Objective:To explore the effects of passive distraction training modalities on aging skeletal muscle cells and its underlying mechanisms,and to provide experimental data on effective interventions for patients with severe loss of locomotor capacity in severe skeletal sarcopenia.Method:An in vitro skeletal muscle cell aging model by C2C12 differentiated skeletal muscle cells with D-ga-lactose stimulation were established.Aging skeletal muscle cells were subjected to cyclic stretch(0.5Hz,24h)using an FX-5000 Flex Cell Tension system.Senescence and oxidative stress levels were assessed through mito-chondrial membrane potential,antioxidant content,EdU assay,and β-galactosidase staining.The expression of AMPK/PGC-α/FOXO3 signaling molecules related to muscle cell protein synthesis and decomposition in the cells was analyzed by Western Blot.Result:Passive stretching significantly reduced the positive rate of aging in senescent skeletal muscle cells(18.03%±6.82%)compared with the aging group(42.86%±10.54%,P<0.05).The expression levels of intracellu-lar AMPK and PGC-1α significantly increased after passive stretching,while the expression of FOXO3 de-creased significantly compared to the aging group(P<0.05).In addition,passive stretching increased the mito-chondrial membrane potential but appeared to reduce the antioxidant content in aging skeletal muscle cells,po-tentially related to changes in PGC-1α expression levels.Conclusion:Passive stretching improved the aging state of skeletal muscle cells by modulating the AMPK/PGC-1α/FOXO3 signaling pathway and oxidative stress levels,revealing the great potential of passive stretch-ing as the treatment for severe sarcopenia.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antibody mediated rejection (AMR) after lung transplantation at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, thereby providing references for clinical management.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by collecting clinical data of 34 lung transplant recipients (LTRs) diagnosed with AMR between March 2017 and September 2023. The diagnosis of AMR was based on the 2019 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus. Baseline characteristics, primary diseases, pre-diagnostic events, diagnosis, treatment regimens, and outcomes were summarized and analyzed. According to outcomes at the final follow-up (March 31, 2024), patients were divided into survival group (22 cases) and death group (12 cases), and the differences in clinical characteristics and treatments were compared.Results:The incidence of AMR among 551 LTRs was 6.2% (34/551). Among the 34 AMR recipients, 79.4% (27/34) were male, and the median age was 64.0 (54.5, 67.3) years. The primary underlying disease was interstitial lung disease (79.4%). Based on diagnostic classification, 73.5%(25/34) were clinical AMR and 26.5% (9/34) were subclinical AMR. Regarding diagnostic levels, 11.8%(4/34) were proven AMR, 50.0% (17/34) probable AMR, and 38.2%(13/34) possible AMR. Pre-transplant sensitization was detected in 2 patients (5.9%). Post-transplant HLA antibody testing revealed 79.4%(27/34) positive for HLA class Ⅱ antibodies (most commonly DQ7) and 85.3%(29/34) had newly developed HLA antibodies, of which 82.4%(28/34) were de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA). The most common clinical manifestations were exertional dyspnea(67.6%) and decreased pulse oxygen saturation(47.1%). Chest imaging mainly showed new consolidations or patchy opacities (55.9%), followed by ground-glass opacities (32.4%) and pleural effusion (20.6%). Regarding treatment, 94.1% (32/34) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 88.2%(30/34) underwent plasma exchange, and 41.2%(14/34) received intravenous glucocorticoid (IVGC). The most common regimens were "plasma exchange+IVIG" and "IVGC+plasma exchange+IVIG+rituximab", each used in 23.5%(8/34) of cases. The complete HLA antibody clearance rate after treatment was 38.2%. The mortality rates at 3 months, 1 year, and final follow-up after AMR diagnosis were 8.8%, 23.5%, and 35.3%, respectively, with a median survival time of 243.0(96.3, 572.3) days. The survival group had a significantly higher rate of tacrolimus-based triple immunosuppressive therapy (glucocorticoid+tacrolimus+mycophenolate moftil) compared to the death group [86.4% (19/22) vs 50.0% (6/12), P=0.040], while rituximab usage was higher in the death group [75.0% (9/12) vs 13.6% (3/22), P=0.008]. Conclusions:Although AMR after lung transplantation is relatively rare, its diagnosis is challenging, antibody clearance rate after treatment is low, and clinical outcomes are poor, requiring heightened clinical vigilance.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of COVID-19 infection on the mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: The general baseline data, treatment factors before mobilization collection, collection status, and treatment overview after collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 1, 2020 to July 15, 2023 were analyzed. RESULTS: 269 patients underwent mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells. Among them, 32 cases with COVID-19 infection history (COVID-19 group) and 237 cases without COVID-19 infection history (non-COVID-19 group). In the COVID-19 group, 17 cases were treated with chemotherapy (etoposide)+G-CSF, and 15 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF. In the non-COVID-19 group, 214 cases were treated with chemotherapy +G-CSF, 17 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF, and 