Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective The chemical composition and blood components of Tianmaxingnao capsules were discovered and examined using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS,and the possible pharmacological substance basis was preliminarily elucidated.Methods An UPLC-Q/TOF-MS method was developed in this study to determine the chemical composition of Tianma Xingnao capsules.After administration of Tianmaxingnao capsules,gather and examine rat plasma samples to investigate the exposed components of Tianmaxingnao capsules in rats.Results A total of 195 chemical components were identified in Tianmaxingnao capsules,including phenols,triterpenoid saponins,phenylethanol glycosides,cyclic ether terpenes,lipids,and phenylpropanoids.These components include those that are typical of Gastrodia elata Bl,Pheretima,Cistanche deserticola Ma,Rehmannia glutinosa,Polygala hybrida DC,and Acorus tatarinowii.Rat plasma samples were used to identify 37 prototype components and 3 metabolites of Tianmaxingnao capsules after they were administered.Conclusion This approach is easy to use,effective,sensitive,and precise.It may be used to investigate Tianmaxingnao capsules and the components that reach the bloodstream in detail,as well as to provide a first understanding of the pharmacological basis of the capsules.This study serves as a foundation for clarifying the pharmacological basis of Tianmaxingnao capsules and holds some reference value in exposing the pharmacological mechanism of the product.

Objective To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extracts of the strips of Semiliquidambar cathayensis.Methods The strips of S.cathayensis were extracted by 80%ethanol and the extracts were evaporated.Fourteen compounds in ethyl acetate extracts were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques,such as silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column and pre-HPLC,etc.Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis.Antioxidant activity test was used to evaluate total extraction,each extraction part and the isolates.Results Fourteen compounds were isolated from the strips of S.cathayensis and identified by NMR as tetradecanoic acid(1),stearic acid(2),sesamin(3),9-octadecenoic acid(4),linoleic acid(5),dibutylphthalate(6),stigmasterol(7),β-sitosterol(8),lupeol(9),oleanolic acid(10),lup-20(29)-ene-3-[3-keto-hexadecanoate](11),peujaponisin(12),C-veratroylglycol(13),and 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(14).Conclusion Compounds 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12,13 and 14 were isolated from this plant for the first time.The EA part,compounds 13(C-veratroylglycol)and 14(2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone)showed significant antioxidative effects.

OBJECTIVE: To isolate the phenolic amides from the dried bulbs of Allium chinense and investigate their myocardium protective activities. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by combining with silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, HPLC and other chromatography techniques. Their structures were elucidated by NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were evaluated to determine their protective effect for myocardium cells in vitro. RESULTS: Two new phenolic amides, namely, alichinemide I ( 1) and alichinemide II ( 2), and six konwn amides were isolated from the dried bulbs of A. chinense. The structures of compounds 3- 8 were identified as 3-indolcarbaldehyde ( 3), 1-(2-aminophenyl)urea ( 4), 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid ( 5), N-trans-feruloyltyramine ( 6), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine ( 7), and N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl) acetamide ( 8). Compound 3 (50 μmol/L) showed significant inhibitory effect on the damage of H9c2 myocardial cells induced by H₂O₂in vitro. CONCLUSION Compounds 1 and 2 were new phenolic amides. Compound 3 could be one of the potential myocardium protective constituents of A. chinense.

AIM: To investigate the effect of flutamide on mitochondrial biogenesis and the regulating effect of anoxidative pathway Nrf2 on it. METHODS: Human hepatocyte HepG2 cells were treated with flutamide (0-50 μmol/L) for 24 h, then mtDNA copy number and protein expression of mitochondrial biogenesis were detected by RT-PCR and WB. The effects of ERK1/2 and the role of Nrf2 pathway in mitochondrial biogenesis were further observed by gene knockdown and protein activation/inhibition methods. RESULTS: Flutamide interfered mitochondrial biogenesis concentration-dependently, the mtDNA copy number, ERK1/2 and PGC-1α proteins increased with the dose. ERK1/2 inhibition and activation regulated flutamide-induced mtDNA copy number and PGC-1α expression, and inhibition of Nrf2 pathway also affected flutamide-induced mtDNA copy number and expression of PGC-1α, as well as ERK1/2 expression. CONCLUSION: Flutamide affects mitochondrial biogenesis, and the antioxidant pathway Nrf2 may be involved in the regulation of flutamine-induced mitochondrial biogenesis by regulating ERK1/2.

Objective:To investigate distribution characteristics of Treponema pallidum (Tp) in secondary syphilis lesions, and to analyze its correlation with histopathological findings. Methods:Totally, 41 patients were collected from Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018, who were confirmedly diagnosed with secondary syphilis according to clinical manifestations and serological examinations, and had undergone histopathological examinations. Immunohistochemical results of skin tissue sections were analyzed, and differences in clinical and histopathological characteristics were analyzed between immunohistochemically Tp-positive and Tp-negative sections. Continuous data were compared by using t test or Kruskal-Wallis test, and categorical data were compared by using Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:Immunohistochemical examination showed that Tp was detected in 68.3% of the 42 secondary syphilis tissue sections, and Tp was mainly distributed in the lower epidermis and superficial and middle dermis. The positive rate of Tp was significantly higher in secondary syphilis lesions mainly manifesting as maculae (80% [16/20]) than in those mainly manifesting as papules (50% [11/22], P < 0.05) . Among 10 pathological characteristics, extended rete ridges, basal cell liquefaction degeneration, neutrophil infiltration in the stratum corneum, lichenoid pattern of infiltration and punctate keratinocyte necrosis were observed more frequently in immunohistochemically Tp-positive sections than in Tp-negative sections (all P < 0.05) . Immunohistochemical study revealed that tissue sections with a larger number of Tp showed more pathological features ( H = 17.914, P < 0.001) . Immunohistochemical staining showed that there were 8, 7 and 6 syphilis-specific histopathological characteristics on average in 8 tissue sections with a larger number of Tp, 14 with a medium number of Tp and 5 with a small number of Tp, respectively; while only 4 syphilis-specific histopathological characteristics were observed on average in 15 immunohistochemically Tp-negative tissue sections. Conclusion:Immunohistochemical staining could show the distribution of Tp in secondary syphilis lesions, and it seems that tissue sections with a larger number of Tp present with more syphilis-specific histopathological characteristics.

