Objective To search for application ways for the safe and effective clinical methods of arsenic-containing Compound Qinghuang Powder (Compound QHP) for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods Totally 200 patients with MDS were included in the study and treated with Compound QHP. After one-month treatment, the 60 patients with the blood arsenic concentrations <20 μg/L were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 30 cases in each group. Control group was given stable treatment, while the treatment group was given increased dose of realgar; blood arsenic concentration was detected monthly; realgar 0.1 g was increased each time until blood arsenic concentrations ≥20 μg/L and realgar ≤0.3 g/d. The blood arsenic concentration, clinical efficacy and safety in the two groups were observed. Results Totally 24 cases in each group were included for evaluation finally. The average blood arsenic concentration of treatment group was significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). The rate of hematologic improvement was significantly higher in treatment group (54.2％, 13/24) than that in control group (29.2％, 7/24) , with significant difference (P<0.05). The Hb, ANC, and PLT significantly increased in treatment group after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of incidence rate of adverse reaction observed between treatment group and control group (P>0.05). Conclusion In application of Compound QHP, the blood arsenic concentration can be monitored to adjust the daily dose of realgar, thus to increase the effective blood arsenic concentration, and then improving efficacy without increasing the clinical toxicity.

The treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has included primarily supportive care (blood transfusions, colony stimulating agents, iron chelation, etc.) and new drugs, including 5-azacytidine, deoxyazacytidine, and lenalidomide. For those who are no longer benefiting from these agents, there is nearly nothing to do with effective therapies. When those drugs are ineffective, what the doctors could do is optimizing the delivery of hypomethylating agents (HMT) by dosing appropriately, sequencing appropriately, and using thoughtful combinations; as well as improving drug formulations (oral formulations and/or novel formulations) and working toward better selection of patients for best upfront mutation-directed therapy. Hopefully, the drug targeting and patient selection for optimal HMT treatment of MDS will be improved. Furthermore, ongoing research is focused on identifying unique agents to rescue MDS patients who have progressed despite HMT. Agents such as rigosertib are now focused on its application in specific MDS populations who might most likely benefit from this therapeutic approach [primary refractory and high-risk international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) patients]. Doctors eagerly await results of single-agent programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its inhibitors, or combination with HMT to the upfront and relapsed MDS setting. For the minority of patients who have specific targetable mutations, the selective agents (IDH1/2) are highly promising. Bone marrow transplantation remains the only offer for cure, but is depressingly unrealistic given the majority of the elderly and frail patients at the time of MDS progression.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of compound Qinghuang powder (compound QHP) for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and its association with blood arsenic concentration (BAC). Methods 40 patients with MDS were treated with compound QHP, and the clinical efficacy, safety, and its association with BAC were evaluated after treatment for 6, 9 months, respectively. Results After treatment for 6 months, the rate of hematology improvement was 32.5 % (13/40), and the effective rate was 87.5%(35/40). 21 cases depended on the blood transfusion before treatment, after treatment 6 cases completely got rid of blood transfusion and the blood transfusion of another 6 cases was decreased by more than 50 %. The absolute neutrophil count was increased from (0.50±0.13)×109/L to (0.93±0.33)×109/L (t= 4.130, P= 0.0008). The hemoglobin content was increased from (71.06±14.82) g/L to (80.41±27.35) g/L (t= 2.233, P= 0.0321). After treatment for 9 months, 76.2 % (16/40) of the patients got rid of blood transfusion or blood transfusion reduction was more than 50%. The platelet count was increased from (45.04 ± 24.38)×109/L to (60.65±29.46)×109/L (t= 2.241, P= 0.0335). The incidence of abdominal pain and diarrhea after treatment for 1, 3 and 6 months were 12.5 % (5/40), 10.0 % (4/40) and 5.0 % (2/40), respectively, all belonging to mild level . Before treatment , there were 12 patients with abnormal liver function , including 6 cases back to normal after treatment, and 6 cases of significantly relieved, without new case with abnormal liver function. Before treatment, there were 10 cases with abnormal myocardial enzymes, including 1 cases back to normal after treatment and 9 cases significantly relieved, without new case with abnormal myocardial enzymes. No patient with abnormal renal function was observed before and after treatment. The BAC was (7.71±5.65) μg/L before treatment, which was significantly lower than that of 1, 3 and 6 months [(29.27±9.07)μg/L, (27.79 ±10.18) μg/L and (31.98 ±12.55) μg/L respectively, all P< 0.0001]. There was no significant change of BAC among the patients after treatment for 1, 3 and 6 months (P> 0.05). The BAC in efficacy group [(33.48 ±12.56) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in non-efficacy group [(21.46 ±6.00) μg/L] (t=2.089, P=0.035). 12.5% (5/40) of the patients had mild gastrointestinal side effects after treatment for 1 month, while the BAC of them [(16.93 ±1.80) μg/L] was significantly lower than that in patients without gastrointestinal side effects [(31.78±1.39 ) μg/L, P<0.0001]. The occurrence rate of abdominal pain and diarrhea was decreased after treatment for 3 and 6 months, while the BAC was increased gradually. Conclusions Compound QHP is effective in the treatment of MDS with mild adverse reactions. There is no damage to the heart, liver, and renal function. Besides, it shows that reducing the gastrointestinal adverse reactions and maintaining the effective concentration of BAC play a significant role in the effect of compound QHP in the treatment of MDS.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is a clinical heterogeneous disease characterized by impaired hematopoietic function and morphologic abnormalities of the bone marrow. Genomic studies show that MDS is usually driven by a series of multistep somatic cell genetic processes that affect the core genome. By definition, reproducible MDS drives mutations leading to cloning advantage. In addition, exposure factors, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy or genetic propensity of the reproductive system, could affect the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes of the disease. Combined with the reports in the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, the article introduces the genetic characteristics of MDS, in order to improve the diagnosis of MDS and the understanding of the pathogenesis of treatment-related MDS as well as the genetic tendency of MDS in the reproductive system.

