Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that poses significant treatment challenges due to its heterogeneity and propensity for relapse and progression. In the last two decades, the therapeutic landscape of MM has changed dramatically, but the disease remains largely incurable, with many patients facing treatment resistance. This review evaluates the current status of MM treatments, emphasizing the limitations of traditional therapies and the emerging role of immunotherapy in improving patient outcomes. It highlights the importance of achieving and maintaining minimal residual disease negativity and a balanced immune response as key treatment goals. Furthermore, it discusses the advancements in immunotherapies that are improving the prospects for patients, particularly those with relapsed or refractory disease. Innovative strategies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and bispecific T cell engagers, have shown significant promise by targeting the malignant cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, which are essential for disease persistence and resistance to therapy. Future research should focus on refining MM treatment strategies, including the integration of immunotherapy into earlier treatment lines and the development of predictive biomarkers for personalized treatment approaches, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Dendrobium officinale(DO) is a traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plant, while it is critically endangered worldwide. This article, primarily based on the original research findings of the author's team and available articles, provides a comprehensive overview of the factors contributing to the endangerment of DO and the key technologies for the conservation, efficient cultivation, and value-added utilization of this plant. The scarcity of wild populations, low seed-setting rates, lack of endosperm in seeds, and the need for symbiosis with endophytic fungi for seed germination under natural conditions are identified as the primary causes for the rarity and endangerment of DO. Artificial seed production and tissue culture are highlighted as key technologies for alleviating the endangered status. The physiological and ecological mechanisms underlying the adaptation of DO to epiphytic growth are explored, and it is proposed that breaking the coupling of high temperature and high humidity is essential for preventing southern blight, a devastating affliction of DO. The roles of endophytic fungi in promoting the growth, improving the quality, and enhancing the stress resistance of DO are discussed. Furthermore, the integration of variety breeding, environment selection, and co-culture with endophytic fungi is emphasized as a crucial approach for efficient cultivation. The value-added applications of DO in pharmaceuticals, health foods, food products, and daily chemicals-particularly in the food and daily chemical industries-are presented as key drivers for a 10-billion-RMB-level industry. This systematic review offers valuable insights for the further development, utilization, and industrialization of DO resources, as well as for the broader application of conservation strategies for other rare and endangered plant species.
Dendrobium/microbiology* ; Endangered Species ; Seeds/microbiology* ; Fungi/physiology*

This article reports a first case of combined infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)and scrub typhus in Dalian City.The patient was admitted to the hospital due to recurrent fever for 7 days and loss of consciousness for 1 day.Pathogen metagenomic sequencing(mNGS),SFTSV quantitative PCR,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)IgM tests were performed,showing positive results for Orientia tsutsugamushi and SFTSV nucleic acids.Based on clinical manifestations and epidemiological history,the patient was diagnosed with combined infections.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).

Objective:To explore the effect of a nurse-led family resilience intervention program on the primary caregivers of children with Hirschsprung′s disease, and provide reference for family resilience nursing intervention measures for pediatric chronic diseases.Methods:Using a randomized controlled trial method, a convenience sampling method was used to select 60 primary caregivers of first-time diagnosed Hirschsprung′s disease who were admitted to the pediatric surgery ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2022 to October 2023. Random digital table method was used to divide the primary caregivers into control group and observation group,with 30 cases in each group. The control group received routine care intervention, while the observation group received a nurse-led intervention program to enhance family resilience. The family resilience, depression,Family APGAR Index, and nursing satisfaction scores of the two groups before and after the intervention were compared.Results:Two groups of 30 patients each completed this study.There were 3 males and 27 females in the control group. The age was (28.61 ± 3.16) years old. There were 2 males and 28 females in the observation group. The age was (29.43 ± 3.48) years old.Before intervention, there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) in the total family resilience score and its various dimensions, depression level, and family care score between the two groups of children′s primary caregivers. After intervention, the total score of family resilience of the main caregivers in the observation group was (142.53 ± 6.00) points,higher than (128.27 ± 5.06) points in the control group, the difference was significant ( t=-9.95, P<0.05). The depression score of the main caregivers in the observation group was (48.07 ± 8.46) points, and the family care score was (7.73 ± 0.98) points, which was better than the depression level of the main caregivers in the control group (50.77 ± 9.35) and the family care score (6.97 ± 1.00) ( t=2.49, -3.00, both P<0.05). After implementing intervention, the satisfaction level of the main caregivers in the observation group was 100.0%(30/30), higher than 83.3%(25/30) in the control group, the difference was significant ( χ2=6.41, P<0.05). Conclusions:The nurse-led family resilience improvement intervention program can effectively improve the family resilience and family care level of primary caregivers of children with Hirschsprung′s disease for the first time, which is helpful to improve the negative psychological emotions of primary caregivers and improve their satisfaction with nursing services.

Investigating the species/biovars,distribution patterns,and genetic correlations of Brucella from sheep in north-west China is critical to reveal the population and epidemiological characteristics of the Brucella melitensis.In this study,con-ventional identification and AMOS-PCR were used to determine the species/biovars of Brucella isolated from 13 regions in northwest China.MLST and MLVA-16 genotyping methods were used to analyze the genetic characteristics of the strains.Con-ventional identification and AMOS-PCR detection revealed that 59 Brucella melitensis were isolated in this study,in-cluding 22 strains from Inner Mongolia,17 strains from Xin-jiang,13 strains from Gansu,and 7 strains from Qinghai,of which 58 strains were B.melitensis biovar 3,and one strain was B.melitensis biovar 1.MLST analysis indicated that 90％(53/59)of B.melitensis were of ST8 sequence type,the dominant epidemic population.The MLVA-11 survey demonstrated that 59 B.melitensis strains clustered into six MLVA-11 genotypes,and 87％of the strains were of MLVA-11 genotype 116.Therefore,the predominant strains in the northwest region were from the Eastern Mediterranean lineage.MLVA-16 divided 59 strains of B.melitensis into 40 gen-otypes,eight of which were shared genotypes.Each genotype was composed of two to seven strains from the same region,thereby indicating that the cases of each shared genotype were outbreaks from a common source of infection.All shared MLVA-16 genotypes comprised strains from the same province,thus indicating apparent regional clustering characteristics of strains in each province.In a genetic comparison between populations and isolated strains from the spleens of sheep,multiple identical MLVA-16 genotypes were found to be composed of strains from different hosts.These findings indicated a transmission path-way from sheep/goats to humans.B.melitensis biovar 3 was the main pathogen causing animal brucellosis in the northwest re-gion,and infected sheep were the main brucellosis infection source in the regional population.The ST8 strains were the domi-nant epidemic population,and the MLVA genotype of strains in each region showed clear regional clustering characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Wuziyuye Decoction in the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus (DM) with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia. METHODS: We selected 100 cases of type-II DM with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia treated in the First Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from January 2023 to March 2024, and randomly assigned them to receive Wuziyuye Decoction (the trial group, n = 50) and oral L-carnitine solution (the control group, n = 50) in addition to Western medicine to reduce fasting blood glucose to normal in both groups. After 12 weeks of medication, we followed up the patients for 24 weeks, obtained their semen parameters, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and levels of reproductive hormones, and the clinical pregnancy outcomes of their partners, followed by comparison of the data collected between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the trial group showed significant improvement over the baseline in the percentage of progressive motility (PR%) (［35.5±6.1］% vs ［18.0±4.2］%, P<0.05), sperm concentration (［54.0±33.4］ vs ［40.0±36.1］ × 10⁶/ml, P<0.05), and TCM syndrome score (4.5±2.3 vs 18.5±5.2, P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference in the semen volume (［2.85±0.36］ vs ［2.84±0.59］ ml, P>0.05), while the controls exhibited markedly improved percentage of PR% (［29.5±6.2］% vs ［18.5±4.5］%, P<0.05) and sperm concentration (［45.0±34.1］ vs ［42.0±38.3］ × 10⁶/ml, P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference in the semen volume (［3.04±0.89］ vs ［2.90±0.78］ ml, P>0.05) and TCM syndrome score (17.2±4.5 vs 17.8±4.8, P>0.05). The patients treated with Wuziyuye Decoction achieved even more significant improvement than the controls in the percentage of PR%, sperm concentration and TCM syndrome score (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in the reproductive hormone levels and clinical pregnancy outcomes between the two groups of patients after treatment (P>0.05). And no severe adverse reactions were observed in either group. CONCLUSION Wuziyuye Decoction is safe and effective for the treatment of type-II DM with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia by improving the sperm motility and concentration of the patient.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Asthenozoospermia/complications* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Yin Deficiency/complications* ; Adult ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Sperm Motility ; Qi ; Female ; Pregnancy

