Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in patients with multi-drug/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis.

Background: Mental health disorders in patients with multi-drug or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) receive consistent attention. Anxiety and depression can manifest and may impact disease progression in patients with MDR/RR-TB. Given the heightened stressors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, this scenario is even more concerning. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with anxiety and depression among patients with MDR/RR-TB in southern China. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at Guangzhou Chest Hospital in southern China, encompassing a cohort of 219 patients undergoing outpatient and inpatient treatment for MDR/RR-TB. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The ramifications of anxiety and depression were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, with odds ratios (ORs) and age- and sex-adjusted ORs (AORs) employed to quantify their influence. All data underwent statistical analysis using SPSS 25.0, with statistical significance established at P < 0.05. Results: Two hundred and nineteen individuals with MDR/RR-TB were included in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 57.53% (n = 126) and 65.75% (n = 144), respectively, with 33.3% (n = 73) of the participants experiencing both conditions simultaneously. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an age of 20-40 years [anxiety AOR = 3.021, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.240-7.360; depression AOR = 3.538, 95% CI: 1.219-10.268], disease stigma (anxiety AOR = 10.613, 95% CI: 2.966-37.975; depression AOR = 4.514, 95% CI: 2.051-10.108) and poor physical health (anxiety AOR = 7.636, 95% CI: 2.938-19.844; depression AOR = 6.190, 95% CI: 2.468-15.529) were significant risk factors for moderate levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: We found that individuals with MDR/RR-TB had an elevated risk of anxiety and depression. To decrease the likelihood of unfavorable treatment outcomes, it is imperative to carefully monitor the psychological wellbeing of patients with MDR/RR-TB and promptly address any detrimental psychiatric conditions.

Mechanism of salvianolic acid B protecting H9C2 from OGD/R injury based on mitochondrial fission and fusion / 药学学报

This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.

Research progress in mechanism of puerarin in treating vascular dementia / 中国中药杂志

Vascular dementia(VD) is a condition of cognitive impairment due to acute and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The available therapies for VD mainly focus on mitigating cerebral ischemia, improving cognitive function, and controlling mental behavior. Achievements have been made in the basic and clinical research on the treatment of VD with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) active components, including Ginkgo leaf extract, puerarin, epimedium, tanshinone, and ginsenoside. Most of these components have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective effects, and puerarin demonstrates excellent performance in mitigating cholinergic nervous system disorders and improving synaptic plasticity. Puerarin, ginkgetin, and epimedium are all flavonoids, while tanshinone is a diterpenoid. Puerariae Lobatae Radix, pungent in nature, can induce clear Yang to reach the cerebral orifices and has the wind medicine functions of ascending, dispersing, moving, and scurrying. Puerariae Lobatae Radix entering collaterals will dredge blood vessels to promote blood flow, and that entering the sweat pore will open the mind, which is in line with the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of VD. This study reviews the progress in the mechanism of puerarin, the main active component of Puerariae Lobatae Radix, in treating VD. Puerarin can ameliorate cholinergic nervous system disorders, reduce excitotoxicity, anti-inflammation, inhibit apoptosis, alleviate oxidative stress injury, enhance synaptic plasticity, up-regulate neuroprotective factor expression, promote cerebral circulation metabolism, and mitigate Aβ injury. The pathways of action include activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), Janus-activating kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK), as well as inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), transient receptor potential melastatin 2(TRPM2)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB), early growth response 1(Egr-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9). By reviewing the papers about the treatment of VD by puerarin published by CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, and Web of Science in the last 10 years, this study aims to support the treatment and drug development for VD.

