Objective To study the five-year survival status and influencing factors of elderly patients with lung cancer complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A cohort study was conducted to follow up 450 patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The endpoint of the follow-up was the end of a five-year period or death. The Life Tables method was used to calculate survival rates and plot survival curves. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of five-year survival. Results The results indicated that the overall five-year survival rate of patients was 4.89%, and it decreased year by year. Cox regression analysis showed that age, gender, family functioning, and psychological status significantly influenced patient survival rate (all P<0.05). Stratified analysis found that the smoking status, family functioning, and psychological status of male patients all had an impact on survival rate (all P<0.05), while the psychological status of female patients had a more significant impact on survival (P=0.008). Conclusion This study provides a scientific basis for comprehensive intervention of elderly lung cancer patients with COPD. It is recommended that clinical attention should be paid to psychological and family factors to improve patient prognosis.

Background While A few studies have suggested associations between ambient temperature and cardiac autonomic function, the relationship between hourly temperature variations and heart rate variability (HRV) remains unclear. Objective To examine the acute effects and lag patterns of short-term ambient temperature exposure on HRV at an hourly temporal resolution during cold and warm seasons, and to further characterize the exposure-response relationships. Methods We conducted a longitudinal panel study involving 1047 eligible participants who ordered repeated 24 h ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, between March 2020 and March 2022. Twelve HRV parameters were extracted, including standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the 5 min averages of NN intervals (SDANN), standard deviation of NN intervals index (SDNNIDX), root mean square of successive differences of adjacent NN intervals (rMSSD), triangle index (TI), percent of NN50 in the total number of NN intervals (pNN50), total power (TP), ultralow frequency (ULF), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF). Hourly meteorological data (mean temperature and relative humidity) were obtained from the nearest monitoring stations to participants' residences. Linear mixed effects models (LME) and generalized additive mixed effects models (GAMM) were employed to assess temperature-HRV associations and lag patterns during cold (from October to March next year) and warm (from April to September) seasons, with stratification by sex and age. Results A total of 1047 Urumqi residents who had repeated 24 h ambulatory electrocardiograms were included in this study. In both cold and warm seasons, the exposure-response relationship between ambient temperature and HRV showed an approximately linear negative correlation with no threshold effect; HRV parameters decreased as ambient temperature increased. The correlation between ambient temperature and HRV usually began at a lag of 6 h and disappeared around 24 h lag. The cold season induced a stronger effect on HRV decline, and for every 1 °C increase in ambient temperature during the cold season from lag 0 to 6 h, SDNN decreased by 0.72%, SDNNIDX decreased by 1.46%, TI decreased by 0.07%, SDANN decreased by 1.23%, rMSSD decreased by 1.00%, pNN50 decreased by 2.74%, TP decreased by 3.30%, ULF decreased by 3.74%, VLF decreased by 3.76%, LF decreased by 2.75%, HF decreased by 2.49%, and LF/HF decreased by 0.74%; for every 1 °C increase in ambient temperature during the warm season, SDNN decreased by 0.56%, SDNNIDX decreased by 1.08%, TI decreased by 0.29%, SDANN decreased by 0.56%, rMSSD decreased by 0.68%, pNN50 decreased by 2.11%, TP decreased by 2.64%, ULF decreased by 3.14%, VLF decreased by 2.74%, LF decreased by 1.85%, HF decreased by 1.68%, and LF/HF decreased by 0.47%. Conclusion Elevated ambient temperatures in Urumqi are significantly associated with decreased HRV in the residents, affecting cardiac autonomic function.

BACKGROUND: Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS. METHODS: This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n  = 42) and wild type groups ( n  = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study. CONCLUSION: ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients. REGISTRATION NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans ; Crotonates/adverse effects* ; Toluidines/adverse effects* ; Nitriles ; Hydroxybutyrates ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics* ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics* ; East Asian People

This study aims to investigate the antipyretic effects and mechanisms of ethanol extracts from Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bile from different sources on a rat model of fever induced by a dry-yeast suspension. The rat model of fever was established by subcutaneous injection of 20% dry-yeast suspension into the rat back. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) in the serum, as well as prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) in the hypothalamus, were determined by ELISA. Metabolomics analysis was then performed on serum and hypothalamus samples based on UPLC-Q-TOF MS to explore the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. The results showed that the body temperatures of rats significantly rose 4 h after modeling. After oral administration of high-dose ethanol extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bovine bile(NCH) and porcine bile(ZCH), the body temperatures of rats declined(P<0.05), and the NCH group showed better antipyretic effect than the ZCH group. Additionally, compared with the model group, the NCH and ZCH groups showed lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE_2, and cAMP(P<0.01). The results of serum and hypothalamus metabolomics analysis indicated that both NCH and ZCH exerted antipyretic effects by regulating phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Collectively, both NCH and ZCH can play an obvious antipyretic role in the rat model of dry yeast-induced fever, and the underlying mechanism might be closely associated with inhibiting inflammation and regulating metabolic disorders. Moreover, NCH demonstrates better antipyretic effect.
Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Fermentation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Antipyretics/chemistry* ; Fever/metabolism* ; Cattle ; Swine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood*

