Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose prednisone combined with methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods In this 12-week study,150 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were randomly divided into two groups:prednisone group (70 cases who were received prednisone 5 ～ 10 mg/d + MTX 10 mg/w +HCQ 0.2 g/d) and control group (80 cases who were treated by Meloxicam 7.5 mg/d + MTX 10 mg/w +Leflunomide (LEF) 20 mg/d).The primary end-points were tender and swollen joint counts,visual analogue scales (VAS),and global physician and patients assessments of disease.The secondary end-points were morning stiffness time,C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ),DAS28 and ACR20,ACR50.Results After 12 weeks,in terms of primary endpoints,tender and swollen joint counts,VAS and global physician assessments in the prednisone group were improved significantly [(4.5 ± 2.5),(3.2 ± 3.36),(21 ± 15),(24.2 ± 16.4),(20.2 ± 10.4) vs (6.4 ±5.84),(6.6±5.5),(46±14),(37.9±19.7),(34.1±12.4),P ＜0.05orP ＜0.01].In terms of secondary end-points,the prednisone group produced higher response rates [HAQ score (0.93 ± 0.52),CRP(10.2 ± 5.8) mg/L,ESR(30 ± 14) mm/h,morning stiffness time (32.0 ± 32.3) min,DAS 28 score (3.1±0.9) vs (1.22 ±0.81),(16.3±10.1)mg/L,(33±29)mm/h,(54.7±45.4)min,(4.9±1.9),P ＜0.05 orP ＜0.01].The incidence of adverse events was similar between two groups (43％ vs 49％,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Low-dose prednisone combined with MTX and HCQ produced rapid and relevant improvements in RA signs and symptoms.

Objective To explore the possible correlation of the clinical parameters(such as neck circumference,waist circumference,Hipc,WHR,BMI,ESS scores)with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods There were 111 patients with diagnosis of OSAHS.All patients underwent polysomnography and the physical examination.The meatured body parameters and AHI were analyzed.Results A statistically significant correlation between neck circumference,waist circumference,Hipc,WHR,BMI with the AHI was detected.No correlation was found between ESS and AHI.Except for Hips and ESS,the difference of neck circumference,waist circumference,WHR,BMI were significant between the different serious patients(P

Objective To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan San(CHSGS) ,a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine,on the behavior and plasma levels of corticosterone level and corticotrophin releasing hormone ( CRH) mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of mice with chronic mild unpredicted stress depression. Methods 40 adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group,the model control group,the fluoxetine group and CHSGS group. Except the normal control group, mice were exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressor for continuous 21 days to induce depression. Since the 8th day, mice were intragastrically administered with equal volume agents respectively for 14 days (normal saline for the normal control group and the model group,fluoxetine(2. 6 mg · kg-1 ) for fluoxetine group and CHSGS (8.45 g · kg-1) for CHSGS group). Body weight and behaviors were investigated,the plasma levels of CORT in different groups were detected by radioimmunoassay, and the mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus were semiquantified by the RT-PCR method. Results In comparision with the model group, body weight changes ( (13.22 ±3.57)g) and consumption of sucrose solution((1. 90 ±0. 74) ml) of CHSGS groups were significantly increased, and the duration of immobility during the forced swimming ((62.20±13.73)s) and tail suspension((58. 10 ± 11.71 )s) ,the levels of plasma CORT((12.61 ±4.63)ng/L) and the CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex(0.34 ±0.10) and the hypothalamus(0.70 ±0.09) were significantly decreased. Conclusion CHSGS can reverse the depressive behavior, reduced the levels of plasma CORT and down-regulated CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of the depressive mouse caused chronic stress.

Objective:To explore the proportions of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood and levels of IL-17,IL-23 in the serum of patients with Graves′disease ( GD ) and their clinical significance.Methods: We studied 29 patients with GD ( GD group ) , and reevaluated the GD group after therapy ( euthyroid GD group ).29 gender-and age-matched volunteers were selected as the normal control ( NC group).The proportions of Th17 cells were investigated by flow cytometry.The levels of IL-23,IL-17 in the serums were measured by ELISA.The levels of FT3,FT4,TSH were determined by ECLIA and the levels of TrAb were tested by RRA.Results:There were no significant difference among 3 study groups in sex and age match ( F=0.0075 , P>0.05;χ2=0.4213 , P>0.05 ).The proportions of Th17 cells and the levels of IL-17 , IL-23 were increased in the GD and euthyroid GD patients compared with the control group (respectively,P<0.05).The proportions of Th17 cells and the concentrations of IL-23 in euthyroid GD group were significantly lower than those of GD group ( respectively , P<0.05 ) , but there were no significance in the concentrations of IL-17 between euthyroid GD group and GD group(P>0.05).Correlation analysis revealed that the proportions of Th17 cells ,and the levels of IL-17,IL-23 were positively correlated with the levels of FT3,FT4,TrAb(r=0.588 2,0.337 2,0.371 0;0.549 6,0.287 5,0.342 7;0.361 0,0.420 8, 0.330 8;P<0.05 ,for all parameters ) ,and were negatively correlated with the levels of TSH ( r=-0.319 7 ,-0.472 8 ,-0.428 2;P<0.05,for all parameters).Conclusion:Th17 cells and their related cytokines IL-17,IL-23 are highly expressed in the serum of patients with GD.Th17 cells and their relative cytokines have certain relevance with 4 thyroid function parameters of the patients with GD , which can be used as biological markers for GD.

