Introduction: Multiple daily insulin injections, while effective for glycemic control, impose considerable costs on healthcare systems and carry inherent risks including hypoglycemia, weight gain, and poor treatment adherence. This study evaluates the glycemic effects of insulin regimen de-escalation from multiple daily injections in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and explores the predictors of successful insulin de-escalation. Methodology: This is a multi-centred, prospective observational study of adult T2DM patients on multiple daily insulin injections with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7–12% who underwent de-escalation to one or two injections. Patients were reassessed at 3 months and 6 months. Primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline. Secondary endpoints were changes in body weight, hypoglycemia frequency, treatment adherence and predictors of successful insulin de-escalation defined by at least a 0.3% reduction in HbA1c while on de-escalated regimen. Results: A total of 80 patients were included. HbA1c improved from 9.23 to 8.52% (p <0.001) with total daily insulin dose reduction from 0.81 + 0.35 units per kg to 0.46 + 0.24 units per kg. Symptomatic hypoglycemia decreased from 22.5 to 5.0%. Insulin adherence improved from 50.0 to 92.3%. Body weight decreased by 1.4 kg. Forty-nine patients (61.3%) were successfully de-intensified. Factors associated with successful insulin de-escalation included a high baseline HbA1c, high fasting blood glucose and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, while increased age, disease duration and being Indian were associated with unsuccessful insulin de-escalation. After adjustment of the confounders, only HbA1c (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.23–3.46, p = 0.006) and the status of being Indian (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05–0.94, p = 0.041) remained as significant positive and negative predictors respectively for successful insulin de-intensification. Conclusion Insulin regimen de-escalation, when combined with optimized oral glucose-lowering agents, improved glycemic control and treatment adherence while reducing hypoglycemia and body weight. These findings support insulin therapy deescalation as a safe, effective strategy for poorly controlled T2DM patients taking multiple daily insulin injections.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Prospective Studies ; Insulins

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture. METHODS: From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential causal relationship between intervertebral disc degeneration and certain autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of 5 autoimmune diseases were obtained from large-scale GWAS databases. Data on internal vertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) were derived from the FinnGen consortium, which included 294, 770 controls and 41, 669 cases. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the potential causal relationship between the 5 autoimmune diseases and IVDD. Multiple analytical methods were adopted, including MR methods such as inverse variance weighting(IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode. Cochran's Q test, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-Egger intercept test were conducted to assess heterogeneity, robustness, and pleiotropy. For the robustness of the results, MR-PRESSO was used to detect outliers, and MR analysis was re-conducted after removing the outliers. RESULTS: The MR analysis results showed that there might be a bidirectional causal relationship between ankylosing spondylitis(AS) and IVDD:AS on IVDD, OR=1.038, 95%CI (1.024, 1.053), P=0.000;and IVDD on AS, OR=2.117, 95%CI(1.065, 4.207), P=0.032. There might be a positive correlation between IVDD and rheumatoid arthritis(RA) as well as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE):IVDD on RA, OR=1.184, 95%CI(1.071, 1.309), P=0.001;and IVDD on SLE, OR=1.678, 95%CI(1.187, 2.372), P=0.003. There was no significant correlation between ulcerative colitis(UC), autoimmune thyroiditis(ATD) and IVDD. After removing outliers by MR-PRESSO and re-conducting MR analysis, the results did not change qualitatively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust to potential sources of bias. CONCLUSION AS and IVDD may be risk factors for each other, and IVDD may be a potential risk factor for RA and SLE. These findings provide a basis for guiding the prevention and combined diagnosis and treatment of IVDD, AS, RA, and SLE, while the specific underlying mechanisms still require further experimental basic research.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/etiology* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Autoimmune Diseases/complications* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of 21-day venetoclax (VEN) plus azacitidine (AZA) (21-day VA) in newly diagnosed unfit acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in the real-world. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with unfit-AML who received 21-day VA regimen from December 2020 to July 2024 in our center and completed at least 1 cycle of therapeutic effect assessment was retrospectively collected to analyze the safety, efficacy and its influencing factors. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were enrolled in our study, with a median age of 67(48-87) years old. After 1 cycle of therapy, the composite complete remission (cCR) rate was 74.5%, 54.2% of cases were negative for minimal residual disease (MRD). Among them, the MRD negative rate of patients with NPM1 mutation was significantly higher than that of patients without NPM1 mutation ( P =0.032). The median follow-up of patients was 19(2-38) months, the best cCR and MRD negative rates were 78% and 64.4%, respectively, the median overall survival (OS) time was 12 months, and the median progression free survival (PFS) time was 5 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed less than 4 cycles of VA chemotherapy were independent risk factor for PFS and OS ( P < 0.05). After achieving remission, anemia and thrombocytopenia improved with the increase of the number of chemotherapy cycle. CONCLUSION In real-world, 21-day VA regimen still shows significant efficacy in the treatment of newly diagnosed unfit-AML, without adversely affecting remission rate and MRD negative rate of the first cycle.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Azacitidine/therapeutic use* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Nucleophosmin ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Remission Induction ; Mutation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To formulate the Guidelines for the Construction of Community Health Service Centers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Methods:This was a qualitative study. This study was divided into 2 stages. The first stage of the study was conducted from June to August 2023 and involved the heads of the General Affairs Departments of the 47 community health service centers in Pudong New Area. These individuals completed online questionnaires to compile a database on the current status of matching supply and demand resources in community health service centers in Pudong New Area. The second stage of the study run from September 2023 to August 2024. Firstly, the functional modules of China′s community health service centers would be clarified through a literature review. The construction scale and design requirements of similar institutions at home and abroad would be benchmarked, as well as practical experience. The results of Phase 1 research would then be combined to form the " Community Health Service Center Infrastructure Configuration Requirements and Design Suggestions (Draft)". Then, relevant experts were brought together to discuss the draft and form the " Community Health Service Center Infrastructure Configuration Requirements and Design Recommendations (Revised Version)". The experts involved in the discussion specialized in the study of infrastructure resource allocation for medical institutions. Finally, the medical and healthcare system managers, community health service center users, and relevant commissions and bureaus of Pudong New Area were consulted to further revise and finalize the Guidelines for the Construction of Community Health Service Centers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Results:The total floor area of community health service centers in Pudong New Area was 57% (31/55), the number of beds per 1 000 people was 14% (8/55), and the total number of beds was 10% (6/60). These figures showed that urgent upgrades and construction in accordance with the new standards were required. The final " Guidelines for the Construction of Community Health Service Centers" of Shanghai Pudong New Area comprised 15 chapters, covering topics from the macro construction scale, site selection and general plan to architectural design, structural design, water supply and sewage treatment, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical systems, informatics, medical gas supply, indoor design, signage, marking and fire protection, etc. The guidelines have been revised to incorporate the functional design of the 5 basic rooms, with a particular focus on the creating humanistic spaces and promoting digitalization. Particular attention was paid to creating humanistic spaces and improving ageing with digital applications. Conclusions:The Guidelines for the Construction of Community Health Service Centers in Pudong New Area of Shanghai have been successfully formulated. These guidelines can be used to guide the subsequent high-quality and standardized development of community health service centers.

