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: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in fatigue and post-exertional malaise; however, whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is unclear. This study investigated the association between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and postpartum LUTS. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in China from November 1, 2022, to November 1, 2023. Participants were classified into infected and uninfected groups based on SARS-CoV-2 antigen results. LUTS prevalence and severity were assessed using self-reported symptoms and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7). Pelvic floor muscle activity was measured using electromyography following the Glazer protocol. Group comparisons were performed to evaluate the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with LUTS and electromyography parameters, with stratified analyses conducted using SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS: Among 3,652 participants (681 infected, 2,971 uninfected), no significant differences in LUTS prevalence or IIQ-7 scores were observed. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection was an independent factor influencing the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles (mean tonic contraction amplitudes), regardless of delivery mode ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was not significantly associated with an increased risk of postpartum LUTS but independently altered pelvic floor muscle electromyographic activity, suggesting potential neuromuscular effects.
Humans ; Female ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/virology* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Electromyography ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Prevalence

【Objective】 To understand factors associated with children′s attendance at nursery care institutions (NCIs) and the basic characteristics of the NCIs children were enrolled in, so as to provide scientific evidence for policymakers. 【Methods】 During November 2020 and January 2021, parents who visited the Department of Child Health Care in six selected maternal and children′s hospitals, as well as nearby NCIs in Zhejiang were invited to finish an online questionnaire. Information such as children′s sociodemographic characteristics, parents′ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding nursery and feeding, etc. were collected. A total of 1 756 questionnaires were collected. 【Results】 Compared to children who were not in NCIs, children enrolled in NCIs were older (94.4% of children ≥24 months vs. 30.1%, χ²=835.27), more likely to be from the local area (87.2% vs. 81.4%,χ²=12.25), more likely to have parents with a college degree (mother: 83.6% vs. 74.2%, χ²=35.29; father: 79.9% vs. 70.0%, χ²=27.01), had a higher prevalence of family annual income >200 000 CNY (49.5% vs. 28.2%, χ²=110.49), and were less likely to have their grandparents available to take care of them (16.7% vs. 26.8%, χ²=31.4) The difference all have great significant.(P<0.05). In a multivariate Logistic regression model, the older the child, the more likely they were to attend an NCI (for children aged 6 - 23 months, OR=6.70; for children aged 24 - 35 months, OR=134.03; and for children aged 36 - 42 months, OR=699.33; P<0.05). Family annual income was positively associated with children′s attendance at NCIs (for those earning 100 000 - 200 000 CNY/year, OR=1.63; for those earning 200 000 - 500 000 CNY/year, OR=2.96; and for those earning >500 000 CNY/year, OR=4.62, P<0.05). Conversely, the higher the level of grandparent involvement in daily care, the lower the attendance at NCIs (for children cared for by both parents and grandparents, OR=0.57; for those primarily cared for by grandparents, OR=0.26, P<0.05). For children who used to stay at NCIs, 82.8% stayed at institutions that only recruited children aged 0 - 3 years, 97.4% spent their whole day in NCIs, and 71.4% spent less than 3 000 CNY per month for NCI services. Additionally, over 95% of parents were satisfied with the food and care services in NCIs, as well as their children′s physical development in NCIs. However, 32.1% of NCIs were reported by parents as having no room for breastfeeding. 【Conclusions】 Children′s age, grandparent involvement in routine care, and family annual income are the main factors associated with children′s attendance at NCIs. There is a greater need for more affordable and community-based NCIs, particularly for children under 2 years old. Additionally, more attention should be paid to the quality surveillance, assessment and management of NCIs.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of 34 newly diagnosed PTL patients admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital from September 2010 to February 2023. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis, and the Cox regression model was applied for univariate analysis of prognostic factors.Results:All 34 PTL patients presented with cervical mass as the initial clinical manifestation. There were 9 males and 25 females. The pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in 29 patients and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in 5 patients. Among the DLBCL patients, 6 had B symptoms, 17 had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of ≥2, the Ann Arbor staging was stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 21 cases and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ in 8 cases, the tumor diameter was ≥10 cm in 4 cases, and 14 had concurrent Hashimoto thyroiditis; 27 cases received chemotherapy, with 21 cases achieving complete remission (CR), 2 cases partial remission (PR), and 6 cases of disease progression; the 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 78.9% and 77.4%, respectively; univariate survival analysis showed that B symptoms, tumor diameter ≥10 cm, and Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ were significant factors affecting patient prognosis ( P<0.05). MALT lymphoma patients were all in stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ, had an ECOG score of 0-1, and were without B symptoms. All patients underwent surgical resection, with 4 cases achieving CR and 1 case PR. Conclusion:PTL is more common in females with concurrent Hashimoto thyroiditis, with the majority of pathological types being B-cell lymphoma. The main treatment is chemotherapy, supplemented by radiotherapy and surgery, and the prognosis is relatively favorable.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of scientific papers in the field of global liver diseases published by Chinese scholars that were retracted for diverse reasons from the Retraction Watch database, so as to provide a reference to publishing-related papers. Methods: The Retraction Watch database was retrieved for retracted papers in the field of global liver disease published by Chinese scholars from March 1, 2008 to January 28, 2021. The regional distribution, source journals, reasons for retraction, publication and retraction times, and others were analyzed. Results: A total of 101 retracted papers that were distributed across 21 provinces/cities were retrieved. Zhejiang area (n = 17) had the most retracted papers, followed by Shanghai (n = 14), and Beijing (n = 11). The vast majority were research papers (n = 95). The journal PLoS One had the highest number of retracted papers. In terms of time distribution, 2019 (n = 36) had the most retracted papers. 23 papers, accounting for 8.3% of all retractions, were retracted owing to journal or publisher concerns. Liver cancer (34%), liver transplantation (16%), hepatitis (14%), and others were the main areas of retracted papers. Conclusion: Chinese scholars have a large number of retracted articles in the field of global liver diseases. A journal or publisher chooses to retract a manuscript after investigating and discovering more flawed problems, which, however, require further support, revision, and supervision from the editorial and academic circles.
Humans ; Biomedical Research ; China ; Liver Diseases ; Scientific Misconduct

