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1.
Gut microbiome and serum amino acid metabolome alterations in autism spectrum disorder.
Chang, X, Zhang, Y, Chen, X, Li, S, Mei, H, Xiao, H, Ma, X, Liu, Z, Li, R
Scientific reports. 2024;(1):4037
Abstract
Gut microbiota and their metabolic products might play important roles in regulating the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to characterize gut microbiota and serum amino acid metabolome profiles in children with ASD. A non-randomized controlled study was carried out to analyze the alterations in the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites in patients with ASD (n = 30) compared with neurotypical controls (NC) (n = 30) by metagenomic sequencing to define the gut microbiota community and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis to characterize the metabolite profiles. Compared with children in the NC group, those in the ASD group showed lower richness, higher evenness, and an altered microbial community structure. At the class level, Deinococci and Holophagae were significantly lower in children with ASD compared with TD. At the phylum level, Deinococcus-Thermus was significantly lower in children with ASD compared with TD. In addition, the functional properties (such as galactose metabolism) displayed significant differences between the ASD and NC groups. Five dominant altered species were identified and analyzed (LDA score > 2.0, P < 0.05), including Subdoligranulum, Faecalibacterium_praushitzii, Faecalibacterium, Veillonellaceae, and Rumminococcaceae. The peptides/nickel transport system was the main metabolic pathway involved in the differential species in the ASD group. Decreased ornithine levels and elevated valine levels may increase the risk of ASD through a metabolic pathway known as the nickel transport system. The microbial metabolism in diverse environments was negatively correlated with phascolarctobacterium succinatutens. Our study provides novel insights into compositional and functional alterations in the gut microbiome and metabolite profiles in ASD and the underlying mechanisms between metabolite and ASD.
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2.
Drug effect of atorvastatin on middle cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis and high resolution NMR diagnosis.
Chen, X, Wang, S, Lin, L, Li, Y, Zhang, H
Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 2018;(3(Special)):1169-1173
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory reaction with the pathological changes in the lipid deposition of arterial intima. The disorder of blood lipid metabolism is the main factor of the occurrence and development of AS, and the inflammatory reaction and autoimmune reaction also run through the development of AS. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin and rosuvastatin in the treatment of AS. At the same time, we used high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the changes in plaque area in the middle cerebral artery and the patch area before and after drug treatment. After 6 months of treatment, the number of intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque and plaque in each group were significantly lower than that before the same group. The results showed that statin treatment of AS could significantly reduce the level of blood lipids, but rosuvastatin and atorvastatin had better effects on anti inflammation and maintaining plaque stability and the drug safety was good.
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3.
Multi-focused psychosocial residential rehabilitation interventions improve quality of life among cancer survivors: a community-based controlled trial.
Chen, X, Gong, X, Shi, C, Sun, L, Tang, Z, Yuan, Z, Wang, J, Yu, J
Journal of translational medicine. 2018;(1):250
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though multi-focused psychosocial residence rehabilitation intervention (MPRRI) programs are widely implemented by the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club, these programs have not been rigorously evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a 21-day MPRRI program, on the quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors. METHODS A total of 388 cancer patients were enrolled to either receive the 21-day MPRRI (n = 129) intervention or a waiting-list comparison (WLC) intervention (n = 259). The intervention group was offered community-based 21-day MPRRI program, combining supportive-expressive group, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Guolin Qigong. QoL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Version 3 Questionnaire. Multivariable linear models were used to compare changes in QoL values between the two groups. RESULTS After adjustment for the QoL score and other covariates at baseline, there was no significant difference in global health status (mean = 3.8, 95% CI - 1.3-9.0, P = 0.14) between the two groups after 6 months intervention. While compared with the WLC group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the QoL score (all P < 0.05); however, there were no clinically relevant changes in subscales including emotional functioning (ES = 0.58), cognitive functioning (ES = 0.53), pain (ES = 0.52), physical functioning (ES = 0.36), and insomnia (ES = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest the MPRRI program is both feasible and acceptable intervention for cancer survivors in community settings and is effective in significant improving QoL above.
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4.
Effects of Tripterygium wilfordii Induction Therapy to IgA Nephropathy Patients with Heavy Proteinuria.
