BACKGROUND: The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy (ICI + Chemo) shows promise in treatment of recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC), but some patients received limited benefit and the prognostic factors of the treatments remain unclear. Furthermore, ICIs efficacy in subsequent treatments needs further evaluation. METHODS: A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and major conference proceedings was conducted to identify relevant studies for meta-analysis. The study was designed to compare ICI + Chemo with chemotherapy in first-line treatment and identify efficacy predictors, and to evaluate ICIs alone in subsequent-line treatment for RM-NPC, with a focus on progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-related adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Fifteen trials involving 1928 patients were included. Three trials compared ICI + Chemo with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment, while 12 trials evaluated ICIs alone in subsequent-line treatment of RM-NPC patients. First-line ICI + Chemo showed superior PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.63; P <0.001) and ORR (risk ratio [RR] = 1.14, 95% CI, 1.05-1.24; P <0.001) compared to chemotherapy, without increased AEs (RR = 1.01, 95% CI, 0.99-1.03; P = 0.481). Neither programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) nor other factors predicted the efficacy of ICI + Chemo vs . chemotherapy. Subsequent-line ICIs alone had a median PFS of 4.12 months (95% CI, 2.93-5.31 months), an ORR of 24% (95% CI, 20-28%), with grade 1-5/grade 3-5 AEs at 79%/14%. However, ICIs alone were associated with significantly shorter PFS (HR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.01-1.68; P = 0.040) than chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS ICI + Chemo confers superior survival benefits compared to chemotherapy in first-line RM-NPC treatment, independent of PD-L1 expression or other factors. However, ICIs alone demonstrate a manageable safety profile but do not surpass chemotherapy in efficacy for subsequent-line treatment.
Humans ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects* ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/drug therapy* ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy*

Objective:To analyze the awareness of HCV infection status and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases in four provinces in China and to provide a reference for adjusting HCV prevention and control strategies.Methods:From September 2021 to September 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using stratified random cluster sampling in four provinces (Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, and Yunnan) in China, with an estimated sample size of 6 468 participants. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, HCV infection awareness, willingness for HCV-RNA testing, and history of high-risk behaviors from the survey participants. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with HCV infection awareness and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.1.3 software.Results:A total of 10 563 hepatitis C cases were surveyed. The awareness rate of HCV infection was 86.74% (9 162/10 563), and the willingness rate for HCV-RNA testing was 85.21% (9 001/10 563). Multivariate logistic regression models analysis showed that the awareness rate of HCV infection was lower among individuals aged ≥60 years, urban residents (with New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance ), those without a history of blood transfusion, those without a history of paid blood donation, those without a history of injection drug use, and those without a family member with hepatitis C case.The awareness rate was higher among individuals with high or technical secondary school education, college education or above, and those married with a spouse (all P<0.05). In terms of willingness for HCV-RNA testing, it was lower among females, individuals aged ≥60 years, and those without a history of blood transfusion, paid blood donation, or injection drug use. The willingness was higher among farmers or migrant workers, employees of enterprises or institutions, and those in other occupations (all P<0.05). Conclusions:There was room for improvement in the awareness proportion of HCV infection and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases in the four provinces of China. More convenient policies and measures should be provided to increase the awareness rate of HCV infection and the willingness to undergo HCV-RNA testing in this population.

Objective:To compare the changes in fracture displacement under different vertical loadings between the 2 different internal fixation modalities for vertically unstable femoral neck fractures of Pauwels type Ⅲ by a mechanical study and a finite element analysis.Methods:Twelve biomimic bones were transversely dissected from 10 cm below the lesser trochanter of the femur to create femoral neck fracture models with a Pauwels angle of 70° using a swing saw. The models were equally divided into 2 groups ( n=6): group A was fixed with 3 cannulated screws after fracture reduction (scheme A), and group B with 3 cannulated screws plus a self-designed anteromedial support plate after fracture reduction (scheme B). Continuous vertical force was applied using a mechanical testing machine. Changes in displacement were recorded and load-displacement curves were plotted. One volunteer (female, 28 years old, 168 cm in height and 65 kg in weight) was selected for finite element analysis of her CT images of both lower limbs to examine the maximum displacement and the maximum Mises stress in scheme A and scheme B respectively. Results:In groups A and B respectively: All the 6 biomimic mimetic bones had similar load and displacement curves, and similar fracture displacements (Dx) at different loading points (N X); the curves of 6 biomimic bones were highly fitted with S-shaped curve equation (the r-square value was close to 1). At the initial loading stage (0 N0.05). When the load was 100 N