6 cases were treated with chemotherapy + plerixafor +G-CSF. The number of CD34⁺ cells, collection success rate, and excellence rate in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group were ［5.52 (0.94-26.87) vs 4.80 (0.53-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.610), (93.8% vs 85.2%) (P =0.275), (62.5% vs 49.4%) (P =0.190), respectively. Among 113 patients mobilized with etoposide +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate, and excellence rate collected from COVID-19 infection (17 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (96 cases) were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 7.78 (2.26-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.847), (100.0% vs 100.0%) (no P value), (82.4% vs 86.5%) (P =0.655), respectively. Among 32 patients mobilized by plerixafor +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate and excellence rate of COVID-19 infection (15 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (17 cases) were ［3.82 (0.94-7.27) vs 4.11 (0.53-9.05)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.821), (86.7% vs 88.2%) (P =0.893), (40.0% vs 35.3%) (P =0.784), respectively. In 32 patients with COVID-19 infection, the number of CD34⁺ cells collected by etoposide +G-CSF (17 cases) and plerixafor +G-CSF (15 cases), as well as the success rate and excellence rate were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 3.82(0.94-7.27)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.004), (100.0% vs 86.7%) (P =0.120), (82.4% vs 40.0%) (P =0.014), respectively. By 2023.7.31, 232 patients (86.2%, 232/269) had received transplantation, including 24 patients in the COVID-19 group and 208 patients in the non-COVID-19 group. The median number of CD34⁺ cells infused in the two groups was ［3.67 (2.50-13.44) vs 3.11(1.12-19.89)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.058), the median days of neutrophil engraftment ［11(9-13) vs 11(9-17)］ (P =0.674), the median days of platelet engraftment ［11(0-23), 12(0-43)］ (P =0.279), respectively. CONCLUSION The history of COVID-19 infection did not affect the PBSC mobilization, collection and transplantation of patients with myeloma. In patients with COVID-19 infection, the results of chemotherapy mobilization with etoposide seems to be better than that of plerixafor mobilization, but further research is needed to clarify.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use* ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Female ; Cyclams ; Benzylamines

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antibody mediated rejection (AMR) after lung transplantation at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, thereby providing references for clinical management.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by collecting clinical data of 34 lung transplant recipients (LTRs) diagnosed with AMR between March 2017 and September 2023. The diagnosis of AMR was based on the 2019 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus. Baseline characteristics, primary diseases, pre-diagnostic events, diagnosis, treatment regimens, and outcomes were summarized and analyzed. According to outcomes at the final follow-up (March 31, 2024), patients were divided into survival group (22 cases) and death group (12 cases), and the differences in clinical characteristics and treatments were compared.Results:The incidence of AMR among 551 LTRs was 6.2% (34/551). Among the 34 AMR recipients, 79.4% (27/34) were male, and the median age was 64.0 (54.5, 67.3) years. The primary underlying disease was interstitial lung disease (79.4%). Based on diagnostic classification, 73.5%(25/34) were clinical AMR and 26.5% (9/34) were subclinical AMR. Regarding diagnostic levels, 11.8%(4/34) were proven AMR, 50.0% (17/34) probable AMR, and 38.2%(13/34) possible AMR. Pre-transplant sensitization was detected in 2 patients (5.9%). Post-transplant HLA antibody testing revealed 79.4%(27/34) positive for HLA class Ⅱ antibodies (most commonly DQ7) and 85.3%(29/34) had newly developed HLA antibodies, of which 82.4%(28/34) were de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA). The most common clinical manifestations were exertional dyspnea(67.6%) and decreased pulse oxygen saturation(47.1%). Chest imaging mainly showed new consolidations or patchy opacities (55.9%), followed by ground-glass opacities (32.4%) and pleural effusion (20.6%). Regarding treatment, 94.1% (32/34) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 88.2%(30/34) underwent plasma exchange, and 41.2%(14/34) received intravenous glucocorticoid (IVGC). The most common regimens were "plasma exchange+IVIG" and "IVGC+plasma exchange+IVIG+rituximab", each used in 23.5%(8/34) of cases. The complete HLA antibody clearance rate after treatment was 38.2%. The mortality rates at 3 months, 1 year, and final follow-up after AMR diagnosis were 8.8%, 23.5%, and 35.3%, respectively, with a median survival time of 243.0(96.3, 572.3) days. The survival group had a significantly higher rate of tacrolimus-based triple immunosuppressive therapy (glucocorticoid+tacrolimus+mycophenolate moftil) compared to the death group [86.4% (19/22) vs 50.0% (6/12), P=0.040], while rituximab usage was higher in the death group [75.0% (9/12) vs 13.6% (3/22), P=0.008]. Conclusions:Although AMR after lung transplantation is relatively rare, its diagnosis is challenging, antibody clearance rate after treatment is low, and clinical outcomes are poor, requiring heightened clinical vigilance.

