1.Construction and validation of a predictive model for visual outcome after vitrectomy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy combined with vitreous hemorrhage
Qing XIAO ; Chenwei LIU ; Lingna LI ; Guangbao TANG ; Mingxia DONG ; Dongyu LI ; Fang LIU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):274-280
AIM:To analyze the influencing factors of visual outcome after vitrectomy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV)combined with vitreous hemorrhage and establish a predictive model.METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 129 cases(129 eyes)of patients who underwent vitrectomy for PCV combined with vitreous hemorrhage from June 2021 to January 2024 in our hospital. They were divided into elevated group(71 eyes)and non-elevated group(58 eyes)according to visual outcome at early posoperative stage(within 24 mo). Another 30 cases(30 eyes)of PCV with vitreous hemorrhage undergoing vitrectomy were selected as external validation data. The predictive value of the model for the postoperative visual outcomes of both internal and external populations was evaluated.RESULTS: The non-elevated group had a higher proportion of patients aged ≥60 years, diabetes, continuous abnormalities of the ellipsoid zone(EZ)during surgery, bleeding involving the macular fovea, and postoperative retinal scar formation than the elevated group were independent factors affecting postoperative visual acuity(all P<0.05). The AUC of the predictive model for predicting the postoperative visual outcomes of internal and external populations was 0.824(95%CI: 0.750-0.898)and 0.809(95%CI: 0.723-0.865), respectively.CONCLUSION:Patients aged ≥60 years, diabetes, intraoperative continuous abnormalities of EZ, bleeding involving the macular fovea, and postoperative retinal scar formation are influencing factors for visual outcome after vitrectomy in patients with PCV combined with vitreous hemorrhage. A predictive model based on those factors has been established, which has a certain predictive value for postoperative visual outcome.
2.National bloodstream infection bacterial resistance surveillance report 2023: Gram-positive bacteria
Chaoqun YING ; Jinru JI ; Zhiying LIU ; Qing YANG ; Haishen KONG ; Jiangqin SONG ; Hui DING ; Yanyan LI ; Yuanyuan DAI ; Haifeng MAO ; Pengpeng TIAN ; Lu WANG ; Yongyun LIU ; Yizheng ZHOU ; Jiliang WANG ; Yan JIN ; Donghong HUANG ; Hongyun XU ; Peng ZHANG ; Xinhua QIANG ; Hong HE ; Lin ZHENG ; Junmin CAO ; Zhou LIU ; Ying HUANG ; Yan GENG ; Haiquan KANG ; Dan LIU ; Guolin LIAO ; Lixia ZHANG ; Fenghong CHEN ; Yanhong LI ; Baohua ZHANG ; Haixin DONG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Donghua LIU ; Qiuying ZHANG ; Xuefei HU ; Liang GUO ; Sijin MAN ; Dijing SONG ; Rong XU ; Youdong YIN ; Kunpeng LIANG ; Aiyun LI ; Zhuo LI ; Hongxia HU ; Guoping LU ; Jinhua LIANG ; Qiang LIU ; Yinqiao DONG ; Jilu SHEN ; Shuyan HU ; Liang LUAN ; Jian LI ; Ling MENG ; Dengyan QIAO ; Xiusan XIA ; Bo QUAN ; Dahong WANG ; Chunhua HAN ; Xiaoping YAN ; Fei LI ; Shifu WANG ; Ping SHEN ; Yunbo CHEN ; Yonghong XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2025;18(2):118-132
Objective:To report the nationwide surveillance results of pathogenic profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Gram-positive bloodstream infections in China in 2023.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-posttive bacteria from blood cultures were collected in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System(BRICS)during January to December 2023. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the dilution method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). Statistical analyses were conducted using WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software.Results:A total of 4 385 Gram-positive bacterial isolates were obtained from 60 participating center. The top five pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus( n=1 544,35.2%),coagulase-negative Staphylococci( n=1 441,32.9%), Enterococcus faecium( n=574,13.1%), Enterococcus faecalis( n=385,8.8%),and α-hemolytic Streptococci( n=187,4.3%). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci(MRCNS)was 26.2%(405/1 544)and 69.8%(1 006/1 441),respectively. Notably,all Staphylococci remained susceptible to glycopeptide or daptomycin. Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated excellent susceptibility(>97.0%)to cephalobiol,rifampicin,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,linezolid,minocycline,tigecycline,and eravacycline. No Enterococcus exhibiting resistance to linezolid were detected. Glycopeptide resistance was uncommon but more frequent in Enterococcus faecium(resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin:both 1.7%)compared to Enterococcus faecalis(both 0.3%). The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS exhibited significant regional variations across the country( χ2=17.674 and 148.650,respectively,both P<0.001). No vancomycin-resistant Enterococci were detected in central China. Institutional comparison demonstrated higher prevalence of MRSA( χ2=14.111, P<0.001)and MRCNS( χ2=4.828, P=0.028)in provincial hospitals than that in municipal hospitals. Socioeconomic analysis identified elevated detection rates of both MRSA( χ2=18.986, P<0.001)and MRCNS( χ2=4.477, P=0.034)in less developed regions(per capita GDP
3.National bloodstream infection bacterial resistance surveillance report (2023) : Gram-negative bacteria
Jinru JI ; Zhiying LIU ; Chaoqun YING ; Qing YANG ; Haishen KONG ; Jiangqin SONG ; Hui DING ; Yanyan LI ; Yuanyuan DAI ; Haifeng MAO ; Pengpeng TIAN ; Lu WANG ; Yongyun LIU ; Yizheng ZHOU ; Jiliang WANG ; Yan JIN ; Donghong HUANG ; Hongyun XU ; Peng ZHANG ; Xinhua QIANG ; Hong HE ; Lin ZHENG ; Junmin CAO ; Zhou LIU ; Ying HUANG ; Yan GENG ; Haiquan KANG ; Dan LIU ; Guolin LIAO ; Lixia ZHANG ; Fenghong CHEN ; Yanhong LI ; Baohua ZHANG ; Haixin DONG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Donghua LIU ; Qiuying ZHANG ; Xuefei HU ; Liang GUO ; Sijin MAN ; Dijing SONG ; Rong XU ; Youdong YIN ; Kunpeng LIANG ; Aiyun LI ; Zhuo LI ; Hongxia HU ; Guoping LU ; Jinhua LIANG ; Qiang LIU ; Yinqiao DONG ; Jilu SHEN ; Shuyan HU ; Liang LUAN ; Jian LI ; Ling MENG ; Dengyan QIAO ; Xiusan XIA ; Bo QUAN ; Dahong WANG ; Chunhua HAN ; Xiaoping YAN ; Fei LI ; Shifu WANG ; Ping SHEN ; Yunbo CHEN ; Yonghong XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2025;18(1):47-62
Objective:To report the results of bacterial resistant investigation collaborative system(BRICS)on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2023,and provide reference for clinical tretment of bloodstream infections and prevention and control of bacterial resistance.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of BRICS were collected during January 2023 to December 2023. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period,11 492 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 60 hospitals,of which 10 098(87.9%)were Enterobacterales and 1 394(12.1%)were non-fermentative bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli(50.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae(26.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(5.1%), Acinetobacter baumannii complex(5.0%)and Enterobacter cloacae complex(4.1%). The ESBL-producing rates in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirablilis were 46.8%(2 685/5 741),18.3%(549/2 999)and 44.0%(77/175),respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli(CREC)and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)were 1.3%(76/5 741)and 15.0%(450/2 999);32.9%(25/76)and 78.0%(351/450)of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to ceftazidime/avibactam combination,respectively. 94.7%(72/76)and 90.2%(406/450)of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to aztreonam/avibactam combination. Furthermore,57.9%(44/76)and 79.1%(356/450)were sensitive to imipenem/relebactam combination. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)complex was 64.6%(370/573),while more than 80.0% of CRAB complex was sensitive to tigecycline,eravacycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)was 17.0%(99/581). There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of important Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions in China,with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CREC,CRKP,CRPA and CRAB complex( χ2=10.6,28.6,10.8 and 19.3, P<0.05). The prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, CREC,CRAB complex and CRKP were higher in provincial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals( χ2=12.5,9.8,12.7 and 57.8,all P<0.01). Conclusions:Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China,and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top,while the trend of Klebsiella pneumoniae increases continuously with time. CRKP infection shows a slow upward trend,CREC infecton maintains a low prevalence level,and CRAB complex infection continues to exhibit a high prevalence rate. The composition and resistance patterns of pathogens causing bloodstream infections vary to some extent across different regions and levels of hospitals in China.