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) have recently been identified to be closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS). A growing body of evidence has suggested Chinese medicine takes unique advantages in preventing and treating AS. In this review, the related research progress of AS and LOX-1 has been summarized. And the anti-AS effects of 10 active components of herbal medicine through LOX-1 regulation have been further reviewed. As a potential biomarker and target for intervention in AS, LOX-1 targeted therapy might provide a promising and novel approach to atherosclerotic prevention and treatment.
Humans ; Atherosclerosis ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E/physiology* ; Biomarkers ; Plant Extracts ; Lipoproteins, LDL

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zhongfeng capsule on the autophagy-related proteins expression in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/ RI), and to explore its neural protection mechanisms of the decoction. Methods: Rat middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion injury model (ischemia for 2 h, reperfusion for 24 h) was prepared by the improved line plug method. Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, butylphthalide group(0.054 g/kg), Zhongfeng capsule high-dose groups (1.08 g/kg), Zhongfeng capsule middle-dose groups (0.54 g/kg), Zhongfeng capsule low-dose groups (0.27 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Rats were treated with Zhongfeng capsule by gavage once a day for 10 days. The rats were sacrificed and the brain tissue was obtained after the experiment in each group. Score neurological deficit was evaluated after 24 h of the last intervention in rat of each group. The pathological changes of brain tissue were observed by HE staining. The serum levels of estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by ELISA. The expressions of key genes and proteins of PI3K/Akt/Beclin1 signaling pathway in brain tissue were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the body weight and protein expressions of p-PI3k and p-Akt in brain tissue of rats were decreased significantly in the model group, while the brain index, neurological deficit score, gene and protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 were increased markedly in the model group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). In the model group, nerve cells of brain tissue were loosely packed, interstitial edema, triangular in shape, nuclear pyknosis and dark-blue staining were observed. Compared with the model group, the body weight of rats was increased obviously, the neurological deficit score was decreased significantly and the pathological injury of brain tissue was alleviated evidently in high-dose of Zhongfeng capsule group (P＜0.05). The brain index, the gene and protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 were decreased apparently in Zhongfeng capsule treatment groups(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while the expressions of p-PI3k and p-Akt in brain tissue were increased evidently in Zhongfeng capsule treatment groups(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclusion: Zhongfeng capsule can inhibit autophagy and improve brain neurons lesion of CIRI rats, the mechanism may be related to regulate the expression of Beclin1 and LC3 in PI3K/Akt/Beclin1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Autophagy-Related Proteins/pharmacology* ; Beclin-1/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy*

