BACKGROUND: To date, results on relationship between CYP3A4 gene polymorphism were limited and inconclusive, and no study focused on the influence of CYP3A4 gene-obesity interaction on breast cancer risk, especially in Chinese women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP3A4 gene, the SNP-SNP and gene-environment interactions on the susceptibility to breast cancer in Chinese women. METHODS: Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between four SNPs of CYP3A4 gene and the risk of breast cancer. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to screen the best SNP-SNP and gene-abdominal obesity interaction combinations among four SNPs and abdominal obesity. Haplotype examination among 4 SNPs was conducted using the SHEsis web-based platform. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that carriers of rs2242480- T allele have significantly higher breast cancer risk, than those with rs2242480- CC genotype, adjusted OR (95%CI) was 1.68 (1.23-2.16) and 2.03 (1.53-2.58) for participants with CT genotype and TT genotype under additive model. We did not find any notable interactions between the four SNPs within the CYP3A4 gene. GMDR model found a significant association in a two-locus model involving rs2242480 and obesity, with a p-value of 0.018. Stratified analysis found that breast cancer risk was the highest in obese participants with rs2242480- CT or TT genotype, compared to those non-obese participants with rs2242480- CC genotype, OR (95%CI) was 3.02 (1.83-4.25). We found that all haplotype combinations were not correlated with breast cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS We found that the T allele of rs2242480 within the CYP3A4 gene and interaction between rs2242480 and obesity were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the results of this study were only applicable to the Han ethnic group and cannot be generalized to other ethnic groups in China, and more SNPs of CYP3A4 gene should been enrolled in the analysis in the future, to verify the results obtained in this study.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A/metabolism* ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; East Asian People

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the predominant cause of subfertility in reproductive-aged women; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Neurotensin (NTS) is a member of the gut-brain peptide family and is involved in ovulation; its relationship with PCOS is unclear. Here, we found that NTS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluids was markedly decreased in patients with PCOS. In the in vitro culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes, the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) antagonist SR48692 blocked cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic maturation by inhibiting metabolic cooperation and damaging the mitochondrial structure in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells. Furthermore, the ERK1/2-early growth response 1 pathway was found to be a key downstream mediator of NTS/NTSR1 in the ovulatory process. Animal studies showed that in vivo injection of SR48692 in mice reduced ovulation efficiency and contributed to irregular estrus cycles and polycystic ovary morphology. By contrast, NTS partially ameliorated the ovarian abnormalities in mice with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS. Our findings highlighted the critical role of NTS reduction and consequent abnormal NTSR1 signaling in the ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS, suggesting a potential strategy for PCOS treatment.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Female ; Animals ; Neurotensin/metabolism* ; Receptors, Neurotensin/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Mice ; Ovulation/drug effects* ; Humans ; Granulosa Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Oocytes/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Signal Transduction ; Follicular Fluid/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives*

Objective A finite element simulation analysis of a bracketless orthodontic appliance was carried out to determine the correction amount under different working conditions.A design scheme for the bracketless orthodontic appliance was also formulated to create an orthodontic appliance formed by the fused deposition process with a personalized orthodontic effect.Methods Combined with the computed tomography data of the patient,a tooth model was reversely reconstructed.The correction amount of the tooth under tilting,twisting,and translation working conditions was established using the finite element method.Materials with different elastic moduli were chosen to make three-dimensional(3D)shaped bracketless orthodonitc appliance,and the orthodontic force was measured.Results Different correction amounts could be designed according to different working conditions so that the orthodontic appliance had a personalized treatment effect.The orthodontic force of the bracketless orthodontic appliance increased with elastic modulus and thickness.Under the given working conditions,the orthodontic force was minimal(90 mN)when the orthodontic material was at the minimum(90 mN).The orthodontic force reached its maximum value when the orthodontic material was at the maximum(61.66 N).Conclusions According to the patient's tooth condition and the size of the orthodontic force required for each step of correction in the whole correction process,the design should consider bracketless orthodontics with different elastic moduli and thicknesses to treat deformed teeth to realize the effect of staged orthodontic correction.