The support treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients whose revised international prognostic score system (IPSS-R) is defined as 3.5 points remains the main treatment. The erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) is the best choice for patients with del (5q) MDS as long as the endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) level is less than 500 U/L (preferably<200 U/L). The application of EPO for patients with treatment failure or relapsed after transfusion, chooses are immunosuppressant, transforming growth factor beta inhibitors and lenalidomide. Del (5q) syndrome could benefit from lenalidomide, and some patients after discontinuation of treatment still have been stable in peripheral blood. Thrombocytopenia caused serious hemorrhage rarely; thrombopoietin receptor analogs could reduce bleeding and improve the platelet count. These drugs can be used in patients with bone marrow blast counts of < 0.05. If treatment failed or advanced to high-risk MDS or transformed to acute myeloid leukemia, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation might be required. Combined with reports in the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, this article describes the treatment strategies for low-risk MDS.

Objective To analyze the blood arsenic concentration and the safety of compound Qinghuang powder(compound QHP)in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS).Methods A total of 45 MDS patients received treatment with compound QHP (the treatment group, n=45). The concentration of blood arsenic in different time was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The clinical safety of compound QHP was evaluated by analyzing the symptoms of adverse reaction and organ function. The comparison were MDS patients with Qinghuang powder (QHP group, n=47) and healthy people. Results There was no significant difference of the blood arsenic concentration between the treatment group and the healthy control group (P=0.450),while after the treatment for 1 month those concentrations significantly increased (P=0.000). There were no significant difference between the blood arsenic concentration after treatment for 1, 3, and 6 months (P=0.240). The incidence of adverse reaction in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in QHP group(χ2=4.720, P=0.030). The incidence of adverse reactions in the digestive tract was significantly lower in the treatment group than that in QHP group (χ2=4.650, P=0.034). The blood arsenic concentration of patients with abdominal pain diarrhea was significantly lower than those without abdominal pain diarrhea (P=0.020). Before treatment in the compound QHP group, there were 21 cases with increased myocardial enzymes, 10 cases with abnormal liver function and 4 cases with renal dysfunction, respectively. After treatment at 6th month, these indicators returned to normal with 7 cases of myocardial enzymes, 6 cases of liver function and 1 case of renal function, respectively. There was no new case with abnormal myocardial enzymes, liver function and renal dysfunction, respectively. Conclusions Arsenic could be absorbed in the digestive tract into blood in MDS patients after treatment with arsenic-containing compound QHP, and the blood arsenic concentration remained stable during the course of treatment. The adverse reactions were mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but no heart, liver or renal function damage was observed. The incidence of abdominal pain diarrhea in patients treated with compound QHP was significantly lower than that with QHP.

