Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of different oral Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicines in the therapy of lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Methods PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Medline,CNKI,WanFang data,VIP and SinoMed databases were electronically searched to collect randomized clinical trials(RCTs)on oral Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicines in the treatment of LDH from the inception to April 10,2023.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted data,and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies.Network Meta-analysis was then performed by Stata 17.0 and RevMan 5.4 softwares.Results A total of 26 RCTs were included,involving 16 Chinese patent medicines with a total sample size of 2 448 cases.The network Meta-analysis results showed that 13 Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicines had better effects than conventional western medicines alone.Among them,in terms of a better VAS score,the top three interventions were Jingyaokang capsules+conventional western medicine＞Yaobitong capsules+conventional western medicine＞Huoxue Zhitong capsules+conventional western medicine;in terms of a better Japanese Orthopaedic Associationl(JOA)score,the top three interventions were Qufeng Zhitong capsules+conventional western medicine＞Yaobitong capsules+conventional western medicine＞Luchuan Huoluo capsules+conventional western medicine;in terms of the clinical effective rate,the top three interventions were Luchuan Huoluo capsules+conventional western medicine＞Xianling Gubao capsules+conventional western medicine＞Tongzhi Surunjiang capsules+conventional western medicine;in terms of safety,no serious adverse drug reactions occurred in all studies,and the overall incidence of adverse drug reactions in the oral Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicines group was lower than that in the conventional western medicines group.Conclusion The combination of oral Chinese patent medicines and conventional western medicines has been shown to improve the clinical efficacy of LDH.Among these,Yaobitong capsules stand out for its ability to reduce VAS score,improve JOA score ranking,and increase the effective rate.Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies,more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and antithrombin III (AT III) with the severity of sepsis, and to compare the predictive value of the above indicators alone or in combination. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Eighty-five patients with sepsis admitted to the department of intensive care medicine of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from April 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled. General information, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score within 24 hours of admission, inflammatory indicators [PCT, IL-6, serum amyloid A (SAA), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and coagulation indicators (D-dimer and AT III) levels at admission, and 28-day prognosis were collected. The differences of the above indicators were compared among patients with different prognosis at 28 days and different severity of sepsis. The correlation between PCT, IL-6, AT III and the severity of sepsis was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation method. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of PCT, IL-6 and AT III alone or in combination on the 28-day death of patients with sepsis. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were enrolled finally, 67 cases survived and 18 cases died at 28 days. The mortality was 21.2%. There were no statistical significant differences in gender, age and other general data between the two groups. The patients in the death group were more serious than those in the survival group, and PCT, IL-6, and CRP levels were significantly higher than those in the survival group [PCT (μg/L): 4.34 (1.99, 14.42) vs. 1.17 (0.31, 3.94), IL-6 (ng/L): 332.40 (50.08, 590.18) vs. 61.95 (31.64, 194.20), CRP (mg/L): 149.28 (75.34, 218.60) vs. 83.23 (48.22, 174.96), all P < 0.05], and AT III activity was significantly lower than that in the survival group [(53.67±28.57)% vs. (80.96±24.18)%, P < 0.01]. However, there were no significant differences in D-dimer, NLR and SAA between the two groups. Among the 85 patients, 36 had sepsis with single organ dysfunction, 29 had sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction, and 20 had septic shock with multiple organ dysfunction. With the increase of the severity of sepsis, PCT and IL-6 levels gradually increased [PCT (μg/L): 0.36 (0.19, 1.10), 3.00 (1.22, 9.94), 4.34 (2.18, 8.86); IL-6 (ng/L): 43.99 (20.73, 111.13), 100.00 (45.37, 273.00), 332.40 (124.4, 693.65)], and the activity of AT III decreased gradually [(89.81±21.42)%, (71.97±24.88)%, and (53.50±25.41)%], all with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that PCT and IL-6 levels in sepsis patients were significantly positively correlated with the severity of the disease (r values were 0.562 and 0.517, respectively, both P < 0.01), and AT III activity was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of the disease (r = -0.523, P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that PCT, IL-6, and AT III alone or in combination had some predictive value for the death of sepsis patients at 28 days. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the above three indicators in combination was higher than that of the individual tests (0.818 vs. 0.722, 0.725, and 0.770), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 73.1%. CONCLUSIONS PCT, IL-6, and AT III were significantly correlated with the severity of sepsis patients. The combined assay of the above three indicators can effectively improve the prediction of the prognosis of sepsis patients.
