Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

Objective:To comprehensively understand the basic situation of critical care medicine in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in order to promote the standardization, specialization, and systematization of quality control in critical care medicine.Methods:A survey was conducted from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, using a questionnaire to investigate the human resources and basic allocation of comprehensive intensive care medicine departments in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps division level hospitals and surrounding second-class hospitals. The survey content includes: basic situation of medical units, intensive care unit (ICU) basic information, ICU personnel situation, ICU equipment configuration situation, ICU performance situation, etc. The survey questionnaire was distributed in March 2022, with dedicated ICU attending physicians or above designated by each ICU as the contact person for the survey.Results:Sixteen questionnaires were distributed and returned, all of which were included from 16 comprehensive intensive care medicine departments in the Corps and surrounding areas, including 5 second class first class hospitals and 11 third class first class hospitals. There were 196 beds in 16 ICU units, and the ICU bed ratio (1.99% overall, 1.77% in third class first class hospitals) was lower than the 2%-8% stipulated in the Guidelines for the Construction and Management of Critical Care Medicine (Trial) issued by the National Health Commission. Only ICU beds in second class first class hospitals accounted for 2.65%, meeting this standard. The comprehensive ICU doctor-bed ratio in 16 hospitals was 0.55∶1, third class first class hospitals was 0.60∶1, and second class first class hospitals was 0.44∶1, compared with 0.8∶1 stipulated in the ministerial guidelines, there was a certain gap. Among the 108 doctors in 16 ICUs, only four have a master's degree or above. Associate senior and above professional and technical titles accounted for 27.78%, less than one third. Among the 334 nursing staff, there were no personnel with a master's degree or above, and only 10 personnel with associate senior or above professional and technical titles. From 2019 to 2021, there was 1 new master's degree personnel, 2 new senior professional and technical personnel, and 12 deputy senior professional and technical personnel. It indicating that the proportion of highly educated and experienced physicians and nurses were lower, team building lags behind, talent introduction were lower, and highly educated talents were scarce. The statistical analysis results of the absolute growth of core technology showed that the growth of core technology was slow, the progressiveness was insufficient, and the professional technical ability was insufficient. Conclusions:The construction of critical care majors and talent echelons in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps region is lagging behind, the overall professional level of the discipline is not high, and there is a lack of specialized personnel. Further improvement is needed in talent cultivation, technical development and training, medical quality management, and other aspects to ensure medical quality and safety.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Changmaile Capsules(Ⅰ).METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35℃ thermostatic Thermo Scientific AccucoreTM XL C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,4 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-acetonitrile-0.5% phosphoric acid flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 230,280 nm.The contents of gastrodin,danshensu,quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucose-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside,3′-hydroxypuerarin,puerarin,3′-methoxypuerarin,puerarin apioside,daidzin,rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid,ononin,daidzein,salvianolic acid B,calycosin,paeoniflorin and isoquercitrin were determined,after which HPLC fingerprints were established,along with the calculation of similarities.RESULTS Sixteen constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 87.4%-103.9% with the RSDs of 0.54%-3.10% .At 230 nm,the fingerprints of ten batches of samples demonstrated similarities of 0.954-0.999,which displayed obvious differences at 280 nm.3′-Hydroxypuerarin,puerarin,3′-methoxypuerarin,puerarin apioside,daidzin and daidzein were main differential constituents,paeoniflorin and isoquercitrin exhibited stable contents in various batches of samples.CONCLUSION This simple,accurate and reliable method can be used for the quality control of Changmaile Capsules(Ⅰ).

