Objective To evaluate the clinical value of Bugan Yishen Qianggu Formula for the treatment of elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures of liver and kidney deficiency type.Methods A total of 138 elderly patients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fracture of liver and kidney deficiency type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 69 cases in each group.The control group was treated with routine western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Bugan Yishen Qianggu Formula on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups lasted for 12 weeks.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of Harris score,overall score of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms,and serum levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),D-dimer(D-D),prostaglandin E2(PGE2),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),osteoprotegerin(OPG),total procollagen type 1 intact N-terminal propeptide(tPINP)and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2).The clinical efficacy,postoperative weight-bearing time and fracture healing time were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 94.20％(65/69)and that of the control group was 82.61％(57/69).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(x2=9.173,P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the Harris scores in the two groups were increased(P＜0.05)and the total scores of TCM symptoms were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of the Harris scores and the decrease of the total scores of TCM symptoms in the observation group were superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)The fracture healing time and postoperative weight-bearing time of the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the levels of serum IL-6,D-D and PGE2 in the two groups were lower(P＜0.05)and the levels of serum VEGF and TGF-β1 were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of serum IL-6,D-D and PGE2 levels and the increase of serum VEGF and TGF-β1 levels in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the levels of serum BMP-2,OPG and tPINP in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of serum BMP-2,OPG and tPINP levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures of liver and kidney deficiency type,the combined use of Bugan Yishen Qianggu Formula is beneficial to relieve the inflammatory response,regulate bone metabolism,and promote the improvement of hip joint function,thus to enhance the clinical efficacy.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for re-fracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures and to construct a line graph prediction model. Methods One hundred and eighty-two elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures treated with PKP from January 2016 to November 2019 were selected for the study‚ and the patients were continuously followed up for 3 years after surgery. Clinical data were collected from both groups; Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed on the measures; Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors affecting postoperative re-fracture in PKP; the R language software 4. 0 “rms” package was used to construct a predictive model for the line graph‚ and the calibration and decision curves were used to internally validate the predictive model for the line graph and for clinical evaluation of predictive performance. Results The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0. 05) in terms of bone mineral density (BMD)‚ number of injured vertebrae‚ single-segment cement injection‚ type of cement distribution‚ cement leakage‚ difference in vertebral body height before and after PKP‚ and change in posterior convexity angle. The area under the curve (AUC) for BMD‚ number of injured vertebrae‚ single-segment cement injection volume‚ cement leakage‚ pre-and post-PKP vertebral height difference‚ and posterior convexity change were 0. 772‚ 0. 732‚ 0. 722‚ 0. 801‚ and 0. 813‚ respectively‚ and the best cutoff values were -3. 1‚ 2‚ 3. 9 ml‚ 0. 4 mm‚ and 8. 7°‚ respectively. BMD‚ number of injured vertebrae‚ single-segment cement injection volume‚ cement leakage‚ pre-and post-PKP vertebral height difference‚ and posterior convexity change were independent risk factors for re-fracture after PKP in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. The calibration curve of the column line graph prediction model was close to the original curve and the ideal curve with a C-index of 0. 818 (95% CI: 0. 762-0. 883)‚ and the model fit was good; the threshold value of the column line graph prediction model was >0. 22‚ which could provide a net clinical benefit‚ and the net clinical benefit was higher than the independent predictors. Conclusion BMD‚ number of injured vertebrae‚ single-segment cement injection‚ cement leakage‚ pre-and post-PKP vertebral height difference‚ and posterior convexity angle change are independent risk factors affecting the recurrent fracture after PKP in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture‚ and this study constructs a column line graph model to predict the recurrent fracture after PKP in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture as a predictor for clinical. This study provides an important reference for clinical prevention and treatment‚ and has clinical application value.

