The immunoregulatory effect of thalidomide on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) was investigated.The resuhs showed that thalidomide (50 μg/ml)inhibited the proliferation of PBMC significantly.Thalidomide inhibitied tumor necrosis factor-α,IFN-γ,and interleukin-6 secretion,as well as mRNA expressions.

[Summary] The efficacy of the combining therapy of methylprednisolone and methotrexate on the Graves ophthalmopathy ( GO) was observed. Whether selenium supplement is beneficial based on this combining therapy scheme was evaluated. The results showed that the combining therapy of methylprednisolone and methotrexate was effective for the patients with moderate-to-severe GO. Selenium supplement did not further improve the remission of GO.

Alzheimer' s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that gradually impairs cognitive functions. Recently, there has been a conceptual shift toward AD to view the disease as a continuum. Since AD is currently incurable, effective intervention to delay or prevent pathological cognitive decline may best target the early stages of symptomatic disease, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCD), in which cognitive function remains relatively intact. Diagnostic methods for identifying AD, such as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and positron emission tomography, are invasive and expensive. Therefore, it is imperative to develop blood biomarkers that are sensitive, less invasive, easier to access, and more cost effective for AD diagnosis. This review aimed to summarize the current data on whether individuals with SCD differ reliably and effectively in subjective and objective performances compared to cognitively normal elderly individuals, and to find one or more convenient and accessible blood biomarkers so that researchers can identify SCD patients with preclinical AD in the population as soon as possible. Owing to the heterogeneity and complicated pathogenesis of AD, it is difficult to make reliable diagnoses using only a single blood marker. This review provides an overview of the progress achieved to date with the use of SCD blood biomarkers in patients with preclinical AD, highlighting the key areas of application and current challenges.

Objective To investigate the role of theophylline drugs in acute exacerbation stage of chron-ic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods The clinical data of 401 patients with AECOPD ad-mitted and treated in this hospital from January 2016 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the drug group (n=308) and control group (n=93) according to whether or not u-sing theophylline drugs.The control group was given the conventional treatment,and the drug group was giv-en theophylline drugs on the basis of conventional treatment.The hospitalization duration,C-reactive protein (CRP),procalcitonin (PCT),blood routine[WBC,neutrophil,hemoglobin,hematocrit (HCT),platelet-lym-phocyte ratio (PLR),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR),eosinophils,basophil]changes were compared between the two groups,and the parameters with differences conducted the subgroup analysis to observe the effect of different types of theophylline.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant differ-ence in the baseline data between the drug group and the control group,and the number of basophils between the aminophylline group and doxophylline group (P>0.05).After treatment,there was no statistically signif-icant difference in PCT,CRP,WBC,neutrophil,hemoglobin,HCT,PLR,NLR and eosinophil between the drug group and control group (P>0.05).The length of hospital stay in the drug group was shorter than that of the control group,and the basophils count was less than that of the control group,and the difference was statisti-cally significant (P<0.05).After treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the hospitaliza-tion duration in the aminophylline group and doxophylline group in the drug group subgroups (P>0.05),but the basophils count was higher than that of the doxofylline group (P<0.05).Conclusion Theophylline drugs could significantly shorten the hospitalization duration and reduce the basophils in the patients with AECO-PD.There is no significant difference in shortening the hospitalization duration between aminophylline and doxophylline,but aminophylline's effect on basophils is significantly stronger than that of doxophylline.

Objective To study the generating algorithm of personalized external fixation model based on STL file, so as to realize the fabrication of personalized external fixation through 3D scanning, model generation and 3D printing. Compared with the traditional plaster fixation, the external fixation obtained by the proposed method has the advantages of good adhesion to the external surface of the limb, good gas permeability and light weight. Methods In order to generate a personalized external fixation model, the key generating algorithms of the model were studied. The point cloud file of the residual limb was obtained by a 3D scanner, and then was converted into an STL format file. The triangular patches were processed by cutting, offsetting, triangulating and hollowing to create an external fixation model with good gas permeability and conformable surface that is fully fitted with the body surface. Finally, the external fixation was fabricated by 3D printing. Results Using the improved point offset algorithm, the problem of severe distortion of the point offset at the plane and sharp corners was solved. Using the tangent sort method, the points on the contour ring were sorted clockwise to obtain a triangular profile. The hollowing of the model was achieved by using the typical three-dimensional "cutting tool" mathematical model and the STL file space intersection method. Conclusions The improved model generating algorithm was validated based on a wrist case, and the personalized external fixed fixation model with conformable surface was obtained. It is proved that the proposed model generating algorithm is effective and practical.

