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

Abstract On September 26, 2024, a municipal hospital in Jiaxing City reported a maternal case of Listeria monocytogenes infection. In order to clarify the source of infection, the Jiaxing Center for Disease Control and Prevention immediately conducted the epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and related disposal work. The case presented with fever (37.9 ℃), gradually intensifying paroxysmal abdominal pain without obvious cause, and went to hospital on the day of onset. Due to fetal intrauterine distress, a male infant was delivered by cesarean section on the same day. The epidemiological investigation identified that the case usually consumed fruits, often store fruits such as watermelon and grapes in the refrigerator alongside raw meat, and the refrigerator had never been cleaned or disinfected, posing a risk of cross contamination. Laboratory tests on amniotic fluid sample from the pregnant woman, infant blood sample showed positive results for Listeria monocytogenes infection. One strain of Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a smear sample from the inner wall of the refrigerator, and all the strains were ST2 type. Consuming fruits contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may be the main source of infection. Food safety education for pregnant women and their family members should be strengthened to reduce the risk of infection.

Objective: To explore the impact of heat wave on the incidence of foodborne diseases, so as to provide the basis for preventing foodborne diseases in summer. Methods: Data on foodborne disease cases from June to September each year in Jiaxing City from 2018 to 2023 were collected through the Zhejiang Provincial Foodborne Disease Surveillance Platform. Meteorological data were obtained from the Jiaxing Meteorological Bureau. Air quality data were collected from the National Urban Air Quality Real-time Release Platform. Heat wave were defined based on temperature thresholds and durations. The impact of heat wave on the incidence of foodborne diseases were analyzed by a time stratified case-crossover design with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM). The cumulative relative risk (CRR) and attributable fraction (AF) were calculated to compare the cumulative lagged risks and disease burdens across different genders, age groups, and disease types. Results: From June to September each year between 2018 and 2023, a total of 13 026 foodborne disease cases were reported in Jiaxing City, including 6 646 male cases and 6 380 female cases. Among them, 746 cases were aged <15 years, 10 910 cases were aged 15-65 years, and 1 370 cases were aged >65 years. There were 1 425 cases of infectious diarrhea, 9 956 cases of acute gastroenteritis, and 1 645 cases of other foodborne diseases. The DLNM analysis revealed that heat waves defined in different ways increased the risk of foodborne diseases (all CRR>1, P<0.05), and the risk of disease incidence rose with increasing temperature thresholds and durations. When the daily mean temperature was not lower than the 95th percentile of the daily mean temperature from 2018 to 2023 and lasted for at least 4 days, the Akaike Information Criterion was minimized, and the cumulative lagged risk and disease burden of foodborne diseases were relatively high, with a CRR value of 1.32 (95%CI: 1.09-1.60) and an AF value of 2.81% (95%CI: 1.05%-4.31%). Among them, females, individuals aged 15-65 years, and cases of acute gastroenteritis were more significantly affected by heat wave days, with CRR values of 1.37 (95%CI: 1.12-1.67), 1.35 (95%CI: 1.06-1.73), and 1.35 (95%CI: 1.09-1.66), respectively, and AF values of 3.00% (95%CI: 0.82%-4.73%), 3.08% (95%CI: 1.27%-4.61%), and 3.00% (95%CI: 1.04%-4.64%), respectively. Conclusions Heat wave have lagged and cumulative effects on the risk of foodborne disease incidence, increasing both the risk and disease burden. Females, individuals aged 15-65 years, and cases of acute gastroenteritis are more significantly affected by heat wave days.

Objective To analyze the high risk factors of obstetric brachial plexus palsy(OBPP),and to explore how to evaluate the relationship between fault medical behavior and OBPP in the process of medical damage forensic identification.Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on 25 cases of medical damage liability disputes related to OBPP from 2017 to 2021 in Beijing Fayuan Judicial Science Evidence Appraisal Center.The shortcomings of hospitals in birth weight assessment,delivery mode selection,labor process observation and shoulder dystocia management,and the causal relation-ship between them and the damage consequences of the children were summarized.Results Fault medi-cal behavior was assessed as the primary cause in 2 cases,equal cause in 10 cases,secondary cause in 8 cases,minor cause in 1 case,no causal relationship in 1 case,and unclear causal force in 3 cases.Conclusion In the process of forensic identification of OBPP,whether medical behaviors fulfill diagno-sis and treatment obligations should be objectively analyzed from the aspects of prenatal evaluation,de-livery mode notification,standardized use of oxytocin,standard operation of shoulder dystocia,etc.Meanwhile,it is necessary to fully consider the objective risk of different risk factors and the diffi-culty of injury prevention,and comprehensively evaluate the causal force of fault medical behavior in the damage consequences.