Objective:To determine the differential expressions of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)and messenger RNA(mRNA)in normal and asthenospermia(AS)men and analyze their biological significance in AS.Methods:We isolated and ex-tracted total RNAs from 9 normal and 9 AS sperm samples,determined the expressions of RNAs in the sperm using the DNBSEQ se-quencing platform,and analyzed their relevant functions by gene ontology enrichment(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and ge-nomes pathway(KEGG)analyses.Results:An average of 10.64G data was generated per group,with 282 185 RNAs detected,in-cluding 107 009 lncRNAs.Among the total number of lncRNAs,15 157 were differentially expressed,2 190 upregulated and 12 967 downregulated;and among the 19 514 mRNAs,13 736 were differentially expressed,4 995 upregulated and 8 741 downregulated.Differentially expressed genes were enriched mainly in the sperm cell membrane and the pathways related to the ion channel functions,sperm development and fertilization.Conclusion:Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs can be identified by sequencing a-nalysis of AS and normal sperm.Regulation of sperm function through membrane ion channels may contribute to the development of AS,which provides a molecular basis for further research on AS.

Objective To compare the effect of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)and superior inguinal liga-ment iliac fascia block combined with PCIA after hip replacement in the elderly.Methods Total of 82 elderly patients were treated with hip arthroplasty from June 2019 to June 2021 and randomly divided into observation group and control group.There were 42 patients in control group,including 18 males and 24 females,aged from 60 to 78 years old with an average of(70.43±3.67)years old,28 femoral neck fractures and 14 femoral head necrosis,who received PCIA.The study group consist-ed of 42 cases,including 20 males and 22 females,aged from 61 to 76 years old with an average of(69.68±3.74)years old,25 femoral neck fractures and 17 femoral head necrosis,who received superior inguinal ligament iliac fascia block combined with PCIA.Pain visual analogue scale(VAS)and Ramesay sedation scores at2h,6h,12h,24h and 48 h after operation were e-valuated.In addition,the follow-up results of the total consumption of sufentanil and the total number of PCIA compressions at 48 hours after operation,the first time of landing after surgery,the time of hospital stay,the incidence of adverse reactions,the satisfaction with analgesia of two groups were observed.Results All patients were followed up for 9 to 24 months with an aver-age of(13.85±2.67)months.There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative bleeding between two groups(P＞0.05).There was no difference in VAS between two groups at 2 hours after operation(P＞0.05),and the VAS of the study group at 6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after operation were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The Ramesay seda-tion scores of the study group at 2 h,6 h and 12 h after operation were higher than those of the control group(P＜0.05),and there were no differences in Ramesay score between two groups at 24 h and 48 h after operation(P＞0.05).The consumption of sufentanil in the study group within 48 hours after operation was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05),and PCIA com-pression times were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05),and the time of first landing was earlier than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in hospital stay,adverse reaction rate,complications between two groups(P＞0.05).The satisfaction of analgesia in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclu-sion Superior iliac fascia block of inguinal ligament combined with PCIA has significant analgesic and sedative effects after hip arthroplasty in the elderly.It can reduce the amount of sufentanil used and the total number of PCIA compressions,which is conducive to the early activity of patients out of bed,improve the satisfaction of analgesia.

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk.

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of berberine in regulating the metabolism network via clock-controlled genes represented by brain and muscle arnt-like 1(BMAL1) to ameliorate insulin resistance(IR) of hepatocytes in vitro. The HepG2 cell model of dexamethasone-induced IR(IR-HepG2) was established and treated with 5, 10, and 20 μmol·L~(-1) berberine, respectively, for 24 h. The glucose oxidase method and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay were employed to measure extracellular glucose concentration and cell viability, respectively. Periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining and lipid fluorescence method were used to detect glycogen and lipids. The immunofluorescence(IF) assay was employed to detect the nuclear localization of BMAL1 and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput(CLOCK) in IR-HepG2 cells. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of BMAL1, CLOCK, period circadian clock 2(PER2), cryptochrome circadian regulator 1(CRY1), Rev-Erbα, carbohydrate response element-binding protein(ChREBP), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma(PPARα/γ), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C(SREBP-1C), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), protein kinase B(Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK3β), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1(ACC1), fatty acid synthase(FASN), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α(CPT1α), nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase(NAMPT), silent information regulator 1(SIRT1), adiponectin(ADPN), insulin receptor substrate 2(IRS2), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit p85(PI3Kp85). In addition, the levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha(AMPKα), Akt, GSK3β, BMAL1, and mTOR were determined. Furthermore, 20 μmol·L~(-1) CLK8 was added to measure the glucose consumption as well as the protein levels of ChREBP, PPARα, and mTOR in IR-HepG2 cells. The results showed that berberine increased the glucose consumption, lowered the lipid levels, increased the expression and nuclear localization of BMAL1 and CLOCK, and up-regulated the level of BMAL1 in IR-HepG2 cells. Furthermore, berberine up-regulated the levels of ADPN, IRS2, PI3Kp85, p-Akt(Ser473)/Akt, p-mTOR(Ser2448)/mTOR, PPARα, and CPT1α, and down-regulated the levels of p-GSK3β(Ser9)/GSK3β, ChREBP, SREBP-1C, ACC1, and FASN. The addition of CLK8 reduced glucose consumption in IR-HepG2 cells, up-regulated the ChREBP level, and down-regulated PPARα and mTOR levels by inhibiting the BMAL1 and CLOCK interaction. In summary, berberine regulated glucose and lipid metabolism via clock-controlled genes with BMAL1 at the core to ameliorate IR of hepatocytes.
Humans ; Hepatocytes/drug effects* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Insulin Resistance ; Hep G2 Cells ; CLOCK Proteins/genetics* ; ARNTL Transcription Factors/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, laboratory and imaging results, treatment and outcomes of eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and assess the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of EF. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 45 patients with EF treated in our center from January 1, 2006 to February 28, 2022. The consistency between the diagnoses of EF based on ultrasound and MRI findings was assessed. RESULTS: In the 45 EF patients (male/female ratio 3.5:1), the age of onset ranged from 16 to 64 years with a mean disease course of 22.6 months. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 16 months. The most common possible trigger of the disease was vigorous exercise (10/45), causing symmetrical lesions in the limbs, most commonly in the forearms (86.7%) and lower legs (80%). Clinical features of EF included subcutaneous swelling and induration (95.6%), arthralgia and arthritis (55.6%), groove sign (42.2%), hand joint contractures (42.2%), skin pigmentation (37.8%), and peau d'orange appearance (13.3%). Eosinophilia was found in 31 patients (68.9%). Hypergammaglobulinemia was seen in 23/44 (52.3%) and positive antinuclear antibodies in 9 (20%) of the patients. Twentyone of the patients were treated with high-dose methylprednisolone (≥200 mg daily for 3 to 5 consecutive days), and compared with the patients who did not receive this treatment, these patients more frequently experienced relapse before admission, had more extensive involvement, and had a higher rate of hypergammaglobulinemia without fever, but these differences were not statistically significant. Of the 31 patients (68.9%) with follow-up data (for a median of 3.2 years [range 0.2-15.9]), complete remission was achieved in 12 (38.7%) patients, and the accumulative complete remission rate was 44.1% at 5.5 years. No specific baseline characteristics or immunosuppressants were found to correlate with the treatment response. A total of 26 patients underwent both ultrasound and MRI examination, and the Kappa value of the diagnostic results between ultrasound and MRI was 0.91. CONCLUSION EF is characterized by symmetrical subcutaneous swelling and induration in the limbs, accompanied by eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia. Glucocorticoid is effective for treating EF. Ultrasound examination can identify thickening of subcutaneous fascia for an early diagnosis of EF.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Hypergammaglobulinemia ; Eosinophilia ; Ultrasonography ; Hand ; Contracture ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To report 5 cases of amyloid arthropathy with joint flexion contracture as the first manifestation,and perform a literature review to improve the understanding of the disease.Methods Retrospective analysis of the clinical manifestations,laboratory and imaging results clinical data of patients with immunoglobulin light chain(AL)amyloidosis related amyloid arthropathy with joints flexion contracture as the first manifestation at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,the First Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2012 to February 2022.Meanwhile searching the database(CNKI,Wanfang Data,PubMed),excluding myeloma-associated amyloid arthropathy,and analyzing the literature results comprehensively.Results There were a total of 5 patients with amyloid arthropathy with joint flexion contracture as the initial manifestation in this center,including 4 males and 1 female.By February 2022(searching CNKI,Wanfang Data and PubMed),two eligible patients were selected,all males.A total of 7 patients were included with male-to-female ratio of 6:1.The median age was 30-year-old(range from 19 to 73).Spine and limb joints were involved,especially finger joints(7 cases,100%).Soft tissue was involved in 5 patients(71.4%),carpal tunnel syndrome in 4 patients(57.1%),giant tongue in 3 patients(42.9%),shoulder pad sign in 2 patients(28.6%),muscle swelling in 2 patients(28.6%).Five patients were misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and 1 patient was misdiagnosed as spondyloarthritis(SpA).The median time