BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and joint destruction. Iguratimod (IGU) is a novel conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) with good efficacy and safety for the treatment of active RA in China and Japan. However, the long-term effects of IGU on the progression of bone destruction or radiographic progression in patients with active RA remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of iguratimod (IGU), a combination of methotrexate (MTX) and IGU, and IGU in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were naïve to MTX. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted at 28 centers for over 52 weeks in China. In total, 911 patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive MTX monotherapy (10-15 mg weekly, n = 293), IGU monotherapy (25 mg twice daily, n = 297), or IGU + MTX (10-15 mg weekly for MTX and 25 mg twice daily for IGU, n = 305) for 52 weeks. The patients' clinical characteristics, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) level, and disease activity score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) were assessed at baseline. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients with ≥20% improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) response and changes in the van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score (vdH-mTSS) at week 52. RESULTS: The proportions of patients achieving an ACR20 response at week 52 were 77.44%, 77.05 %, and 65.87% for IGU monotherapy, IGU + MTX, and MTX monotherapy, respectively. The non-inferiority of IGU monotherapy to MTX monotherapy was established with the ACR20 (11.57%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.35-18.79%; P <0.001) and vdH-mTSS (-0.37; 95% CI, -1.22-0.47; P = 0.022). IGU monotherapy was also superior to MTX monotherapy in terms of ACR20 ( P = 0.002) but not the vdH-mTSS. The superiority of IGU + MTX over MTX monotherapy was confirmed in terms of the ACR20 (11.18%; 95% CI, 3.99-18.37%; P = 0.003), but not in the vdH-mTSS (-0.68; 95% CI, -1.46-0.11; P = 0.091). However, the difference in the incidence rates of adverse events was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: IGU monotherapy/IGU + MTX showed a more favorable clinical response than did MTX monotherapy. IGU may have some clinical benefits over MTX in terms of radiographic progression, implying that IGU may be considered as an initial therapeutic option for patients with active RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ , NCT01548001.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Chromones/adverse effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Methotrexate/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sulfonamides

Objective:To analyze the interference of an exogenous glucose test on urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled CKD patients who visited Peking University First Hospital between October 2023 and March 2024. The patients (age: 50±18 years) included 90 males and 70 females. Fresh morning urine samples were collected, totaling 160 samples. Each urine sample was divided into 5 aliquots,each containing 225 μl. One aliquot received 75 μl of deionized water as the control. The other aliquots received 75 μl of glucose solutions at concentrations of 120, 480, 960, and 1200 mmol/L, resulting in final glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L in the urine samples, respectively. Urinary creatinine in each sample was measured using both the enzymatic method and the picric acid (Jaffe) method. The following ratios were calculated: urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR), urinary transferrin-to-creatinine ratio (uTRF/uCr), urinary α1-microglobulin-to-creatinine ratio (uA1M/uCr), urinary immunoglobulin G-to-creatinine ratio (uIgG/uCr), and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase-to-creatinine ratio (uNAG/uCr).Results:Under high glucose concentrations, significant differences ( P<0.05) were observed between the enzymatic method and the picric acid method in measuring urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers. At glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L, the mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the enzymatic method were -0.19%, -0.27%, -0.20%, and -0.21%, respectively. The mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the picric acid method were 0.78%, 1.26%, 1.35%, and 1.38%, respectively, showing an increasing deviation between the results before and after glucose addition as the glucose concentration rose. For uACR measurement, the mean absolute biases using the enzymatic method were -0.01, 1.27, 0.95, and 1.10 mg/g at the respective glucose concentrations. Using the picric acid method, the mean absolute biases for uACR were -11.69, -14.98, -16.91, and-18.51 mg/g. The biases of the picric acid method were significantly higher than the those of the enzymatic method, and the absolute value of the mean biases increased with rising glucose concentration. For uPCR, uTRF/uCr, uA1M/uCr, uNAG/uCr, and uIgG/uCr, the deviations measured by the enzymatic method were consistently smaller than those measured by the picric acid method. Conclusions:The measurement of creatinine and related renal injury biomarkers by the enzymatic method is less affected by glucose concentration. In contrast, the measurement results obtained using the picric acid method are significantly affected by glucose concentration.

