We retrospectively analyzed therapy efficacy and the adverse reactions of 10 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with intestinal involvement treated with rituximab (RTX). Patients were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2023. Among the 10 patients, two were men and eight were women. The age of the cohort was (41.9±8.8) years. The age at disease onset was (28.8±9.2) years. The total course of the SLE diagnosis was(109.6±59.9) months. The course of the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was (89.3±50.2) months. The time from the appearance of intestinal symptoms to the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was 1.5 (1.0,8.0) months. The time from the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement to RTX use was 13.0 (1.0,46.3) months. Follow-up duration after application of RTX treatment was (55.3±28.4) months. There were five cases of abdominal pain, four cases of abdominal distension, nine cases of diarrhea, three cases of nervous-system involvement, nine cases of lupus nephritis, and seven cases of serositis. All 10 patients underwent computed tomography and radiology of the abdomen. Eight patients had intestinal-wall edema, seven suffered intestinal dilation, four had target signs, three suffered congestion of mesenteric blood vessels, eight had increased mesenteric-fat density, and six had false intestinal obstruction. All 10 patients showed a low level of complement C3 (250-750 mg/L). Nine cases showed a low level of complement C4 (10-90 mg/L). The SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) at baseline in 10 patients was 20.5 (17.8, 30.0). After receiving RTX (0.5 g: day 1, day 14, or 375 mg/m 2: day 1, day 14) induction treatment, the intestinal symptoms of 10 cases were relieved completely. Four patients had adverse reactions, of which three received a high-dose glucocorticoid combined with RTX treatment simultaneously. Adverse reactions manifested mainly as a reduced level of IgG and infection with herpes simplex virus in one case, reduced level of IgG and lung infection in one patient, lung infection in one case, and reduced IgG level in one patient. RTX may an efficacious treatment strategy for patients suffering from refractory SLE with intestinal involvement.

Objective To discuss the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)for portal hypertension with portal vein thrombosis(PVT).Methods A total of 31 patients with portal hypertension complicated by PVT,who underwent TIPS at the Chinese PLA General Hospital between December 2017 and October 2022,were enrolled in this study.The clinical data,including preoperative laboratory tests,operation pattern,intraoperative portal vein pressure(PVP),postoperative follow-up ultrasound or enhanced CT examination findings,and the presence or absence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE),were collected.Paired t-test was used to compare the differences in PVP before and after stenting,Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the postoperative shunt patency rate,rebleeding rate,incidence of HE,and survival rate.Log-rank test was used to analyze the differences in follow-up results between the patients having cavernous transformation of portal vein(CTPV)and the patients having no CTPV.Results The technical success rate of TIPS procedure was 93.55％(29/31).In the 29 patients with successful surgery,the mean PVP value decreased from preoperative(30.15±4.61)mmHg to postoperative(20.84±5.57)mmHg,the difference was statistically significant(t=8.975,P＜0.05).The postoperative median follow-up time was 22.90 months(range of 4.50-61.80 months).During the follow-up period,24.14％of patients(7/29)developed shunt tract dysfunction,17.24％of patients(5/29)developed rebleeding,17.24％of patients(5/29)developed HE,and 5 patients(5/29,17.24％)died.Ten patients(10/29,34.48％)with PVT were complicated by CTPV,among them 5 patients had shunt dysfunction,3 patients had rebleeding,one patient developed HE,and 3 patients died.Of the 19 patients who having no coexisting CTPV,shunt dysfunction was seen in 2,rebleeding in 2 and HE in 4,and 2 patients died.The incidences of shunt tract dysfunction and rebleeding in the patients having CTPV were obviously higher than those in the patients having no CTPV(both P＜0.05),while no statistically significant differences in the incidences of HE and death existed between the two groups(both P＞0.05).Conclusion TIPS can effectively reduce the PVP in patients with PVT.The incidences of shunt tract dysfunction and rebleeding in the PVP with coexisting CTPV are remarkably higher than those in the PVT patients with no coexisting CTPV.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:537-542)

Objective Sequencing depth is a key parameter in next generation sequencing,which is closely related to the accuracy of sequencing results.Forensic biological evidence examination requires extremely high accuracy.It is crucial to scientifically and reasonably set the sequencing depth analysis threshold for forensic next generation sequencing testing.Methods This study used targeted sequencing data of microhaplotypes from 50 samples with known genotypes.By calculating the accuracy,precision,recall,and F1 score of each locus under various threshold conditions,two types of analysis threshold setting methods,which were based on fixed read count and fixed sequencing depth ratio,were studied extensively.Results The results showed that false positives were observed when the analysis threshold was set at 50×or 100×.When the analysis threshold was set at 200×,false negatives were observed.When the analysis threshold was set at 1.5%,3.0%,or 4.5%,false positives were observed.This study further proposed a third type of analysis threshold setting method,which was based on sequencing depth ratio scatter plots.With this method,no false positive or false negative was observed in the results.This article then explored four factors that lead to significant differences in the sequencing depth of forensic next generation sequencing experiments,compared with the analysis threshold setting method for capillary electrophoresis technology,and discussed the correlation between analysis thresholds and the ability to distinguish mixed DNA.Conclusion Employing the sequencing depth ratio scatter plot method to set analysis threshold has significant application value in next generation sequencing-based forensic genetic marker genotyping.

