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Meta-analysis of arbidol versus lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.
Yu, M, Wang, DC, Li, S, Lei, YH, Wei, J, Huang, LY
Journal of medical virology. 2022;(4):1513-1522
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of arbidol and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using a meta-analysis method. METHODS The China Knowledge Network, VIP database, WanFang database PubMed database, Embase database, and Cochrane Library were searched for a collection of comparative studies on arbidol and lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of COVID-19. Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Arbidol and lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of COVID-19. RESULTS The results of the systematic review indicated that Arbidol had a higher positive-to-negative conversion rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid on Day 7 (p = 0.03), a higher positive-to-negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid on Day 14 (p = 0.006), a higher improvement rate of chest computed tomography on Day 14 (p = 0.02), a lower incidence of adverse reactions (p = 0.002) and lower rate of mortality (p = 0.007). There was no difference in the rate of cough disappearance on Day 14 (p = 0.24) or the rate of severe/critical illness (p = 0.07) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Arbidol may be superior to lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of COVID-19. However, due to the small number of included studies and the number of patients, high-quality multicenter large-sample randomized double-blind controlled trials are still needed for verification.
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TSSF-hERG: A machine-learning-based hERG potassium channel-specific scoring function for chemical cardiotoxicity prediction.
Meng, J, Zhang, L, Wang, L, Li, S, Xie, D, Zhang, Y, Liu, H
Toxicology. 2021;:153018
Abstract
The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the Kv11.1 voltage-gated potassium ion (K+) channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier current (IKr) in cardiomyocytes to regulate the repolarization process. Some drugs, as blockers of hERG potassium channels, cannot be marketed due to prolonged QT intervals, as well known as cardiotoxicity. Predetermining the binding affinity values between drugs and hERG through in silico methods can greatly reduce the time and cost required for experimental verification. In this study, we collected 9,215 compounds with AutoDock Vina's docking structures as training set, and collected compounds from four references as test sets. A series of models for predicting the binding affinities of hERG blockers were built based on five machine learning algorithms and combinations of interaction features and ligand features. The model built by support vector regression (SVR) using the combination of all features achieved the best performance on both tenfold cross-validation and external verification, which was selected and named as TSSF-hERG (target-specific scoring function for hERG). TSSF-hERG is more accurate than the classic scoring function of AutoDock Vina and the machine-learning-based generic scoring function RF-Score, with a Pearson's correlation coefficient (Rp) of 0.765, a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Rs) of 0.757, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.585 in a tenfold cross-validation study. All results demonstrated that TSSF-hERG would be useful for improving the power of binding affinity prediction between hERG and compounds, which can be further used for prediction or virtual screening of the hERG-related cardiotoxicity of drug candidates.
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Nutritional assessment and risk factors associated to malnutrition in patients with esophageal cancer.
Cao, J, Xu, H, Li, W, Guo, Z, Lin, Y, Shi, Y, Hu, W, Ba, Y, Li, S, Li, Z, et al
Current problems in cancer. 2021;(1):100638
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Esophageal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in China. Patients with esophageal cancer are more likely to suffer from malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to assess nutritional status of patients with esophageal cancer from multiple perspectives and analyze the risk factors. METHODS A total of 1482 esophageal cancer patients were enrolled in the study. We investigated the Scored Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) scores, NRS-2002 scores, Karnofsky performance status scores, anthropometric, and laboratory indicators of patients. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the risk factors of nutritional status. RESULTS PG-SGA (≥4) and NRS-2002 (≥3) showed the incidence of malnutrition were 76% and 50%, respectively. In the patients with PG-SGA score ≥4, the proportion of patients who did not receive any nutritional support was 60%. The incidence of malnutrition in females was significantly higher than that in males. Besides, abnormality rates of Red blood cell (P < 0.001), MAC (P = 0.037), and MAMC (P < 0.001) in males was significantly higher than that in females, while abnormality rates of TSF (P < 0.001) was lower than that in females. After adjusted with the other potential risk factors listed, unconditional logistic regression analysis indicated smoking (odds ratio: 2.868, 95% confidence interval: 1.660-4.954), drinking (OR: 1.726, 95% CI: 1.099-2.712), family history (OR: 1.840, 95% CI: 1.132-2.992), radiotherapy or chemotherapy (OR: 1.594, 95% CI: 1.065-2.387), and pathological stage (OR: 2.263, 95% CI: 1.084-4.726) might be the risk factors of nutritional status, while nutritional support can reduce the risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION Effective nutritional risk assessment methods and nutritional intervention measures can be adopted according to the research data to improve quality of life of esophageal cancer patients.
