To investigate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and rituximab (RTX) in elderly patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis with renal involvement.

BACKGROUND:Ursolic acid can promote the directed differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts.However,there are few reports on whether ursolic acid has osteogenic effect on human periodontal ligament stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells. METHODS:The human periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated and cultured.Passage 3 cells were selected and treated with ordinary medium containing different concentrations(0,1,2,4,6,8 μmol/L)of ursolic acid.After intervention for 1,3,5,7 days,the cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and the appropriate intervention concentration was screened.Passage 3 human periodontal ligament stem cells were treated with osteogenic induction solution containing 0,1,2,4 μmol/L ursolic acid,respectively.After 7 days of intervention,the mRNA expressions of alkaline phosphatase,Runx2,and osteocalcin were detected by qRT-PCR.After 14 days of intervention,the formation of mineralized nodules was observed by alizarin red staining.Passage 3 human periodontal ligament stem cells were taken and the control group was added with osteogenic induction solution;the ursolic acid group and the antagonist group were added with osteogenic induction solution containing ursolic acid(2 μmol/L)and the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway antagonist Noggin,respectively.The ursolic acid+antagonist group was added with osteogenic induction solution containing ursolic acid(2 μmol/L)and Noggin,the inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway,and cultured for 7 days.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2,Smad1,osteopontin,and Runx2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)1,2,4 μmol/L ursolic acid could promote the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.6,8 μmol/L ursolic acid could inhibit the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells,and 1,2,4 μmol/L ursolic acid was selected to intervene in subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with 0 μmol/L,1,2,4 μmol/L ursolic acid could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase,Runx2,and osteocalcin mRNA and the formation of mineralized nodules(P<0.05),and the effect of 2 μmol/L ursolic acid was the most significant.(3)Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2,Smad1,osteopontin,and Runx2 in the ursolic acid group were increased(P<0.05),while mRNA and protein expressions of the above indexes were decreased in the antagonist group(P<0.05).Compared with the ursolic acid group,mRNA and protein expressions of above indexes were decreased in ursolic acid+antagonist group(P<0.05).(4)The results indicate that ursolic acid promotes osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells through bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the safety profile of blinatumomab in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Demographic and clinical data of 33 pediatric B-cell ALL patients treated with blinatumomab in the Women and Children′s Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2022 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Demographic data included gender and age, while clinical data comprised leukemia risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) status before blinatumomab use, treatment duration (14-day or 28-day courses), and safety outcomes included drug-related fever, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tachycardia, blood pressure abnormalities, elevated transaminases, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), oral mucositis, rash, and infections. Patients were stratified by CRS occurrence and transaminase elevation for comparative analysis of demographic/clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 33 children with B-cell type ALL who received blinatumomab treatment were included. Among them, 21 were male and 12 were female; the age was 5.2 (4.7, 7.0) years, ranging from 1.7 to 10.0 years. Risk stratification included low (2 cases), intermediate (23 cases), and high (8 cases) risk. Pre-treatment MRD was negative in 16 and positive in 17 patients. Eight patients received a 14-day blinatumomab course, while 25 cases received a 28-day course. The overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 81.8% (27/33). Among the 27 patients who experienced AEs, there were 5 cases (18.5%) of severe adverse events (all grade 3). The specific adverse events that occurred in the 33 patients included drug-related fever in 21 cases (63.6%) [including 16 cases (48.5%) of CRS], elevated transaminases in 10 cases (30.3%), infectious symptoms in 5 cases (15.2%), rash in 4 cases (12.1%), tachycardia in 3 cases (9.1%), ICANS in 2 cases (6.1%), and oral mucositis in 1 case (3.0%). No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, risk stratification, pretreatment MRD status, and treatment duration between the CRS and non-CRS groups, transaminase-elevated and normal groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In pediatric B-cell ALL, the most common AEs related to blinatumomab are CRS and elevated transaminases, but most reactions are mild, with rapid recovery and favorable tolerability.

