Elemene, derived from Curcuma wenyujin, one of the "8 famous genuine medicinal materials of Zhejiang province," exhibits remarkable antitumor activity. It has gained wide recognition in clinical practice for effectiveness on tumors. Dr. XIE Tian, introduced the innovative concept of "molecular compatibility theory" by combining Chinese medicine principles, specifically the "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy" theory, with modern biomedical technology. This groundbreaking approach, along with a systematic analysis of Chinese medicine and modern biomedical knowledge, led to the development of elemene nanoliposome formulations. These novel formulations offer numerous advantages, including low toxicity, well-defined composition, synergistic effects on multiple targets, and excellent biocompatibility. Following the principles of the "molecular compatibility theory", further exploration of cancer treatment strategies and methods based on elemene was undertaken. This comprehensive review consolidates the current understanding of elemene's potential antitumor mechanisms, recent clinical investigations, advancements in drug delivery systems, and structural modifications. The ultimate goal of this review is to establish a solid theoretical foundation for researchers, empowering them to develop more effective antitumor drugs based on the principles of "molecular compatibility theory".
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Sesquiterpenes/therapeutic use*

Damarane-type triterpene saponins are the main active ingredients in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. By using D101 macroporous adsorption resin and silica gel open-columns, C18 medium-pressure column chromatography, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography, we isolated four compounds from the leaves of G. pentaphyllum planted in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analyses of MS, NMR data and circular dichroism spectroscopy and identified as (3β,12β)-dihydroxy-25-peroxyhydrohydrodammarane-20,23-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3β,12β,24S)-trihydroxydammarane-20,25-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3β,20α)-dihydroxy-24-en-12β,22S-epoxydammarane-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3β,12β,20S)-trihydroxydammarane-24-en-3-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compounds 1-4 are new dammarane-type triterpene saponins.

This experiment aims to study the taste-masking effects of different kinds of corrigent used individually and in combination on ibuprofen oral solution, in order to optimize the taste-masking formulation. Firstly, a wide range of corrigent and the mass fractions were extensively screened using electronic tongue technology. Subsequently, a combination of sensory evaluation, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-fuzzy mathematics evaluation, and Box-Behnken experimental design were employed to comprehensively assess the taste-masking effects of different combinations of corrigent on ibuprofen oral solution, optimize the taste-masking formulation, and validate the results. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (ethical code: 2024BZYLL0102). The results showed that corrigent fractions and types were screened separately through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, a Box-Behnken response surface design combined with AHP and fuzzy mathematics evaluation was used to fit a functional model: Z = 688.310 11 - 3 023.722 22X₁ - 11.477 00X₂ + 62.721 67X₃ + 14.600 00X₁X₂ - 179.666 67X₁X₃ - 3.152 00X₂X₃ + 4 031.111 11X₁² + 0.525 28X₂² + 9.772 00X₃². This model is stable and reliable, determining the optimal taste-masking formulation to be 3.9 g·L^-1 of stevioside, 100 g L^-1 of xylitol, and 30 g L^-1 of methyl-β-cyclodextrin. The comprehensive score of the verification test is 88.14, with a relative RSD of 0.39%, indicating the feasibility of this model. This study achieved the improvement of the taste of ibuprofen oral solution through a combination of objective and subjective methods. Three types of corrigent were identified for enhancing drug taste, leading to the selection of the optimal taste-masking formulation for ibuprofen oral solution. This significantly enhanced the taste of the original formulation, improved patient compliance, and offered a new approach to mitigating the undesirable taste of formulations.

