Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy in elderly patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the patients with unresectable/advanced HCC who attended six hospitals from January 1,2019 to March 31,2021,and all patients received camrelizumab monoclonal antibody treatment,among whom 84.8%also received targeted therapy.According to the age of the patients,they were divided into elderly group(≥65 years)and non-elderly group(＜65 years).The two groups were assessed in terms of overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and immune-related adverse events(irAE).The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups;the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival curves.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine the independent influencing factors for PFS and DCR at 6 months.Results A total of 99 HCC patients were enrolled,with 27 in the elderly group and 72 in the non-elderly group.The elderly group had an OS rate of 67.8%,an ORR of 44.4%,and a DCR of 74.1%at 12 months and a median PFS of 6.4(95%confidence interval[CI]:3.0-12.4)months,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(all P＞0.05).The median OS was unavailable for the elderly group,while the non-elderly group had an OS of 18.9(95%CI:13.0-24.8)months;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.485).The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that major vascular invasion(MVI)was an independent risk factor for PFS(hazard ratio[HR]=2.603,95%CI:1.136-5.964,P=0.024)and DCR(HR=3.963,95%CI:1.671-9.397,P=0.002)at 6 months,while age,sex,etiology of HBV infection,presence of extrahepatic metastasis,Child-Pugh class B,and alpha-fetoprotein＞400 ng/mL were not associated with PFS or DCR at 6 months.For the elderly group,the incidence rates of any irAE and grade 3/4 irAE were 51.9%and 25.9%,respectively,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(P＞0.05),and skin disease was the most common irAE in both groups(39.4%).Conclusion Camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy has similar efficacy and safety in patients with unresectable/advanced HCC aged≥65 years and those aged＜65 years.MVI is associated with suboptimal response to immunotherapy and poor prognosis.

The paper summarizes the imaging evaluation methods for assessing the degree of carotid artery stenosis and analyzes the unique advantages and limitations of various imaging techniques in vascular imaging based on existing guidelines and consensus.The paper focuses on reviewing the clinical applications of several novel ultrasound technologies,including the use of advanced hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow dispersion(Tur index)and wall shear stress(WSS).Carotid artery stenosis is closely associated with cardiovascular disease.Although non-invasive and radiation-free ultrasound technology has certain limitations in diagnostic accuracy to a certain extent,with the continuous emergence of advanced functions such as ultrasound hemodynamics and vascular elasticity,the combination of multi-modality and multi-parameter ultrasound is expected to become an important method for efficient diagnosis of arterial stenosis in the future.

There is still a serious challenge of the measurement of critical quality attributes (CQAs) related to clinical efficacy for Chinese materia medica manufacturing. To overcome this challenge, an integrated strategy of biosensor and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was proposed using Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills as a trial. Firstly, an original biosensor was created using a semiconductor chip material high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) as the transducer and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as the identification element. By this MIF-HEMT biosensor, the efficacy on stoke of different components from Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills was measured. It was clear that all three components of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills had strong therapeutic effects on stroke, especially the section A, the K_D of which reached to 8.722×10^-10 g·mL^-1. Furthermore, MIF-HEMT biosensor integrated UPLC-MS/MS was introduced to identify the efficacy CQAs of different components of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills. As a result, 19 potential CQAs, such as albiforin, paeoniflorin, and prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, were measured as the efficacy CQAs of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills on stroke treatment by MIF. These results provided vital measurement techniques and methodological guidance for the CQAs study of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills intervention in MIF-induced stroke treatment. This also provided an essential guideline for the efficient utilization and quality control measurement of high-quality classical recipes.

To identify the bitter compounds of real-world Xiaoer Ganmao Oral Liquid sugar-free intermediates, an integrated strategy has been developed by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSⁿ) method and BitterX database prediction. The chromatographic operating conditions were as follows, chromatographic column: Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), mobile phase: 0.1% formic acid-water solution (A)-acetonitrile (B) with gradient elution. The data were collected in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The accurate molecular mass and structural information of the target compounds were obtained based on quasi-molecular ions and fragmentation ions provided by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The compounds were identified by combining retention time, reference substances, reports, and other relevant data, and a total of 57 constituents including flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenylpropanoids were finally identified. Further, the BitterX database was used to predict binding probability of compounds to bitter receptors and identify potential bitter critical quality attributes, finally 33 potential bitter compounds, including kukoamine A and linarin, were predicted. This study comprehensively characterized the material basis of Xiaoer Ganmao Oral Liquid sugar-free intermediates, it provides an effective method for bitter compound screening and a reference for further improving the undesirable taste of Xiaoer Ganmao Oral Liquid.

