Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, has received increasing attention worldwide due to its rising isolation rate. The similarity of symptoms between MABC pulmonary disease and tuberculosis, different treatment methods required by different subtypes, as well as high levels of innate, adaptive and acquired antibiotic resistance, make MABC treatment more difficult and lead to unfavorable clinical outcomes of patients. This article reviews the basic characteristics, common antibiotic resistance mechanisms, as well as diagnosis and treatment of MABC, to provide reference for future research and clinical treatment of MABC lung disease.

Objective:To investigate the effects of TYRO protein tyrosine-binding protein(TYROBP)on neuroinflammation and autophagy via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in a transgenic APP/ PS1 mouse model of AD. Methods:C57BL/6J, TYROBP-/- and APP/ PS1 transgenic male mice aged 15-month-old were randomly divided into 3 group: the C57BL/6J group, the TYROBP-/- group and the APP/ PS1 group, with 19 in each group.The eight-arm maze test and novel object recognition test were conducted to assess the learning and memory ability of mice.The activation of microglia and NLRP3 inflammasomes were assessed by immunofluorescence.The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were measured by real-time PCR, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, SQSTM1, LC3B, TYROBP, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT and AKT were assayed by Western blot. Results:Compared with the C57BL/6J group, the learning and memory abilities were significantly decreased(all P<0.05), activated microglia and NLRP3 inflammasomes were increased(all P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were increased(all P<0.05)and the protein expression levels of LC3B-Ⅱ, SQSTM1, TYROBP, p-PI3K, p-AKT were increased(all P<0.05)in the APP/ PS1 group.Compared with C57BL/6J group, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LC3B Ⅱ, SQSTM1, p-PI3K and p-AKT were decreased(all P<0.05). Conclusions:TYROBP promotes the inflammatory response and inhibits autophagy possibly by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thus participating in the occurrence and development of AD.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of ear acupoint pressing beans in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) by Meta-analysis and provide reference for the treatment of DPN.Methods:Randomized controlled trial studies on ear acupoint pressing beans for DPN in Chinese and English databases were searched by the computer. The search time was from January 1, 2006 to December 16, 2021. The quality evaluation criteria of the Cochrane manual was used to evaluate the quality of the included literatures, and meta-analysis of the overall effects of the results was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 16.0 analysis software.Results:A total of 24 randomized controlled trials involving 1 773 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that ear acupoint pressing beans could effectively improve the symptoms of paresthesia, limb numbness, muscular atrophy and weakness caused by DPN ( RR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.22-1.38, P<0.01) , increased median motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) ( MD=3.46, 95% CI: 2.74-4.17, P<0.01) , median sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) ( MD=1.81, 95% CI: 0.89-2.72, P<0.01) , common peroneal MNCV ( MD=4.71, 95% CI: 3.82-5.59, P<0.01) and common peroneal SNCV ( MD=4.68, 95% CI: 3.30-6.06, P<0.01) and decreased glycosylated hemoglobin ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Ear acupoint pressing beans can improve nerve conduction velocity and clinical symptoms of DPN, which has positive clinical significance.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of bone cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A multi-center, large-sample, case-control study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of 2 273 OVCF patients (2 689 vertebrae) undergone PVP at four hospitals between May 2018 and October 2021, including 994 males and 1 279 females, with the age of 52-91 years [(69.1±3.1)years]. Of all, 581 patients (604 vertebrae) were allocated to leakage group and 1 692 patients (2 085 vertebrae) to no leakage group according to the occurrence of bone cement leakage. The gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments, surgical approaches and bone cement injection volume were recorded. Univariate analysis was used to investigate the correlation between those indicators with bone cement leakage. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage.Results:Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, bone cement injection volume were related to bone cement leakage after PVP ( P<0.05 or 0.01), but no correlation was found in the endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments and surgical approaches (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that fracture sites ( OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.11-2.55, P<0.05), vertebral compression degree more than 40% ( OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.29-3.02, P<0.01), bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml ( OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.26, P<0.05) were significantly associated with bone cement leakage after PVP. Conclusion:Thoracic vertebral fracture, vertebral compression degree more than 40% and bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml are independent risk factors for bone cement leakage after PVP in OVCF.

Objective:To systematically review the rehabilitation effects of moderate intermittent hypoxia on clinical related diseases. Methods:Literatures about rehabilitation effects of moderate intermittent hypoxia on clinical related diseases from 2004 to 2021 were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI and Wanfang databases using a systematic review method. Results:A total of 27 literatures were included, which focused on the effects on neural system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the regulation of metabolic and the improvement of exercise ability. Conclusion:Moderate intermittent hypoxia could improve the cognitive function, alleviate the symptoms of ischemic stroke, accelerate the recovery of spinal cord injury, resist depression and reduce blood pressure; regulate metabolism, improve aerobic capacity, enhance respiratory function and myocardial function. However, more researches are needed to make it clear that the standard on the duration of hypoxia within episodes, the number of hypoxia/reoxygenation cycles (episodes) per session every day, the pattern of presentation, and the cumulative duration of exposure.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection complication after kidney transplantation, and the reports of the incidence vary greatly among different centers. This study aims to explore the risk factors for UTI after kidney transplantation with the donation from brain death (DBD) and the impact on graft function, thus to provide theoretical basis for comprehensive prevention and treatment of UTI after kidney transplantation. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory data of DBD kidney transplantation from January 2017 to December 2018 in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were assigned into an UTI group and a non-UTI group. The base line characteristics, post-transplant complications, and graft function were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for UTI. RESULTS: A total of 212 DBD kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. UTI occurred in 44 (20.75%) patients after transplantation. The female, the time of indwelling catheter, and postoperative urinary fistula were independent risk factors for UTI after DBD kidney transplantation. A total of 19 strains of gram-positive bacteria, 12 strains of gram-negative bacteria , and 10 strains of fungi were isolated from the urine of 44 UTI patients. The UTI after kidney transplantation significantly increased time of hospital stay ( CONCLUSIONS UTI after DBD kidney transplantation transplantation affects the renal function at 3 months and increases the patient's economic burden.
Brain Death ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Tract Infections/etiology*

Objective:After the propensity score matching method was used to balance the covariates between groups, the effects of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and total pancreatectomy (TP) on the survival of patients with pancreatic head cancer and related prognostic factors were compared.Methods:The National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and Results (SEER) database were searched and 3 676 patients with pancreatic head cancer from 2010 to 2016 were selected, of whom 3 559 patients underwent PD (PD group) and 117 patients underwent TP (TP group) . Using propensity score matching to balance confounding factors, 117 pairs of cases from PD group and TP group were matched successfully. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to observe the overall survival rate and cancer-specific survival rate of patients before and after matching. Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze and evaluate the impact of different clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic head cancer.Results:Before matching, the 1, 3, and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of 3 559 patients in the PD group were 72.8%, 35.1% and 24.9%, and the median survival time was 23.89 months; the 1, 3, and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of 117 patients in the TP group were 67.9%, 29.4% and 26.1%, and the median survival time was 21.51 months, and all the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). After matching, the 1, 3, and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of 117 patients in the PD group were 77.8%, 44.5% and 31.8%, and the median survival time was 31.50 months, which was significantly better than that of the TP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that surgical methods, tumor differentiation degree, N staging and pathological types were independent risk factors for overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Conclusions:Surgical methods, tumor differentiation degree, N stage and pathological type were independent risk factors affecting the overall survival rate and cancer-related survival rate. The survival benefit of PD was significantly better than that of TP, and the clinical choice of TP treatment for patients with pancreatic head cancer should be cautious.

Cancer immunotherapy has veered the paradigm of cancer treatment. Despite recent advances in immunotherapy for improved antitumor efficacy, the complicated tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly immunosuppressive, yielding both astounding and unsatisfactory clinical successes. In this regard, clinical outcomes of currently available immunotherapy are confined to the varied immune systems owing in large part to the lack of understanding of the complexity and diversity of the immune context of the TME. Various advanced designs of nanomedicines could still not fully surmount the delivery barriers of the TME. The immunosuppressive TME may even dampen the efficacy of antitumor immunity. Recently, some nanotechnology-related strategies have been inaugurated to modulate the immunosuppressive cells within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) for robust immunotherapeutic responses. In this review, we will highlight the current understanding of the immunosuppressive TIME and identify disparate subclasses of TIME that possess an impact on immunotherapy, especially those unique classes associated with the immunosuppressive effect. The immunoregulatory cell types inside the immunosuppressive TIME will be delineated along with the existing and potential approaches for immunosuppressive cell modulation. After introducing the various strategies, we will ultimately outline both the novel therapeutic targets and the potential issues that affect the efficacy of TIME-based nanomedicines.