OBJECTIVES: To study the significance of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25-(OH)D₃] level in the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of children with immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with IgAVN who underwent renal biopsy at Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University and Jinling Hospital of the Medical School of Nanjing University from June 2015 to June 2020. Based on serum 25-(OH)D₃ level, the patients were divided into a normal group and a lower group. The clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data of the two groups were collected and compared. RESULTS: A total of 359 children with IgAVN were included. Compared to the normal group (62 cases), the lower group (297 cases) exhibited higher incidences of hematochezia and gross hematuria, higher levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary retinol protein, urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, and quantitative urinary protein, and a longer duration from renal biopsy to urinary protein becoming negative, as well as lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin level (P<0.05). Renal pathology in the lower group showed a higher occurrence of tubular interstitial injury, crescent formation, segmental sclerosis in glomeruli, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium compared to the normal group (P<0.05). Survival analysis indicated that the cumulative renal survival rate was lower in the lower group (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in children with IgAVN. CONCLUSIONS Children with IgAVN and low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level have relatively severe clinicopathological manifestations. Low serum 25-(OH)D₃ level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in children with IgAVN.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Calcifediol/blood* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/mortality* ; Vasculitis/pathology* ; IgA Vasculitis/mortality*

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: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective:To study the effects of rapid rehabilitation surgery and pulmonary rehabilitation management on patients undergoing valve replacement surgery for valvular heart disease(VHD).Methods:A total of 100 VHD patients who underwent heart valve replacement surgery in Jiangsu Province(Suqian)Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022 were included in this randomized controlled study.Patients were divided into control group(n=50)and intervention group(n=50).Patients in the control group received routine nursing intervention and basic pulmonary rehabilitation training,while those in the intervention group received rapid rehabilitation surgery nursing and pulmonary rehabilitation management mode.Both groups received continuous intervention until 7d after surger-y.The treatment time after intervention,psychological status and pulmonary function,and incidence of major ad-verse cardiovascular events(MACE)within 12-month follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to those in the control group,patients in the intervention group had significant lower postoperative tra-cheal extubation time[(21.36±3.82)h vs.(28.46±4.19)h],ICU stay[(4.21±1.19)d vs.(7.02±1.35)d],time in bed[(3.23±0.84)d vs.(5.84±1.47)d],total hospital stay[(9.86±1.67)d vs.(13.12±2.44)d],scores of self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)[(40.86±2.41)points vs.(45.32±3.12)points]and self-rating de-pression scale(SDS)[(40.30±4.17)points vs.(45.16±3.20)points](P＜0.001 all),and significant higher first second forced expiratory volume(FEVl)[(4.12±0.17)L vs.(3.67±0.22)L],forced vital capacity(FVC)[(4.75±0.38)Lvs.(3.89±0.33)L],FEV1 percentage of the estimated value(FEV1％pred)[(66.12±3.78)％vs.(59.08±3.82)％],and FEV1/FVC[(60.40±5.22)％vs.(55.60±3.35)％](P＜0.001 all).Compared to those in the control group,patients in the intervention group had significant lower incidence of adverse events(8.00％vs.24.00％,P=0.029).Conclusion:The use of rapid rehabilitation surgery nuvsing and pulmonary reha-bilitation management may significantly shorten therapeutic time,alleviate adverse psychological state,improve pul-monary function and prognosis in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery for valvular heart disease.