Wang, Z, Yu, C, Zhou, LN, Chen, X
Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 2017;(11):1833-1838
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Abstract
Although some new drugs have been developed, Tripterygium wilfordii HOOK F. (TWHF) has the merits of relatively lower price and fewer side effects. Unfortunately, the efficacy and safety of the TWHF (especially dosage 120 mg/d) in the immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) are still lacking. A cohort study including 49 IgAN patients with heavy proteinuria who received induction therapy was undertaken. Patients were divided into three groups: Prednisone (PRE), conventional-dose TWHF (CTW) and double-dose TWHF (DTW). The clinical features, laboratory data, histological manifestations and outcomes of the groups were compared. We found that urinary protein excretion and rates of elevated n-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and retinol binding protein (RBP) were prominent in all groups. Neither histopathological changes nor the rates of renal insufficiency were significantly different among groups. Patients in the PRE (69.2%) and DTW groups (87.5%) achieved complete remission; none of the CTW group did. Furthermore, the total remission rate of the DTW group was substantially higher than that of the CTW group. The degree of hypoproteinemia, improved considerably in the PRE and DTW groups. Treatment was well tolerated in all patients, and no serious adverse events were observed. Our findings suggested that induction therapy with double dose TWHF significantly improved response rates in IgAN patients with heavy proteinuria, and did not considerably increase side effects.
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[Feasibility of "no tube no fasting" therapy in thoracolaparoscopic oesophagectomy for patients with oesophageal cancer].
Sun, H, Li, Y, Liu, X, Wang, Z, Zhang, R, Qin, J, Wei, X, Leng, C, Zhu, J, Chen, X, et al
Zhonghua wei chang wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of gastrointestinal surgery. 2014;(9):898-901
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of no nasogastric intubation and early oral feeding at will after thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS Between January 2013 and January 2014, the feasibility of no nasogastric intubation and early oral feeding at postoperative day(POD) 1 after thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy was prospectively investigated in 156 patients (trial group) with esophageal cancer in the Henan Cancer Hospital. One hundred and sixty patients previously managed in the same unit who were treated routinely after thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy were served as control group. RESULTS Of 156 patients of trial group, 6(3.8%) patients could not take food early as planned because of postoperative complications. The overall complication rate in trial group was 19.2%(30/156), which was 25.0%(30/160) in control group (P=0.217). The anastomotic leakage in trial group and control group was 2.6%(4/156) and 4.3%(7/160) respectively (P=0.380). Compared with control group, time to first flatus [(2.1±0.9) d vs. (3.3±1.1) d, P<0.001], bowel movement [(4.4±1.3) d vs. (6.6±1.0) d, P<0.001] and postoperative hospital stay [(8.3±3.2) d vs. (10.4±3.6) d, P<0.001] were significantly shorter in trial group. CONCLUSIONS No nasogastric intubation and early oral feeding postoperatively in patients with thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy is feasible and safe. This management can shorten postoperative hospital stay and fasten postoperative bowel function recovery.
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The effect of CYP3A4 inhibition or induction on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered ruxolitinib (INCB018424 phosphate) in healthy volunteers.
Shi, JG, Chen, X, Emm, T, Scherle, PA, McGee, RF, Lo, Y, Landman, RR, McKeever, EG, Punwani, NG, Williams, WV, et al
Journal of clinical pharmacology. 2012;(6):809-18
Abstract
Ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1&2 inhibitor in development for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms, is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. The effects of inhibition or induction of CYP3A4 on single oral dose ruxolitinib pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Coadministration of ketoconazole (a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor) and erythromycin (a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor) increased total ruxolitinib plasma exposure (AUC(0-∞)) by 91% and 27%, respectively, and ruxolitinib PD, as measured by the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6-stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation in whole blood, was generally consistent with the PK observed. Pretreatment with rifampin, a potent CYP3A4 inducer, decreased ruxolitinib AUC(0-∞) by 71% while resulting in only a 10% decrease in the overall PD activity. This apparent PK/PD discrepancy may be explained, in part, by an increase in the relative abundance of ruxolitinib active metabolites with the rifampin coadministration. The collective PK/PD data suggest that starting doses of ruxolitinib should be reduced by 50% if coadministered with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, whereas adjustments in ruxolitinib starting doses may not be needed when coadministered with inducers or mild/moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4. All study doses of ruxolitinib were generally safe and well tolerated when given alone and in combination with ketoconazole, erythromycin, or rifampin.
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Effect of arsenic trioxide on the treatment of children with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia in China.
Zhang, L, Zhu, X, Zou, Y, Chen, Y, Chen, X
International journal of hematology. 2011;(2):199-205
Abstract
To explore the efficacy of treatment for childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with a combination of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) for remission induction, we reviewed the clinical course and outcome of 37 children with APL from January 1999 to December 2003. Among the 37 children (≤14 years) with newly diagnosed APL, we applied treatments that consisted of ATRA alone or in combination with As(2)O(3) in induction followed by consolidation and maintenance treatment. Overall, 35 (94.6%) of 37 children achieved complete remission (CR). Two patients died of intracerebral hemorrhage on days 1 and 2. The 5-year estimates of event-free survival (EFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates for the 37 patients were 79.2, 83.7, and 91.5%, respectively. There were 27 patients with white blood cell (WBC) count lower than 10 × 10(9)/L. In 27 patients with a WBC count <10 × 10(9)/L, 17 patients (group-I) were treated with ATRA alone and 10 patients (group-II) were treated with ATRA which was switched to As(2)O(3) due to the side effects of ATRA. Although the 5-year estimate of DFS between group-I and group-II showed no significant difference (P = 0.108), the DFS rate improved by 25% in group-II. Our results suggest that the combination of As(2)O(3) and ATRA might decrease the relapse rate compared with ATRA alone in induction therapy for childhood APL, at least in those with a WBC count less than 10 × 10(9)/L.