Objective: To analyze the dynamic changes of serum M30 and M65 levels in patients with hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) during artificial liver support system(ALSS) therapy, and to explore their predictive efficiency and clinical values for short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF. Methods: Seventy-six patients with HBV-ACLF who underwent ALSS therapy for the first time from May 2016 to May 2019 in the First Hospital of Jiaxing were selected.The patients were divided into improvement group (38 cases) and non-recovered group (38 cases)according to their prognosis, and 38 healthy persons were selected as control group during the same period.The serum levels of M30 and M65 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The predictive values of M30 and M65 levels for short-term prognosis in patients receiving ALSS were calculated by receiver operating characteristic analysis curve (ROC). M30 and M65 levels before and after ALSS were compared by two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The levels of M30 and M65 in the improvement group, non-recovered group and control group were significantly different before the first ALSS therapy (F=109.36 and 90.42, respectively, both P<0.01). The levels of M30 and M65 were not significantly different between improvement group and non-recovered group before treatment (t=0.836 and 0.286, respectively, both P>0.05). However, after twice ALSS therapy, the levels of M30 and M65 in non-recovered group were significantly higher than those in improvement group (t=30.699 and 64.777, respectively, both P<0.01). Moreover, after the second ALSS therapy, the levels of M30 and M65 were both significantly lower compared to those after the first-time therapy in the improvement group (t=3.350 and 5.932, respectively, both P<0.01). The areas under curve (AUC) of M30, M65 and the combination of M30 and M65 for prognosis prediction were 0.796, 0.844 and 0.906, respectively. The AUC of combination of M30 and M65 was significantly higher than M30 or M65 alone (Z=2.163 and 2.141, respectively, P=0.031 and 0.032, respectively). The cut-off values of M30 and M65 were 591.91 and 924.50 U/L, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of combined M30 and M65 were 94.7% and 82.5%, respectively. Conclusions Serum M30 and M65 levels can predict the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after ALSS therapy.The combination of M30 and M65 is of better diagnostic value.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of invasive fungal infection secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We observed the clinical features and experimental examination in 91 patients treated in Xiangya Hospital in recent years, of which 48 patients with invasive fungal infection and 41 patients without invasive fungal infection. RESULTS: The invasive fungal infection secondary to SLE mainly occurred in the lungs, nervous system, and urinary system. The fungi were mainly Candida albins and Aspergillus. The rate of invasive fungal infection in SLE patients and the level of CRP and TNF-α in these patients were significantly increased. The occurrence of invasive fungal infection was positively correlated with the prolonged course of disease, long-term use of immunosuppressants and antibiotics, and occurrence of complications, such as hypoproteinemia, leukocytopenia, and so on. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were increased in SLE patients with invasive fungal infection. CONCLUSION The clinical features of SLE patients with invasive fungal infections are long course of disease, long-time use of immunosuppressants or antibiotics, and occurrence of complications, such as hypoproteinemia or leukopenia. The level of CRP and TNF-α can be used as an important reference index for diagnosing invasive fungal infections.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aspergillus ; isolation & purification ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Candida albicans ; isolation & purification ; Central Nervous System Fungal Infections ; epidemiology ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; epidemiology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; complications ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible effects of long-term exposure to dust containing thorium and thoron progeny on dust-exposed miners.

METHODSA negative, high voltage, exhaled thoron progeny measurement system was used to estimate the miners' thorium lung burden.

