative-inflammatory cascades by regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 （E₂）-related factor 2/nuclear transcription factor-κB（Nrf2/NF-κB） axis. Clinical research data was used to validate its efficacy in improving the left ventricular ejection function and reducing the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular events' risks. The study proposed that puerarin's "systemic regulation" characteristic breaks through the limitations of traditional single-target drugs and prospected its clinical translation pathway based on metabolomics and nano-delivery technology， offering an integrative perspective from molecular mechanisms to precise therapy for the research on modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Cancer is a major global health issue. Effective therapeutic strategies can prolong patients’ survival and reduce the costs of treatment. Drug repurposing, which identifies new therapeutic uses for approved drugs, is a promising approach with the advantages of reducing research costs, shortening development time, and increasing efficiency and safety. Disulfiram (DSF), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used to treat chronic alcoholism, has a great potential as an anticancer drug by targeting diverse human malignancies. Several studies show the antitumor effects of DSF, particularly the combination of DSF and copper (DSF/Cu), on a wide range of cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM), breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma. In this review, we summarize the antitumor mechanisms of DSF/Cu, including induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and various cell death signaling pathways, and inhibition of proteasome activity, as well as inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Furthermore, we highlight the ability of DSF/Cu to target cancer stem cells (CSCs), which provides a new approach to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Strikingly, DSF/Cu inhibits several molecular targets associated with drug resistance, and therefore it is becoming a novel option to increase the sensitivity of chemo-resistant and radio-resistant patients. Studies of DSF/Cu may shed light on its improved application to clinical tumor treatment.

Objective:Glaucoma is a multifactorial optic neuropathy with a high rate of irreversible visual loss,and its pathogenesis is complex and still unclear.Elevated intraocular pressure(IOP)is well recognized as the sole modifiable risk factor for the development of glaucoma in the majority of cases.This study aims to compare 2 different methods of inducing chronic ocular hypertension by circumlimbal suture or by laser burns in degree and lasting time of the IOP,different status of the retina and retinal ganglion cells(RGCs),and changes of the microstructure of neurons. Methods:The chronic ocular hypertension models were induced by 2 different ways.One kind of the models was built by unilateral circumlimbal suture(10/0)implantation(suture group),another kind of model was built by laser burns at trabecular meshwork and episcleral veins(laser group).The untreated contralateral eye served as the control group.Changes in IOP were observed and regularly monitored in the 2 groups of rats.HE staining was applied to observe the retinal and optic nerve pathology.Transmission electron microscope(TEM)was used to observe the mitochondrial morphology.RGCs were specifically labeled with Brn3b antibody and counted.The expression of caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting to clarify the apoptosis of RGCs. Results:Compared with the control group,IOP were significantly increased in the suture group and the laser group(both P<0.05).The suture group induced a 1.5-fold elevation of IOP,and sustained for 8 weeks.The laser group induced a 2-fold elevation of IOP for 12 weeks.Both methods could cause RGCs loss(both P<0.05),which were verified by pathology and immune staining of Brn3b.The expressions of caspase-3 were also increased(both P<0.05).The mitochondrial morphology became more fragment,which changed from long shape to round and small one under TEM in 2 models.For comparison,the pathology changes of retinal structure in suture group were not obviously than those in the laser group. Conclusion:Circumlimbal suture can build an effective model of chronic elevated IOP and induce glaucomatous pathologic changes similar to those in the laser photocoagulation,but the pathologic changes are milder than those in laser photocoagulation.Compare with translimbal laser photocoagulation,equipment and skill demand for circumlimbal suture is less.