Background ¹³⁷Cs in atmospheric aerosol is the product of past nuclear weapon tests and nuclear accidents. When ¹³⁷Cs is released into the atmosphere, it will deposit in dry land and marine environment, causing pollution of soil surface, water, agricultural products, and animal byproducts, and affecting public health. Objective To identify the variation pattern of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in aerosol and its correlation with dust concentration in Beijing area from 2017 to 2020. Methods A total of 958 aerosol samples were collected from November 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 in Beijing with a high volume air sampler at a sampling flow rate about 600 m³·h⁻¹ and a collection time for each sample about 24 h. The activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in the aerosol samples was determined with a low-background high-purity germanium γ spectrometer. The dust concentration was calculated using the difference in the mass of the aerosol filter before and after sampling. The detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs and dust concentration in different seasons were compared. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration and dust concentration. Results From 2017 to 2020, the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations of 33 from 958 aerosol samples in Beijing were above the minimum detectable activityconcentration, the overall detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs was 3.4%, and the activity concentration ranged from 1.86 to 45.53 μBq·m⁻³, with a median value of 4.85 μBq·m⁻³. The detection rate of ¹³⁷Cs was highest in spring, followed by autumn, and lowest in winter and summer (8.4%, 3.0%, 1.1%, and 0.5%, respectively). The dust concentration ranged from 0.03 to 1.55 mg·m⁻³, with an average value of 0.18 mg·m⁻³. There was a statistically significant difference in the dust concentrations in spring, summer, autumn, and winter (F=45.51, P<0.05), and the highest value was 0.24 mg·m⁻³ in spring (P<0.05). The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was positively correlated with the dust concentration (P<0.05). Conclusion The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in aerosol in Beijing from 2017 to 2020 fluctuates within the range of background level, and its activity concentration is highest in spring, followed autumn, and lowest in summer and winter.

From the perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） information knowledge base and assisted decision-making knowledge base， the construction status， quality evaluation status and existing problems of current TCM knowledge bases have been sorted out. And based on the quality evaluation strategies and dimensions of know-ledge bases in other disciplines， the evaluation indexes for TCM knowledge base is discussed， and the evaluation framework is initially formed， providing ideas for the improvement of the TCM knowledge base evaluation system. In terms of the evaluation indexes， there are basic evaluation dimensions which include data sources， data collection， and data application. The specific evaluation dimension of the information-based knowledge base is data quality， while that of the assisted decision-making knowledge base is data matching. Except for the data application dimension which counts the valid data items in the database for calculation， other indexes are scored based on the qualitative evaluation of "yes"， "no" or "unknown". The basic evaluation score and the specific evaluation score are added to obtain the total score. The knowledge base is graded according to the score， and the results are presented in the form of grade plus number.

BACKGROUND:Although nerve conduits provide an effective treatment approach for nerve repair,traditional nerve conduits merely serve as mechanical channels in the repair process.The therapeutic effect still needs to be improved.Carbon nanomaterials have good physicochemical properties and hold great potential in fields such as electrochemistry and tissue engineering.Nerve conduits loaded with carbon nanomaterials,after appropriate functional modifications,are expected to further enhance the quality of nerve repair. OBJECTIVE:To review the recent research progress of carbon nanomaterial-loaded nerve conduits/scaffolds for peripheral nerve repair. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and Wanfang databases were searched for the literature on the application of carbon nanomaterial catheters in peripheral nerve regeneration.English keywords were"carbon nanomaterials,carbon-based nanomaterials,nerve conduit,nerve guidance conduit,scaffold,nerve regeneration,peripheral nerve repair,peripheral nerve injury"and Chinese keywords were"carbon nanomaterials,carbon materials,graphene,carbon nanotubes,nerve conduits,nerve scaffolds,nerve repair,nerve regeneration,peripheral nerve injury".Finally,69 articles were selected for this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Carbon nanomaterials primarily restore damaged neural bioelectric signal conduction by activating calcium ion channels and inducing intracellular calcium activity.The application of various nerve conduit design strategies has improved the effectiveness of nerve repair.(2)Successful intraneural vascularization is the prerequisite for repairing peripheral nerve injuries.Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species generated by carbon nanomaterials trigger subsequent signaling pathways that promote intraneural vascularization.(3)The ratio of M1 to M2 macrophages affects the repair of peripheral nerve injuries.Carbon nanomaterials promote the polarization of macrophages into the M2 phenotype,thereby exerting their anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects.(4)Some carbon nanomaterials may induce excessive generation of reactive oxygen species intracellularly,potentially exhibiting cytotoxicity detrimental to nerve repair.However,appropriate functional modifications can improve the adverse effects caused by carbon nanomaterials.(5)Although carbon nanomaterials can restore the microenvironment of peripheral nerve injuries and play a positive role in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration,their inherent cytotoxicity and unclear in vivo degradation pathways still pose challenges for clinical application.However,by employing methods such as functional modification,it is possible to enhance the biocompatibility of carbon nanomaterials.Modified carbon nanomaterials have promising prospects in the field of neural tissue engineering.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Zhuangxuan Yin in the treatment of children with H1N1 pneumonia through regulating gut microbiota mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38-MAPK)pathway.Methods A BALB/c mouse model of H1N1 pneumonia was prepared using the H1N1 influenza virus allantoic solution for nasal drop.The model was randomly separated into 5 groups:model group,Zhuangxuan Yin low-,medium-and high-dose groups,and high-dose Zhuangxuan Yin(28.66 g·kg-1)+anisomycin(10 mg·kg-1)group.The control group was infused with sterile physiological saline of equal volume using the same method.After treatment with Zhuangxuan Yin and anisomycin,the lung index of mice in each group was measured,and HE staining was applied to detect the pathological morphology of lung and large intestine tissues.16SrRNA gene sequencing was applied to detect the structural difference of gut microbiota in mice of each group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELASA)was applied to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-4,IL-6,and IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and large intestine tissue of mice in each group.Western Blot was applied to detect the expression of p38-MAPK pathway-related proteins in lung and large intestine tissues of mice in each group.Results Compared with the control group,the lung and large intestine tissues of the model group mice showed obvious pathological damage,the lung index,pathological score of lung and large intestine,ACE index,Shannon index,abundance of class Clostridia,the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-1β in BALF and large intestine tissues,and p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK in lung and large intestine tissues increased(P＜0.05).The abundance of class Bacteroidales decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the pathological damage in the lung and large intestine tissues of mice in the Zhuangxuan Yin low-,medium-and high-dose groups were reduced.The lung index,pathological score of lung and large intestine,ACE index,Shannon index,abundance of class Clostridia,the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-1β in BALF and large intestine tissues,and p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK in lung and large intestine tissues decreased(P＜0.05),the abundance of class Bacteroidales increased(P＜0.05),and in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-dose Zhuangxuan Yin group,the pathological damage in the lung and large intestine tissues of mice in the high-dose Zhuangxuan Yin+anisomycin group was aggravated,the lung index,pathological score of lung and large intestine,ACE index,Shannon index,abundance of class Clostridia,the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-1β in BALF and large intestine tissues,and p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK in lung and large intestine tissues increased(P＜0.05),and the abundance of class Bacteroidales decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Zhuangxuan Yin can improve the imbalance of intestinal microbiota in H1N1 pneumonia mice by inhibiting p38-MAPK signal activation,thereby inhibiting inflammation and reducing lung and large intestine tissue damage in mice,which may have a therapeutic effect on children with H1N1 pneumonia.