Objective:To analyze the consistency and correlation of indirect calorimetry (IC) and Harris-Benedict estimation method (H-B) in measuring energy consumption in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), as well as the characteristics of energy metabolism at resting state of SAP patients with different etiologies, and so as to guide the formulation of clinical energy nutrition support program.Methods:From February 1 to December 31, 2019, 61 SAP patients admitted into the intensive care unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. Collected relevant data of patients, such as the etiology of SAP, whether mechanical ventilation was needed, as well as the metabolic status. All SAP patients accepted IC test on the first day after admission to intensive care unit. According to the energy consumption measured by IC (hereinafter referred to as IC value) and the energy consumption measured by H-B (hereinafter referred to as H-B value), SAP patients were determined to be in high, normal or low metabolic state. Bland-Altman method and Pearson linear regression were used to analyze the consistency and correlation of the two methods in measuring energy consumption, and the linear equation was fitted. Paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 61 SAP patients, 13 cases were biliary SAP, 30 cases were hyperlipidemic SAP, 6 cases were alcoholic SAP, and 12 cases were SAP of other causes or unknown causes. Nineteen cases needed mechanical ventilation and 42 cases did not need mechanical ventilation. There were 70.5% (43/61) of SAP patients in high metabolic state, 13.1%(8/61) of SAP patients in normal metabolic state, and 16.4% (10/61) of SAP patients in low metabolic state. The IC value in 61 SAP patients was higher than H-B value((8 604.7±367.8) kJ/d vs. (6 491.2±133.7) kJ/d), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.95, P<0.001). The IC value in patients with hyperlipidemic, alcoholic and biliary SAP was (8 815.2±537.9), (7 631.2±890.5), and (8 108.0±933.1) kJ/d, respectively, and the H-B value was (6 869.6±204.5), (5 916.8±153.7), and (5 974.2±200.9) kJ/d, respectively. The IC value in patients with biliary or hyperlipidemic SAP were higher than H-B value, and the differences were statistically significant( t=2.29 and 3.38, both P<0.05). The IC value and H-B value in SAP patients with mechanical ventilation and without mechanical ventilation were (10 485.0±741.1) and (6 462.6±222.8) kJ/d, (6 595.1±364.7) and (6 503.2±166.7) kJ/d, respectively. The IC value in SAP patients with mechanical ventilation was higher than H-B value and the IC value in SAP patients without mechanical ventilation, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=4.71 and 5.20, both P<0.001). The consistency analyzed by Bland-Altman method showed that the two methods had obvious biases, and the average bias value was 92.2 kJ/d. The result of Pearson linear regression analysis indicated that there was a linear relationship between two methods ( r=0.44, P<0.001). The linear equation fitted by the univariate regression was Y=1.240 6 X+ 154.42, in which X was the H-B value and Y was the IC value. Conclusions:SAP patients are mostly in a hypermetabolic state in the early stages of the disease. The IC value is higher than H-B value, and it is recommended to use IC to measure energy consumption in SAP patients.

This study aimed to prepare evodiamine-glycyrrhizic acid(EVO-GL) micelles to enhance the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of evodiamine. Firstly, EVO-GL micelles were prepared with use of thin film dispersion method. With particle size, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity of micelles and the solubility of evodiamine as the indexes, the effect of different factors on micelles was observed to screen the optimal preparation methods and process. Then the pharmaceutical properties and the therapeutic effects of EVO-GL micelles prepared by optimal process were evaluated on CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that the micelles prepared by the thin film dispersion method had an even size, with an average particle size of(130.80±12.40)nm, Zeta potential of(-41.61±3.12) mV, encapsulation efficiency of 91.23%±1.22%, drug loading of 8.42%±0.71%, high storage stability at 4 ℃ in 3 months, and slow in vitro release. Experimental results in the treatment of CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats showed that EVO-GL micelles had a synergistic anti-hepatic fibrosis effect, which significantly reduced the liver function index of hepatic fibrosis rats. In conclusion, the EVO-GL micelles prepared with glycyrrhizic acid as a carrier would have a potential application prospect for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Quinazolines ; Rats ; Solubility