Ongoing global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has promoted the unprecedented rapid development and large-scale rolling out of different platform-based COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. How to effectively respond to the expected scale increasing adverse events after vaccination campaign of COVID-19 vaccines is a common problem faced by the world. A lot of countries and regions around the world have arranged in advance at different levels, optimizing the original vaccine safety monitoring system from the perspectives of strengthening the foundation and capabilities, promoting internal and external cooperation, upgrading methods, as well as improving transparency and public communication, which has ensured the good and efficient operation of the system and can provide reference for the construction of relevant fields in China.
Humans ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Viral Vaccines/adverse effects*

Objective: To investigate the causative factors of renal function in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients with renal inadequacy. Methods: 181 MM patients with renal impairment from August 2007 to October 2021 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were recruited, whose baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage was 3-5. Statistical analysis was performed based on laboratory tests, treatment regimens, hematological responses, and survival among various renal function efficacy groups. A logistic regression model was employed in multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 181 patients were recruited, and 277 patients with CKD stages 1-2 were chosen as controls. The majority choose the BCD and VRD regimens. The progression-free survival (PFS) (14.0 months vs 24.8 months, P<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (49.2 months vs 79.7 months, P<0.001) of patients with renal impairment was considerably shorter. Hypercalcemia (P=0.013, OR=5.654) , 1q21 amplification (P=0.018, OR=2.876) , and hematological response over a partial response (P=0.001, OR=4.999) were independent predictive factors for renal function response. After treatment, those with improvement in renal function had a longer PFS than those without (15.6 months vs 10.2 months, P=0.074) , but there was no disparity in OS (56.5 months vs 47.3 months, P=0.665) . Conclusion: Hypercalcemia, 1q21 amplification, and hematologic response were independent predictors of the response of renal function in NDMM patients with renal impairment. MM patients with CKD 3-5 at baseline still have worse survival. Improvement in renal function after treatment is attributed to the improvement in PFS.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Bortezomib/therapeutic use* ; Hypercalcemia ; Prognosis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Kidney/physiology* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia seen in clinical settings, which has been associated with substantial rates of mortality and morbidity. However, clinically available drugs have limited efficacy and adverse effects. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of action of andrographolide (Andr) with respect to AF. We used network pharmacology approaches to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of Andr. To define the role of Andr in AF, HL-1 cells were pro-treated with Andr for 1 h before rapid electronic stimulation (RES) and rabbits were pro-treated for 1 d before rapid atrial pacing (RAP). Apoptosis, myofibril degradation, oxidative stress, and inflammation were determined. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to investigate the relevant mechanism. Andr treatment attenuated RAP-induced atrial electrophysiological changes, inflammation, oxidative damage, and apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. RNA-seq indicated that oxidative phosphorylation played an important role. Transmission electron microscopy and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content assay respectively validated the morphological and functional changes in mitochondria. The translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus and the molecular docking suggested that Andr might exert a therapeutic effect by influencing the Keap1-Nrf2 complex. In conclusions, this study revealed that Andr is a potential preventive therapeutic drug toward AF via activating the translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus and the upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) to promote mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Atrial Fibrillation/metabolism* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/pharmacology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Oxidative Stress ; Energy Metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Heme Oxygenase-1

Periodontitis imparting the increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases is partially due to the immune subversion of the oral pathogen, particularly the Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), by inducing apoptosis. However, it remains obscure whether accumulated apoptotic cells in P. gingivalis-accelerated plaque formation are associated with impaired macrophage clearance. Here, we show that smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have a greater susceptibility to P. gingivalis-induced apoptosis than endothelial cells through TLR2 pathway activation. Meanwhile, large amounts of miR-143/145 in P.gingivalis-infected SMCs are extracellularly released and captured by macrophages. Then, these miR-143/145 are translocated into the nucleus to promote Siglec-G transcription, which represses macrophage efferocytosis. By constructing three genetic mouse models, we further confirm the in vivo roles of TLR2 and miR-143/145 in P. gingivalis-accelerated atherosclerosis. Therapeutically, we develop P.gingivalis-pretreated macrophage membranes to coat metronidazole and anti-Siglec-G antibodies for treating atherosclerosis and periodontitis simultaneously. Our findings extend the knowledge of the mechanism and therapeutic strategy in oral pathogen-associated systemic diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Endothelial Cells ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; Macrophages ; Apoptosis ; Atherosclerosis ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; MicroRNAs

Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta is one of the most commonly used medicinal materials in Mongolian medicine. Due to the strong toxicity of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta, Mongolian medicine often uses Chebulae Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to reduce the toxicity, so as to ensure the curative effect of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta while ensuring its clinical curative effect, but the mechanism is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Chebulae Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta on the mRNA transcription and protein translation of cytochrome P450(CYP450) in the liver of normal rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into negative control(NC) group, phenobarbital(PB) group(0.08 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Chebulae Fructus group(0.254 2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group(0.254 2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta group(0.254 2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))and compatibility group(0.254 2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),taking Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta as the standard). After continuous administration for 8 days, the activities of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), amino-transferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum were detected, the pathological changes of liver tissue were observed, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of CYP1 A2, CYP2 C11 and CYP3 A1 were observed. Compared with the NC group, the serum ALP, ALT and AST activities in the Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta group were significantly increased, and the ALP, ALT and AST activities were decreased after compatibility. At the same time, compatibility could reduce the liver injury caused by Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta. The results showed that Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta could inhibit the expression of CYP1 A2, CYP2 C11 and CYP3 A1, and could up-regulate the expression of CYP1 A2, CYP2 C11 and CYP3 A1 when combined with Chebulae Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The level of translation was consistent with that of transcription. The compatibility of Chebulae Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta could up-regulate the expression of CYP450 enzyme, reduce the accumulation time of aconitine in vivo, and play a role in reducing toxicity, and this effect may start from gene transcription.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Glycyrrhiza ; Liver ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Terminalia

Breast cancer is one of the most malignant tumors and is associated with high mortality rates among women. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an extract from the fruits of the traditional Chinese herb, L. barbarum. LBP is a promising anticancer drug, due to its high activity and low toxicity. Although it has anticancer properties, its mechanisms of action have not been fully established. Ferroptosis, which is a novel anticancer strategy, is a cell death mechanism that relies on iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In this study, human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and MD Anderson-Metastatic Breast-231 (MDA-MB-231)) were treated with LBP. LBP inhibited their viability and proliferation in association with high levels of ferroptosis. Therefore, we aimed to ascertain whether LBP reduced cell viability through ferroptosis. We found that the structure and function of mitochondria, lipid peroxidation, and expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11, also known as xCT, the light-chain subunit of cystine/glutamate antiporter system X_c^-) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were altered by LBP. Moreover, the ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), rescued LBP-induced ferroptosis-associated events including reduced cell viability and glutathione (GSH) production, accumulation of intracellular free divalent iron ions and malondialdehyde (MDA), and down-regulation of the expression of xCT and GPX4. Erastin (xCT inhibitor) and RSL3 (GPX4 inhibitor) inhibited the expression of xCT and GPX4, respectively, which was lower after the co-treatment of LBP with Erastin and RSL3. These results suggest that LBP effectively prevents breast cancer cell proliferation and promotes ferroptosis via the xCT/GPX4 pathway. Therefore, LBP exhibits novel anticancer properties by triggering ferroptosis, and may be a potential therapeutic option for breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Female ; Ferroptosis ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Humans ; Iron/metabolism*

Objective:This article takes the practical experience of the construction of the cardiovascular disease clinical medicine research center in Nanjing First Hospital as an example to provide reference for institutions preparing to build a clinical research center.Methods:The center conducts top-level design based on clinical needs, and this study systematically elaborates the construction of the center from management mechanisms, research platforms, collaborative networks, team building and international cooperation.Results:The center has made remarkable progress in clinical research, scientific and technological innovation, transformation and promotion, standard formulation, and technology leading. On the basis of an international perspective, the level of regional diagnosis and treatment has been improved by optimizing the structure of subject talents, and focusing on the clinical needs of cardiovascular subspecialty.Conclusions:Taking the construction of the clinical medicine center as an opportunity, integrating superior resources, improving the level of disease diagnosis, treatment and service and enhancing international academic influence are effective measures to accelerate the development of health services and deepen medical reforms.