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(auto-HSCT)for the treatment of multiple myeloma(MM)in elderly patients aged over 65 years.Methods:In this retrospective analysis, the efficacy and safety of auto-HSCT for the treatment of MM was examined in 28 patients aged >65 years diagnosed and treated at Soochow Hopes Hematology Hospital between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2022.The functions of the major organs of these patients were evaluated before transplantation.Results:The 28 patients had a median age of 67(66-72)at the time of transplantation, a median number of 2.985 × 10 6/kg(2.036-9.5 × 10 6/kg)of collected CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, and a median number of 2(1-3)days of collection.The median time to neutrophil implantation after hematopoietic stem cell transfusion was 10(9-14)days, and the median platelet implantation time was 11(10-29)days.The median follow-up time was 25 months, but the median progression-free survival time was not reached.The 1-year PFS rate was 89.3% and 2-year PFS rate was 76.3%, with 2 patients' starting point of PFS set at the time of pre-transplantation re-induction therapy because needed salvage auto-HSCT.The overall survival time was not reached, the 1-year overall survival rate was 100.0%, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 90.5%. Conclusions:Auto-HSCT is a safe and effective treatment for elderly MM patients aged over 65 years after screening and assessment.

Objective:To analyze germline pathogenic mutations in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma(age≤60 years old), and to explore the clinicopathological characteristics of germline pathogenic mutation carriers.Methods:The data of 124 patients (age≤60 years old) with upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent germline genetic testing at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from September 2008 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 86 males and 38 females, and the median age was 55.0(49.8, 58.0)years old. The primary tumors were located in the renal pelvis in 81 cases (65.3%), the ureter in 34 cases (27.4%), and both in 9 cases (7.3%). There were 13 patients (10.5%) with low-grade UTUC and only 8 patients (6.5%) with carcinoma in situ. Twelve patients (9.7%) had a history of bladder cancer and 12 (9.7%) had a history of malignancy other than bladder cancer. Whole gene exome sequencing or target region sequencing was performed to explore germline mutations associated with patients with UTUC. The germline genetic testing data were interpreted in accordance with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP)2015 edition guideline to clarify the germline pathogenic mutation rate and elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of germline pathogenic mutation carriers. Germline pathogenic mutation rates were further compared with those of healthy East Asian populations to analyze germline mutations associated with the risk of carcinogenesis in UTUC.Results:In this study, 31 germline pathogenic mutations were detected in 28 (22.6%) of 124 patients with UTUC. There were no statistically significant differences in age [54.0 (47.0, 58.0) years old vs. 56.0 (50.8, 58.0) years old], gender (male/female: 21/7 vs. 65/31), history of bladder cancer (0 vs. 12/96), T-stage (T 3-4: 12/28 vs. 41/96), and proportion of histologic high-level (26/28 vs. 85/96) between patients with and without germline pathogenic mutations ( P>0.05). The 31 germline pathogenic mutations were located in 22 genes, including BRCA2 (4, 12.9%), MSH2 (3, 9.7%), RAD54L (2, 6.5%), BRCA1 (2, 6.5%), BRIP1 (2, 6.5%), NOTCH3 (2, 6.5%), XRCC2 (1, 3.2%), VEGFA (1, 3.2%), TBX3 (1, 3.2%), RET (1, 3.2%), PRKN (1, 3.2%), PALB2 (1, 3.2%), NTRK1 (1, 3.2%), NCOA3 (1, 3.2%), MSH6 (1, 3.2%), LRP1B (1, 3.2%), KMT2D (1, 3.2%), KMT2A (1, 3.2%), FANCA (1, 3.2%), BARD1 (1, 3.2%), ARID1A (1, 3.2%), and AR (1, 3.2%). The germline pathogenic mutation rates of 124 patients were compared with those of the healthy East Asian population. The results showed that germline pathogenic mutations in BRCA2 ( OR = 11.9, 95% CI 3.8 - 37.7, P<0.001), MSH2 ( OR = 11.9, 95% CI 3.2-44.5, P<0.001), RAD54L ( OR=14.2, 95% CI 2.7-73.8, P=0.002) and BRCA1 ( OR=11.8, 95% CI 2.4-59.1, P=0.003) genes significantly increase the risk of developing UTUC. Conclusions:The rate of germline pathogenic mutations in ≤60 years old UTUC patients in this study was 22.6%, and germline pathogenic mutations carrying germline BRCA2, MSH2, RAD54L or BRCA1 genes significantly increased the risk of developing UTUC.