BACKGROUND: Delayed platelet engraftment is a common complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), and there is no standard therapy. Avatrombopag (AVA) is a second-generation thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that has shown efficacy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, few reports have focused on its efficacy in patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China to evaluate the efficacy of AVA as a first-line TPO-RA in 65 patients after UCBT; these patients were compared with 118 historical controls. Response rates, platelet counts, megakaryocyte counts in bone marrow, bleeding events, adverse events and survival rates were evaluated in this study. Platelet reconstitution differences were compared between different medication groups. Multivariable analysis was used to explore the independent beneficial factors for platelet implantation. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were given AVA within 30 days post-UCBT, and the treatment was continued for more than 7 days to promote platelet engraftment (AVA group); the other 13 patients were given AVA for secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR group). The median time to platelet engraftment was shorter in the AVA group than in the historical control group (32.5 days vs . 38.0 days, Z  = 2.095, P  = 0.036). Among the 52 patients in the AVA group, 46 achieved an overall response (OR) (88.5%), and the cumulative incidence of OR was 91.9%. Patients treated with AVA only had a greater 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than patients treated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) only or rhTPO combined with AVA (95.2% vs . 84.5% vs . 80.6%, P  <0.001). Patients suffering from SFPR had a slightly better cumulative incidence of OR (100%, P  = 0.104). Patients who initiated AVA treatment within 14 days post-UCBT had a better 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than did those who received AVA after 14 days post-UCBT (96.6% vs . 73.9%, P  = 0.003). CONCLUSION Compared with those in the historical control group, our results indicate that AVA could effectively promote platelet engraftment and recovery after UCBT, especially when used in the early period (≤14 days post-UCBT).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Thrombocytopenia/etiology* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Thiazoles/adverse effects* ; Platelet Count ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin/agonists* ; Child ; Thiophenes

Objective To explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods A total of 60 hospitalized non-dialysis patients with CKD in the Department of Nephrology of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled as research objects.According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),they were divided into stage 1 to 2 of CKD group[eGFR ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 23 cases,the stage 3 of CKD group[eGFR 30～＜60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 20 cases,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group[eGFR＜30 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 17 cases.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients.Basic data and common clinical laboratory in-dicators on hospital admission were collected to analyze the differences in cognitive function levels under different renal function statuses and to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment.Results The incidence rates of cognitive impairment in the stage 1 to 2 of CKD group,stage 3 of CKD group,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group were 47.8％,85.0％,and 94.1％respectively,the median MoCA scored 26,24 and 20 respectively,with statistically significant between-group differ-ences(P＜0.05).Cognitive function was significantly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.634,P＜0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=-0.574,P＜0.001),serum creatinine(Cr)(r=-0.417,P＜0.001),cystatin C(Cys-C)(r=-0.327,P=0.011),serum β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)(r=-0.259,P=0.046),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(r=-0.474,P＜0.001),and was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin(HB)(r=0.401,P=0.001)and eGFR(r=0.485,P＜0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.006)and NT-proBNP(P=0.041)were influencing factors of cognitive im-pairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,and specificity of age for prediction were 0.860,0.864 and 0.812 respectively,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of NT-proBNP for pre-diction were 0.808,0.795 and 0.875 respectively,and the combined prediction of age and NT-proBNP had an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.893,0.955,and 0.750,respectively.Conclusion As renal function deteriorates,the incidence rate and severity of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD tend to increase.Advanced age,renal function deterioration,high NT-proBNP level,and anemia are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in non-di-alysis patients with CKD,among which age and NT-proBNP are influencing factors for cognitive im-pairment.

