Objective: To investigate the characteristics and HIV confirmed positive status among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide the basis for enhancing interventions targeting high-risk populations for AIDS. Methods: Demographic information, reasons for consultation, consulting institutions, and HIV antibody testing data of individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the VCT database of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The characteristics of individuals attending VCT were described. Factors affecting HIV confirmed positive among VCT clinic attendees were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 249 919 individuals attended VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023, including 128 069 males (51.24%) and 121 850 females (48.76%). The majority of attendees were aged 25-<35 years, accounting for 92 445 cases (36.99%). Among them, 785 cases were confirmed as HIV positive, with a positivity rate of 0.31%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that males (OR=4.787, 95%CI: 3.562-6.434), 45-<65 years of age (45-<55 years, OR=7.723, 95%CI: 1.786-33.406; 55-<65 years, OR=7.689, 95%CI: 1.757-33.653), being unmarried (OR=2.143, 95%CI: 1.580-2.906), junior high school education or below (OR=1.147, 95%CI: 1.042-2.430), having the history of high-risk behaviors or exposure risks (commercial heterosexual behaviors, OR=2.717, 95%CI: 1.707-4.324; non-commercial non-fixed heterosexual behaviors, OR=5.421, 95%CI: 3.763-7.809; homosexual behaviors, OR=70.774, 95%CI: 48.409-103.473; having an HIV-positive spouse/fixed partner/mother, OR=100.024, 95%CI: 62.490-160.100; drug injection, OR=5.366, 95%CI: 2.213-13.014), and seeking general hospitals or traditional Chinese medicine hospitals (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.650-2.360) were associated with a higher risk of HIV confirmed positive. Conclusions HIV confirmed positive among individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is associated with gender, age, marital status, educational level, reasons for consultation, and consulting institutions. It is recommended to strengthen health education and targeted interventions for high-risk populations to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Meningeal metastasis (MM) is a form of malignant metastasis where tumor cells spread from the primary site to the pia mater, dura mater, arachnoid, subarachnoid space, and other cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor types with MM. MM not only signifies that the lung cancer has progressed to an advanced stage but also leads to a range of severe clinical symptoms due to meningeal involvement. Currently, the risk factors associated with the development of MM are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for MM in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who underwent non-surgical interventions, in order to identify LUAD patients at high risk for MM. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients diagnosed with LUAD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to July 2024. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation methods, and risk factors were identified through LASSO, univariate, and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients with LUAD were included in this study and divided into two groups: 87 patients with MM and 83 patients without MM. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age at diagnosis (P=0.004), presence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) L858R gene mutation (P=0.008), and concurrent liver metastasis at baseline (P=0.004) were independent risk factors for developing MM in LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. Conversely, higher baseline globulin levels (P=0.039) and the presence of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutation (P=0.040) were associated with a reduced risk of MM development. CONCLUSIONS Age at diagnosis, EGFR L858R mutation status, ALK gene mutation status, concurrent liver metastasis, globulin levels at baseline were significantly associated with the risk of developing MM in patients with LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. For patients diagnosed at a younger age, carrying the EGFR L858R mutation, or presenting with baseline liver metastasis, early implementation of tertiary prevention strategies for MM is crucial. Regular monitoring of MM status should be conducted in these high-risk groups.
Humans ; Male ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Meningeal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Adult

