Objective To explore the relationship between levels of retinol binding protein (RBP) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], and obesity and the occurrence risk of cardiovascular disease in population with prehypertension (PH). Methods A total of 301 patients with PH who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology for physical examination from July 2021 to July 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The levels of serum RBP and Lp(a) were determined, and the waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were measured to evaluate the obesity of patients. All patients were followed up. According to whether cardiovascular disease occurred during the follow-up period, they were classified into a study group (with cardiovascular disease) and a control group (without cardiovascular disease). The effects of serum RBP and Lp(a) levels, WC and BMI on the risk of cardiovascular disease were analyzed. Results The follow-up results showed that 53 out of 301 cases developed cardiovascular disease. The levels of RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the areas under the curves of RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI for predicting the cardiovascular disease were 0.823, 0.741, 0.768, and 0.841, respectively. Serum RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI were influencing factors of the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (P<0.05). Conclusion RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI are the influencing factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients with prehypertension. These four indicators have certain predictive value on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are anti-tumor therapies using low-intensity, moderate-frequency alternating electric fields. In recent years, new discoveries have been made in the research on the use of TTFields in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). This article reviews the development of TTFields in the treatment of GBM and the research progress of clinical trials, safety and the evaluation of post-treatment quality of life.

Objective To analyze the status of persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the distribution of viral subtypes in the Zhengzhou region. Methods Clinical data of 55239 patients who underwent HPV-DNA genotyping tests from 2018 to 2024 were collected. On the basis of HPV follow-up results, patients were divided into three groups: 849 cases of infection with the same HPV type, 255 cases of persistent infection with different HPV types, and 857 cases of transient HPV infection. Results Among the 9232 initially-screened patients who were positive with HPV, the high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positive rate was 84.6% (7813/9232), and predominant subtypes were HPV-16 (20.8%), HPV-52 (17.2%), and HPV-53 (9.6%). The low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) positive rate was 15.4% (1419/9232), mainly HPV-81 (28.1%) and HPV-42 (27.0%). Among the 1961 follow-up cases, the rates of persistent and non-persistent infections with the same HPV type were 35.7% (701/1961) and 7.5% (148/1961), respectively. The rates of persistent and non-persistent infections with different HPV types were 10.9% (214/1961) and 2.1% (41/1961), respectively. Meanwhile, 43.7% (857/1961) tested negative upon follow-up. Among the 701 cases of persistent infection with the same HPV type, HR-HPV accounted for 85.7% (601/701), and LR-HPV accounted for 14.3% (100/701). Among the 214 cases of persistent infection with different HPV types, 89.7% (192/214) were high-risk transitions, and 10.3% (22/214) were low-risk transitions. Regardless of HPV types, HR-HPV was more likely to cause persistent infection than LR-HPV. In addition, over 60% of HR-HPV persistent infections resolved within 18 months, 30% developed into persistent infections, and only 15% of patients had persistent infections that last more than 24 months. Conclusion Persistent HPV infections are predominantly high-risk types. Most patients clear the infection within 18 months, approximately 30% develop persistent infections, and about 15% of patients have persistent infections that last more than 24 months. However, the HR-HPV persistent infection rates across different age groups slightly differ.

AIM:To investigate the regulatory mechanism of silent information regulator 6(Sirt6)on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathway and ferroptosis in skeletal muscle aging in-duced by D-galactose(D-Gal)in mice.METHODS:A D-Gal-induced mouse aging model was established and randomly divided into control and D-Gal groups.In vitro,D-Gal-treated C2C12 mouse myoblasts were treated with ferroptosis ago-nist erastin(Era)and inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),Sirt6 agonist MDL-800 and inhibitor OSS-128167,and Nrf2 siRNA.Mouse body weight and forelimb relative grip strength were monitored.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression of Sirt6,Nrf2,HO-1,P53,P21,P16,muscle ring finger protein 1,muscle atrophy F-box,solute carrier family 7 member 11,and glutathione peroxidase 4 in gastrocnemius muscle and myoblasts.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to examine muscle fiber diameter.Levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),mitochondrial ROS,mitochon-drial membrane potential,senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity,glutathione,lipid peroxidation,and Fe2? con-centration were measured in myoblasts and myotubes.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect myosin heavy chain(MyHC)expression in myotubes.RESULTS:Mice in the D-Gal group exhibited significant reductions in body weight and forelimb grip strength(P<0.01),upregulation of aging and muscle atrophy markers,and decreased mRNA and pro-tein levels of ferroptosis markers and Sirt6(P<0.01).Additionally,gastrocnemius muscle fiber diameter significantly de-creased(P<0.01).In D-Gal-treated myoblasts and myotubes,aging and muscle atrophy markers were elevated(P<0.01),MyHC expression was reduced,and protein levels of ferroptosis-related markers,Sirt6,Nrf2,and HO-1 were de-creased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Fer-1 pre-treatment alleviated these changes(P<0.05 or P<0.01).MDL-800 significantly improved D-Gal-induced aging and muscle atrophy in myoblasts and myotubes,while increasing the expression of ferropto-sis-related proteins(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,the addition of Erastin abolished the beneficial effects of MDL-800(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Following Nrf2 siRNA transfection,the ability of MDL-800 to improve ferroptosis and the quality of myotube formation was significantly diminished(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Sirt6 inhibits ferroptosis in myo-blasts through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating age-related changes in myoblasts and the decline in myotube formation quality,which is beneficial for improving skeletal muscle aging.