Objective:To analyze the interference of an exogenous glucose test on urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled CKD patients who visited Peking University First Hospital between October 2023 and March 2024. The patients (age: 50±18 years) included 90 males and 70 females. Fresh morning urine samples were collected, totaling 160 samples. Each urine sample was divided into 5 aliquots,each containing 225 μl. One aliquot received 75 μl of deionized water as the control. The other aliquots received 75 μl of glucose solutions at concentrations of 120, 480, 960, and 1200 mmol/L, resulting in final glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L in the urine samples, respectively. Urinary creatinine in each sample was measured using both the enzymatic method and the picric acid (Jaffe) method. The following ratios were calculated: urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR), urinary transferrin-to-creatinine ratio (uTRF/uCr), urinary α1-microglobulin-to-creatinine ratio (uA1M/uCr), urinary immunoglobulin G-to-creatinine ratio (uIgG/uCr), and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase-to-creatinine ratio (uNAG/uCr).Results:Under high glucose concentrations, significant differences ( P<0.05) were observed between the enzymatic method and the picric acid method in measuring urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers. At glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L, the mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the enzymatic method were -0.19%, -0.27%, -0.20%, and -0.21%, respectively. The mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the picric acid method were 0.78%, 1.26%, 1.35%, and 1.38%, respectively, showing an increasing deviation between the results before and after glucose addition as the glucose concentration rose. For uACR measurement, the mean absolute biases using the enzymatic method were -0.01, 1.27, 0.95, and 1.10 mg/g at the respective glucose concentrations. Using the picric acid method, the mean absolute biases for uACR were -11.69, -14.98, -16.91, and-18.51 mg/g. The biases of the picric acid method were significantly higher than the those of the enzymatic method, and the absolute value of the mean biases increased with rising glucose concentration. For uPCR, uTRF/uCr, uA1M/uCr, uNAG/uCr, and uIgG/uCr, the deviations measured by the enzymatic method were consistently smaller than those measured by the picric acid method. Conclusions:The measurement of creatinine and related renal injury biomarkers by the enzymatic method is less affected by glucose concentration. In contrast, the measurement results obtained using the picric acid method are significantly affected by glucose concentration.

Objective:To explore the current situation and influencing factors of burnout among the primary caregivers of stroke patients, so as provide a basis for clinical intervention measures.Methods:From July 2022 to January 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 506 caregivers of stroke patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from Yinchuan Rehabilitation Hospital and Wuzhong Rehabilitation Hospital as the study subject. The survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Burnout Scale of Stroke Patients' Caregiver, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results:The burnout score of caregivers for stroke patients was (72.83±14.32). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the educational level and self-care ability of patients, social support, coping styles, and depression of primary caregivers were the influencing factors of burnout among primary caregivers in stroke patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Attention should be paid to the burnout of the primary caregivers of stroke patients. Medical and nursing staff should focus on the primary caregivers who care for patients with low educational level and poor self-care ability, and improve their social support, encourage them to actively respond, relieve their depression, to alleviate their burnout.

This paper reviewed the mental health status, influencing factors, and intervention measures of the main caregivers of stroke patients both domestically and internationally, so as to provide reference for clinical work and research.