Objective: To prospectively investigate the feasibility of shear wave elastography (SWE) as a new quantitative and objective method for evaluating the stiffness of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle during passive stretching in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: SWE of the GM muscle was performed in 28 patients with PD [13 female and 15 male; mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 63.0 ± 8.5 years] and 12 healthy controls (5 female and 7 male; mean age ± SD: 59.3 ± 6.4 years) during passive ankle rotation. A Young’s modulus-ankle angle curve was constructed. The GM slack angle and baseline Young’s modulus (E 0) were compared between the markedly symptomatic and mildly symptomatic sides of patients with PD, and healthy controls. Additionally, the correlation between the GM slack angle and the severity of rigidity, and the observer reproducibility of SWE in determining the GM slack angle were evaluated. Results: The GM slack angle was smaller on both the markedly and mildly symptomatic sides in patients with PD than in healthy controls (mean ± SD of -29.13° ± 3.79° and -25.65° ± 3.39°, respectively, vs. -21.22° ± 3.52°; p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Additionally, in patients with PD, the GM slack angle on the markedly symptomatic side was smaller than that on the mildly symptomatic side (p = 0.003). The E 0 value was lower on both the markedly and mildly symptomatic sides in patients with PD than in healthy controls (mean ± SD of 10.11 ± 2.85 kPa and 10.08 ± 1.88 kPa, respectively, vs. 12.23 ± 1.02 kPa; p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, no significant difference was found between the markedly and mildly symptomatic sides in patients with PD (p = 0.634). A negative linear relationship was observed between the GM slack angle and lower limb rigidity score on the markedly symptomatic side in patients with PD (r = -0.719; p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficients for observer reproducibility of SWE ranged from 0.880 to 0.951. Conclusion The slack angle determined by SWE may be a useful quantitative and reproducible method for evaluating muscle stiffness in patients with PD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To reveal the detail mechanism of miR-484 on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury.METHODS: Rats model of MI/R injury was established based on control (Con; sham operate) group, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, miR-484 treatment (miR) group, and I/R-negative control (IR-C) group, followed by pathological and interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β expression evaluation. Then the myocardial apoptosis, as well as the expression of miR-484, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in myocardium were examined. Finally, the regulatory relation between miR-484 and SMAD family member 7 (SMAD7) was predicated, followed by verification analysis.RESULTS: Compared with Con group, the expression of miR-484 in I/R and IR-C group was decreased. Compared with I/R and IR-C group, the expression of miR-484 was increased in miR group. Compared with Con group, the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in cardiac myocytes of I/R group and IR-C group were increased. Compared with Con group, the apoptotic index, membrane potential of I/R, and the expression of caspase-3/9 were increased in IR-C group. Compared with the I/R and IR-C groups, the apoptotic index of myocardial cells in the ischemic region was decreased, the membrane potential was increased, and the expression of caspase-3/9 was decreased significantly in the miR group. SMAD7 was the target gene of miR-484.CONCLUSIONS: MiR-484 protected myocardial cells from I/R injury by suppressing caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression during cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MiR-484 reduced the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in MI/R. MiR-484 might alleviate the decreasing of mitochondrial membrane potential in MI/R cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Membrane Potentials ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To reveal the detail mechanism of miR-484 on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. METHODS: Rats model of MI/R injury was established based on control (Con; sham operate) group, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, miR-484 treatment (miR) group, and I/R-negative control (IR-C) group, followed by pathological and interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β expression evaluation. Then the myocardial apoptosis, as well as the expression of miR-484, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in myocardium were examined. Finally, the regulatory relation between miR-484 and SMAD family member 7 (SMAD7) was predicated, followed by verification analysis. RESULTS: Compared with Con group, the expression of miR-484 in I/R and IR-C group was decreased. Compared with I/R and IR-C group, the expression of miR-484 was increased in miR group. Compared with Con group, the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in cardiac myocytes of I/R group and IR-C group were increased. Compared with Con group, the apoptotic index, membrane potential of I/R, and the expression of caspase-3/9 were increased in IR-C group. Compared with the I/R and IR-C groups, the apoptotic index of myocardial cells in the ischemic region was decreased, the membrane potential was increased, and the expression of caspase-3/9 was decreased significantly in the miR group. SMAD7 was the target gene of miR-484. CONCLUSIONS MiR-484 protected myocardial cells from I/R injury by suppressing caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression during cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MiR-484 reduced the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in MI/R. MiR-484 might alleviate the decreasing of mitochondrial membrane potential in MI/R cells.