Analysis of pharmacological mechanisms of Yinyanghuo as treatment of erectile dysfunction with network pharmacology-based strategy

Erectile dysfunction is considered an important health problem that impacts the quality of life of men. Yinyanghuo, also called Epimedium or Horny Goat Weed, is a frequently used Chinese traditional herbal medicine, commonly used in treating erectile dysfunction in China. A network pharmacology method was performed systematically, at a molecular level, to analyse the pharmacological mechanism of Yinyanghuo as erectile dysfunction therapy. The network pharmacology method used in this study primarily includes prescreening of the active compounds, prediction of targets, network analysis and gene enrichment analysis. This network analysis proved that 4 targets (AR, NR3C2, PDE5A and BMP2) could be the targets of Yinyanghuo therapy on erectile dysfunction. Besides, gene enrichment analysis predicted that Yinyanghuo might have a role in erectile dysfunction by regulating 10 molecular functions, 8 cellular components, 10 biological processes and 36 possible targets related to 10 signalling pathways. Our study demonstrated the molecular and pharmacological mechanisms of Yinyanghuo against erectile dysfunction with a holistic approach and demonstrated a powerful method for analysing pharmacological mechanisms and rational utilisation of Traditional Chinese Medicine clinically.     

Digoxin reduces the incidence of prostate cancer but increases the cancer-specific mortality: A systematic review and pooled analysis

Digoxin, a commonly used drug for congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, has been reported to exert cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects on prostate cancer (PCa) cells. In this study, we aimed to perform a pooled analysis to summarise all the evidence related to the effects of digoxin on PCa development. Four electronic databases were systematically searched to filter the eligible studies. The hazard ratio (HR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. This study was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021226885). Ten clinical studies with a total of 108,444 participants (15,835 individuals were digoxin users) were included. The pooled result from 6 included studies demonstrated that digoxin usage was correlated with a significant decrease in PCa risk (adjusted RR = 0.892, 95% CI: 0.799–0.997, p = .044) when compared with the nonusers. Synthetic result of 4 eligible studies revealed that digoxin significantly correlated with higher prostate cancer-specific mortality than the controls (adjusted HR = 1.142, 95% CI: 1.005–1.297). No statistical heterogeneity was detected during this analysis (all I² < 50%, p > .1). Our study confirmed a preventive effect of digoxin usage for the risk of PCa in men. However, digoxin use was associated with a significantly elevated risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality. This finding needs more well-designed studies to better interpret the causality.     

Investigating the effects of walnut ointment on non-healing burn wounds

Effective treatments for non-healing burn wounds are an unmet need for 95% of burn sufferers. Approaches currently available to treat non-healing burn wounds are not satisfactory due to undesirable side-effects or expense. The anti-oxidation and antibacterial activities of walnuts are recommended for treating chronic diseases. Walnut ointment has been developed and successfully applied to treat non-healing burn wounds in our hospital for decades. We report herein a detailed retrospective case review examining patients’ response to the walnut ointment. The walnut ointment has shortened healing time of non-healing burn wounds and improved clinical outcomes. In order to investigate the mechanism of action, walnut ointment has been applied on wounds of porcine full-thickness burn wound models. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis indicated our walnut ointment supports wound healing through promoting keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Taken together, we recommend the walnut ointment offers an effective and economical treatment for patients presenting with non-healing burn wounds.     

Approach selection and outcomes of craniopharyngioma resection: a single-institute study

Neurosurgical Review - Since there are many approaches for successful craniopharyngioma resection, how to choose a suitable approach remains problematic. The aim of this study was to summarize...     