Objective:To explore the current situation of resourcefulness among the primary caregivers of stroke patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From December 2020 to August 2021, convenience sampling was used to select 311 primary caregivers of stroke patients in the Neurology Department of three ClassⅢ Grade A general hospitals in Yinchuan City as the research subject. A survey was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Resourcefulness Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, Social Support Revalued Scale, and the Fatigue Scale-14.Results:A total of 311 questionnaires were distributed and 308 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 99.04%. The resourcefulness score of the primary caregivers of 308 stroke patients was (83.98±12.85). The random forest model showed that when the λ-value was 1.667, the error was the smallest, and the corresponding number of influencing factors was 7. The independent variables ranked in the top 7 in importance were included in multiple stepwise regression. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that perceived stress, educational level, and fatigue were the main influencing factors on the resourcefulness of the primary caregivers of stroke patients, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The main caregivers of stroke patients have a moderate level of resourcefulness and require certain attention. Nursing staff can collaborate with social workers and other personnel to provide support and assistance to caregivers, alleviate their physical and mental stress, thereby improving their resourcefulness and the quality of care.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with bacterial liver abscess during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID－19） in Changchun， China. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 37 411 patients who were discharged from The First Hospital of Jilin University from March 1 to June 30 in 2022， and finally 135 patients with bacterial liver abscess were included for analysis. Related clinical data were collected to summarize their clinical features， and these patients were compared with the patients with bacterial liver abscess in 2019－2021 in terms of disease onset and pathogen. The Kruskal－Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the chi－square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups. ResultsThe patients with bacterial liver abscess accounted for 0.36% of the patients admitted to our hospital during the same period of time， which showed varying degrees of increase compared with the previous years （χ²=32.081， P<0.001）. The 135 patients with bacterial liver abscess had a mean hospital stay of 11 （6－18） days， which was longer than that in the previous years （H=9.223， P=0.026）. The patients with bacterial liver abscess had higher levels of white blood cell count and C－reactive protein （CRP） than the previous years （H=14.150 and 8.736， P=0.003 and 0.033）. Among the 135 patients， 69 （51.11%） received blood culture， and the results showed sterile growth （59.42%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae （30.43%）， Escherichia coli （4.35%）， Bacteroides fragilis （1.45%）， Enterococcus faecium （1.45%）， Staphylococcus epidermidis （1.45%）， and Klebsiella oxytoca （1.45%）. Among the 135 patients， 90 （66.67%） received pus culture， and the results showed Klebsiella pneumoniae （72.22%）， sterile growth （14.44%）， Escherichia coli （4.44%）， Enterococcus faecium （2.22%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa （2.22%）， Acinetobacter baumannii （1.11%）， Klebsiella aerogenes （1.11%）， Klebsiella oxytoca （1.11%）， and Enterococcus casseliflavus （1.11%）. Of all 135 patients， 127 （94.07%） were improved and cured after anti－infective therapy and ultrasound－guided abscess puncture and drainage， and 3 patients （2.22%） died during hospitalization. ConclusionDuring the outbreak of COVID－19 in Changchun， there are increases in the number of patients with liver abscess in our hospital， the length of hospital stay， and the levels of white blood cell count and CRP， with Klebsiella pneumoniae as the main pathogen， and most patients are improved after treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of rural practitioners of endoscopic cleaning and disinfection participating in the Early Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers and to analyze the influencing factors.Methods:The questionnaires for skill assessment were designed based on the skill scheme and clinical practice of the Early Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in rural China, and the App Early diagnosis, Early treatment was used as the examination platform. The practitioners in 539 county hospitals from 25 provinces participating in the program in 2019 were assessed for techniques and skills for endoscopic cleaning and disinfection and the excellence rate was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for the examination. Results:A total of 1 671 endoscopic cleaning and disinfection practitioners participated in the assessment with the score of 73.41±16.60. The passing rate was 85.82%, and the excellence rate was 44.94%. Among all questions, the correct rate of "opportunistic screening flow chart" was the highest (98.21%), and that of "the evaluation index for mass screening" was the lowest (57.89%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the excellence rate was high in practitioners who had a bachelor degree or above ( OR=1.627,95% CI:1.319-2.007, P<0.001), the career for 5 to <15 years (5 to <10 years: OR=1.329,95% CI:1.045-1.689, P=0.020; 10 to <15 years: OR=1.384,95% CI:1.026-1.867, P=0.033), working in eastern and central regions (eastern regions: OR=3.476,95% CI:2.368-5.103, P<0.001;central regions: OR=4.028,95% CI:2.679-6.057, P<0.001) and with full understanding of the screening scheme ( OR=1.547,95% CI:1.246-1.921, P<0.001) . Conclusion:Practitioners on the Early Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in rural China have mastered the basic screening scheme and skills for endoscopic cleaning and disinfection. The education background, duration of the career, area and understanding of screening scheme are influencing factors for the excellence rate of endoscopic cleaning and disinfection.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients who were taking tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) and had achieved sustained RA remission or low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28] ≤3.2) for at least 3 months were enrolled at six centers in Shanghai, China. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment groups: continuation of tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily); reduction in tofacitinib dose (5 mg daily); and withdrawal of tofacitinib. Efficacy and safety were assessed up to 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 41 in the continuation group, 42 in the dose-reduction group, and 39 in the withdrawal group. After 6 months, the percentage of patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of <3.2 was significantly lower in the withdrawal group than that in the reduction and continuation groups (20.5%, 64.3%, and 95.1%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The average flare-free time was 5.8 months for the continuation group, 4.7 months for the dose reduction group, and 2.4 months for the withdrawal group. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR2000039799.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; China ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Piperidines/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use*

Objective:This study aims to investigate the effects of Zhibao Sanbian Pills on learning and memory ability and explore its mechanism.Methods:Cognitive decline and memory impairment in mice was induced by scopolamine. Morris water maze test, platform jumping test and dark avoidance test were used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of mice. TCMSP, TCMID database and literature search were used to search the chemical components of Zhibao Sanbian Pills. The potential active components were screened through ADMETlab 2.0. The targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were conducted through the Metascape database, and a PPI network was constructed for MCODE module analysis.Results:Compared with the model group, the latency of water maze test in the high-dose group of Zhibao Sanbian Pills was shortened ( P<0.05), and the time of platform quadrant and the number of crossing increased ( P<0.05). 863 active components and 401 potential targets of Zhibao Sanbian Pills were collected. The enrichment analysis of MCODE, GO and KEGG pathways found that the action pathways of Zhibao Sanbian Pills to improve cognitive impairment involve neuroactive ligand receptor pathway, calcium signal pathway, Rap1 signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway, MAPK signal transduction pathway, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor pathway, etc. Conclusion:Zhibao Sanbian Pills have the potential to improve the learning and memory ability of mice, which may be realized through MAPK signaling pathway and other neural related signaling pathways.