A case of neonatal-onset type I hyperlipoproteinemia with bloody ascites / 中国当代儿科杂志

This report presents a case of a male infant, aged 32 days, who was admitted to the hospital due to 2 days of bloody stools and 1 day of fever. Upon admission, venous blood samples were collected, which appeared pink. Blood biochemistry tests revealed elevated levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. The familial whole genome sequencing revealed a compound heterozygous variation in the LPL gene, with one variation inherited from the father and the other from the mother. The patient was diagnosed with lipoprotein lipase deficiency-related hyperlipoproteinemia. Acute symptoms including bloody stools, fever, and bloody ascites led to the consideration of acute pancreatitis, and the treatment involved fasting, plasma exchange, and whole blood exchange. Following the definitive diagnosis based on the genetic results, the patient was given a low-fat diet and received treatment with fat-soluble vitamins and trace elements, as well as adjustments to the feeding plan. After a 4-week hospitalization, the patient's condition improved and he was discharged. Follow-up showed a decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. At the age of 1 year, the patient's growth and psychomotor development were normal. This article emphasizes the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of familial hyperlipoproteinemia presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute pancreatitis, including bloody ascites, in the neonatal period.

Mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in protecting ischemic myocardium by regulating platelet autophagy in rats with acute myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD) on platelet activation and differential gene expression after acute myocardial infarction(AMI). SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, a positive drug(aspirin) group, and a BYHWD group. Pre-treatment was conducted for 14 days with a daily oral dose of 1.6 g·kg~(-1) BYHWD and 0.1 g·kg~(-1) aspirin. The AMI model was established using the high ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery method. The detection indicators included myocardial infarct size, heart function, myocardial tissue pathology, peripheral blood flow perfusion, platelet aggregation rate, platelet membrane glycoprotein CD62p expression, platelet transcriptomics, and differential gene expression. The results showed that compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed reduced ejection fraction and cardiac output, decreased peripheral blood flow, and increased platelet aggregation rate and CD62p expression, and activated platelets. At the same time, TXB_2 content increased and 6-keto-PGF1α content decreased in serum. Compared with the model group, BYHWD increased ejection fraction and cardiac output, improved blood circulation in the foot and tail regions and cardiomyocytes arrangement, reduced myocardial infarct size and inflammatory infiltration, down-regulated platelet aggregation rate and CD62p expression, reduced serum TXB_2 content, and increased 6-keto-PGF1α content. Platelet transcriptome sequencing results revealed that BYHWD regulated mTOR-autophagy pathway-related genes in platelets. The differential gene expression levels were detected using real-time quantitative PCR. BYHWD up-regulated mTOR, down-regulated autophagy-related FUNDC1 and PINK genes, and up-regulated p62 gene expression. The results demonstrated that BYHWD could regulate platelet activation, improve blood circulation, and protect ischemic myocardium in AMI rats, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of the mTOR-autophagy pathway in platelets.

Neonatal systemic pseudohypoaldosteronism type I / 中国当代儿科杂志

An 18-day-old male infant was admitted to the hospital due to recurrent hyperkalemia for more than 10 days. The neonate had milk refusal and dyspnea. The blood gas analysis revealed recurrent hyperkalemia, hyponatremia and metabolic acidosis. Adrenocortical hormone replacement therapy was ineffective. Additional tests showed a significant increase in aldosterone levels. Family whole exome sequencing revealed that the infant had compound heterozygous in the SCNNIA gene, inherited from both parents. The infant was diagnosed with neonatal systemic pseudohypoaldosteronism type I. The infant's electrolyte levels were stabilized through treatment with sodium polystyrene sulfonate and sodium supplement. The infant was discharged upon clinical recovery. This study provides a focused description of differential diagnosis of salt-losing syndrome in infants and introduces the multidisciplinary management of neonatal systemic pseudohypoaldosteronism type I.