基于SEER数据库的原发性中枢神经系统淋巴瘤不同治疗方法的疗效分析

目的探讨原发性中枢神经系统淋巴瘤(PCNSL)患者的预后因素及不同治疗方法的临床效果。方法回顾性分析1975年1月至2016年12月美国SEER数据库中4812例PCNSL患者的临床资料。其中男性2831例,女性1981例,男女比例为1.4∶1.0;发病年龄<60岁者2236例(46.47%),60~<75岁者1718例(35.70%),≥75岁者858例(17.83%);幕上肿瘤2417例(50.23%),幕下肿瘤299例(6.21%),脑内多发肿瘤554例(11.51%),其他或未指明部位的脑部肿瘤1542例(32.04%);弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)3513例(73.00%),非DLBCL 234例(4.86%),其他或未指明类型的淋巴瘤1065例(22.13%);治疗方式为单独活检的2010例(41.77%),单独部分切除61例(1.27%),单独完全切除54例(1.12%),活检+化疗2384例(49.54%),部分切除+化疗159例(3.30%),完全切除+化疗144例(2.99%)。采用单因素及多因素Cox回归模型分析影响患者总体生存的预后因素;采用Fine-Gray检验与竞争风险模型研究影响患者肿瘤特异性生存的预后因素;生存分析采用Kaplan-Meier法,并通过Log-rank进行比较。结果单因素及多因素Cox风险回归模型分析结果显示,影响PCNSL患者总体生存的独立预后因素包括年龄、种族、婚姻状态、肿瘤部位、病理学亚型、手术、化疗、合并其他恶性肿瘤、合并HIV感染等。Fine-Gray检验与竞争风险模型分析结果显示,影响患者肿瘤特异生存的独立预后因素包括年龄、种族、婚姻状态、肿瘤部位、病理学亚型、手术方式、化疗、合并其他恶性肿瘤、合并HIV感染,而性别与放疗均与肿瘤特异生存无明显相关性。与活检相比,PCNSL患者可能从手术切除中获益(部分切除:HR=0.805,95%CI:0.656~0.989,P=0.04;完全切除:HR=0.521,95%CI:0.414~0.656,P<0.01)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析结果显示,活检+化疗组中位生存时间为28个月(95%CI:24.497~31.503),单独活检组为2个月(95%CI:1.756~2.244),单独部分切除组为2个月(95%CI:1.410~2.590),单独完全切除组为19个月(95%CI:0~39.311),部分切除+化疗组为67个月(95%CI:46.187~87.813),完全切除+化疗组为84个月(95%CI:57.448~110.552),使用不同治疗方法的患者的中位生存时间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论手术切除可能改善部分PCNSL患者的预后。化疗可能使肿瘤完全切除或部分切除患者的肿瘤特异生存时间延长。     

Association between atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases risk and renal outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AimsChronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus increase atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) risk. However, the association between renal outcome of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and ASCVD risk is unclear.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 218 type 2 diabetic patients with biopsy-proven DKD, and without known cardiovascular diseases. Baseline characteristics were obtained and the 10-year ASCVD risk score was calculated using the Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE). Renal outcome was defined as progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The association between ASCVD risk and renal function and outcome was analyzed with logistic regression and Cox analysis.ResultsAmong all patients, the median 10-year ASCVD risk score was 14.1%. The median of ASCVD risk score in CKD stage 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 10.9%, 12.3%, 16.5%, and 14.8%, respectively (p = 0.268). Compared with patients with lower ASCVD risk (＜14.1%), those with higher ASCVD risk had lower eGFR, higher systolic blood pressure, and more severe renal interstitial inflammation. High ASCVD risk (>14.1%) was an independent indicator of renal dysfunction in multivariable-adjusted logistic analysis (OR, 3.997; 95%CI, 1.385–11.530; p = 0.010), though failed to be an independent risk factor for ESRD in patients with DKD in univariate and multivariate Cox analysis.ConclusionsDKD patients even in CKD stage 1 had comparable ASCVD risk score to patients in CKD stage 2, 3, and 4. Higher ASCVD risk indicated severe renal insufficiency, while no prognostic value of ASVCD risk for renal outcome was observed, which implied macroangiopathy and microangiopathy in patients with DKD were related, but relatively independent.     

Self-reported snoring is associated with chronic kidney disease in obese but not in normal-weight Chinese adults

BackgroundThe relationship between sleeping disorders and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has already been reported. Snoring, a common clinical manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome, is of clinical value in assessing sleeping disorder severity. However, investigations of the connection between snoring and CKD are limited, especially in normal-weight populations. This study assessed the relationship between snoring frequency and CKD in obese and normal-weight people in China.MethodsA community-based retrospective cross-sectional study of 3250 participants was performed. Study participants were divided into three groups – the regularly snoring group, occasionally snoring group, and never snoring group – based on their self-reported snoring frequency. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relevance between snoring frequency and CKD prevalence.ResultsThe CKD prevalence in obese participants was higher than that in normal-weight participants. Frequent snorers had a higher prevalence of CKD than those who were not frequent snorers in the obese group. Snoring frequency was correlated with CKD prevalence in obese participants independent of age, sex, smoking and drinking status, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (odds ratio: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.36–5.19; p=.004), while the same relationships did not exist in normal-weight participants (odds ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.32–1.98; p=.614).ConclusionsSnoring appears to be independently associated with CKD in obese but not in normal-weight Chinese adults.     