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The role of family history in clinical symptoms and therapeutic outcomes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Hu, Z, Wang, Y, Qiao, J, Li, M, Chi, H, Chen, X
International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2010;(1):35-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between family history and clinical symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that were thought to be inherited, by treating women with PCOS with contraceptive pills and metformin, and assessing outcomes. METHODS Of 164 women with PCOS, 49 with menstrual abnormalities, hyperandrogenism, and abnormal glucose and/or insulin levels underwent a 3-month treatment with contraceptive pills and metformin. Family history was taken, and physical and ultrasound examinations were performed. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipoproteins, lipids, and reproductive hormones were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS The serum levels of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides were higher in the patients with a family history of the studied symptoms than in those with no such family history. After treatment, changes in testosterone and glucose levels, glucose area under curve, and homeostasis model assessment value differed in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION The patients with a family history of PCOS symptoms thought to be inherited were more sensitive to oral contraceptive and metformin treatment.
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[Effects of statins on coronary atherosclerotic plaque in patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes with mild elevated LDL-C].
Wang, XF, Lu, CZ, Chen, X
Zhonghua xin xue guan bing za zhi. 2009;(4):339-42
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of statins on coronary atherosclerotic plaque in patients with stable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes with mild elevated low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS Seventy-eight patients with stable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild elevated LDL-C were treated with (n=40) or without (n=38) statins for 12 months. Coronary artery angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed at baseline and after 12 months on lesion and reference segment to compare the plaque volume, lumen volume, vascular volume and remodeling index was calculated as vascular volume index (VVI) at lesion divided by VVI at reference segment One coronary lesion with 50%-70% stenosis was selected as target plaque in each patient. RESULTS Baseline clinical and angiographic data were comparable between the two groups. After 12 months, LDL-C decreased 31.5% in statin group and remained unchanged in non-statin group. After 12 months, plaque volume was significantly increased [ (76.1 +/- 13.0) mm3 vs. (95.0 +/- 21.9) mm3 , P < 0.05], lumen volume was significantly decreased [(65.0 +/- 10.9) mm3 vs. (45.4 +/- 6.6) mm3, P < 0.05 ] and vascular volume remained unchanged in non-statins group; plaque volume was also significantly increased [(79.5 +/- 15.2) mm3 vs. (87.5 +/- 17.9) mm3 , P < 0.05] while lumen volume and vascular volume remained unchanged in statin group. Remodeling index (RI) remained unchanged in non-statin group but significantly increased in statin group (0.91 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.95 +/- 0.10, P < 0.05) after 12 months. CONCLUSION Chronic statin therapy could retard the coronary atherosclerotic progression in patients with stable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes with mild elevated LDL-C.
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Monitoring of immune responses to a herbal immuno-modulator in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
Chen, X, Hu, ZP, Yang, XX, Huang, M, Gao, Y, Tang, W, Chan, SY, Dai, X, Ye, J, Ho, PC, et al
International immunopharmacology. 2006;(3):499-508
Abstract
Many herbal medicines are widely used as immuno-modulators in Asian countries. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is one of the most commonly used herbs in Asia and preclinical studies have established that the polysaccharide fractions of G. lucidum have potent immuno-modulating effects. However, clinical evidence for this is scanty. The present open-labeled study aimed to evaluate the effects of G. lucidum polysaccharides on selected immune functions in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and treated with oral G. lucidum at 5.4 g/day for 12 weeks. Selected immune parameters were monitored using various immunological methods throughout the study. In 41 assessable cancer patients, treatment with G. lucidum tended to increase mitogenic reactivity to phytohemagglutinin, counts of CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD56 lymphocytes, plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, and NK activity, whereas plasma concentrations of IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were decreased. For all of these parameters, no statistical significance was observed when a comparison was conducted between baseline and those values after a 12-week treatment with G. lucidum. The changes of IL-1 were correlated with those for IL-6, IFN-gamma, CD3, CD4, CD8 and NK activity (p<0.05) and IL-2 changes were correlated with those for IL-6, CD8 and NK activity. The results indicate that G. lucidum may have potential immuno-modulating effect in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to explore the benefits and safety of G. lucidum in cancer patients.