1.Eculizumab for Refractory Immune Complex-Mediated Glomerulonephritis Following Acute Hepatitis B Infection: A Case Report
Jinyuan LIU ; Dan WANG ; Shuqin LIU ; Wenfang CHEN ; Wei CHEN ; Xin WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):389-395
Infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN) is an immune-mediated glomerular injury triggered by infectious agents. This article reports a case of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis following acute hepatitis B virus infection, which continued to progress despite standard antiviral and immunosuppressive therapy. Given the significant elevation of soluble complement membrane attack complex (sC5b-9), an indicator of terminal complement pathway activation, the patient was treated with eculizumab. Following treatment, the patient's urine protein-to-creatinine ratio significantly decreased, hypoalbuminemia and hematuria markedly improved, and sC5b-9 levels declined. This case suggests that abnormal complement system activation may be a key mechanism driving disease persistence in some patients with IRGN. For those unresponsive to conventional therapy, complement function screening and targeted terminal complement pathway inhibition may represent an effective salvage strategy.
2.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Immune Cystitis: A Case Report
Jing YU ; Ling LI ; Wenfang CHEN ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):396-402
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors, and their related immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have attracted increasing attention. This study reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of immune cystitis in a patient with hepatobiliary tract malignant tumor after treatment with pembrolizumab. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to frequent urination, urgency of urination and dysuria for 1 month. Previous repeated anti-infection treatments were ineffective. Combined with medical history, laboratory tests, imaging findings, cystoscopy and pathological results, the patient was clinically diagnosed with ICIs-associated immune cystitis (Pembrolizumab) ultimately. The patient's symptoms significantly improved after treatment with glucocorticoids. This case reindicates that clinicians need to improve awareness of ICI-related urinary system irAEs. Early identification and timely intervention can significantly improve patient prognosis.
3.Association between dynamic indexes of maternal progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy and fetal head circumference growth and development
Hui NIU ; Juan XIN ; Jinlu LIANG ; Jiayuan FENG ; Sijing ZHU ; Xiaoxue LI ; Yin YANG ; Liu FANG ; Mengfei SUN ; Ziyi CHEN ; Wenfang YANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):871-879
Objective To explore the association between dynamic indexes of maternal progesterone in early pregnancy and the average level and growth rate of fetal head circumference(HC)in mid-and late pregnancy.Methods This study adopted a retrospective cohort design and included 255 singleton pregnant women in the maternal and infant cohort of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2024.The progesterone levels of their early venous blood were detected and divided into two groups of progesterone trajectories,namely,fluctuating type and increasing type,by morphology.The dynamic indicators of progesterone in early pregnancy were constructed:cumulative dynamic deviation index in the first trimester(CDDI-P1T),gestational age at progesterone peak(GA-PP),and maximal relative progesterone decline in the first trimester(MRD-P1T).The average head circumference level and linear growth rate of the fetuses in the middle and late pregnancy were calculated.Generalized linear regression(GLM)was used to analyze the linear association between progesterone dynamic indicators and head circumference development.The key gestational weeks of progesterone affecting fetal head development were explored by linear regression of gestational weeks.Ordinary least squares(OLS)regression and restricted cubic spline(RCS)plots were used to draw the nonlinear association between progesterone dynamic indicators and head circumference.Results Among the 255 pregnant women included,92.5%of the progesterone trajectories in early pregnancy were fluctuating,and 7.5%were increasing.The growth rates of the increasing progesterone trajectory group were higher in the second and third trimesters than in the fluctuating group,but the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05).GLM analysis showed that for every 1 unit increase in CDDI-P1T,the head circumference in the middle and late pregnancy increased significantly by 1.574 cm and 1.193 cm(Z=3.714,2.885,P<0.01).The delay of GA-PP was negatively correlated with the head circumference in the middle pregnancy(β=-0.190 cm,95%CI:-0.339--0.041,P=0.010)but positively correlated with the head circumference growth rate in the late pregnancy(β=0.022 cm/week,95%CI:0.003-0.041,P=0.025).A 10%decrease in the decline of CDDI-P1T increased the head circumference in the middle pregnancy by 0.200 cm(95%CI:0.016-0.384,P=0.033),and a 100%decrease in the decline increased the head circumference growth rate in the late pregnancy by 0.201 cm/week(95%CI:0.002-0.399,P=0.048).The analysis of the key time window showed that for every 20 nmol/L increase in progesterone during 9.5-13 weeks of pregnancy,the mid-term head circumference increased by 0.035-0.166 cm(Z=2.452-3.517,allP<0.05),and the late-term head circumference increased by 0.767 cm during 9-13 weeks of pregnancy(Z=2.452-3.517,all P<0.05).When progesterone increased during 9.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy,the growth rate of mid-term head circumference increased by 0.013-0.023 cm/week(Z=2.074-2.243,all P<0.01).When progesterone increased during 8.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy,the growth rate of late-term head circumference increased by 0.010-0.026 cm/week(Z=2.061-3.137,all P<0.05).Conclusion Progesterone dynamic index is a new sensitive tool for evaluating fetal head circumference development.There is a stage-specific window period for progesterone regulation.9.5-13 weeks of pregnancy is the critical period for progesterone to affect head circumference growth,and 9.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy is the core window for regulating the growth rate of head circumference.Therefore,it is necessary to combine progesterone dynamic index and time window for individualized intervention to promote the transformation of prenatal care from pregnancy maintenance to eugenics intervention.