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Impact of twice- or three-times-weekly maintenance hemodialysis on patient outcomes: A multicenter randomized trial.
Dai, L, Lu, C, Liu, J, Li, S, Jin, H, Chen, F, Xue, Z, Miao, C
Medicine. 2020;(20):e20202
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Abstract
AIM: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) frequency is associated with survival and complication rates. Achieving the optimal balance between healthcare, quality of life (QOL), and medical costs is challenging. We compared complications, inflammatory status, nutritional status, and QOL between patients with different MHD frequencies. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a multicenter randomized trial of patients treated between May 2011 and August 2017 at 3 tertiary hospitals in Wenzhou. Patients were grouped according to their treatment schedule over 1 year: twice-weekly or 3-times-weekly. Complications, biochemistry parameters, and QOL (KDQOL-SFTM 1.3 scale) were assessed. RESULTS One hundred forty patients were included aged 29 to 68 years (mean age, 50.9 ± 4.3 years). There were no significant differences in infection, heart failure, or cerebral hemorrhage complications between the 2 groups (P = .664). Pre-dialysis hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and ejection fraction were similar in both groups (P > .05). After 1 year of MHD, both groups exhibited significant improvements in these parameters (all P < .05) with no significant differences between groups. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and weekly standard hemodialysis treatment adequacy did not improve after treatment (all P > .05), although a difference in BUN was observed between the 2 groups (P < .001). QOL was superior in the twice-weekly group than in the 3-times-weekly group (all P < .05), except for social support, which was slightly better in the 3-times-weekly group than in the twice-weekly group. CONCLUSIONS Twice- and 3-times-weekly MHD resulted in comparable inflammatory and nutritional clinical outcomes and adverse events. QOL was better for the twice-weekly schedule. Even for patients with economic constraints, twice- or 3-times-weekly MHD should be selected with caution after consideration of BUN levels at baseline.
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Comparison of Quality of Life and Nutritional Status of Between Roux-en-Y and Billroth-I Reconstruction After Distal Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Du, N, Chen, M, Shen, Z, Li, S, Chen, P, Khadaroo, PA, Mao, D, Gu, L
Nutrition and cancer. 2020;(5):849-857
Abstract
Background: This paper purports to use a meta-analysis to compare the postoperative quality of life (QoL) and nutritional status of between Roux-en-Y (R-Y) and Billroth-I (B-I) reconstruction after distal gastrectomy.Methods: For this study, the following databases were searched for articles published from inception until December 2018: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library.Results: A total of 13 eligible studies, covering 3645 patients, were selected for a meta-analysis. The analysis showed that compared with B-I group in term of short-term outcomes, patients undergoing R-Y reconstruction did not only have significantly better physiological function (P = 0.02), but had significantly less pain (P = 0.04). In the long-term outcomes, the dyspnea and constipation in the B-I group were worse than that in the R-Y group (P = 0.004; P = 0.04, respectively). Patients in the B-I group had higher cholesterol than those in the R-Y group at 5 years postoperatively (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in termof other nutritional indicators including total protein, cholesterol, albumin, hemoglobin and weight in short-term outcomes.Conclusions: The final conclusion was that R-Y may be superior to the B-I reconstruction in some aspects of QoL. Besides, R-Y reconstruction could reduce the patient's cholesterol level for a long time. For the short-term outcomes, there were no significant differences in other common nutritional indicators.
