As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum B cell activating factor(BAFF)and complement lytic factor Bb in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN),as well as their correlation with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR).Methods A total of 204 IMN patients were enrolled as the study group,and 100 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period served as the control group.Serum levels of BAFF,Bb,and UACR were measured and compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the associations among serum BAFF,Bb,and UACR.The patients in the study group were followed up for 12 months and stratified into a favorable prognosis group and a poor prognosis group(defined as no remission)based on disease remission status.Demographic and clinical characteristics,as well as serum BAFF and Bb levels,were compared between the two outcome groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of poor prognosis in IMN patients.Receiver operating char-acteristic(ROC)curve analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive value of these indicators for poor prognosis.Results The levels of BAFF,Bb,and UACR in the research group were significantly higher than those in the con-trol group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that both BAFF and Bb were positively correlated with UACR(r=0.716 and 0.543,respectively;P<0.05).After one year of follow-up,a total of 200 patients completed the study,among whom 46 experienced poor prognosis.Based on the follow-up outcomes,patients were categorized into a poor prognosis group(n=46)and a good prognosis group(n=154).The poor prognosis group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum creatinine,24-hour urinary protein,BAFF,and Bb,as well as lower eGFR values,compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis identified 24-hour urinary protein,BAFF,and Bb as independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IMN,whereas eGFR was identified as a protective factor(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined assessment of 24-hour urinary protein,eGFR,BAFF,and Bb yielded a higher AUC value for predicting poor prognosis in IMN patients than any single indicator alone(Z=4.145,3.908,4.308,3.864;P<0.05).Conclusions The serum levels of BAFF and Bb in patients with IMN are significantly elevated and positively correlated with the UACR.The combi-nation of 24-hour urinary protein excretion and eGFR demonstrates high predictive value for poor prognosis in these patients.These findings suggest that BAFF and Bb may serve as potential biomarkers for prognostic assessment in IMN,and the integrated measurement of multiple parameters could provide a more comprehensive clinical basis for disease management.

OBJECTIVE To explore the diagnostic value of combined detection of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction(ddPCR),C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT)and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)for bacterial bloodstream infections.METHODS Patients with suspected bloodstream infections admitted to Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Jan.2023 to Jun.2024 were selected as the study subjects,with a total of 993 specimens from 543 patients included.Based on ddPCR and blood culture(BC)results,the pa-tients were divided into BC+and/or ddPCR+group(424 specimens)and ddPCR-/BC-group(569 specimens).The bacterial species detected by ddPCR were further classified into single infection group(258 speci-mens),mixed infection group(160 specimens)and ddPCR-group(575 specimens).The levels of CRP,PCT and NLR were compared among the groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ddPCR,CRP,PCT and NLR separately and in combination for bacterial bloodstream in-fections.RESULTS The levels of CRP,PCT and NLR in the BC+and/or ddPCR+group were 71.61(37.00,108.81)mg/L,1.74(0.47,7.93)ng/ml and 9.82(5.53,18.07),respectively,which were higher than those in the ddPCR-/BC-group(P＜0.001).I n the ddPCR mixed infection group,the levels of CRP and PCT were 88.02(42.90,112.39)mg/L and 2.83(0.89,12.35)ng/ml,respectively,which were higher than those in the single infection group(P＜0.05).The qualitative results of ddPCR were better at predicting bloodstream infec-tions(OR=15.279,95％CI:6.525～35.776,P＜0.001).According to ROC curve analysis,ddPCR had the lar-gest area under the curve(AUC)among the single detection indicator(0.759),followed by PCT(0.732).The AUC for the combination of ddPCR qualitative results with CRP,PCT and NLR was 0.830,indicating that the di-agnostic performance of the combined detection was better than that of any single indicator.CONCLUSIONS The combination of ddPCR with PCT,CRP and NLR can improve the accuracy of diagnosing bacterial bloodstream in-fections.Compared with BC,ddPCR has higher sensitivity and can quickly identify the types and concentrations of pathogens in bloodstream infections.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum B cell activating factor(BAFF)and complement lytic factor Bb in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN),as well as their correlation with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR).Methods A total of 204 IMN patients were enrolled as the study group,and 100 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period served as the control group.Serum levels of BAFF,Bb,and UACR were measured and compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the associations among serum BAFF,Bb,and UACR.The patients in the study group were followed up for 12 months and stratified into a favorable prognosis group and a poor prognosis group(defined as no remission)based on disease remission status.Demographic and clinical characteristics,as well as serum BAFF and Bb levels,were compared between the two outcome groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of poor prognosis in IMN patients.Receiver operating char-acteristic(ROC)curve analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive value of these indicators for poor prognosis.Results The levels of BAFF,Bb,and UACR in the research group were significantly higher than those in the con-trol group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that both BAFF and Bb were positively correlated with UACR(r=0.716 and 0.543,respectively;P<0.05).After one year of follow-up,a total of 200 patients completed the study,among whom 46 experienced poor prognosis.Based on the follow-up outcomes,patients were categorized into a poor prognosis group(n=46)and a good prognosis group(n=154).The poor prognosis group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum creatinine,24-hour urinary protein,BAFF,and Bb,as well as lower eGFR values,compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis identified 24-hour urinary protein,BAFF,and Bb as independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IMN,whereas eGFR was identified as a protective factor(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined assessment of 24-hour urinary protein,eGFR,BAFF,and Bb yielded a higher AUC value for predicting poor prognosis in IMN patients than any single indicator alone(Z=4.145,3.908,4.308,3.864;P<0.05).Conclusions The serum levels of BAFF and Bb in patients with IMN are significantly elevated and positively correlated with the UACR.The combi-nation of 24-hour urinary protein excretion and eGFR demonstrates high predictive value for poor prognosis in these patients.These findings suggest that BAFF and Bb may serve as potential biomarkers for prognostic assessment in IMN,and the integrated measurement of multiple parameters could provide a more comprehensive clinical basis for disease management.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.