Objective To acquire the external contour changes and positioning errors during fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma using kilovoltage cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT),and to analyze their effects on the dose distributions in target areas and organs-at-risk.Methods Twenty-one patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled in the study,and the positioning errors in the left-right,superior-inferior and anterior-posterior directions were obtained by matching 137 CBCT images with the positioning CT images.The transverse width of the external contour was measured at 3 different layers of the neck,and its effects on positioning errors were analyzed using Pearson's coefficient and independent sample t-tests.Additionally,simulation plans based on CBCT images were created to analyze the effects of positioning errors and external contour changes on radiotherapy dose,with Mann-Whitney U tests applied for significance analysis.Results The positioning errors in the left-right,superior-inferior and anterior-posterior directions were(1.04±0.73),(1.13±0.87)and(1.38±0.95)mm,respectively.The rates of external contour changes at the A,B and C layers of the head and neck were 15.36%,14.94%and 14.99%,respectively.Compared with executed plans,simulation plans had lower GTV D98,CTV1 D95 and CTV2 D95(P<0.05),and higher Dmax for the brainstem and spinal cord(P<0.05).Conclusion The simulation plans indicate that the presence of uncertainties such as positioning errors and external contour changes will significantly affect dose distributions in target areas,with the largest decrease observed in GTV D98(11.49%)and the maximum change rates in CTV1 D95 and CTV2 D95 being 12.88%and 21.64%,respectively.Except for the left and right lenses and left parotid gland,significant differences are observed in the doses for the other organs-at-risk and target areas,suggesting that positioning errors and external contour changes in actual radiotherapy will exert significant effects on dose distributions.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of Rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of children with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) and to analyze the factors influencing the efficacy.Methods:Case series study.The clinical data of children with FRNS/SDNS who received B-cell-guided RTX (single dose: 375 mg/m 2, maximum dose: 500 mg, one additional dose when peripheral blood CD19 + B lymphocytes ≥0.01) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected.The frequency of relapse and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids before and after RTX treatment were compared.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze relapse-free survival rate and FRNS/SDNS-free survival rate after RTX treatment.The influencing factors of relapse were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:Totally 47 children were enrolled, including 35 males and 12 females; the age of first application of RTX was 10.2 (6.9, 13.0) years; 33 children had used one type of immunosuppressant before, and 14 children had used two or more types of immunosuppressant before; the dose of RTX treatment was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0). The frequency of relapse[0(0, 0.55) times/year vs.1.62 (1.09, 2.40) times/year] and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids[0.12 (0.05, 0.21) mg/(kg·d) vs.0.40 (0.20, 0.56) mg/(kg·d)] after RTX treatment significantly decreased compared with previous immunosuppressive treatment ( Z=-5.56, -5.54, all P<0.001). The relapse-free survival rates at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment were 80.9%, 72.3%, 68.1% and 68.1%, respectively, and the FRNS/SDNS-free survival rates were 93.6%, 89.4%, 89.4% and 89.4%, respectively.Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high frequency of relapse during previous immunosuppressive therapy was a risk factor for relapse after RTX treatment ( P<0.05). Of the 14 children who relapsed, 6 occurred in children whose CD19 + B lymphocytes<0.01, and the frequency of relapse after RTX treatment was significantly higher than those whose CD19 + B lymphocytes≥0.01 ( Z=-2.84, P=0.005). No severe adverse reactions occurred during RTX treatment and follow-up. Conclusions:The B-cell-guided RTX is effective and safe in the treatment of FRNS/SDNS in children.The high frequency of relapse during previous immunosuppressive therapy is a risk factor for relapse after RTX treatment, and relapse in the state of B lymphocyte depletion predicts poor outcomes of RTX treatment.

BACKGROUND:Periodontitis is an inflammatory and destructive disease with plaque biofilm as the main pathogenic material,which occurs in the gingiva,periodontal ligament,alveolar bone and cementum.The antigen of bacterial complex and its secreted toxin and enzyme directly lead to the destruction of periodontal tissue and trigger the host's immune response,causing indirect damage to the body tissue.Silence information regulatory factors(Sirtuins,SIRTs)play an important role in anti-aging,anti-oxidative stress,regulating inflammation,and mediating autophagy,and are closely related to the occurrence and development of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE:To review the research status of Sirtuins in periodontitis. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the relevant research regarding the role of Sirtuins in periodontitis in PubMed,Web of Scene,CNKI and WanFang databases.The key words were"Sirtuins,Sirtuin1-7,periodontitis"in English and Chinese.After literature screening,57 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:SIRT1,SIRT2,SIRT3,and SIRT6 participate in regulating the occurrence and development of periodontitis.Inhibition of SIRT1 expression may be the target of periodontitis treatment,while overexpression of SIRT1 can inhibit periodontitis and protect periodontal tissue.The activator of SIRT1 can reduce the inflammation of periodontal tissue and improve the systemic pathological changes caused by periodontitis.SIRT2 is involved in nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase-mediated periodontal inflammation and plays a role in the treatment and prognosis of periodontal diseases.SIRT3 can improve age-related periodontal disease.Gastrodin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells through the up-regulation of SIRT3.The activator of SIRT3 reduces the damage of periodontitis to periodontal and renal tissues by regulating the level of autophagy in the cells.SIRT6 can inhibit the inflammatory reaction of periodontal tissue and inhibit the differentiation and mineralization of cementoblasts.SIRT6 is beneficial to the prognosis of periapical periodontitis.The relationship between SIRT4,SIRT5,SIRT7 and periodontitis is rarely reported.