OBJECTIVE To provide direction and reference for the adjustment of the discount rate （DR） in China’s pharmacoeconomic guidelines. METHODS Search was conducted on the official websites of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research， health technology assessment agencies in various countries/regions， as well as relevant websites of other upper-middle-income or high-income countries/regions. The recommended DR， adjustment trends， and setting rationales in pharmacoeconomic evaluation guidelines across different countries/regions were then summarized and compared. Based on theoretical derivation and literature analysis， the effects of different DR on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） were examined. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Among the 40 included guidelines， the base-case DR ranged from 1.5% to 5%， with 5% being the most common value； the range for sensitivity analysis was 0 to 12%. Thirty-six countries/regions applied the same DR to both costs and health outcomes， while in the Netherlands， Belgium， Poland and Czech Republic， DR for costs was higher than for health outcomes. In recent years， Korea， France and Ireland had lowered their DR in response to economic changes， whereas the Netherlands and Czech Republic had raised their DR for cost. The setting of the DR was primarily based on the public project investment interest rate or referred to recommendations from internationally authoritative institutions and other relevant guidelines. The direction and magnitude of the impact of different DR on the ICER largely depended on the distribution of costs and health outcomes between the intervention and reference measure. The setting and adjustment of DR were closely associated with the economic environment. Based on international experience, the DR in China can be lowered by 0.5% to 1.5%， and localized empirical research can be conducted using internationally common estimation methods.

Hemodialysis access is a lifeline for patients with terminal stage renal disease.Many patients with terminal stage renal disease rely on this access for receiving regular hemodialysis to stay alive.Therefore,it is essential to ensure long-term patency of the access.However,the patency of access can be affected by a lot of factors,such as stent implantation,prolonged irritation from electronic devices,and venous hypertension,all of which can cause reactive endothelial hyperplasia with consequent stenosis or occlusion of the access.Nowadays,the conventional methods to maintain the patency of hemodialysis access include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA)and percutaneous transluminal stenting(PTS).However,in some patients the tissue of the obstructed site has already been completely organized or has become calcified and hardened.In this case,the recanalization of the obstructed site is difficult to be accomplished by the conventional method,and sharp puncturing is required to achieve effective recanalization of the obstructed site.This paper aims make a comprehensive review concerning the surgical recanalization methods used for central venous occlusive diseases in hemodialysis patients so as to provide useful reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To develop couples′ communication quality scale for gynecological cancer patients and test its reliability and validity in accordance with Chinese cultural background.Methods:The scale was initially formed by literature review and Delphi expert consultation. From May to November in 2021, the scale was initially formed by literature review and Delphi expert consultation. A cross-sectional survey of 360 gynecologic cancer patients in Qilu Hospital, Shandong University was conducted from May to August 2021 using a convenience sampling method, and after pretesting, item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to screen the scale items. After the formal scale was formed, 385 gynecological cancer patients from Qilu Hospital, Shandong University were conveniently selected for formal testing from September to November 2021, and the reliability and validity of the scale was tested.Results:The formal couples′ communication quality scale for gynecological cancer patients was composed of 34 items from 5 dimensions of "self-disclosure", "perceived response", "stress coping", "normal creation" and "constructive action", with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 68.181%. The Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.949, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.766, the retest reliability coefficient was 0.898, and the criterion validity coefficient was 0.696. The model′s χ2/ df was 1.778, root mean square error of approximation was 0.047, comparative fit index was 0.956, incremental fix index was 0.956, Tucker-Lewis index was 0.952, normal of fit index was 0.905. Conclusions:The scale can be used to evaluate the quality of couples′ communication among gynecological cancer patients in Chinese context with good reliability and validity.