Purpose::Vibrio vulnificus ( V. Vulnificus) infection is characterized by rapid onset, aggressive progression, and challenging treatment. Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge for clinical anti-infection treatment and is thus the subject of research. Enhancing host infection tolerance represents a novel infection prevention strategy to improve patient survival. Our team initially identified cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) as an important target owing to its negative modulation of the body's infection tolerance. This study explored the superior effects of the CYP1A1 inhibitor bergamottin compared to antibiotic combination therapy on the survival of mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus and the protection of their vital organs. Methods::An increasing concentration gradient method was used to induce multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus development. We established a lethal infection model in C57BL/6J male mice and evaluated the effect of bergamottin on mouse survival. A mild infection model was established in C57BL/6J male mice, and the serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on liver and kidney function. The morphological changes induced in the presence of bergamottin in mouse organs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney tissues. The bacterial growth curve and organ load determination were used to evaluate whether bergamottin has a direct antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus. Quantification of inflammatory factors in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in liver and kidney tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on inflammatory factor levels. Western blot analysis of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα, p65, and phosphorylated p65 protein expression in liver and kidney tissues and in human hepatocellular carcinomas-2 and human kidney-2 cell lines was used to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results::In mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus, bergamottin prolonged survival ( p = 0.014), reduced the serum creatinine ( p = 0.002), urea nitrogen ( p = 0.030), aspartate aminotransferase ( p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase ( p = 0.003) levels, and protected the cellular morphology of liver and kidney tissues. Bergamottin inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in serum (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.029, TNF-α: p = 0.025) and inhibited the protein expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in liver (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.037) and kidney (IL-1β: p = 0.016, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.008) tissues. Bergamottin did not affect the proliferation of multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus or the bacterial load in the mouse peritoneal lavage fluid ( p = 0.225), liver ( p = 0.186), or kidney ( p = 0.637). Conclusion::Bergamottin enhances the tolerance of mice to multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus infection. This study can serve as a reference and guide the development of novel clinical treatment strategies for V. Vulnificus.

Objective:To investigate the expression level of urothelial carcinoembryonic antigen 1(lncRNA UCA1)in the bone marrow of acute myeloid leukemia(AML)patients,and to explore the clinical significance of lncRNA UCA1 expression level in AML patients.Methods:Bone marrow samples of 50 AML patients were collected as experimental group,and bone marrow samples of 20 iron deficiency anemia(IDA)patients were collected as control group.The relevant clinicopathological characteristics of AML patients were collected.Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA UCA1 in the experimental and control groups,and the relationships between lncRNA UCA1 expression and clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis in AML patients were analyzed.Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the effect of lncRNA UCA1 on the overall survival(OS)of AML patients;And Cox regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of AML patients.Results:Compared with the control group,the expression level of lncRNA UCA1 was significantly elevated in patients with AML(P＜0.001);The proportion of patients with hemoglobin lower than 90 g/L in lncRNA UCA1 high expression group was significantly higher than that in lncRNA UCA1 low expression group(P=0.004);The expression level of lncRNA UCA1 was higher in M1,M2,and M4 subtypes,while it was lower in M0 and M5 subtypes,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.009).There were no significant difference in sex,age,white blood cell(WBC)count,platelet(PLT)count,bone marrow blasts,chemotherapy regimen and efficacy,karyotype,gene mutation,and prognostic risk stratification between patients in UCA1 high expression group and those in UCA1 low expression group(all P＞0.05).The OS of patients with high expression of lncRNA UCA1 was significantly shorter than that of patients with low expression of lncRNA UCA1(P=0.0229).Conclusion:The expression level of lncRNA UCA1 is significantly upregulated in AML patients.High expression of lncRNA UCA1 is associated with poor clinicopathological features and poor prognosis.Therefore,lncRNA UCA1 can be used as a prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target for AML patients.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

Codonopsis Radix is a traditional tonic medicine commonly used in China, which has the effects of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lung, as well as nourishing blood and engendering liquid. The chemical constituents of Codonopsis species are mainly polyacetylenes, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, terpenoids and saponins, flavonoids, steroids, organic acids, saccharides, and so on. Modern pharmacological studies showed that Codonopsis Radix also has a variety of pharmacological effects such as enhancing body immunity, protecting gastrointestinal mucosa and resisting ulcers, promoting hematopoietic function, regulating blood sugar, and delaying aging. In this paper, the chemical constituents of Codonopsis species and the pharmacological effects of Codonopsis Radix were summarized, and on this basis, the quality markers of Codonopsis Radix were analyzed. It was predicted that lobetyolin, tangshenoside I, codonopyrrolidium A, and the oligosaccharides were the possible Q-markers of Codonopsis Radix. This paper will provide scientific references for the quality evaluation and profound research and the development of Codonopsis Radix.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Codonopsis ; Alkaloids ; Medicine, Traditional ; Plant Roots

