OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of ciclesonide （CIC） versus budesonide （BUD） for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate bronchial asthma. METHODS From the perspective of Chinese health service system， a Markov model was established based on the data from a clinical trial in China and some literature. The cycle length was 1 week， the time horizon was 60 years. A discount rate of 5% per year was applied. Cost-utility analysis was performed on therapeutic scheme of CIC and BUD using three times of China’s per capita gross domestic product （GDP） in 2023 as the threshold of willing-to-pay （WTP）. One-way sensitivity analysis， probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were applied to test the uncertainty of basic analysis. RESULTS Compared with BUD scheme， the incremental cost of the CIC scheme was 9 401.67 yuan， and the incremental quality-adjusted life years（QALYs） were 0.001 3； incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） was 6 928 868.26 yuan/QALY， far beyond the threshold of WTP 268 074 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the usage， dosage and unit price of CIC and BUD were parameters that had a significant impact on ICER； probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the basic analysis results were relatively robust； scenario analysis showed that， when the price of CIC reduced to 159.95 yuan/branch， the probability of CIC scheme having economics was similar to that of BUD scheme. CONCLUSIONS At the current price， CIC is not economical compared with BUD for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate asthma， using three times of China’s GDP in 2023 as the threshold of WTP.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of ciclesonide （CIC） versus budesonide （BUD） for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate bronchial asthma. METHODS From the perspective of Chinese health service system， a Markov model was established based on the data from a clinical trial in China and some literature. The cycle length was 1 week， the time horizon was 60 years. A discount rate of 5% per year was applied. Cost-utility analysis was performed on therapeutic scheme of CIC and BUD using three times of China’s per capita gross domestic product （GDP） in 2023 as the threshold of willing-to-pay （WTP）. One-way sensitivity analysis， probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were applied to test the uncertainty of basic analysis. RESULTS Compared with BUD scheme， the incremental cost of the CIC scheme was 9 401.67 yuan， and the incremental quality-adjusted life years（QALYs） were 0.001 3； incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） was 6 928 868.26 yuan/QALY， far beyond the threshold of WTP 268 074 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the usage， dosage and unit price of CIC and BUD were parameters that had a significant impact on ICER； probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the basic analysis results were relatively robust； scenario analysis showed that， when the price of CIC reduced to 159.95 yuan/branch， the probability of CIC scheme having economics was similar to that of BUD scheme. CONCLUSIONS At the current price， CIC is not economical compared with BUD for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate asthma， using three times of China’s GDP in 2023 as the threshold of WTP.

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for relevant departments to improve the drug provision in children’s hospitals and further implement clinical management practices for rational drug use in pediatric patients. METHODS According to the drug purchasing statistics of four sample class A tertiary children’s hospitals in Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2023， this study systematically reviewed and analyzed the drug provision and utilization in children’s hospitals， including the number of pharmaceuticals procured and used in hospitals， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals， the situation of drugs recommended by the National Essential Medicine List and children’s clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines， and the standardization of clinical medication. RESULTS In 2023， the number of commonly used drugs in 4 tertiary children’s hospitals was 922 varieties and 1 401 specifications， which was significantly lower than the total number of currently marketed children’s drugs. However， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals was not high， with the proportion of drugs supplied and used in only one hospital accounting for approximately 40% and 50% respectively in terms of drug variety and specification. At present， among the drugs procured and used in sample children’s hospitals， the proportion of national essential medicines basically maintained between 30% and 40%， while drugs which could be safely and effectively used for children was about 60%. In addition， around 40% of the drug varieties recommended in pediatric clinical practice guidelines had also been applied in clinical treatment. Nevertheless， about 30% to 40% of prescription behavior was dependent on doctors’ personal experience and the phenomena of drugs prohibited and unsuitable use for children still existed. CONCLUSIONS Although the number of clinical medications for children in China is limited， there are significant differences in the overall medication choices made by hospitals. The scientific， rational and standardized use of clinical medications also needs to be further strengthened.

