Atherosclerosis(AS)is the common pathological basis of ischemic cardiovascular diseases,and its formation mechanism is complex.Western medical treatment has problems such as a long cycle and a high relapse rate.Ethnic medicine is an important part of traditional medicine,which has unique efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.Studies have shown that the Mongolian medicine Eldon-Uriel regulates blood lipids and improves blood rheology in the treatment of AS.This paper aims to pro-vide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of AS by collecting,organizing,and summarizing the relevant literature on Eldon-Uriel and introducing its unique concept,mechanism of action,and clinical studies in the treatment of AS.

Although geriatric diseases are complicated due to the coexistence of many diseases,they often have a common pathological basis and are closely related to the pathogenesis of deficiency and excess in traditional Chinese medicine.Exploring the characteristics of the pathogenesis of deficiency and excess diseases in the elderly is helpful to keep simplicity and restrain complexity,grasp the law of occurrence and development of diseases in the elderly as a whole,and give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.Based on the fundamental characteristics of deficiency and excess in senile diseases,researcher Hu Jingqing further summarized that"essence deficiency,Yin deficiency,Yang deficiency,qi deficiency,blood deficiency"and"qi stagnation,phlegm dampness,blood stasis,fire and heat,and latent wind"are the most common pathogenesis in the occurrence and development of senile diseases.Among them,deficiency is the basic pathogenesis of senile diseases,especially deficiency of kidney essence.Excess disease is the key pathogenesis of the development and changes of senile diseases.Qi stagnation is often the initial step in the development of senile diseases.Phlegm dampness and blood stasis are the pathological products of"excess due to deficiency"and are also the main secondary pathogenesis of senile diseases.In clinical identification of senile diseases,attention should be paid to grasping the pathogenesis of deficiency and excess and its concurrent changes.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)on the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and nitric oxide(NO)of NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in L5 spinal nerve root of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)model rats and explore the mechanism of acupuncture in LDH treatment.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group,a model group,acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture group 2,with 10 rats in each group.The non-compression nucleus protrusion model was made by puncturing L4-L5 spinous process space and injecting autologous nucleus suspension.Acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu(BL23),Dachangshu(BL25),and Weizhong(BL40)was carried out in acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture at bilateral Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)in acupuncture group 2.All rats were treated with balanced reinforcing and reducing needling manipulations,and the needles were retained for 30 min/time with one episode of needling manipulation every 10 min,once a day,14 times in total.The threshold value of paw withdrawal pain was measured by a thermal stimulation pain instrument;the serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pathomorphological changes of spinal nerve roots were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect iNOS mRNA expression in spinal nerve roots;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression in spinal nerve roots was detected by the immunofluorescence method.Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the threshold of paw withdrawal pain in the model group was decreased,and the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO were increased;HE staining showed many degenerated and dissolved Schwann cells in spinal nerve roots with vacuolar changes;meanwhile,the expression levels of NF-κB and iNOS proteins,and the iNOS mRNA in spinal nerve roots were increased.Compared with the model group,the paw withdrawal pain thresholds in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were increased,and the increase in acupuncture group 2 was greater(P<0.05);the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01);the vacuolar changes of spinal nerve roots,and the degeneration and lysis of Schwann cells in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,which were more obvious in acupuncture group 2;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression and the iNOS mRNA expression levels in spinal nerve roots of acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)can improve the morphology of spinal nerve roots,inhibit the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression levels in spinal nerve roots and the serum NO level,and relieve the pain caused by inflammation of spinal nerve roots,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in LDH treatment.

