Objective To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the novel bowel-cleansing agent TCIC-001 and the traditional polyethylene glycol (PEG) regimen for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. Methods Prospective inclusion of 62 patients who were scheduled to undergo colonoscopy at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from July 2021 to July 2022. They were randomly divided into TCIC-001 group (n=31) and PEG group (n=31) using a random number table method. The TCIC-001 group took TCIC-001 orally, drinking water in stages, with a total liquid intake of 1 500 mL; the PEG group took PEG orally, taking it in 4 doses, with a total liquid intake of 3 000 mL. The primary endpoint indicator is the quality of intestinal hygiene evaluated by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), the secondary endpoint indicators were medication adherence, medication duration, frequency of bowel movements, duration of bowel movements, and incidence of adverse events between two groups. Results No significant differences were observed in sex, age, or defecation frequency between the two groups. For efficacy, both groups achieved equivalent bowel cleanliness, with a “good preparation” rate of 93.55% and comparable BBPS score of each intestinal segment and total scores. For tolerability, the TCIC-001 group had a shorter medication duration compared to the PEG group ([48.8±25.9] min vs [82.8±28.4] min, P<0.001), a longer defecation duration ([288.6±74.0] min vs [236.5±74.3] min, P<0.001), and a lower incidence of first defecation before medication completion (9.68% vs 41.94%, P=0.004). Regarding safety, no significant differences were observed between the TCIC-001 group and the PEG group in incidences of chloride disturbances (0% vs 9.68%) and calcium disturbances (3.23% vs 6.45%), and no other adverse events. Conclusions TCIC-001 demonstrated comparable bowel-cleansing efficacy to PEG while significantly improving tolerability (reduced medication time and lower risk of premature defecation) and maintaining favorable safety.

Endogenously eliminating the hematoma is a favorable strategy in addressing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to determine the role of retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) in the context of hematoma absorption after ICH. Our results showed that pharmacologically activating RXR-α with bexarotene significantly accelerated hematoma clearance and alleviated neurological dysfunction after ICH. RXR-α was expressed in microglia/macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes. Mechanistically, bexarotene promoted the nuclear translocation of RXR-α and PPAR-γ, as well as reducing neuroinflammation by modulating microglia/macrophage reprograming from the M1 into the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, all the beneficial effects of RXR-α in ICH were reversed by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. In conclusion, the pharmacological activation of RXR-α confers robust neuroprotection against ICH by accelerating hematoma clearance and repolarizing microglia/macrophages towards the M2 phenotype through PPAR-γ-related mechanisms. Our data support the notion that RXR-α might be a promising therapeutic target for ICH.
Anilides/pharmacology* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/drug therapy* ; Hematoma/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Macrophages ; Microglia ; Neuroprotection ; PPAR gamma ; Retinoid X Receptor alpha

Endogenously eliminating the hematoma is a favorable strategy in addressing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to determine the role of retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) in the context of hematoma absorption after ICH. Our results showed that pharmacologically activating RXR-α with bexarotene significantly accelerated hematoma clearance and alleviated neurological dysfunction after ICH. RXR-α was expressed in microglia/macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes. Mechanistically, bexarotene promoted the nuclear translocation of RXR-α and PPAR-γ, as well as reducing neuroinflammation by modulating microglia/macrophage reprograming from the M1 into the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, all the beneficial effects of RXR-α in ICH were reversed by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. In conclusion, the pharmacological activation of RXR-α confers robust neuroprotection against ICH by accelerating hematoma clearance and repolarizing microglia/macrophages towards the M2 phenotype through PPAR-γ-related mechanisms. Our data support the notion that RXR-α might be a promising therapeutic target for ICH.

Objective To observe the gene mutation and clinical phenotype of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and cone rod dystrophy (CORD).Methods Thirty-seven patients with RP and 6 patients with CORD and 95 family members were enrolled in the study.The patient's medical history and family history were collected.All the patients and family members received complete ophthalmic examinations to determine the phenotype,including best corrected visual acuity,slit lamp microscope,indirect ophthalmoscopy,color fundus photography,optical coherence tomography,full-field electroretinogram,and fluorescein fundus angiography.DNA was abstracted from patients and family members.Using target region capture sequencing combined with next-generation sequencing to screen the 232 candidate pathogenic mutations.Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to confirm the pathogenic pathogenic mutations and Co-segregation is performed among members in the family to determine pathogenic mutation sites.The relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype of RP and CORD was analyzed.Results Of the 37 patients with RP,13 were from 6 families,including 4 families with autosomal dominant inheritance,2 families with autosomal recessive inheritance,and 3 in 6 families were detected pathogenic gene mutations.24 cases were scattered RP.Six patients with CORD were from four families,all of which were autosomal recessive.Of the 43 patients,21 patients were detected the pathogenic gene mutation,and the positive rate was 48.8％.Among them,15 patients with RP were detected 10 pathogenic gene mutations including USH2A,RP1,MYO7A,C8orf37,RPGR,SNRNP200,CRX,PRPF31,C2orf71,IMPDH1,and the clinical phenotype included 10 typical RP,2 cases of RPSP,3 cases of Usher syndrome type 2 and 6 cases of CORD patients were all detected pathogenic gene mutations,including 2 cases of ABCA4,2 mutations of RIMS 1 gene,1 case of CLN3 gene mutation,and 1 case of CRB 1 and RPGR double gene mutation.Conclusions RP and CORD are clinically diverse in genotype and clinically phenotypically similar.For patients with early RP and CORD,clinical phenotype combined with genetic analysis is required to determine the diagnosis of RP and CORD.