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

Purpose::Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common functional injuries observed in trauma patients. However, certain trauma medications may exacerbate renal injury. Therefore, the early detection of trauma-related AKI holds paramount importance in improving trauma prognosis.Methods::Qualified datasets were selected from public databases, and common differentially expressed genes related to trauma-induced AKI and hub genes were identified through enrichment analysis and the establishment of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Additionally, the specificity of these hub genes was investigated using the sepsis dataset and conducted a comprehensive literature review to assess their plausibility. The raw data from both datasets were downloaded using R software (version 4.2.1) and processed with the "affy" package19 for correction and normalization.Results::Our analysis revealed 585 upregulated and 629 downregulated differentially expressed genes in the AKI dataset, along with 586 upregulated and 948 downregulated differentially expressed genes in the trauma dataset. Concurrently, the establishment of the PPI network and subsequent topological analysis highlighted key hub genes, including CD44, CD163, TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1, cytochrome b-245 beta chain, versican, membrane spanning 4-domains A4A, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14, and early growth response 1. Notably, their receiver operating characteristic curves displayed areas exceeding 75%, indicating good diagnostic performance. Moreover, our findings postulated a unique molecular mechanism underlying trauma-related AKI. Conclusion::This study presents an alternative strategy for the early diagnosis and treatment of trauma-related AKI, based on the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Additionally, this study provides theoretical references for elucidating the mechanisms of trauma-related AKI.

Purpose::Mannitol is one of the first-line drugs for reducing cerebral edema through increasing the extracellular osmotic pressure. However, long-term administration of mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema triggers damage to neurons and astrocytes. Given that neural stem cell (NSC) is a subpopulation of main regenerative cells in the central nervous system after injury, the effect of mannitol on NSC is still elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mannitol in NSC proliferation.Methods::C57 mice were derived from the animal house of Zunyi Medical University. A total of 15 pregnant mice were employed for the purpose of isolating NSCs in this investigation. Initially, mouse primary NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cortex of mice and subsequently identified through immunofluorescence staining. In order to investigate the impact of mannitol on NSC proliferation, both cell counting kit-8 assays and neurospheres formation assays were conducted. The in vitro effects of mannitol were examined at various doses and time points. In order to elucidate the role of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the suppressive effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation, various assays including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were conducted on control and mannitol-treated groups. Additionally, the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined to explore the potential mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation. Finally, to further confirm the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent (MAPK) signaling pathway in the observed inhibition of NSC proliferation by mannitol, SB203580 was employed. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The statistical analysis among multiple comparisons was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's post hoc test in case of the data following a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Comparisons between 2 groups were determined using Student's t-test, if the data exhibited a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, data were shown as median and interquartile range and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, if the data failed the normality test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant difference. Results::Primary NSC were isolated from the mice, and the characteristics were identified using immunostaining analysis. Thereafter, the results indicated that mannitol held the capability of inhibiting NSC proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner using cell counting kit-8, neurospheres formation, and immunostaining of Nestin and Ki67 assays. During the process of mannitol suppressing NSC proliferation, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was downregulated, while the gene expression of p-p38 was elevated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining, and western blotting assays. Subsequently, the administration of SB203580, one of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, partially abrogated this inhibitory effect resulting from mannitol, supporting the fact that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway participated in curbing NSC proliferation induced by mannitol.Conclusions::Mannitol inhibits NSC proliferation through downregulating AQP4, while upregulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK.

Objective:To analyze the perioperative data of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who were surgically treated by unilateral biportal endoscopy-unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression (UBE-ULBD) technique, and to explore the occurrence, clinical features, and influencing factors for perioperative complications.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 77 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent UBE-ULBD surgery in the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from June 2021 to June 2023 was performed, of which 28 were males and 49 were females, with a mean age of (67.61±15.29) years. The baseline data, surgery-related information, and complications and subjective scores during the perioperative and follow-up periods of the patients were collected. Continuous variables were tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and the Student- t test and analysis of variance for repeated measures information were used for comparison between groups; non-normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as median (interquartile distance) [ M( Q1, Q3)], and and non-parametric tests were used for comparison between groups. Categorical variables were expressed as number of cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Variables were analyzed using univariate analysis, and indicators with statistically significant differences in the results of univariate analysis were further included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis to further clarify the independent risk factors for the occurrence of complications. Results:According to the occurrence of postoperative complications, the patients were divided into the non-complication group ( n=73) and the complication group ( n=4). The complication group included 2 cases of dural tear, 1 case of postoperative residual symptoms, and 1 case of postoperative epidural hematoma. Compared with the preoperative results, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and visual analogue score (VAS) for low back pain and leg pain on the first day after surgery were improved, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01). Compared with the first day after surgery, except for the ODI scores, the VAS scores for low back pain and leg pain were improved at the third month after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant ( P< 0.01). The differences in intraoperative blood loss and operative time between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The variables with statistically significant differences in univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis, and the results indicated that prolonged operative time was an independent risk factor for perioperative complications in patients ( OR=1.031, 95% CI: 1.000-1.054, P=0.030). Conclusions:As an effective minimally invasive spinal endoscopic technique for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, the UBE-ULBD technique has the advantages of lower complication rates and faster postoperative recovery. Improvement of surgical proficiency by the operator and appropriate shortening of operative time can help to reduce the incidence of complications such as dural tear.

