OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis risk factors of aggressive NK-cell leukemia(ANKL).Methods:The clinical and laboratory data of 34 patients with ANKL and 15 patients with chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells(CLPD-NK)admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates,and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze prognostic factors.Results:Compared with CLPD-NK patients,ANKL patients had a younger median age of onset,a higher proportion patients with EBV-DNA≥500 copies/ml,hepatosplenomegaly and hemophagocytic syndrome.They also presented with a higher peak of fever,a shorter median survival time,lower WBC count,PLT count,ALB and Fib values,while having higher LDH,AST,TG,ferritin,CRP and PCT levels.There were statistically significant differences in the morphology and expression of HLA-DR,CD56,CD57,CD16 and CD158 on abnormall cells between ANKL patients and CLPD-NK patients.Multivariate survival analysis revealed that combined with asparaginase treatment could improve patients' survival,and CRP≥ 15 mg/L and Fib＜2.0 g/L were independent risk factors affecting the overall survival of patients with ANKL.Conclusion:The differences in clinical features and laboratory tests between patients with ANKL and CLPD-NK aid in the diagnosis of ANKL.CRP and Fib levels can be used to predict the prognosis of patients,and combined asparaginase therapy can enhance the overall survival of patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis risk factors of aggressive NK-cell leukemia(ANKL).Methods:The clinical and laboratory data of 34 patients with ANKL and 15 patients with chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells(CLPD-NK)admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates,and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze prognostic factors.Results:Compared with CLPD-NK patients,ANKL patients had a younger median age of onset,a higher proportion patients with EBV-DNA≥500 copies/ml,hepatosplenomegaly and hemophagocytic syndrome.They also presented with a higher peak of fever,a shorter median survival time,lower WBC count,PLT count,ALB and Fib values,while having higher LDH,AST,TG,ferritin,CRP and PCT levels.There were statistically significant differences in the morphology and expression of HLA-DR,CD56,CD57,CD16 and CD158 on abnormall cells between ANKL patients and CLPD-NK patients.Multivariate survival analysis revealed that combined with asparaginase treatment could improve patients' survival,and CRP≥ 15 mg/L and Fib＜2.0 g/L were independent risk factors affecting the overall survival of patients with ANKL.Conclusion:The differences in clinical features and laboratory tests between patients with ANKL and CLPD-NK aid in the diagnosis of ANKL.CRP and Fib levels can be used to predict the prognosis of patients,and combined asparaginase therapy can enhance the overall survival of patients.

Objective To investigate the influence of different disinfectants on the ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application.Methods A total of 102 emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage who underwent ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and catheterization were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the iodine group(51 cases)and the chlorhexidine-alcohol group(51 cases).Iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol were used for disinfection before puncture,respectively.The disinfection effect of the puncture site,puncture condition,ultrasound imaging,and adhesive force of the application of patients were statistically compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the bacterial count before disinfection,the bacterial count after disinfection or the qualified rate of disinfection at the puncture site of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the success rate of one-time puncture,the number of puncture and the time of puncture and catheterization between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the rate of clear ultrasound images,adhesive force and rate of warping or shedding of the application between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion For emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage,using iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol disinfection before ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture can achieve good disinfection effects.Iodine disinfection can obtain clearer ultrasound images and a higher success rate of one-time puncture,but the adhesive force of the application is poor,making it prone to warping or shedding.

Objective To investigate the influence of different disinfectants on the ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application.Methods A total of 102 emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage who underwent ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and catheterization were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the iodine group(51 cases)and the chlorhexidine-alcohol group(51 cases).Iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol were used for disinfection before puncture,respectively.The disinfection effect of the puncture site,puncture condition,ultrasound imaging,and adhesive force of the application of patients were statistically compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the bacterial count before disinfection,the bacterial count after disinfection or the qualified rate of disinfection at the puncture site of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the success rate of one-time puncture,the number of puncture and the time of puncture and catheterization between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the rate of clear ultrasound images,adhesive force and rate of warping or shedding of the application between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion For emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage,using iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol disinfection before ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture can achieve good disinfection effects.Iodine disinfection can obtain clearer ultrasound images and a higher success rate of one-time puncture,but the adhesive force of the application is poor,making it prone to warping or shedding.