ObjectiveBased on response surface methodology combined with principal component analysis（PCA）， the optimal decocting process of Moringa oleifera leaf standard decoction was optimized， and its multi-index quality evaluation system was established， in order to provide scientific basis for the quality control of this standard decoction. MethodResponse surface methodology and PCA were used to optimize the decoction process by taking the relative peak areas of 8 characteristic peaks and dry extract yield as indexes. Based on this， the quality of 15 batches of the standard decoction was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） characteristic chromatogram， determination of major components（neochlorogenic acid， L-tryptophan， cryptochlorogenic acid， vicenin-2， isoquercetin， astragalin）， determination of active parts（total flavonoids， total organic acids， total polysaccharides， total α-amino acids， total sinapine）， dry extract yield， specific gravity and pH. ResultThe optimal decocting process was to soak M. oleifera leaves（100.00 g） for 30 min and decoct twice with the first decoction of 12 times the amount of water for 30 min and the second decoction of 10 times the amount of water for 20 min. Standard decoction containing 0.2 g·mL^-1 of crude drug was defined by x¯±30%， the specific gravity was 0.722-1.340， pH was 3.86-7.16， dry extract yield was 23.1%-42.9%， and the alcohol-soluble extract content was 8.26%-15.34%. Calculated according to the dried products of the standard decoction， the contents of neochlorogenic acid， L-tryptophan， cryptochlorogenic acid， vicenin-2， isoquercetin and astragalin were 1.99-3.69， 1.20-2.22， 1.44-2.67， 0.53-0.99， 2.45-4.55， 1.22-2.26 mg·g^-1， the relative transfer rates relative to the herbs were 34.37%-63.83%， 62.43%-115.94%， 64.65%-120.06%， 56.98%-105.82%， 37.46%-69.57%， 41.81%-77.64%， respectively. The contents of total flavonoids， total organic acids， total polysaccharides， total α-amino acids， total sinapine were 10.19-18.92， 11.82-21.96， 94.07-174.71， 42.69-79.27， 9.55-17.73 mg·g^-1， the relative transfer rates for herbs were 25.72%-47.77%， 41.78%-77.59%， 64.90%-120.54%， 42.30%-78.57%， 34.99%-64.99%， respectively. ConclusionThe optimized decocting technology of M. oleifera leaf standard decoction is stable and feasible， and the established multi-indicator quality evaluation system can lay the foundation for the quality control of this standard decoction.

ObjectiveProtein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) play pivotal roles in numerous cellular biological processes. However, the precise regulatory effects of PRMTs on the fate determination of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) remain elusive. Our previous studies have shed light on the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of PRMT5 in MSC osteogenic differentiation. This study aims to clarify the role and corresponding regulatory mechanism of PRMT7 during the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods(1) Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were cultured in a medium that induces adipogenesis. We used qRT-PCR and Western blot to monitor changes in PRMT7 expression during adipogenic differentiation. (2) We created a cell line with PRMT7 knocked down and assessed changes in PRMT7 expression and adipogenic capacity using Oil Red O staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot. (3) We implanted hBMSCs cell lines mixed with a collagen membrane subcutaneously into nude mice and performed Oil Red O staining to observe ectopic lipogenesis in vivo. (4) A cell line overexpressing PRMT7 was generated, and we examined changes in PRMT7 expression using qRT-PCR and Western blot. We also performed Oil Red O staining and quantitative analysis after inducing the cells in lipogenic medium. Additionally, we assessed changes in PPARγ expression. (5) We investigated changes in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression in both PRMT7 knockdown and overexpressing cell lines using qRT-PCR and Western blot, to understand PRMT7’s regulatory effect on IGF-1 expression. siIGF-1 was transfected into the PRMT7 knockdown cell line to inhibit IGF-1 expression, and knockdown efficiency was confirmed. Then, we induced cells from the control and knockdown groups transfected with siIGF-1 in lipogenic medium and performed Oil Red O staining and quantitative analysis. Finally, we assessed PPARγ expression to explore IGF-1’s involvement in PRMT7’s regulation of adipogenic differentiation in hBMSCs. Results(1) During the adipogenesis process of hBMSCs, the expression level of PRMT7 was significantly reduced (P<0.01). (2) The adipogenic differentiation ability of PRMT7 knockdown group was significantly stronger than that of control group (P<0.001). (3) The ectopic adipogenic differentiation ability of PRMT7 knockdown group was significantly stronger than that of control group. (4) The adipogenic differentiation ability of the PRMT7 overexpression group was significantly weaker than that of the control group (P<0.01). (5) The expression level of IGF-1 increased after PRMT7 knockdown (P<0.000 1). The expression level of IGF-1 decreased after PRMT7 overexpression (P<0.000 1), indicating that PRMT7 regulates the expression of IGF-1. After siIGF-1 transfection, the expression level of IGF-1 in all cell lines decreased significantly (P<0.001). The ability of adipogenic differentiation of knockdown group transfected with siIGF-1 was significantly reduced (P<0.01), indicating that IGF-1 affects the regulation of PRMT7 on adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. ConclusionIn this investigation, our findings elucidate the inhibitory role of PRMT7 in the adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, as demonstrated through both in vitro cell-level experiments and in vivo subcutaneous transplantation experiments conducted in nude mice. Mechanistic exploration revealed that PRMT7’s regulatory effect on the adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs operates via modulation of IGF-1 signaling pathway. These collective findings underscore PRMT7 as a potential therapeutic target for fatty metabolic disorders, thereby offering a novel avenue for leveraging PRMT7 and hBMSCs in the therapeutic landscape of relevant diseases.

BACKGROUND:Croton cream can activate ERK pathways and have anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.It is not clear whether it synergistically exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 pathways. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of croton cream on neuronal damage and apoptosis in the ischemic cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:(1)Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream low-dose group,croton cream medium-dose group,croton cream high-dose group and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared in rats by the thread method.Rats in the three croton cream groups were given 20,40,and 60 mg/kg croton cream,respectively.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The optimal concentration of croton cream,namely the high dose of croton cream,was selected based on neurological deficit score,TTC staining,brain tissue water content,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.(2)Another 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream group,JNK inhibitor group,croton cream+JNK inhibitor group,p38 MAPK inhibitor group,croton cream+p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using the thread method in all the groups except in the sham operation group.Thirty minutes before modeling,10 μL of SP600125(JNK inhibitor)and 10 μL of SB203580(p38 MAPK inhibitor)were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rats,respectively.Rats in croton cream groups were intragastrically given 60 mg/kg croton cream.Seven days later,the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins and cell apoptosis were detected by western blot,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,neurological deficit score,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),where nerve cells showed scattered distribution.Compared with the model group,neurological deficit score,water content of brain tissue and cerebral infarction volume were significantly decreased in the croton cream medium-dose group,high-dose group and nimodipine group(P<0.05),and the pathological morphology of nerve cells was significantly improved.(2)Compared with the JNK inhibitor group,p-JNK/JNK,p-p38/p38 and Bax expressions in rat brain tissue and the apoptotic rate were significantly decreased in the croton cream+inhibitor groups(P<0.05),while the expression of and Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,croton cream may inhibit the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reduce neuronal apoptosis to achieve neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Purpose: This study evaluated the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2023, enrolling 52 patients with symptomatic focal uterine adenomyosis who had undergone MWA. All patients were examined with CEUS before and after MWA. The non-perfused volume (NPV) was compared between CEUS and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCEMRI) following ablation. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, this study explored the correlations between pre-treatment CEUS features and a volume reduction ratio indicating sufficient ablation, defined as 50% or more at the 3-month follow-up. Results: No significant differences in NPV were noted between CEUS and DCE-MRI immediately after MWA and during follow-up (all P>0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the median VRRs for the uterus and adenomyosis were 33.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Sufficient ablation was achieved in 69.2% (36/52) of adenomyosis cases, while partial ablation was observed in the remaining 30.8% (16/52). The identification of non-enhancing areas on pre-treatment CEUS was associated with sufficient ablation (P=0.016). At the 12-month follow-up, significant decreases were observed in both the uterine and adenomyosis volumes (all P<0.001). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were significantly alleviated at 12 months, and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion CEUS can be used to evaluate the ablation zone of focal adenomyosis that has been treated with MWA, similarly to DCE-MRI. The identification of non-enhancing areas on pretreatment CEUS indicates satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Gastrointestinal ischemia reperfusion(I/R)injury is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality in patients with surgical trauma.At present,there are few studies on gastrointestinal I/R injury,so it is particularly important to find treatment methods for gastrointestinal I/R injury.As the third gas signaling molecule,H2S plays an important physiological and pathological role in the human gastrointestinal system.Recently,a variety of novel H2S donors such as ATB-344 and AP39 have shown therapeutic value for gastrointestinal I/R injury.Therefore,this article reviewed the treatment of gastrointestinal I/R injury by H2S donors and its mechanism of action,aiming to provide a new treatment method for gastrointestinal I/R injury,in order to provide a reference for clinical medication of gastrointestinal I/R injury.