OBJECTIVE: Since Omicron will likely persist, this trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of Shufeng Jiedu Granule (SFJDG) for mild Omicron infection, aims at finding new therapies especially for home-treated patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center phase III trial involves 844 patients, divided into a treatment group (422) and control group (422). Participants will receive SFJDG or placebo for 7 d (1.2 g/bag, 2 bags, 3 times/d). Hospital evaluations will be done on days 1 and 8, with telephone assessments on days 3 and 5. Follow-up continues on days 10 and 14. Diary cards will track symptom scores and safety data. The primary outcome is the time to sustained clinical recovery from corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. An interim analysis will occur after 70 % of patients complete follow-up, with Type I error correction (α1 = 0.015) at interim analysis based on O'Brien-Fleming-type cumulative error spending function. RESULTS: This phase III trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of SFJDG for mild COVID-19, focusing on real-world applicability for home-managed patients. The study's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design ensures methodological rigor, while its comprehensive outcome measures address both symptom recovery and treatment safety. By emphasizing symptom resolution and recovery time, the trial aligns with the clinical priorities for managing mild cases of COVID-19. The findings could offer valuable insights into SFJDG's role in improving patient outcomes and addressing gaps left by existing antiviral therapies, particularly in symptom management. CONCLUSION The global risk assessment remains high due to the ongoing virulence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages. This Phase III study adopts a robust methodology to investigate SFJDG as a treatment for mild COVID-19 as well as it's effectiveness and safety. Furthermore, this study aim to provide sufficient scientific evidence for the market registration of SFJDG especially for home-treated patients. If successful, SFJDG could be a meaningful addition to therapeutic options for mild infections, supporting public health strategies in managing the ongoing impact of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a significant challenge in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Collagen remodeling has been shown to be a critical factor for therapy resistance in other cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMZ chemoresistance by GBM cells reprogramming collagens. METHODS: Key extracellular matrix components, including collagens, were examined in paired primary and recurrent GBM samples as well as in TMZ-treated spontaneous and grafted GBM murine models. Human GBM cell lines (U251, TS667) and mouse primary GBM cells were used for in vitro studies. RNA-sequencing analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to explore the mechanisms involved in collagen accumulation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess the role of the collagen regulators prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) and yes-associated protein (YAP) in sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ. RESULTS: This study revealed that TMZ exposure significantly elevated collagen type I (COL I) expression in both GBM patients and murine models. Collagen accumulation sustained GBM cell survival under TMZ-induced stress, contributing to enhanced TMZ resistance. Mechanistically, P4HA1 directly binded to and hydroxylated YAP, preventing ubiquitination-mediated YAP degradation. Stabilized YAP robustly drove collagen type I alpha 1 ( COL1A1) transcription, leading to increased collagen deposition. Disruption of the P4HA1-YAP axis effectively reduced COL I deposition, sensitized GBM cells to TMZ, and significantly improved mouse survival. CONCLUSION P4HA1 maintained YAP-mediated COL1A1 transcription, leading to collagen accumulation and promoting chemoresistance in GBM.
Temozolomide ; Humans ; Glioblastoma/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Hydroxylation ; Dacarbazine/pharmacology* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Collagen/biosynthesis* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use*

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy(FURL)combined with flexible negative-pressure sheath in treating patients with 3-4 cm renal calculi with CT value＜1100 Hu,and to identify a safe and effective treatment option for patients with such calculi.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 95 patients undergoing surgical treatment at the Department of Urology,the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province during Jun.2022 and May 2024.The patients were divided into two groups,including 42 in the FURL with flexible negative-pressure sheath group(FURL group),and 53 in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL)group.General data,perioperative indicators,and complication rates were compared between the two groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the FURL group and PCNL group in stone-free rate(SFR)3 days postoperatively(83.3％vs.88.7％),1 month postoperatively(95.2％vs.92.5％),and 3 months postoperatively(97.6％vs.94.3％),as well as operation time[(77.65±9.05)min vs.(79.10±8.14)min](P＞0.05).The FURL group had shorter hospital stay[(5.98±1.12)days vs.(9.38±1.57)days],lower decrease in hemoglobin level[(3.17±0.85)g/L vs.(4.98±1.72)g/L],lower visual analog scale(V AS)score on postoperative day 1[(2.60±0.63)vs.(3.77±1.09)]and day 3[(2.29±0.99)vs.(2.70±0.89)],lower postoperative white blood cell count[(7.05±1.66)× 109 cells/L vs.(11.24±2.90)× 109 cells/L],lower C-reactive protein level[(25.73±7.57)ng/L vs.(31.14±5.53)ng/L],lower blood urea nitrogen level[(6.12±1.43)mmol/L vs.(9.85±3.07)mmol/L],and lower serum creatinine level[(84.48±11.57)μmol/L vs.(114.43±21.48)μmol/L](all P＜0.001).The total incidence of complications was also lower in the FURL group(4.8％vs.18.9％,P＜0.05).Conclusion FURL combined with flexible negative-pressure sheath can achieve comparable SFR as PCNL without extending operation time,and it can shorten hospital stay,reduce intraoperative blood loss,have little impact on renal function,reduce inflammatory response and decrease the incidence of complications.