Humans ; Procalcitonin ; Interleukin-6 ; Antithrombin III ; Retrospective Studies ; Multiple Organ Failure ; ROC Curve ; Sepsis/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Anticoagulants

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of modified Shishi Niubangzi Decoction combined with strengthening muscle-waist exercise on lumbar disc herniation (LDH).Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 60 patients with LDH admitted to the Pinggu Hospital, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, were enrolled as the research objects between September 2020 and September 2021. According to the random number table, they were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group, 30 in each group. Both groups were given routine basic treatments (strengthening tendons-waist exercise and three-position six-step manipulation). On this basis, the treatment group was treated with modified Shishi Niubangzi Decoction, while the control group was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen codeine sustained-release tablets). Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The responsive rates, back pain intensity, leg pain and numbness by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and lumbar function by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were compared between the two groups.Results:The response rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group (93.3% vs. 73.3%; χ2=4.32, P=0.038). After treatment, scores of JOA (subjective symptoms, signs, activities of daily living) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=3.86, 2.71, 2.21, P<0.05). After treatment, scores of back pain (2.12±0.21 vs. 3.02±0.32, t=12.88), leg pain (2.04±0.64 vs. 2.64±0.66, t=3.58), lower limb numbness (1.75±0.24 vs. 2.41±0.70, t=4.89) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). At 1 week and 1 month after treatment, ODI scores in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group ( t=10.22, 5.59; P<0.05). Conclusion:The modified Shishi Niubangzi Decoction combined with strengthening tendons-waist exercise can improve responsive rates, improve lumbar pain and function in LDH patients.

Objective:To explore the features and application value of MRI in the spectrum of fetal cloaca malformation.Methods:The clinical, MRI and ultrasound data of 6 fetuses with spectrum of cloaca malformation were retrospectively analyzed in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from January 2017 to February 2021, and the MRI features of each subtype were analyzed.Results:Among the 6 fetuses of spectrum of the cloaca malformation, 5 were confirmed by postnatal imaging and surgery, and 1 was confirmed by induced labor autopsy, including 3 persistent cloaca, 1 posterior cloaca, 1 cloaca variant, and 1 urogenital sinus. The high signal on T 1WI of the rectal meconium disappeared or became weaker, and the signal on T 2WI of meconium of the dilated colon increased in the 3 cases of persistent cloaca and 1 case of posterior cloaca. All 6 cases showed colonic dilatation. All cases except 1 persistent cloaca showed vaginal and/or uterine effusion. Two cases of persistent cloaca, 1 case of posterior cloaca and 1 case of cloaca variant showed duplicated genital tract. Two cases of persistent cloaca showed only 1 perineal opening, which opened at the urethral orifice. One case of cloaca variant showed 2 openings, which opened at the urethral orifice and in front of the normal anus, respectively. Conclusion:Prenatal MRI can help to clarify the diagnosis of cloacal malformation spectrum and to determine its specific classification.

Objective:To explore risk factors for relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-ALL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for 65 adult Ph-ALL patients undergoing initial allo-HSCT from 2016 to 2018. The effect of baseline level and treatment pre-transplantation for relapse after allo-HSCT was analyzed.Results:There were 37 males and 28 females with a median age of 25(14-58) years during allo-HSCT. And the median follow-up period was 27 months post-HSCT. The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 78.8%(95%CI 67.8%-89.8%) and the 2-year relapse-free survival (RFS) 70.7% (95%CI 58.2%-83.2%). Pre-transplant chemotherapy was offered for 3 to 7 courses and the median dose of polyethylene glycol-conjugated asparaginase (PEG-ASP) was 3 doses (2 000 IU/m 2 per dose). Multiariate analysis revealed that the regimen included more than 4 doses of PEG-ASP pre-HSCT (HR=4.067, P=0.046) was a protective factor for post-transplant relapse (HR=0.193, P=0.009). High-risk chromosome karyotype was a risk factor for relapse (HR=0.193, P=0.009). The 2-year RFS rate was 90.0%(95%CI 79.2%-100.0%) for intensive PEG-ASP group and 56.9%(95%CI 39.1%-74.7%) for control group ( P=0.01). No significant inter-group difference existed in overall survival (OS)( P=0.079). The 2-year OS was 90.6% (95%CI 80.4%-100.0%) in intensive PEG-ASP group and 72.1% (95%CI 56.6%-87.6%) in control group. Conclusions:For adult ph-ALL patients, a higher dose of PEG-ASP in pretransplant chemotherapy regimens may improve post-transplant RFS and achieve a better outcome.

Objective:To explore the clinical application of free chimeric medial femoral condyle osteofascial free flap (CMFCOF) in the treatment of traumatic composite bone and soft tissue defect of hand and foot.Methods:Between January, 2015 and March, 2020, 8 patients with traumatic composite bone and soft tissue defect in hand and foot were treated with CMFCOF. Of the 8 patients, there were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 41 (range, 24 to 56) years. The causes of injury included 3 of traffic accident, 3 of machine crush and 2 of crush. Two cases had proximal phalanx defect, 3 with metacarpal bone and 3 with metatarsal bone. The time between injury to the flap repair were 2 to 120 (mean, 84) days. The size of bone defect ranged from 2.0 cm×1.2 cm×1.2 cm to 4.4 cm× 3.0 cm×2.3 cm. The soft tissue defect ranged from 2.0 cm×1.4 cm to 5.6 cm×4.5 cm. All bone defects were on the diaphysis, without involvement of joints. Two cases had tendon defect. According to the defect of bone and soft tissue, the CMFCOF was prepared and skin graft was performed on the surface of its fascial flap.Results:The average time of flap harvesting was 53(52-96) minutes. All donor sites were directly closed. All flaps and skin grafts achieved stage I survival. All patients entered 9-16 months of follow-up, with an average of 14.5 months. The average healing time of bone was 7.5 (range, 6-10) weeks. At the last follow-up review, all flaps were not thinned. The function of donor site was restored well, without weight bearing disorder and paraesthesia in the anterior patella area. According to the trial standard of Digit Function Evaluation of the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, 3 patients were rated as excellent, 1 was good and 1 was fair. According to the Maryland foot evaluation criteria, 3 patients were rated as excellent for recovered with normal weight-bearing walking.Conclusion:CMFCOF can achieve satisfactory results in repairing composite bone and soft tissue defect of hand or foot. The flap has the advantages in simple operation, high quality of bone and concealed donor site.

Background/Aims: Crohn’s disease (CD) primarily affects young female adults of reproductive age. Few studies have been conducted on this population’s ovarian reserve status. The aim of study was to investigate potential risk factors associated with low ovarian reserve, as reflected by serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in women of reproductive age with CD. Methods: This was a case-control study. Cases included 87 patients with established CD, and healthy controls were matched by age, height and weight in a 1:1 ratio. Serum AMH levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The average serum AMH level was significantly lower in CD patients than in control group (2.47±2.08 ng/mL vs. 3.87±1.96 ng/mL, respectively, P<0.001). Serum AMH levels were comparable between CD patients and control group under 25 years of age (4.41±1.52 ng/mL vs. 3.49±2.10 ng/mL, P=0.06), however, serum AMH levels were significantly lower in CD patients over 25 years of age compared to control group (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that an age greater than 25 (odds ratio [OR], 10.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90–52.93, P=0.007), active disease state (OR, 27.99; 95% CI, 6.13–127.95, P<0.001) and thalidomide use (OR, 15.66; 95% CI, 2.22–110.65, P=0.006) were independent risk factors associated with low ovarian reserve (serum AMH levels <2 ng/mL) in CD patients. Conclusions Ovarian reserve is impaired in young women of reproductive age with CD. Age over 25 and an active disease state were both independently associated with low ovarian reserve. Thalidomide use could result in impaired ovarian reserve.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of inducing production of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) by recombinant human S100 calcium binding protein A4 (rhS100A4) in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs).Methods Synovial tissue was sampled from the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing knee arthroplasty for in vitro culture of RAFLSs.CCK-8 assay was conducted to detect the effect of rhS100A4 and the effect of its interaction with Rapamycin (Rap),an inhibitor of mammalian rapamycin target 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway,on the proliferation of RAFLSs.The effects of rhS100A4 and its interaction with Rap on the expression of VEGF in RAFLSs were detected by immunofluorescence.After rhS100A4 and its cooperation with Rap stimulated the conditioned medium (CM)produced by RAFLSs,the effect of CM on formation of lumen in human unbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro was observed to detect the angiogenic ability of rhS100A4.Western blot was used to detect the effect of rhS100A4 on the phosphorylation of downstream ribosomal protein S6 (S6) in the mTORC1 signaling pathway in RAFLSs and to analyze the effects of rhS100A4 and Rap on phosphorylation of S6 protein and expression of VEGF protein in RAFLSs.Results rhS100A4 promoted cell proliferation and expression of VEGF protein in RAFLSs,and the CM formed by rhS100A4 promoted HUVECs to form blood vessels in vitro.Rap inhibited the above biological effects of rhS100A4,rhS100A4 activated the downstream protein S6 in the mTORC1 signaling pathway in RAFLSs cells to increase their phosphorylation levels.The effects of rhS100A4 on the phosphorylation of S6 protein and on the expression of VEGF protein in RAFLSs were inhibited by Rap.Conclusion rhS10OA4 promotes production of VEGF in RAFLSs by activating the mTORC 1 signaling pathway.

Objective To study the effects of pulmonary function training on the lung function and surgical tolerance of lung cancer patients with different degrees of obstructive ventilatory defect.Methods Pulnonary function training was performed with 103 lung cancer patients with obstructive ventilatory defects (26 mild cases,53 moderate cases,24 severe cases).The duration of the intensive training was 5-7 days.Vital capacity (VC),vital capacity percentage (VC％),forced vital capacity (FVC),forced vital capacity percentage (FVC％),forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),percentage of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1％),maximum voluntary ventilation percentage (MVV％),peak expiratory flow percentage (PEF％),fraction of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1/FVC),and maximum mid-expiratory flow percentage (MMEF％) were measured before and after the training.Any postoperative complications were recorded.Results The average MMEF％ improved significantly among the moderate patients after their training.Eventually 19/26 patients (73.08％) in the mild group,34/53 patients (64.15％) in the moderate group,and 8/24 patients (33.33％) in the severe group met the requirements to undergo lung operations.These were significant differences among the groups.Among those operated on,27 (44.26％) suffered from postoperative complications,a significantly higher percentage than among the normal controls (20.00％).Conclusion Lung function exercises can improve the operation tolerance of lung cancer patients with obstructive ventilation dysfunction,but the risk of operating is still much higher than for patients with normal ventilation function.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that anterolateral approach for repairing the hip joint capsule has great effects on dislocation after hip replacement, but it remains unclear at present. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of anterolateral approach for repairing the hip joint capsule on dislocation after artificial hip joint replacement. METHODS: 480 patients, who received artificial hip joint replacement in the First People’s Hospital of Qinzhou from January 2010 to January 2014, were enroled in this study. They were divided into the control group (January 2010 to January 2012) and the observation group (February 2012 to January 2014) according to the order of their admission, each of 240 cases. The control group was subdivided into the total hip replacement group (A1 group) and the femoral head replacement group (A2 group), each of 120 cases; and the observation group was also subdivided into the total hip replacement group (B1group) and the femoral head replacement group (B2 group), each of 120 cases. A1group and A2 group were subjected to artificial hip joint replacementvia anterolateral approach. B1 group and B2 group were subjected to artificial hip joint replacementvia anterolateral approach and the repair of the joint capsule. The postoperative early dislocation rate was analyzed in patients of A1 group and B1 group. Postoperative early dislocation rate was analyzed in patients of A2 group and B2 group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The rate of early postoperative dislocation was 6.7% in A1 group, and 0.8% in the B1 group. The rate of early postoperative dislocation was significantly higher in the A1group than in the B1 group (P < 0.05). The rate of early postoperative dislocation was 3.3% in the A2 group and 0.8% in the B2 group. No significant difference was found between the A2 and B2 groups (P > 0.05). Results showed that anterolateral approach in repairing the hip joint capsule can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative dislocation after the total hip replacement, but does not obviously impact postoperative dislocation.