Summarize the professor Hu Jingqing's experience in treating pathogenesis of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis by using purgative method.Intermingled phlegm and blood stasis is one of the most important pathogenesis of many difficult diseases in the contemporary era.From the perspective of TCM theory,the purgative method can dissipate phlegm,eliminate blood stasis and resolve masses,which is a suitable method for the treatment in pathogenesis of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis.In clinical practice,the professor Hu Jingqing emphasizes the specific classification of pathogenesis of phlegm and blood stasis in diagnosis,using the purgative methods according to different classifications of"excess heat"and"deficiency cold".And make flexible selections of various purgative drugs in prescription.Last but not least,it is suggested that the purgative method also should not be used as the only treating method.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of CT hepatic arteriography(CTHA) guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Forty-four patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinomas were enrolled in this prospective study from September 2019 to May 2021 in Henan Cancer Hospital. Thirty-three out of the 44 patients were treatment naive, 8 cases recurred after radiofrequency ablation, and the other 3 patients recurred after surgery. The mean size of HCC nodules was 5-44(17±8)mm measured on enhanced MRI images. Each patient was implanted a 5-French Cobra catheter or a 5-French RH angiographic catheter, then was catheterized into common hepatic artery or proper hepatic artery, under DSA monitoring via right femoral artery. Then the patient was transferred to CT operation room. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was performed by CTHA guidance using contrast agent injected via the catheter indwelled in hepatic artery. The endpoint of a complete ablation was a non-enhancing ablation necrosis zone in the target tumor and the target tumor margin at least 5 mm on CTHA. At the end of the procedure, the probe was retracted using tract ablation, and the arterial catheter and sheath were removed. The number of HCC lesions showed on the enhanced MRI and CTHA imaging were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The technical success rate and volume of contrast agent used during the CTHA ablation procedures were summarized.Results:Additional tumors were founded in 13 out of the 44 patients during the CT hepatic arteriography compared with enhanced MRI. The tumors founded by enhanced MRI and CTHA were 64 and 91 respectively, with statistical significance ( Z=-3.24, P=0.001). One patient dropped out of the study after palliative ablation and was transferred to transaterial chemoembolization treatment because the number of lesions showed by CTHA scan was more than 5. The other 43 patients got complete ablation verified by immediate postoperative assessment using CTHA. The technical success rate was 100%. The average volume of contrast agent used in CTHA guided radiofrequency ablation was 30-80(42±14)ml. There was no complications occurred related to the CTHA guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation procedures. Conclusions:CTHA can demonstrate additional lesions that can not be detected by the enhanced MRI images, which improves the lesion conspicuity and verifies the optimal position of radiofrequency probe. The complete tumor ablation can be verified by CTHA performed immediately after ablation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive fibrotic interstitial pneumonia with unknown causes. The incidence rate increases year by year and the prognosis is poor without cure. Recently, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) signaling pathway can be considered as a master regulator for IPF. The contribution of the PI3K/AKT in fibrotic processes is increasingly prominent, with PI3K/AKT inhibitors currently under clinical evaluation in IPF. Therefore, PI3K/AKT represents a critical signaling node during fibrogenesis with potential implications for the development of novel anti-fibrotic strategies. This review epitomizes the progress that is being made in understanding the complex interpretation of the cause of IPF, and demonstrates that PI3K/AKT can directly participate to the greatest extent in the formation of IPF or cooperate with other pathways to promote the development of fibrosis. We further summarize promising PI3K/AKT inhibitors with IPF treatment benefits, including inhibitors in clinical trials and pre-clinical studies and natural products, and discuss how these inhibitors mitigate fibrotic progression to explore possible potential agents, which will help to develop effective treatment strategies for IPF in the near future.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal fenestration techniques in thoracic aortic endoluminal repair.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent endovenous repair of the thoracic aorta with the application of 3D printing technology-assisted extracorporeal windowing in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan University Hospital from January 2019 to May 2021, and analyzed the surgical results as well as the occurrence of perioperative complications.Results:A total of 10 patients with a mean age of(53.3±15.7) years were included, including 4 cases of complex B aortic coarctation, 5 cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm and 1 case of abdominal aortic aneurysm. All patients in this group underwent endoluminal repair of the thoracic aorta with 3D printing assisted extracorporeal fenestration, including 1 case of PCI performed at the same time. There were no postoperative complications and no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:3D printing technology assisted extracorporeal fenestration and endoluminal aortic repair can accurately position aortic stents for fenestration, optimise endoluminal treatment options and improve patient prognosis.

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge for the treatment of arterioportal shunting (APS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods From January 2016 to June 2017, a total of 78 patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled in this study. These patients were randomly divided into two groups by digital random method. The experimental group (n=39) received transarterial embolization of the shunt with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge, while the control group (n=39) received only gelatin sponge shunt. Both of the two groups underwent transarterial chemoembolization if available. Changes in APS, tumor response (according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor), changes in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and haemodynamics changes of the portal vein were analyzed. χ2 test and t test were used to compare the differences of qualitative and quantitative parameters between two groups. The APS grades were compared between the two groups before treatment and 2 months after treatment using rank sum test. Results Six patients were lost during the 2-month follow-up, and 72 patients were followed up, which include 38 patients in the experimental group and 34 patients in the control group. Compared to (14/34), the experimental group (25/38) has higher The APS improvement rates of the experimental group and the control group were 65.8％(25/38) and 41.2％(14/34), and there was significant difference (χ2=4.379, P<0.05). Of the 72 patients, 66 cases were conform to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor, which include 35 patients in the experimental group and 31 patients in the control group. Tumor response at 2 months of the experimental group and the control group were 57.1％(20/35) and 32.3％(10/31), and there was significant difference (χ2=4.106, P<0.05). The ECOG score was significantly decreased from 2 points to ≤1 point in 19 cases in the experimental group, while 12 cases in the control group (χ2=6.894, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the diameter of the portal vein dropped significantly (t=2.082, P<0.05), while the blood flow velocity of portal vein increased (t=2.219, P<0.05) obviously in the experimental group 1 month after treatment. Conclusion Tansarterial embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge can effectively improve APS improvement rate, and quality of life of patients with unresectable HCC accompanied with APS.