OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of the Chinese herbal compound Weidiao No.3 Formula(WD-3)combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy on survival outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with lung-spleen qi dificiency type.METHODS A total of 216 patients with stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ NSCLC without driver gene mutations and with lung-spleen qi vacuity pattern and admitted to the oncology departments of Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Jiangnan Uni-versity Affiliated Hospital between January 1,2020,and March 1,2025,were enrolled.Based on whether they received WD-3 oral treatment(≥3 months),they were divided into a Chinese medicine exposure group(n=98;WD-3+immunotherapy combined with chemo-therapy)and a non-exposure group(n=118;immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy alone).Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance baseline characteristics.Overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and baseline characteristics were com-pared between the two groups.Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between exposure and outcome,and sensitivity analysis was performed.RESULTS After PSM,there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05).After matching,the median OS(32.92 months)and median PFS(9.07 months)in the Chinese medicine exposure group were longer than those in the non-exposure group(23.24 months and 7.89 months,respectively),with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis was conducted,incorporating age,PD-L1 expression,KPS score,pathological type,and other factors as covariates to assess the independent association between WD3 exposure and OS and PFS outcomes.The results indicated that WD3 exposure was statistically significant in reducing the risk of death(OS outcome)and disease progression(PFS outcome).Specifically,for the OS outcome,the HR was 0.626,with a 95%CI of 0.438 to 0.894,and P=0.01;for the PFS outcome,the HR was 0.721,with a 95%CI of 0.535 to 0.972,and P=0.032.Sensitivity analysis showed robust results(E-value>2.1).CONCLUSION WD-3 combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy may prolong OS and PFS and reduce mortality risk in patients with advanced NSCLC without driver gene mutations and with lung-spleen qi dificiency type,achieves adequate therapeutic effects.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of the Chinese herbal compound Weidiao No.3 Formula(WD-3)combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy on survival outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with lung-spleen qi dificiency type.METHODS A total of 216 patients with stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ NSCLC without driver gene mutations and with lung-spleen qi vacuity pattern and admitted to the oncology departments of Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Jiangnan Uni-versity Affiliated Hospital between January 1,2020,and March 1,2025,were enrolled.Based on whether they received WD-3 oral treatment(≥3 months),they were divided into a Chinese medicine exposure group(n=98;WD-3+immunotherapy combined with chemo-therapy)and a non-exposure group(n=118;immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy alone).Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance baseline characteristics.Overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and baseline characteristics were com-pared between the two groups.Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between exposure and outcome,and sensitivity analysis was performed.RESULTS After PSM,there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05).After matching,the median OS(32.92 months)and median PFS(9.07 months)in the Chinese medicine exposure group were longer than those in the non-exposure group(23.24 months and 7.89 months,respectively),with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis was conducted,incorporating age,PD-L1 expression,KPS score,pathological type,and other factors as covariates to assess the independent association between WD3 exposure and OS and PFS outcomes.The results indicated that WD3 exposure was statistically significant in reducing the risk of death(OS outcome)and disease progression(PFS outcome).Specifically,for the OS outcome,the HR was 0.626,with a 95%CI of 0.438 to 0.894,and P=0.01;for the PFS outcome,the HR was 0.721,with a 95%CI of 0.535 to 0.972,and P=0.032.Sensitivity analysis showed robust results(E-value>2.1).CONCLUSION WD-3 combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy may prolong OS and PFS and reduce mortality risk in patients with advanced NSCLC without driver gene mutations and with lung-spleen qi dificiency type,achieves adequate therapeutic effects.

IKBKG is the essential modulator for nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway, and mutations within this gene can lead to anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency (EDA-ID). Here we report a male patient, who presented with mild frontal bossing, sparse hair, skin pigmentation, conical teeth, and recurrent infections involving bacteria, fungi, and viruses after one month of age, together with hypogammaglobulinemia. These symptoms were consistent with the phenotype of EDA-ID. Genetic analysis revealed a hemizygous mutation c.1249T > G (p.Cys417Gly) in exon 10 of the IKBKG gene in the patient. The mother of the patient was identified as heterozygous carriers of the same mutation. Immunological assessment revealed a significant reduction in memory B cells. The patient showed no skewed TCR diversity. PHA-induced T-cell proliferation was impaired. IFN-γ secretion by Th cells was significantly reduced after PHA stimulation. IκBα degradation rate retained the same in the patient. We summarized the clinical features of the patient and conducted immunological analysis, in order to increase pediatricians′awareness of this rare disease. For boys with early-onset recurrent infections together with ectodermal dysplasia, IKBKG mutation should be considered. In addition, genetic analysis is needed to exclude pseudogene interference and functional evaluations are required.