Temporal dynamic in the impact of COVID- 19 outbreak on cause-specific mortality in Guangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Studies related to the SARS-CoV-2 spikes in the past few months, while there are limited studies on the entire outbreak-suppressed cycle of COVID-19. We estimate the cause-specific excess mortality during the complete circle of COVID-19 outbreak in Guangzhou, China, stratified by sociodemographic status. METHODS: Guangzhou Center for Disease Control Prevention provided the individual data of deaths in Guangzhou from 1 January 2018 through 30 June 2020. We applied Poisson regression models to daily cause-specific mortality between 1 January 2018 and 20 January 2020, accounting for effects of population size, calendar time, holiday, ambient temperature and PM2.5. Expected mortality was estimated for the period from 21 January through 30 June 2020 assuming that the effects of factors aforementioned remained the same as described in the models. Excess mortality was defined as the difference between the observed mortality and the expected mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed by place of death, age group, sex, marital status and occupation class. RESULTS: From 21 January (the date on which the first COVID-19 case occurred in Guangzhou) through 30 June 2020, there were three stages of COVID-19: first wave, second wave, and recovery stage, starting on 21 January, 11 March, and 17 May 2020, respectively. Mortality deficits were seen from late February through early April and in most of the time in the recovery stage. Excesses in hypertension deaths occurred immediately after the starting weeks of the two waves. Overall, we estimated a deficit of 1051 (95% eCI: 580, 1558) in all-cause deaths. Particularly, comparing with the expected mortality in the absence of COVID-19 outbreak, the observed deaths from pneumonia and influenza substantially decreased by 49.2%, while deaths due to hypertension and myocardial infarction increased by 14.5 and 8.6%, respectively. In-hospital all-cause deaths dropped by 10.2%. There were discrepancies by age, marital status and occupation class in the excess mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: The excess deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak varied by cause of death and changed temporally. Overall, there was a deficit in deaths during the study period. Our findings can inform preparedness measures in different stages of the outbreak.

Effectiveness of a sex education curriculum in seventh graders / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To assess the effectiveness of sexual education intervention among seventh grade students, and to provide support tools for sex education for middle school students.@*Methods@#Seventh grade students from six schools in Longnan, Gansu Province were randomly assigned to an intervention group (251 students) and a control group (222 students). After 8 weeks of school based sex education in the intervention group, the results were compared before and after the intervention using self assessment knowledge and attitude scales.@*Results@#The knowledge score in the control group decreased by (2.46±1.21) in the follow up survey compared to the baseline survey. The intervention group scored (30.54±1.34) significantly higher than baseline ( t =22.76, P <0.01). After adjusting the sex ratio to 1∶1, the mean difference between the two groups after the intervention was (27.86±1.87) ( t =14.90, P <0.01). The interaction dit between time and intervention was (33.01±2.50) ( t =13.19, P <0.01) in difference analysis. The intervention effect size Hedge s g on knowledge in the intervention group was 1.27. The proportion of positive attitudes towards sex increased in the intervention group on 12 out of 14 questions, with percentage ranging from 7.5% to 25.9%. At the follow up, the improvement in attitudes towards 12 questions was substantial for girls and 8 questions for boys in the intervention group. The attitude effect size Hedge s g was 0.99 in the intervention group.@*Conclusion@#The implementation of school based sex education is capable of significant improving students sexual knowledge and attitude in the short term.

A Multicentre Study of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease Outcomes of Cancer Patients in Wuhan, China

BackgroundAt present, there is a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. For COVID-19 patients, cancer is a coexisting disease that should not be Here, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to show the clinical information and outcomes of cancer patients infected with COVID-19. MeasurementsMedical records of COVID-19 patients with cancer admitted to hospitals from Jan 5, 2020 to Feb 18, 2020 were collected. ResultsOf the 67 patients (median age: 66 years), the median age of patients with severe illness was older than that of patients with mild symptoms (P<0.001). The proportion of severe patients had co-morbidities was higher than patients with mild disease (P=0.004). During the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia, tumor progression and recurrence was not observed for those patients still at the anticancer treatment phase. Lymphocytopenia was the main laboratory finding accompanying increased C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in cancer patients, especially in severe cases. By Mar 10, 2020, 18 (26.9%) patients died from COVID-19. The median age of survivors was younger than that of deaths (P=0.014). Lung cancer (n=15, 22.4%) was the most common cancer type and accounted for the highest proportion COVID-19 resulted deaths (33.3%, 5/15). We observed a tendency that patients at the follow-up phase had a better prognosis than that at anticancer treatment phase (P=0.095). ConclusionThis study showed COVID-19 patients with cancer seem to have a higher proportion of severe cases and poorer prognosis. We should pay more intensive attentions to cancer patients infected with COVID-19.

