OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor effects of cinobufacini (CINO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of CINO on HCC cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 method, and the apoptosis rate was quantified using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the differential expression of proteins associated with cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion pathways after CINO treatment. The therapeutic potential of CINO for HCC was confirmed, and the possibility of combining cinobufacini with c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of primary HCC was further validated by in vivo experiments. RESULTS: Under the induction of DCP, CINO inhibited the activity of HCC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. Upon the induction of DCP, CINO regulated c-Met activation and the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. In a mouse model of HCC, CINO exhibited significant antitumor effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS CINO inhibited HCC cell growth, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cell invasion and migration by targeting c-Met and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways under DCP induction.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Animals ; Humans ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Amphibian Venoms/therapeutic use* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Male ; Bufanolides/therapeutic use* ; Protein Precursors ; Prothrombin ; Biomarkers

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Aim To investigate the mechanism of py-roptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and the intervention effect of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragalus ultrafiltration extract(RAS-RA)in radiation-induced pulmonary fi-brosis.Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups,with ten rats in each group.Ex-cept for the blank control group,all other groups of rats were anesthetized and received a single dose of 40 Gy X-ray local chest radiation to establish a radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis rat model.After radiation,the rats in the RAS-RA intervention groups were orally administered doses of 0.12,0.24 and 0.48 g·kg-1 once a day for 30 days.The average weight and lung index of the rats were observed after 30 days of contin-uous administration.Hydroxyproline(HYP)content in lung tissue was determined by hydrolysis method.The levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum were detected by ELISA.Lung tissue pathological changes were ob-served by HE and Masson staining.Ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission e-lectron microscopy.The expression levels of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway-related proteins and fibrosis-related proteins in lung tissue were detec-ted by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the HYP content in lung tissue and the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum significantly in-creased in the model group(P＜0.01).HE and Mas-son staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition.Transmission electron mi-croscopy revealed increased damaged mitochondria,disordered arrangement,irregular morphology,shallow matrix,outer membrane rupture,mostly fractured and shortened cristae,mild expansion,increased electron density of individual mitochondrial matrix,mild sparse structure of lamellar bodies,partial disorder,unclear organelles,and characteristic changes of pyroptosis.Western blot analysis showed increased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,CoL-Ⅰ,α-SMA,and CoL-Ⅲ proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the RAS-RA intervention group showed signifi-cant improvement in body mass index and lung index of rats,decreased levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β inflammatory factors(P＜0.01),improved mitochondrial structure,reduced degree of fibrosis,and decreased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue(P＜0.01).Conclusion RAS-RA has an inhibitory effect on radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of pyroptosis through the regu-lation of the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Aim To study the effect of salidroside combined with rosavin on ischemic stroke in rats.Methods The model of MCAO was established by u-sing thread-embolic method.The rats were divided into the sham group,MCAO group,salidroside combined with rosavin group,positive control group,and the drug was given continuously for seven days.The infarct volume was measured by MRI and neurological deficit score was evaluated by Zea-Longa.The levels of Ne-uN,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad were observed by West-ern blot and immunofluorescence staining.The expres-sions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were performed by RT-qPCR/ELISA.The primary cortical neurons were isolated,OGD/R inducted,divided into the normal group,OGD/R group,salidroside combined with rosa-vin group,and TGF-β1 inhibitor+salidroside com-bined with rosavin group,the drug was given for 24 hours,and the expressions of NeuN,BDNF,IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were measured.Results Salidroside combined with rosavin could decrease the infarct vol-ume,improve the neurological function,promote the levels of Neun,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad,and inhibit the expressions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6.Salidroside combined with rosavin could promote NeuN,BDNF,inhibit IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6 in primary nerve cells in-duced by OGD/R,and these effects were blocked by TGF-β1 inhibitor.Conclusions Salidroside combined with rosavin has neuroprotective effects on MCAO rats,and primary neurons are induced by OGD/R,and these effects are closely related to the TGF-β pathway.