Objective:To investigate the clinical, cytomorphology, immunocytochemical and molecular features of metastatic melanoma in serosal cavity effusion.Methods:Cytological specimens of 14 patients with melanoma in the chest and abdomen were collected from 2017 to 2023, at the Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. SOX10, S-100 protein, PRAME, BRAF V600E, HMB45, and Melan A were detected by immunocytochemical methods. Fourteen cases were tested for routine antibody combinations, including Claudin4, HEG1, Calretinin, CD68, etc. Four of the patients had biopsy or surgical samples of metastatic solid lesions of primary sites, and further next-generation sequencing (NGS) or amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR molecular test was performed. In addition, 30 cases of serosal effusion samples were collected as control groups (10 cases of benign mesothelial cell reactive hyperplasia, 10 cases of mesothelioma, and 10 cases of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma).Results:Among the 14 cases of melanoma, there were 7 males and 7 females, with ages ranging from 35 to 86 years, and an average age of 57 years, there 10 cases aged ≥50 years. The tumor cells in the serosal effusion varied in morphology and degree of atypia. SOX10 was positive in all 14 cases (14/14), S-100 protein was positive in 10 cases (10/14), PRAME was positive in 12 cases (12/14), BRAF V600E was positive in 10 cases (10/14), HMB45 was positive in 12 cases (12/14), and Melan A was positive in 13 cases (13/14). In 4 patients with histological correlation, the cytological and histological expression of SOX10, BRAF V600E, and PRAME was positive in all 4 cases (4/4); S-100 protein was positive in 2 cases (2/4); and HMB45 and Melan A were positive in 3 cases (3/4). Using NGS or ARMS-PCR, missense mutations of BRAF V600E were detected in all 4 patients; TERT promoter mutations was detected in 1 case; and CDKN2A terminating mutations and MSI1 deletion mutations were detected in the other case. SOX10, S-100, HMB45, Melan A, PRAME and BRAF V600E were all negative in 30 control samples of serosal cavity effusion.Conclusion:By observing the morphology of tumor cells, immunocytochemical test of several combination markers, especially the expression of SOX10, BRAF V600E and PRAME, can help to improve the positive diagnosis rate of melanoma in serous cavity effusion.

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing patients′ medical experience, to provide reference for medical institutions to improve patients′ medical experience.Methods:A stratified sampling method was employed nationwide to select 32 patients and 20 medical staff. From May to August 2023, semi-structured interviews were conducted with them regarding the factors influencing patients′ medical experience. The data from the interviews were analyzed using programmed grounded theory, which led to the identification of factors affecting patients′ medical experience.Results:After three-level coding, four main categories of demographic characteristics, self health characteristics, medical outcome experience, and medical process experience, two core categories of patient related influencing factors and hospital related influencing factors were obtained. Additionally were also obtained.Conclusions:The factors influencing patients′ medical experience are multifaceted and jointly dominated by multiple stakeholders. Medical institutions should adopt a variety of measures to continuously improve patients′ medical experience. When assessing patients′ medical experience, the impact of individual differences among patients on the assessment results should be fully considered.

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing patients′ medical experience, to provide reference for medical institutions to improve patients′ medical experience.Methods:A stratified sampling method was employed nationwide to select 32 patients and 20 medical staff. From May to August 2023, semi-structured interviews were conducted with them regarding the factors influencing patients′ medical experience. The data from the interviews were analyzed using programmed grounded theory, which led to the identification of factors affecting patients′ medical experience.Results:After three-level coding, four main categories of demographic characteristics, self health characteristics, medical outcome experience, and medical process experience, two core categories of patient related influencing factors and hospital related influencing factors were obtained. Additionally were also obtained.Conclusions:The factors influencing patients′ medical experience are multifaceted and jointly dominated by multiple stakeholders. Medical institutions should adopt a variety of measures to continuously improve patients′ medical experience. When assessing patients′ medical experience, the impact of individual differences among patients on the assessment results should be fully considered.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and medical nutritional therapy of 6 patients with late-onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency.Methods:The clinical features, biochemical data, gene variations and treatment outcomes of 6 children with late-onset OTC deficiency admitted to the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The 6 patients were all intervened by a long-term medical nutrition management.Results:Liver dysfunction and hyperammonemia (172.1-348.0 μmol/L) were found in all the 6 children with late-onset OTC deficiency.Serum citrulline decreased in 3 patients (3.95-5.43 μmol/L). Three patients showed increased urine orotic acid (123.48-342.60 mmol/mol Cr). Urine uracil increased in 4 patients (106.77-1 207.26 mmol/mol Cr). Variations of the OTC gene [c.364G>C p. (E122Q), c.1028C>G p. (T343R), c.664-2(IVS6)A>C, c.635G>T p. (G212V), c.929_c.931delAAG p. (E310del), c.829C>T p. (R277W)] were identified in all patients.The 6 children were all managed by individualized medical nutrition program and followed up for a long time.During the follow-up period, 3 cases developed hypoproteinemia, acute metabolic crisis and growth retardation, 3 cases had normal growth and laboratory indicators, and 1 case received liver transplantation after 3 months of nutritional management. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of OTC deficiency are non-specific.Blood amino acids, urine organic acids and genetic tests are important for the diagnosis.Long-term regular medical nutrition management is helpful to improve the prognosis and quality of life of children.