3D printing technology has unique advantages and broad application prospect in biomedicine field. In recent years, cell printing, tissue printing, and organ printing technologies h have appeared successively, and drug printing and medical device printing have been realized. For complex surgical cases, surgeons and researchers have explored a surgical program that involves 3D printing technology, and completed many clinical applications including case discussions, surgical simulations and implantation surgeries. These efforts promoted the application and development of 3D printing technology in medical field. The purpose of this paper is to describe the application and research status of 3D printing technology in medical field from the aspects of medical teaching, orthopedic surgery, stomatology, bioprinting, drug printing, medical device manufacturing, etc., and put forward the prospects for future development.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for treatment of discogenic lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch neuralgia after vertebral column endoscope operation. Methods Thirty-six patients with discogenic lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch neuralgia after vertebral column endoscope surgery admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Logistics University of People's Armed Police from December 2011 to December 2017 were enrolled. According to difference in therapeutic methods, they were randomly divided into two groups, 18 cases in each group. The radiofrequency ablation group was treated with X-ray imaging guided lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch radiofrequency thermo-coagulation; the drug group received oral diclofenac sodium conservative treatment, 75 mg twice daily for 3 weeks. Both groups were followed up for 6 months, visual analogue scores (VAS) were used to evaluate the pain before and after treatment, the Oswestry dysfunction index was used to assess the degree of lumbar function recovery, and the surgical complications and adverse drug reactions were observed. Results The VAS scores in the two groups were similar before treatment; after treatment for 1 month, the VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (radiofrequency ablation group: 1.83±0.71 vs. 5.67±0.77; drug group: 2.22±0.43 vs. 5.28±0.67, both P < 0.05); after treatment for 3 months and 6 months, the VAS scores were increased gradually, however, the scores of radiofrequency ablation group were significantly lower than those in the drug group (3 months was 2.00±0.59 vs. 3.39±0.70, 6 months was 2.17±0.51 vs. 3.61±0.50, both P < 0.05), moreover, the excellent and good rates of postoperative pain efficacy and of Oswestry dysfunction index improvement in the radiofrequency ablation group were significantly higher than those in the drug group [excellent and good rates of postoperative pain efficacy: 94.44% (17/18) vs. 22.22% (4/18), excellent and good rates of Oswestry dysfunction index improvement: 77.78% (14/18) vs. 44.44% (8/18), both P < 0.05]. There were no complications of infection and spinal nerve anterior branch injury in the radiofrequency ablation group, and 6 patients in the drug group presented mild gastric discomfort, which was relieved after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion The radiofrequency ablation is an effective method for treatment of discogenic lumbar neuralgia after vertebral column operation, compared with the conservative therapy, the ablation is more effective to relieve pain for a long time, promote the recovery of neural function, and the operation is safe with very few adverse reactions.

BACKGROUND:Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UMSCs)have been proven to have therapeutic effects on cartilage injury,and exosomes are the main carriers for UMSCs to exert therapeutic effects in vivo.Our research group previously found that lncRNA H19 is an important active molecule that mediates the activity of UMSCs-derived exosomes regulating chondrocytes.LncRNA H19 could adsorb miR-29b-3p to promote the proliferation and regeneration of chondrocytes,but its downstream mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To reveal the specific mechanism of UMSCs in the treatment of cartilage injury from the perspective of exosomes and lncRNAs,so as to provide a new target for the treatment of cartilage injury. METHODS:UMSCs stably overexpressing lncRNA H19 were constructed.H19-Exos were extracted by ultra-centrifugation.The exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy,Nanosight,western blot assay and exosome uptake assay.The effect of miR-29b-3p overexpression and silencing on the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was detected by western blot assay,qPCR and dual luciferase reporter gene system.The biological effect of H19-Exos on cartilage regeneration was verified by the specific TGF-β1/Smad3 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)H19-Exos showed a typical cup shape under an electron microscope,and the particle size was approximately 130 nm.H19-Exos expressed CD63,CD81 and TSG1010.(2)Overexpression of miR-29b-3p could down-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3,while silencing miR-29b-3p could up-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3.(3)Dual-luciferase reporter gene system showed that miR-29b-3p had significant differences in the activities of downstream target genes TGF-β1 and Smad3.(4)The osteoarthritis models of rats were successfully established by injection of type II collagenase into the knee joint.H19-Exos significantly promoted cartilage regeneration.The specific TGF-β1/Smad3 inhibitor SB-431542 could block the biological effect of H19-Exos on cartilage regeneration in vitro and in vivo.(5)This study systematically demonstrated the promotion effect of UMSCs-derived exosomes highly expressing lncRNA H19 on cartilage regeneration,and the specific mechanism is that lncRNA H19 promotes cartilage regeneration by targeting miR-29b-3p/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