Objective:To study the effects of rapid rehabilitation surgery and pulmonary rehabilitation management on patients undergoing valve replacement surgery for valvular heart disease(VHD).Methods:A total of 100 VHD patients who underwent heart valve replacement surgery in Jiangsu Province(Suqian)Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022 were included in this randomized controlled study.Patients were divided into control group(n=50)and intervention group(n=50).Patients in the control group received routine nursing intervention and basic pulmonary rehabilitation training,while those in the intervention group received rapid rehabilitation surgery nursing and pulmonary rehabilitation management mode.Both groups received continuous intervention until 7d after surger-y.The treatment time after intervention,psychological status and pulmonary function,and incidence of major ad-verse cardiovascular events(MACE)within 12-month follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to those in the control group,patients in the intervention group had significant lower postoperative tra-cheal extubation time[(21.36±3.82)h vs.(28.46±4.19)h],ICU stay[(4.21±1.19)d vs.(7.02±1.35)d],time in bed[(3.23±0.84)d vs.(5.84±1.47)d],total hospital stay[(9.86±1.67)d vs.(13.12±2.44)d],scores of self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)[(40.86±2.41)points vs.(45.32±3.12)points]and self-rating de-pression scale(SDS)[(40.30±4.17)points vs.(45.16±3.20)points](P＜0.001 all),and significant higher first second forced expiratory volume(FEVl)[(4.12±0.17)L vs.(3.67±0.22)L],forced vital capacity(FVC)[(4.75±0.38)Lvs.(3.89±0.33)L],FEV1 percentage of the estimated value(FEV1％pred)[(66.12±3.78)％vs.(59.08±3.82)％],and FEV1/FVC[(60.40±5.22)％vs.(55.60±3.35)％](P＜0.001 all).Compared to those in the control group,patients in the intervention group had significant lower incidence of adverse events(8.00％vs.24.00％,P=0.029).Conclusion:The use of rapid rehabilitation surgery nuvsing and pulmonary reha-bilitation management may significantly shorten therapeutic time,alleviate adverse psychological state,improve pul-monary function and prognosis in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery for valvular heart disease.

AIM To investigate the influencing factors in scale-up of extraction process for Yunpi Xiaoshi Prescription.METHODS HPLC was adopted in the content determination of catechin,ferulic acid,taxifolin,isovitexin,narirutin,atractylenolideⅡ,naringin,morin,hesperidin,luteolin,hederagenin,atractylenolideⅠ,naringenin and hesperetin,the fingerprints were established,after which the effects of container volume,optimal fire and feeding quantity on the contents of various constituents were evaluated.RESULTS Fifteen batches of samples demonstrated the similarities of more than 0.995.Fourteen constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r>0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 96.4%-103.3%with the RSDs of 0.5%-2.7%.The influencing degree of optimal fire was greater than that of container volume and feeding quantity.CONCLUSION The combination of multi-component content determination and fingerprints can provide data basis and theoretical reference for the technology of consistency evaluation in scale-up of extraction process for Yunpi Xiaoshi Prescription.

Objective To study the effect of dinorgestrel combined with levonorgestrel intrauterine birth control system in the treatment of endometriosis(EMs)and its effect on endometrial thickness and hormone levels.Methods EMs patients were selected as the research objects and divided into treatment group and control group according to the cohort method.Patients in the control group were treated with levonorgestrel intrauterine birth control system,while patients in the treatment group were treated with dinorgestrel on the basis of the control group.Compared the efficacy of two groups of patients before and after treatment,use visual analogue scale(VAS)to score pain,calculate endometrial thickness based on menstrual blood to sanitary napkin area,and use radioimmunoassay to measure changes in hormone levels[follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL),and progesterone(P)]in vivo.Results The control group and the treatment group were enrolled in 40 patients.The total effective rates of treatment in the control group and the treatment group were 75％and 95％,respectively.After treatment,the scores of dysmenorrhea in 2 groups were 3.27±1.04 and 1.36±0.69;the scores of dyspareunia pain were 2.42±0.89 and 1.04±0.55;the scores of abdominal pain in non-menstrual period were 2.17±1.25 and 1.49±1.03,respectively;endometrial thickness were(6.02±1.25)and(3.64±1.04)mm;hemoglobin concentration were(106.58±12.07)and(112.85±12.37)g·L-1;menstrual volume score were 38.41±15.21 and 12.41±4.81;FSH levels were(3.89±2.19)and(2.52±1.30)U·L-1;LH levels were(6.90±2.92)and(8.51±3.72)U·L-1;PRL levels were(367.98±77.99)and(322.01±57.95)μg·L-1;E2 levels were(548.67±79.38)and(504.92±61.31)pmol·L-1;P levels were(17.69±7.38)and(12.23±6.61)nmol·L-1,respectively.Compared with control group,the above indexes in treatment group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The adverse drug reactions in the treatment group were mainly vaginal bleeding,fever and vertigo,the adverse drug reactions in the control group were mainly bleeding,fever and vertigo.The total incidence of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group was 12.50％and 10.00％,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion The combination of dexamethasone and dexamethasone has a significant therapeutic effect on endometriosis,reducing endometrial thickness and optimizing hormone levels.