of delayed diagnosis was 24 months(2-204 months).The laboratory results showed that 3 patients(42.9%)were positive for immunoelectrophoresis,all of which were λ light chain.Only 1 patient was positive for HLA-B27,while the other patients were negative for autoantibodies and rheumatoid factors.Only 1 patient had elevated C reactive protein(CRP)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR).Ultrasound examination of the lesion site of 5 patients(71.4%)showed hypoechoic area around the joint,thickening of ligaments or periarticular tenosynovitis.Five patients(71.4%)underwent X-ray examination,of which 4 patients had no bone destruction,1 patient had soft tissue swelling with bone erosion and subchondral cyst.MRI was performed in 5 patients(71.4%),in which low signal on T1 weighted image,medium signal on T2 weighted image and edema signal on peripheral tendon sheath were seen in 1 patient.One patient(14.3%)underwent emission computed tomography(ECT)without abnormal uptake.Conclusion Joint flexion contracture may be the first sign of amyloid arthropathy.Vigilance for amyloid arthropathy is warranted when there is associated soft tissue involvement,negative autoantibodies,and imaging showing no joint destruction but surrounding soft tissue abnormalities.

Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.
Adult ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects* ; Incidence ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pyrimidines/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Benzamides/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase/drug therapy* ; Aminopyridines/therapeutic use* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective: To explore the clinical and imaging features of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion(AESD) in children. Methods: For the case series study, 21 children with AESD from Peking University First Hospital, Provincial Children's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanxi Children's Hospital who were diagnosed and treated from October 2021 to July 2023 were selected. Clinical data were collected to summarize their clinical information, imaging, and laboratory tests, as well as treatment and prognostic characteristics. Descriptive statistical analysis was applicated. Results: Of the 21 cases with AESD, 11 were males and 10 were females, with the age of onset of 2 years and 6 months (1 year and 7 months, 3 years and 6 months). Of the 21 cases, 18 were typical cases with biphasic seizures. All typical cases had early seizures within 24 hours before or after fever onset. Among them, 16 cases had generalized seizures, 2 cases had focal seizures, and 7 cases reached the status epilepticus. Of the 21 cases, 3 atypical cases had late seizures in biphasic only. The late seizures in the 21 cases occurred on days 3 to 9. The types of late seizures included focal seizures in 12 cases, generalized seizures in 6 cases, and both focal and generalized seizures in 3 cases. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) test on days 3 to 11 showed reduced diffusion of subcortical white matter which was named "bright tree sign" in all cases. The diffuse cerebral atrophy predominantly presented in the front-parietal-temporal lobes was found in 19 cases between day 12 and 3 months after the onset of the disease. Among 21 cases, 20 had been misdiagnosed as autoimmune encephalitis, central nervous system infection, febrile convulsions, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome. All the cases received high-dose gammaglobulin and methylprednisolone pulse therapy with poor therapeutic effect. By July 2023, 18 cases were under follow-up. Among them, 17 cases were left with varying degrees of neurologic sequelae, including 11 cases with post-encephalopathic epilepsy; 1 recovered completely. Conclusions: AESD is characterized by biphasic seizures clinically and "bright tree sign" on DWI images. Symptomatic and supportive treatments are recommended. The immunotherapy is ineffective. The prognosis of AESD is poor, with a high incidence of neurological sequelae and a low mortality.
Male ; Female ; Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome/complications* ; Seizures/etiology* ; Brain Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Status Epilepticus ; Seizures, Febrile/diagnostic imaging*