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of letermovir in primary prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in patients receiving haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: This retrospective, cohort study was conducted using data of patients who underwent haploidentical transplantation at Peking University Institute of Hematology and received letermovir for primary prophylaxis between May 1, 2022 and August 30, 2022. The inclusion criteria of the letermovir group were as follows: letermovir initiation within 30 days after transplantation and continuation for≥90 days after transplantation. Patients who underwent haploidentical transplantation within the same time period but did not receive letermovir prophylaxis were selected in a 1∶4 ratio as controls. The main outcomes were the incidence of CMV infection and CMV disease after transplantation as well as the possible effects of letermovir on acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and bone marrow suppression. Categorical variables were analyzed by chi-square test, and continuous variables were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for evaluating incidence differences. Results: Seventeen patients were included in the letermovir prophylaxis group. The median patient age in the letermovir group was significantly greater than that in the control group (43 yr vs. 15 yr; Z=-4.28, P<0.001). The two groups showed no significant difference in sex distribution and primary diseases, etc. (all P>0.05). The proportion of CMV-seronegative donors was significantly higher in the letermovir prophylaxis group in comparison with the control group (8/17 vs. 0/68, χ²=35.32, P<0.001). Three out of the 17 patients in the letermovir group experienced CMV reactivation, which was significantly lower than the incidence of CMV reactivation in the control group (3/17 vs. 40/68, χ²=9.23, P=0.002), and no CMV disease development observed in the letermovir group. Letermovir showed no significant effects on platelet engraftment (P=0.105), aGVHD (P=0.348), and 100-day NRM (P=0.474). Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that letermovir may effectively reduce the incidence of CMV infection after haploidentical transplantation without influencing aGVHD, NRM, and bone marrow suppression. Prospective randomized controlled studies are required to further verify these findings.
Humans ; Cytomegalovirus ; Retrospective Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/prevention & control* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control* ; Recurrence ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective: To analyze the status quo of the knowledge and related factors of cancer prevention and treatment among residents in Liaoning Province in 2021. Methods: From August to November 2021, through network sampling method, 17 474 permanent residents aged 15-69 years in Liaoning Province were surveyed. The WeChat public account was used to collect information such as demographic characteristics and core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. The Chi-square test was used to compare the difference of the level of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among different groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors. Results: Among the 17 474 subjects, 43.1% (7 528) were male and 58.7% (10 262) were urban residents. The overall awareness rate was 72.3%, and the awareness rate of cancer cognition, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, cancer management and rehabilitation were 71.4%, 67.6%, 72.7%, 83.4% and 63.5%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the residents who were man (OR: 0.850, 95%CI: 0.781-0.925), in rural areas (OR: 0.753, 95%CI: 0.694-0.817), 55-59 years old (OR: 0.851, 95%CI: 0.751-0.963), quitters (OR: 0.721, 95%CI: 0.640-0.813) and smoker (OR: 0.724, 95%CI: 0.654-0.801) had lower awareness rates, while the residents who were 35-54 years old (OR: 1.312, 95%CI: 1.202-1.432), with an educational level of junior high school/senior high school/college degree or above (OR: 1.834-5.130, 95%CI: 1.575-6.047), technical personnel (OR: 1.592, 95%CI: 1.367-1.854), civil servant/institution staff (OR: 1.282, 95%CI: 1.094-1.503), enterprise/business/service staff (OR: 1.218, 95%CI: 1.071-1.385), retired (OR: 1.324, 95%CI: 1.114-1.573) and with family history of cancer (OR: 1.369, 95%CI: 1.266-1.481) had higher awareness rates. Conclusion: The level of the awareness of core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment among residents in Liaoning Province has met the requirements of the Healthy China Action. Region, gender, education level, age, family history of cancer and smoking are relevant factors.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Neoplasms/prevention & control* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Aged

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*