POEMS syndrome is a rare condition associated with plasma cell disorders， and it often involves multiple systems and has diverse clinical manifestations. This article reports two cases of POEMS syndrome with hepatosplenomegaly as the initial manifestation. During the course of the disease， the patients presented with lower limb weakness， hepatosplenomegaly， lymph node enlargement， ascites， hypothyroidism， positive M protein， and skin hyperpigmentation， and ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT imaging revealed bone lesions mainly characterized by osteolytic changes and plasma cell tumors. There was an increase in the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor. The patients were finally diagnosed with POEMS syndrome， and the symptoms were relieved after immunomodulatory treatment.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the motor function of Parkinson disease(PD)model mice and to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on PD from the perspective of cellular senescence.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)group,an acupuncture(ACU)group,and a rasagiline(RAS)group,with 6 mice in each group.Except for the mice in the NC group,all mice were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP[30 mg/(kg·bw)]to establish a PD mouse model.After the models were successfully established,mice in the ACU group received acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and bilateral Yanglingquan(GB34)for 15 min,once a day for 14 consecutive days.Mice in the RAS group were treated with gavage of rasagiline mesylate[0.5 mg/(kg·bw)],once daily for 14 d.Mouse balance and motor functions were detected using the mouse fatigue rotating rod apparatus.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons and the protein expression levels of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1(SATB1),p21,and p53 in the substantia nigra(SN)region of the mouse brain in each group.The glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity of mouse brain SN tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)in the SN tissue of mice in each group were detected by Western blotting.The relative expression of SATB1,p21,and p53 mRNA in the SN of each group was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:Compared to the NC group,the overall rod performance(ORP)score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity in the SN region were significantly lower in the mice in the MPTP group(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the ORP score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity were significantly increased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly decreased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA in the SN of mice in the MPTP group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared to mice in the MPTP group,mice in the ACU group and the RAS group showed significant increases in the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can improve motor function and increase the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN of PD model mice.Its neuroprotective effect may relate to the regulation of the SATB1/p21 signaling pathway and the inhibition of cellular senescence-related biomarker expression in the SN.

Objective To evaluate the frailty status and risk factors among hospitalized elderly patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and to provide a reference for improving and delaying their frailty.Methods From March to August 2024,using convenience sampling,patients aged over 75 years who underwent PCI in a tertiary cardiovascular disease specialist hospital in Beijing were selected as the survey participants.Patient-related informations were collected through a self-designed general information questionnaire.The Fried Phenotype Frailty Scale,the Katz Activities of Daily Living,Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(IADL)scale,the Charlson Comorbidity Index,the Morse Fall Scale,the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form(MNA-SF),and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS-15)were evaluated postoperatively until discharge.Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with frailty among patients after PCI.Results A total of 278 patients were included.The incidence of frailty after PCI was 52.16％.Based on Fried Phenotype scores,patients were divided into a non-frail group and a frail group.Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age,gender,hemoglobin,NT-ProBNP,LVEF,IADL scores,living alone status,nutrition status,falls risk,and depression level(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age,Lawton IADL scores,falls risk,nutrition status,depression level were factors influencing frailty,with odds ratios of 1.167,0.575,1.597,0.399,and 3.610,respectively(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of frailty is high among patients aged over 75 years after PCI,and there are multiple risk factors affecting their frailty status.Clinical healthcare providers should prioritize long-term management of these patients and implement comprehensive interventions with the consideration of their physiological,psychological,and social conditions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of uridine diphosphate ceramide galactosyltransferase 8(UGT8)on colorectal cancer(CRC)cell growth and migration,elucidate an underlying mechanism,and assess the potential regulatory role of SRY-box transcription factor 9(SOX9)on UGT8.Methods:UGT8 and SOX9 mRNA expression levels in CRC tissues,and correlation between their expression levels,were analyzed using GEPIA2,UALCAN,and TIMER 2.0 online databases.UGT8 and SOX9 protein expression in CRC and adjacent tissues was detec-ted using immunohistochemistry,and relationships between their expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.Impact of UGT8 knockdown on CRC cell proliferation was assessed using a CCK-8 assay,and cell migration was evaluated using Transwell and wound healing assays.Western blot was performed to detect expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers(E-cadherin and ZEB1).RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure UGT8 mRNA and protein expression levels after SOX9 knockdown.The JASPAR online database was used to assess SOX9 potential for binding to the UGT8 promoter.Results:Bioinformatics analyses revealed significantly higher mRNA expression levels of both UGT8 and SOX9 in CRC tissues than in normal tissues.Positive correlation was observed between expres-sion levels.Immunohistochemistry results showed that tumor UGT8 and SOX9 protein levels were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues.UGT8 protein level was found to correlates with N stage,and SOX9 protein level correlated with T stage.A positive correlation was observed between UGT8 and SOX9 expression levels.Following UGT8 knockdown,cell proliferation capacity was attenuated and cell migra-tion ability was reduced.E-cadherin expression concurrently increased and ZEB1 expression decreased.RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that SOX9 knockdown significantly reduced UGT8 mRNA and protein levels.The JASPER website predicts that SOX9 will bind to the UGT8 promoter.Conclusions:UGT8 and SOX9 are highly expressed in CRC tissues,and their expression levels correlate with clinicopatholo-gical features.UGT8 and SOX9 expression levels display significant positive correlation.Mechanistically,UGT8 promotes CRC cell prolifera-tion and migration by facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).SOX9 enhances UGT8 mRNA and protein expression and may bind to the UGT8 promoter region.