Background The decline of physical activity in the elderly due to aging may increase the risk of sarcopenia. Currently, there is a lack of evidence from large natural populations on the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Objective To explore the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above in 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China. Methods Data were retrieved from the 2022—2023 round of the China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort. Personal basic information and PA data were collected by questionnaire survey. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis, muscle strength was measured using a grip dynamometer, and physical performance was reflected by 6-meter walk speed. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria were used to diagnose sarcopenia. Light physical activity (LPA) duration, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration, and total physical activity volume were calculated. A total of 3326 residents aged ≥60 years with complete data were selected as the survey participants. Multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the association between PA duration/volume and sarcopenia. Results In 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above was 5.5% (95%CI: 4.7%, 6.2%). The logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the elderly reporting 0-7.0 h·week⁻¹ in LPA duration, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with LPA duration of >14.0-21.0 h·week⁻¹ was reduced by 51% (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.96). Compared with the elderly with total physical activity ≥15.0 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h·week⁻¹, those with <7.5 MET-h·week⁻¹ had a 2.24-fold increased risk of sarcopenia (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.29). The RCS results found that LPA duration and total physical activity volume each showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship with the risk of sarcopenia (P_overall<0.05, P_non-linear<0.05). Compared with the elderly with an LPA duration of 0 h· week⁻¹, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with an LPA duration of 12.6 h· week⁻¹ was the lowest (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.83). Compared with the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 15.0 MET-h· week⁻¹, the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 46.0 MET-h· week⁻¹ had the lowest risk of sarcopenia (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.84). There was no statistically significant association between weekly MVPA duration and the risk of sarcopenia (P>0.05). Conclusion Increasing weekly LPA duration and total physical activity volume would help to reduce the risk of sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns and origin in four children with Rett syndrome (RTT), and to explore the genetic basis of their phenotypic variability. METHODS: Four pediatric RTT cases diagnosed at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between August 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the children and their parents to identify pathogenic variants. XCI analysis and linkage studies were conducted to determine the origin of variants and assess skewed XCI. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital (Ethics No. 21-036). RESULTS: WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the four children carried the following MECP2 (NM_001110792.2) variants. c.916C>T (p.Arg306Cys), c.842delG (p.G281Afs*20), c.763C>T (p.R255X), and c.686C>T (p.Pro229Leu). The c.916C>T variant was maternally inherited, while the other three were de novo. All four variants have been previously reported: c.916C>T, c.842delG, and c.763C>T were classified as pathogenic, whereas c.686C>T was deemed likely pathogenic. XCI analysis demonstrated skewed inactivation in child 2 and 3 and their mothers, with maternal X-chromosome recombination during gametogenesis observed in child 3. All variants were located on the maternal X chromosome. CONCLUSION Skewed XCI is a common pathogenic mechanism in MECP2-related RTT, and MECP2 variants may exhibit a maternal origin bias. Clinical evaluation should incorporate XCI status for comprehensive genetic analysis.
Child ; Humans ; Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics* ; Mutation ; Rett Syndrome/genetics* ; X Chromosome Inactivation/genetics*

OBJECTIVE To design the implementation path around the key links of the management in the clinical comprehensive evaluation of drug in China， and to provide suggestions for optimizing and perfecting the management in the clinical comprehensive evaluation of drug. METHODS Based on the relevant experience of drug evaluation management in typical countries regions at home and abroad， the discussion was performed and the management mechanism was designed from seven aspects， such as funding source， selection of topics， staff management， information management， data management， evaluation process and quality assessment. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS In terms of funding sources， the financial department can provide funding guarantees or other alternative forms such as performance evaluations to encourage all parties to undertake the clinical comprehensive evaluation of drug projects. In terms of the selection of topics， a “top-down” or “bottom-up” selection mode can be determined according to the project’s nature and actual situation， and a selection process of “forming alternatives-setting up theme selection list-demonstrating and publishing theme selection list” can be formed. In terms of staff management， the specialty of team members should be specified， and the expert team should be established to provide clinical comprehensive evaluation of drug. In terms of information management， the national/provincial basic informational platform should be established， and the registration system should be established. In terms of data management， a regional health data-sharing platform should be formed and the “application-checking-utilization” mechanism should be conducted. In terms of the evaluation process， the evaluation procedures that concern on project implementation plan demonstration system and project closing review system should be constructed. In terms of quality assessment， quality assessment and reward and punishment mechanism for project completion，that consider the quality of management first while focusing on the technical quality， can be established. The management mechanism based on the standardized implementation of the seven key links will standardize the development of clinical comprehensive evaluation of drugs in China to some extent， and help improve the quality of clinical comprehensive evaluation projects for drugs.

