OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of cefiderocol versus best available therapy （BAT） or standard-of- care （SOC） for the treatment of confirmed or suspected carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial （CRGNB） serious infections from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system， and to explore its reasonable pricing. METHODS A decision tree model was constructed based on data from two phase Ⅲ clinical trials （CREDIBLE-CR and GAME CHANGER） to simulate the cost- effectiveness of cefiderocol in two scenarios： salvage therapy for confirmed CRGNB infection （scenario 1） and empirical therapy for suspected CRGNB infection （scenario 2）. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） was set at 1 to 3 times China’s per capita GDP in 2024. To verify the robustness of the results， one- way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted， and based on these， a reasonable price range for cefiderocol in the Chinese market was explored. RESULTS The results for scenario 1 showed that the clinical cure rate in the cefiderocol group was higher than that in the BAT group （47.50% vs. 34.21%）， but its ICER was 415 065.03 yuan per cured case， exceeding three times China’s GDP per capita. Scenario 2 revealed that the ICER for cefiderocol relative to SOC was as high as 1 362 446.16 yuan per cured case， far exceeding the WTP. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the treatment duration and price of cefiderocol were key factors affecting its cost-effectiveness. In the two scenarios described above， the unit price of cefiderocol must fall below 683.47 and 242.00 yuan/g， respectively， to be considered cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current market price， cefiderocol lacks sufficient cost-effectiveness for treating confirmed or suspected CRGNB serious infections within China’s healthcare system. To improve its accessibility， price negotiations or a tiered medical insurance payment strategy are required.

Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, and Qwen are emerging as transformative technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. With their exceptional long-context reasoning capabilities, LLMs are proficient in clinically relevant tasks, particularly in medical text analysis and interactive dialogue. They can enhance diagnostic accuracy by processing vast amounts of patient data and medical literature and have demonstrated their utility in diagnosing common diseases and facilitating the identification of rare diseases by recognizing subtle patterns in symptoms and test results. Building on their image-recognition abilities, multimodal LLMs (MLLMs) show promising potential for diagnosis based on radiography, chest computed tomography (CT), electrocardiography (ECG), and common pathological images. These models can also assist in treatment planning by suggesting evidence-based interventions and improving clinical decision support systems through integrated analysis of patient records. Despite these promising developments, significant challenges persist regarding the use of LLMs in medicine, including concerns regarding algorithmic bias, the potential for hallucinations, and the need for rigorous clinical validation. Ethical considerations also underscore the importance of maintaining the function of supervision in clinical practice. This paper highlights the rapid advancements in research on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of LLMs across different medical disciplines and emphasizes the importance of policymaking, ethical supervision, and multidisciplinary collaboration in promoting more effective and safer clinical applications of LLMs. Future directions include the integration of proprietary clinical knowledge, the investigation of open-source and customized models, and the evaluation of real-time effects in clinical diagnosis and treatment practices.
Humans ; Large Language Models ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effects and potential mechanisms of Hirudo on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in mice. METHODS The male ApoE－/－ mice were randomly divided into the model group and Hirudo low- dose and high-dose groups （0.45， 0.9 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group； another 10 wild-type male C57BL/6J mice were chosen as the control group. The control group was fed with basal maintenance chow and the remaining groups were fed with high-fat chow for 12 weeks to establish the NAFLD model. Each administration group was given corresponding solution intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. In the 13th week， the body weight and liver weight of mice in each group were measured after the last medication， and the liver index was calculated； the serum levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF- α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were detected； the liver pathomorphological changes were observed； the protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ（PPARγ） and silence information regulator type 1 （SIRT1） were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the liver tissue of mice in the model group showed more fat vacuoles and infiltration of inflammatory cells， with significant lipid accumulation； the body weight， liver weight and liver index of the mice， and serum levels of NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， TC， TG and LDL-C significantly increased， while the serum level of HDL-C， the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1 in liver tissues significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes in liver tissue of mice were all relieved in Hirudo low-dose and high-dose groups； the body weight， liver weight and liver index， the serum levels of NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， TC， TG and LDL-C decreased significantly， while the serum level of HDL-C， the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1 in liver tissue all increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Hirudo can regulate liver lipid metabolism and inhibit inflammation by activating the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1， thus having a significant ameliorative effect on NAFLD.