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The Effects of Inositol Metabolism in Pregnant Women on Offspring in the North and South of China.
Wang, X, Yue, H, Li, S, Guo, J, Guan, Z, Qin, J, Zhu, Z, Niu, B, Cui, M, Wang, J
Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2020;:e921088
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inositol is an essential nutrient for cell growth, survival and embryonic development. Myo-inositol is the predominant form in natural. To investigate the correlation between inositol metabolism and embryonic development, we assessed the metabolic characteristics of myo-inositol, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P₃) of pregnant women in the North China (Yangquan and Weihai) and South China (Nanchang and Haikou) China. MATERIAL AND METHODS All data were collected by face-to-face interview during pregnant women health visits using a questionnaire. Plasma levels of myo-inositol, PI(4,5)P₂ and PI(3,4,5)P₃ from 89 randomly collected pregnant women were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS A total of 400 pregnant women were included in this survey. The plasma levels of myo-inositol and PI(4,5)P₂ in the North China group of pregnant women were significantly higher than that in the South China group (P<0.01). The birth weight of fetuses in the North China group was heavier than that in the South China group (P<0.01). The birth length of fetuses in Yangquan was the longest among the 4 cities (P<0.01). The incidence rate of birth defects was 3.05% in the North China group, and 0.0% in the South China group. In bivariate linear correlation analysis, the body weight correlated with myo-inositol (r=0.5044, P<0.0001), PI(4,5)P₂ (r=0.5950, P<0.0001) and PI(3,4,5)P₃ (r=0.4710, P<0.0001), the body length was correlated with PI(4,5)P₂ (r=0.3114, P=0.0035) and PI(3,4,5)P₃ (r=0.2638, P<0.0130). CONCLUSIONS The plasma levels of myo-inositol and PI(4,5)P₂ in pregnant women had significant difference between the North and the South of China, which might be correlated with fetal development and birth defects.
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Association between prepregnancy body mass index and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: an ambispective observational study in China.
Yuan, X, Liu, Z, Zhu, J, Yu, P, Deng, Y, Chen, X, Li, N, Li, S, Yang, S, Li, J, et al
BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2020;(1):444
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect around the world. Maternal prepregnancy obesity has been proposed as a risk factor of CHDs, but the relationship of CHD risk with over- and underweight is controversial, especially because body mass index (BMI) distribution differs between Asia and the West. The study aimed to examine the potential associations of maternal over- and underweight on risk of offspring CHDs. METHODS An ambispective observational study involving 1206 fetuses with CHDs and 1112 fetuses without defects at seven hospitals in China was conducted. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect information on maternal prepregnancy weight and height, social demographic characteristics, living and occupational environments, and lifestyle behaviors. Univariate, multivariate and multilevel logistic regression as well as unrestricted cubic spline analysis were used to examine potential associations of prepregnancy BMI and offspring CHDs. RESULTS Prepregnancy maternal underweight (BMI<18.5) or low average BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI<21.25) was associated with significantly higher risk of CHD in offspring than high average BMI (21.25 ≤ BMI<24.0): multilevel logistic regression indicated adjusted odds ratios of 1.53 (95%CI 1.13, 2.08) for underweight, 1.44 (95%CI 1.10, 1.89) for low average BMI and 1.29 (95%CI 0.84, 1.97) for overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 24.0). Mothers with prepregnancy BMI < 21.25 were at greater risk of offspring with septal defects, while mothers with low average BMI were at greater risk of offspring with conotruncal defects and septal defects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that underweight or low average BMI may be associated with higher risk of CHDs in offspring. Health professionals may wish to advise women planning to be pregnant to maintain or even gain weight to ensure adequate, balanced nutrition and thereby reduce the risk of CHDs in their offspring.
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Comparison of safety and efficacy between calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel and calcipotriol scalp solution as long-term treatment for scalp psoriasis in Chinese patients: a national, multicentre, prospective, randomized, active-controlled phase 4 trial.
Liu, L, Zhang, C, Wang, J, Chen, K, Ding, Y, Yan, G, Lu, Q, Li, W, Fang, H, Cheng, H, et al
European journal of dermatology : EJD. 2020;(5):580-590
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel for the treatment of scalp psoriasis has previously been demonstrated in a four-week trial in a Chinese population. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of two-compound gel in Chinese adult patients with scalp psoriasis. MATERIALS & METHODS A multicentre, prospective, randomized, active-controlled trial was established in which subjects were randomized (at a ratio of 4:1) to receive either two-compound gel once daily or calcipotriol scalp solution twice daily for 28 weeks. Incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of any type and adverse events (AEs) of concern associated with long-term corticosteroid use on the scalp were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 951 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either two-compound gel (n=760) or calcipotriol scalp solution (n=191). The incidence of ADRs was significantly lower in the two-compound gel group compared with the calcipotriol scalp solution group (11.7 vs. 22.2%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) associated with long-term topical corticosteroid use on the scalp (1.1% vs. 0%, p=0.369) between the two groups. A statistically significant difference in the percentage of visits with treatment success according to the Subject's Global Assessment was observed (p=0.009); more subjects had visits with 100% treatment success (15.2 vs. 6.3%) and fewer subjects had visits with 0% treatment success (23.7 vs. 30.8%) using two-compound gel compared to calcipotriol scalp solution. CONCLUSION The two-compound gel was well tolerated and effective in the long-term management of scalp psoriasis in Chinese patients.
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IL-27 regulates HIF-1α-mediated VEGFA response in macrophages of diabetic retinopathy patients and healthy individuals.
Zhang, Q, Cunha, APD, Li, S, Hao, Q, Kainz, V, Huang, Q, Wu, HY
Cytokine. 2019;:238-247
Abstract
Human macrophages produce vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) for angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy (DR). The regulatory function of IL-27 on human macrophages is not well understood. In particular, the effect of IL-27 on VEGFA response in human macrophages has not been investigated. We find that IL-27 suppresses VEGFA mRNA expression as well as protein secretion by human macrophages. The synergistic action of purinergic signaling and activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) induces VEGFA production in a positive feedback loop. IL-27 signaling in human macrophages disrupts this positive feedback loop thus suppresses VEGFA production. Blockade of IL-27 signaling with a JAK2 antagonist reverses this downregulatory effect on HIF-1α and partially blocks the inhibitory effect on VEGFA production. Lastly, DR patient macrophages have a higher propensity to produce VEGFA and this is amplified by an in vitro challenge with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. IL-27 suppresses VEGFA production by DR patient macrophages even in the presence of IL-1β challenge indicating a potential therapeutic use of IL-27 in the clinic.
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A meta-analysis of comparison of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction and total gastrectomy for proximal early gastric cancer.
Li, S, Gu, L, Shen, Z, Mao, D, Khadaroo, PA, Su, H
BMC surgery. 2019;(1):117
Abstract
BACKGROUND In theory, proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (PG-DT) was superior to total gastrectomy (TG) in hematologic and nutritional outcomes. However, its clinical effects in proximal early gastric cancer (EGC) have been controversial. METHODS The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DT) for proximal EGC. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for articles published before December of 2018 in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane Library. RESULTS The results showed no significant difference in the anastomotic stenosis (OR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.33-2.50, p = 0.85) and reflux esophagitis (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 0.62-5.65, p = 0.27) between LPG-DT and laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). The vitamin B12 supplementation rate in the LPG-DT group was lower than the LTG group (OR = 0.06, 95%Cl = 0.01-0.59, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Due to comparable clinical effect, PG-DT is comparable to TG for patients with proximal EGC. In addition, LPG-DT not only appears superior to TG in terms of preventing vitamin B12 deficiency, but also does not increase the risk of anastomotic stricture and reflux esophagitis.