INTRODUCTION: Achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is key to preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. However, many high-risk cardiovascular patients still experience poor LDL-C goal attainment and receive suboptimal lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) prescriptions. Herein, we evaluated LLT prescription patterns, LDL-C goal attainment and cardiovascular mortality among this population group in Singapore. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 555 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) admitted to the hospital in 2020. The LLT prescriptions, corresponding LDL-C levels and cardiovascular outcomes were assessed over a 24-month period. RESULTS: Most participants were male (82.3%), with 48.5% identified as Chinese. High-intensity statin prescriptions increased from 45.4% at hospital admission to 87.1% at discharge and remained stable at approximately 80% at 6, 12, and 24 months post-discharge. Combination LLT prescriptions increased from 12.3% at discharge to 33.8% by 24 months. Ezetimibe was the most commonly prescribed second-line LLT (40.8%), followed by inclisiran (1.09%) and anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibody therapies (0.87%). Over 24 months, LDL-C goal attainment rates were 22.1% for LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L and 47.2% for LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression indicated that achieving LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L goal was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality at 24 months (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.94, P = 0.030). CONCLUSION Treatment gaps in lipid management persist in 80% of the study population, indicating that statin monotherapy alone is insufficient to achieve LDL-C goals. Greater efforts to improve LDL-C goal attainment rates in high-risk cardiovascular patients are imperative.
Humans ; Male ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Female ; Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Ezetimibe/therapeutic use* ; Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Osteoporotic fractures(OPF) refer to the fractures caused by minor violence in the state of osteoporosis, seriously threatening the life and health of elderly patients. Drug and surgical therapies have limitations such as single targets, diverse adverse reactions, and poor prognosis. Kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has good potential in the treatment of OPF. TCM can promote the healing of OPF by promoting angiogenesis in the early stage of bone healing, promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the stage of bone repair, maintaining the balance of osteogenic and osteoclastic system in the stage of bone remodeling, and regulating the oxidative stress responses throughout the process of OPF healing. TCM can alleviate the pathological state of osteoporosis and promote fracture healing in OPF patients via multiple pathways and targets, demonstrating the advantages and potential of biphasic regulation.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/metabolism* ; Animals ; Fracture Healing/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects*

Objective:To investigate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related disease（IgG4-RD） primarily involving the nasal cavity and skull base. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 8 patients with IgG4-RD primarily involving the nasal cavity and skull base who visited the Nasal and Skull Base Surgery Department at Xiangya Hospital from October 2017 to January 2024. The cohort comprised 4 males and 4 females, aged 8 to 69 years. Clinical data, laboratory examination results, imaging findings, histopathological results, and treatment plans were collected. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up results of IgG4-RD primarily involving nasal cavity and skull base were summarized and previous literature were also reviewed. Results:The initial symptoms in the 8 patients included nasal congestion, headache, sensory function decline, and facial deformities. Three patients also had parotid and pulmonary involvement. Among the 8 patients, 4 underwent partial surgical resection combined with glucocorticoid therapy; 1 underwent partial surgical resection combined with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy; 1 received glucocorticoid therapy alone; and 2 received glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressant therapy. Follow-up was conducted one month after treatment, lasting from 5 to 79 months. During the follow-up period, recurrence was observed in 1 patient treated with glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressants and in 1 patient treated with glucocorticoid alone, while the other 6 patients achieved significant remission. Conclusion:The diagnosis of nasal cavity and skull base IgG4-RD requires the combination of histopathology, laboratory tests, and imaging results. Treatment primarily includes glucocorticoids or combined immunosuppressants. For patients with significant compression symptoms, sensory function impairment, or facial deformities, surgical resection is an important treatment option. Given the high risk of recurrence, early intervention, active treatment, and long-term follow-up are crucial.
Humans ; Male ; Skull Base/pathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Nasal Cavity/pathology* ; Adult ; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease/therapy* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Child ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 (PTPN2) is a promising target for sensitizing solid tumors to immune checkpoint blockades. However, the highly polar active sites of PTPN2 hinder drug discovery efforts. Leveraging small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, we developed a novel glutathione-responsive nano-platform HPssPT (HA/PEIss@siPtpn2) to silence PTPN2 and enhance immunotherapy efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HPssPT showed potent transfection and favorable safety profiles. PTPN2 deficiency induced by HPssPT amplified the interferon γ signaling in HCC cells by increasing the phosphorylation of Janus-activated kinase 1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, resulting in enhanced antigen presentation and T cell activation. The nano-platform was also able to promote the M1-like polarization of macrophages in vitro. The unique tropism of HPssPT towards tumor-associated macrophages, facilitated by hyaluronic acid coating and CD44 receptor targeting, allowed for simultaneous reprogramming of both tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages, thereby synergistically reshaping tumor microenvironment to an immunostimulatory state. In HCC, colorectal cancer, and melanoma animal models, HPssPT monotherapy provoked robust antitumor immunity, thereby sensitizing tumors to PD-1 blockade, which provided new inspiration for siRNA-based drug discovery and tumor immunotherapy.