RESULTSThe highest thorium lung burden of 638 miners was 11.11 Bq. The incidence of stage 0(+) pneumoconiosis was higher among dust-exposed miners. Lung cancer mortality of the dust-exposed miners was significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThere is a difference in cancer rates between those who have long-term exposure to dust containing thorium (in which carcinogenic ThO(2) and SiO(2) exist) and thoron progeny and those who have not.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive ; adverse effects ; Body Burden ; China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Mining ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Thorium ; adverse effects

Objective To investigate the morbidity, diagnostic profile and perinatal outcome of pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) in 15 hospitals in Guangdong province. Methods A total of 41338 women delivered in the 15 hospitals during the 6 months,195 women with PGDM(PGDM group) and 195 women with normal glucose test result(control group)were recruited from these tertiary hospitals in Guangdong province from January 2016 to June 2016. The morbidity and diagnostic profile of PGDM were analyzed. The complications during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. In the PGDM group, pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in women who used insulin treatment (n=91) and women who did not (n=104). Results (1)The incidence of PGDM was 0.472%(195/41338). Diabetes mellitus were diagnosed in 59 women (30.3%, 59/195) before pregnancy, and 136 women (69.7%,136/195) were diagnosed as PGDM after conceptions. Forty-six women (33.8%) were diagnosed by fasting glucose and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) screening. (2) The maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), prenatal BMI, percentage of family history of diabetes, incidence of macrosomia, concentration of low density lipoprotein were significantly higher in PGDM group than those in control group (all P<0.05). Women in PGDM group had significantly higher HbA1c concentration((6.3±1.3)% vs (5.2±0.4)%), fasting glucose [(6.3±2.3) vs (4.8±1.1) mmol/L], oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)-1 h glucose((12.6±2.9) vs (7.1± 1.3) mmol/L)and OGTT-2 h glucose [(12.0±3.0) vs (6.4±1.0) mmol/L] than those in control group (P<0.01). (3)The morbidity of preterm births was significantly higher (11.3% vs 1.0%, P<0.01), and the gestational age at delivery in PGDM group was significantly smaller [(37.6±2.3) vs (39.2±1.2) weeks, P<0.01]. Cesarean delivery rate in the PGDM group (70.8% vs 29.7%) was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There was significantly difference between PGDM group and control in the neonatal male/female ratio (98/97 vs 111/84, P=0.033). The neonatal birth weight in PGDM group was significantly higher((3159±700) vs (3451±423) g, P<0.01). And the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the PGDM group was higher than the control group (7.7% vs 2.6%, P=0.036).(4)In the PGDM group, women who were treated with insulin had a smaller gestational age at delivery [(36.9±2.9) vs (37.9±2.5) weeks, P<0.01], and the neonates had a higher neonatal ICU(NICU)admission rate (24.2% vs 9.6% , P<0.01). Conclusions The morbidity of PGDM in the 15 hospitals in Guangdong province is 0.472%. The majority of PGDM was diagnosed during pregnancy; HbA1c and fasting glucose are reliable parameters for PGDM screening. Women with PGDM have obvious family history of diabetes and repeated pregnancy may accelerate the process of diabetes mellitus. Women with PGDM have higher risk for preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia. Unsatisfied glucose control followed by insulin treatment may increase the need for NICU admission.

Object the current radiological health situation of different ranks medical institutions of interventional radiology in a city of Pearl Delta. Methods all the medical institutions in the city, which had carried out interventional radiology before December 31, 2019 as the research objects by survey. By using the method of field epidemiological investigation, the basic situation of general messages, the status of protective facilities, environmental radiation does, personal protective equipment, occupational health monitoring were investigated. Results There were 12 interventional radiology equipment and 180 employees in 7 medical institutions in the city, before December 31, 2019. There was no statistical significance in the composition of employees of different ranks medical institutions (P > 0.05). There was no statistical significance in the composition of protective facilities for interventional treatment in different ranks hospitals (P > 0.05). The environmental radiation dose in interventional radiology devices room of grade A class 3 hospital was higher than that of grade A class 2 hospital (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance in the composition of individual protective equipment for interventional therapy in different ranks medical institutions (P > 0.05). The proportion of occupational health examination before work and during work in grade A class 2 hospital was higher than A class 3 hospital (P < 0.01). Conclusion The current situation of radiological health of different ranks medical institutions of interventional radiology in a city of Pearl Delta was good momentum. It may be helpful to improve the radiological health protection level of interventional therapy in this city by strengthening the radiological protection management of applying for interventional therapy, actively carrying out the evaluation of radiological protection against occupational disease hazards in construction projects, and urging the employee to carry out the occupational health monitoring inspection as required.

Objective To study the application effect of quality control circle(QCC)in reducing the dissatisfaction rate of physical examination clients in health management center.Methods To establish QCC,selected the health check-up popula-tion in our hospital in September-2019 and March-2020,through the questionnaire investigation and analysis,compare the dis-satisfaction of the clients before and after the quality control circle.Results After carrying out QCC activities,the dissatisfaction of physical examination clients was significantly lower than that before QCC,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The activities of QCC in the health management center can effectively improve the quality of the physical examination work and reduce the dissatisfaction of the customers in the physical examination.It is of great significance to the health management.