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery(CSA).Methods A total of 46 cases of patients with definitive diagnosis of vertigo in CSA admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Acupuncture,Muxibustion and Rehabilitation Department of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June to October 2024 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method,with 23 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with Dulongten-needling in shoulder and neck,and the control group was given conventional acupuncture treatment,the course of treatment for the two groups covered two weeks.After two weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of Evaluation Scale For Cervical Vertigo(ESCV)before and after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups.Three dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling(3D-pCASL)technique was applied to determin the changes in cerebral blood flow(CBF)values in the region of region of interest(ROI),and the changes in CBF values in the patients of the two groups were compared.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 91.30%(21/23),and that of the control group was 78.26%(18/23),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the ESCV scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the CBF change values of each ROI in the two groups showed elevated(positive),and the CBF change values of the right middle cerebral artery(R-MCA)in the control group showed decreased(negative).After treatment,the CBF change values of the observation group in the blood supply areas of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-PICA),right anterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-AICA),right anterior cerebral artery(R-ACA),branches from vertebral arteries(VA)and basilar arteries(BA),bilateral superior cerebellar arteries(SCA),and bilateral posterior cerebral arteries(PCA)were significantly elevated,and the observation group was significantly superior in improving the above ROIs in the CBF change value to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in CSA can significantly improve the CBF of patients,reduce the clinical symptoms such as vertigo,neck and shoulder pain,headache.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Xinxuetong Oral Liquid in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods A total of 80 patients with ACS of blood stasis syndrome who were hospitalized in Shunde Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to September 2023 were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group according to random number table method,40 patients in each group.The patients in the two groups were given conventional western medicine treatment including lifestyle guidance,percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and conventional western medicine therapy.Additionally,the treatment group was treated with Xinxuetong Oral Liquid.The course of treatment for the two groups covered eight weeks.Before and after treatment the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,blood stasis syndrome score,angina pectoris score,blood lipid indicators,carotid ultrasonography indicators,echocardiography indicators,and serum levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide(TMAO),nitric oxide(NO),endothelin 1(ET-1),interleukin 8(IL-8),serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(AKT-1),and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A).After treatment,the efficacy on TCM syndrome efficacy and the safety of the regimen in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,there were two cases of loss to follow-up and one case of withdrawal due to pneumonia,and eventually a total of 77 patients completed the full course of treatment,among which 39 patients were in the treatment group and 38 patients were in the control group.(2)After eight weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 89.74％(35/39),and that of the control group was 63.16％(24/38).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the effective rate of TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms such as chest pain,chest distress,symptom aggravation at night,and palpitation in the two groups,as well as the score of gloomy complexion in the treatment group,were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the decrease of scores of chest distress,symptom aggravation at night,and palpitation in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the blood stasis syndrome score and angina pectoris symptom score of the two groups of patients were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the serum TMAO,ET-1,IL-8,AKT-1,and VEGF-A levels in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the serum NO level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease of serum TMAO,ET-1,IL-8,and AKT-1,VEGF-A levels and the increase of serum NO level in the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)After treatment,the total cholesterol(TCHO)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels of the two groups(P＜0.01)and the triglyceride(TG)level of the treatment group(P＜0.05)were decreased significantly compared with those before treatment,while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)level of the treatment group was increased significantly compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).No obvious changes of TG and HDL-C levels before and after treatment were shown in the control group(P＞0.05).The comparison of blood lipid indicators after treatment between groups showed that there were no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05).(7)After treatment,the carotid ultrasonography indicators of carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)and Crouse score of the carotid plaque in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01).However,there was no statistical significance in the comparison of the two indicators between the two groups after treatment(P＞0.05).(8)The observation of echocardiography indicators showed that only the post-treatment left ventricular diameter(LVd)of the treatment group was significantly larger than that before treatment(P＜0.05),while no obvious changes of the other echocardiography indicators before and after treatment were shown in the two groups(P＞0.05).The comparison between the groups after treatment also showed no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05).(9)During the treatment,no serious drug-induced adverse reactions or drug-related severe cardiovascular events and complications occurred in the two groups.Conclusion The combination of Xinxuetong Oral Liquid with conventional western medicine treatment exerts certain efficacy and safety on improving the clinical symptoms of patients with ACS of blood stasis syndrome,and its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the improvement of blood lipid levels,inflammatory response,and TMAO level.

Objective:To compare the prognostic values of different classification by using transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG), diastolic pressure gradient (DPG) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD), and investigated hemodynamic and clinical factors associated with mortality in patients with PH-LHD.Methods:This was a single-center prospective cohort study. In-hospital patients diagnosed with PH-LHD via right heart catheterization at the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from September 2013 to December 2019 were enrolled. Patients were divided according to TPG (cutoff value 12 mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), DPG (cutoff value 7 mmHg), PVR (cutoff value 3 Wood Units), and the combination of TPG and PVR. Baseline characteristic was recorded. All patients were followed up until the occurrence of endpoint event, defined as all-cause death that occurred during the follow-up period, or until April 18, 2022. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the predictive value of 3 classification methods for all-cause death in PH-LHD patients. The optimal cutoff values were calculated using Jorden index. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and log-rank test was used to compare the predictive efficacy of classification methods based on optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds for the survival of PH-LHD patients. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 243 patients were enrolled, aged (54.9±12.7) years old, including 169 (69.5%) males. During a median follow-up of 57 months, there were 101 (41.6%) deaths occurred. Grouping results were as follows: (1) TPG: TPG≤12 mmHg group 115 patients, TPG>12 mmHg group 128 patients; (2) DPG: DPG<7 mmHg group 193 patients, DPG≥7 mmHg group 50 patients; (3) PVR: PVR≤3 Wood Units group 108 patients, PVR>3 Wood Units group 135 patients; (4) TPG and PVR: TPG≤12 mmHg and PVR≤3 Wood Units group 89 patients, TPG>12 mmHg and PVR>3 Wood Units group 109 patients. PVR ( AUC=0. 698,95% CI:0.631-0.766) had better predictive value for all-cause mortality than TPG ( AUC=0.596, 95% CI: 0.523-0.669) and DPG ( AUC=0.526, 95% CI: 0.452-0.601) (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff values for TPG, DPG, and PVR were13.9 mmHg, 2.8 mmHg, and 3.8 Wood Units, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis based on the optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds showed that PVR and TPG were the predictors of survival ( P<0.05), while DPG did not showed significance ( P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, PVR and log 2N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in PH-LHD patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Classification according to PVR was most valuable in predicting all-cause death in PH-LHD patients, while TPG showed moderate predictive ability and DPG had no predictive value.

