Objective　To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for clinical cure in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients with pegylated interferon-α-2b (PEG-IFN-α-2b) based therapy. Methods　This is a retrospective study. Chronic HBV infected patients receiving PEG-IFN-α-2b therapy were enrolled in Yuncheng Central Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University between August 2020 and November 2023. Treatment-naïve patients received PEG-IFN-α-2b monotherapy, while nucleoside (acid) analogs (NAs)-experienced patients received PEG-IFN-α-2b add-on therapy. The study endpoint was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative in accompany with HBV DNA below the detection limit (course of treatment < 48 weeks) or treatment for 48 weeks. The general characteristics, virological variables, blood routine test, and liver function of patients were collected at baseline and study endpoint. Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison. The prognostic factors of clinical cure were examined using univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression models. Results　A total of 61 chronic HBV infected patients were enrolled, including 39 males and 22 females. The age were (39.13±7.53) years. Twenty-one cases were treatment-naïve, while 40 patients were NAs-experienced. Nineteen cases were positive for HBV DNA at baseline. The baseline HBsAg levels were 211.30(50.93, 2 110.00) IU/mL. Thirty-four patients achieved clinical cure at the study endpoint with 25.50 weeks of median course of PEG-IFN-α-2b treatment. Twenty-seven patients did not achieve clinical cure at the study endpoint, and the course of treatment was 48 weeks. Clinical cure group had significant lower baseline HBsAg level when compared with non-clinical cure group [78.66(19.54, 204.60) IU/mL vs 2 078.00(442.20, 4 237.00) IU/mL, P<0.001]. At the study endpoint, the white blood cell, platelet, red blood cell, hemoglobin levels were lower than those in baseline (P<0.05), while alanine aminotransferase and asparatate aminotransferase levels were higher than those in baseline (P<0.05). There were no remarkable differences in blood routine tests or liver function between clinical cure and non-clinical cure group at either baseline or study endpoint (P>0.05). Baseline low HBsAg level was a predictor for clinical cure in patients receiving PEG-IFN-α-2b therapy (OR=0.998, 95%CI: 0.998-0.999). No severe adverse events were happened during therapy. Conclusion　PEG-IFN-α-2b-based therapy was well-tolerant, and could achieve high rate of clinical cure in chronic HBV-infected patients who had low baseline HBsAg level.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), as certain forms of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or keratinocyte carcinoma, are the most common forms of malignant neoplasms worldwide (Sharp et al., 2024). BCC and cSCC have been identified as two major components of NMSC, comprising one-third of all malignancies (Burton et al., 2016). Generally speaking, patients with NMSC tend to have relatively favorable survival outcomes, while different histopathological subtypes of NMSC exhibit distinct biological behaviors (Stătescu et al., 2023). Keratinocyte carcinoma, although not considered as deadly as melanoma, tends to metastasize if left untreated (Civantos et al., 2023; Nanz et al., 2024). cSCC can evolve locally, then aggressively metastasize, invade, and even lead to fatal consequences in a subset of patients (Winge et al., 2023). A solid, pigmented, smooth plaque or a hyperkeratotic papule with or without central ulceration and hemorrhage appears to be characteristic of cSCC (Thompson et al., 2016; Zhou et al., 2023). Of note, a rare type of intraepidermal cSCC in situ often appears as a velvety, demarcated, slightly raised erythematous plaque on the genitalia of men (Yamaguchi et al., 2016). Accounting for approximately 16.0% of scalp tumors and with a rising incidence, cSCC is now the second most common NMSC in humans (Verdaguer-Faja et al., 2024). According to the latest statistics, up to 2%‒5% of cSCCs in situ may gradually progress into invasive cSCCs in the final step (Rentroia-Pacheco et al., 2023). Several risk factors for the carcinogenesis and development of cSCC have been identified, including age, accumulative exposure to ultraviolet light radiation A and B, human papillomavirus infection, arsenic ingestion, chronic scarring, xeroderma pigmentosa, a relevant history of ionizing radiation, androgenetic alopecia in males, and immunosuppression therapy (Martinez and Otley, 2001; Welsch et al., 2012; Mortaja and Demehri, 2023).
Humans ; Aminolevulinic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Skin Neoplasms/pathology* ; Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Female ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy*

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

Objective To explore the effects of home-based exercise rehabilitation on cardiac structure, valvular function, and exercise capacity in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods 49 patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from January 2024 to February 2025 were enrolled. They were divided into an exercise group (n＝25) or a non-exercise group (n＝24) based on participating or not in home-based rehabilitation after TAVR. The exercise group received 12 weeks of home-based exercise training (aerobic exercise plus resistance training every week); the non-exercise group received routine care. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was used to assess cardiac structural parameters before discharge (T0) and after 12 weeks of exercise (T1). Functional outcomes including the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were compared between the two groups. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the effect of home-based rehabilitation on echocardiographic parameters. Patients were stratified by baseline 6MWT (＜240 m as low-function subgroup, ≥240 m as high-function subgroup) to compare exercise-related outcomes between subgroups. Results At T1, the exercise group had a longer 6MWT distance than the non-exercise group (P＝0.012). The linear mixed-effects model showed that after 12 weeks of exercise, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) decreased in the exercise group but slightly increased in the non-exercise group, with a significant difference in changes over time between the two groups (P_interaction＝0.030). The exercise group also showed greater improvement in effective orifice area index (P_interaction＝0.028) and effective orifice area (P_interaction＝0.042) than the non-exercise group. Subgroup analysis revealed that in the low-function subgroup, the exercise group showed greater improvement in the 6MWT (P_interaction＝0.035) and the effective orifice area index (P_interaction＝0.046) compared to the non-exercise group; in the high-function subgroup, the exercise group showed greater improvement only in LVEDD compared to the non-exercise group (P_interaction＝0.046). Conclusions Home-based exercise rehabilitation improves exercise capacity, optimizes left ventricular remodeling, and enhances valvular function in patients with severe AS after TAVR, with greater benefits observed in patients with lower baseline 6MWT.