OBJECTIVE:The quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses directly affects the reliability of clinical decision-making basis.Currently,there is no literature quality research on the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis both domestically and internationally.This article will comprehensively evaluate the methodological quality,reporting quality,and evidence quality of the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.METHODS:Computer searches were conducted on CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Embase,and The Cochrane Library.From the establishment of the database until January 24,2024,all systematic reviews/meta-analyses treated with platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis were collected.Two evaluators independently conducted literature screening and data extraction,and used the AMSTAR 2,PRISMA 2020,and GRADE systems to evaluate and summarize the methodological,reporting,and evidence quality of the included systematic reviews/meta-analyses.RESULTS:A total of 18 qualified systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included,and the results showed that the efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma might be better than that of hyaluronic acid.The methodological quality of all 18 studies was extremely low;4 reports had poor quality and relatively serious information defects,while 14 reports had moderate quality and some information defects.Among the 275 outcome measures of 16 systematic reviews/meta-analyses,there were 9 medium quality evidence,90 low-quality evidence,and 176 extremely low-quality evidence,with no high-quality evidence.CONCLUSION:At present,the quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses literature on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid is relatively low.In the future,the authors of the systematic reviews need to strictly follow the entries of quality evaluation tools such as AMSTAR 2 and PRISMA 2020 in terms of plan registration,research type explanation,retrieval strategy,exclusion list,research site and funding source,bias risk analysis,publication bias evaluation,and public information acquisition,and conduct evidence quality evaluation on the combined results of the systematic reviews/meta-analyses to provide more reliable and rigorous evidence-based basis for clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis associated factor 1(XAF1)and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1(PCK1)in Luminal type B breast cancer and their relationship with the prognosis of patients.Methods From January 2016 to January 2018,95 patients with Luminal B breast cancer underwent surgical treatment.Cancer tissues and adjacent tissues＞5 cm from the cancer tissues were collected during the operation.The positive expressions of XAF1 and PCK1 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry.The relationship between XAF1 and PCK1 protein expression and clinicopathological features of breast cancer was analyzed,and the survival curves of breast cancer patients with different XAF1 and PCK1 protein expression were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method,the survival rate was compared by Log-rank test.Multi-factor Cox-regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic factors of breast cancer.Results GEPIA database analysis showed that the expression levels of XAF1 and PCK1 mRNA in breast cancer tissues were lower than those in normal tissues(P＜0.05).The positive expression rates of XAF1 and PCK1 proteins in cancer tissue were lower than adjacent tissues(P＜0.05).The positive expression of XAF1 in breast cancer tissue was related to clinical stage,lymph node metastasis and histological grade,Ki-67 expression status,while the positive expression of PCK1 was related to clinical stage,lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 expression status(P＜0.05).The 5-year overall survival rate of XAF1 positive expression patients was higher than that of negative expression patients(Log-rank x2=5.101,P=0.024),and the 5-year overall survival rate of PCK1 positive expression patients was higher than that of negative expression patients(Log-rank x2=6.515,P=0.011).Clinical stage Ⅲ,negative expression of XAF1,and negative expression of PCK1 were risk factors for poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion The positive expression rates of XAF1 and PCK1 in Luminal B type breast cancer tissue are reduced,which is related to some clinicopathological characteristics and 5-year survival rate after surgery.The 5-year survival rate was lower in patients with negative XAFI and PCKI expression.