Objective:To identify the genetic variation in a mucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ(MPS Ⅱ)family, and conduct a functional study of iduronate-2-sulfatase(IDS): c.323A>C.Methods:A five-generation MPS Ⅱ family of 83 individuals including 4 patients from northern China was collected. Urine mucopolysaccharide and Alder-Reilly body were tested to assist the clinical diagnosis of MPS Ⅱ. IDS enzyme activity was detected on core family members. By the whole exome sequencing of a MPS Ⅱ patient in this family and bioinformatics analysis, the variant was screened and further identified by PCR-Sanger sequencing. Finally, to validate the function of the variant in vitro, the wild-type IDS overexpression plasmid(pCMV-hIDS-WT)and the IDS overexpression plasmid carrying the mutation site(pCMV-hIDS-c.323A>C)were transfected into COS-7 cells and the IDS activity was detected. Results:The proband(Ⅳ3)and Ⅳ4 were diagnosed as MPS Ⅱ by urine mucopolysaccharide, Alder-Reilly body, and IDS enzyme activity tests. Ⅳ3, Ⅳ4, Ⅲ19, and Ⅲ32 were determined to carry IDS: c.323A>C missense variant through the whole-exome sequencing, and diagnosed as MPS Ⅱ. Meanwhile, Ⅱ2, Ⅱ4, Ⅱ8, Ⅱ12, Ⅱ14, Ⅲ5, Ⅲ7, Ⅳ14 in the MPS Ⅱ family carried IDS: c.323A>C missense variant, and were excluded as MPS Ⅱ. The in vitro experiment in COS-7 cells showed that the missense mutation led to a significant decrease in IDS enzyme activity. Conclusion:The variant IDS: c.323A>C: p.Y108S significantly decreases the activity of IDS enzyme in vivo and in vitro, and it is identified as a pathogenic variant for MPS Ⅱ.

Sporotrichosis has been classified as "neglected tropical diseases" by the World Health Organization. In recent years, researches on sporotrichosis have gradually increased. This review summarizes recent progress in sporotrichosis in terms of pathogens, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and vaccines.

Objective:To analyze the effect and mechanism of gadolinium chloride on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.Methods:Thirty six eight weeks special pathogen free SD rats, were included in the project. The body weight ranged from 200 to 250 g. Thirty six rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and gadolinium chloride group with 12 rats/group. Model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was generated in the rats of model group; In the gadolinium chloride group, preoperative intraperitoneal injection of gadolinium chloride was performed before the model of HIRI was established; In the sham operation group, only the abdomen was opened and closed and the hilum was dissected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected in the three groups. The relative expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) mRNA were detected by Q-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the expression of markers involved in the Toll like receptor 2/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of Fas and Fas ligands in hilar bile duct epithelial cells.Results:ALT and AST were (55±8) U/L, (92±22) U/L in sham operation group, lower than those in model group (1 247±62) U/L, (1 117±60) U/L, respectively, and ALT and AST in gadolinium chloride group were (622±50) U/L and (552±41) U/L, lower than those in model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6 mRNA in the model group was significantly higher (all P<0.05), but the expression of those markers were higher than gadolinium chloride group (all P<0.05). Gadolinium chloride down-regulated the expression of Toll like receptor 2/MyD88 signaling pathway in rat with liver ischemia-reperfusion. The percentage of Fas protein positive cells in model group was (40.2±3.8)%, and the percentage of Fas ligand positive cells was (36.9±2.9)%, which was higher than those in gadolinium chloride group (29.7±2.3)% and (23.6±2.1)% with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Gadolinium chloride can reduce the injury of liver function and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors in liver tissue of SD rats with hepatic ischemia-reperfusion, which may play a protective role by down regulating the expression of relative protein in Toll like receptor 2/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Objective:To compare and observe the changes in choroidal thickness between healthy pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women.Methods:A prospective clinical study. From January 2019 to August 2019, healthy pregnant women (pregnant women group) and healthy non-pregnant women age-matched were enrolled during the same period (the normal group) in the obstetrics of Zhuji People's Hospital. All patients were enrolled with their right eyes. Frequency-domain OCT-enhanced depth imaging technology was used to measure the subfoveal macular and 1000 μm above, below, nasal, and temporal choroidal thickness and foveal retinal thickness (CMT). The choroidal thickness and CMT of the pregnant women group and the normal group were compared by t test, and the choroidal thickness and CMT of the normal group and the eyes of different gestational weeks were compared by one-way analysis of variance. Results:The pregnant women group and the normal group included 161 patients (161 eyes) and 40 patients (40 eyes). According to the different gestational weeks, the pregnant women were divided into the first trimester group, the second trimester group, and the third trimester group, with 47 patients (47 eyes), 66 patients (66 eyes), and 48 patients (48 eyes) respectively. There was no significant difference in age, axial length, intraocular pressure, and CMT between the different gestational week groups and the normal group ( F=1.433, 1.558, 0.416, 2.288; P>0.05). The subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) of the pregnant women group and normal group were 317.7±73.9 μm and 279.7±44.1 μm, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.113, P=0.002). Compared with the normal group, the choroid at the upper, lower, nasal, and temporal sides of the pregnant group 1000 μm from the fovea was thickened. The difference between the upper, nasal and temporal sides was statistically significant ( t=2.699, 3.474, 2.595; P<0.05). The SFCT of the eyes in the first trimester group, the middle group, and the late group were 305.8±72.3, 327.7±69.8, 315.8±80.5 μm, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the difference was statistically significant ( F=4.180, P=0.007). Pairwise comparison between the two groups, the second trimester group was significantly different from the normal group ( P=0.003). There was no significant difference among the first trimester group、the third trimester group and the other groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The choroidal thickness of pregnant women is thicker than normal, and the choroidal thickness in the second trimester reaches the maximum value; while the macular CMT during pregnancy has no significant change.

