Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Therapeutic cancer vaccines have experienced a resurgence over the past ten years. Cancer vaccines are typically designed to enhance specific stages of the cancer-immunity cycle, primarily by activating the immune system to promote tumor regression and overcome immune resistance. In this review, we summarize the significant recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy based on the cancer-immunity cycle, including the effector cell function, infiltration, initiation, and exhaustion. We summarize the identification of tumor antigens and their delivery through cancer vaccines. We discuss how specific stages of the cancer-immunity cycle have been leveraged to augment anti-tumor immune responses and improve vaccine efficacy. Additionally, the impact of aging and myelosuppression, two prevalent forms of immunological stress, on the effectiveness of therapeutic cancer vaccines is deliberated. Finally, we summarize the current status of various therapeutic cancer vaccines at different clinical trial phases.
Humans ; Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology* ; Animals

BACKGROUND: China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial involved 74 participants who experienced a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with spastic upper limb paresis. The participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received conventional treatments and acupuncture treatment 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The main acupoints in both groups were the same, while participants in the intervention group received additional acupoints selected on the basis of 3DKA results. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 8 weeks after the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) response rate (≥ 6-point change) at week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor function (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), manual muscle test (MMT), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and activities of daily life (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) at week 4 and week 12. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants completed the trial and underwent analyses. Compared with control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly higher FMA-UE response rate at week 4 (χ² = 5.479, P = 0.019) and greater improvements in FMA-UE at both week 4 and week 12 (both P < 0.001). The intervention group also showed bigger improvements from baseline in the MMT grades for shoulder adduction and elbow flexion at weeks 4 and 12 as well as thumb adduction at week 4 (P = 0.007, P = 0.049, P = 0.019, P = 0.008, P = 0.029, respectively). The intervention group showed a better change in the MBI at both week 4 and week 12 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Although the intervention group had a higher BRS for the hand at week 12 (P = 0.041), no intergroup differences were observed at week 4 (all P > 0.05). The two groups showed no differences in MAS grades as well as in BRS for the arm at weeks 4 and 12 (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Semi-personalized acupuncture prescription based on 3DKA results significantly improved motor function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living in patients with PSSP-UL. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200056216. Please cite this article as: Huang XY, Liao OP, Jiang SY, Tao JM, Li Y, Lu XY, Li YY, Wang C, Li J, Ma XP. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 15-24.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Stroke Rehabilitation/methods* ; Adult ; Muscle Spasticity/therapy* ; Paresis/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the global cancer-associated thromboembolism risk assessment tools based on evidence- based methods， and to provide methodological reference and evidence-based basis for constructing a specific tool in China. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted on 6 databases， including CNKI， Wanfang data， VIP， CBM， PubMed， and Embase， as well as on the websites of NCCN， ASCO， ESMO and so on with a deadline of June 30， 2022. Furthermore， a supplementary search was conducted in January 2023. The essential characteristics and methodological quality of included risk assessment tools were described and analyzed qualitatively， focusing on comparing each assessment stratification ability. RESULTS Totally 14 risk assessment tools were included in the study， with a sample size of 208-18 956 cases and an average age distribution of 53.1-74.0 years. The applicable population included outpatient cancer student@sina.com patients， lymphoma patients， and multiple myeloma patients，etc. The common predictive factors were body mass index， venous thromboembolism history， and tumor site. All tools had undergone methodological validation， with 9 presented in a weighted scoring format. Only seven tools were used simultaneously for specificity， sensitivity， negative predictive value （NPV）， positive predictive value （PPV） and area under the curve （AUC） or C statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS The risk of bias in constructing existing tools is high， and the heterogeneity of tool validation results is significant. The overall methodological quality must be improved， and its risk stratification ability must also be investigated. There are still certain limitations in clinical practice in China.