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 ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

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 To evaluate the predictive value of dose-surface histogram(DSH)for radiation proctitis(RP)in prostate cancer(PCa)patients undergoing radiotherapy.Methods This prospective randomized controlled clinical trial included 380 PCa patients who underwent image-guided radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Northern University from January 2018 to January 2023.Patients were randomly divided into observation group(n=200)and control group(n=180).The rectal dose distribution of patients in the two groups was evaluated by using DSH and dose-volume histogram(DVH),respectively.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was utilized to evaluate the predictive value of DSH for acute RP,with DVH serving as a reference.Results The difference was not statistically significant in clinical information such as age,KPS score,and body mass index(BMI)between the observation and control groups(P＞0.05),as well as in acute RP incidence(P＞0.05).There were significant differences in S40 and V40,S50 and V50,S60 and V60,S70 and V70,and S78 and V78 between the two groups(P＜0.05).S40,S50,V40,and V50 showed low efficacy(P＜0.001)in predicting acute RP at each level,with AUC≤0.700.S60 and V60 showed moderate efficacy(P＜0.001)in predicting acute RP at each level,with AUC 0.700-0.900.S70,S78,V70 and V78 showed high efficacy(P＜0.001)in predicting acute RP at each level,with AUC＞0.900.Conclusions The predictive value of DSH for rectal toxicity in patients with PCa is basically consistent with that of DVH.It is expected to become a novel and valuable tool for evaluating radiotherapy plans in the future.

Objective:To construct a key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification,providing scientific guidance for drafting each section of Mini-HTA research reports,enhancing their standardization,scientific rigor,and completeness,thereby improving the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.Methods:Based on preliminary literature review and qualitative systematic review,a pool of problem items for the Mini-HTA report specification was formed.Delphi questionnaires were distributed,and the Delphi technique was employed through two rounds of expert consultation to optimize and select key items.Results:Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation,the initial Mini-HTA report specification item checklist was screened,integrated,and supplemented.A finalized key item checklist was constructed,comprising 8 first-level items(Title,Abstract,Introduction,Methods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,and Other Relevant Information)and 48 second-level items.Conclusion:The constructed key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification provides scientific guidance for drafting Mini-HTA research reports.It helps enhance the standardization and transparency of the assessment process and the reliability of results,thereby optimizing the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.

Objective To explore the effect of curcumin(CUR)on oxidative damage of keratinocytes induced by ultraviolet B(UVB)irradiation through Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods Human keratinocytes of HaCaT were cultured normally in vitro,and the keratinocyte oxidative damage model was established by the irradiation of 57 mJ/cm2 UVB.The cells with normal culture were as the control group,the cells treated after modeling were as the UVB group,the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR after modeling were as the CUR group,the cells treated with 100 μg/L TLR4 inhibitor of TAK-242 after modeling were as the TAK-242 group,and the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR and 100 nmol/L TLR4 activator of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were as the CUR+LPS group.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4,NF-κB,and NLRP3 mRNAs of cells in each group.CCK-8 was applied to detect the cell proliferation in each group.The relative content of reactive oxygen species(ROS),the viabilities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT),and the concentrations of glutathione(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)of cells in each group were detected by fluorescence assay according to the kit instruction.ELISA kit was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)of cells in each group.Flow cytometry was applied to detect the cell apoptosis in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation related protein of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),apoptosis related proteins[B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)],and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins(TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3)of cells in each group.Results Compared with the Control group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the UVB group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Compared with the UVB group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the TAK-242 group and CUR group increased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CUR group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the CUR+LPS group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Conclusion CUR can increase the antioxidant stress level of keratinocytes,alleviate inflammatory response,promote cell proliferation,and improve cell damage caused by UVB irradiation,which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To construct a key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification,providing scientific guidance for drafting each section of Mini-HTA research reports,enhancing their standardization,scientific rigor,and completeness,thereby improving the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.Methods:Based on preliminary literature review and qualitative systematic review,a pool of problem items for the Mini-HTA report specification was formed.Delphi questionnaires were distributed,and the Delphi technique was employed through two rounds of expert consultation to optimize and select key items.Results:Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation,the initial Mini-HTA report specification item checklist was screened,integrated,and supplemented.A finalized key item checklist was constructed,comprising 8 first-level items(Title,Abstract,Introduction,Methods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,and Other Relevant Information)and 48 second-level items.Conclusion:The constructed key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification provides scientific guidance for drafting Mini-HTA research reports.It helps enhance the standardization and transparency of the assessment process and the reliability of results,thereby optimizing the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.