4.Effects of dexmedetomidine regulating IL-10/STAT3 signaling pathway on T cell subsets in rats with rheumatoid arthritis
Rong YANG ; Zhenqin SUN ; Wenjuan XIE ; Wenfang YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1084-1089,1095
Objective:To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine(DEX)on T cell subsets in rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)by regulating interleukin-10(IL-10)/signal transduction factor and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3)signaling pathways.Methods:SD rats were grouped into control group(NC group),Model group,DEX low-dose group(DEX-L group,5 μg/kg),DEX medium-dose group(DEX-M group,10 μg/kg),DEX high-dose group(DEX-H group,20 μg/kg),methotrexate group(MTX group,0.33 mg/kg),AS101 group(IL-10 inhibitor,1.5 mg/kg)and DEX-H+AS101 group(20 μg/kg+1.5 mg/kg),with 18 rats in each group.Except NC group,RA models were established in rats of other groups.The administration was started 24 hours after the second immunization,once a day for 3 weeks.The changes of foot swelling rate and joint index were measured;HE staining was applied to detect the pathological changes of spleen tissue;the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in rat spleen were detected by ELISA;the percentages of CD3+CD4+T cells,CD3+CD8+T cells and the proportions of helper T cell 17(Th17)and regulatory T cell(Treg)in rat spleen were measured by flow cytometry;and Western blot was applied to detect the expressions of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein in rat spleen.Results:Compared with NC group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in Model group was serious,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+T cells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg were increased,the percentage of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg,and expression of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were decreased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in DEX-L group,DEX-M group,DEX-H group and MTX group were reduced,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+T cells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg decreased,the percent-age of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg,and expressions of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were increased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in AS101 group was aggravated,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+Tcells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg were increased,the percentage of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg cells,and expression of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were decreased(P<0.05);AS101 attenuated the promoting effect of high dose DEX on the proportion balance of T cell subsets in RA rats.Conclusion:DEX may promote the balance of T cell subsets in RA rats by activating IL-10/STAT3 pathway.
5.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
6.Effects of dexmedetomidine regulating IL-10/STAT3 signaling pathway on T cell subsets in rats with rheumatoid arthritis
Rong YANG ; Zhenqin SUN ; Wenjuan XIE ; Wenfang YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1084-1089,1095
Objective:To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine(DEX)on T cell subsets in rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)by regulating interleukin-10(IL-10)/signal transduction factor and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3)signaling pathways.Methods:SD rats were grouped into control group(NC group),Model group,DEX low-dose group(DEX-L group,5 μg/kg),DEX medium-dose group(DEX-M group,10 μg/kg),DEX high-dose group(DEX-H group,20 μg/kg),methotrexate group(MTX group,0.33 mg/kg),AS101 group(IL-10 inhibitor,1.5 mg/kg)and DEX-H+AS101 group(20 μg/kg+1.5 mg/kg),with 18 rats in each group.Except NC group,RA models were established in rats of other groups.The administration was started 24 hours after the second immunization,once a day for 3 weeks.The changes of foot swelling rate and joint index were measured;HE staining was applied to detect the pathological changes of spleen tissue;the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in rat spleen were detected by ELISA;the percentages of CD3+CD4+T cells,CD3+CD8+T cells and the proportions of helper T cell 17(Th17)and regulatory T cell(Treg)in rat spleen were measured by flow cytometry;and Western blot was applied to detect the expressions of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein in rat spleen.Results:Compared with NC group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in Model group was serious,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+T cells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg were increased,the percentage of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg,and expression of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were decreased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in DEX-L group,DEX-M group,DEX-H group and MTX group were reduced,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+T cells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg decreased,the percent-age of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg,and expressions of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were increased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the pathological damage of spleen tissue in AS101 group was aggravated,the feet swelling rate,joint index,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,the percentage of CD3+CD4+Tcells,Th17 cells,Th17/Treg were increased,the percentage of CD3+CD8+T cells,Treg cells,and expression of IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein were decreased(P<0.05);AS101 attenuated the promoting effect of high dose DEX on the proportion balance of T cell subsets in RA rats.Conclusion:DEX may promote the balance of T cell subsets in RA rats by activating IL-10/STAT3 pathway.