The global patent data on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)in IncomPat Global Patent Database as of August 29,2022 were retrieved.The development trend and layout of ECMO industry were analyzed in terms of global patent application trend,patent distribution,patent technology,major patent applicants and their patent layout.Some suggestions were put forward for the innovation and development of ECMO industry in China so as to provide references for the formulation of national industrial policy,planning of industry technology direction and enterprise technology research and development and patent layout.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(10):68-75]

Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.

An epidemiological investigation was conducted on a cluster epidemic of COVID-19 in the vaccinated population in Beijing in 2022, and serum samples were collected from 21 infected cases and 61 close contacts (including 20 cases with positive nucleic acid in the isolation observation period). The results of antibody detection showed that the IgM antibody of two infected persons was positive, and the IgG antibody positive rates of patients who were converted, not converted to positive and infected persons were 36.84% (7/19), 63.41% (26/41) and 71.43% (15/21), respectively. About 98.78% of patients had been vaccinated with the SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine. The positive rate of IgG antibody in patients immunized with three doses of vaccine was 86.00% (43/50), which was higher than that in patients with one or two doses [16.12% (5/31)]. The antibody level of M (Q₁, Q₃) in patients immunized with three doses was 4.255 (2.303, 7.0375), which was higher than that in patients with one or two doses [0.500 (0.500, 0.500)] (all P values<0.001). The antibody level of patients who were vaccinated less than three months [7.335 (1.909, 7.858)] was higher than that of patients vaccinated more than three months after the last vaccination [2.125 (0.500, 4.418)] (P=0.007). The positive rate and level of IgG antibody in patients who were converted to positive after three doses were 77.78% (7/9) and 4.207 (2.216, 7.099), respectively, which were higher than those in patients who were converted after one or two doses [0 and 0.500 (0.500, 0.500)] (all P values<0.05).
Humans ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Disease Outbreaks ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Immunoglobulin G ; Antibodies, Viral

Objective:To investigate various clinical treatment measures for thoracolumbar fractures and provide new diagnosis and treatment methods.Methods:The case data of 5 patients(3 males, 2 females, and the age ranged from 39 to 59 years with an average of 51 years) with thoracolumbar fractures were treated with Waveflex semi-rigid internaI fixation system from May 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, imaging indexes and clinical effects were followed up, and analyzed and summarized in combination with relevant literatures.Results:The operations of all 5 patients were successfully completed, and the follow-up period was 6 months. At the last follow-up, the internal fixation position was good, the height of the injured vertebra was maintained satisfactorily, and the clinical effect was satisfactory.Conclusion:Waveflex semi-rigid internal fixation system combines the advantages of fusion and non-fusion, providing a new idea for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, but its long-term effect still needs further follow-up.

Humans ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics* ; Mutation, Missense ; Proline Oxidase/genetics*

Aim To investigate the effect of Sijunzi Decoction on mRNA and protein expression related to growth and cell cycle in polyamine/HuR signaling pathway during small intestinal epithelial cell (IEC-6) proliferation, and to explore its mechanism on intestinal mucosal injury repair. Methods Sijunzi Decoction-containing serum (SJZD) was prepared from SD rats, the expression of HuR protein in cytoplasm and nucleus was analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot, the mRNA level of activating transcription factor-2 (A T F - 2), JunD and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), Western blot was used to detect protein level of HuR, ATF-2, JunD and CDK4, and flow cytometry was applied to analyse cell cycle distribution. Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression of ATF-2 and JunD decreased, while the expression of Cdk4 mRNA and protein increased in SZJD group, and the proportion of G