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective:To investigate the expression of miRNA-144 in the peripheral blood of patients with type 2 diabetes foot ulcer (DFU) and its correlation with the pathogenesis of the disease.Methods:A total of 106 patients with DFU admitted to the General Hospital of the Western Theater Command of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army from March 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively selected as the observation group, and 106 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who did not have DFU admitted to our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. According to the median expression level of miRNA-144 in peripheral blood of DFU patients as the segmentation point, 106 patients in the observation group were divided into low expression group and high expression group. We compared the clinical data of the observation group and the control group, and analyzed the relationship between different levels of miRNA-144 expression and clinical characteristics of DFU patients; A multivariate analysis was conducted on the factors related to the occurrence and development of the disease course in DFU patients, and a column chart model was constructed for model validation.Results:The course of diabetes, fasting blood glucose (FPG), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adrenaline (E), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (Cor) and miRNA-144 expression levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcPO 2), ankle brachial index (ABI), triglyceride (TG) and hemoglobin (Hb) were significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in foot ulcer healing rate, Wagner grading, and ulcer course between the high expression group of miRNA-144 and the low expression group of DFU patients after 8 weeks (all P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes>5 years, HbA 1c>8.5%, TcPO 2<60 mmHg, CRP>10 mg/L, Cor>190 μg/L, and miRNA-144 expression level>35 were independent risk factors for the occurrence of DFU in T2DM patients. The total score of 315 points after constructing the nomogram prediction model for the above factors, and the corresponding probability of occurrence and development of DFU was 72.56%. Conclusions:The expression level of miRNA-144 in the peripheral blood of DFU patients is significantly related to the occurrence and development of the disease course, and the course of diabetes and the changes of HbA 1c, TcPO 2, CRP, Cor levels are independent risk factors for the occurrence and development of DFU, which should be focused on clinically.

Objectives:To find the impact of outpatient security in health seeking behavior,health protection and medical ex-pense for chronic diseases.Methods:Based on the hypertension patients'all medical visits records of urban and rural residents who were insured under the basic medical insurance system in sample region of Nanjing from 2019 to 2021,the quantitative relationship between chronic disease outpatient treatment and patients'healthcare behaviors,health outputs,and healthcare costs was analyzed by an individual-time two-way fixed effect model and Utest test.Results:When the annual outpatient reimbursement ratio is in the range of(42.99％,64.11％),strengthening the security for outpatient service could make people seek medical advice reasonably and achieve a better health outcome,as well as controlling the medical expenses.Conclusion:Properly raising actual compensation for chronic outpatient care could lead to the rational health-seeking behaviors,safeguarding health for the insured,and on this basis,achieve control of medical costs and effective use of the basic medical insurance pool.

Objective:To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the iterative cone beam CT (iCBCT) imaging mode of Varian linear accelerators and to explore its specific advantages in clinical application.Methods:The kV cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging systems of Halcyon 2.0, Edge, and VitalBeam linear accelerators from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital were selected, among which Halcyon 2.0 and Edge were equipped with the iCBCT imaging mode. The Penta-Guide phantom was used to evaluate the registration accuracy of iCBCT imaging modes. The accuracy of treatment couch position was measured by a ruler. The image quality of the iCBCT and conventional CBCT modes of various imaging devices were analyzed using the CatPhan604 phantom. The imaging beam-on time and reconstruction time were measured to assess image acquisition efficiency. The uniformity, spatial resolution, contrast, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image acquisition time and reconstruction time between two imaging modes were statistically analyzed by t-test. Results:The maximum deviations of image registration measurement results of the iCBCT mode for Halcyon 2.0 and Edge accelerators compared to the standard values were 0.7 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively. The treatment couch position error of all devices was less than 1 mm. The iCBCT images under head scanning protocol primarily improved the uniformity and CNR. Compared to conventional CBCT images, Halcyon iCBCT increased the uniformity and CNR by 2.50% ( P<0.001) and 78.85% ( P<0.001), respectively, while Edge increased them by 2.18% ( P<0.001) and 86.42% ( P<0.001), both superior to VitalBeam CBCT images. Under pelvis scanning protocols, iCBCT images primarily improved the CNR compared to conventional CBCT images. Halcyon and Edge iCBCT increased the CNR by 113.57% ( P<0.001) and 133.87% ( P<0.001), respectively, both superior to VitalBeam CBCT images. In terms of image acquisition efficiency, the average reconstruction times for Halcyon and Edge iCBCT images increased by 7.28 s and 15.53 s, respectively, and the total image acquisition time of Halcyon accelerator was the shortest. Conclusions:While ensuring the registration accuracy, iCBCT imaging mode can significantly improve the CNR of images and improve the uniformity of images under head scanning protocol. The Halcyon imaging system can enhance image acquisition efficiency.