4.Deep learning model based on fundus images for detection of coronary artery disease with mild cognitive impairment
Yi YE ; Wei FENG ; Yao-dong DING ; Qing CHEN ; Yang ZHANG ; Li LIN ; Tong MA ; Bin WANG ; Xian-gang CHANG ; Zong-yuan GE ; Xiao-yi WANG ; Long-jun CAI ; Yong ZENG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(6):303-311
Objective To develop a deep learning model based on fundus retinal images to improve the detection rate of mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in patients with coronary heart disease,achieve early intervention and improve prognosis.Methods The study was a single-center cross-sectional study that retrospectively included patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease(CHD)by coronary angiography(≥50% stenosis of at least one coronary vessel)from Beijing Anzhen Hospital between November 2021 and December 2022.The whole data set was randomly divided into the training set and the testing set according to the ratio of 8∶2 for model development.After that,the patient data of the same center from January 2023 to April 2023 were included in the time verification method to verify the model.The diagnostic criteria for MCI were MMSE<27 or MoCA<26.Four kinds of convolutional neural network(CNN)architectures were used to train fundus images,and a comprehensive vision model of MCI detection was established through model integration.The area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the receiver operating curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the AI model.Results We collected 5 880 eligible fundus images from 3 368 CHD patients.Based on the results of the MMSE scale,the algorithm was labeled,including 2 898 males and 527 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group is 0.733(95%CI 0.688-0.778),and the sensitivity of the algorithm in the test group is 0.577(95%CI 0.528-0.625)by using the operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity.With a specificity of 0.758(95%CI 0.714-0.802),corresponding to a validated AUC of 0.710(95%CI 0.601-0.818).Based on the results of the MoCA scale,the algorithm labels 2 437 males and 1 626 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group was 0.702(95%CI 0.671-0.733).The operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity was selected,and the sensitivity of the algorithm was 0.749(95%CI 0.719-0.778)and the specificity was 0.561(95%CI 0.527-0.595),corresponding to the AUC value of the verification group was 0.674(95%CI 0.622-0.726).Conclusions The deep learning algorithm model based on fundus images has good diagnostic performance,and may be used as a new non-invasive,convenient and rapid screening method for MCI in CHD population.
5.Salidroside alleviates progression of Parkinson's disease by modulating inflammatory responses
Xiao-lin DONG ; Gang WU ; Yan-ping LI ; Li-juan ZHANG ; Fu-rong JIN ; Rui LI ; Hong-mei LI ; Xiao-xiao ZHANG ; Qing-yun LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1340-1345
Aim To explore the neuroprotective effects of salidroside on Parkinson's disease(PD)through modulation of inflammatory responses and the underly-ing mechanisms.Methods Mice were divided into five groups:healthy control group,1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)disease group,low-dose Rhodioloside intervention group,medium-dose salidroside intervention group,and high-dose salidro-side intervention group.MPTP-induced PD mouse model was established,and salidroside intervention was administered.Behavioral changes,inflammatory cyto-kine levels,autophagy-related protein expression,and neurons were observed through histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining.Results After MPTP treatment,mice exhibited significant behavioral chan-ges,increased pro-inflammatory cytokines,decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines,reduced autophagy-related proteins,and evident pyroptosis.Salidroside interven-tion alleviated these changes in a dose-dependent man-ner.Conclusions Salidroside exerts neuroprotective effects on PD by alleviating inflammatory responses and promoting autophagy,thereby protecting neurons.
6.Mediating role of mindfulness attention awareness between perceived stress and depressive in patients with concomitant depression and insomnia
Hui CHEN ; Zonghua WANG ; Hui LIN ; Wei HE ; Lei HUANG ; Xiao HUI ; Qing CHEN ; Jiqiu DONG ; Qingling ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(21):2717-2724
Objective To explore the mediating role of mindful attention and awareness in depressive symptoms and insomnia severity among patients with comorbid depression and insomnia.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted,enrolling 267 patients with comorbid depression and insomnia who were treated in the outpatient Department of Medical Psychology of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,from March to May 2024.Basic demographic and clinical data were collected using a general information questionnaire.Depressive symptom severity was measured via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9),insomnia severity via the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI),perceived stress via the Perceived Stress Scale-10(PSS-10),and mindful attention and awareness via the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS).Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between depressive severity,insomnia severity,perceived stress,and mindful attention and awareness.Mediation analysis was performed using Process 4.1.Results The PHQ-9 score was(13.80±5.98)and the ISI score was(17.10±5.56)in the 267 patients.Pearson correlation analysis showed that depressive severity and insomnia severity were positively correlated with perceived stress(r=0.531,0.351,P<0.001)and negatively correlated with mindful attention and awareness(r=-0.373,-0.350,P<0.001).Mediation analysis using Process 4.1 indicated that the combined mediating effect of mindful attention and awareness and insomnia between perceived stress level and depressive level was 0.157,with a 95%confidence interval(CI)of 0.102~0.217,and the total mediating effect was significant(P<0.001).Conclusion Perceived stress directly positively affects depression and indirectly exacerbates depression through insomnia as a mediator,and mindful attention and awareness can weaken the promoting effect of perceived stress on insomnia.