Objective Pulmonary oxygen poisoning resulting from hyperbaric oxygen,frequently occurs in specialized operations,without any current effective prevention or treatment measures.To elucidate the impact and mechanism of neostigmine(NEO)in combination with anisodamine(ANI)(neoscopolamine)on pulmonary oxygen toxicity.Methods The animal model of pulmonary oxygen poisoning was established.C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 2.5 ATA 99.9%oxygen for 6 h.The control group mice were injected with normal saline ip,while the treatment group mice received injections of ANI(25 mg/kg,ip)and NEO(50 μg/kg,ip).Lung tissues were collected and stained with HE to observe any pathological injuries after exposure.Evans blue stain was utilized to identify lung permeability,wet/dry lung ratio,and protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)to assess the lung injury's severity.The modifications in inflammatory factors,oxidative stress indicators,and iron content in lung tissue were assessed.Results The results showed that the 2.5 ATA 99.9%oxygen-exposed group experienced a significant worsening of lung injury,as well as increased lung permeability,lung wet/dry ratio,and protein content in alveolar lavage fluid when compared to the control group.Moreover,mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ in the lung tissue of the model group were significantly elevated,while the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly reduced.The oxidative index MDA also significantly increased,while the antioxidant index GSH significantly decreased.Additionally,the expression of GPX4,a marker of ferroptosis,increased with an increase in iron content.Neoscopolamine treatment successfully reversed those effects.Conclusion The combined use of ANI and NEO had a protective effect on pulmonary oxygen poisoning.Neoscopolamine may inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress by activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,thereby reducing the content of free iron in lung tissue and finally inhibiting cell ferroptosis.

Background::With an increasing number of patients with hematological malignancies being treated with umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), the correlation between immune reconstitution (IR) after UCBT and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has been reported successively, but reports on double-negative T (DNT) cell reconstitution and its association with acute GVHD (aGVHD) after UCBT are lacking.Methods::A population-based observational study was conducted among 131 patients with hematological malignancies who underwent single-unit UCBT as their first transplant at the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, between August 2018 and June 2021. IR differences were compared between the patients with and without aGVHD.Results::The absolute number of DNT cells in the healthy Chinese population was 109 (70-157)/μL, accounting for 5.82 (3.98-8.19)% of lymphocytes. DNT cells showed delayed recovery and could not reach their normal levels even one year after transplantation. Importantly, the absolute number and percentage of DNT cells were significantly higher in UCBT patients without aGVHD than in those with aGVHD within one year ( F = 4.684, P = 0.039 and F = 5.583, P = 0.026, respectively). In addition, the number of DNT cells in the first month after transplantation decreased significantly with the degree of aGVHD increased, and faster DNT cell reconstitution in the first month after UCBT was an independent protective factor for aGVHD (HR = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.93; P = 0.031). Conclusions::Compared to the number of DNT cells in Chinese healthy people, the reconstitution of DNT cells in adults with hematological malignancies after UCBT was slow. In addition, the faster reconstitution of DNT cells in the early stage after transplantation was associated with a lower incidence of aGVHD.

BACKGROUND:Distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy is a surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis,but there is still a lack of clinical studies on its effect on ankle joints. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy on ankle angle on coronal plane of the radiography of the full length of lower limb in weight loading. METHODS:Data of 40 patients(41 knees)with distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy from March 2021 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including 31 females and 9 males,20 left knees and 21 right knees,aged 49-75 years,mean(63.44±6.57)years.The radiographic data of the full length of the lower limb in weight loading were collected before,week 2 and week 48 postoperatively.Hip-knee-ankle angle,talar tilt angle,tilt angle of the ankle,tibiocrural angle,and tibial articular surface angle were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Hip-knee-ankle angle improved from(-6.24±3.69)° before operation to(2.59±3.49)° week 2 postoperatively and(2.15±3.49)° week 48 postoperatively.The tilt angle of the ankle changed from(-7.90±3.11)° before operation to(-2.51±2.59)° week 2 postoperatively and(-2.46±2.42)° week 48 postoperatively,with statistically significant difference(P<0.001).(2)There was no significant difference in talar tilt angle,tibiocrural angle,and tibial articular surface angle before and week 2 postoperatively.(3)No significant difference in the angle changes was detected between week 2 and week 48 postoperatively.(4)It is indicated that distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy can not only correct genu varus but also improve ankle angle.This result remains stable after 48 weeks of weight-bearing activities.

BACKGROUND:Despite unrelated cord blood transplantation is expected to become an important method for treating malignant hematological diseases,the manifestation and clinical characteristics of acute graft-versus-host disease in the gastrointestinal tract still require further in-depth investigation. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the clinical characteristics of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease after unrelated cord blood transplantation. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 668 malignant hematological disease patients after unrelated cord blood transplantation who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation subspecialty in the Department of Hematology,First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from December 2016 to December 2020.Among them,clinical data of 138 patients with intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease were analyzed,including 76 males and 62 females,with a median age of 13(1-62)years.All patients were treated with a myeloablative regimen(without antihuman thymocyte globulin)and cyclosporin A combined with mycophenolate mofetil to prevent graft-versus-host disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The patients with intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease had diarrhea of varying degrees,most of which were yellow-green,yellow-brown watery stools or mucous stools.53 patients(38.4%)had blood stools,82 patients(57.9%)had skin involvement,18 patients(13.0%)had a secondary intestinal bacterial infection,and 90 patients(65.2%)had cytomegaloviremia.(2)The clinical characteristics of patients(70 cases,50.7%)with grade 1-2 intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease were compared with those(68 cases,49.3%)with grade 3-4 intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease.It was found that the age of grade 3-4 intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease patients was higher than that of grade 1-2 intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease patients(P<0.001),and they were complicated with cytomegaloviremia probably(P=0.035).Diarrhea lasted longer(P=0.00)and the length of hospital stay increased substantially(P<0.001).However,there were no significant differences in recipient gender,pre-transplant disease status,HLA matching,diagnosis,combined skin graft-versus-host disease,and secondary intestinal infection rate in patients of the two groups.(3)These findings conclude that the clinical characteristics of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease after unrelated cord blood transplantation are complex,which affects the prognosis and quality of life of patients seriously and requires early identification and precise treatment.

BACKGROUND:How to improve the accuracy of puncture,reduce surgical damage,and improve surgical efficiency during vertebroplasty is currently one of the focuses of exploration and improvement in vertebroplasty techniques. OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical significance of application of mixed reality technology in percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal fractures. METHODS:Two patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture in Dalian Second People's Hospital in June 2023 were selected.Before operation,128-row CT scanning of the lumbar spine was performed and the original data of digital imaging and communications in medicine(DICOM)were obtained.Visual Volume software was used to build the three-dimensional network model of vertebral compression fracture.Holographic imaging glasses were used to accurately map 3D network model images to the real world,assist the surgeon in completing preoperative simulation,explaining preoperative conditions and treatment plans,and guiding puncture and bone cement injection during surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Precise puncture was achieved with the assistance of a mixed reality technology.Postoperative imaging examination showed good bone cement filling and no obvious leakage.The postoperative symptoms of the patient were alleviated well,and they were able to move to the ground on the same day after surgery.(2)It is concluded that a mixed reality technology is helpful for preoperative surgical design and communication efficiency with patients and their families.Assisting with precise puncture during surgery,shortening surgical time,and reducing side injuries is a new and effective clinical diagnosis and treatment model,which has development potential in minimally invasive,precise,and personalized treatment of spinal surgery.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI)and molecular targeted therapy for Child-Pugh grade B hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The patients with Child-Pugh grade B HCC,who received TACE combined with ICI and molecular targeted therapy(combination group)or TACE monotherapy(monotherapy group)at the three medical centers including the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University of China between January 2018 and May 2021,were enrolled in this study.The primary outcome was overall survival(OS),and the secondary outcomes included progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate(ORR),and clinical safety.Results A total of 126 patients were enrolled in this study,including 64 patients in the combination group and 62 patients in the monotherapy group.No statistically significant difference in median OS existed between the combination group and the monotherapy group[17.7 months(95％CI:11.9-29.9 months)vs.13.2 months(95％CI:7.8-19.9 months);P=0.160].In the combination group,the patients having a Child-Pugh score of 7 points obtained a significantly better OS[19.0months(95％CI:13.6-NR)vs.13.2 months(95％CI:8.0-NR),P=0.024].The differences in the median PFS and ORR between the two groups were not statistically significant(P=0.720 and P=0.960 respectively).Grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ adverse events occurred in 19 patients(14.1％)of the combination group and in 6 patients(9.7％)of the monotherapy group.Conclusion In treating patients with Child-Pugh grade B HCC,TACE combined with ICI and molecular targeted therapy does not show a better prognosis than TACE monotherapy,however,the patients having a Child-Pugh score of 7 points in the combination group can have a much better OS.

Three novel sesquiterpenoid heterodimers,designated as auckcostusolides A-C(1-3),were isolated from Aucklandia costus leaves.The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis,with their absolute configurations established using a combination of X-ray single-crystal diffraction and electronic circular dichroism(ECD)calculations.Notably,compounds 1 and 2,despite sharing identical planar structures derived from two identical sesquiterpenoids,exhibited oppos-ite configurations at C-11 and C-8'.This configurational difference can be attributed to distinct Diels-Alder cycloaddition processes between the sesquiterpenoid monomers.Additionally,the cytotoxic effects of compounds 1-3 were evaluated against colorectal can-cer HCT116 cells,fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells,and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.Compounds 1-3 induced cell death was characterized by endoplasmic reticulum(ER)swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization,typical morphological changes associated with paraptosis.Mechanistic studies revealed that compounds 1 and 3 triggered paraptosis-like cell death through the accumulation of react-ive oxygen species(ROS),activation of ER stress,and stimulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluated the clinical efficacy of a reduced-intensity preconditioning regimen for single non-blood-related umbilical cord blood transplantation (sUCBT) in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) .Methods:The clinical data of 63 patients with SAA who underwent sUCBT from January 2021 to July 2023 at the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-two patients received total body irradiation/total bone marrow irradiation (TMI) combined with fludarabine or a cyclophosphamide- conditioning regimen (non-rATG group) , while 11 patients received rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin (rATG) combined with TMI, fludarabine, or the cyclophosphamide-conditioning regimen (rATG group) . All patients received cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Complications post-transplantation and long-term survival were compared between the two groups.Results:The baseline parameters were balanced between the two groups ( P>0.05) . In the rATG group, all patients achieved stem cell engraftment, and in the non-rATG group, five patients had primary graft failure. There was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of neutrophil engraftment at 42 days after transplantation or platelet engraftment at 60 days between the two groups. The incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD in the rATG group was significantly lower than in the non-rATG group (10.0% vs. 46.2% , P=0.032) , and the differences in the cumulative incidences of grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ acute GVHD and 1-year chronic GVHD were not statistically significant ( P=0.367 and P=0.053, respectively) . There were no significant differences in the incidences of pre-engraftment syndrome, bacterial bloodstream infections, cytomegalovirus viremia, or hemorrhagic cystitis between the two groups ( P>0.05 for all) . The median follow-up time for surviving patients was 536 (61-993) days, and the 1-year transplantation related mortality (TRM) of all patients after transplantation was 13.0% (95% CI 6.7% -24.3% ) . Among the patients in the non-rATG and rATG groups, 15.5% (95% CI 8.1% -28.6% ) and 0% ( P=0.189) , respectively, had mutations. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate of all patients after transplantation was 87.0% (95% CI 75.7% -93.3% ) . The 1-year OS rates in the rATG group and non-rATG group after transplantation were 100% and 84.5% , respectively (95% CI 71.4% -91.9% ) ( P=0.198) . Conclusion:The preliminary results of sUCBT with a low-dose irradiation-based reduced-intensity conditioning regimen with fludarabine/cyclophosphamide for the treatment of patients with SAA showed good efficacy. Early application of low-dose rATG can reduce the incidence of acute GVHD after transplantation without increasing the risk of implantation failure or infection.