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, including lung cancer. However, the exact underlying mechanism and therapeutic potential are largely unknown. Here we report that protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) is highly expressed in lung cancer and is required for cell metabolism, tumorigenicity, and cisplatin response of lung cancer. PRMT6 regulated the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) flux and glycolysis pathway in human lung cancer by increasing the activity of 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and α-enolase (ENO1). Furthermore, PRMT6 methylated R324 of 6PGD to enhancing its activity; while methylation at R9 and R372 of ENO1 promotes formation of active ENO1 dimers and 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG) binding to ENO1, respectively. Lastly, targeting PRMT6 blocked the oxidative PPP flux, glycolysis pathway, and tumor growth, as well as enhanced the anti-tumor effects of cisplatin in lung cancer. Together, this study demonstrates that PRMT6 acts as a post-translational modification (PTM) regulator of glucose metabolism, which leads to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. It was proven that the PRMT6-6PGD/ENO1 regulatory axis is an important determinant of carcinogenesis and may become a promising cancer therapeutic strategy.

Background::Given that seizures may be triggered by vaccination, this study aimed to evaluate the risk and correlative factors of seizures in patients with epilepsy (PWE) after being vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods::This study retrospectively enrolled PWE who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the epilepsy centers of 11 hospitals in China. We divided the PWE into two groups as follows: (1) patients who developed seizures within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SAV (with seizures after vaccination) group; (2) patients who were seizure-free within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SFAV (seizure-free after vaccination) group. To identify potential risk factors for seizure reccurence, the binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Besides, 67 PWE who had not been vaccinated were also included for elucidating the effects of vaccination on seizures recurrence, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether vaccination would affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had drug reduction or withdrawal.Results::The study included a total of 407 patients; of which, 48 (11.8%) developed seizures within 14 days after vaccination (SAV group), whereas 359 (88.2%) remained seizure-free (SFAV group). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of seizure freedom ( P < 0.001) and withdrawal from anti-seizure medications (ASMs) or reduction in their dosage during the peri-vaccination period were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures (odds ratio= 7.384, 95% confidence interval = 1.732–31.488, P = 0.007). In addition, 32 of 33 patients (97.0%) who were seizure-free for more than three months before vaccination and had a normal electroencephalogram before vaccination did not have any seizures within 14 days of vaccination. A total of 92 (22.6%) patients experienced non-epileptic adverse reactions after vaccination. Binary logistic regression analysis results showed that vaccine did not significantly affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had the behavior of ASMs dose reduction or withdrawal ( P = 0.143). Conclusions::PWE need protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. PWE who are seizure-free for >3 months before vaccination should be vaccinated. Whether the remaining PWE should be vaccinated depends on the local prevalence of COVID-19. Finally, PWE should avoid discontinuing ASMs or reducing their dosage during the peri-vaccination period.

Objective: To observe the effect of Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation on glucose metabolism and inflammatory factors in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a group for modeling (n=50) using the random number table method. Rats in the group for modeling were induced to form T2DM models by a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Thirty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a Mo-Rubbing abdomen group, and a metformin group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group received no intervention, those in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group received Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation, and those in the metformin group received metformin by gavage. After 8-week intervention, fasting insulin (FINS), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and area under the curve at the oral glucose tolerance test (AUC-OGTT), as well as serum inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected, and the morphological changes of the pancreas were also observed. Results: After the 8-week intervention, the levels of FINS, FPG, HOMA-IR, and AUC-OGTT of rats in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05); the pancreatic injury degree in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group and the metformin group was lower than that in the model group. Compared with the model group, the serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels of rats in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels of the metformin group showed a downward trend; the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly lower than those in the metformin group (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between FPG with IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the T2DM rats (P<0.01). Conclusion: Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation reduces the inflammatory response and improves the morphological changes of the pancreas in T2DM rats, thereby achieving the effect of lowering blood glucose.

Drug-associated reward memories are conducive to intense craving and often trigger relapse. Simvastatin has been shown to regulate lipids that are involved in memory formation but its influence on other cognitive processes is elusive. Here, we used a mass spectrometry-based lipidomic method to evaluate the impact of simvastatin on the mouse brain in a cocaine-induced reinstatement paradigm. We found that simvastatin blocked the reinstatement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) without affecting CPP acquisition. Specifically, only simvastatin administered during extinction prevented cocaine-primed reinstatement. Global lipidome analysis showed that the nucleus accumbens was the region with the greatest degree of change caused by simvastatin. The metabolism of fatty-acids, phospholipids, and triacylglycerol was profoundly affected. Simvastatin reversed most of the effects on phospholipids induced by cocaine. The correlation matrix showed that cocaine and simvastatin significantly reshaped the lipid metabolic pathways in specific brain regions. Furthermore, simvastatin almost reversed all changes in the fatty acyl profile and unsaturation caused by cocaine. In summary, pre-extinction treatment with simvastatin facilitates cocaine extinction and prevents cocaine relapse with brain lipidome remodeling.