OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tiaoshu Anshen (regulating the hinge and calming the mind) acupuncture on sleep quality and serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in patients with chronic insomnia. METHODS: A total of 58 patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 29 cases in each group. Tiaoshu Anshen acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Benshen (GB13) in the acupuncture group, once a day, 1-day interval was taken after 6 consecutive days of treatment. Estazolam tablet was given orally before bed in the medication group, 1 mg each time. The 4-week treatment was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG), the serum levels of 5-HT and DA were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: After treatment, the item scores and total scores of PSQI were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); in the acupuncture group, the scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders and total score of PSQI were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total sleep time (TST) was prolonged (P<0.05), the sleep latency (SL) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were shortened (P<0.05), the sleep efficiency (SE%), percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 3 (N3%), percentage of rapid eye movement stage (REM%) and serum levels of 5-HT were increased (P<0.05) compared with those before treatment; the percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 1 (N1%), percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 2 (N2%) and serum levels of DA were decreased (P<0.05) compared with those before treatment in the two groups. After treatment, in the acupuncture group, TST was longer, while SL and WASO were shorter than those in the medication group (P<0.05), SE%, N3%, REM% and serum level of 5-HT were higher, while N1%, N2% and serum level of DA were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tiaoshu Anshen acupuncture may improve the sleep quality by regulating the serum neurotransmitter levels i.e. 5-HT and DA in patients with chronic insomnia.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Serotonin/blood* ; Sleep Quality ; Acupuncture Points ; Dopamine/blood* ; Aged ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

PURPOSE: To methodically assess the effectiveness of augmentative plating (AP) and exchange nailing (EN) in managing nonunion following intramedullary nailing for long bone fractures of the lower extremity. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to gather clinical studies regarding the use of AP and EN techniques in the treatment of nonunion following intramedullary nailing of lower extremity long bones. The search was conducted up until May 2023. The original studies underwent an independent assessment of their quality, a process conducted utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were retrieved from these studies, and meta-analysis was executed utilizing Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 661 participants, with 305 in the AP group and 356 in the EN group. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the AP group exhibited a higher rate of union (odds ratio: 8.61, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.12 - 17.99, p < 0.001), shorter union time (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.08, 95% CI: -1.79 - -0.37, p = 0.003), reduced duration of the surgical procedure (SMD: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.93 - -0.19, p = 0.003), less bleeding (SMD: -1.5, 95% CI: -2.81 - -0.18, p = 0.03), and a lower incidence of complications (relative risk: -0.17, 95% CI: -0.27 - -0.06, p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the time for union in the AP group in nonisthmal and isthmal nonunion of lower extremity long bones was shorter compared to the EN group (nonisthmal SMD: -1.94, 95% CI: -3.28 - -0.61, p < 0.001; isthmal SMD: -1.08, 95% CI: -1.64 - -0.52, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION In the treatment of nonunion in diaphyseal fractures of the long bones in the lower extremity, the AP approach is superior to EN, both intraoperatively (with reduced duration of the surgical procedure and diminished blood loss) and postoperatively (with an elevated union rate, shorter union time, and lower incidence of complications). Specifically, in the management of nonunion of lower extremity long bones with non-isthmal and isthmal intramedullary nails, AP demonstrated shorter union time in comparison to EN.
Humans ; Bone Nails/adverse effects* ; Bone Plates/adverse effects* ; Femoral Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/methods* ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/injuries*

Case 1: A 19-day-old male infant presented with poor feeding and decreased activity for 2 weeks, worsening with poor responsiveness for 3 days. At 5 days old, he developed poor feeding and poor responsiveness, was hospitalized, and was found to have elevated blood ammonia and thrombocytopenia. Whole-genome genetic analysis revealed a pathogenic homozygous mutation in the PCCA gene, NM-000282.4: c.1834-1835del (p.Arg612AspfsTer44), leading to a diagnosis of propionic acidemia. Case 2: A 4-day-old male infant presented with poor responsiveness and feeding difficulties since birth, with elevated blood ammonia for 1 day. He showed weak sucking and deteriorating responsiveness, with blood ammonia >200 µmol/L. Genetic testing identified two heterozygous mutations in the MMUT gene: NM_000255.4: c.1677-1G>A and NM_000255.4: ex.5del, confirming methylmalonic acidemia. Case 3: A 20-day-old male infant presented with poor feeding for 15 days and skin petechiae for 8 days. He developed feeding difficulties at 5 days old and lower limb petechiae at 12 days old, with blood ammonia measured at 551.6 µmol/L. Genetic analysis found two heterozygous mutations in the PCCA gene: NM_000282.4: c.1118T>A (p.Met373Lys) and NM_000282.4: ex.16-18del, confirming propionic acidemia. In the first two cases, continuous hemodiafiltration was performed for 30 hours and 20 hours, respectively, before administering carglumic acid. In the third case, carglumic acid was administered orally without continuous hemodiafiltration, resulting in a decrease in blood ammonia from 551.6 µmol/L to 72.0 µmol/L within 6 hours, with a reduction rate of approximately 20-25 µmol/(kg·h), similar to the first two cases. Carglumic acid was effective in all three cases, suggesting it may help optimize future treatment protocols for organic acidemia.
Humans ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Propionic Acidemia/drug therapy* ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics* ; Mutation ; Methylmalonyl-CoA Decarboxylase/genetics* ; Citrates/administration & dosage* ; Carbon-Carbon Ligases/genetics* ; Glutamates

