Objective Magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)offers a non-invasive and radiation-free advantage in detecting and diagnosing intracranial artery stenosis;however,it is associated with high equipment costs.Transcranial color-coded Duplex ultrasound(TCCD)combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)presents advantages such as non-invasiveness,real-time dynamic monitoring,and low cost.Nevertheless,there were no reports comparing the sensitivity,specificity,diagnostic agreement with MRA,or health economic evaluation of TCCD combined with CEUS for detecting major intracranial artery stenosis.Methods From April 2023 to August 2024,a total of 55 patients suspected of having intracranial artery stenosis or occlusion were recruited at Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University.Both TCCD combined with CEUS and MRA were performed to evaluate the degree of stenosis in the terminal segment of the internal carotid artery,M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery,A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery,P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery,and the V4 segment of the vertebral artery.Intracranial artery stenosis was categorized into three groups:normal/mild,moderate,and severe/occlusion.Sensitivity,specificity,and consistency between the two methods were calculated.The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences in examination costs and diagnostic time.Results Fifty-five high-risk patients(110 cerebral hemispheres in total)with suspected cerebrovascular stenosis were included(median age:46 years;69.0%male).TCCD combined with CEUS and MRA were performed simultaneously.TCCD combined with CEUS showed high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing intracranial artery stenosis,with good consistency compared to MRA.The highest diagnostic consistency was observed in the M2 segment(Kappa=0.704)and A2 segment(Kappa=0.650),while the M1 segment showed moderate consistency(Kappa=0.569).The average cost of TCCD combined with CEUS was 240 CNY with a diagnostic duration of 21 min,compared to 722 CNY and 287 min for MRA(P<0.001,effect sizer=0.89-0.91).Conclusion Compared to MRA,TCCD combined with CEUS demonstrates higher consistency in screening for stenosis in the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery.It is also more cost-effective.However,MRA has advantages in assessing deep intracranial vessels.A synergistic use of both methods can optimize the allocation of diagnostic resources for intracranial artery stenosis.It is recommended that primary healthcare institutions adopt TCCD as the initial screening tool,and,with standardized training and technical upgrades,combine it with CEUS.Complex cases should be referred for detailed evaluation by using MRA.

Objective Magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)offers a non-invasive and radiation-free advantage in detecting and diagnosing intracranial artery stenosis;however,it is associated with high equipment costs.Transcranial color-coded Duplex ultrasound(TCCD)combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)presents advantages such as non-invasiveness,real-time dynamic monitoring,and low cost.Nevertheless,there were no reports comparing the sensitivity,specificity,diagnostic agreement with MRA,or health economic evaluation of TCCD combined with CEUS for detecting major intracranial artery stenosis.Methods From April 2023 to August 2024,a total of 55 patients suspected of having intracranial artery stenosis or occlusion were recruited at Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University.Both TCCD combined with CEUS and MRA were performed to evaluate the degree of stenosis in the terminal segment of the internal carotid artery,M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery,A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery,P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery,and the V4 segment of the vertebral artery.Intracranial artery stenosis was categorized into three groups:normal/mild,moderate,and severe/occlusion.Sensitivity,specificity,and consistency between the two methods were calculated.The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences in examination costs and diagnostic time.Results Fifty-five high-risk patients(110 cerebral hemispheres in total)with suspected cerebrovascular stenosis were included(median age:46 years;69.0%male).TCCD combined with CEUS and MRA were performed simultaneously.TCCD combined with CEUS showed high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing intracranial artery stenosis,with good consistency compared to MRA.The highest diagnostic consistency was observed in the M2 segment(Kappa=0.704)and A2 segment(Kappa=0.650),while the M1 segment showed moderate consistency(Kappa=0.569).The average cost of TCCD combined with CEUS was 240 CNY with a diagnostic duration of 21 min,compared to 722 CNY and 287 min for MRA(P<0.001,effect sizer=0.89-0.91).Conclusion Compared to MRA,TCCD combined with CEUS demonstrates higher consistency in screening for stenosis in the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery.It is also more cost-effective.However,MRA has advantages in assessing deep intracranial vessels.A synergistic use of both methods can optimize the allocation of diagnostic resources for intracranial artery stenosis.It is recommended that primary healthcare institutions adopt TCCD as the initial screening tool,and,with standardized training and technical upgrades,combine it with CEUS.Complex cases should be referred for detailed evaluation by using MRA.

AIM To explore the effect of Heidihuang Pills on renal fibrosis in a rat model of chronic renal failure(CRF)and its mechanism.METHODS Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group for normal feeding and the model group for the establishment of CRF rat models by 5/6 nephrectomy.Subsequently,the successfully established rat models were randomly divided into the model group,the Heidihuang Pills group(10.43 g/kg),and the Heidihuang Pills+IGF-1R blocker(JB1)group for a regimen of 7-day subcutaneous injection of 18 μg/kg JB1 followed by gavage of 10.43 g/kg Heidihuang Pills.Eight weeks after the administration,the rats had their serum levels of Scr and BUN detected;their pathological changes of renal tissue observed by HE and Masson staining;their renal protein expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α and α-SMA detected by immunohistochemistry;their renal protein expressions of IGF-1R and TGF-β detected by Western blot;and their renal mRNA expressions of IGF-1R and TGF-β detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed increased serum levels of Scr and BUN(P＜0.05);increased,degree of renal fibrosis,and renal fibrosis area(P＜0.05);increased renal expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α,α-SMA proteins and TGF-β mRNA(P＜0.05);and decreased expressions of IGF-1R mRNA and protein(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the Heidihuang Pills group displayed decreased serum Scr and BUN levels(P＜0.05);decreased inflammatory cells in renal interstitium and the fibrosis degree(P＜0.05);decreased renal expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α,α-SMA proteins and TGF-β mRNA(P＜0.05);and increased expressions of IGF-1R mRNA and protein(P＜0.05).However,the administration of JB1 could weaken the improvement effect of Heidihuang Pills on renal fibrosis in CRF rats(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Heidihuang Pills can inhibit the renal fibrosis in CRF rats,and the inhibition process is related to up-regulated IGF-1 expression and promoted combination of IGF-1 and IGF-1R.