Objective:To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) in Chinese cancer Survivors.Methods:We translated the scale following the procedure of translation, integration and back translation. After modifying the scale and adapting it in Chinese culture, the reliability and validity of the QLACS scale was tested in a large sample of 222 cancer survivors.Results:The Chinese version of QLACS had 47 items with a total of twelve domains. Principal component analysis resulted in an 8-factor structure of the explaining 74.393% of the seven generic domains′ variance, and an 5-factor structure of the explaining 71.937% of the five cancer-specific domains′ variance. The item level content validity index (I-CVI) was 0.89-1.00, and the total content average content validity index (S-CVI/) was 0.93. The Cronbach′s α coefficient for the total QLACS score was 0.935, and 0.933 for generic domains, and 0.865 for cancer-specific domains.Conclusions:The Chinese version of QLACS appears to possess adequate validity, reliability and internal consistency. The newly translated Chinese version of QLACS may be used to assess the quality of cancer survivors in China.

Objective To evaluate the closed-cell stents in the treatment of carotid pseudo-occlusion.Methods From Jan 2014 to Dec 2017,clinical data of 34 patients undergoing carotid artery recanalization with closed-cell stents for pseudo-occlusion were analyzed retrospectively.Results The technical success rate was 97.1％ (33/34) and the intracranial blood supply improved in 91.2％ patients (31/34).The 30-day perioperative ipsilateral symptomatic ischemic stroke rate was 2.9％ (1/34).All the patients were discharged with no peri-operative hyperperfusion syndrome,myocardial infarction.The average follow-up time was 15.2 ±7.6 months.The incidence of carotid artery restenosis was 17.6％.There was no stroke-related mortality.Ultrasound or CTA found luminal dilatation of the distal internal carotid artery.The diameter increased from (2.5 ±0.5) mm to (4.1 ±0.6) mm after intervention (P ＜0.001).Conclusion Closed-cell stents for carotid artery pseudo-occlusion is safe and effective,decreasing cerebral stroke and carotid occlusion.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment for internal carotid artery atheromatous pseudo-occlusion (APO).Methods Clinical data of patients with carotid artery stenosis treated by carotid endarterectomy from Dec.,2011 to Jun.,2016 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University were analyzed retrospectively.Carotid endarterectomy were performed in 32 patients with pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery (APO group).And 124 patients with traditional severe stenosis (70％-99％) served as control group.Perioperative major and minor complications,recurrence rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke,restenosisrate and mortality in follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results Perioperative major complications:one patient (3.1 ％) developed myocardial infarction in the APO group,no ischemic stroke,cerebral hemorrhage and death cases;2 (1.4％) ischemic stroke cases,6 (4.2％) myocardial infarction cases and 1 (0.7％)death case was found in control group.Perioperative minor complications:1 (3.1％) incision bleeding case,2 (6.3％) pulmonary infection cases,2 (6.3％) cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome cases were found in APO group;3 (2.1％) incision bleeding cases,2 (1.4％) incision infection cases,4 (2.8％)pulmonary infection cases,2 (1.4％) cranial nerve injury cases,2 (1.4％) cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome cases were found in control group.Patients were followed up for 6-60 months,with mean follow-up period of (35.3 ± 17.5) months.During follow-up,1 (3.1％) ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence case,4 (12.5％) restenosis cases,and 3 (9.4％) death cases were found in the APO group.And 8 (5.6％) ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence cases,9 (6.3％) restenosis cases,8 (5.6％)death cases were found in control group.There were no significant differences in perioperative major and minor complications,recurrence rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke,restenosis rate and mortality between the two groups.Conclusions Surgical treatment for atheromatous pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery is safe and effective.Perioperative and follow-up results are satisfactory.