Objective:To investigate the expression of miRNAs in thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis(MG)and the re-lated mechanism of action,so as to provide theoretical and experimental basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:miRNA microarray technology was used to analyze the differential miRNA expression in MG patients thymus.Fluorescence quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization were used to verify the expression of miR-19a-3p in thymus tissue.The TALL-104 cell line was transfected with miR-19a-3p mimics to observe the effects of miR-19a-3p on cell proliferation,apoptosis and expressions of related molecules(BCL2 and SOCS3).Results:Compared to normal thymus tissue,a total of 282 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected in the thymus of MG patients,among which 103 were up-regulated and 179 were down-regulated.The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to nuclear molecules,cytoplasmic membrane-like structures and organelle related molecules.Quantita-tive fluorescence PCR and in situ fluorescence hybridization confirmed that the expression of miR-19a-3p in MG patients thymus was significantly lower than that in normal control group.Compared with the control group,miR-19a-3p mimics transfection could signifi-cantly inhibit the apoptosis of TALL-104 cells,increase the expression of BCL2 and decrease the expression of SOCS3(P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression of miRNA in the thymus of MG patients is significantly different from that of non-MG patients,and miR-19a-3p inhibits T cell apoptosis through up-regulation of BCL2 and down-regulation of SOCS3.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on upper limb motor dysfunction in patients after stroke. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke were randomly assigned to an observation group (n=31, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (n=31, 2 cases dropped out). Both groups received routine medical treatment and rehabilitation training. The control group was treated with conventional acupuncture at the affected side's Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Zusanli (ST36) etc. On this basis, the observation group received additional acupuncture at the affected side's Jiaji points from C₄ to T₅. Treatment was administered once daily, five times a week, for four weeks. Motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi, Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), and Wolf motor function test (WMFT) scores were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups showed increased MEP amplitudes and decreased latencies of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi (P<0.05), as well as increased FMA-UE and WMFT scores (P<0.05); the observation group had greater MEP amplitudes, shorter latencies, and higher FMA-UE and WMFT scores compared to the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points could enhance the excitability of upper limb motor neural pathways in upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke patients, thereby promoting motor function recovery of the upper limb.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Stroke/complications* ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Adult ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), explore the influencing factors of the therapeutic effect and construct a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect.Methods:A single retrospective study was conducted in IMN patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2022. All patients received monotherapy with RTX and were followed up for at least 12 months. RTX regimen adopted a B-cell guided regimen to achieve 0 cells/μl of peripheral blood CD19+ B cells through multiple administrations, followed by monitoring every 2?3 months and adding doses as needed to maintain this state. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and composite response rate at 6 months, 12 months and the end of follow up were analyzed. Logistic stepwise regression and R language were applied to construct a nomogram model for efficacy prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to internally validate the nomogram model.Results:A total of 147 IMN patients were included in the study, with age of 56 (47, 65) years, 99 (67.4%) males. There were 69 (46.9%) newly treated patients, 78 (53.1%) retreatment patients. The follow-up time was 14.4 (12.0, 15.0) months. The total RTX dose was 1 800 (1 200, 2 400) mg. The composite response rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 36.7% (54/147), 59.9% (88/147) and 63.3% (93/147), respectively. The complete remission rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 6.1% (9/147), 13.6% (20/147) and 19.7% (29/147), respectively. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years ( OR=0.335, 95% CI 0.135?0.833), retreatment ( OR=0.333, 95% CI 0.144?0.771), high cholesterol ( OR=0.716, 95% CI 0.577?0.888), high serum creatinine ( OR=0.978, 95% CI 0.963?0.993) and B-cell reconstruction within 6 months ( OR=0.273, 95% CI 0.115?0.645) were independent correlated factors affecting composite remission. Based on these factors, a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect of RTX in IMN patients was constructed. The ROC curve indicated that the accuracy of this model in predicting composite remission was good ( AUC=0.814, 95% CI 0.744-0.883). The calibration curve showed that the predicted composite response rate had a good fit with the actual response rate (Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=11.917, P=0.155). Conclusions:RTX has good efficacy and safety as a monotherapy for IMN patients. The constructed nomogram prediction model has high discrimination and accuracy to predict the efficacy of RTX treatment for IMN.