The presence of physiological barriers in the eye(both external and internal)makes conventional ophthalmic medications(eye drops,ointments,gels,etc.)less bioavailable and difficult to reach the posterior segment of the eye.Although intravitreal injection can deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye,it has disadvantages such as infection,injury,and poor tolerance.Ophthalmic microneedle breaks through the intra-and extra-ocular barriers,enabling the drug to reach the target site accurately and to be released continuously greatly avoiding intraocular infections and injuries,and improving the bioavailability of the drug,which has obvious advantages as an ophthalmic drug delivery tool.Ophthalmic microneedle can be classified into hollow microneedle,dissolving microneedle,and coated microneedle according to the usage methods.Each type of microneedle has its own advantages and has shown satisfactory performance in the treatment of diseases such as bacterial and fungal keratitis,glaucoma,exudative age-related macular degeneration,diabetic macular edema,non-infectious uveitis,corneal neovascularization,and even choroidal melanoma.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic influencing factors in young breast cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 408 young patients with breast cancer in the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2005 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics and prognostic influencing factors of patients were observed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors was conducted by using the log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed by using Cox proportional risk model.Results:The median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 408 young female patients with breast cancer was 36 (33, 39) years; the 5-year OS and 5-year DFS rates were 89.9%, 84.0% of 387 breast cancer patients in early and middle stage (except for stage Ⅳ). There were statistically significant differences in the 5-year OS and 5-year DFS rates (excluding stage Ⅳ of DFS) of patients with different clinical staging and molecular subtypes (all P < 0.05). The differences were statistically significant in the 5-year DFS rate of patients with different pathological types and histological grades (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the 5-year OS and DFS rates between the patients receiving breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy (all P > 0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that clinical staging ( HR = 3.121, 95% CI: 2.301-4.233, P < 0.001) and molecular classification ( HR = 1.441, 95% CI: 1.126-1.845, P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Additionally, clinical staging ( HR = 3.001, 95% CI: 2.174-4.141, P < 0.001) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for DFS. Conclusions:The prognosis of young breast cancer patients is closely related to clinical staging and molecular subtype. The later the clinical stage is, the poorer prognosis is. Luminal-type breast cancer has a better prognosis than other subtypes. For early-stage breast cancer patients who meet the criteria for breast-conserving surgery, breast-conserving surgery is the first-choice alternative.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of severe early childhood caries (SECC) treatment combined with local anesthesia under general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 108 children under 6 years old who underwent SECC dental treatment under general anesthesia at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from March to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification of classⅠor Ⅱ. The study subjects were divided into a control group (n=54) and an experimental group (n=54) by retrieving intraoperative cases and postoperative follow-up records. The control group was given general anesthesia through inhalation combined with nasotracheal intubation, whereas the experimental group was given local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine on each treated tooth on the basis of general anesthesia. The basic information, preoperative anesthesia depth, hemodynamic changes during different surgical procedures, postoperative pain, and adverse reactions in the two groups were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the basic information and preoperative anesthesia depth between the two groups (P>0.05). Among the three procedures (pulpotomy, root canal treatment, and tooth extraction), the three observed indicators in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The proportion of patients in the experimental group who needed to take analgesic measures in accordance with the modified facial pain scale (FPS-R) score was significantly lower than that in the control group at postoperative wakefulness and 2 h after surgery (P<0.05). Meanwhile, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups at 24 h after surgery (P>0.05). The proportion of patients in the experimental group who needed to take analgesic measures on the basis of the parent posto-perative pain measurement (PPPM) score was significantly lower than that in the control group when they were awake after surgery (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups at 2 and 24 h after surgery (P>0.05). Moreover, no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups at 24 h after surgery (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of local anesthesia during SECC dental treatment under general anesthesia results in minimal changes in intraoperative hemodynamics and mild postoperative pain response, hence worthy of clinical promotion.
Humans ; Anesthesia, General ; Child, Preschool ; Dental Caries/therapy* ; Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control* ; Anesthesia, Local/methods* ; Male ; Hemodynamics ; Female ; Lidocaine/administration & dosage* ; Child ; Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage* ; Anesthesia, Dental/methods*

Objective:To design and evaluate a cell membrane vaccine strategy based on dendritic cell membrane microbubbles(DCM@MBs),and to explore its potential application in tumor immunotherapy,especially the immune-specific killing of tumor cells through the activation of T cells.Methods:At first,tumor cell membrane proteins were extracted and dendritic cells(DCs)were acti-vated to confirm that tumor antigens could effectively stimulate the maturation of immature DCs.Mature DC membranes were then mixed with lipids to prepare DCM@MBs,which were characterized for morphology,size,and protein composition by confocal laser scanning microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Finally,in vitro co-culture experiments were con-ducted to assess the effect of DCM@MBs on the activation of T cells and their ability for specific killing of tumor cells.Results:In the in vitro DC activation experiment,after stimulation with tumor cell membrane proteins,the 25 μg/mL group had a significant increase in the expression level of MHC class Ⅱ molecule(25.167%±1.203%)on the surface of immature DCs compared with the control group(P<0.001),and DCM@MBs presented with microbubbles encapsulated by red cell membranes,with uniform dispersion and a size of 1-5 μm.In the in vitro co-culture experiment,the amount of breast cancer cells(9.893±0.341)%.Conclusion:The DCM@MBs strategy proposed in this study shows significant potential in tu-mor immunotherapy and can effectively activate T cells and specifically kill and eliminate tumor cells,which provides new ideas for tu-mor immunotherapy.