An electrochemical chemical oxygen demand(COD)sensor was proposed based on a FTO/TiO2/PbO2 electrode and a thin-layer electrochemical cell.The FTO/TiO2/PbO2 electrode was characterized by X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy(XPS),X-ray diffraction(XRD)spectroscopy and electrochemical technique,and the results indicated that the rapid decrease in the output signals of the electrochemical COD sensor could be attributed to oxidation of PbSO4 occurring on the surface of FTO/TiO2/PbO2 electrode.The PbO2 deposition time and concentration of Na2SO4 were further optimized and then the electrochemical COD sensor was challenged by real samples including laker water sample,river water sample and wastewater sample.The evolution trend of signals of the electrochemical COD sensor in response to lake and river water samples was identical with that obtained with the standard method(HJ/T399-2007,Water quality-determination of the chemical oxygen demand-fast digestion-spectrophotometric method).The electrochemical COD sensor exhibited significant increase in the signal intensity after the samples were switched from lake water to wastewater sample,and a mean value of 32.5 mg/L with relative standard deviation(RSD)of 6.8%were obtained after measuring 45 times the wastewater with COD value of 30 mg/L under a sampling interval of 400 s.The as-prepared electrochemical COD sensor possessed good promise in regular monitoring of COD,discharge of wastewater and industrial process control,with advantages such as a small sampling interval,mild reaction conditions and no requirement of toxic and harmful chemical reagents.

Purpose: The association between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and survival outcomes in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with programmed death-(ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] inhibitors remains controversial, partly due to variations in dealing with immortal-time bias (ITB). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 425 advanced NSCLC patients who received anti–PD-(L)1 monotherapy between January 2016 and June 2021, stratifying them into irAE (n=127) and non-irAE (n=298) groups. The primary endpoint was to assess the impact of irAEs on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Landmark (2-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month) and time-dependent Cox analyses were performed to eliminate ITB. Results: With a median follow-up of 38.8 months, the occurrence of overall irAEs was significantly associated with superior PFS (11.2 vs. 3.4 months, p < 0.001) and OS (31.4 vs. 14.0 months, p < 0.001), which persisted in landmark and time-dependent Cox analyses. For the main organ-specific irAEs, skin, thyroid, and hepatic irAEs, respectively, showed significantly improved survival compared to the non-irAE group, whereas pneumonitis did not. Single-organ irAEs had the best outcomes compared with multi-organ or no irAE, which also held across subgroups of skin, thyroid, and hepatic irAEs. Moreover, severe grade irAEs and immunotherapy discontinuation had a detrimental effect on survival, systemic steroid therapy showed little effect, while immunotherapy resumption had tolerable safety and a trend of improved survival. Conclusion After adequately adjusting ITB, the occurrence of overall irAEs predicts for favorable efficacy of anti–PD-(L)1 monotherapy in NSCLC, with better outcomes observed in patients with skin, thyroid, or hepatic irAEs, particularly those with single-organ involvement.