Objective:To investigate the expression of miRNAs in thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis(MG)and the re-lated mechanism of action,so as to provide theoretical and experimental basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:miRNA microarray technology was used to analyze the differential miRNA expression in MG patients thymus.Fluorescence quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization were used to verify the expression of miR-19a-3p in thymus tissue.The TALL-104 cell line was transfected with miR-19a-3p mimics to observe the effects of miR-19a-3p on cell proliferation,apoptosis and expressions of related molecules(BCL2 and SOCS3).Results:Compared to normal thymus tissue,a total of 282 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected in the thymus of MG patients,among which 103 were up-regulated and 179 were down-regulated.The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to nuclear molecules,cytoplasmic membrane-like structures and organelle related molecules.Quantita-tive fluorescence PCR and in situ fluorescence hybridization confirmed that the expression of miR-19a-3p in MG patients thymus was significantly lower than that in normal control group.Compared with the control group,miR-19a-3p mimics transfection could signifi-cantly inhibit the apoptosis of TALL-104 cells,increase the expression of BCL2 and decrease the expression of SOCS3(P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression of miRNA in the thymus of MG patients is significantly different from that of non-MG patients,and miR-19a-3p inhibits T cell apoptosis through up-regulation of BCL2 and down-regulation of SOCS3.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective:To analyze the safety profile of blinatumomab in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Demographic and clinical data of 33 pediatric B-cell ALL patients treated with blinatumomab in the Women and Children′s Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2022 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Demographic data included gender and age, while clinical data comprised leukemia risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) status before blinatumomab use, treatment duration (14-day or 28-day courses), and safety outcomes included drug-related fever, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tachycardia, blood pressure abnormalities, elevated transaminases, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), oral mucositis, rash, and infections. Patients were stratified by CRS occurrence and transaminase elevation for comparative analysis of demographic/clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 33 children with B-cell type ALL who received blinatumomab treatment were included. Among them, 21 were male and 12 were female; the age was 5.2 (4.7, 7.0) years, ranging from 1.7 to 10.0 years. Risk stratification included low (2 cases), intermediate (23 cases), and high (8 cases) risk. Pre-treatment MRD was negative in 16 and positive in 17 patients. Eight patients received a 14-day blinatumomab course, while 25 cases received a 28-day course. The overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 81.8% (27/33). Among the 27 patients who experienced AEs, there were 5 cases (18.5%) of severe adverse events (all grade 3). The specific adverse events that occurred in the 33 patients included drug-related fever in 21 cases (63.6%) [including 16 cases (48.5%) of CRS], elevated transaminases in 10 cases (30.3%), infectious symptoms in 5 cases (15.2%), rash in 4 cases (12.1%), tachycardia in 3 cases (9.1%), ICANS in 2 cases (6.1%), and oral mucositis in 1 case (3.0%). No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, risk stratification, pretreatment MRD status, and treatment duration between the CRS and non-CRS groups, transaminase-elevated and normal groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In pediatric B-cell ALL, the most common AEs related to blinatumomab are CRS and elevated transaminases, but most reactions are mild, with rapid recovery and favorable tolerability.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), explore the influencing factors of the therapeutic effect and construct a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect.Methods:A single retrospective study was conducted in IMN patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2022. All patients received monotherapy with RTX and were followed up for at least 12 months. RTX regimen adopted a B-cell guided regimen to achieve 0 cells/μl of peripheral blood CD19+ B cells through multiple administrations, followed by monitoring every 2?3 months and adding doses as needed to maintain this state. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and composite response rate at 6 months, 12 months and the end of follow up were analyzed. Logistic stepwise regression and R language were applied to construct a nomogram model for efficacy prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to internally validate the nomogram model.Results:A total of 147 IMN patients were included in the study, with age of 56 (47, 65) years, 99 (67.4%) males. There were 69 (46.9%) newly treated patients, 78 (53.1%) retreatment patients. The follow-up time was 14.4 (12.0, 15.0) months. The total RTX dose was 1 800 (1 200, 2 400) mg. The composite response rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 36.7% (54/147), 59.9% (88/147) and 63.3% (93/147), respectively. The complete remission rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 6.1% (9/147), 13.6% (20/147) and 19.7% (29/147), respectively. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years ( OR=0.335, 95% CI 0.135?0.833), retreatment ( OR=0.333, 95% CI 0.144?0.771), high cholesterol ( OR=0.716, 95% CI 0.577?0.888), high serum creatinine ( OR=0.978, 95% CI 0.963?0.993) and B-cell reconstruction within 6 months ( OR=0.273, 95% CI 0.115?0.645) were independent correlated factors affecting composite remission. Based on these factors, a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect of RTX in IMN patients was constructed. The ROC curve indicated that the accuracy of this model in predicting composite remission was good ( AUC=0.814, 95% CI 0.744-0.883). The calibration curve showed that the predicted composite response rate had a good fit with the actual response rate (Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=11.917, P=0.155). Conclusions:RTX has good efficacy and safety as a monotherapy for IMN patients. The constructed nomogram prediction model has high discrimination and accuracy to predict the efficacy of RTX treatment for IMN.