Tacrolimus versus cyclophosphamide for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and treated with steroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThe therapeutic effects of tacrolimus (TAC) versus cyclophosphamide (CTX) were not fully illustrated for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).MethodsThe PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, and CNKI were systematically searched throughout March 2020 for randomized controlled trials evaluating the therapeutic effects of TAC versus CTX for IMN patients treated with steroids. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model.ResultsTwelve trials recruited a total of 868 IMN patients were identified and contained in final meta-analysis. Patients in TAC group was associated with an increased incidence of overall remission (12 trials: 868 patients; RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11–1.31; p < 0.001) and complete remission (12 trials: 868 patients; RR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.25–1.80; p < 0.001). Moreover, we noted TAC therapy significantly reduced urinary protein excretion (9 trials: 567 patients; WMD: −1.06; 95%CI: −1.41 to −0.71; p < 0.001), and increased serum albumin (9 trials: 567 patients; WMD: 5.37; 95%CI: 2.97 to 7.77; p < 0.001) than CTX therapy. Furthermore, no significant difference between TAC and CTX for serum creatinine was detected (6 trials: 378 patients; WMD: 0.15; 95%CI: −3.46 to 3.75; p = 0.936). Finally, the risk of alopecia (p = 0.008), infection (p = 0.045), leukocytosis (p = 0.002), and elevated ALT/AST (p = 0.011) in TAC group was significantly lower than CTX group, whereas TAC was associated with an increased risk of tremor than CTX (p = 0.010).ConclusionsThis study found IMN patients treated with TAC combined with steroids provides a better therapeutic effect and less adverse events than those treated with CTX combined with steroids, with moderate-certainty evidence.     

机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除术的预后风险因素

目的探讨机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除术(RARC)后的预后风险因素。方法回顾性分析南京鼓楼医院2014年12月至2018年12月收治的224例行RARC患者的临床和随访资料,男193例,女31例。平均年龄68(36~92)岁。7例(3.1%)接受新辅助化疗。125例(55.8%)美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)评分>2分。平均体质指数23.4(15.4~35.5)kg/m2。所有患者均行RARC。使用Kaplan-Meier法绘制无复发生存率(RFS)、癌症特异性生存率(CSS)和总生存率(OS)曲线。使用Cox比例风险回归模型评估RARC患者生存结局与围手术期和病理因素的相关性。结果本组224例手术,中位手术时间380(160~670)min。中位术中估计失血量为350(100~1900)ml,72例(32.1%)术中输血。术后T分期分别为≤T1期82例,T2期64例,T3期57例,T4期21例。淋巴结转移49例(21.9%),手术切缘阳性12例(5.4%),伴淋巴脉管侵犯(LVI)82例(36.6%)。术后辅助化疗41例(18.3%)。中位随访时间24(11~60)个月。5年累积OS、RFS和CSS分别为57.15%、48.84%和59.60%。单因素Cox回归分析结果显示T分期(HR=5.764,95%CI 1.926~17.249,P=0.002;HR=4.086,95%CI 1.611~10.364,P=0.003;HR=9.391,95%CI 2.118~41.637,P=0.003)、N分期(HR=6.446,95%CI 3.438~12.087,P<0.001;HR=5.661,95%CI 3.086~10.385,P<0.001;HR=5.980,95%CI 2.982~11.992,P<0.001)、LVI(HR=3.319,95%CI 2.008~5.486,P<0.001;HR=2.894,95%CI 1.782~4.701,P<0.001;HR=3.471,95%CI 2.017~5.974,P<0.001)、ASA评分(HR=2.888,95%CI 1.619~5.150,P<0.001;HR=1.765,95%CI 1.060~2.940,P=0.029;HR=2.612,95%CI 1.424~4.792,P=0.002)、体质指数(HR=0.886,95%CI 0.819~0.957,P=0.002;HR=0.885,95%CI 0.819~0.955,P=0.002;HR=0.862,95%CI 0.792~0.938,P=0.001)、年龄(HR=1.580,95%CI 1.250~1.997,P<0.001;HR=1.362,95%CI 1.088~1.705,P=0.007;HR=1.530,95%CI 1.190~1.968,P=0.001)和术中输血(HR=1.899,95%CI 1.160~3.108,P=0.011;HR=2.218,95%CI 1.371~3.587,P=0.001;HR=2.227,95%CI 1.312~3.782,P=0.003)是OS、RFS和CSS的显著预测因素。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,T分期(HR=4.506,95%CI 1.433~14.175,P=0.01;HR=3.159,95%CI 1.180~8.454,P=0.022;HR=7.810,95%CI 1.674~36.444,P=0.009),N分期(HR=6.096,95%CI 2.981~12.467,P<0.001;HR=5.368,95%CI 2.683~10.740,P<0.001;HR=5.539,95%CI 2.497~12.288,P<0.001)和ASA评分(HR=6.180,95%CI 2.371~16.110,P<0.001;HR=2.702,95%CI 1.175~6.215,P=0.019;HR=6.471,95%CI 2.290~18.286,P<0.001)分别是OS、RFS和CSS的独立预测因素,辅助化疗(HR=0.434,95%CI 0.202~0.930,P=0.032)是OS的独立预测因素。结论T分期、N分期和ASA评分是RARC术后患者OS、RFS和CSS的独立预测因素,辅助化疗是OS的独立预测因素。