Chronic eczema is clinically characterized by pruritus and skin lesions such as macules,exudation,desquamation,and lichenification.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)typically attributes its pathogenesis to wind,dampness,and heat pathogens,and TCM treatment for chronic eczema focused on dispelling wind,eliminating dampness,and clearing heat.However,there were fewer reports about the treatment of accompanying emotional changes and sleep disturbances in chronic eczema patients.This paper integrated the physique-qi-spirit trinity life view with zang-fu organ differentiation,and proposed that the disorder of spleen transportation and transformation contributed to the pathological foundation of chronic eczema,while the dysfunction of heart and liver was the factor that significantly influenced disease progression after analyzing the clinical features of chronic eczema.For the treatment of chronic eczema,the establishment of strategies should consider clinical characteristics,duration of disease,and skin lesion patterns.The combination of physique-qi-spirit regulation with heart-liver-spleen treatment approaches aims to alleviate clinical symptoms,improve quality of life,and enhance therapeutic efficacy for chronic eczema patients.

Objectives:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of endovascular aortic repair without contrast agent under branch artery guidewire marking(FLARE technique).Methods:The clinical data of 7 patients who underwent contrast-free endovascular aortic repair with branch artery guidewire marking in Fuwai Hospital from 2024 to 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.The criteria for patient selection included renal insufficiency,history of contrast agent allergy,high risk of high-pressure angiography due to extensive calcification of the aortic arch,and patients'strong personal wishes,all patients merited with anatomically friendly and anchored area criteria.The patients were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography or color Doppler ultrasound,and the occlusive stent anchor point was located by branch artery guidewire marking combined with bone marking during surgery.The primary endpoints were early stage of postoperative renal function changes(comparison of preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine)and surgical technique success rate,and the secondary endpoints included the incidence of internal leakage,re-intervention rates,and incidence of aneurysm and kidney-related adverse events during follow-up.Results:Among the seven patients who underwent endovascular aortic repair without contrast using a branch artery guidewire,four were male,with an average age of(72.0±5.9)years.Six of these patients had infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms,two of them with bilateral renal artery severe stenosis and renal insufficiency underwent renal artery stenting combined with endovascular aortic repair,one patient had isolated chronic renal insufficiency,one had a history of iodine contrast skin allergy,and the remaining two cases wished this surgery option.The seventh patient had a penetrating ulcer in the aortic arch and descending aorta,along with extensive thrombosis and calcification in the ascending aorta,aortic arch and descending aorta.All the patients achieved surgical technique success.No iodine contrast agent was used during the procedure for endovascular aortic repair.In patients with chronic renal insufficiency and renal artery stenosis before surgery,serum creatinine levels were significantly improved after surgery.All patients did not need hemodialysis,there was no allergic reaction,and no graft-related or perioperative complications.The average follow-up was(5.8±3.0)months,all patients recovered well without re-intervention or complications.The creatinine levels did not fluctuate significantly after surgery.Conclusions:Branch artery guidewire marked contrast-free aortic endovascular repair may be a safe and feasible treatment option in selected patients,especially in patients with contraindications to contrast agents.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

Objectives:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of endovascular aortic repair without contrast agent under branch artery guidewire marking(FLARE technique).Methods:The clinical data of 7 patients who underwent contrast-free endovascular aortic repair with branch artery guidewire marking in Fuwai Hospital from 2024 to 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.The criteria for patient selection included renal insufficiency,history of contrast agent allergy,high risk of high-pressure angiography due to extensive calcification of the aortic arch,and patients'strong personal wishes,all patients merited with anatomically friendly and anchored area criteria.The patients were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography or color Doppler ultrasound,and the occlusive stent anchor point was located by branch artery guidewire marking combined with bone marking during surgery.The primary endpoints were early stage of postoperative renal function changes(comparison of preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine)and surgical technique success rate,and the secondary endpoints included the incidence of internal leakage,re-intervention rates,and incidence of aneurysm and kidney-related adverse events during follow-up.Results:Among the seven patients who underwent endovascular aortic repair without contrast using a branch artery guidewire,four were male,with an average age of(72.0±5.9)years.Six of these patients had infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms,two of them with bilateral renal artery severe stenosis and renal insufficiency underwent renal artery stenting combined with endovascular aortic repair,one patient had isolated chronic renal insufficiency,one had a history of iodine contrast skin allergy,and the remaining two cases wished this surgery option.The seventh patient had a penetrating ulcer in the aortic arch and descending aorta,along with extensive thrombosis and calcification in the ascending aorta,aortic arch and descending aorta.All the patients achieved surgical technique success.No iodine contrast agent was used during the procedure for endovascular aortic repair.In patients with chronic renal insufficiency and renal artery stenosis before surgery,serum creatinine levels were significantly improved after surgery.All patients did not need hemodialysis,there was no allergic reaction,and no graft-related or perioperative complications.The average follow-up was(5.8±3.0)months,all patients recovered well without re-intervention or complications.The creatinine levels did not fluctuate significantly after surgery.Conclusions:Branch artery guidewire marked contrast-free aortic endovascular repair may be a safe and feasible treatment option in selected patients,especially in patients with contraindications to contrast agents.