Outcomes of DNMT3A Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Treated with Decitabine / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study therapeutic efficacy and side effects of single decitabine for DNMT3A myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients.@*METHODS@#The clinical characteristics, efficacy and side effects of 59 myelodysplastic syndrome patients received the decitabine therapy in our center from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on gene mutations, these patients were divided into 2 groups: DNMT3A MDS patients (n=27) and DNMT3A MDS patients (n=32). All patients in two groups were treated with decitabine for 4 circles. The efficacy and side effects in the two groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#The median age of patients in DNMT3A MDS group was 56.2 (37-81) which was no statistic difference from DNMT3A MDS group. And there was no statistical difference including age, white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelet count between the two groups (P＞0.05). The ORR and complete response (CR) rate of DNMT3A group were 70.37% and 40.74%, the ORR and CR rate of DNMT3A group were 40.63% and 21.88% respectively. Significant differences were observed in ORR rate (P=0.035) between two groups. However, significant differences did not found in CR rate (P=0.159) between two groups, The similar adverse reaction was observed in DNMT3A and DNMT3A MDS patients. Among the 59 patients, 21 patients showed TP53+ mutation. DNMT3A/TP53 MDS patients (n=13) had similar ORR and CR compared with the DNMT3A/TP53 MDS patients (n=8) (P＞0.05). The overall survival (OS) in DNMT3A MDS group and DNMT3A MDS group were 29.1±13.4 months and 27.8±14.4 months, respectively, no significant differences between two groups were observed (P=0.475).@*CONCLUSION@#Decitabine treatment is an effective and safe for DNMT3A MDS patients, but not shows better survival advantage.

Clinical Efficacy and Prognosis of Double-Hit Multiple Myeloma Patients with Deletion P53 Treated with Regimen Based on Bortezomib / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of double-hit multiple myeloma patients with deletion P53 treated with regimen based on bortezomib.@*METHODS@#The ethnical data from 186 newly diagnosed MM patients hospitalized in the Department of Hematology of Harrison International Peace hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and G-binding staining were used to detect cytogenetic abnormalities (P53 deletion, lq21 amplification and IgH rearranagement) for analyses of complete remission (CR), overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients treated with bortezomib for 4 circles.@*RESULTS@#In 186 patients, simple P53 deletion was 14 cases, 1q21 amplification and P53 deletion were found in 11 cases (A group), t (14;16) and P53 deletion in 7 cases (B group), t (4;14) and P53 deletion in 9 cases (C group). The complete remission rate (CR%) of above-mentioned three groups was 27.27%, 28.57% and 33.33% respectively, and the ORR of the three groups was 54.54%, 57.14% and 55.56%, respectively, there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups (P＞0.05). The patients with 1q21 amplification and P53 deletion had shorter OS and PFS time (P=0.041, P=0.046). The double-hit patients with 1q21 amplification showed shorter OS time, compared with the patients with P53 deletion (P=0.027). The double-hit patients with t(14;16) and t(4;14) showed shorter OS time (P=0.871, P=0.276) and PFS time (P=0.955, P=0.379) than those of the patients with P53 deletion.@*CONCLUSION@#P53 deletion and 1q21 amplification are an adverse prognostic factor of early recurrence and short lifetime in patients with newly diagnosed double-hit MM.

Investigation and Evaluation of Cultivation Status of Ligusticum chuanxiong in Sichuan / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To deeply understand important scientific problems and key technical problems in the cultivation of Chuanxiong, the Chuanxiong cultivation situation of 247 households in 23 towns of 5 counties in Sichuan province were investigated, providing basic data for the standardized cultivation of Chuanxiong. Method::On the basis of reported literatures, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the farmers of cultivating Chuanxiong in main producing areas, field measurements were also preformed, and the cultivation status of Chuanxiong was comprehensively analyzed. Result::The proportion of plain-breeding mainly existed in Pengzhou and Shifang, where per farmer had a small scale of planting areas, was 65%, while the proportion of mountain-breeding mainly existed in Meishan, Qionglai and Dujiangyan, where per proprietor had a large scale of planting areas, was 92%. The planting density and yield of Chuanxiong varied greatly among individuals. The growth period of Chuanxiong in Meishan and Qionglai is about 30 days shorter than that in Pengzhou, Shifang and Dujiangyan. About half of farmers applied base fertilizer and top dressing in spring. The proportion of NPK compound fertilizer input was high (>90%). Chuangxiong has a few diseases and insect pests, the incidence of which in new production areas was obviously lower than that in old production areas. The application of herbicide was not standardized. 52% farmers used Chu cao ling No.1 which was made by agricultural material store owners. The labor cost accounted for the highest proportion (37%) in Chuanxiong cultivation. Conclusion::Now in Sichuan clonal propagated patterns of Chuanxiong were both mountain-breeding and plain-breeding. It is suggested to make clear the differences between mountain-breeding nodes and plain-breeding nodes, and breed high qualities of Chuanxiong nodes. The mechanization research and production of Chuanxiong should be promoted, realizing timely planting and harvesting. Farmers should be guided to increase the application of organic fertilizer, and meanwhile standardize the application of agrochemicals.