Objective:To analyze the bubble dynamic characteristics of shock wave enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming(SWEEPS)technique in free water region under different temporay delays.Methods:The Er∶YAG laser tip was activated in free water model with SWEEPS mode at 150-600 μs pulse delay.The bubble dynamic process during irrigation was recorded by a high-speed camera(200 000 Hz).Matlab was used to analyze the interaction between bubble made by the dual pulses frame by frame.The distance between bubble remnants and laser tip was measured before the bubble disappeared.The experimental data were statisti-cally analyzed by SPSS 19.0.Results:In free water region,different temporal delays caused different interaction between the bub-bles activated by the SWEEPS technique with a dual pulse modality.The interactions include bubble fusion,bubble collision and bubble separation.When the temporal delay between 360-440 μs,bubble collision was the most violent,and the farthest distance between bubble remnants and laser tip was reached.Conclusion:In free water region,the dual pulse of SWEEPS technique can lead to bubble interaction which may enhance the cavitation effect of Er∶YAG laser irrigation,and improve the debridement in clinic ap-plication.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features of prostate cancers with BRCA2 pathogenic mutations, and the association between BRCA2 pathogenic mutation and clinicopathological characteristics. Patient survivals were also examined.Methods:Clinicopathological data of 249 prostate cancer patients who underwent genetic testing in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China from June 2014 to August 2021 were collected. A retrospective analysis of histopathological morphology, clinicopathological characteristics, and patient survivals was conducted.Results:The genetic testing in the 249 prostate cancer patients showed a pathogenic mutation of DNA damage repair gene (DRG) in 73 cases (73/249, 29.3%), including 22 cases (8.8%) with BRCA2 pathogenic mutation and 51 cases with pathogenic mutations of other DRG. Among the 22 patients with BRCA2 pathogenic mutation, 14 patients (5.6%) harbored germline mutations and 8 patients (3.2%) somatic mutations. Their ages ranged from 48 to 91 years, with a median of 67 years. Seventeen patients (77.3%) had distant metastasis, including 16 cases with bone metastasis and 1 case with multiple metastases. Thirteen patients (59.1%) were castration-resistant prostate cancer. The histological type was mainly classical prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma, including 16 cases (72.7%) with intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P). Six cases (27.3%) showed focal neuroendocrine differentiation. Perineural/vascular invasion and extraprostatic extension were seen in 11 cases (50.0%) and 8 cases (36.4%), respectively. The Gleason scores of 19 patients (86.4%) were≥8. IDC-P was more commonly found in patients with BRCA2 germline pathogenic mutation than those with BRCA2 somatic pathogenic mutation, other DRG pathogenic mutation or no-DRG pathogenic mutation ( P=0.002). With a total follow-up time of 189 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 132.3 months. Patients with DRG pathogenic mutation had shorter OS than those with no-DRG pathogenic mutation ( P=0.040). The OS of patients with BRCA2 germline pathogenic mutation did not significantly differ from that of patients with BRCA2 somatic pathogenic mutation, other DRG pathogenic mutation or no-DRG pathogenic mutation ( P=0.216). Conclusions:The presence of BRCA2 gene pathogenic mutation is common in the prostate cancers with high Gleason grade, advanced clinical stage, and castration resistance. IDC-P is more commonly noted in cases with BRCA2 germline pathogenic mutation than those without. Patients with DRG pathogenic mutation have shorter OS than those with no-DRG pathogenic mutation, but there is no significant association between BRCA2 pathogenic mutations and OS.