Objective:To analyze the awareness of HCV infection status and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases in four provinces in China and to provide a reference for adjusting HCV prevention and control strategies.Methods:From September 2021 to September 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using stratified random cluster sampling in four provinces (Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, and Yunnan) in China, with an estimated sample size of 6 468 participants. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, HCV infection awareness, willingness for HCV-RNA testing, and history of high-risk behaviors from the survey participants. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with HCV infection awareness and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.1.3 software.Results:A total of 10 563 hepatitis C cases were surveyed. The awareness rate of HCV infection was 86.74% (9 162/10 563), and the willingness rate for HCV-RNA testing was 85.21% (9 001/10 563). Multivariate logistic regression models analysis showed that the awareness rate of HCV infection was lower among individuals aged ≥60 years, urban residents (with New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance ), those without a history of blood transfusion, those without a history of paid blood donation, those without a history of injection drug use, and those without a family member with hepatitis C case.The awareness rate was higher among individuals with high or technical secondary school education, college education or above, and those married with a spouse (all P<0.05). In terms of willingness for HCV-RNA testing, it was lower among females, individuals aged ≥60 years, and those without a history of blood transfusion, paid blood donation, or injection drug use. The willingness was higher among farmers or migrant workers, employees of enterprises or institutions, and those in other occupations (all P<0.05). Conclusions:There was room for improvement in the awareness proportion of HCV infection and willingness for HCV-RNA testing among hepatitis C cases in the four provinces of China. More convenient policies and measures should be provided to increase the awareness rate of HCV infection and the willingness to undergo HCV-RNA testing in this population.

OBJECTIVE:The quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses directly affects the reliability of clinical decision-making basis.Currently,there is no literature quality research on the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis both domestically and internationally.This article will comprehensively evaluate the methodological quality,reporting quality,and evidence quality of the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.METHODS:Computer searches were conducted on CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Embase,and The Cochrane Library.From the establishment of the database until January 24,2024,all systematic reviews/meta-analyses treated with platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis were collected.Two evaluators independently conducted literature screening and data extraction,and used the AMSTAR 2,PRISMA 2020,and GRADE systems to evaluate and summarize the methodological,reporting,and evidence quality of the included systematic reviews/meta-analyses.RESULTS:A total of 18 qualified systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included,and the results showed that the efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma might be better than that of hyaluronic acid.The methodological quality of all 18 studies was extremely low;4 reports had poor quality and relatively serious information defects,while 14 reports had moderate quality and some information defects.Among the 275 outcome measures of 16 systematic reviews/meta-analyses,there were 9 medium quality evidence,90 low-quality evidence,and 176 extremely low-quality evidence,with no high-quality evidence.CONCLUSION:At present,the quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses literature on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with platelet rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid is relatively low.In the future,the authors of the systematic reviews need to strictly follow the entries of quality evaluation tools such as AMSTAR 2 and PRISMA 2020 in terms of plan registration,research type explanation,retrieval strategy,exclusion list,research site and funding source,bias risk analysis,publication bias evaluation,and public information acquisition,and conduct evidence quality evaluation on the combined results of the systematic reviews/meta-analyses to provide more reliable and rigorous evidence-based basis for clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis associated factor 1(XAF1)and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1(PCK1)in Luminal type B breast cancer and their relationship with the prognosis of patients.Methods From January 2016 to January 2018,95 patients with Luminal B breast cancer underwent surgical treatment.Cancer tissues and adjacent tissues＞5 cm from the cancer tissues were collected during the operation.The positive expressions of XAF1 and PCK1 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry.The relationship between XAF1 and PCK1 protein expression and clinicopathological features of breast cancer was analyzed,and the survival curves of breast cancer patients with different XAF1 and PCK1 protein expression were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method,the survival rate was compared by Log-rank test.Multi-factor Cox-regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic factors of breast cancer.Results GEPIA database analysis showed that the expression levels of XAF1 and PCK1 mRNA in breast cancer tissues were lower than those in normal tissues(P＜0.05).The positive expression rates of XAF1 and PCK1 proteins in cancer tissue were lower than adjacent tissues(P＜0.05).The positive expression of XAF1 in breast cancer tissue was related to clinical stage,lymph node metastasis and histological grade,Ki-67 expression status,while the positive expression of PCK1 was related to clinical stage,lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 expression status(P＜0.05).The 5-year overall survival rate of XAF1 positive expression patients was higher than that of negative expression patients(Log-rank x2=5.101,P=0.024),and the 5-year overall survival rate of PCK1 positive expression patients was higher than that of negative expression patients(Log-rank x2=6.515,P=0.011).Clinical stage Ⅲ,negative expression of XAF1,and negative expression of PCK1 were risk factors for poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion The positive expression rates of XAF1 and PCK1 in Luminal B type breast cancer tissue are reduced,which is related to some clinicopathological characteristics and 5-year survival rate after surgery.The 5-year survival rate was lower in patients with negative XAFI and PCKI expression.

Objective:To compare the changes in fracture displacement under different vertical loadings between the 2 different internal fixation modalities for vertically unstable femoral neck fractures of Pauwels type Ⅲ by a mechanical study and a finite element analysis.Methods:Twelve biomimic bones were transversely dissected from 10 cm below the lesser trochanter of the femur to create femoral neck fracture models with a Pauwels angle of 70° using a swing saw. The models were equally divided into 2 groups ( n=6): group A was fixed with 3 cannulated screws after fracture reduction (scheme A), and group B with 3 cannulated screws plus a self-designed anteromedial support plate after fracture reduction (scheme B). Continuous vertical force was applied using a mechanical testing machine. Changes in displacement were recorded and load-displacement curves were plotted. One volunteer (female, 28 years old, 168 cm in height and 65 kg in weight) was selected for finite element analysis of her CT images of both lower limbs to examine the maximum displacement and the maximum Mises stress in scheme A and scheme B respectively. Results:In groups A and B respectively: All the 6 biomimic mimetic bones had similar load and displacement curves, and similar fracture displacements (Dx) at different loading points (N X); the curves of 6 biomimic bones were highly fitted with S-shaped curve equation (the r-square value was close to 1). At the initial loading stage (0 N0.05). When the load was 100 N

Objective:To observe the effect of 3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous bone cement-augmented sacroiliac screw fixation in the treatment of pelvic fragility fractures in the elderly.Methods:A total of 11 elderly patients with pelvic fragility fractures who underwent 3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous cement-enhanced sacroiliac screw fixation (cemented group) in the Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from December 2022 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 8 females, aged 73.18±4.42 years (range, 67-80 years). There were 4 cases of typeⅡand 7 cases of typeⅢ. At the same time, 10 elderly patients with pelvic fragility fractures who underwent percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation assisted by 3D-printed guide plate (cementless group) were selected as control group, including 5 males and 5 females, aged 73.90±6.51 years (range, 67-85 years). Pelvic fragility fractures were classified as typeⅡin 5 cases and typeⅢin 5 cases. The perioperative indicators, visual analogue scale (VAS), Barthel index and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 17.05±5.48 months (range, 9-27 months). The operation time and fluoroscopy frequency in the bone cement group were 72.09±3.95 min and 12.45±0.93 times, which were significantly higher than those in the non-bone cement group 57.00±4.24 min and 8.50±0.97 times, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). All patients' fractures healed in one stage, the healing time was 97.09±7.15 d in the cemented group and 103.00±13.14 d in the uncemented group, the difference was not statistically significant ( t=1.297, P=0.210), and there was no case of delayed healing or non-healing. The postoperative weight-bearing time of the bone cement group was 44.73±3.72 d, which was shorter than that of the non-bone cement group 59.10±7.37 d, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of the bone cement group at 1 day, 1 week and 3 weeks after operation were 5.73±0.65, 4.64±0.51 and 3.27±0.65, respectively, which were lower than those of the non-bone cement group 6.80±0.42, 5.30±0.48 and 4.00±0.67. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The Barthel index of bone cement group was higher than that of non-bone cement group at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 2 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Bone cement leakage occurred in 2 patients in the bone cement group, and they did not complain of special discomfort and were not treated. In the non-cemented group, two cases showed screw withdrawal and the sacroiliac screws were removed in a second operation; one case showed sacral plexus nerve injury, and the screws were removed and treated with oral methylcobalamin symptomatic therapy one month after the operation, and the symptoms were relieved after three months. Conclusion:3D-printed guide plate-assisted percutaneous cement-augmented sacroiliac screw fixation for the treatment of elderly pelvic fragility fracture can alleviate postoperative pain, shorten the weight-bearing time, and help to promote early recovery and improve postoperative quality of life.