ObjectiveMolecular docking and animal experiments were employed to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Da Chengqitang （DCQD） on intestinal barrier in septic mice. MethodText mining method was used to screen the active ingredients in DCQD. AutoDock Tools and Discovery Studio were used to study the interactions of active components with the core target proteins ［claudin-1， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-6， endogenous antimicrobial peptide mCRAMP， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 （MyD88）］ in sepsis. Fifty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham， model， low- and high-dose （4 g∙kg^-1 and 8 g∙kg^-1） DCQD， and ulinastatin groups （n=10）. Before， during， and after the day of modeling surgery， each group was administrated with corresponding drugs. The mice in other groups except the model group were subjected to modeling by cecal ligation and puncture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used measure the serum level of D-lactic acid to assess intestinal mucosa permeability. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes in the ileum and assess the intestinal mucosal damage and inflammatory infiltration. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin in the ileal tissue， which were indicative of the bowel barrier function. The TNF-α and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA to assess the intestinal inflammation. The expression of mCRAMP in the ileal tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of mCRAMP， TLR4， and MyD88 in mouse ileal tissue were determined by Real-time polymerase chain reaction， on the basis of which the mechanism of DCQD in protecting the intestinal barrier of septic mice was explored. ResultMolecular docking results showed that most of the 10 active ingredients of DCQD that were screened out by text mining could bind to sepsis targets by van der Waals force， hydrogen bonding， and other conjugated systems. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， low- or high-dose DCQD lowered the D-lactic acid level in the serum （P<0.01）， alleviated damage to the ileal tissue and mucosal edema， protected the small intestine villus integrity， reduced inflammatory cell infiltration， promoted the expression of claudin-1 （P<0.01）， lowered the IL-6 level （P<0.01）， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of mCRAMP （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and MyD88 （P<0.01） in the ileal tissue. In addition， high-dose DCQD lowered the TNF-α level and promoted the expression of occludin in the ileum tissue （P<0.01）， and low-dose DCQD up-regulated the protein level of occludin in the ileum tissue （P<0.05）. ConclusionDCQD has a protective effect on intestinal barrier in septic mice. It can reduce intestinal inflammation， repair intestinal mucosal damage， improve the tight junction protein level， and reduce intestinal mucosal permeability by up-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of mCRAMP and the down-regulating the expression of genes in the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.

Objective To investigate the predictive factors for death within 30 days after admission in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and acute kidney injury(AKI),and to establish and validate a nomogram prediction model.Methods The Joint Medical Record Management System of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University was used to obtain the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Infectious Diseases from January 2015 to December 2020,among whom 330 patients who met the 2015 International Club of Ascites diagnostic criteria for AKI were enrolled and divided into training group with 193 patients and validation group with 137 patients.A Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the predictive factors for death,and then a nomogram prediction model for the risk of death within 30 days after admission was established and validated.The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups;The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups,while the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups.The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Results The prevalence rate of AKI was 16.5%in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.The 330 patients included in the study had a mean age of 53.6±12.4 years,and male patients accounted for 79.1%.The mortality rate was 50.0%within 30 days after admission,with a mortality rate of 46.6%in the training group and 54.7%in the validation group.The presence of acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)on admission was an independent risk factor for the progression of AKI into stage 1(odds ratio=2.571,95%confidence interval:1.143-5.780,P=0.022).The nomogram based on white blood cell count,international normalized ratio,presence or absence of hepatic encephalopathy,and AKI stage on admission could well predict the risk of death with 30 days after admission,with a C-index of 0.680 in the training group and 0.683 in the validation group,and it was not inferior to CTP score and MELD score.Conclusion ACLF is an independent risk factor for the progression of AKI into stage 1.The nomogram prediction model established in this study can effectively predict the risk of death within 30 days after admission and thus has important guiding significance for the early identification and management of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and AKI.

Gadopiclenol was used in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older during magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)to detect and view lesions of the central nervous system(brain,spine,and associated tissues)and body(head and neck,chest,abdomen,pelvis,and musculoskeletal system)with abnormal vascular properties.Gadopiclenol is a new type of macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).In this article,the molecular structure,principle of action,pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics,clinical studies,safety and other aspects of Gadopiclenol were reviewed,in order to introduce the current research status and existing achievements of Gadopiclenol.

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of empowerment between self-perceived burden and medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients, so as to provide reference for improving medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. From August to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 240 kidney transplant recipients who were followed up at the Kidney Transplantation Center of Shanghai General Hospital as the research subject. A survey was conducted on subjects using the General Information Questionnaire, Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS), Client Empowerment Scale (CES), and Basel Assessment of Adherence with Immunosuppressive Medication Scale (BAASIS) to analyze the correlation between patient self-perceived burden, empowerment, and medication compliance, as well as the mediating effect of empowerment between the two.Results:A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed, and 226 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 94.2% (226/240). Among 226 kidney transplant recipients, the total scores of SPBS, CES, and BAASIS were (27.34±8.03), (159.86±13.45), and (5.05±1.75), respectively. The SPBS score of the recipient was negatively correlated with the CES score ( r=-0.366, P<0.05), and positively correlated with the BAASIS score ( r=0.448, P<0.05). The CES score was negatively correlated with the BAASIS score ( r=-0.456, P<0.05). The above differences were statistically significant. Empowerment partially mediated the association between self-perceived burden and medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients, with a mediating effect ratio of 38.7%. Conclusions:Renal transplant recipients have poor medication adherence, and empowerment is a mediating variable between self-perceived burden and medication adherence. Medical and nursing staff should attach importance to and enhance the empowerment of kidney transplant recipients, in order to alleviate the negative impact of self-perceived burden, increase medication compliance of recipients, and improve their health outcomes.