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG (cytarabine+homoharringtonine+G-CSF) priming regimen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: The data of 14 patients with AML or high-risk MDS admitted to the department of hematology/oncology of the First Hospital of Tsinghua University and 2 cooperative institutions from July 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen and the early induction (one course) efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, 10 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 69.5 (46-83) years. After 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was 64.3% (9/14) and overall response rate (ORR) was 78.6% (11/14). Among the 10 patients with adverse prognosis according to cytogenetics and molecular genetics, the CR rate was 50.0% (5/10), and ORR was 70.0% (7/10). In 7 patients with TP53 mutation, the CR rate was 42.9% (3/7) and ORR was 71.4% (5/7). In the 6 patients with complex karyotype, CR rate was 33.3% (2/6) and ORR was 66.7% (4/6). While the CR rate and ORR of 8 non-complex karyotype patients were both 87.5% (7/8), and the difference in CR rate between patients with complex karyotype and non-complex karyotype was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The adverse reactions of chemotherapy were tolerable, without early treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen can be used as an effective treatment for AML and high-risk MDS patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, and it is safe and worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy* ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Cytarabine/administration & dosage* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Homoharringtonine/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of serum β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) for survival and relapse of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era. METHODS: Clinical data of 92 patients with DLBCL admitted from December 2003 to July 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoff value of β₂-MG levels for predicting prognosis of the DLBCL patients was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. KaplanMeier analysis was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Cox logistic regression analysis was used to explore potential prognostic factors associated with survival. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between various factors and relapse. RESULTS: The most discriminative cutoff value for β₂-MG level was determined to be 2.25 mg/L by the ROC curve. Subgroup analysis showed that patients in the elevated β₂-MG (＞2.25 mg/L) group had significantly worse PFS(P =0.006) and a trend toward worse OS compared with those in the low β₂-MG (≤2.25 mg/L) group(P =0.053). Univariate analysis showed that elevated β₂-MG, age>60 years, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, as well as IPI score ≥3 were associated with worse PFS. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age＞60 years and β₂-MG＞2.25 mg/L were potential influencing factors for relapse of DLBCL patients. CONCLUSION Serum β ₂-MG might be an important predictor for the survival and relapse of DLBCL patients in the rituximab era.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy* ; beta 2-Microglobulin/blood* ; Rituximab ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare group of malignancies that develop from the epithelial lining of the biliary tree and have a poor prognosis. Although chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with advanced BTC in China, its clinical benefits are moderate. In recent years, the approval of targeted therapies and immunotherapies has provided new avenues for the management of advanced BTC. Nonetheless, the increasing number of personalized medicine approaches has created a challenge for clinicians choosing individualized treatment strategies based on tumor characteristics. In this article, we discuss recent progress in implementing precision medicine approaches for advanced BTC in China and examine genomic profiling studies in Chinese patients with advanced BTC. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of using precision medicine approaches, as well as the importance of considering population-specific factors and tailoring treatment approaches to improve outcomes for patients with BTC. In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of current and emerging precision medicine approaches for the management of advanced BTC in China, this review article will support clinicians outside of China by serving as a reference regarding the role of patient- and population-specific factors in clinical decision-making for patients with this rare malignancy.
Humans ; Precision Medicine/methods* ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms/genetics* ; China ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Immunotherapy/methods*

Objective To investigate the effect of liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)of YTH domain family protein 2(YTHDF2)on the sodium arsenite-induced malignant transformation of skin cells,providing a new intervention target for the prevention and control of sodium arsenite-induced carcinogenesis.Methods The HaCaT cell model of malignant transformation was constructed by continuous treatment with 1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 22 weeks,including cells with normal YTHDF2 LLPS(YTHDF2-wt)and cells with inhibited YTHDF2 LLPS(YTHDF2-mut).Confocal microscopy was employed to observe and characterize the LLPS droplets formed by YTHDF2 during sodium arsenite-induced malignant transformation of skin cells.Cell proliferation,scratch healing,and colony formation assays were performed to detect malignant phenotypes.Western blotting,quantitative reverse transcription PCR,and immunofluorescence experiments were conducted to examine the effects of YTHDF2 LLPS on the mRNA and protein levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)during sodium arsenite-induced malignant transformation of skin cells.Results After 4 weeks of sodium arsenite treatment,LLPS droplets of YTHDF2 appeared in YTHDF2-wt cells,and the number of droplets gradually increased as the treatment time was prolonged(F=35.252,P<0.001),while no phase-separated droplets were observed in YTHDF2-mut cells.Compared with YTHDF2-mut cells,YTHDF2-wt cells showed enhanced proliferation at the time points of 48 h(t=3.654,P=0.006)and 72 h(t=5.458,P<0.001)after 22 weeks of sodium arsenite treatment.The scratch healing rate of YTHDF2-wt cells was increased at the 8th(t=12.137,P<0.001)and 22th(t=4.484,P=0.011)weeks of sodium arsenite treatment.The number of colonies formed by YTHDF2-wt cells was higher at the 4th(t=3.365,P=0.027),8th(t=5.580,P=0.005),and 22th(t=3.328,P=0.029)weeks of sodium arsenite treatment.Compared with YTHDF2-mut cells,YTHDF2-wt cells showed down-regulated protein(t=-3.119,P=0.036)and mRNA(t=4.051,P=0.015) levels of PTEN after 22 weeks of sodium arsenite treatment.Immunofluorescence results showed that after 4 weeks of sodium arsenite treatment,YTHDF2 LLPS droplets in YTHDF2-wt cells were localized to stress granules,translation-related membrane-less organelles.Conclusions During sodium arsenite-induced malignant transformation of skin cells,YTHDF2 undergoes LLPS and localizes to stress granules,translation-related membrane-less organelles.YTHDF2 LLPS participates in sodium arsenite-induced malignant transformation of skin cells by down-regulating the mRNA level of the key tumor suppressor PTEN.
Arsenites/toxicity* ; Sodium Compounds/toxicity* ; Humans ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/drug effects* ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Skin/cytology* ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Skin Neoplasms/chemically induced* ; Cell Line