7.Association between dynamic indexes of maternal progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy and fetal head circumference growth and development
Hui NIU ; Juan XIN ; Jinlu LIANG ; Jiayuan FENG ; Sijing ZHU ; Xiaoxue LI ; Yin YANG ; Liu FANG ; Mengfei SUN ; Ziyi CHEN ; Wenfang YANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):871-879
Objective To explore the association between dynamic indexes of maternal progesterone in early pregnancy and the average level and growth rate of fetal head circumference(HC)in mid-and late pregnancy.Methods This study adopted a retrospective cohort design and included 255 singleton pregnant women in the maternal and infant cohort of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2024.The progesterone levels of their early venous blood were detected and divided into two groups of progesterone trajectories,namely,fluctuating type and increasing type,by morphology.The dynamic indicators of progesterone in early pregnancy were constructed:cumulative dynamic deviation index in the first trimester(CDDI-P1T),gestational age at progesterone peak(GA-PP),and maximal relative progesterone decline in the first trimester(MRD-P1T).The average head circumference level and linear growth rate of the fetuses in the middle and late pregnancy were calculated.Generalized linear regression(GLM)was used to analyze the linear association between progesterone dynamic indicators and head circumference development.The key gestational weeks of progesterone affecting fetal head development were explored by linear regression of gestational weeks.Ordinary least squares(OLS)regression and restricted cubic spline(RCS)plots were used to draw the nonlinear association between progesterone dynamic indicators and head circumference.Results Among the 255 pregnant women included,92.5%of the progesterone trajectories in early pregnancy were fluctuating,and 7.5%were increasing.The growth rates of the increasing progesterone trajectory group were higher in the second and third trimesters than in the fluctuating group,but the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05).GLM analysis showed that for every 1 unit increase in CDDI-P1T,the head circumference in the middle and late pregnancy increased significantly by 1.574 cm and 1.193 cm(Z=3.714,2.885,P<0.01).The delay of GA-PP was negatively correlated with the head circumference in the middle pregnancy(β=-0.190 cm,95%CI:-0.339--0.041,P=0.010)but positively correlated with the head circumference growth rate in the late pregnancy(β=0.022 cm/week,95%CI:0.003-0.041,P=0.025).A 10%decrease in the decline of CDDI-P1T increased the head circumference in the middle pregnancy by 0.200 cm(95%CI:0.016-0.384,P=0.033),and a 100%decrease in the decline increased the head circumference growth rate in the late pregnancy by 0.201 cm/week(95%CI:0.002-0.399,P=0.048).The analysis of the key time window showed that for every 20 nmol/L increase in progesterone during 9.5-13 weeks of pregnancy,the mid-term head circumference increased by 0.035-0.166 cm(Z=2.452-3.517,allP<0.05),and the late-term head circumference increased by 0.767 cm during 9-13 weeks of pregnancy(Z=2.452-3.517,all P<0.05).When progesterone increased during 9.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy,the growth rate of mid-term head circumference increased by 0.013-0.023 cm/week(Z=2.074-2.243,all P<0.01).When progesterone increased during 8.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy,the growth rate of late-term head circumference increased by 0.010-0.026 cm/week(Z=2.061-3.137,all P<0.05).Conclusion Progesterone dynamic index is a new sensitive tool for evaluating fetal head circumference development.There is a stage-specific window period for progesterone regulation.9.5-13 weeks of pregnancy is the critical period for progesterone to affect head circumference growth,and 9.5-10.5 weeks of pregnancy is the core window for regulating the growth rate of head circumference.Therefore,it is necessary to combine progesterone dynamic index and time window for individualized intervention to promote the transformation of prenatal care from pregnancy maintenance to eugenics intervention.
8.Clinical Characteristics and Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy in 222 Malignant Tumor Cases with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Yingtian WANG ; Hong SUN ; Man LI ; Na SONG ; Jiao GOU ; Wenfang LUO ; Jun LIU ; Rong MA ; Wei WANG ; Zhandong LI ; Bo MENG ; Xiaoyan YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):716-721
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in cancer patients with COVID-19, and to provide reference for making TCM prevention and treatment strategies and determining diagnosis and treatment priorities for patients with malignant tumors in the COVID-19 epidemic. MethodsThe medical records of 225 malignant tumor cases with COVID-19 who were admitted to 7 national research centers from January 1st to 20th, 2023 were retrospectively collected, and the main symptoms and duration after infection, nucleic acid negative conversion time, use of TCM therapy, and changes in adverse reactions after resuming anti-tumor treatment were analyzed. ResultsA total of 222 malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis, involving 205 mild cases and 17 moderate cases. The top four most frequently reported clinical symptoms were fever (165 cases), expectoration or dry cough (99 cases), decreased appetite (95 cases) and fatigue (85 cases), of which 40 expectoration or dry cough cases , 37 fatigue cases and 29 decreased appetite cases lasted for more than 14 days. One hundred and five patients with nucleic acid detection report had a median negative conversion time of 14 days. The nucleic acid negative conversion time was significantly longer in patients with lung cancer compared to those with digestive system malignant tumors, and in those with myelosuppression than those without (P<0.01). During the infection period, 47.30% (105/222) of the patients used Chinese patent medicine, and 21.17% (47/222) were treated with herbal decoctions. The use of TCM in patients during the prevention and rehabilitation period, was 1.80%(4/222) and 7.21%(16/222), respectively. Fifty-five patients resumed anti-tumor treatment after nucleic acid negative conversion, and received TCM simultaneously. Observed adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal reactions, bone marrow suppression, and neurotoxicity, were all grade 1 to 2, and no new adverse events occurred during follow-up. ConclusionCertain malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 had prolonged symptoms and nucleic acid negative conversion time Rational use of TCM can help to promote the rehabilitation of the patients and ensure the smooth process of anti-tumor treatment after infection.
9.Signal mining of adverse events related to erenumab based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database
Wenfang SUN ; Binbin XIA ; Hua CHENG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2024;26(2):87-92
Objective:To mine and analyze the signals of the adverse event (AE) of erenumab and provide reference for the safe application of the drug.Methods:The reports of AE from 2004 to the first quarter of 2023 were extracted from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database, and the full data and data after 2018 were analyzed respectively. AEs were classified according to preferred term (PT) and the system organ class (SOC) of Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) 23.0 version for statistical analysis. The reported odds ratio (ROR) method and Bayesian confidence progressive neural network (BCPNN) method were used to mine the AE risk signals.Results:A total of 38 348 AE reports with erenumab as the primary suspect drug were collected, involving 2 629 PTs. The number of risk signals screened by the ROR and BCPNN methods from the full data and data after 2018 was 99 and 115, respectively, involving 19 SOCs. Among them, the most frequently reported AEs were injection site reactions and constipation, which were consistent with the label. Among the top 30 PTs, 13 were not recorded in the label, including pineal cyst, postural tachycardia, positive histone antibody, spastic eye movements, fear of injection, post-concussion syndrome, Raynaud effect, psychogenic seizures, coronary artery dissection, premature menopause, trichorrhexis, collagen disease, and blepharospasm.Conclusion:In clinical application of erenumab, in addition to the adverse reactions recorded in the label, attention should also be paid to the adverse events mined in this study.
10.Signal mining of adverse events related to erenumab based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database
Wenfang SUN ; Binbin XIA ; Hua CHENG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2024;26(2):87-92
Objective:To mine and analyze the signals of the adverse event (AE) of erenumab and provide reference for the safe application of the drug.Methods:The reports of AE from 2004 to the first quarter of 2023 were extracted from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database, and the full data and data after 2018 were analyzed respectively. AEs were classified according to preferred term (PT) and the system organ class (SOC) of Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) 23.0 version for statistical analysis. The reported odds ratio (ROR) method and Bayesian confidence progressive neural network (BCPNN) method were used to mine the AE risk signals.Results:A total of 38 348 AE reports with erenumab as the primary suspect drug were collected, involving 2 629 PTs. The number of risk signals screened by the ROR and BCPNN methods from the full data and data after 2018 was 99 and 115, respectively, involving 19 SOCs. Among them, the most frequently reported AEs were injection site reactions and constipation, which were consistent with the label. Among the top 30 PTs, 13 were not recorded in the label, including pineal cyst, postural tachycardia, positive histone antibody, spastic eye movements, fear of injection, post-concussion syndrome, Raynaud effect, psychogenic seizures, coronary artery dissection, premature menopause, trichorrhexis, collagen disease, and blepharospasm.Conclusion:In clinical application of erenumab, in addition to the adverse reactions recorded in the label, attention should also be paid to the adverse events mined in this study.

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