Objective:To analyze the incidence trend of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:The incidence data of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021 were obtained through the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) database, including incidence rates by gender and age-standardized incidence rates. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trend of lip and oral cancer incidence rate. Age-period-cohort (APC) model was adopted to estimate the effects of Age, Period and Cohort on the incidence of lip and oral cancer in China.Results:The crude and age-standardized incidence rates of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021 showed an increasing trend, and the crude incidence rates of the whole population, male and female in the year 2021 increased by 216.8%, 266.7% and 130.4%, respectively, compared with 1990. The age effect, period effect and birth cohort effect of the incidence risk of lip and oral cancer in China were statistically significant (all P<0.05). People of older the age and the more recent the birth cohort, the higher the incidence risk. Conclusions:The incidence of lip and oral cancer is on the rise in China from 1990 to 2021. Age, period and birth cohort are all the factors affecting the incidence of lip and oral cancer.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary prostatic signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), so as to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 6 patients with primary prostatic SRCC treated in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital during Nov.2020 and Sep.2024.The clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment methods, histological characteristics and prognosis were summarized. Results: The average age of the patients was (72.00±4.28) years.Varying degrees of dysuria occurred in 4 patients. All patients underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) examination before surgery, and the results indicated typical prostate cancer.Preoperative biopsies showed high-grade (Gleason 8-10) prostate acinar adenocarcinoma.Postoperative pathological diagnoses were mixed types of prostate acinar adenocarcinoma and SRCC, and no metastasis was found in the pelvic lymph nodes.All patients were followed up for 1 to 46 months after surgery and are currently alive.Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy only was performed in 3 cases; apalutamide and leuprolide/triptorelin was administered after surgery in 2 cases; bicalutamide + goserelin was administered after surgery in 1 case, who developed bladder metastasis of prostate cancer 24 months later, and the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration decreased to a safe level (<0.2 ng/mL) after the use of darolutamide with radiotherapy.No recurrence or metastasis was found in the remaining patients. Conclusion: Primary prostatic SRCC is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor of the prostate.The diagnosis depends on pathological examinations due to lack of specific imaging features and clinical manifestations.The prognosis is poor, and there is currently no standardized treatment.The combined use of surgery, hormonotherapy and radiotherapy can help improve the survival rate of patients.

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been popularized worldwide. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of acupuncture research, mostly comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that aimed to answer the question on the efficacy of acupuncture. However, poor methodology and low replicability in these acupuncture RCTs have resulted in uncertainty about the efficacy of acupuncture. In this review, current advancements and challenges in acupuncture RCTs, regarding the methodological aspects of randomization, blinding, sham acupuncture and quality of reporting, were discussed. While there have been advancements in various aspects, current acupuncture RCTs still face pressing issues such as inadequate randomization and blinding, unviable sham acupuncture controls, and poor reporting quality. Given these limitations, this review seeks to identify the methodological problems that are responsible for these problems and to suggest solutions that could help to overcome them so as to improve the quality of future studies evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Seetoh WS, Lim RQR, Xu RB, Sun MX, Zhang P, Wang MN. Advancements and challenges of acupuncture randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 333-343.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods* ; Research Design

Objective To investigate the expression of serum tumor-associated antigens(TAAs)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and analyze their clinical significance for RA.Methods A total of 214 RA patients were enrolled in the RA group,while 198 age-and gender-matched healthy individuals were included in the HC group.Rheumatoid factor(RF),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(Anti-CCP),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),interleu-kin-6(IL-6),ferritin levels,as well as gender,age,disease duration,disease activity score(DAS28)and clinical manifestations were collected from the RA group.The expression of TAAs in RA patients and the clinical characteristics of TAA-positive patients were analyzed.Spearman correla-tion analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between TAAs and clinical indicators in RA pa-tients.Results The positive rate of carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125)in the RA group was 8.88％,which was significantly higher than 1.01％ in the HC group(P＜0.001).Serum CA125 and cytok-eratin fragment 19(CYFRA21-1)levels in the RA group were significantly higher than those in the HC group,whereas alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate anti-gen 199(CA199)and neuron-specific enolase(NSE)levels were significantly lower(P＜0.001).TAA-positive patients had significantly older age and higher rates of pulmonary interstitial lesions compared to TAA-negative patients(P＜0.05).Patients with DAS28 scores＞5.1 had significantly higher CA125 levels than those with DAS28 scores ≤5.1(P＜0.05).CA125 levelswere positively corre-lated with DAS28 scores,ESR,RF,and anti-CCP antibodies(r=0.142,0.140,0.268,0.183;P＜0.05).Conclusion In RA patients,the positivity rate and levels of some serum TAAs are ele-vated,and TAA-positive patients tend to be older and have higher incidence of pulmonary interstitial lesions.CA125 levels are positively correlated with RA disease activity.