Objective To explore the effect of curcumin(CUR)on oxidative damage of keratinocytes induced by ultraviolet B(UVB)irradiation through Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods Human keratinocytes of HaCaT were cultured normally in vitro,and the keratinocyte oxidative damage model was established by the irradiation of 57 mJ/cm2 UVB.The cells with normal culture were as the control group,the cells treated after modeling were as the UVB group,the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR after modeling were as the CUR group,the cells treated with 100 μg/L TLR4 inhibitor of TAK-242 after modeling were as the TAK-242 group,and the cells treated with 5 μmol/L CUR and 100 nmol/L TLR4 activator of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were as the CUR+LPS group.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4,NF-κB,and NLRP3 mRNAs of cells in each group.CCK-8 was applied to detect the cell proliferation in each group.The relative content of reactive oxygen species(ROS),the viabilities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT),and the concentrations of glutathione(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)of cells in each group were detected by fluorescence assay according to the kit instruction.ELISA kit was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)of cells in each group.Flow cytometry was applied to detect the cell apoptosis in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation related protein of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),apoptosis related proteins[B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)],and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins(TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3)of cells in each group.Results Compared with the Control group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the UVB group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Compared with the UVB group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the TAK-242 group and CUR group increased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CUR group,the cell survival rate,the expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins,the viabilities of SOD and CAT,and the GSH concentration in the CUR+LPS group decreased,while the apoptosis rate,the level of Bax protein,the relative content of ROS,the concentration of MDA,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4,NF-κB and NLRP3 increased(P<0.05).Conclusion CUR can increase the antioxidant stress level of keratinocytes,alleviate inflammatory response,promote cell proliferation,and improve cell damage caused by UVB irradiation,which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, its deployment within the medical sector presents substantial ethical challenges. Consequently, it becomes crucial to create a standardized, transparent, and secure framework for processing medical data. This includes setting the ethical boundaries for medical artificial intelligence and safeguarding both patient rights and data integrity. This consensus governs every facet of medical data handling through artificial intelligence, encompassing data gathering, processing, storage, transmission, utilization, and sharing. Its purpose is to ensure the management of medical data adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements, while safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Concurrently, the principles of compliance with the law, patient privacy respect, patient interest protection, and safety and reliability are underscored. Key issues such as informed consent, data usage, intellectual property protection, conflict of interest, and benefit sharing are examined in depth. The enactment of this expert consensus is intended to foster the profound integration and sustainable advancement of artificial intelligence within the medical domain, while simultaneously ensuring that artificial intelligence adheres strictly to the relevant ethical norms and legal frameworks during the processing of medical data.
Artificial Intelligence/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Computer Security/standards* ; Confidentiality/ethics* ; Informed Consent/ethics*

Objective:To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) in boys.Methods:Cross-sectional study.Clinical data, laboratory data and genetic results of boys who were genetically diagnosed with CHH at the Department of Endocrinology of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from December 2019 to February 2023 were collected in this retrospective study.Their clinical manifestations, hormone levels and gene mutations were analyzed.The non-normal distribution was represented by the median.The rank sum test was used to compare the non-normal distribution data between the two groups.Results:A total of 27 boys were genetically diagnosed with CHH, with the age at first diagnosis ranging from 0.3 to 16.6 years old.All these children presented with micropenis (100%), of whom 16 were complicated with cryptorchidism (59.3%), 9 with microrchidia (33.3%), 7 with simple micropenis (25.9%), and no had simple cryptorchidism.Three children had cardiovascular dysplasia.The median of basal luteinizing hormone(LH) level was 0.09 IU/L, and 92.5%(25/27) of children had the basal LH level below 1.00 IU/L.The median of peak LH level after gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) stimulation was 1.42 IU/L, and 96.2%(26/27) of children had the peak LH level below 4.00 IU/L.The median of serum inhibin B was 41.15 μg/L, and the median of serum anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) was 12.62 mg/L.The serum AMH level of children with cryptorchidism was significantly lower than that of children without cryptorchidism (10.02 mg/L vs.50.50 mg/L, P<0.05). A total of 12 gene mutations were detected in the 27 children, of which 1 was biallelic mutation.The most common gene mutations were in CHD7 and ANOS1 genes (7 children each, both accounting for 51.8%), followed by FGFR1 gene (3 children, 11.1%). After short-term treatment by GnRH pump or subcutaneous injection of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone in 4 children, the levels of serum inhibin B and AMH increased significantly, and the testicular volume also increased. Conclusions:CHH is a congenital disease with different clinical manifestations at different ages.The main manifestations in childhood are micropenis and cryptorchidism, and some children have microrchidia.Its diagnosis in prepuberty is difficult, but genetic testing is of great significance for early diagnosis.

Objective To construct a recombinant poxvirus vector vaccine, rVTTδTK-RBD, and to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity. Methods The receptor-binding domain (RBD) gene was synthesized with reference to the gene sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was inserted into the polyclonal site of the self-constructed recombinant plasmid pSTKE, to construct the recombinant poxvirus shuttle vector pSTKE-RBD. This was then transfected into BHK-21 cells pre-infected with the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VTT). The recombinant poxvirus rVTTδTK-RBD was successfully obtained after several rounds of fluorescence phage screening. The effect of rVTTδTK-RBD on the body mass of BALB/c mice was detected after immunizing mice by intra-nasal vaccination. The levels of specific and neutralizing antibodies produced by rVTTδTK-RBD on BALB/c mice were analyzed after immunizing mice intramuscularly. The effect of rVTTδTK-RBD on T cell subsets in BALB/c mice was detected by flow cytometry. Results Through homologous recombination, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) screening marker, and multiple rounds of fluorescent phosphorescence phage screening, a recombinant poxvirus rVTTδTK-RBD, expressing RBD with deletions in the thymidine kinase (TK) gene, was successfully obtained, which was validated by PCR. The in vivo experiments on BALB/c mice showed that rVTTδTK-RBD was highly immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduced toxicity to the body compared to the parental strain VTT. Conclusion The recombinant poxvirus vaccine rVTTδTK-RBD against SARS-CoV-2 is successfully constructed and obtained, with its safety and immunogenicity confirmed through various experiments.
Animals ; Mice ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; COVID-19 ; Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics* ; Genes, Reporter ; Bacteriophages ; Mice, Inbred BALB C