Objective:To investigate the effects of visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis and transcutaneous low-frequency electrical stimulation(TES)on hypoxia-induced ED in high-altitude areas.Methods:This study included 152 ED pa-tients from high-altitude hypoxic areas treated by TES based on the parameters obtained from visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis.We followed up the patients for 1 to 3 months and compared their ⅡEF-5 scores,nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity(NPTR)and infrared thermal metabolic technology(TMT)-based temperature of the whole body and diseased parts before and after treatment.Results:All the patients successfully completed 1 to 3 courses of TES.There were no statistically significant differences in the ⅡEF-5 scores(P＜0.05)and penile tip optimal erection rigidity and duration(P＜0.01)of the patients before and after treat-ment.TMT images indicated a temperature change of＞1.5 ℃ in the penis and bilateral inguinal regions after treatment,suggesting the effectiveness of electrical stimulation.No recurrence was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion:TES based on the parame-ters obtained from visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis has a definite effect on hypoxia-induced ED by enhancing oxygen supply to the penile corpus cavernosum and improving its function and structure.

Objective: To investigate the quality of life and associated factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 25 provinces and cities in China was performed from June to September 2020. A questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical information of patients with CHD, while the European Five-dimensional Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D) was used to assess the quality of life. Multiple linear regression model was performed to analyze the associated factors. Results: The median age of the 1 075 responders was 60 (52, 67) years, and 797 (74.1%) were men. The EQ-5D and EQ-VAS indices were 0.7 (0.5, 0.8) and 60.0 (40.0, 80.0). Among the five dimensions in the quality of life scale, the frequency of anxiety/depression was the highest (59.8%), while problems in self-care was the lowest (35.8%). In the multiple linear regression model, female, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity(ies), anxiety/depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with the lower EQ-5D index (all P<0.05). In addition, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity (ies), depression, anxiety and depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with lower EQ-VAS index (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Over half of the patients with CHD in China have a low quality of life, which is related to gender, age, obesity, treatment pathway, the presence or absence of comorbidity (ies), and psychological state. In addition to managing the adverse effects of traditional socio-demographic factors on the quality of life, clinical practices should pay attention to the psychological state of patients. Moreover, establishing a WeChat group for doctor-patient communication could improve the quality of life of CHD patients.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Quality of Life/psychology* ; Self Report ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Coronary Disease ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Obesity

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Anal Canal ; Endoscopy ; Hemorrhoids/therapy* ; Humans ; Ligation ; Sclerotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

As an effective antipyretic medicine,Indigo Naturalis has a long history of application in the field of Chinese medicine.The content of organics,mainly indigo and indirubin,is about 10%. However,the active ingredients and mechanism of its antipyretic effect have not yet been fully elucidated. In view of this,they were investigated in this study with the rectal temperature change as an indicator and 2,4-dinitrophenol-induced fever rats as subjects. The content of PGE2 and c AMP in the hypothalamus and the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. Moreover,the plasma samples of fever rats were analyzed by metabonomics in combination with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for the exploration of potential biomarkers and the discussion on the antipyretic mechanism of Indigo Naturalis and its active ingredients. The results showed that the rising trend of rectal temperature in rats was suppressed 0. 5 h after the treatment with Indigo Naturalis,organic matter,indigo or indirubin as compared with the rats of model group( P < 0. 05),among which Indigo Naturalis and organic matter had better antipyretic effect. ELISA results showed that organic matter and indigo can inhibit the expression of PGE2 and c AMP( P<0. 01),while Indigo Naturalis and organic matter were effective in curbing the increase in TNF-α( P<0. 05). A total of 21 endogenous metabolites were identified from the plasma samples of the Indigo Naturalis,organic matter,indigo and indirubin groups,which were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism.
2,4-Dinitrophenol ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Indigo Carmine ; Indigofera ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, affecting about 0.6% of the Chinese population. Many patients are not well controlled by conventional treatments, thus there is need for new treatment regimens. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: This study was a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 3 trial. A sub-population of study participants (≥18 years) of Chinese ethnicity were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 or 150 mg secukinumab, or placebo. The co-primary endpoints were psoriasis area severity index (PASI) 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 at Week 12. RESULTS: A total of 441 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Co-primary outcomes were achieved; 300 and 150 mg secukinumab were superior to placebo as shown in the proportion of patients that achieved PASI 75 (97.7% and 87.2% vs. 3.7%, respectively; P < 0.001), and IGA 0/1 (82.3% and 69.7% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001) at Week 12. Treatment efficacy was maintained until Week 52. There was no increase in overall adverse events with secukinumab relative to placebo throughout the 52-week period. CONCLUSION: Secukinumab is highly effective and well tolerated in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03066609; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03066609.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; China ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome