1.Consideration of Health Economics Evidence in Clinical Practice Guidelines: Methods and Steps
Dongrui PENG ; Qi ZHOU ; Xufei LUO ; Zijun WANG ; Hui LIU ; Junxian ZHAO ; Jinghong HUANG ; Hongyu HU ; Xin XING ; Jing WU ; Shitong XIE ; Xiaohui WANG ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):862-870
Health economics evidence plays an important role in linking clinical value evidence with health resource allocation decisions in the development of clinical practice guidelines. It can not only effectively balance clinical effectiveness and economic feasibility but also avoid forming "idealized" recommendations that are detached from the affordability of the healthcare system or the burden-bearing capacity of patients. To promote guideline developers to use health economics evidence more standardizedly and fully, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the current application status, existing challenges, access channels, and application processes of health economics evidence in current guidelines, and on this basis, puts forward considerations and suggestions for strengthening and standardizing the application of health economics evidence in China's clinical practice guidelines.
2.The Neural Circuit Characteristics of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for The Treatment of Migraine
Chen-Xia JIN ; Bo-Lin TAN ; Yang YE ; Ji-Qing HE ; Ling-Yan WANG ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Yu-Jun WANG ; Hui-Li LIU ; Yong-Xing YAN ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1953-1968
ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.
3.Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim syndrome in a neonate.
Wei-Na LIU ; Ya-Lei PI ; Xing-Yu BAI ; Hui-Fen CHEN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(3):373-376
The patient is a male neonate born at term. He was admitted 16 minutes after birth due to stridor and inspiratory respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed a cleft palate, and a grade II systolic ejection murmur was audible at the left sternal border. Whole exome sequencing identified a heterozygous variant in the SON gene, c.5753-5756del (p.Val1918GlufsTer87), which was absent in either parent, indicating a de novo mutation. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, this was classified as a "pathogenic variant" leading to a diagnosis of Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome. Upon admission, symptomatic supportive treatment was provided. Follow-up at the age of 8 months revealed persistent stridor; the infant could only consume small amounts of milk and was unable to sit steadily. This patient represents the youngest reported case to date, and his symptoms expand the clinical spectrum of the disease, providing valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
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Infant, Newborn
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Male
;
Minor Histocompatibility Antigens/genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
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Rare Diseases/genetics*
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics*
4.Effect of Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone on Quality of Life in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Ineligible for Stem Cell Transplantation.
Zhi-Hui LI ; Jin-Hui WANG ; Meng-Meng LIU ; Peng-Tao XING ; Yan-Ping ZHANG ; Xin-Rong ZHAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):816-821
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone on quality of life in transplant-ineligible (TIE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 93 TIE NDMM patients in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into D-Rd group (48 cases) and Rd group (45 cases) according to treatment regimen. The patients in Rd group were treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, while those in D-Rd group were treated with daratumumab on the basis of Rd group. The QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D VAS scores of the two groups were compared at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 treatment cycles. The last follow-up date was June 30, 2023, and overall survival (OS) was compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:
The median follow-up period in the D-Rd group was 21 (7-38) months, and the median OS was 34 months, while that in the Rd group was 16 (5-35) months, and the median OS was 28 months. There was significant difference in OS between the two groups ( P <0.05). After 3, 6 and 12 treatment cycles, the QLQ-C30 score and EQ-5D VAS score of the two groups were significantly improved (all P <0.05). After 3 and 12 treatment cycles, the QLQ-C30 score and EQ-5D VAS score of D-Rd group were significantly higher than those of Rd group (all P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the improvement of QLQ-C30 GHS and pain scores between the two groups of patients with age <75 years and ECOG 0-1 score after 3, 6 and 12 treatment cycles (P >0.05). In D-Rd group of patients with age≥75 years, the improvement of QLQ-C30 GHS scores after 3 and 12 treatment cycles and QLQ-C30 pain scores after 3, 6 and 12 treatment cycles was significantly superior to that in Rd group (all P <0.05). In D-Rd group of patients with ECOG 2 scores, the improvement of QLQ-C30 GHS and pain scores after 3, 6 and 12 treatment cycles was significantly superior to that in Rd group (all P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
Daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone can significantly improve OS in TIE NDMM patients without decrease of quality of life, especially in those with age≥75 years or ECOG 2 scores.
Humans
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Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy*
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Lenalidomide/therapeutic use*
;
Quality of Life
;
Dexamethasone/therapeutic use*
;
Retrospective Studies
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Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use*
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Female
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Stem Cell Transplantation
6.MYCN-Mediated Transcriptional Activation of IDH2 Enhances Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma through the HIF1-α Pathway.
Xiao Juan LIU ; Hui MA ; Xiao Yan LI ; Chun Xing MA ; Li Sha SHU ; Hui Ying ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):1003-1008
7.Analysis of Methadone-Related Poisoning Cases
Ze-Qi LI ; Lei XING ; Hui-Ge ZHANG ; Li-Rou HE ; Jia-Yi ZHANG ; Jia-Qi WANG ; Shi-Hao LIU ; Wei-Hong YANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(2):160-167
Objective To analyze the characteristics of methadone-related poisoning cases and provide a reference for forensic identification.Methods A total of 71 cases of methadone-related poisoning re-ported from 1998 to 2023 in China and 26 cases of methadone-related deaths reported from 2013 to 2018 in Italy were retrieved from databases including PubMed,Wanfang and CNKI.The general infor-mation,forensic pathological and toxicological characteristics were analyzed.Results Among the 71 methadone-related poisoning cases in China,there were 54 cases(76.06%)of poisoning without death and 17 cases(23.94%)of death from poisoning.There were 54 male cases(76.06%),and 51 cases(71.83%)aged 19 to 39 years old.There were 35 cases(49.30%)of poisoning caused by methadone alone,and 32 cases(45.07%)were poisoning caused by methadone combined with other substances or drugs including heroin and benzodiazepines.Most of the poisoned showed coma,respiratory depres-sion and miosis.Signs of asphyxia were often found by autopsy.The mass concentration of methadone detected in the blood of 6 deceased ranged from 0.112 to 3.000 mg/L.Among the 26 methadone-related deaths in Italy,22 cases were male(84.62%).There were 6 cases(23.08%)caused by methadone alone,and 20 cases(76.92%)died from methadone combined with other substances or drugs.The mass concentration of methadone in blood ranged from 0.181 to 4.059 mg/L.Conclusion The propor-tions of poisoning cases caused by methadone alone and methadone combined with other substances or drugs are comparable in China.The majority of deceased caused by methadone poisoning shows typi-cal triad of coma,respiratory depression and miosis,which helps forensic experts determine the cause of death related to methadone.Additionally,it is necessary to increase the routine testing of the con-centration of methadone and its combined substances or drugs in deceased,and collect data for the in-terpretation of the results of related cases.
8.Predictive analysis of NLR and TNF-α level for the efficacy of TACE combined with microwave ablation therapy in patients with massive liver cancer
Hui XING ; Ying TAN ; Xiuzhen WANG ; Rui LI ; Xia LIU
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(2):101-106
Objective:To explore the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) level on the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer.Methods:The medical records of 106 patients with massive liver cancer who underwent TACE combined with microwave ablation treatment in the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University from February 2020 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy was evaluated 6 weeks after surgery, and the patients were divided into remission group and non-remission group according to the therapeutic effect. The levels of NLR and TNF-α in the two groups were detected before surgery, 3 days after surgery and 7 days after surgery. Point two column correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the levels of NLR and TNF-α in different time periods and the therapeutic effect of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of NLR and TNF-α levels in different time periods for the therapeutic effect of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer.Results:Six weeks after surgery, out of 106 patients with massive liver cancer, 13 achieved complete remission, 48 achieved partial remission, 20 experienced disease progression, and 25 remained stable. The overall remission rate was 57.55% (61/106). Before surgery, the levels of NLR [ (2.26±0.13) vs. (2.43±0.12), t=6.87, P<0.001] and TNF-α [ (36.20±4.38) pg/ml vs. (42.74±5.74) pg/ml, t=6.66, P<0.001] in the remission group ( n=61) were lower than those in the non-remission group ( n=45), with statistically significant differences. At 3 days after surgery, there were no statistically significant difference in the levels of NLR [ (6.16±3.22) vs. (6.22±3.30), t=0.09, P=0.925] or TNF-α [ (48.84±7.22) pg/ml vs. (49.13±7.34) pg/ml, t=0.20, P=0.840] between the remission group and the non-remission group. At 7 days after surgery, the levels of NLR [ (2.60±0.18) vs. (2.82±0.26), t=5.15, P<0.001] and TNF-α [ (38.20±6.30) pg/ml vs. (45.57±5.79) pg/ml, t=6.16, P<0.001] in the remission group were lower than those in the non-remission group, with statistically significant differences. There were statistically significant differences in NLR and TNF-α levels before surgery, 3 days and 7 days after surgery between the remission group and the non-remission group ( F=82.43, P<0.001; F=54.45, P<0.001; F=76.23, P<0.001; F=15.61, P<0.001). Further pair-to-pair comparison showed that the levels of NLR and TNF-α were higher in both groups 3 and 7 days after surgery than before surgery, but the levels of NLR and TNF-α were lower in both groups 7 days after surgery than 3 days after surgery, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.005). Point two column correlation analysis showed that NLR level, TNF-α level and the efficacy of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer were significantly positively correlated before and 7 days after surgery ( r=0.42, P<0.001; r=0.49, P<0.001; r=0.43, P<0.001; r=0.46, P<0.001). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of NLR and TNF-α alone in predicting the efficacy of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer before and 7 days after surgery was 0.750 (95% CI: 0.656-0.844), 0.788 (95% CI: 0.699-0.877), 0.751 (95% CI: 0.652-0.850), 0.788 (95% CI: 0.700-0.876), respectively. The AUC of combined prediction of NLR and TNF-α before and 7 days after surgery were 0.818 (95% CI: 0.736-0.900) and 0.813 (95% CI: 0.730-0.897), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the AUC values of NLR and TNF-α alone or in combination for predicting the therapeutic effect of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer before and 7 days after surgery (all P>0.05) . Conclusions:The levels of NLR and TNF-α before and 7 days after surgery are related to the effect of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer, and the combination of NLR and TNF-α levels before and 7 days after surgery has certain value in predicting the effect of TACE combined with microwave ablation in patients with massive liver cancer.
9.A longitudinal follow-up study of cognitive impairment and clinical transformation in early Parkinson′s disease patients
Jingzhe LI ; Xiaoran HUANG ; Weiguo LIU ; Yi XING ; Yiting CAO ; Zhehao ZHANG ; Yongxin HUI
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(7):768-776
Objective:To explore the characteristics and evolutionary features of cognitive impairment and clinical transformation in early-stage Parkinson′s disease (PD) patients.Methods:Based on the cohort of patients with primary unmedicated PD admitted to the Parkinson′s Specialized Outpatient Clinic of Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2018 to July 2022, follow-up was conducted for PD patients who completed the baseline assessment and had a follow-up time of 1.5 years or more, and a total of 87 patients finally completed the follow-up and were included in the study. At follow-up, the 87 patients were divided into a cognitively impaired group ( n=36) and a cognitively normal group ( n=51) according to the norm proposed by Professor Jia Jianping and colleagues in 2011 for the Chinese elderly population. Differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups were compared, and binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for cognitive impairment in PD patients. In addition, transformed grouping according to cognitive assessment results at baseline and follow-up was used to compare differences in patients′ baseline clinical characteristics among the 3 groups: a reversal group [Parkinson′s disease-mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), reverting to Parkinson′s disease-cognitively normal (PD-CN); n=15], a non-reversal group (persistent PD-MCI; n=24), and a stable group (stable PD-CN; n=36). Results:Cognitive reversal occurred at follow-up in 36.6% (15/41) of patients with cognitive impairment at baseline, and 21.7% (10/46) of patients with normal cognition at baseline had cognitive impairment at follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, the 87 patients with PD had higher Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Ⅱ (UPDRS-II) scores [8 (6, 11)], Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) scores [23 (16, 30)], and Hoehn-Yahr stages [2.0 (1.5, 2.5)] than those at baseline [7(4, 10), 19(14, 25), 1.5(1.0, 2.0)]. The differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.498, P=0.012; Z=-3.039, P=0.002; Z=-4.436, P<0.001). The cognitively impaired group had lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores [22.00(19.00, 23.75)] and fewer years of education [9.00(8.00, 11.75) years] but higher Parkinson′s Disease Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (PD-NMSQ) scores [8.00(5.25, 12.00)] than the cognitively normal group [25.00(24.00, 27.00), 12.00(9.00, 15.00) years, 6.00(3.00, 8.00)], and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-4.764, P<0.001; Z=-3.016, P=0.003; Z=-3.281, P=0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that years of education ( OR=0.829, 95%CI 0.715-0.960, P=0.012) and PD-NMSQ scores ( OR=1.200, 95%CI 1.040-1.384, P=0.012) were independent predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with PD. There were statistically significant differences among the reversal, non-reversal, and stable groups in years of education ( F=5.366, P=0.010), PD-NMSQ scores ( H=10.795, P=0.005), and UPDRS-Ⅱ scores ( H=6.957, P=0.031). Pairwise comparisons showed lower PD-NMSQ scores [4.00(3.00, 7.00) vs 8.00(6.25, 12.75); Z=-2.989, P=0.003] and lower UPDRS-Ⅱ scores [6.00(3.00, 6.00) vs 7.00(6.00, 10.00); Z=-2.756, P=0.006] in the reversal group than in the non-reversal group, indicating better baseline quality of life in cognitive reversal patients. Conclusions:Low educational level and severe non-motor symptoms were risk factors predicting cognitive impairment in PD patients. Conversely, mild non-motor symptoms with high quality of life (lower UPDRS-Ⅱ scores) were important factors for cognitive reversal.
10.Effect of Xiongcan Yishen Formula on ferroptosis in testicular tissue of male rats with late-onset hypogonadism
Ajian PENG ; Haoyu WANG ; Chun YANG ; Wei LIU ; Gang NING ; Hui WU ; Xing ZHOU ; Shun ZENG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(11):1014-1020
Objective To explore the effect of Xiongcan Yishen Formula on ferroptosis in testicular tissue of male rats with late-onset hypogonadism(LOH).Methods A total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6 months were randomly divided into model group,low-dose and high-dose Xiongcan Yishen Formula groups and propionate testosterone group,with 12 rats in each group.An additional 6 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were set as the normal group.Except for the normal group,the rats were intraperitoneally injected with Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 20 mg/(kg·d)for 5 consecutive days to establish the LOH model,while the normal group received an equal volume of physiological saline for 5 days.The normal group and model group were given equal volumes of distilled water by gavage,while the low-dose and high-dose Xiongcan Yishen Formula groups were administered concentrated decoction at doses of 10.4 g and 41.6 g/kg/d respectively,and the propionate testosterone group received intramuscular injections of 5.21 mg/kg/d propionate testosterone,all for 28 consecutive days.ELISA was used to detect serum testosterone levels in rats,HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the gross morphology of testicular tissue and the ultrastructure of Leydig cells,and RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related genes and proteins in testicular tissue.Results The LOH model rats exhibited pathological changes such as atrophy of seminiferous tubules,structural disorder,and reduced spermatocytes in the lumen,as well as ultrastructural changes in Leydig cells including altered nuclear morphology,increased mitochondrial density,and reduced cristae.After intervention with Xiongcan Yishen Formula and propionate testosterone,the pathological changes in testis and the ultrastructure of Leydig cells were improved.Compared with the normal group,serum testosterone levels in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expression of ROS,ACSL4 mRNA and protein in testicular tissue was significantly increased,while the expression of FTH1,GPX4,and SLC7A11 mRNA and protein was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,ser-um testosterone levels in the low-dose and high-dose Xiongcan Yishen Formula groups and the propionate testosterone group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of ROS,ACSL4 mRNA and protein was significantly decreased(P<0.05);the high-dose Xiongcan Yishen Formula group showed significantly increased expression of FTH1,GPX4,and SLC7A11 mRNA and protein(P<0.05).Conclusion Ferroptosis in testicular tissue is increased in LOH rats,and Xiongcan Yishen For-mula can elevate serum testosterone levels and improve pathological changes and ultrastructure in testicular tissue of LOH rats,possibly related to the inhibition of ferroptosis in testicular tissue of LOH rats.

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