Objective:To explore the effects of passive distraction training modalities on aging skeletal muscle cells and its underlying mechanisms,and to provide experimental data on effective interventions for patients with severe loss of locomotor capacity in severe skeletal sarcopenia.Method:An in vitro skeletal muscle cell aging model by C2C12 differentiated skeletal muscle cells with D-ga-lactose stimulation were established.Aging skeletal muscle cells were subjected to cyclic stretch(0.5Hz,24h)using an FX-5000 Flex Cell Tension system.Senescence and oxidative stress levels were assessed through mito-chondrial membrane potential,antioxidant content,EdU assay,and β-galactosidase staining.The expression of AMPK/PGC-α/FOXO3 signaling molecules related to muscle cell protein synthesis and decomposition in the cells was analyzed by Western Blot.Result:Passive stretching significantly reduced the positive rate of aging in senescent skeletal muscle cells(18.03%±6.82%)compared with the aging group(42.86%±10.54%,P<0.05).The expression levels of intracellu-lar AMPK and PGC-1α significantly increased after passive stretching,while the expression of FOXO3 de-creased significantly compared to the aging group(P<0.05).In addition,passive stretching increased the mito-chondrial membrane potential but appeared to reduce the antioxidant content in aging skeletal muscle cells,po-tentially related to changes in PGC-1α expression levels.Conclusion:Passive stretching improved the aging state of skeletal muscle cells by modulating the AMPK/PGC-1α/FOXO3 signaling pathway and oxidative stress levels,revealing the great potential of passive stretch-ing as the treatment for severe sarcopenia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome （FMS） is a refractory， chronic non-articular rheumatic disease characterized by widespread pain throughout the body， for which there are no satisfactory therapeutic drugs or options. There are rich Chinese medical therapies， and some non-drug therapies， such as acupuncture， Tai Chi， and Ba-Duan-Jin， have shown satisfactory efficacy and safety and definite advantages of simultaneously adjusting mind and body. FMS is taken as a disease responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018. In order to clarify the research progress in FMS and the clinical advantages of TCM/integrated Chinese and Western medicine， the China Academy of Chinese Medicine organized a seminar for nearly 20 experts in Chinese and Western medicine， including rheumatology， psychology， acupuncture and moxibustion， and encephalopathy， with the topic of difficulties in clinical diagnosis and treatment of FMS and advantages of TCM and Western medicine. The recommendations were reached on the difficulties in early diagnosis and solutions of FMS， mitigation of common non-specific symptoms， preferential analgesic therapy， TCM pathogenesis and treatment advantages， and direction of treatment with integrated Chinese and Western medicine. FMS is currently facing the triple dilemma of low early correct diagnosis， poor patient participation， and unsatisfactory benefit from pure Western medicine treatment. To solve the above problems， this paper suggests that rheumatologists should serve as the main diagnostic force of this disease， and they should improve patient participation in treatment decision-making， implement exercise therapy， and fully utilize the holistic and multidimensional features of TCM， which is effective in alleviating pain， improving mood， and decreasing adverse events. In addition， it is suggested that FMS treatment should rely on both TCM and Western medicine and adopt multidisciplinary joint treatment， which is expected to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment of FMS in China.