Objective To analyze the stresses in implanted titanium solid and bone trabecular prosthesis hip replacements.Methods A femur model was built inversely based on Mimics software,and optimized using Geomagic software,and then materialized by SolidWorks software.The osteotomized femur was assembled with the metal femoral stem to form a model,and then the model was imported into ABAQUS for finite element calculation.The upper femur was divided into four regions in different states of integration:medial proximal point(small trochanter region),lateral proximal region(large trochanter region),proximal point of the femoral stem(region around the mid-portion of the styloid process)and distal region(around the end of the styloid process and distal portion).Calculations were carried out over the femoral stresses before and after implantation of titanium solid and trabecular prostheses under gait and stair-climbing loads and the interfacial stresses when the region was unintegrated.The type of deformation at the bone interface was analyzed by means of a stress ellipsoid.Results At the small trochanter region,the stress shielding rates of the trabecular prosthesis under gait and stair climbing loads were reduced by 20.5％and 14.7％compared to the titanium solid prosthesis,respectively.In case of different integration states of the titanium solid prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 10.842 MPa and 12.900 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 7.050 MPa and 6.805 MPa,respectively;in case of different integration states of the trabecular prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 3.858 MPa and 4.389 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 4.156 MPa and 3.854 MPa,respectively.Under the 2 different loads,the inboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened toward the sides and the bone interface showed tensile deformation;the outboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened up and down and had compressive deformation.Conclusion After total hip arthroplasty,the overall performance of the trabecular prosthesis is better than that of the titanium solid prosthesis.The unintegrated edges of the prosthesis-bone interface are susceptible to stress concentrations and distortion which may result in occurrence of failures.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):29-35]