Objective To analyze the pathogenic bacteria and drug resistance of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis(PDAP),and provide a clinical reference for the rational use of antibiotics.Methods The demographic data of PDAP patients admitted to the peritoneal dialysis(PD)Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from July 1,2015 to December 30,2021 were collected,and the pathogens,drug resistance and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 150 episodes of PDAP occurred in 92 patients.The positive rate of PD fluid culture was 61.33％,including 65 cases(70.65％)of Gram-positive(G+)bacteria,mainly Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.Gram-negative(G-)bacteria were in 16 cases(17.39％),mainly Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae.There were 11 cases(11.96％)of multiple infections,including 5 cases of combined fungal infection.From 2016 to 2021,the incidence of G+bacteria-related PDAP decreased from 14 to 8 cases.G+strains were resistant to methicillin(35.00％),and were sensitive to linezolid(100.00％),teicoplanin(100.00％)and rifampicin(100.00％).The sensitivity rate to vancomycin was 98.59％.G-strains were sensitive to ceftazidime(86.36％),ceftizoxime(88.89％)and amikacin(100.00％).The MIC of vancomycin against Staphylococcus showed an upward trend in 2019-2021.The overall cure rate of PDAP was 81.33％in patients who responded to antibiotic treatment,and the cure rate of G+bacteria was higher than that of multiple infections(89.23％vs.36.36％,P＜0.01).The outcome of patients with multiple infections,especially those with concurrent fungal infection was poor.Conclusion The incidence of PDAP in the PD center has shown a decreasing trend in recent years.G+bacteria are still the main pathogenic bacteria causing PDAP,and they are highly resistant to methicillin,so vancomycin should be used as empirical therapy.For G-bacteria,cefotaxime and amikacin can be chosen as empirical therapy.There is a drift in the MIC values of vancomycin against Staphylococcus in the study period,so it is necessary to monitor the MIC of vancomycin against Staphylococcus and its changing trend.

Objective: To analyze the incidence and microbiological features of blood stream infections (BSI) of patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to provide laboratory data for empirical use of antibiotic for the HSCT patients with BSI. Methods: The incidence of bloodstream infection, the positive rate of blood culture, bacterial spectrum and drug resistance were analyzed in 1 265 HSCT recipients during 2013 and 2015 were retrospectively studied. Results: Of 1265 patients undergoing HSCT, 1 422 cases of suspected BSI occurred in 784 patients (61.98%) , and 464 patients (59.2%) were in the stage of agranulocytosis (ANC<0.5×10⁹/L) . The detection rate of pathogens in 2013-2015 was about 20% and increase year after year. Of the 401 strains detected, 221 were Gram-negative (G^-) bacteria (55.1%) , 165 Gram-positive (G⁺) bacteria (41.2%) and 15 fungi (3.7%) . Escherichia coli (16.0%) , Staphylococcus epidermidis (15.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.2%) were listed the top three. The proportion of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter Bauman and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was 64.70% and 63.64% respectively, and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was more than half (57.14%) . The ratio of vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was 14.29% and 6.78% respectively. More than 40% Enterobacteriaceae bacteria were resistant to three or four generation cephalosporin antibiotics, and less were resistant to the carbapenems (6.4%) . However, many non-fermentating bacteria were highly resistant to these antibiotics and showed diversity among different strains, with a rate of 47.8% resistance to carbapenems. All the Staphylococcus were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. Conclusions The incidence of BSI in patients with HSCT was high, and the pathogens were mainly G^- bacteria. In addition to Enterobacteriaceae, the proportion of non-fermentative bacteria was quite high. No Staphylococcus detected were resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid.