Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.

Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.

Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.

OBJECTIVES: The application of photodynamic therapy in solid tumors has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and the efficiency of photosensitizers is a crucial determinant of therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of a novel photosensitizer, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC, in photodynamic therapy against gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer MKN45 cells were treated with PEG-MTPABZ-PyC. A high-content live-cell imaging system was used to assess the cellular uptake kinetics and subcellular localization of the photosensitizer. The cytotoxic effects of PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy were examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, while the intrinsic cytotoxicity of the photosensitizer alone was verified by the CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after photodynamic therapy was detected using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). RESULTS: PEG-MTPABZ-PyC alone exhibited no cytotoxicity toward MKN45 cells, indicating excellent cytocompatibility. The compound efficiently entered cells within 6 hours and localized predominantly in lysosomes. Upon light irradiation, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy induced significant cytotoxicity compared with the control group (P<0.05) and generated abundant intracellular ROS. CONCLUSIONS The novel photosensitizer PEG-MTPABZ-PyC demonstrates potent photodynamic cytotoxicity against gastric cancer cells, showing promising potential for further development in gastric cancer photodynamic therapy.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mesoporphyrins/pharmacology*

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of respiratory trainer in the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing non-invasive positive pressure ven-tilation.Methods A total of 85 patients with COPD undergoing non-invasive positive pressure ventilation ad-mitted and treated in the Affiliated Minda Hospital of Hubei Nationalities University during 2019-2023 were selected as the study subjects and divided into the experiment group and the control group through random number table method.The control group adopted the symptomatic and supportive treatment such as routine non-invasive positive pressure ventilation,anti-infection,preparation aspiration for spasmolysis and eliminating phlegm,while on the base of the control group,the experiment group adopted respiratory trainer (K5) for re-spiratory training each once in the morning and at night.The differences in the related indexes were compared between the two groups.Results The percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1％),forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced lung capacity (FEV1/FVC),COPD assessment test (CAT) score,modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) score,6-min walking distance (6MWD),SGRQ score,maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP),maximum expiratory pressure (MEP),partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and PaO2 on 3,7 d after treatment in both groups had statistically significant differ-ence compared with before treatment (P<0.05),and the improvement of the above indicators in the experi-ment group was more significant compared with the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Respiratory train-er could improve the clinical effect and pulmonary ventilation function in the patients with acute exacerbation of COPD undergoing non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

Objective:To compare the prevalence of frailty and related factors in middle-aged and elderly people aged ≥45 years in island and mountainous areas of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province.Methods:Based on cross-sectional design, stratified cluster sampling and quota sampling methods were adopted. One administrative district was randomly selected from each of six coastal and three inland administrative districts in Taizhou during July to August, representing two different geographical terrains. In the island area (Jiaojiang District), all residents aged ≥45 years were included by cluster sampling. In the mountainous area (Xianju County), participants were selected through quota sampling, with same gender and age distributions. Data about their demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health-related factors were collected through questionnaire surveys and laboratory examinations. The prevalence of frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype scale. Hierarchical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare the influencing factors of frailty.Results:A total of 1 011 local residents were studied, in whom island and mountainous residents accounted for 48.1% (486/1 011) and 51.9% (525/1 011) respectively; men and women accounted for 45.9% (464/1 011) and 54.1% (547/1 011) respectively. Middle-aged (45-49 years), younger elderly (60-74 years), and older elderly (≥75 years) residents accounted for 38.6% (390/1 011), 44.6% (451/1 011), and 16.8% (170/1 011) respectively. The overall prevalence rate of frailty was 3.6% (36/1 011), the prevalence rate was 3.7% (17/464) in men and 3.5% (19/547) in women. The prevalence rates in age groups 45-59,60-74 years and ≥75 years were 0.3% (1/390), 2.2% (10/451), and 14.7% (25/170), respectively. The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty in island area were 6.0% (29/486) and 39.1% (190/486), respectively, which was higher than those in mountainous area (1.3%, 7/525) and (30.9%, 162/525). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risk for frailty in island residents was significantly higher than that in mountainous residents (a OR=1.55,95% CI: 1.07-2.25, P=0.019). In island area, older age (60-74 years:a OR=2.52,95% CI: 1.56-4.13; ≥75 years:a OR=11.65,95% CI:5.38-26.70), being women (a OR=1.94,95% CI: 1.20-3.17), suffering from depression (a OR=1.09,95% CI:1.02-1.17) were associated with frailty symptoms. In mountainous area, older age was also associated with an increased risk of frailty symptoms, but the OR value was lower than those in island area (60-74 years: a OR=1.74,95% CI:1.04-2.94;≥75 years: a OR=4.78,95% CI:2.45-9.50). Polydrug use (a OR=2.08,95% CI: 1.14-3.80) and suffering from depression (a OR=1.10,95% CI: 1.02-1.18) had significant positive association with frailty symptoms. Higher education level had significant negative association with frailty symptoms (junior high school: a OR=0.40,95% CI: 0.21-0.75; senior high school and technical secondary school: a OR=0.29,95% CI: 0.15-0.53; college or above:a OR=0.22,95% CI: 0.11-0.42). Conclusions:The prevalence of frailty in middle-aged and elderly community residents was significantly higher in island area than in mountainous area in Taizhou. The frailty-related factors varied with area. The elderly people (≥75 years) and women in island area had higher risk for frailty. Older age and suffering from depression were the independent risk factors for frailty. It is necessary to pay attention to the health risk factors and special environment in island area, and take comprehensive intervention measures to delay the process of debilitation and improve the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people.

As a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice， Tripterygium wilfordii has the functions of dispelling wind and removing dampness， detoxicating and destroying parasites， detumescence， pain relief， promoting blood circulation， and dredging collateral. Modern pharmacological studies show that it also has other functions such as anticancer， anti-inflammation， and immunosuppression. It has been widely used to treat autoimmune diseases， renal diseases， and tumors. T. wilfordii contains a variety of chemical components， among which triptolide （TP） can cause varying degrees of damage to human digestive， circulatory， reproductive， and other systems， with liver injury being the most common one， which greatly limits the development of TP in new drug research and industrial application. Therefore， the authors focused on the research hotspot of TP-induced liver injury and summarized relevant Chinese and international literature regarding the clinical manifestations， injury mechanisms， and detoxification strategies of TP-induced liver injury. This helps to provide a scientific basis for the clinical drug safety and scientific drug supervision of TP. The clinical manifestations of TP-induced liver injury are mostly abnormal transaminases， loss of appetite， nausea and vomiting， anorexia， yellow staining of skin and sclera， and yellow urine. The mechanisms of the above clinical manifestations involve apoptosis， oxidative stress， influence on cytochrome P450 superfamily， macrophage polarization， regulation of biological clock gene Clock， etc. Among them， cell apoptosis is related to neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 （Notch1）， dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1）-cytochrome C （Cyt C）， phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， tumor suppressor protein 53 （p53）， Fas cell surface death receptor （Fas）/Caspase-8， and other signaling pathways. Oxidative stress is related to inhibition of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 （NRF2） signaling pathway， promotion of cytochrome P450 2E1 （CYP2E1） expression， and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen （ROS）. The influence of the cytochrome P450 superfamily is manifested as reducing the substrate affinity， activity， and expression of cytochrome P450 3A （CYP3A）， cytochrome P450 2C9 （CYP2C9）， cytochrome P450 2C19 （CYP2C19）， and cytochrome P450 1A2 （CYP1A2）. Promoting the transformation of macrophages into the M1 type is related to the secretion of inflammatory factors and the accumulation of endotoxin， and the internal rhythmic regulation of the biological clock gene Clock， is related to the expression of cytochrome P450 3A11 （CYP3A11） metabolic enzyme. The detoxification strategies in the clinical application include herbs-processing detoxification strategy and drug-pairing detoxification. The traditional Chinese medicines and monomers that are helpful for detoxification include Glycyrrhiza uralensis， Paeonia lactiflora， Lysimachia christinae， Rehmannia glutinosa， saffron， and paeoniflorin. The reviews and discussion about these topics can help to provide more references for related research and clinical application of TP.

Objective To observe the effects of Xixin Decoction on the blood-brain barrier permeability and the expressions of P-glycoprotein(P-gp),cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1)and cannabinoid receptor 2(CB2)in hippocampal tissue of rapidly aging mice(SAMP8);To explore the possible mechanism of Xixin Decoction in the treatment of Alzheimer disease(AD).Methods Totally 60 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model group,probiotics group,and Xixin Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups,with 12 mice in each group,another 12 SAMR1 mice were set as control group.The medicated groups received corresponding drugs by gavage for 10 weeks respectively,while the control group and model group were gavaged with equal volume of distilled water.Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability of mice,the blood-brain barrier permeability was detected by Evans blue method,the contents of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),nuclear factor(NF)-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum were determined by ELISA,the expressions of P-gp,CB1 and CB2 in hippocampal tissue were detected by Western blot,P-gp expression in hippocampal tissue was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the control group,the learning and memory ability of mice in model group significantly decreased,Evans blue exudation in brain tissue significantly increased,the contents of MMP9,TNF-α and NF-κB in serum significantly increased,the expressions of P-gp and CB2 protein significantly decreased,the expression of CB1 protein significantly increased,with statistical significance(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the learning and memory ability of mice in Xixin Decoction high-dosage group significantly increased,the Evans blue exudation in brain tissue significantly decreased,the contents of MMP9,TNF-α and NF-κB in serum significantly decreased,the protein expressions of P-gp and CB2 significantly increased,and the protein expression of CB1 significantly decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Xixin Decoction can improve the spatial learning and memory ability of AD model mice,and its mechanism is related to regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and related protein expression,and inhibiting neuroinflammation.

Objective To establish an HPLC-based method for the determination of α-obscurine,ferulic acid,hydroxysafflower yellow A,benzoylneaconitine,benzoylaconitine,periplosin,4-methoxysalicylsalicylate,kaempferol and oleanolic acid simultaneously in Shujin Tongluo Black Plaster.Methods HPLC method was used to determine the 9 components in Shujin Tongluo Black Plaster simultaneously.The 70%methanol extracts were analyzed using Waters SunFire C18 chromatography column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm),in mobile phase containing acetonitrile-0.2%phosphoric acid solution for gradient elution with volume flow rate of 1.0 mL/min;column temperature was set at 25℃;detection wavelength was set at 230 nm.Results The 9 components had good linear relationship in their respective ranges(r≥0.999 7).The average recoveries were between 98.06%-100.56%and RSD was between 0.48%-2.56%,respectively.Conclusion The method has the advantage of repeatability,simple and fast,and can be used as the quality control of Shujin Tongluo Black Plaster.