Atopic diseases used to be considered as complex polygenic diseases with the interaction of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility.In recent years, primary atopic diseases caused by single-gene mutations have been well concerned.This study aims to review the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of atopic diseases, thus strengthening the understanding.

Atopic dermatitis is a complex chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease.Atopic dermatitis in children is usually less severe than in adults, but it is with a high incidence and is susceptible to relapse.Therefore, the physical and mental health of children and their family maybe seriously affected.In the past, the treatments of atopic dermatitis have been limited to glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.It is unsafe for children because of their toxicities.With the in-depth understanding of pathogenesis, more and more new therapies that focus on intervening in the inflammatory pathway by targeting specific cytokines or their receptors have been found and applied.This article reviews the progress of treatment of the disease to provide new insights for the optimal treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Objective:To study the pathological changes of the spleen in patients with COVID-19 and to analyze the relationship between the weakened immune system and splenic lesions.Methods:Postmortem needle autopsies from the spleen were carried out on 10 patients who died from COVID-19 in Wuhan. Routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. The changes of lymphocytes were studied further with immunohistochemistry.RT-PCR was used to detect 2019-nCoV RNA in the spleen. In addition,the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected by in situ hybridization, and coronavirus particles were detected by transmission electron microscopy in 2 cases.Results:There were 7 males and 3 females, with an average age of 68.3 years.Of the 10 cases, 4 had cancer history and another 4 had other underlying diseases respectively.Cough, fever, malaise and dyspnea were the main clinical symptoms.The time from onset to death was 15-45 days.Ten cases patients had normal or slight increase in peripheral blood leukocyte count in the early stage of the disease, 6 cases had significant increase before death. Five patients′ peripheral blood lymphocyte count decreased in the early stage of the disease, and 10 patients′ peripheral blood lymphocyte count decreased significantly before the disease progressed or died. Seven cases were treated with corticosteroid (methylprednisolone ≤40?mg/d, not more than 5 days). Histopathological examination showed that the cell composition of the spleen decreased, white pulp atrophied at different levels, meanwhile lymphoid follicles decreased or absent;in addition, the ratio of red pulp to white pulp increased with varying degrees. In 7 cases, more neutrophil infiltration was found, and in 5 cases, scattered plasma cell infiltration was found. Macrophage proliferation and hemophagocytic phenomena in a few cells were found in a case. Meanwhile, necrosis and lymphocyte apoptosis were detected in 2 cases, small artery thrombosis and spleen infarction in 1 case, and fungal infection in 1 case. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the T and B lymphocyte components of the spleen in all cases decreased in varying degrees. CD20 + B cells were found to accumulate in the lymphoid sheath around the splenic artery in 8 cases. However, CD20 and CD21 immunostaining in 2 cases showed that the number of white pulp was almost normal, and splenic nodules were atrophic. CD3 +, CD4 + and CD8 +T cells were decreased. In 9 cases,CD68 + macrophages were no significant changes in the distribution and quantity. While more CD68 + cells were found in the medullary sinuses of 1 case (related to fungal infection). Few CD56 + cells were found. EBV was negative by in situ hybridization. RT-PCR was used to detect the nucleic acid of 2019-nCoV. One of 10 cases was positive, 39 years old,who was the youngest patient in this group, and the other 9 cases were negative. Coronavirus particles were found in the cytoplasm of macrophage under electron microscope in 2 cases. Conclusions:The death of COVID-19 occurs mainly in the elderly, and some cases have no underlying diseases. Spleen may be one of the organs directly attacked by the virus in some patients who died from COVID-19. T and B lymphocyte in the spleen decrease in varying degrees, lymphoid follicles are atrophied, decreased or absent, and the number of NK cells do not change significantly. And the pathological changes of the spleen are not related to the use of low dose corticosteroid, which may be related to the direct attack of virus and the attack of immune system on its own tissues.