Objective To screen specific antibodies to Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)in serum,and establish antibody panels and discrimination models for different infection status,which are non-invasive and suitable for gastric cancer screening in Chinese population.Methods A total of 300 subjects with different H.pylori statuses were enrolled depending on an endoscopy screening cohort in a high-risk area of gastric cancer,including current,past,and negative infections.The recomLine Helicobacter IgG 2.0 immunoblotting assay was used to analyze and screen 10 H.pylori specific antibodies in serum samples.Results A total of nine antibody reactivity against CagA,VacA,GroEL,FliD,HpaA,gGT,HtrA,NapA,and CtkA showed significant differences among different H.pylori infection status groups(all P＜0.05).A panel comprising the nine antibodies distinguished exposure subjects to H.pylori(current and past infections)from negatives,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.935(95%CI:0.907-0.963).The combination of four antibodies(CagA,GroEL,FliD,and gGT)may help to discriminate current and past infection subjects,with an AUC of 0.927(95%CI:0.891-0.964).Conclusion The antibody panels and discriminant models for H.pylori infection status established in the present study may provide a potential and non-invasive screening method for the development of precise gastric cancer prevention strategies.

Objective To construct a nursing registry platform for percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)to provide data support for subsequent real-world research on PCI nursing.Methods From April to December 2023,we established a variable list and data dictionary based on literature review and expert discussion,and constructed a web-based PCI nursing registry platform based on registry-related standards.Results A total of 191 variables were screened in this study,and a corresponding data dictionary was developed for each variable according to the variable name,variable code,variable definition,variable type,variable value range,data source and data collection node.Three levels of account privileges has been set up in the platform,which can realize different data management privileges,and the data can be saved only after filling in and reviewing at each level.The platform is also equipped with automatic data checking function,which reduces data filling errors and improves data quality.Conclusion The constructed PCI nursing registration platform has strong scientific and professional characteristics,and can provide data support for subsequent research,and the content and functions of the platform can be further optimized in the future.