Long non-coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 linked to hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury of H9c2 cells by targeting miR-135a-5p/forkhead box O1 axis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Myocardial infarction occurs due to insufficient (ischemia) blood supply to heart for long time; plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is a long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including heart disease; However, few studies have explored its role. The present study evaluated the effects of lncRNA PVT1 on hypoxic rat H9c2 cells.@*METHODS@#Hypoxic injury was examined by measuring cell viability and apoptosis by using cell counting kit-8 activity and flow cytometry assays. Gene expressions after hypoxia were estimated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and the signaling pathway were explored by Western blot analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were applied to examine the interactions among genes. Data were analyzed using t-test with one-way or two-way analysis of variance.@*RESULTS@#The lncRNA PVT1 is up-regulated in hypoxia-stressed H9c2 cells and knockdown of PVT1 mitigates hypoxia-induced injury in H9c2 cells. PVT1 acts as a sponge for miR-135a-5p and knockdown of PVT1 attenuated the increased hypoxia-induced injury by up-regulating miR-135a-5p. Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) was identified as a target of miR-135a-5p, and the expression was negatively regulated by miR-135a-5p. The exploration of the underlying mechanism demonstrated that knockdown of FOXO1 reversed PVT1/miR-135a-5p mediated hypoxia-induced injury in H9c2 cells.@*CONCLUSIONS@#PVT1 plays a crucial role in hypoxia-injured H9c2 cells through sponging miR-135a-5p and then positively regulating FOXO1.

Efficacy and safety of the long-acting fusion inhibitor albuvirtide in antiretroviral-experienced adults with human immunodeficiency virus-1: interim analysis of the randomized, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority TALENT study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Albuvirtide is a once-weekly injectable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 fusion inhibitor. We present interim data for a phase 3 trial assessing the safety and efficacy of albuvirtide plus lopinavir-ritonavir in HIV-1-infected adults already treated with antiretroviral drugs.@*METHODS@#We carried out a 48-week, randomized, controlled, open-label non-inferiority trial at 12 sites in China. Adults on the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended first-line treatment for >6 months with a plasma viral load >1000 copies/mL were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive albuvirtide (once weekly) plus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (ABT group) or the WHO-recommended second-line treatment (NRTI group). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a plasma viral load below 50 copies/mL at 48 weeks. Non-inferiority was prespecified with a margin of 12%.@*RESULTS@#At the time of analysis, week 24 data were available for 83 and 92 patients, and week 48 data were available for 46 and 50 patients in the albuvirtide and NRTI groups, respectively. At 48 weeks, 80.4% of patients in the ABT group and 66.0% of those in the NRTI group had HIV-1 RNA levels below 50 copies/mL, meeting the criteria for non-inferiority. For the per-protocol population, the superiority of albuvirtide over NRTI was demonstrated. The frequency of grade 3 to 4 adverse events was similar in the two groups; the most common adverse events were diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, and grade 3 to 4 increases in triglyceride concentration. Renal function was significantly more impaired at 12 weeks in the patients of the NRTI group who received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate than in those of the ABT group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The TALENT study is the first phase 3 trial of an injectable long-acting HIV drug. This interim analysis indicates that once-weekly albuvirtide in combination with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir is well tolerated and non-inferior to the WHO-recommended second-line regimen in patients with first-line treatment failure.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02369965; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR-TRC-14004276; http://www.chictr.org.cn/enindex.aspx.