Objective: To explore a method for digitally designing and fabricating a sequential tooth-sectioning guide that can assist in the extraction of mandibular horizontal impacted third molars, preliminarily evaluate its feasibility and provide a reference for clinical application. Methods: Twenty patients with mandibular low level impacted third molars who visited the Department of General Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from March 2021 to January 2022 were selected. Cone-beam CT showed direct contact between the roots and mandibular canal, and full range impressions of the patients' intraoral teeth were taken and optical scans of the dental model were performed. The patients' cone-beam CT data and optical scan data were reconstructed in three dimensions, anatomical structure extraction, registration fusion, and the design of the structure of the guide (including crown-sectioning guide and root-sectioning guide) by Mimics 24.0, Geomagic Wrap 2021, and Magics 21.0 software, and then the titanium guide was three dimension printed, and the guide was tried on the dental model. After confirmation, the guide was used to assist the dentist in the operation. We observed whether the guide was in place, the number of tooth splitting, the matching of tooth splitting with the preoperative design, the operation time, and whether there were any complications. Results: In this study, 20 sectioning guides were successfully printed, all of them were well fitted in the patients' mouth, the average number of section was 3.4 times, the tooth parts was better matched with the preoperative design, and the average operative time of the guides was (29.2±9.8) minutes without complications such as perforation of the bone cortex. Conclusions: The use of sequential sectioning guides to assist in the extraction of mandibular impacted third molars was initially validated to accurately replicate the preoperative sectioning design, and is expected to provide a digital solution to improve surgical precision and ensure safety. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate its accuracy and safety.

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a common phenomenon which involved in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions in humans, such as neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic injury, autoimmune diseases and cancers. Apoptosis can be detected in vitro by morphology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, and other techniques. Probes for cell apoptosis detection in vivo are still under research and various reagents and methods are constantly emerging. However, none of apoptosis detection methods or reagents are perfect and they all have advantages and disadvantages, as well as suitable scope of application. With the increasing application of apoptosis detection techniques, researchers will be confused about how to choose a suitable method to detect apoptosis and define the application range of each apoptosis detection method. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the benefits and drawbacks of existing apoptosis detection techniques as well as their applicable conditions. This article reviews morphological characteristics, molecular mechanism and specific biochemical changes in apoptotic cells. We summarized various apoptosis-detection methods based on these characteristics that can be used in vitro and in vivo, the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the scope of application. Also, we highlighted the existing tracers that have been used in apoptosis detection in vivo, their potentialities and limitations as well as the clinical applications of apoptosis imaging in multiple disease fields.

The classical famous prescription Dajianzhong Decoction is recorded in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber written by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It has a long history and definite clinical effects, while this prescription has not been manufactured into Chinese patent medicine preparation. We collected many ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) by using the method of bibliometrics and got 211 valid data terms which involved 67 ancient books. The history, main treated syndromes, formulation principle, origins and processiong of medicinal materials, and decoction method of Dajianzhong Decoction were analyzed. Despite the different views of various generations of medical experts toward the composition of this prescription, the compatibility ratio of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens is constant. Furthermore, we explored the origins of synonyms of Dajianzhong Decoction. On the basis of this study, we hope to gain an insight into the research and development of the compound preparations of Dajianzhong Decoction and provide reference for the heritage and innovation of other classical prescriptions.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prescriptions ; Rhizome