AIM:To establish a cell model of visceral hypersensitivity and nerve hyperplasia in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by conducting an in vitro co-culture of mouse P815 mast cells and N2a nerve cells and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)with three replicates was used to confirm the C48/80-induced P815 degranulation.The length of neurites was observed under bright field microscopy to determine the number of differentiated neurons,thereby selecting the concentration of retinoic acid(RA)for stimulating the differentia-tion of N2a cells,with four replicates.A co-culture system of P815 and N2a cells was established using Transwell cham-bers with four replicates.The following groups were established:N2a cells cultured alone,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells plus C48/80,and N2a cells plus RA group.After co-culturing,the num-ber of differentiated N2a cells was observed under bright field.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine ki-nase receptor A(TRKA),growth-associated protein-43(GAP43),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin(SYN),and postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95)at both protein and gene levels in N2a cells was detected using Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR),with four replicates.RESULTS:The best condition for N2a differentiation was stimulation with 10 μmol/L RA for 24 hours,whereas the best condition for degranulation was stimulation of P815 cells with 20 mg/L C48/80 for 24 hours.Compared with N2a cells cultured alone,the differentiation ratio of the N2a+P815+C48/80 and N2a+RA groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF,TRKA,GAP43,NSE,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results revealed that mast cell degranulation enhances the level of nerve hyperplasia in enteric nerve cells and promotes changes in nerve structure and function.Synaptic remodeling regulated by abnormal expression of key proteins such as NGF,TRKA,and GAP43 is involved in the nerve hyperplasia induced by mast cell degranulation.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy(FURL)combined with flexible negative-pressure sheath in treating patients with 3-4 cm renal calculi with CT value＜1100 Hu,and to identify a safe and effective treatment option for patients with such calculi.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 95 patients undergoing surgical treatment at the Department of Urology,the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province during Jun.2022 and May 2024.The patients were divided into two groups,including 42 in the FURL with flexible negative-pressure sheath group(FURL group),and 53 in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL)group.General data,perioperative indicators,and complication rates were compared between the two groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the FURL group and PCNL group in stone-free rate(SFR)3 days postoperatively(83.3％vs.88.7％),1 month postoperatively(95.2％vs.92.5％),and 3 months postoperatively(97.6％vs.94.3％),as well as operation time[(77.65±9.05)min vs.(79.10±8.14)min](P＞0.05).The FURL group had shorter hospital stay[(5.98±1.12)days vs.(9.38±1.57)days],lower decrease in hemoglobin level[(3.17±0.85)g/L vs.(4.98±1.72)g/L],lower visual analog scale(V AS)score on postoperative day 1[(2.60±0.63)vs.(3.77±1.09)]and day 3[(2.29±0.99)vs.(2.70±0.89)],lower postoperative white blood cell count[(7.05±1.66)× 109 cells/L vs.(11.24±2.90)× 109 cells/L],lower C-reactive protein level[(25.73±7.57)ng/L vs.(31.14±5.53)ng/L],lower blood urea nitrogen level[(6.12±1.43)mmol/L vs.(9.85±3.07)mmol/L],and lower serum creatinine level[(84.48±11.57)μmol/L vs.(114.43±21.48)μmol/L](all P＜0.001).The total incidence of complications was also lower in the FURL group(4.8％vs.18.9％,P＜0.05).Conclusion FURL combined with flexible negative-pressure sheath can achieve comparable SFR as PCNL without extending operation time,and it can shorten hospital stay,reduce intraoperative blood loss,have little impact on renal function,reduce inflammatory response and decrease the incidence of complications.

AIM:To establish a cell model of visceral hypersensitivity and nerve hyperplasia in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by conducting an in vitro co-culture of mouse P815 mast cells and N2a nerve cells and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)with three replicates was used to confirm the C48/80-induced P815 degranulation.The length of neurites was observed under bright field microscopy to determine the number of differentiated neurons,thereby selecting the concentration of retinoic acid(RA)for stimulating the differentia-tion of N2a cells,with four replicates.A co-culture system of P815 and N2a cells was established using Transwell cham-bers with four replicates.The following groups were established:N2a cells cultured alone,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells,N2a cells co-cultured with P815 cells plus C48/80,and N2a cells plus RA group.After co-culturing,the num-ber of differentiated N2a cells was observed under bright field.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine ki-nase receptor A(TRKA),growth-associated protein-43(GAP43),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),synapsin(SYN),and postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95)at both protein and gene levels in N2a cells was detected using Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR),with four replicates.RESULTS:The best condition for N2a differentiation was stimulation with 10 μmol/L RA for 24 hours,whereas the best condition for degranulation was stimulation of P815 cells with 20 mg/L C48/80 for 24 hours.Compared with N2a cells cultured alone,the differentiation ratio of the N2a+P815+C48/80 and N2a+RA groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expressions of NGF,TRKA,GAP43,NSE,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results revealed that mast cell degranulation enhances the level of nerve hyperplasia in enteric nerve cells and promotes changes in nerve structure and function.Synaptic remodeling regulated by abnormal expression of key proteins such as NGF,TRKA,and GAP43 is involved in the nerve hyperplasia induced by mast cell degranulation.

Objective:To construct an evaluation index system of internal control medical equipment based on the internal control theory of The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission(COSO)and combined with the current situation of medical equipment internal management in public hospitals,so as to provide reference and suggestions for the evaluation of internal control of medical equipment in public hospitals.Methods:Through literature research and expert consultation,the evaluation index system of internal control of medical equipment was preliminarily determined.Using the Delphi method,15 experts from 1 medical college and 3 tertiary hospitals in Beijing who were engaged in the use and management of medical equipment were selected to conduct two rounds of consultation on the evaluation index system of internal control of medical equipment,and the evaluation indicators were scored and screened.The analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was used to determine the index weights,and the internal control evaluation index system of medical equipment in public hospitals based on COSO was constructed.Results:The coefficient of the two rounds of expert consultation was 100%.The authority degree of consulting experts was 0.867.Finally,the evaluation index system of internal control of medical equipment in tertiary public hospitals was formed,which included 5 first-level indicators,17 second-level indicators and 50 third-level indicators.Conclusion:The evaluation index of internal control of medical equipment in public hospitals based on COSO has high expert enthusiasm,authority and coordination.The evaluation index system includes the unit level and the business level of internal control,with a wide coverage,which makes up for the limitations of traditional internal evaluation of medical equipment,which can make up for the limitations of the internal evaluation of traditional medical equipment,improve the internal control system of medical equipment in public hospitals,and optimize the medical equipment management system.

Objective To investigate the genetic risk factors of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)after trauma.Methods In a nested case-control study,50 patients with DVT after traumatic lower extremity fractures and 50 patients without DVT were recruited.The two groups were matched with gender,age and fracture sites.Preoperative venography was performed to diagnose DVT in trauma patients.Genome wide association study(GWAS)was used to investigate the genetic risk factors for preoperative DVT after traumatic lower ex-tremity fractures.Genomic DNA in leukocytes from blood sample was extracted and used for GWAS.Results GWAS was conducted based on 2 662 single nucleotide variants(SNV)which were dispersed in 144 interested genes.Ten genes were found to have signifi-cant association with trauma-related DVT,including cofactors of hemostasis mechanism,i.e.,THBD,F5,SERPIND1 and ITGA2,the factors related to vitamin K-dependent(VKD)carboxylation,i.e.,GGCX and CALU,and the members of cytochrome P450 family,i.e.,CYP1A1,CYP3A4,CYP2C19 and CYP2B6.Conclusion DVT after trauma might be regulated by the cofactors of hemostasis mechanism,the factors related to VKD carboxylation and the members of cytochrome P450 family.The results of our study may provide reference and inspiration for genetic susceptibility of preoperative DVT after trauma.

