The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

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

[Purpose]To investigate the choice of medical institutions for the first-treatment of can-cer patients after diagnosis and the factors influencing it,so as to provide a reference basis for the rational allocation of health resources and the promotion of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment of cancer.[Methods]A total of 1 140 common cancer patients from 1 provincial,3 municipal and 6 county-level medical institutions in Shandong Province were included in the study,and a ques-tionnaire survey was conducted on their basic personal information and the selection of medical institutions.Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to compare different groups,and mul-ti-classification unordered Logistic regression were used to explore the factors influencing the se-lection of cancer patients.[Results]1 077 valid questionnaires were collected.The selection rates of first-treatment institutions for cancer patients were county hospitals(29.90％),city hospitals(35.28％),and provincial hospitals(34.82％),and the high level of medical care was the main reason for the selection of first-treatment institutions for cancer patients.The results of multi-clas-sification unordered Logistic regression showed that when choosing municipal and county medical institutions as the first treatment institution compared to choosing a county medical institution for the first treatment as a reference,compared to patients with stage Ⅰ tumors,patients with tumor stages at stage Ⅲ(OR=1.789,95％CI:1.014～3.158)and stage Ⅳ(OR=2.005,95％CI:1.179～3.409)were more likely to choose municipal medical institutions;and patients with annual house-hold income of 10 000～＜50 000 CNY(OR=0.625,95％CI:0.414～0.943)were less likely to choose mu-nicipal medical institutions compared to those with an annual household income of＜10 000 CNY.When choosing provincial and county medical institutions as the first treatment institution com-pared to patients in stage Ⅲ(OR=2.885,95％C1:1.549～5.372)and stage Ⅳ(OR=3.104,95％CI:1.724～5.586)compared to patients with stage Ⅰ tumors when choosing a county medical institu-tion for the first treatment was used as a reference;married(OR=2.248,95％CI:1.127～4.484)patients were more likely to choose provincial healthcare organizations than unmarried/divorced/widowed patients;patients with a family history of cancer compared to patients without a family history of cancer(OR=1.650,95％CI:1.115～2.441)were more inclined to choose provincial healthcare institutions;compared with patients＜45 years old,patients over 60 years old(OR=0.483,95％CI:0.242～0.962)were less inclined to choose provincial hospitals;and compared with patients who were not aware of knowledge related to cancer,those who were aware of knowledge related to cancer(OR=0.613,95％CI:0.441～0.852)patients were less inclined to choose provin-cial hospitals.[Conclusion]Vigorously carrying out publicity on cancer prevention and treatment knowledge,improving the cancer prevention and treatment literacy of cancer patients.strengthen-ing vertical cooperation among medical institutions at all levels,improving the provincial-munici-pal-county cancer prevention and treatment network,and promoting the sinking of high-quality medical resources are important ways to improve the cancer prevention and treatment capacity of counties and promote the work of hierarchical medical system.

[Purpose]To investigate the choice of medical institutions for the first-treatment of can-cer patients after diagnosis and the factors influencing it,so as to provide a reference basis for the rational allocation of health resources and the promotion of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment of cancer.[Methods]A total of 1 140 common cancer patients from 1 provincial,3 municipal and 6 county-level medical institutions in Shandong Province were included in the study,and a ques-tionnaire survey was conducted on their basic personal information and the selection of medical institutions.Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to compare different groups,and mul-ti-classification unordered Logistic regression were used to explore the factors influencing the se-lection of cancer patients.[Results]1 077 valid questionnaires were collected.The selection rates of first-treatment institutions for cancer patients were county hospitals(29.90％),city hospitals(35.28％),and provincial hospitals(34.82％),and the high level of medical care was the main reason for the selection of first-treatment institutions for cancer patients.The results of multi-clas-sification unordered Logistic regression showed that when choosing municipal and county medical institutions as the first treatment institution compared to choosing a county medical institution for the first treatment as a reference,compared to patients with stage Ⅰ tumors,patients with tumor stages at stage Ⅲ(OR=1.789,95％CI:1.014～3.158)and stage Ⅳ(OR=2.005,95％CI:1.179～3.409)were more likely to choose municipal medical institutions;and patients with annual house-hold income of 10 000～＜50 000 CNY(OR=0.625,95％CI:0.414～0.943)were less likely to choose mu-nicipal medical institutions compared to those with an annual household income of＜10 000 CNY.When choosing provincial and county medical institutions as the first treatment institution com-pared to patients in stage Ⅲ(OR=2.885,95％C1:1.549～5.372)and stage Ⅳ(OR=3.104,95％CI:1.724～5.586)compared to patients with stage Ⅰ tumors when choosing a county medical institu-tion for the first treatment was used as a reference;married(OR=2.248,95％CI:1.127～4.484)patients were more likely to choose provincial healthcare organizations than unmarried/divorced/widowed patients;patients with a family history of cancer compared to patients without a family history of cancer(OR=1.650,95％CI:1.115～2.441)were more inclined to choose provincial healthcare institutions;compared with patients＜45 years old,patients over 60 years old(OR=0.483,95％CI:0.242～0.962)were less inclined to choose provincial hospitals;and compared with patients who were not aware of knowledge related to cancer,those who were aware of knowledge related to cancer(OR=0.613,95％CI:0.441～0.852)patients were less inclined to choose provin-cial hospitals.[Conclusion]Vigorously carrying out publicity on cancer prevention and treatment knowledge,improving the cancer prevention and treatment literacy of cancer patients.strengthen-ing vertical cooperation among medical institutions at all levels,improving the provincial-munici-pal-county cancer prevention and treatment network,and promoting the sinking of high-quality medical resources are important ways to improve the cancer prevention and treatment capacity of counties and promote the work of hierarchical medical system.