Objective To observe the safety and efficacy of perioperative short-duration platelet membrane glycoprotein Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a receptor antagonist(GPI)in elderly patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI)for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)with high thrombotic burden.Methods A total of 140 elderly patients with acute STEMI admitted to our department from October 2021 to January 2024 were recruited and ran-domly divided into experimental group(short duration)and control group(standard duration),with 70 cases in each group.The occurrence of MACE,complete rate of ST segment resolution 2 h after surgery,blood flow classification thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI),left ventric-ular ejection fraction(LVEF),N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),inhibition of platelet aggregation(IPA)by thromboelastography(TEG),maximum amplitude of adenosine diphosphate receptor pathway(MAADP),platelet-related indicators,and incidences of thrombocy-topenia and bleeding events were observed in the 2 groups after operation.Results There were no significant differences in postoperative recurrence of angina pectoris,acute heart failure,malignant arrhythmia,rate of ST segment resolution,TIMI blood flow grade 3,no reflow,LVEF,NT-proBNP level before discharge,and incidences of severe hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia during hospi-talization between the two groups(P＞0.05).The experimental group had significantly lower IPA[(76.1±15.3)％vs(96.3+19.4)％,P=0.016]and higher MAADP(45.6±8.2 mm vs 26.7±9.7 mm,P=0.028)in 18 h after operation,and lower incidence of minor bleeding(7.1％vs 24.3％,P＜0.05)during hospitalization when compared with the control group.Conclusion Under the premise of using a novel oral purinergic receptor P2Y12 inhibitor,short-term GPI is not inferior to the standard time course in achievement of IPA,with similar efficacy and relatively better safety.

Objective To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome elements and risk factors in children with IgA vasculitis(IgAV,also known as Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura).Methods The medical records of 131 children with IgAV were retrospectively analyzed.And then the distribution of their TCM syndrome elements was investigated,and the correlation of TCM syndrome elements with the gender,age,clinical symptoms,as well as risk factors such as mosquito bite,pathogen infection,and allergic rhinitis was analyzed.Results(1)Among the 131 children with IgAV,the diseases-location syndrome elements of IgAV involved lung in 97 cases(74.05%),spleen in 61 cases(46.56%),kidney in 54 cases(41.22%),liver in 17 cases(12.98%),and heart in 11 cases(8.40%);the disease-nature syndrome elements of IgAV involved blood stasis in 131 cases(100.00%),wind-damp in 125 cases(95.42%),wind-heat in 90 cases(68.70%),damp-heat in 72 cases(54.96%),blood heat in 49 cases(37.40%),qi deficiency in 19 cases(14.50%),and yin deficiency in three cases(2.29%).(2)There were 69 cases(52.67%)of females and 62 cases(47.33%)of males among the IgAV children,with females outnumbering males.The age group of IgAV children was predominated by five to six years old,and 10 cases(7.63%)were younger than four years old,18 cases(13.74%)were four years old,39 cases(29.77%)were five years old,34 cases(25.95%)were six years old,17 cases(12.98%)were seven years old,and 13 cases(9.92%)were older than seven years old.The disease-nature syndrome elements such as blood stasis,wind-damp,wind-heat,and damp-heat were frequently seen in the age group of five to seven years old,yin deficiency was frequently seen in the age group older than seven years,and blood stasis was seen in all age groups.(3)The results of logistic regression analysis of the correlation between TCM syndrome elements and risk factors in IgAV patients showed that allergic rhinitis was positively correlated with blood stasis[OR=2.236,95%CI(1.049-4.007)],damp-heat[OR=2.183,95%CI(1.554-3.671)]and wind-damp[OR=1.202,95%CI(1.050-2.409)];pathogen infection was positively correlated with blood stasis[OR=3.199,95%CI(1.457-4.101)]and damp-heat[OR=1.119,95%CI(1.072-2.009)];mosquito bite was positively correlated with blood stasis[OR=4.533,95%CI(1.029-9.022)]and damp-heat[OR=2.257,95%CI(1.081-13.207)];the gender was positively correlated with blood stasis[OR=1.352,95%CI(1.271-3.018)]and wind-damp[OR=1.149,95%CI(1.071-3.102)].The differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion IgAV usually involves the lungs and is also related to the five zang organs.Its pathogenesis is characterized by excess in superficiality such as blood stasis and wind-damp-heat in the early stage,and is predominated by deficiency in origin such as qi deficiency and yin deficiency in the later stage.For the children with IgAV,mosquito bite,pathogen infection and allergic rhinitis are more likely to induce blood stasis and wind-damp-heat;TCM syndrome elements such as wind-heat,damp-heat,blood heat,and qi deficiency are frequently seen in the males,while TCM syndrome elements such as blood stasis,wind-damp,and yin deficiency are frequently seen in the females.