Objective:To compare the effects of standard cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia(CBT-I Plus) in patients with chronic insomnia disorder comorbid anxiety or depressive symptoms.Methods:This prospective study included 148 patients with chronic insomnia disorder and anxiety/depression symptoms who were treated at the Sleep Disorder clinic of Shanghai Mental Health Center between July 2020 and August 2023. Participants (56 males, 92 females; aged 18-65 years, mean age 35.08±10.30 years) were randomly assigned in a 1∶2 ratio to the CBT-I group ( n=54) or CBT-I Plus group ( n=94). The CBT-I Plus group received additional treatments targeting anxiety and depressive symptoms. Treatment lasted 8 weeks, with assessment conducted at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 8. Depression severity was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17), anxiety severity with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate within-group changes, repeated-measures ANOVA compared treatment effects between groups, and ANCOVA was employed to adjust for confounding variables. Results:Significant reductions in PSQI, HAMD 17, and HAMA scores were observed in both groups after treatment: CBT-I group: PSQI ((14.15±2.54) vs. (7.50±3.35), t=13.25), HAMD 17 ((14.70±4.09) vs. (7.40±4.61), t=9.33), and HAMA ((14.94±4.11) vs. (5.56±3.67), t=12.38) (all P<0.001).CBT-I Plus group: PSQI ((14.87±3.01) vs. (7.19±3.86), t=18.75), HAMD 17 ((16.84±3.91) vs. (6.84±4.79), t=17.42), and HAMA ((15.57±3.93) vs. (6.10±4.57), t=18.39) (all P<0.001). After adjusting for HAMD 17 scores and medication use, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in changes in PSQI, HAMD 17, and HAMA scores ( P>0.05). A significant time-by-group interaction was found for the PSQI daytime dysfunction subscale ( F=4.87, P<0.01). Conclusion:Both CBT-I and CBT-I Plus improve sleep and emotional symptoms in patients with chronic insomnia disorder and comorbid anxiety/depression symptoms. However, CBT-I Plus has no significant advantages over standard CBT-I. Further studies are needed to refine the timing and content of interventions.

BACKGROUND: The choice of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) vs . total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remains controversial. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the clinical results of UKA and TKA for treating unicompartmental KOA. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for articles published up to January 2, 2023. The literature was rigorously screened to include only RCTs comparing UKA and TKA for unicompartmental KOA. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to calculate the mean difference (MD), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) according to the Cochrane standards. RESULTS: Thirteen publications involving 683 UKAs and 683 TKAs were analyzed. Except for one study with a follow-up period of 15 years, all outcome measures reported were within 5 years of follow-up. Meta-analysis showed better knee recovery (MD: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.01-1.45; P  <0.001), greater knee function (MD: 1.78; 95% CI: 0.34-3.22; P  = 0.020), less pain (MD: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.43-1.06; P  <0.001), and better health status (MD: 3.75; 95% CI: 0.81-6.69; P  = 0.010) after UKA than TKA. However, considering the minimal clinically important difference values for these variables, the findings were not clinically relevant. Moreover, UKA patients had fewer complications (RR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45-0.78; P  <0.001) and shorter hospital stays (MD: -0.89; 95% CI: -1.57 to -0.22; P  = 0.009) than did TKA patients. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative range of movement, revision, failure, operation time, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS In terms of clinical efficacy, there was no obvious advantage of UKA over TKA in the surgical treatment of knee OA when considering the minimal clinically important difference. The main advantage of UKA over TKA is that it leads to fewer complications and a shorter length of hospital stay. It is ideal to perform prospective studies with longer follow-up periods to fully evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the two procedures in the future.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

The master protocol design encompasses a comprehensive clinical trial protocol containing multiple sub-protocols, which can be used to evaluate the clinical intervention effects of various drugs or vaccines on various diseases. Particularly, this design strategy represents an efficient and innovative approach to trial design in the context of precision medicine. The master protocol design can be used for emerging infectious diseases and urgent vaccine development in complex situations. This review aims to outline the types and concepts of master protocol design, analyze the key points and details, and discuss its application scenarios in vaccine clinical evaluations. Additionally, it will explore potential challenges that may arise during implementation to provide references for optimizing emergency clinical trial designs of infectious disease vaccines in China.