Expression Level and Clinical Significance of OTC4 Gene in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression characteristics and clinical value of OTC4 gene in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).@*METHODS@#Sixty-five patients with MDS were selected from June 2017 to April 2018, and 39 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow collected by aseptic puncture. The OTC4 gene level of MDS patients was detected by RT-PCR, and the OTC4 protein of MDS patients was detected by Western blot. The survival curve of MDS patients was drawn by Kaplan-Meier. Cox multivariate analysis was used to analyze the independent prognostic factors.@*RESULTS@#The relative expression level of OTC4 gene in MDS patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). Western blot showed that the expression level of OTC4 protein in MDS patients was higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). OTC4 gene expression level closely related with the leukocyte count, and the level of hemoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase and platelet count in MDS patients (P＜0.05). CR rate of MDS patients with low OTC4 gene expression was 54.8%, which was higher than that of high OTC4 gene expression group (P＜0.05), while HI, SD and PD rates of MDS patients with low OTC4 gene expression were 9.7%, 12.9% and 6.5% respectively, which were lower than those of high OTC4 gene expression group (P＜0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that OS and DFS in patients with low OTC4 gene expression were superior to those with high OTC4 gene expression (P＜0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that leukocyte count and OTC4 gene were independent influencing factors for OS (P＜0.05), platelet level and OTC4 gene expression were independent influencing factors for DFS (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#OTC4 gene closely relates with the severity of MDS. The patients with lower expression of OTC4 gene have better prognosis, the detection of OTC4 gene has higher clinical value for evaluating the prognosis of MDS patients.

Ethacrynic acid inhibits airway smooth muscle contraction in mice / 生理学报

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanism of ethacrynic acid (EA) on the contraction in mice. BL-420S force measuring system was used to measure the tension of mouse tracheal rings. The whole cell patch clamp technique was utilized to record the channel currents of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. The calcium imaging system was used to determine the intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]) in ASM cells. The results showed that EA significantly inhibited the high K (80 mmol/L) and acetylcholine (ACh, 100 µmol/L)-induced contraction of mouse tracheal rings in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal relaxation percentages were (97.02 ± 1.56)% and (85.21 ± 0.03)%, and the median effective concentrations were (40.28 ± 2.20) μmol/L and (56.22 ± 7.62) μmol/L, respectively. EA decreased the K and ACh-induced elevation of [Ca] from 0.40 ± 0.04 to 0.16 ± 0.01 and from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 0.39 ± 0.01, respectively. In addition, EA inhibited L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (LVDCC) and store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) currents in ASM cells, and Ca influx. Moreover, EA decreased the resistance of the respiratory system (Rrs) in vivo in mice. These results indicated that EA inhibits LVDCC and SOCC, which results in termination of Ca influx and decreases of [Ca], leading to relaxation of ASM. Taken together, EA might be a potential bronchodilator.

Clinical Efficacy of Low-Dose Decitabine alone for Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose decitabine (DAC) alone for treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) Methods: Fifty-one patients with meddle- and high-risk MDS were selected, and were randomly divided into A, B and C groups according to the drug regimens: the therapeutic regimen in A group consisted of low dose DAC 10 mg/(m·d)×7 d; the therapeutic regimen in B group: normal dose DAC 20 mg/(m·d) ×5 d; the therapeutic regimen in C group: low dose DAC+CAG DAC 10 mg/(m·d) d 1-5，cytarabine 10 mg/(m·d) q12h d 1-7, aclaromycin 10 mg/d d 1-4，G-CSF 200 μg/(m·d), d 1-7. All patients in 3 groups were treated for 4 circles. The efficacy and response were compared among 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#The complete remission rates (CR%) in A, B and C groups were 18.75%, 22.22% and 23.53% respectively, and the overall response rate (ORR%) in A, B and C groups were 56.25%, 61.11% and 58.82% respectively, without statistical difference among 3 groups (P＞0.05)．After 1 year of follow-up, the survival rate was not significantly different among 3 groups, the blood cell accounts were higher than the basic value. After 1 course of treatment, the inhibition rate of III-IV grade myelosuppression was statistically significantly different among the 3 groups (P＜0.05), and the infection rate among 3 groups also was statistically different, The incidence of myelosuppression and infection in A group was significantly lower than that in B and C groups. The per capita blood transfusion during the four-month treatment was not statistically different among 3 groups. however, that in the A group was lesser than B and C groups.@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic efficacy of low dose decitabine alone for treatment of MDS is equal to routine dose decitabine and decitabine plus CAG, but the low dose group shows less myelosuppressive and more safe effects.