7.Dual-modal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents Based on Polymetallic Nanoclusters for Targeted Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Qing-Dong LI ; Peng WANG ; Jian-Min XIAO ; Wen-Juan GAO ; Zhen-Hong XIA ; Gui-Long ZHANG ; Zheng-Yan WU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):602-611
Fe/Mn/Gd polymetallic nanooxide(FMGN)were prepared by one-step solvent thermal reaction by using Fe(acac)3,Mn(acac)2 and Gd(acac)3 as reaction precursors.Next,hyaluronic acid(HA)was used to modify FMGN to fabricate tumor-targeting T 1-T 2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast agent(HA-FMGN)for accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.The structure and morphology of FMGN were observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).It was found that FMGN exhibited a uniform nanocluster spherical structure when the feeding ratio of iron acetylacetonate,manganese acetylacetonate,and gadolinium acetylacetonate was 3:2:1.X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis showed that FMGN had a typical inverse spinel structure of Mn doped Fe 3O 4,with Gd existing in the form of amorphous gadolinium oxide.The longitudinal relaxivity(r 1)and transverse relaxivity(r 2)of FMGN were 13.395 and 428.535 L/(mmol·s),respectively,measured by 0.5 T MRI analyzer,which proved that FMGN had excellent T 1-T 2 dual-mode MRI contrast capability.The cytotoxicity and hemolysis test found that HA-FMGN didn't damage red cells and induce toxicity for normal cells,indicating that HA-FMGN had excellent cell biocompatibility.The internalization efficacy of HA-FMGN was observed by CLSM,and the results showed that HA-FMGN possessed excellent prostate tumor-targeting ability.In vivo MRI experiment showed that HA-FMGN significantly enhanced T 1 and T 2 weighted MRI signal to noise ratio(SNR)of prostate tumor,which promoted the accurate diagnosis of orthotopic prostate cancer.
8.Effect of Hesperidin on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Related Depression in Rats through Gut-Brain Axis Pathway.
Hui-Qing LIANG ; Shao-Dong CHEN ; Yu-Jie WANG ; Xiao-Ting ZHENG ; Yao-Yu LIU ; Zhen-Ying GUO ; Chun-Fang ZHANG ; Hong-Li ZHUANG ; Si-Jie CHENG ; Xiao-Hong GU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):908-917
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis.
METHODS:
Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats.
RESULTS:
Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
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Hesperidin/therapeutic use*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Depression/drug therapy*
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Male
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Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*
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Brain/metabolism*
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
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Serotonin/metabolism*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
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Rats
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Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects*
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Chronic Disease
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Colon/drug effects*
9.Efficacy and Safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills Combined with Amlodipine in Treatment of Hypertensive Patients with Blood Deficiency and Gan-Yang Hyperactivity: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Fan WANG ; Hai-Qing GAO ; Zhe LYU ; Xiao-Ming WANG ; Hui HAN ; Yong-Xia WANG ; Feng LU ; Bo DONG ; Jun PU ; Feng LIU ; Xiu-Guang ZU ; Hong-Bin LIU ; Li YANG ; Shao-Ying ZHANG ; Yong-Mei YAN ; Xiao-Li WANG ; Jin-Han CHEN ; Min LIU ; Yun-Mei YANG ; Xiao-Ying LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):195-205
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension.
METHODS:
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups.
RESULTS:
A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period.
CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans
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Amlodipine/adverse effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
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Male
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Female
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Hypertension/complications*
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Middle Aged
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Treatment Outcome
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Adult
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Blood Pressure/drug effects*
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Double-Blind Method
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Aged
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Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*
10.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
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
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
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Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Retrospective Studies

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