The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

Objective:To investigate COVID-19 vaccination status and relevant adverse reactions in patients with psoriasis treated with biological agents, and to explore the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on psoriatic lesions.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 572 psoriasis patients aged 18 - 60 years, who were registered in the management system of psoriasis patients treated with biological agents in the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from May 2019 to June 2021. The COVID-19 vaccination status was investigated by telephone interviews, and the vaccination-related information was obtained by fixed healthcare workers during a fixed time period according to a predesigned questionnaire. Measurement data were compared between two groups by using t test, and enumeration data were compared by using chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was 43.13% (226 cases) among the 524 patients who completed the telephone interview, and was significantly lower in the biological agent treatment group (30.79%, 105/341) than in the traditional drug treatment group (66.12%, 121/183; χ2 = 60.60, P < 0.001) . The main reason for not being vaccinated was patients′ fear of vaccine safety (49.66%, 148/298) , followed by doctors′ not recommending (26.51%, 79/298) . In the biological agent treatment group after vaccination, the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions was more common in patients receiving prolonged-interval treatment (42.86%, 6/14) compared with those receiving regular treatment (4.40%, 4/91; Fisher′s exact test, P < 0.001) . Skin lesions were severely aggravated in two patients after COVID-19 vaccination, who ever experienced allergic reactions and whose skin lesions did not completely subside after the treatment with biological agents. Conclusions:The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was relatively low in the psoriasis patients treated with biological agents, and no serious adverse reaction was observed after vaccination. Prolonged-interval treatment due to COVID-19 vaccination ran the risk of exacerbation of skin lesions.

Objective:To compare toally endoscopic thyroidectomy(TET) with open thyroidectomy(OT) in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer.Methods:Data of 190 patients at Liuzhou People's Hospital from Jul 2017 to Dec 2019 were analyzed. Patients were divided into endoscopic surgery group ( n=95) and open surgery group ( n=95). Results:The operation time and the hospital stay in endoscopic group were longer than that in open surgery group[(153±25) min vs. (116±17) min, (5.56±1.08) d vs.(5.08±1.04) d, t=11.827，3.083， both P<0.05)]. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss [(33±14) ml vs. (37±16) ml, t=-1.851 P>0.05], recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, hypoparathyroidism and wound complications (4% vs. 9%, 9% vs. 15%,1% vs. 3%, all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of central lymph node dissection between the two groups (6.12±3.54 vs. 6.35±4.75, t=-0.404, P<0.05). The length of scar in endoscopic group was shorter [(3.03±0.27) cm vs. (6.47±0.53) cm, t=-56.138, P<0.05), and the postoperative cosmetic score evaluated by the patients was higher (8.76±0.75 vs. 7.39±0.76, P<0.05), than those in open group. There were no tumor recurrence nor metastasis in neither group by short term follow-up. Conclusions:TET is similar to OT on clinical curative effectiveness for differentiated thyroid carcinoma while carries a better cosmetic result .

Fu-Zheng Pei-Ben therapy, as a major therapeutic principle, has become the main guiding thought of cancer therapy currently. Through the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) history, Fu-Zheng Pei-Ben thera-py is one of the most important therapies . As early as the Spring and Autumn Period , the importance of vital qi has been recorded in the Huang-Di Nei-Jing. After that, TCM doctors have enriched the connotation and extension of the Fu-Zhe ng therapy . Until modern times , Professor Liu Jiaxiang applied Fu-Zhe ng therapy to the treatment of cancer . This paper explained the sources of Fu-Zhe ng cancer therapy through the analy-sis of its history in order to provide a reference to deepen the theoretical studies in the diagnosis and treat-ment of cancer in the future .

OBJECTIVETo explore a set of scientific evaluation and intervention methods on perioperatur period which fits for China's situation, and to promote the development of rational drug use.

METHODSTwo would tertiary general hospitals were selected and separated in to intervention group and control group. Intervention was carried out and compared at the same period on inpatient surgical cases of thryroidectomy, mastectomy, cholescystectomy, and hysteromyomectomy plus appendix.

RESULTSThe average drug costs was decreased from 1 601.27 yuan to 1 489.59 yuan and the average antibiotics use from 740.20 yuan to 352.03 yuan (P < 0.01) in the intervention group pre and post intervention. There was a remarkable improvement on the rationality of antibiotics use in intervention group, from 31.35% to 91.81% (P < 0.01) pre and post intervention, implemented in the hospital.

CONCLUSIONIt is practicable and effective to implement rational drug use where intervention was carried out, since it plays an active role on promoting safely, effectively and economic antibiotic use in China.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; economics ; therapeutic use ; Drug Costs ; Drug Utilization ; economics ; General Surgery ; Humans ; Perioperative Care