Based on the high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia rat model, this study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of Arisaema Cum Bile and explore its mechanisms, providing experimental evidence for its clinical application. Biochemical analysis was used to detect serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Arisaema Cum Bile. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were employed to jointly elucidate the lipid-lowering mechanisms of Arisaema Cum Bile. The experimental results showed that high-dose Arisaema Cum Bile(PBA-H) significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels(P<0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01). The effect was similar to that of fenofibrate, with no significant difference. Furthermore, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and mitigated fatty degeneration in liver tissues. As indicated by 16S rDNA sequencing results, PBA-H significantly enhanced both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the model rats, notably increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum species(P<0.01). Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that PBA-H primarily regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B_6 metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. In summary, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly improved abnormal blood lipid levels and liver pathology induced by a high-fat diet, regulated hepatic metabolic disorders, and improved the abundance and structural composition of gut microbiota, thereby exerting its lipid-lowering effect. The findings of this study provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Arisaema Cum Bile and the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Hyperlipidemias/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Humans ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the optimal dose ratio and mechanisms of the primary active components in Yinchenhao decoction (geniposide, chlorogenic acid, and rhubarb polysaccharides) for ameliorating metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, model control group, uniform design groups 1-6, and Yinchenhao Decoction group; except for the normal control group, mice in all other groups were fed a Western diet to establish a MASLD model, and after 8 weeks of modeling, mice in the uniform design groups 1-6 and Yinchenhao Decoction group were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. At 12 weeks, all mice were sacrificed: their body weight and liver weight were measured, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of liver tissue, the plasma levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in plasma and liver were measured. Based on these results, the optimal uniform design group was identified; subsequently, with plasma AST, plasma TG, and liver TC levels as screening indicators, the optimal dose ratio was obtained via a regression equation, which was further verified from two dimensions, namely functional indicators and tissue morphology. Meanwhile, glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were conducted to evaluate glucose metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in mice, periodic acid-Schiff staining was used to observe glycogen accumulation, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect the mRNA expression of genes related to glycolipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism, Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expression of molecules involved in bile acid metabolism, and commercial kits were used to determine the plasma levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and total bile acid (TBA). RESULTS: Combinations of geniposide, chlorogenic acid, and rhubarb polysaccharide all reduced the liver-to-body weight ratio, alleviated liver injury, and decreased lipid accumulation, among which the uniform design group 6 (200 mg/kg geniposide+160 mg/kg chlorogenic acid+340 mg/kg rhubarb polysaccharide) exhibited the optimal efficacy. Meanwhile, regression analysis indicated that the dosage ratio of uniform design group 6 was the optimal one for MASLD intervention. Validation experiments showed that, compared with single-drug intervention, the optimal dosage ratio resulted in significantly lower body weight, as well as lower plasma levels of ALT, AST and TC in mice (all P<0.05), along with a more pronounced reduction in the area of hepatic lipid accumulation. Mechanistic investigation experiments demonstrated that intervention with the optimal dosage ratio significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice (all P<0.05), reduced hepatic glycogen deposition, and downregulated the mRNA expression of glycolipid metabolism-related genes such as Gsk3, G6pc, Pck1, Fbp1, Fasn, Srebp-1c, Scd1, Slc27a2, and Slc27a5 (all P<0.05); it also decreased plasma levels of TBIL, DBIL, and TBA (all P<0.05), reversed the abnormal protein expression of bile salt export pump (BSEP), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in the liver (all P<0.05), and reversed the abnormal mRNA expression of bile acid metabolism-related genes including Nr1h4, Cyp7a1, Cyp27a1, Slc10a1, and Slco1a1 (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of geniposide (200 mg/kg), chlorogenic acid (160 mg/kg), and rhubarb polysaccharide (340 mg/kg) exerts the optimal ameliorative effect on MASLD in mice. This superior efficacy is presumably achieved by synergistically regulating the key nodes of glycolipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism, ultimately optimizing the therapeutic outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Paridis Rhizoma (Chonglou in Chinese), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown have strong anti-tumor effects. Paris saponin VII (PSVII), an active constituent isolated from Paridis Rhizoma, was demonstrated to significantly suppress the proliferation of BxPC-3 cells in our previous study. Here, we aimed to elucidate the anti-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) effect of PSVII and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Cell viability was determined by CCK-8, colony formation, and cell migration assays. Cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured by flow cytometry with annexin V/propidine iodide (Annexin V/PI) and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), respectively. Pyroptosis was evaluated by morphological features, Hoechst 33342/PI staining assay, and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). JC-1 fluorescent dye was employed to measure mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to determine the levels of proteins or mRNAs. The effect in vivo was assessed by a xenograft tumor model. RESULTS: PSVII inhibited the viability of PDAC cells (BxPC-3, PANC-1, and Capan-2 cells) and induced gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavage, as well as the simultaneous cleavage of Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP). Knockdown of GSDME shifted PSVII-induced pyroptosis to apoptosis. Additionally, the effect of PSVII was significantly attenuated by Z-Asp(OMe)-Glu(OMe)-Val-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (Z-DEVD-FMK), on the induction of GSDME-dependent pyroptosis. PSVII also elevated intracellular ROS accumulation and stimulated Bax and Caspase-3/GSDME to conduct pyroptosis in PDAC cells. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) suppressed the release of LDH and inhibited Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME cleavage in PDAC cells, ultimately reversing PSVII-induced pyroptosis. Furthermore, in a xenograft tumor model, PSVII markedly suppressed the growth of PDAC tumors and induced pyroptosis. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that PSVII exerts therapeutic effects through Caspase-3/GSDME-dependent pyroptosis and may constitute a novel strategy for preventing chemotherapeutic resistance in patients with PDAC in the future.

Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sufentanil in individuals with normal body mass index(BMI),overweight BMI,and different CYP3A4/5 enzyme genotypes.Methods The patients receiving laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to September 2021 were prospectively recruited in this study.Before the operation,the oral swabs were collected from all the patients for genotyping using the human CYP3A4/5 gene kit.Based on the potential impact of combination of their polymorphisms on sufentanil metabolism and the proportion of different genotype combinations of CYP3A4/5 enzymes,the patients were divided into groups I(3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation),II(3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 heterozygous mutation),and III(3A4 wild type or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 wild type).According to their BMI,they were also assigned into a normal body weight group(18.5～24.0 kg/m2)and an overweight group(24～<28 kg/m2),and the differences in drug metabolism parameters were statistically analyze between the 2 groups.After routine general anesthesia induction(sufentanil 0.5 μg/kg),venous blood samples were collected to detect the changes in its concentration using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS).The pharmacokinetic data of sufentanil were calculated between the normal BMI group and overweight group in all participants and between the 2 body weight groups among those with different genotype combinations.Results Among the 90 participants completing the blood drug concentration test,8 patients had their blood samples contaminated(including 1 case with an anesthesia duration of<2 h),and 3 were excluded due to low weight or overweight.Eventually,79 participants were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis on the normal body weight group and the overweight group.Compared with the normal body weight group,the central compartment volume of distribution in the overweight group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while no obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of peripheral compartment volume of distribution,total clearance rate,peripheral compartment clearance rate,distribution half-life,clearance half-life,and area under the blood concentration-time curve.In group Ⅰ(n=26),the overweight patients(n=13)had significantly reduced central compartment volume of distribution,peripheral compartment volume of distribution,and peripheral compartment clearance rate when compared with the normal body weight patients(n=13)(P<0.05),while no differences were observed in other pharmacokinetic parameters.In groups Ⅱ(n=25)and Ⅲ(n=28),the overweight patients and normal body weight patients had no statistical differences in all pharmacokinetic parameters.Conclusion Among the patients with the same genotype combination of CYP3A4/5 mutations,there was no difference in the metabolism of sufentanil between the overweight and normal weight patients.Additionally,in the population of 3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation,the overweight patients have smaller peripheral distribution range of sufentanil,and weakened metabolic process.

Objective To explore the role of SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2(srGAP2)in spinal motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).Methods Applied bioinformatics analysis to investigate the expression changes of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of human superoxide dismutase 1(hSOD1)mutant ALS transgenic mice.hSOD1 G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were selected for animal experimental validation,with littermate wild type(WT)mice serving as the control group.A total of 36 pairs were divided into four groups,namely the pre-onset stage,early-onset stage,mid-onset stage,and late-onset stage.The expression changes and cellular localization of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of ALS mice were detected by Real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescent double-label staining.The hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 motor neuron-like cell model was established,and in vitro experiments were carried out to detect the changes in srGAP2 expression,and the effects of srGAP2 over-expression on the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells and the growth of cell protrusions.Results Bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormally low expression of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of hSOD1 mutant ALS mice.Animal experiments verified that compared with the WT mice,the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice at early-onset,mid-onset and late-onset stages.Compared with the WT mice,srGAP2 integral absorbance(IA)values in srGAP2+/NeuN+double-positive cells in the anterior horn of the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were lower,srGAP2 IA values in srGAP2+/GFAP+double-positive cells were higher;Compared with the hSOD1WT NSC34 cells,the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells.Over-expression of srGAP2 elevated the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells,and up-regulated the expression level of synapse-related protein β Ⅲ-tubulin and growth associated protein 43(GAP43).Conclusion Low expression of srGAP2 is closely associated with the progression of ALS,while over-expression of srGAP2 can promote outgrowth of cell protrusions and exert a protective effect on spinal motor neurons in ALS.