Objective:Rejection remains the most important factor limiting the survival of transplanted kidneys.Although a pathological biopsy of the transplanted kidney is the gold standard for diagnosing rejection,its limitations prevent it from being used as a routine monitoring method.Recently,peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulation testing has become an important means of assessing the body's immune system,however,its application value and strategy in the field of kidney transplantation need further exploration.Additionally,the development and utilization of routine test parameters are also important methods for exploring diagnostic strategies and predictive models for kidney transplant diseases.This study aims to explore the correlation between peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and T cell-mediated rejection(TCMR)and antibody-mediated rejection(ABMR),as well as their diagnostic value,in conjunction with routine blood tests. Methods:A total of 154 kidney transplant recipients,who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were treated at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January to December,2021,were selected as the study subjects.They were assigned into a stable group,a TCMR group,and an ABMR group,based on the occurrence and type of rejection.The basic and clinical data of these recipients were retrospectively analyzed and compared among the 3 groups.The transplant kidney function,routine blood tests,and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulation data of the TCMR group and the ABMR group before rejection treatment were compared with those of the stable group. Results:The stable,TCMR group,and ABMR group showed no statistically significant differences in immunosuppressive maintenance regimens or sources of transplanted kidneys(all P>0.05).However,the post-transplant duration was significantly longer in the ABMR group compared with the stable group(P<0.001)and the TCMR group(P<0.05).Regarding kidney function,serum creatinine levels in the ABMR group were higher than in the stable group and the TCMR group(both P<0.01),with the TCMR group also showing higher levels than the stable group(P<0.01).Both TCMR and ABMR groups had significantly higher blood urea nitrogen levels than the stable group(P<0.01),with no statistically significant difference between TCMR and ABMR groups(P>0.05).The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was lower in both TCMR and ABMR groups compared with the stable group(both P<0.01).In routine blood tests,the ABMR group had lower hemoglobin,red blood cell count,and platelet count than the stable group(all P<0.05).The TCMR group had higher neutrophil percentage(P<0.05)and count(P<0.05)than the stable group,and the ABMR group had a higher neutrophil percentage than the stable group(P<0.05).The eosinophil percentage and count in the TCMR group were lower than in the stable and ABMR groups(all P<0.05).Both TCMR and ABMR groups had lower basophil percentage and count,as well as lower lymphocyte percentage and count,compared with the stable group(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in monocyte percentage and count among the 3 groups(all P>0.05).In lymphocyte subpopulations,the TCMR and ABMR groups had lower counts of CD45+cells and T cells compared with the stable group(all P<0.05).The TCMR group also had lower counts of CD4+T cells,NK cells,and B cells than the stable group(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the T cell percentage,CD4+T cell percentage,CD8+T cell percentage and their counts,CD4+/CD8+T cell ratio,NK cell percentage,and B cell percentage among the stable,TCMR,and ABMR groups(all P>0.05). Conclusion:The occurrence of rejection leads to impaired transplant kidney function,accompanied by characteristic changes in some parameters of routine blood tests and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in kidney transplant recipients.The different characteristics of changes in some parameters of routine blood tests and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations during TCMR and ABMR may help predict and diagnose rejection and differentiate between TCMR and ABMR.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

The acupoint sensitization theory,a breakthrough in acupuncture and moxibustion over the past two decades,has greatly enhanced the understanding of meridians and acupoints while increasing the effectiveness of clinical diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture and moxibustion practices.The number of studies on surface sensitization site detection for different diseases is increasing.However,systematic sorting and a summary of the detection mode of surface sensitization points are lacking.Therefore,this study categorizes the method of surface sensitization point detection into two modes:pan-scanning and focused scanning.The classification is based on the characteristics of the openness of the research purpose,the precision of the target range,and the degree of variation during detection.The two modes have considerable differences in the exploration efficiency and the presentation of result.The pan-scanning mode can be further subdivided into holistic and localized pan-scanning modes,whereas the focused-scanning mode can be subdivided into fixed-and variable-focused scanning modes.This study analyzes the application scenarios,characteristics,advantages,and limitations of each detection mode and presents opinions on mode selection,mode innovation,and future development directions.This study aims to provide valuable insights and guidance for the follow-up research on surface sensitization site detection of various diseases.

Objective To observe the effect of quercetin on mechanical allodynia,astrocyte activation,and upregulation of pain-related transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)and P2X purinoceptor 3(P2X3)in mice with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into control,model,and model+quercetin groups(n=8 mice per group).Paclitaxel(total dose 8 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally into mice in the model and model+quercetin groups to establish the model.Mice in the control group were injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of vehicle.On day 8 after the first injection,mice in the model+quercetin group were injected with 60 mg/kg quercetin solution orally and mice in the other groups were injected with the same volume of vehicle.Mechanical pain was measured by the von Frey test.Activation of astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn was detected by immunofluorescence.Expression levels of TRPV1 and P2X3 in dorsal root ganglia were detected by immunofluorescence and Western Blot.Results(1)Compared with model group,the mechanical pain of mice in model+quercetin group were relieved.(2)Compared with model group,the activation of astrocytes and the expressions of TRPV1 and P2X3 in mice of model+quercetin group were alleviated(P＜0.05).Conclusions Quercetin can significantly reduce mechanical pain in mice with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.This mechanism maybe related to alleviating the activation of astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn and reducing expression of TRPV1 and P2X3 in the dorsal root ganglia.