Objective To investigate the effects of pre-electroacupuncture(EA)on spatial learning and memory,the locus coeruleus-hippocampal neural circuit,and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease(AD)-like rats,and to explore the possible mechanism of pre-EA in preventing and treating AD.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were divided into the normal,model,EA,and sham EA groups using the random number table method,with nine rats per group.An AD-like rat model was prepared through intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/(kg·d)D-galactose for eight consecutive weeks.After daily intraperitoneal injection,the rats in the EA group underwent EA stimulation at the"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)acupoints with a continuous wave,frequency of 50 Hz,and a current of 1 mA for 20 min once a day for 8 weeks.The sham EA group was only superficially punctured to the subcutaneous tissue at the"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)acupoints without electricity,and the rest of the operations were the same as those in the EA group.The Morris water maze experiment was then used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory of the rats.Immunofluorescence labeling was used to detect dopamine β hydroxylase and c-Fos co-localization in the locus coeruleus of noradrenergic neurons,as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)co-localization in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of astrocytes.Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of norepinephrine(NE),β2-adrenergic receptor(β2AR),β-inhibitory protein 2(β-arrestin2),nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)inhibitory factor protein α(IκBα),and NF-κB in the hippocampus of rats.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the TNF-α,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)contents in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the average escape latency of the model group rats was prolonged,and the times of crossing platform and exploration time in the target quadrant were reduced(P<0.01),while the EA intervention can shorten the average escape latency and increase the times of crossing platform and exploration time in the target quadrant(P<0.01).Compared with the normal group,the expression of co-located noradrenergic neurons in the model group decreased,co-located astrocytes increased(P<0.01);NE,β2AR,β-arrestin2,and IκBα protein expression decreased(P<0.01),NF-κB protein expression increased(P<0.01);the contents of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the EA group showed an increase in the expression of co-located noradrenergic neurons,a decrease in co-located astrocytes(P<0.01),an increase in NE,β2AR,β-arrestin2,and IκBα protein expressions(P<0.01),a decrease in NF-κB protein expression(P<0.01),and a decrease in TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in the above indicators between the model and sham EA groups.Conclusion Pre-EA at"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)can alleviate learning and memory dysfunction,alleviate noradrenergic neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus,inhibit astrocyte activation,protect the locus coeruleus-hippocampal neural circuit,and may be associated with inhibiting β2AR/β-arrestin2/NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation.

Objective To analyze the current research application status and hotspots of nanoparticles in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and predict the future development trend. Methods The Web of Science database was searched for literatures on nanoparticles use in the treatment of NSCLC from inception to November 2022. CiteSpace, VOSviewer and literature measurement analysis online platform (https://bibliometric.com/) were used for the visual analysis of the number of documents, source journals, authors, organizations, countries and keywords. Results A total of 742 English literatures were included. The results showed that the number of published literatures increased year by year from 2011 and reached the peak in 2020. Researches on nanoparticles and NSCLC treatment were mainly concentrated in China, the United States, India and Japan. China is a major research country in this field, but it lacked cooperation with other countries and related institutions. Among numerous research institutions, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the authoritative and backbone force in this research field, with the number of published literatures ranking first and the research achievements outstanding. The keyword analysis found that "poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA NPs)" and "photothermal therapy" had become the latest breakout words since 2018. Moreover, the occurrence frequency of related keywords such as "drug delivery" increased significantly, indicating that the application of PLGA NPs in photothermal therapy might be the current research hotspot and future development trend of NSCLC treatment. Conclusion Currently, the domestic research on the treatment of nanoparticles and NSCLC is in a leading position in the world. The organic combination of nanoparticles with different materials and other NSCLC therapies is expected to improve the prognosis of NSCLC patients. In the future, attempts to develop nanoparticles with different sources and structures and combined with photothermal therapy for the treatment of NSCLC may become a research hotspot of nanoparticles in the treatment of NSCLC.