Effects of Low-Dose Decitabine on Soluble CD44, GDF11 Levels and Hematopoietic Function in Elderly Patients with MDS / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of low-dose decitabine on levels of soluble CD44 and GDF11, and hematopoietic function in elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).@*METHODS@#Ninety-nine patients with senile myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) admitted to our hospital from October 2015 to October 2017 were divided into group A, B and C according to their treatment, each with 33 cases.The patients in group A were treated with low-dose decitabine, the patients in group B were treated with usual dose of decitabine, and the patients in group C were treated with low-dose decitabine plus G-GSF, cytarabine, and aclarithromycin. The changes of soluble CD44, GDF11 levels and hematopoietic function (sTfR/E) were compared before and after treatment. The clinical remission rate and adverse reaction rate in 3 groups were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Before treatment, the levels of CD44, GDF11 and sTfR/E were not significantly different between the 3 groups (P＞0.05). After treatment, the levels of CD44 and GDF11 were significantly decreased in these groups, while the serum levels of sTfR/E were significantly increased, and there was no significant difference between the 3 groups (P＞0.05). After treatment, the total effective rates of A, B, and C 3 group were 82.3%, 81.8%, and 78.8%, respectively, without statistically significant difference (P＞0.05). During the treatment, the incidence of non-hemotoxic adverse reactions in group A was 8.8%, significantly lower than that in group B and C (30.3%, 27.3%) (P＜0.05, P＜0.05), the incidence of hemotoxic adverse reactions in group A was 39.4%, significantly lower than that 63.6% and 66.7% in group B and C (P＜0.05, P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Low-dose decitabine alone is effective in treating elderly patients with MDS as compared with conventional dose and combination therapy, moreover can significantly reduce the levels of CD44 and GDF11, improve hematopoietic function and low the adverse reactions. Thereby the low dose of decitabine may be a new choice for clinical treatment of MDS.

Applications of ionic liquids in drug research / 药学学报

Ionic liquids are not limited to the traditional use of solvents because of their high permeability and excellent physicochemical and unique biological properties. Nowadays, with the deep understanding of their toxicity and biocompatibility, ionic liquids have been tailored as novel solutions to address potential problems of marketed drugs. Based on the research and development of modified new drugs, ionic liquids have been incorporated into drug synthesis and emerged as attractive environmental-friendly reaction media with milder reaction conditions, higher yields and easier reaction workups and drug delivery systems. In addition, they have been designed for effective drug carriers removing undesirable properties of solid drugs. Further, ionic liquids forming active pharmaceutical ingredients dedicated to the liquefaction of drugs for promising clinical applications.

Recent advances in LncRNAs and chronic kidney disease / 药学学报

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), defined as transcripts which are hundreds of nucleotides with little or non-protein coding potential. Recently, LncRNAs have caught much more attentions, instead of considering as noises of genome transcripts, and indeed they have been found to play important roles associated with some biological processes, such as tumorigenesis, immunology dysfunction, metabolism adjustment, and so on. The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in different regions of the world is about 10% to 15%, with high growth rate and high unawareness, including the diabetic nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, etc. Previous publications also suggest that LncRNAs have a close relationship with the kidneys, and it may become new therapeutic targets or new biomarkers to diagnose diseases. In this review, we will summarize LncRNAs' functions with chronic kidney diseases, and discuss the prospects of the clinical applications of LncRNAs in the treatment of CKD treatment.