Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

The patient, an 11-year-old girl, was admitted with recurrent fever for 20 days, worsening with abdominal distension for 7 days. Upon admission, she presented with recurrent fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, polyserositis, and multiple organ dysfunction. Lymph node pathology and clinical manifestations confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease-TAFRO syndrome. Treatment with siltuximab combined with glucocorticoids was initiated, followed by maintenance therapy with tocilizumab. The patient is currently in complete clinical remission. Therefore, once a child is diagnosed with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease -TAFRO syndrome, early use of siltuximab should be considered for rapid disease control, followed by tocilizumab for maintenance therapy.
Humans ; Castleman Disease/drug therapy* ; Child ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage*

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

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective To explore the early clinical manifestations,random cortisol levels,and management of late-onset circulatory collapse(LCC)in preterm infants.Methods Preterm infants with LCC from October to December 2023 at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included.Maternal perinatal factors and infants'early clinical symptoms,signs,random serum cortisol levels,treatment,and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.Results Seven preterm infants with LCC were included,with gestational ages of 25 weeks+2 days to 29 weeks and birth weights of 800-1 150 g.At 3 weeks of age,abnormal weight gain[gain rate:21-28.5 g/(kg·d)],generalized edema,low serum sodium(129.5-135.2 mmol/L),and decreased random serum cortisol concentrations(13.6-44.6 nmol/L)were observed.After 1-2 weeks of hydrocortisone treatment,edema subsided and serum sodium increased.Conclusions In clinically stable preterm infants,early manifestations of LCC include abnormal weight gain,generalized edema,recurrent hyponatremia,and decreased random serum cortisol concentrations.Hydrocortisone treatment effectively improves symptoms.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene and to evaluate the prognostic value of this gene.Methods:Retrospective cohort study.A total of 2 164 B-ALL children aged 0-18 years diagnosed and treated at 19 pediatric centers from October 2016 to June 2022 were enrolled.They were divided into the positive group and the negative group according to whether they carried a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene.The clinical characteristics, treatment response, adverse reactions, and prognosis of the 2 groups of patients were analyzed.The rank sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare two and more than two groups of numerical variables, respectively.Fisher′s exact test was used to compare categorical variables.Results:Among the 2 164 patients, 116 (5.4%) were TCF3: : PBX1 positive, of which 70 patients were female, accounting for 60.3%.There were 840 female patients in the TCF3: : PBX1-negative group, accounting for 41.0%.There was a significant difference in the ratio of females between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive and TCF3: : PBX1-negative groups ( P<0.001).No significant difference was observed in age of onset between the two groups( P>0.05).The proportion of bone marrow naive cells [54.00 (14.00, 76.50)% vs.29.00 (3.00, 68.00)%], white blood cell counts [25.30 (10.46, 60.94)×10 9/L vs.9.03 (4.38, 30.73)×10 9/L] and hemoglobin counts [82.00(63.00, 101.00) g/L vs.74.00(60.00, 90.00) g/L] in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group were significantly higher than those in the negative group at the onset (all P<0.05).In terms of treatment response, the proportion of peripheral blood naive cells on Day 8 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group [2.00 (0, 9.00)% vs.0 (0, 2.00)%, P<0.001].The proportion of minimal residual disease <0.1% on Day 15 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group ( P=0.038).There were no significant differences in cumulative recurrence rate, treatment-related mortality (TRM), and overall survival (OS) between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group and TCF3: : PBX1-negative group (all P>0.05).The cumulative recurrence risk of TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients was 9.646 times higher than that of ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients with better prognosis( HR=9.646, 95% CI: 1.026-90.700, P=0.047).There were no significant differences in TRM and OS between TCF3: : PBX1-positive and ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients (all P>0.05).A significant enrichment of PAX5 mutations was detected in TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients.Among the 7 high-risk TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients in a single center, 4 patients had PAX5 mutations, and this proportion was significantly higher than that in other patients ( P<0.001). Conclusions:B-ALL children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene have a high remission rate and good long-term prognosis after intensive chemotherapy.It is suggesting that TCF3: : PBX1-positive B-ALL patients should be rated at intermediate risk to receive intensive chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum nesfatin-1(NSF-1)and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-Ⅰ(sTNFR-Ⅰ)with premature rupture of membrane(PROM)in patients with severe preeclampsia(SPE),and their effects on pregnancy outcomes.Methods A total of 84 patients diagnosed with SPE in the Obstetrics Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from April 2023 to April 2024 were selected and grouped into the PROM and non-PROM groups based on whether they had PROM.The pregnant women were separated into good and poor pregnancy groups based on their pregnancy outcomes.Logistic regres-sion analysis was performed to assess the factors influencing PROM in patients with SPE and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to analyze the value of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ in the evaluation and prediction of PROM in patients with SPE,as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM.Results Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group(P＜0.05).In addition,serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly higher in the PROM group than in the non-PROM group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were risk factors for PROM in patients with SPE(P＜0.05).Based on the ROC curve,the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ levels combined to assess PROM in patients with SPE was 0.887,and the combination of the two was superior to their respective individual predictions(Z=2.601,Z=2.585,both P＜0.05).Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ in the poor pregnancy group were significantly higher than those in the good pregnancy group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ levels were risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM(P＜0.05).Based on the ROC curve,the AUC of the combination of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM was 0.908,and the combination of the two was better than their respective individual predictions(Z=2.534,Z=2.556,both P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly increased in patients with SPE,and both were related to PROM.Elevated levels of both proteins can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of different programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).Methods:All randomized controlled trials (RCT) of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for the first-line treatment of ES-SCLC from the establishment of the database to March 2025 were searched in CNKI database, Wanfang database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal database, China Biomedical Literature Service System, PubMed database, Cochrane Library database and Embase database. Literatures were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted. A network meta-analysis was performed using R 4.3.1 software to analyze the survival and safety of patients with ES-SCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy±placebo first-line treatment.Results:A total of 8 RCT involving 3 832 patients with ES-SCLC were included in this analysis. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors included pembrolizumab, serplulimab, toripalimab, tislelizumab, adebrelimab, durvalumab, atezolizumab and benmelstobart, and benmelstobart combined with anti-vascular targeted drug anlotinib; the chemotherapy regimen was etoposide combined with platinum-based drugs. Except for durvalumab combined with chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone, the control group of the rest was chemotherapy combined with placebo. The included study data were complete and the risk of bias was small, and there was no closed loop in the outcome measures, so the consistency model was uniformly used for analysis. The results of network meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy benefited the progression-free survival (PFS) of patients (all P < 0.05), among which benmelstobart and anlotinib combined with chemotherapy had the best improvement in PFS ( HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.25-0.40, P < 0.05), and this regimen could benefit the PFS of patients more than other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy and serplulimab combined with chemotherapy could benefit the PFS of patients more than pembrolizumab, toripalimab, adebrelimab, durvalumab, and atezolizumab combined with chemotherapy (all P < 0.05). The results of network meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, all PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy benefited the overall survival (OS) of patients (all P < 0.05), among which benmelstobart and anlotinib combined with chemotherapy had the best improvement in OS ( HR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47-0.79, P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in OS benefit between each PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy (all P > 0.05). Ranking of the efficacy of all interventions, the P-scores for PFS and OS were the highest for benmelstobart and anlotinib combined with chemotherapy, which were 0.99 and 0.89, respectively. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that, except for the higher risk of ≥ grade 3 adverse reactions in benmelstobart and anlotinib combined with chemotherapy group compared to the control group ( OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.09-3.73, P < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of ≥ grade 3 adverse reactions between the other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy group and the control group, or between all PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy groups (all P > 0.05). Among all PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy regimens, the tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy regimen had the lowest incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse reactions, with a P-score of 0.70. Conclusions:For the first-line treatment of ES-SCLC patients, the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy regimen has better survival benefits than chemotherapy regimen. Among them, compared with other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, benmelstobart and anlotinib may benefit patients' survival more, but its related adverse reactions should be noted.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum nesfatin-1(NSF-1)and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-Ⅰ(sTNFR-Ⅰ)with premature rupture of membrane(PROM)in patients with severe preeclampsia(SPE),and their effects on pregnancy outcomes.Methods A total of 84 patients diagnosed with SPE in the Obstetrics Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from April 2023 to April 2024 were selected and grouped into the PROM and non-PROM groups based on whether they had PROM.The pregnant women were separated into good and poor pregnancy groups based on their pregnancy outcomes.Logistic regres-sion analysis was performed to assess the factors influencing PROM in patients with SPE and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to analyze the value of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ in the evaluation and prediction of PROM in patients with SPE,as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM.Results Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group(P＜0.05).In addition,serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly higher in the PROM group than in the non-PROM group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were risk factors for PROM in patients with SPE(P＜0.05).Based on the ROC curve,the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ levels combined to assess PROM in patients with SPE was 0.887,and the combination of the two was superior to their respective individual predictions(Z=2.601,Z=2.585,both P＜0.05).Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ in the poor pregnancy group were significantly higher than those in the good pregnancy group(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ levels were risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM(P＜0.05).Based on the ROC curve,the AUC of the combination of serum NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with PROM was 0.908,and the combination of the two was better than their respective individual predictions(Z=2.534,Z=2.556,both P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of NSF-1 and sTNFR-Ⅰ were significantly increased in patients with SPE,and both were related to PROM.Elevated levels of both proteins can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.