Objective To investigate the effect of MALAT1 expressions on cell proliferation and apoptosis in astrocytes by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1,2)pathway.Methods The MALAT1 gene was knocked down and over-expressed in C8-D1A cells by lentiviral and plasmid vectors,respectively.The expressions of MALAT1,cell proliferation-related markers(Ki67,MCM2,PCNA)and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2)were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used for cell proliferation and apoptosis in C8-D1A cells.Immunofluorescence was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Ki67.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2,ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK.Results Compared with the control group,over-expressed MALAT1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in C8-D1A cells while the knockdown of MALAT1 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic ability in C8-D1A cells.The proportion of C8-D1A cells in G0/G1-phase and G2/M-phase was higher than in the control group as evidenced by flow cytometry,but was lower in S-phase.Meanwhile,data showed that Caspase-3 was increased while p-ERK1/2 was decreased in terms of protein levels.The mRNA expressions of Ki67 and PCNA were decreased.After knockdown of MALAT1,the proportion of C8-D1A cells in S-phase was higher,but was lower in G2/M-phase.The protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax decreased while those of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK increased.The mRNA expressions of Ki67,MCM2 and PCNA were increased.The differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion MALAT1 promotes astrocyte apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by regulating the MAPK/ERK1,2 signaling pathway.

The assessment of adverse drug events is an important basis for clinical safety evaluation and post-marketing risk control of drugs,and its causality assessment is gaining increasing attention.The existing methods for assessing the causal relationship between drugs and the occurrence of adverse reactions can be broadly classified into three categories:global introspective methods,standardized methods,and probabilistic methods.At present,there is no systematic introduction of the operational details of the various methods in the domestic literature.This paper compares representative causality assessment methods in terms of definition and concept,methodological steps,industry evaluation and advantages and disadvantages,clarifies the basic process of determining the causality of adverse drug reactions,and discusses how to further improve the adverse drug reaction monitoring and evaluation system,with a view to providing a reference for drug development and pharmacovigilance work in China.

Hypertension and osteoporosis(OP)are common diseases in middle-aged and elderly people,and the number of patients with both diseases has gradually increased in recent years.Because the onset of the disease is hidden,it is easy to cause fractures and serious complications of heart,brain and kidney in the later stage,which not only seriously damages the quality of life of patients,but also increases the difficulty of clinical treatment.Therefore,it is particularly necessary to strengthen the research on this disease.More and more studies have found that the disorder of intestinal flora will lead to the occurrence of OP,while the intestinal flora of patients with hypertension is obviously out of balance.Therefore,this paper thinks that intestinal flora may be the key influencing factor of hypertension complicated with OP,and the imbalance of intestinal flora will lead to the imbalance of short-chain fatty acid metabolism,immune inflammatory reaction and increased sympathetic nerve activity,thus causing the imbalance of bone homeostasis and promoting the occurrence of OP.Therefore,it is suggested that regulating intestinal flora may be a new way to intervene hypertension complicated with OP.