Objective:To investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and related factors.Methods:This was a retrospective study. A total of 200 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2021 to August 2022 were recruited randomly. They were divided into the dapagliflozin group and control group. Clinical data were collected; plasma levels of β-amyloid protein(Aβ) 40 and Aβ42 were measured. The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA) and the mini-mental state examination(MMSE) were employed to assess cognitive function in both groups. Based on MoCA scores, patients in the dapagliflozin group were further categorized into mild cognitive impairment(MCI) and non-MCI subgroups. Differences among groups were analyzed and compared using t-test, χ2 test, and Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify relevant factors associated with cognitive impairment in diabetes patients. Results:Compared to the control group, the dapagliflozin group exhibited significant increases in MMSE and MoCA scores, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and plasma concentration Aβ40(all P<0.05); And the incidence of MCI, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, triglycerides, urine albumin creatine ratio, plasma Aβ42, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio were significantly decreased(all P<0.05). Compared with the MCI subgroup, duration of dapagliflozin treatment in the non-MCI subgroup were significantly increased( P<0.05); There were statistically significant decreased in the non-MCI subgroup in age, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma C-peptide, and HOMA-IR(all P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that duration of dapagliflozin treatment was a protective factor for cognitive dysfunction( OR=0.322, 95% CI 0.150-0.692, P=0.004) and the age and HOMA-IR were risk factors( OR=1.109, 95% CI 1.014-1.212, P=0.023; OR=3.376, 95% CI 1.276-8.931, P=0.014). Conclusion:Dapagliflozin may improve cognitive function and significantly reduce the incidence of MCI in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, possibly associated with the improvement of insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of etomidate and its metabolite etomidate acid in blood, and to discuss its application value in actual cases. METHODS: Acetonitrile precipitate protein method was used, and C₁₈ column was selected. Gradient elution was performed with acetonitrile and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate within 6 min. Electrospray ionization source in positive ion mode was used. The internal standard etomidate acid-d₅ was obtained by etomidate-d₅ alkaline hydrolysis reaction. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used for quantitative analysis. The methodological verification was conducted. RESULTS: Etomidate and etomidate acid in blood showed good linear relationship in the quantitative linear range (r>0.999), with the lower limit of quantification was 2.5 ng/mL and 7.5 ng/mL, respectively. The accuracy, precision, recovery rate, and matrix effect of the method met the professional verification standards. The practical application results showed that etomidate and etomidate acid could be detected in the blood of the abusers, and their mass concentrations ranged from 17.24 to 379.93 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS The method established in this study can simultaneously quantify etomidate and etomidate acid in blood, which is simple and convenient to operate with accuracy. It can meet the detection needs of actual cases and provide technical support for law enforcement to crack down on etomidate abuse.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Etomidate ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Acetonitriles

Areca catechu L. medicinal materials and their preparations are widely used in clinical practice. Betelnut polyphenol is one of the main chemical components with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. With continuous increase of high altitude activities, tissue oxidative damage caused by high altitude hypoxia seriously affects the ability to work, and the studies on anti-hypoxia drugs are particularly important. Recent studies have shown that betelnut polyphenols have protective effects on oxidative stress injury caused by hypoxia via improving blood gas index of hypoxic organism, increasing superoxide dismutase glutathione catalase activity, and scavenging excessive free radicals. The effects of betelnut polyphenols against hypoxia and oxidative damage protection suggest that betelnut polyphenols can be used as potential anti-hypoxia drugs and posses clinical prospects.
Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Areca/chemistry* ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Oxidative Stress ; Polyphenols/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Z-VAD-FMK was combined with hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury to establish a necroptosis model of H9c2 cells to mimic the pathological changes of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in vitro and to study the effect and mechanism of tilianin against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability, and commercial kits were used to detect lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cell culture supernatant. Hoechst 33342/PI immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cell death. DCFH-DA, BBcellProbe^TMM61, and JC-1 probes were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to detect the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The results show that the cell viability, SOD activity, and MMP of the model group induced by H/R injury decreased, as compared with control group, but the necroptosis rate, LDH level, and ROS release increased significantly. Furthermore, mPTP of the model group cells opened, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher. Molecular docking modeling showed that tilianin can bind to calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and Western blot results showed that compared with control group, the expression levels of p-CaMKII and phospho-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein increased in the model group, and tilianin could decrease the expression level of these proteins. The above results indicate that tilianin can protect H9c2 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of CaMKⅡ at threonine 287, protecting mitochondrial function, and inhibiting the opening of mPTP to prevent necroptosis. This study has value for research on new methods to treat H/R injury.

To systematically review the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic the-rapy in treating hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH) patients compared with minimally invasive surgery or basic treatment. In this study, the four Chinese databases, the four English databases, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrail.gov, all above were systematically and comprehensively retrieved from the time of database establishment to September 10, 2020. Rando-mized controlled trials(RCTs) were screened out according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria established in advanced. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated by the tool named "Cochrane bias risk assessment 6.1". Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed using RevMan 5.4, and the quality of outcome indicators was evaluated by the GRADE system. Finally, 17 studies were included, involving 1 852 patients with HICH, and the overall quality of the included studies was not high. According to Meta-analysis,(1)CSS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-3.50,95%CI[-4.39,-2.61],P<0.000 01);(2)NIHSS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-4.78,95%CI[-5.55,-4.00],P<0.000 01);(3)the cerebral hematoma volume of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=-4.44,95%CI[-5.83,-3.04],P<0.000 01);(4)ADL score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=20.81,95%CI[17.25,24.37],P<0.000 01);(5)the GCS score of the group of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy was superior to the group of minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy(MD=2.41,95%CI[1.90,2.91],P<0.000 01). The GRADE system showed an extremely low level of evidence for the above outcome indicators. Adverse reactions were mentioned only in two literatures, with no adverse reactions reported. The available evidence showed that acupuncture combined with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy had a certain efficacy in patients of HICH compared with minimally invasive surgery or basic therapy. However, due to the high risk of bias in the included studies, its true efficacy needs to be verified by more high-quality studies in the future.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome