Objective To investigate the efficacy of Qizhu Bishi Granules combined with methotrexate in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 140 RA patients in the Shijiazhuang City Third Hospital from January to May 2023 were selected as research objects and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 70 cases in eachgroup. The control group was treated with methotrexate, while the treatment group was treated with Qizhu Bishi Granules combined with methotrexate, and the treatment duration was 3 months for both groups. The total effective rate, score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, the number of swollen joints, the number of tender joints, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain, the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP antibody) levels before treatment and at 1 month and 3 months after treatment as well as therapeutic safety were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate in the treatment group was 97.14%, which was significantly higher than 87.14% in the control group (P < 0.05). After 1 month and 3 months of treatment, the scores of TCM syndromes, the number of swollen joints, the number of tender joints, the VAS score, DAS28, IL-1, TNF-α, ESR, hs-CRP, RF and anti-CCP antibody levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in both group. Conclusion Qizhu Bishi Granules combined with methotrexate in treating RA can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, improve TCM syndromes, reduce inflammatory responses, decrease disease activity, and the therapeutic efficacy is reliable and safe.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) treatment model for retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma (RPS) in the context of a regional medical center.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of a patient with RPS in MDT model who were admitted to Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in October 2020 were summarized, and the literature was reviewed.Results:The patient was a 59-year-old male, he was diagnosed with retroperitoneal INI-1-deficient poorly differentiated sarcoma with multiple systemic metastases. After several rounds of MDT discussions in Shanghai headquarter and Xiamen Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, the patient received systemic antitumor therapy combined with local therapy. After active treatment, the patient obtained a good curative effect. During the follow-up period, the liver and lung lesions slowly enlarged, and the treatment plan was adjusted. The patient had survived for more than 3 years.Conclusions:The diagnosis and treatment of RPS is complex, and the MDT model in the context of a regional medical center can help to formulate the optimal treatment plan for patients and may maximize the survival benefit of patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognostic factors of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 38 patients with HL who underwent ASCT. Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods were used to analyze the curative effect and prognostic factors after transplantation. Results All 38 transplanted patients obtained hematopoietic reconstitution. The CR rates before and after transplantation were 55.3% and 81.6%, respectively, and the 5-year PFS and OS were 76.1% and 79.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that B symptoms, IPS score, pre-transplant remission status, extranodal invasion, and pretreatment regimen were the factors affecting the prognosis of ASCT in patients with HL. Multivariate analysis showed that B symptom was an independent risk factor affecting 5-year PFS. Conclusion ASCT is effective in the treatment of high-risk, relapsed, and refractory patients with HL. B symptom is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the long-term efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) as the first-line consolidation therapy for high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era.Methods:From January 2010 to June 2017, 113 DLBCL patients admitted to Henan Cancer Hospital who had complete remission (CR) after rituximab combined with chemotherapy were enrolled. Among 113 patients, 40 cases received auto-HSCT as the first-line consolidation treatment after chemotherapy (transplantation group) and 73 cases received chemotherapy only (non-transplantation group). The clinical data of 113 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, and OS and PFS were compared between both groups.Results:The 2-, 3- and 5-year OS rates of transplantation group and non-transplantation group were 90.0% vs. 91.8%, 84.9% vs. 80.1%, 80.9% vs. 72.8%, respectively, and the difference in OS was statistically significant of both groups ( P = 0.457); the 2-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 85.0% vs. 85.0%, 82.2% vs. 61.8%, 82.2% vs. 60.0%, respectively, and the difference in PFS was statistically significant of both groups ( P = 0.046). None of the patients in the transplantation group experienced early transplantation-related death. Conclusions:In the era of rituximab treatment, the first-line auto-HSCT consolidation therapy could improve the PFS of high-risk DLBCL patients who are sensitive to chemotherapy, and it may improve the OS with a good safety.

Objective To detect the radiation of ¹³¹I in treatment site of a grade A tertiary hospital. Methods A total of 25 patients with thyroid cancer were administrated ¹³¹I at a total dose of 82880 MBq. After administration, the ambient dose equivalent rate of the ward was detected with X- and γ-ray detectors. After patient discharge, surface contamination of the ward was detected with α/β surface contamination meter. During patient hospitalization and on the day of discharge, air samples were collected from ¹³¹I treatment site and office area. The air samples were measured using a HPGe γ-ray spectrometer and the concentration of ¹³¹I in air was calculated. Results The ambient dose equivalent rate in the ward ranged from 0.15 to 0.46 μSv/h. Before ward cleaning, surface contamination ranged from 0.53 to 40.1 Bq/cm² and the highest value was recorded on the toilet. Within 4 h after administration, the concentrations of ¹³¹I in air in treatment site and the corridor of the office area were 1.74 Bq/m³ and 0.66 Bq/m³, respectively. The ventilation air flow rate in the treatment site was 0.50 m/s. Ventilation decreased the concentration of ¹³¹I in air by 29.7%, 79.7%, and 53.3% compared with the previous day during hospitalization and on the day of discharge. Conclusion The radiation of external exposure of ¹³¹I in the treatment site is low and the shielding is effective. Before ward cleaning, the surface contamination is lower than the required limits except for the toilet. Ventilation is the primary way to reduce the concentration of ¹³¹I in air.

Objective:To characterize the humeral head necrosis after open reduction and anatomic locking plate fixation of complex proximal humeral fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 20 patients who had been treated for humeral head necrosis after surgery of complex proximal humeral fracture at Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from September 2012 to June 2020. They were 7 males and 13 females with an average age of 57.4 years (from 35 to 84 years). Analyzed were their fracture types, time for diagnosis of humeral head necrosis, length of the medial residual bone, thickness of the humeral head and shoulder function.Results:The 20 patients were followed up for 8 to 104 months (average, 48.3 months). According to the Neer classification, there were 8 three-part fractures and 12 four-part fractures; shoulder dislocation was complicated in 10 cases. According to the AO-OTA classification, there were 16 type C fractures and 4 type B fractures. The length of the medial residual bone averaged 4.8 mm (from 0 to 10.7 mm); the medial soft tissue hinge was damaged in 18 cases and the thickness of the humeral head averaged 20.6 mm (from 13.6 to 33.0 mm). All fractures got united at the first stage after an average time of 8.4 weeks (from 5 to 12 weeks). The time for diagnosis of humeral head necrosis averaged 16.5 months (from 8 to 24 months). At the final follow-up, the Constant-Murley score of the affected side averaged 53.4 (from 22 to 74) while that of the healthy side 85.5 (from 53 to 98), with a ratio of affected side to healthy side of 62.43% (from 27.95 to 82.70%).Conclusions:Necrosis of the humeral head was common after surgery for complex proximal humerus fractures, most of which were three- or four-part ones or combined with shoulder dislocation. In most of the patients, the medial soft tissue hinge was damaged and the length of the residual medial bone usually shorter than 8 mm. Necrosis of the humeral head happened late after surgery. The function of the affected shoulder was significantly lower than that of the healthy side.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib in combination with chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Methods:37 patients orally received apatinib at 250 mg/d during concurrent chemoradiotherapy until completion of radiotherapy, complete remission assessed by imaging examination, the onset of unacceptable toxicity or death. Baseline characteristics, objective response rates (ORR) and adverse events were assessed in all enrolled patients with complete baseline and safety data. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were statistically identified using Cox regression models.Results:The ORR was 85%(95% CI: 72%-98%). The median PFS was 17.9 months and the 2-year OS rate was 62%(95% CI: 48%-80%). Ineffective short-term efficacy ( HR=0.035, 995% CI: 0.02-0.652, P=0.025) was an independent risk factor for poor OS. In addition, ineffective short-term efficacy ( HR=0.104, 95% CI: 0.017-0.633, P=0.014) and lymphocytopenia ( HR=17.539, 95% CI: 2.040-150.779, P=0.009) were independent risk factors for poor PFS. Common adverse events (>60%) included lymphocytopenia (76%), leukopenia (68%) and irradiation-induced mucosal injury (65%). The most common treatment-associated grade 3 adverse event was lymphopenia (49%). Conclusions:Apatinib combined with chemoradiotherapy yield significant anti-tumor activity for HNSCC with controllable toxicity. For patients with advanced HNSCC, short-term efficacy and lymphocytopenia may be potential predictors for clinical efficacy of apatinib combined with chemoradiotherapy.

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is an entity characterized with portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of cirrhosis, the related risk factors, and imaging evidence of obstructed portal vein, hepatic vein and inferior vena cava. Its prevalence varies significantly between East and West countries. Until now, the etiologies have been classified as autoimmune, hematologic, and prethrombotic conditions, infections, toxins or drugs, and genetic or metabolic disorders. However, the definite cause remains unknown. Diagnosis is based on three histopathological features: obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and incomplete septal fibrosis. The clinical manifestations of early PSVD are nonspecific, whereas those at a late stage are similar to cirrhosis. The imaging detection mainly reveals the PH signs and complications, but the liver stiffness is normal or slightly increased, necessitating a liver biopsy for PVSD diagnosis. PSVD treatment is similar to liver cirrhosis; however, the prognosis is better. In order to gain a thorough understanding of PSVD, the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment are discussed in this article.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathological characteristics and significance of RET proto-oncogene screening in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis (CLA). METHODS: Clinical data of 51 members from 7 unrelated pedigrees of MEN2A-CLA were collected. Systemic clinical investigations including biochemical testing, imaging examination, germline RET variant screening and histopathological examination were carried out. RESULTS: RET gene variants were detected in 28 patients with MEN2A (C634G/F/R/S/W and C611Y) including 12 males and 16 females, with the mean age of diagnosis being (41.1 ± 18.3) years old, which were consistent with their clinical manifestations. The incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma (PHEO), hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) and CLA among 28 MEN2A patients were 89.3%, 28.6%, 7.1% and 28.6%, respectively. Comparison of the incidence of MTC/PHEO/HPTH and CLA between C611Y and C634G/F/R/S/W, only PHEO and CLA in C611Y were lower than those in C634G/F/R/S/W (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Among 8 patients with CLA, the male to female ratio was 2 : 6. The clinical features included pruritus in the interscapular region and presence of dry, thickened, scaly, brown pigment, clustered or desquamate-like plaques. The mean onset age of CLA [(18.4 ± 4.6) years] versus the mean age at diagnosis of CLA or MEN2A were significantly different (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION MEN2A-CLA may be the early clinical manifestation of MEN2A and most frequently occurred along with RET-C634 variant. To facilitate the recognition of MEN2A-CLA, to combine family investigation and screening of RET variant are helpful for early diagnosis and standardized treatment, which can improve the long-term outcome of MEN2A-specific tumors.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; Adult ; Amyloidosis, Familial ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Lichens ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a/genetics* ; Pheochromocytoma ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret/genetics* ; Skin Diseases, Genetic ; Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics* ; Young Adult

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bendamustine monotherapy in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) .Methods:This prospective, multicenter, open label, single-arm, phase Ⅱ study investigated bendamustine’s efficacy and safety in Chinese patients with R/R B-NHL. A total of 78 patients with B-NHL in 11 hospitals in China from March 2012 to December 2016 were included, and their clinical characteristics, efficacy, and survival were analyzed.Results:The median age of all patients was 58 (range, 24-76) years old, and 69 (88.4% ) patients had stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ disease. 61 (78.2% ) patients were refractory to previous treatments. Patients received a median of 4 (range, 1-10) cycles of bendamustine treatment. The overall response rate was 61.5 (95% CI 49.8-72.3) % , the median response duration was 8.3 (95% CI 5.5-14.0) months, and the complete remission (CR) rate was 5.1 (95% CI 1.4-12.6) % . In the full analysis set, median progression-free survival (PFS) and median OS were 8.7 (95% CI 6.7-13.2) months and 25.5 months (95% CI 14.2 months to not reached) , respectively, after a median follow-up of 33.6 (95% CI 17.4-38.8) months. Lymphopenia (74.4% ) , neutropenia (52.6% ) , and leukopenia (39.7% ) , thrombocytopenia (29.5% ) and anemia (15.4% ) were the most common grade 3-4 hematologic adverse events (AE) . The most frequent non-hematologic AEs included nausea (43.6% ) , vomiting (33.3% ) , and anorexia (29.5% ) . Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that <4 cycles of bendamustine treatment was a poor prognostic factor for PFS ( P=0.003) , and failure to accept fludarabine containing regimen was a poor prognostic factor for OS ( P=0.009) . Conclusion:Bendamustine monotherapy has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of patient with R/R B-NHL.