Objective To develop a scientific and reliable sensitive index system of nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients to ensure the effective implementation of enteral nutrition.Methods Literature on enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients were systematically retrieved from databases,such as BMJ Best Practice,UpToDate,Joanna Briggs Institute(JBI)Evidence-Based Healthcare Database,American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition(ASPEN),European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN),National Guideline Clearinghouse(NGC),Guidelines International Network(GIN),Medlive,the Cochrane Library,PubMed,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature(CINAHL),SinoMed,and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Wanfang Data.The initial questionnaire was formulated by using the quality evaluation model of"structure-process-outcome".The index system was established by using the Delphi method,and the index weight was determined by the analytic hierarchy process.Results A total of 11 papers were included,of which 5 were graded in A and 6 in B.The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of correspondence questionnaires were 100%(19/19),the expert authority coefficients was 0.864,and the Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.328 and 0.392(P<0.01),respectively.Consequently,a sensitive index system of nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients was established,which encompassed 3 primary indexes,10 secondary indexes and 28 tertiary indexes.Conclusion The index system developed in this study is scientific,reliable and clinically applicable.It conforms to the characteristics of clinical management and nursing,thereby it provides a reference for assessment of the nursing quality in enteral nutrition for neurocritical patients.

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated a protective effect in using traditional Chinese medicine Tongxinluo (TXL) capsule to treat atherosclerosis. However, clinical evidence of the effects of TXL treatment on coronary plaque vulnerability is unavailable. In response, we developed this study to investigate the hypothesis that on the basis of statin therapy, treatment with TXL capsule may stabilize coronary lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The TXL-CAP study was an investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted across 18 medical centers in China. Patients with ACS aging from 18 to 80 years old who had a non-intervened coronary target lesion with a fibrous cap thickness (FCT) < 100 μm and lipid arc > 90° as defined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were recruited. A total of 220 patients who met the selection criteria but did not meet the exclusion criteria will be finally recruited and randomized to receive treatment with TXL (n = 110) or placebo (n = 110) for a duration of 12 months. The primary endpoint was the difference in the minimum FCT of the coronary target lesion between TXL and placebo groups at the end of the 12-month follow-up. Secondary endpoints included: (1) changes of the maximum lipid arc and length of the target plaque, and the percentage of lipid, fibrous, and calcified plaques at the end of the 12-month period; (2) the incidence of composite cardiovascular events and coronary revascularization within the 12 months; (3) changes in the grade and scores of the angina pectoris as assessed using the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) grading system and Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) score, respectively; and (4) changes in hs-CRP serum levels. The results of the TXL-CAP trial will provide additional clinical data for revealing whether TXL capsules stabilizes coronary vulnerable plaques in Chinese ACS patients.

HDAC7, a member of class IIa HDACs, plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumor, immune, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, due to the high similarity in the enzyme active sites of class IIa HDACs, inhibitors encounter challenges in discerning differences among them. Furthermore, the substitution of key residue in the active pocket of class IIa HDACs renders them pseudo-enzymes, leading to a limited impact of enzymatic inhibitors on their function. In this study, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology was employed to develop HDAC7 drugs. We developed an exceedingly selective HDAC7 PROTAC degrader B14 which showcased superior inhibitory effects on cell proliferation compared to TMP269 in various diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Subsequent investigations unveiled that B14 disrupts BCL6 forming a transcriptional inhibition complex by degrading HDAC7, thereby exerting proliferative inhibition in DLBCL. Our study broadened the understanding of the non-enzymatic functions of HDAC7 and underscored the importance of HDAC7 in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in DLBCL and AML.

"Weibing" is a fundamental concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), representing a transitional state characterized by diminished self-regulatory abilities without overt physiological or social dysfunction. This perspective delves into the biological foundations and quantifiable markers of Weibing, aiming to establish a research framework for early disease intervention. Here, we propose the "Health Quadrant Classification" system, which divides the state of human body into health, sub-health, disease-susceptible state, and disease. We suggest the disease-susceptible stage emerges as a pivotal point for TCM interventions. To understand the intrinsic dynamics of this state, we propose laboratory and clinical studies utilizing time-series experiments and stress-induced disease susceptibility models. At the molecular level, bio-omics technologies and bioinformatics approaches are highlighted for uncovering intricate changes during disease progression. Furthermore, we discuss the application of mathematical models and artificial intelligence in developing early warning systems to anticipate and avert the transition from health to disease. This approach resonates with TCM's preventive philosophy, emphasizing proactive health maintenance and disease prevention. Ultimately, our perspective underscores the significance of integrating modern scientific methodologies with TCM principles to propel Weibing research and early intervention strategies forward.

Microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation is involved in neurodevelopment and injury. However, its regulatory function in microglial pyroptosis and involvement in SAE remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that OGT deficiency augmented microglial pyroptosis and exacerbated secondary neuronal injury. Furthermore, OGT inhibition impaired cognitive function in healthy mice and accelerated the progression in SAE mice. Mechanistically, OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation of ATF2 at Ser44 inhibited its phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, thereby amplifying NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promoting inflammatory cytokine production in microglia in response to LPS/Nigericin stimulation. In conclusion, this study uncovers the critical role of OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation in modulating microglial activity through the regulation of ATF2 and thus protects against SAE progression.
Animals ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Mice ; Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/prevention & control* ; Activating Transcription Factor 2/metabolism* ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mice, Knockout