Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the integrative Chinese and western medicine therapy with the utilization of Niujiao Dihuang Jiedu Decoction(derived from the modified Xijiao Dihuang Decoction)in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF).Methods Sixty patients with ACLF of toxic-heat-stasis stagnation type were randomly divided into the trial group and the control group,with 30 patients in each group.The control group was given western medicine comprehensive treatment(including etiologic treatment,liver-protecting treatment and symptomatic and supportive treatment),while the trial group was treated with Niujiao Dihuang Jiedu Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group,and the courses of treatment covered four weeks.The changes of liver function indicators and coagulation function indicators of the patients in the two groups before and after treatment were observed,and the clinical efficacy of the patients in the two groups after treatment was evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,there were two cases in the trial group and three cases in the control group dropped off,and the falling-off cases in the two groups were counted as invalid cases.(2)After four weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 80.00%(24/30)and that of the control group was 53.33%(16/30),and the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,liver function indicators such as alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),and direct bilirubin(DBIL)in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of liver function indicators in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the prothrombin time(PT)of patients in the two groups was significantly improved when compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of PT in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The integrative Chinese and western medicine therapy with the utilization of Niujiao Dihuang Jiedu Decoction is effective in treating ACLF patients with toxic-heat-stasis stagnation type,which can significantly improve the liver function and coagulation function of the patients.The therapeutic efficacy of the integrative therapy is significantly superior to that of the western medicine comprehensive treatment alone,which has high clinical value.

This paper explored the chemical constituents of Boswellia carterii by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data such as infrared radiation(IR), ultra violet(UV), mass spectrometry(MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). Seven diterpenoids were isolated and purified from n-hexane of B. carterii. The isolates were identified as(1S,3E,7E,11R,12R)-11-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-15-oxabicyclo[10.2.1]pentadeca-3,7-dien-5-one(1),(1R,3S,4R,7E,11E)-4,8,12,15,15-pentamethyl-14-oxabicyclo[11.2.1]hexadeca-7,11-dien-4-ol(2), incensole(3),(-)-(R)-nephthenol(4), euphraticanoid F(5), dilospirane B(6), and dictyotin C(7). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new and their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroisms(ECDs). Compounds 6 and 7 were obtained from B. carterii for the first time.
Molecular Structure ; Boswellia/chemistry* ; Diterpenes/chemistry* ; Mass Spectrometry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an interdisciplinary subject developed on the basis of computer technology, cybernetics, mathematics, philosophy and brain science. The purpose of AI is to study new ways to extend the intelligence of human brain in various fields. In recent years, the rapid development of AI technology has brought innovation to medical science and health care. During the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) AI has been widely used in epidemiological investigation and outbreak prediction, clinical diagnosis and treatment, hospital management, research and development of new drugs and vaccines. The application of AI has reduced the clinical workload and the consumption of medical resources, greatly assisted the battle against COVID-19.This article introduces the progresses on the applications of AI technology to provide information for its further application in the fighting against COVID-19.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/toxicity* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phthalic Acids

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression of immunoglobulin mucin molecule 3 (TIM-3) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the effects of TIM-3 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: We analyzed TIM-3 expression in EOC and normal ovarian tissues using GEPIA database. We also detected TIM-3 expression levels in 82 surgical specimens of EOC and 18 specimens of normal ovarian tissues using immunohistochemistry, and analyzed the correlation of TIM-3 expression with clinicopathological parameters and survival outcomes of the patients. The expression of TIM-3 and Wnt1 mRNA in the tissues were detected using qRT-PCR. We constructed SKOV3 cell models of TIM-3 knockdown and overexpression and examined the changes in proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of the cells using MTT assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, scratch test and Transwell assay. The activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the transfected was detected using dual luciferase reporter assay, and the mRNA levels of TCF-7, TCCFL-2 and CD44 were detected using qPCR. The protein expressions of MMP-9, CD44, Wnt1, β-catenin and E-cad in the transfected cells were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of TIM-3 was significantly higher in EOC tissues than in normal ovarian tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of TIM-3 was significantly correlated with FIGO stage, histological differentiation and lymph node metastasis, and was positively correlated with Wnt1 level (P < 0.05). In SKOV3 cells, TIM-3 knockdown significantly lowered the activity of Wnt/ β-catenin pathway, inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. TIM-3 knockdown significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of TCF-7, TCFL-2 and CD44 and the protein levels of MMP-9, CD44, Wnt1 and β-catenin, and significantly up-regulated the expression level of E-cad (P < 0.05). Overexpression of TIM-3 caused opposite effects in SKOV3 cells. CONCLUSION TIM-3 is highly expressed in EOC tissue to promote malignant behaviors of the tumor cells possibly by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism*

Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated from petroleum ether extract of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum by various column chromatography techniques including silica gel, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, UV, IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopic data as(4S,5S,7R,10S)-5,7-dihydroxy-11-en-eudesmane(1),(7R,10S)-eudesma-4-en-11,15-diol(2),(2R,4S,5R,7R)-2-hydroxyeremophila-9,11-dien-8-one(3), 7α-H-9(10)-ene-11,12-epoxy-8-oxoeremophilane(4),(+)-9β,10β-epoxyeremophila-11(13)-en(5), 4(14)-eudesmene-8α,11-diol(6), 12,15-dioxo-selina-4,11-dien(7), and 2β,8 aα-dihydroxy-11-en-eremophilane(8). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, and their absolute configurations were determined by calculating ECD. Compounds 1, 4, and 6-8 could significantly improve taurocholic acid(TCA)-induced gastric mucosal GES-1 cell injury at a concentration of 20 μmol·L~(-1), and the cell protection rates were 23.51%±2.79%, 16.10%±1.25%, 24.45%±4.89%, 17.48%±2.93%, and 21.44%±2.39%, respectively.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Sesquiterpenes/chemistry*