Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

Hepatitis B is mostly a chronic, progressive disease that, if not treated promptly and effectively, can slowly progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, antiviral therapy, i.e., a "complete therapy" strategy, should be started as long as the virus is positive. Immediate antiviral treatment is not recommended for infected patients who are only in the immune-tolerant phase, mainly because of the milder conditions and poor antiviral therapy efficacy, according to antiviral indications in China's Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2022 Version). The relevant issues of why hepatitis B virus infection in the immune-tolerant phase is the last mile of "complete therapy," with an emphasis on the disease’s characteristics and antiviral treatment strategies, are discussed here.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of pneumothorax in elderly patients(aged ≥65 years)undergoing CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy(PLB).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling elderly patients who underwent CT-guided PLB at Beijing Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023.Pneumothorax occurrence was assessed through two CT scans performed immediately post-procedure and at 48 hours post-PLB.Based on pneumothorax status, patients were categorized into a pneumothorax group and a non-pneumothorax group.Baseline clinical and procedural data were compared between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with pneumothorax.Results:Among the 647 elderly patients who underwent PLB, 152 cases(23.5%, 152/647)developed pneumothorax, with 101 cases(15.6%)presenting with minor pneumothorax and 51 cases(7.9%)with major pneumothorax.Compared with the non-pneumothorax group, patients in the pneumothorax group had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), higher frailty proportion, smaller lesions, lesions located further from the chest wall, more frequent bronchial involvement, and a higher rate of puncture depth ≥5 cm(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the following as significant risk factors for minor pneumothorax: COPD( OR=1.256, 95% CI: 1.014-1.558, P=0.033), lesion size ≤2 cm( OR=1.345, 95% CI: 1.075-1.659, P=0.022), lesion-to-chest-wall distance ≥2 cm( OR=1.372, 95% CI: 1.105-1.703, P=0.007), presence of pulmonary bullae or emphysema( OR=1.524, 95% CI: 1.223-1.899, P<0.001), ground-glass opacity density( OR=1.313, 95% CI: 1.072-1.839, P=0.014), bronchial involvement( OR=1.211, 95% CI: 1.047-1.694, P=0.038), and needle insertion depth ≥5 cm( OR=1.312, 95% CI: 1.024-1.749, P=0.038).For major pneumothorax, significant risk factors included age( OR=1.286, 95% CI: 1.021-1.819, P=0.041), COPD( OR=1.248, 95% CI: 1.098-1.753, P=0.035), heart failure( OR=1.312, 95% CI: 1.027-1.956, P=0.042), frailty( OR=1.301, 95% CI: 1.063-1.981, P=0.036), lesion size ≤2 cm( OR=1.345, 95% CI: 1.040-1.872, P=0.039), lesion-to-chest-wall distance ≥2 cm( OR=1.482, 95% CI: 1.116-1.738, P=0.032), presence of bullae or emphysema( OR=1.705, 95% CI: 1.316-2.431, P=0.024), and puncture depth ≥5 cm( OR=1.343, 95% CI: 1.058-1.763, P=0.037). Conclusions:Elderly patients undergoing CT-guided PLB have a high risk of pneumothorax.Personalized predictive strategies are necessary to reduce the risk of pneumothorax, particularly major pneumothorax.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of pneumothorax in elderly patients(aged ≥65 years)undergoing CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy(PLB).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling elderly patients who underwent CT-guided PLB at Beijing Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023.Pneumothorax occurrence was assessed through two CT scans performed immediately post-procedure and at 48 hours post-PLB.Based on pneumothorax status, patients were categorized into a pneumothorax group and a non-pneumothorax group.Baseline clinical and procedural data were compared between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with pneumothorax.Results:Among the 647 elderly patients who underwent PLB, 152 cases(23.5%, 152/647)developed pneumothorax, with 101 cases(15.6%)presenting with minor pneumothorax and 51 cases(7.9%)with major pneumothorax.Compared with the non-pneumothorax group, patients in the pneumothorax group had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), higher frailty proportion, smaller lesions, lesions located further from the chest wall, more frequent bronchial involvement, and a higher rate of puncture depth ≥5 cm(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the following as significant risk factors for minor pneumothorax: COPD( OR=1.256, 95% CI: 1.014-1.558, P=0.033), lesion size ≤2 cm( OR=1.345, 95% CI: 1.075-1.659, P=0.022), lesion-to-chest-wall distance ≥2 cm( OR=1.372, 95% CI: 1.105-1.703, P=0.007), presence of pulmonary bullae or emphysema( OR=1.524, 95% CI: 1.223-1.899, P<0.001), ground-glass opacity density( OR=1.313, 95% CI: 1.072-1.839, P=0.014), bronchial involvement( OR=1.211, 95% CI: 1.047-1.694, P=0.038), and needle insertion depth ≥5 cm( OR=1.312, 95% CI: 1.024-1.749, P=0.038).For major pneumothorax, significant risk factors included age( OR=1.286, 95% CI: 1.021-1.819, P=0.041), COPD( OR=1.248, 95% CI: 1.098-1.753, P=0.035), heart failure( OR=1.312, 95% CI: 1.027-1.956, P=0.042), frailty( OR=1.301, 95% CI: 1.063-1.981, P=0.036), lesion size ≤2 cm( OR=1.345, 95% CI: 1.040-1.872, P=0.039), lesion-to-chest-wall distance ≥2 cm( OR=1.482, 95% CI: 1.116-1.738, P=0.032), presence of bullae or emphysema( OR=1.705, 95% CI: 1.316-2.431, P=0.024), and puncture depth ≥5 cm( OR=1.343, 95% CI: 1.058-1.763, P=0.037). Conclusions:Elderly patients undergoing CT-guided PLB have a high risk of pneumothorax.Personalized predictive strategies are necessary to reduce the risk of pneumothorax, particularly major pneumothorax.

Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue, and also the leading cause of liver-related death worldwide. During the treatment of liver fibrosis, in addition to antiviral therapy or removal of inducers, there remains a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies. For thousands of years, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used to treat liver fibrosis in clinical setting. CHMs are effective for liver fibrosis, though its mechanisms of action are unclear. In recent years, many studies have attempted to determine the possible mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating liver fibrosis. There have been substantial improvements in the experimental investigation of CHMs which have greatly promoted the understanding of anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms. In this review, the role of CHMs in the treatment of liver fibrosis is described, based on studies over the past decade, which has addressed the various mechanisms and signaling pathways that mediate therapeutic efficacy. Among them, inhibition of stellate cell activation is identified as the most common mechanism. This article provides insights into the research direction of CHMs, in order to expand its clinical application range and improve its effectiveness.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Fibrosis ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy*

Timely and effective antiviral therapy can prevent or delay the progression of the disease to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral therapy indications are constantly expanding, and eventually it will be manageable to treat viral positives based on the new understanding of the disease progression and the changes in the definition of abnormal values in liver function tests.

Objective:To prospectively explore the treatment strategies for clinical difficulties in patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with incomplete response to first-line nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs).Methods:Patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B were treated with first-line NAs, including entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) for 48 weeks or more. Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or TAF therapy was changed when HBV DNA remained positive and then divided into a TMF group and a TAF group. Clinical efficacy of treatment was evaluated at 24 and 48 weeks, including HBV DNA undetectable rates and virological and serological responses in both patient groups.Results:In the TMF group and the TAF groups, 30 and 26 cases completed 24-week follow-up, while 18 and 12 cases completed 48-week follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels between the two groups before switching to TMF/TAF therapy ( P > 0.05). At 24 weeks of treatment, 19 (19/30, 63.33%) cases in the TMF group had HBV DNA negative conversion, while 14 (14/26, 53.85%) cases in the TAF group had HBV DNA negative conversion ( P > 0.05). Among the patients who completed 48 weeks of follow-up, 15 (15/18, 83.33%) cases in the TMF group and 7 (7/12, 58.33%) cases in the TAF group had negative HBV DNA tests ( P > 0.05). The changes in HBsAg and HBeAg levels between the two groups of patients at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment were not statistically significant compared to baseline ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:TMF is effective in treating patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive CHB with an incomplete response to first-line NAs treatment, but there is no significant difference compared to TAF.

Objective:To evaluate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related symptom combinations and ovarian stimulation high response in infertile patients with PCOS symptoms and controlled ovarian stimulation treatment by recombinant Human Follitropin Alfa (r-hFSHα) solution for injection, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of using the r-hFSHα prefilled injection pen in high-risk patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).Methods:This prospective, observational, phase Ⅳ study enrolled 1055 patients with at least one symptom/sign of PCOS using the r-hFSHα prefilled pen for over 4 months follow-up observation from December 2015 to September 2017 in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Tangdu Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University, Dalian Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University. The primary endpoints assessed included the development of polycystic ovaries, elevated serum testosterone levels, menstrual cycle disturbances, development of hirsutism, and completion of egg retrieval. The efficacy endpoints of the study included the number of ocoytes retrieved, the number of M Ⅱ oocyte, the biochemical pregnancy rate, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the implantation rate. Results:In the full analysis set ( n=997), polycystic ovary rate was 54.5% (543/997), serum testosterone level was (0.4±0.2) μg/L, menstrual cycle disorder rate was 45.0% (449/997), hirsutism rate was 10.5% (105/997). The average number of oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation was 14.4. The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer cycle was 53.6% (251/468), the live birth rate was 45.3% (212/468), the biochemical pregnancy rate was 60.9% (285/468), the implantation rate was 39.1% (349/893), and the fresh embryo transfer cancellation rate was 24.0% (239/997). OHSS incidence was diagnosed in 1.8% (19/1054) of patients (safety set, n=1054), including 8 (0.8%) mild cases, 10 (0.9%) moderate cases and 1 (0.1%) severe case. According to the results of exploratory analysis, a decrease in body mass index (BMI) was associated with an increased risk of high response. For every 1 kg/m 2 decrease in BMI, the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >15) increased by approximately 9%, the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >20) increased by approximately 9%. For every 1 increase in antral follicle count (AFC), the risk of high response(number of retrieved oocytes >15) increased by approximately 6% and the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >20) by approximately 4%. Conclusion:Patients with at least one symptom/sign of ovarian hyperstimulation achieved good clinical outcomes with the use of the r-hFSHα prefilled pen, and high response was associated with lower BMI and AFC.

Objective:To evaluate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related symptom combinations and ovarian stimulation high response in infertile patients with PCOS symptoms and controlled ovarian stimulation treatment by recombinant Human Follitropin Alfa (r-hFSHα) solution for injection, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of using the r-hFSHα prefilled injection pen in high-risk patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).Methods:This prospective, observational, phase Ⅳ study enrolled 1055 patients with at least one symptom/sign of PCOS using the r-hFSHα prefilled pen for over 4 months follow-up observation from December 2015 to September 2017 in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Tangdu Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University, Dalian Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University. The primary endpoints assessed included the development of polycystic ovaries, elevated serum testosterone levels, menstrual cycle disturbances, development of hirsutism, and completion of egg retrieval. The efficacy endpoints of the study included the number of ocoytes retrieved, the number of M Ⅱ oocyte, the biochemical pregnancy rate, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the implantation rate. Results:In the full analysis set ( n=997), polycystic ovary rate was 54.5% (543/997), serum testosterone level was (0.4±0.2) μg/L, menstrual cycle disorder rate was 45.0% (449/997), hirsutism rate was 10.5% (105/997). The average number of oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation was 14.4. The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer cycle was 53.6% (251/468), the live birth rate was 45.3% (212/468), the biochemical pregnancy rate was 60.9% (285/468), the implantation rate was 39.1% (349/893), and the fresh embryo transfer cancellation rate was 24.0% (239/997). OHSS incidence was diagnosed in 1.8% (19/1054) of patients (safety set, n=1054), including 8 (0.8%) mild cases, 10 (0.9%) moderate cases and 1 (0.1%) severe case. According to the results of exploratory analysis, a decrease in body mass index (BMI) was associated with an increased risk of high response. For every 1 kg/m 2 decrease in BMI, the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >15) increased by approximately 9%, the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >20) increased by approximately 9%. For every 1 increase in antral follicle count (AFC), the risk of high response(number of retrieved oocytes >15) increased by approximately 6% and the risk of high response (number of retrieved oocytes >20) by approximately 4%. Conclusion:Patients with at least one symptom/sign of ovarian hyperstimulation achieved good clinical outcomes with the use of the r-hFSHα prefilled pen, and high response was associated with lower BMI and AFC.