Objective To investigate and analyze the distribution of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1)and squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen(SCCA)levels in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and to assess their diagnostic value for cervical cancer in pregnancy.Methods A total of 441 healthy pregnant women and 69 patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from Jan 2021 to May 2024 were selected,and 165 healthy women in the Physical Examination Center of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University were included in the same period as the control group.The healthy pregnant women were divided into 143 in early pregnancy(T1 group),147 in middle pregnancy(T2)and 151 in late pregnancy(T3).Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were detected and analyzed in all groups.One-way ANOVA,independent samples t-test,Mann-Whitney U-test,Kruskal-Wallis H-test,logistic analysis,and ROC curves were used for comparative analysis.Results The CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were 1.66(1.19-2.17)ng/mL and 0.8(0.6-1.0)ng/mL in the control group,3.07(2.11-4.14)ng/mL and 0.9(0.7-1.3)ng/mL in the healthy pregnant women group,and were 4.33(2.99-7.60)ng/mL and 1.8(0.9-8.5)ng/mL in the patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy group,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the two serum values between every two groups(P<0.05).CYFRA21-1 levels were 3.13(2.46-4.05)ng/mL,1.89(1.50-2.53)ng/mL and 4.19(3.48-5.43)ng/mL in the T1,T2,and T3 groups,respectively;and SCCA levels were 0.9(0.7-1.1)ng/mL,0.7(0.6-1.0)ng/mL and 1.2(0.8-1.7)ng/mL,respectively.The results of T1 and T3 groups were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05);however,there was no statistically significant difference between the results of the T2 group and those of the control group(P>0.05).The areas under the ROC curves for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in pregnancy for CYFRA21-1,SCCA,human epididymis protein 4(HE4),anti-carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and joint indicators were 0.684,0.724,0.612,0.791 and 0.913,with sensitivities of 36%,48%,38%,57%and 73%,specificities of 96%,97%,89%,86%and 99%,respectively.The cut-off values of each indicator were 6.05 ng/mL,2.60 ng/mL,51.45 pg/mL and 1.75 ng/mL,respectively.Conclusion Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA levels were higher in pregnant women during early and late pregnancy compared with non-pregnant individuals,while they were not statistically different from non-pregnant women during mid-trimester.CYFRA21-1 and SCCA have diagnostic value for patients with cervical cancer during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in children with thalassemia major (TM) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) and their prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 280 children with TM who underwent haplo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, from January 2019 to December 2021. According to the CRS criteria, they were divided into two groups: CRS grade <3 (260 children) and CRS grade ≥3 (20 children). The children with TM were analyzed in terms of clinical characteristics of CRS after haplo-HSCT and their prognosis. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in neutrophil engraftment time, clinical manifestations of CRS, and the rate of use of glucocorticoids within 4 days after haplo-HSCT (P=0.012, 0.040, and <0.001 respectively). For the CRS grade <3 group, the incidence rate of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 9.6% within 3 months after transplantation, while no aGVHD was observed in the CRS grade ≥3 group within 3 months after transplantation, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of aGVHD between the two groups within 3 months after transplantation (P=0.146). No transplantation-related death was observed in either group within 3 months after haplo-HSCT. CONCLUSIONS The children with CRS grade≥3 have an early neutrophil engraftment time, severe and diverse clinical manifestations of CRS, and a high rate of use of glucocorticoids within 4 days after haplo-HSCT. For these children, early use of low-dose glucocorticoids after transplantation may alleviate CRS response and reduce the incidence of aGVHD, thereby bringing more benefits to the children. CRS after haplo-HSCT has no significant impact on the prognosis of the children.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control* ; beta-Thalassemia/therapy* ; Adolescent ; Cytokine Release Syndrome/etiology* ; Transplantation, Haploidentical/adverse effects* ; Infant ; Prognosis ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of adult patients with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma(ETP-ALL/LBL).Methods:Clinical data of 113 T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma(T-ALL/LBL)patients from January 2006 to January 2019 were collected from three hematology research centers,including Peking University Third Hospital,the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital,Chinese Medical University.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of ETP-ALL/LBL patients were analyzed compared with non-ETP-ALL/LBL patients.Results:In 113 T-ALL/LBL patients,13 cases(11.5％)were diagnosed as ETP-ALL/LBL,including 11 males,with a median age of 28(18-53)years.Compared with non-ETP-ALL/LBL patients,there were no significant differences in age,sex,incidence of large mediastinal mass,clinical stage,international prognostic index(IPI)score,white blood cell(WBC)count and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)level among ETP-ALL/LBL patients.Among 13 ETP-ALL/LBL patients,9 cases(69.2％)achieved complete remission(CR),and there was no statistically significant difference in response rate induced by chemotherapy between ETP-ALL/LBL patients and non-ETP-ALL/LBL patients.Among patients who received chemotherapy without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT),ETP-ALL/LBL group had a worse 5-year overall survival(OS)rate compared with non-ETP-ALL/LBL group(0 vs 7.1％,P=0.008),while in patients with allo-HSCT,there was no significant difference for 5-year OS rate between the two group(37.5％vs 40.2％,P＞0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CR after induction therapy,allo-HSCT,and LDH level were independent prognostic factors affecting T-ALL/LBL patients.Conclusion:No significant difference in response rate induced by chemotherapy is observed between ETP-ALL/LBL and non-ETP-ALL/LBL patients.Allo-HSCT consolidation after induction of remission therapy may have significant favorable influence on OS for patients with ETP-ALL/LBL.

Based on the dual needs of analgesia and anti-inflammation in trauma treatment, this study uses acetaminophen and moxifloxacin hydrochloride as active pharmaceutical ingredients and develops a composite bilayer tablet with a dual-phase drug release system by using binder jet 3D printing technology. Due to the complexity of the 3D printing process, there is an interaction between the various parameters. Through the optimization of the process, the relationship between the key process parameters can be determined more intuitively. In this study, the process of extended-release tablets was optimized to maintain the mechanical properties of the tablets while realizing the regulation of release. The full-factor experimental design of three central points 2³ was used to analyze the factors that significantly affect the quality attributes of extended-release tablets and the interaction between factors. The optimal extended-release process parameters were obtained by the response optimizer: the inkjet quantity of the printing ink was 10 (about 13.8 pL), the powder thickness was 180 μm, and the running speed was 360 mm·s^-1. The in vitro of release of 3D printed composite bilayer tablets showed that the in vitro of release of 3D printed tablets and commercially available tablets conformed to the Ritger-Peppas release model. The results of porosity showed that the immediate-release layer of the preparation has many pores and large pore size, and the dissolution of the immediate release layer within 15 min was greater than 85%. The internal pore size of the extended release layer is large, but it can still release slowly for up to 8 h, the mechanism may be related to the extended release of HPMC gelation. On the basis of verifying the rationality of the design goal of 3D printed composite bilayer tablets, this study also provides a theoretical basis for the preparation of 3D printing complex preparations.