Objective To explore the performance of routine blood test parameters,bone marrow parameters and the risk factors of leukemia conversion in higher-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)treated with Bushen Jiedu Huayu Method in the real world.Methods The clinical data of 162 patients with higher-risk MDS who were admitted to the Department of Hematology,Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2017 to September 2022 were collected,and their clinical data,blood routine parameters,and bone marrow parameters were analyzed.Results A total of 162 higher-risk MDS patients were included,and the overall effective rate of the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment,mainly using Bushen Jiedu Huayu Method being 48.8%.Patients with higher-risk MDS who were younger than 70 years old were more likely to obtain curative effect when treated with Bushen Jiedu Huayu Method combined with chemotherapy(P<0.05).After treatment with Bushen Jiedu Huayu Method,PLT levels in higher-risk MDS patients were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and PLT levels in the ineffective group increased more significantly(P<0.05).After treatment,the HGB level in the effective group significantly increased(P<0.05).After treatment,the proportion of bone marrow granulocytes,megakaryocytes and lymphocytes in higher-risk MDS patients were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Bushen Jiedu Huayu Method,mainly using arsenic containing TCM compound,can treat higher-risk MDS.It can increase the HGB content and PLT level of patients,increase the proportion of bone marrow granulocytes,megakaryocytes and lymphocytes,and also play a certain role in reducing the proportion of bone marrow primitive cells,namely demethylation.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility, safety and reasonable operation of nasointestinal canal indwelling guided by miniature system in severe neurosurgery patients, and compare its advantages and disadvantages with traditional blind insertion.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial design was used to select 128 critically ill patients in need of enteral nutrition support at the Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from March 2022 to October 2023 by convenient sampling method. They were divided into blind insertion group and visualization group by random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. Nasointestinal canal indwelling was performed in the blind insertion group by traditional blind insertion method, and in the visualization group, nasointestinal canal indwelling was performed by indentations guided by the miniature visualization system. The success rate of initial catheterization, the time of catheterization, complications, changes of vital signs during catheterization and changes of nutritional indexes after catheterization were evaluated in 2 groups.Results:In the blind insertion group, there were 35 males and 29 females, aged (59.44 ± 13.84) years old. In the visualization group, there were 41 males and 23 females, aged (58.28 ± 12.08) years old. The success rate of the first catheter placement in the visual group was 96.8% (62/64), higher than that in the blind group 82.8% (53/64), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.94, P<0.05). The catheter placement time of the visualization group was (20.08 ± 2.69) min, which was shorter than that of the blind insertion group (38.19 ± 3.79) min, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=29.99, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications, changes of vital signs during catheterization and the changes of nutritional indexes after catheterization between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with traditional blind nasointestinal canal indwelling, nasointestinal canal indwelling guided by the miniature visualization system can improve the success rate of the first catheterization and shorten the catheterization time. Although there is no difference in the complication rate, changes in vital signs during catheterization and changes in nutritional indexes after catheterization, it is believed that with the continuous development and upgrading of this technology, it will further reflect the advantages of this technology, which is worthy of further clinical trials and application.

Objective To observe the application effect of visual nasoenteric catheterization in severe neurosurgical patients.Methods A total of 107 patients who received nasoenteric tube im-plantation in the neurosurgical intensive care unit(ICU)were selected.According to the nasoenteric tube implantation method,they were divided into visual group(underwent nasoenteric tube implantation by visual technique,n=53)and blind group(inserted by traditional blind insertion,n=54).The success rate of first catheterization,catheterization time and complication rate were observed and com-pared.Results The success rate of first catheter placement in the visual group was higher than that in the blind group(96.23％versus 81.48％,P＜0.05).The catheter placement time in the visual group was(20.11±2.47)min,which was shorter than(38.00±3.59)min that in the blind group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in complication rate(nose bleeding,gastrointestinal bleed-ing,catheter straying into the airway)between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Visual naso-enteric catheterization has a higher success rate in the first catheterization and shorter catheterization time in severe neurosurgical patients,and it is a safer method.

Objective To observe the application effect of visual nasoenteric catheterization in severe neurosurgical patients.Methods A total of 107 patients who received nasoenteric tube im-plantation in the neurosurgical intensive care unit(ICU)were selected.According to the nasoenteric tube implantation method,they were divided into visual group(underwent nasoenteric tube implantation by visual technique,n=53)and blind group(inserted by traditional blind insertion,n=54).The success rate of first catheterization,catheterization time and complication rate were observed and com-pared.Results The success rate of first catheter placement in the visual group was higher than that in the blind group(96.23％versus 81.48％,P＜0.05).The catheter placement time in the visual group was(20.11±2.47)min,which was shorter than(38.00±3.59)min that in the blind group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in complication rate(nose bleeding,gastrointestinal bleed-ing,catheter straying into the airway)between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Visual naso-enteric catheterization has a higher success rate in the first catheterization and shorter catheterization time in severe neurosurgical patients,and it is a safer method.