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of admission serum homocysteine levels and quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) indicators for adverse outcomes in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 89 patients, who were collected as the study objects with hemorrhagic stroke treated in the neurology intensive care unit at Kailuan General Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at discharge: a good prognosis group (mRS≤2) and a poor prognosis group (mRS 3-6). Clinical data and qEEG monitoring of various brain regions were collected. The impact factors of hemorrhagic prognosis were analyzed using multifactorial logistic regression. ROC curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive value of qEEG and admission homocysteine levels for adverse outcomes in hemorrhagic stroke patients.Results:(1) The age of the poor prognosis group was higher than that of the good prognosis group((66.51+13.64) to (60.53+11.69), t=2.15, P=0.034) and admission serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group (17.28(15.52,24.72)mmol/L to 14.50(10.28,16.00)mmol/L, Z=4.14, P<0.001). (2) In the poor prognosis group, power values of δ brain waves in leads Fp1-2, F4, C4, P4, F8, and T4 were higher than those in the good prognosis group (87.99(41.57,196.69) to 50.67(26.64,54.75), Z=2.76, P=0.006); (79.17(40.71,200.00) to 45.06(20.22,61.00), Z=2.10, P=0.036); (72.64(34.97,219.78) to 34.42(19.81,63.4), Z=2.03, P=0.043); (65.06(33.36,177.45) to 28.12(15.88,63.36), Z=2.08, P=0.038); (52.92(25.64,187.91) to 23.61(11.67,43.26), Z=2.21, P=0.027); (66.67(32.56,180.76) to 36.31(17.2,53.78), Z=2.46, P=0.014); (57.30(25.24,127.04) to 29.57(11.91,41.89), Z=2.26, P=0.024). Power values of θ brain waves in leads Fp1-2, F3, F4, C3, C4, P3-4, O1, F7-8, and T3-4 were higher in the poor prognosis group(77.45(47.63,138.72)比35.88(20.92,44.81), Z=3.50, P<0.001); (77.05(35.16,120.22) to 38.74(19.86,58.09), Z=2.27, P=0.023); (85.24(52.53,147.90) to 35.42(14.7,52.59), Z=2.61, P=0.009); (75.81(37.90,124.97) to 36.85(17.92,55.43), Z=2.30, P=0.021); (72.00(43.92,123.54) to 28.37(14.02,51.9), Z=2.22, P=0.027); (67.08(32.01,104.05) to 31.32(17.98,45.28), Z=2.10, P=0.035); (55.33(32.29,94.30) to 25.64(11.87,34.01), Z=2.24, P=0.025); (48.84(20.64,96.28) to 19.85(9.83,28.58), Z=2.30, P=0.022);(48.46(25.06,81.78) to 23.95(8.80,29.16), Z=2.51, P=0.012); (64.46(39.38,112.44) to 26.85(15.74,39.58), Z=2.80, P=0.005); (65.68(31.78,102.00) to 31.09(15.98,46.96), Z=2.38, P=0.017); (45.26(28.34,73.14) to 21.45(10.57,36.59), Z=2.04, P=0.042); (43.50(22.58,78.67) to 25.45(11.91,32.26), Z=2.22, P=0.027). Power values of slow-wave index in leads Fp1-2, F3-4, C3-4, P4, F7-8, and T4, as well as the overall brain average, were higher in the poor prognosis group (6.64(2.98,10.42) to 3.65(2.31,4.30), Z=2.65, P=0.01); (6.53(3.96,11.65) to 3.53(2.56,4.51), Z=2.30, P=0.022); (7.38(4.62,13.12) to 3.83(1.70,4.71), Z=2.38, P=0.017); (5.88(4.02,12.15) to 3.18(2.21,4.46), Z=2.29, P=0.022); (6.13(3.83,11.22) to 2.97(1.53,4.58), Z=2.01, P=0.044); (6.07(3.53,9.39) to 2.74(2.00,3.81), Z=2.40, P=0.016);(4.11(2.51,9.23) to 2.18(1.37,2.82), Z=2.25, P=0.024); (5.71(3.81,10.44) to 3.22(1.86,4.04), Z=2.28, P=0.023); (6.00(3.65,10.37) to 3.04(2.00,4.00), Z=2.39, P=0.017); (4.08(2.56,8.33) to 2.08(1.60,3.14), Z=2.50, P=0.013), with significant statistical differences noted (5.45(3.31,10.08) to 3.17(2.02,4.88), Z=3.62, P=0.005). (3) Logistic regression results showed that admission homocysteine levels ( OR 1.311,95% CI 1.008-1.705, P=0.044), admission NIHSS scores ( OR 1.588,95% CI 1.074-2.349, P=0.020), and overall brain average slow-wave index were influencing factors for poor prognosis in cerebral hemorrhage ( OR 8.596,95% CI 1.088-67.889, P=0.041). (4) ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC for predicting adverse outcomes in cerebral hemorrhage was 0.768 (95% CI (0.665, 0.872)) for admission homocysteine levels, 0.743 (95% CI (0.634, 0.852)) for the overall brain average slow-wave index, and 0.896 (95% CI (0.827, 0.965)) for admission NIHSS. The cutoff values were 15.67, 3.62, and 8.5, respectively. Sensitivity was 77.8%, 71.1%, and 68.9%, and specificity was 59.4%, 68.7%, and 100%, respectively. The Youden indices were 0.372, 0.398, and 0.689. Conclusion:In the acute phase of cerebral hemorrhage, electroencephalographic physiological changes manifest shows an increase in the δ, θ, and slow-wave index throughout the entire brain. Higher admission homocysteine levels suggest a worse prognosis in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Admission homocysteine levels and overall brain average slow-wave index have certain predictive value for adverse outcomes in acute cerebral hemorrhage.

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the quality and explore the preliminary clinical applications of a domestically developed hepatitis D virus nucleic acid quantification reagent (abbreviated as"domestic HDV RNA reagent").Methods:The sensitivity and accuracy of the reagent were evaluated in accordance with the WHO HDV RNA international standard, employing the Bio-Rad CFX Opus 96 real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis system. Serial dilutions of pseudo-viruses or cell culture-derived virus were used to determine the linear range of the domestic HDV RNA reagent. Specificity was assessed using positive samples of HAV, HBV, HCV infection, and HEV national reference materials. Precision was evaluated with samples at both high and low concentrations. In a comparative analysis, 30 HDV IgG positive samples were tested using both the domestic HDV RNA reagent and the RoboGene HDV RNA kit based on the ABI 7500 FAST DX system. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to examine the correlation between the two reagents.Results:The domestic HDV RNA reagent demonstrated a high sensitivity of up to 6 IU/ml, consistent with that of the comparator reagent. The calibration curve for WHO HDV RNA standards had a slope of -3.286, with an amplification efficiency of 101.6%. The linear detection range spanned from 10 to 10 8 IU/ml for eight HDV genotypes. The domestic HDV RNA reagent exhibited exceptional specificity, without cross-reactivity observed with HAV, HBV, HCV, or HEV. Accuracy assessments at five concentration levels met the required standards, with intra-assay precision coefficient of variation ( CV) ranging from 1.20% to 4.20%, and inter-assay precision CV from 1.20% to 7.90%. The detection results for HDV IgG positive samples were highly correlated with the comparator reagent ( r=0.984, P<0.001), achieving a diagnostic accuracy of 100% compared to sequencing results. Conclusion:In this study, the domestic HDV RNA reagent possesses excellent specificity, accuracy, precision, and a broad linear range, attaining a sensitivity level on par with international reagents of the same type.