The study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of 23 cases of lupus nephritis and explore the prospect of half-dose rituximab in lupus nephritis treatment. Twenty-three patients with lupus nephritis hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from May 2013 to December 2021 were selected. Eighteen patients received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 on the first and 14th days, 5 patients received 500 mg of rituximab on the first and 14th days, and rituximab was used as needed 6 months later. Methylprednisolone (80-120 mg) was given together with rituximab. Afterward, 1 mg/kg prednisone was used for 4 weeks, which was progressively tapered to maintenance doses or discontinued. B lymphocyte level, renal function, 24-h urine protein level, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI2K) score before and after treatment were recorded. The efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed. The results showed that 11 patients suffered from renal insufficiency [creatinine (162.7±58.6) μmol/L ] at baseline, while the creatinine level of 9 patients returned to normal 12 months after the treatment [ (66.3±10.1)μmol/L ]. Normal renal function of the other 12 patients was maintained during treatment. After 12 months, the 24-h urine protein level decreased from 4.00 (2.00,6.80) g in the baseline period to 0.10 (0.08,0.40) g. SLEDAI2K score decreased from 22 (18,26) in the baseline period to 3 (0,6) 12 months after the treatment. The B lymphocyte level reached 0.00 (0.00,0.01)% at 3 months. Of 23 patients, 13 patients achieved complete remission, and 7 patients achieved partial remission after 6 months of rituximab treatment. Five patients experienced adverse reactions related to rituximab, including 1 case of transfusion reaction, 1 case of perioral herpes with pulmonary infection, and 3 cases of decreased IgG levels. Therefore, rituximab regimen used in this study can be an effective treatment strategy for lupus nephritis.

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic non-specific digestive disease with abdominal pain， diarrhea， and blood and mucus in stool as the main clinical manifestations and inflammatory injury of colorectal mucosa and submucosa as the main pathological changes. With the change in living habits and dietary structure of people， the incidence and cancer morbidity in UC are rising rapidly all over the world， which has seriously reduced the quality of life and caused a huge social burden. Till now， the pathogenesis has not been elucidated. In western medicine， aminosalicylates， corticosteroids， and immunosuppressors are commonly used to relieve symptoms. However， the long-term application will lead to problems such as decreased efficacy and increased adverse reactions. There are more studies of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of UC by reducing the inflammatory response， alleviating oxidative stress， protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier， and regulating intestinal microecological imbalance by virtue of the advantages of integrated regulation based on multiple links， levels， and targets. In view of this， the present study reviewed the effect and mechanism of active ingredients of TCM， TCM extracts， TCM pairs， classic TCM compounds， and TCM combined with chemical agents in the treatment of UC based on relevant research articles in recent 10 years to provide references for seeking effective drugs.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of lymph node dissection (LND) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after surgical resection.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 156 patients who underwent surgery for ICC in Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital of Naval Military Medical University from November 2010 to December 2017, including 94 males and 62 females, aged (60.0±9.5) years. Curative surgery was performed in 114 cases. Of 64 cases were in stage Ⅰ according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), including 38 cases of non-lymph node dissection (NLND) and 26 cases of LND; 21 cases were in AJCC stage Ⅱ, including 11 cases of NLND and 10 cases of LND; 22 cases were in AJCC stage Ⅲb, including 14 cases of LND and 8 cases of lymph node resection (LNR); 5 cases were in AJCC stage Ⅲa, 2 cases were in AJCC stage Ⅳ. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used for the risk factors of ICC prognosis. The log-rank test compared the survival rates of the two groups.Results:Cox multivariate analysis indicated that lymph node metastasis was independent risk factors for prognosis in patients with ICC ( HR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.09-3.55, P=0.026). A total of 114 patients were included in the curative surgery group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of the negative lymph node group ( n=91) were 65.9%, 47.3% and 35.6%, respectively, which were significantly better than those of the positive lymph node group ( n=23) who had 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of 56.5%, 17.7% and 0, respectively (χ 2=8.11, P=0.004 ). In stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients, there were no significant differences in 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates between the NLND group and the LND group (both P>0.05 ). In stage Ⅲb patients, the LND group had 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of 71.4%, 29.8% and 0, respectively, significantly better than those of the LNR group who had 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of 37.5%, 0 and 0, respectively (χ 2=6.45, P=0.011). Conclusions:Lymph node metastasis is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of ICC. Lymph node dissection should be performed cautiously in ICC with AJCC stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ, while routine lymph node dissection is recommended in ICC with AJCC stage Ⅲb.

Objective:To establish the quality evaluation method of Astmgali Radix based on three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. Methods:The three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of Astmgali Radix extract was measured by fluorescence spectrum analysis technology, and the characteristics of fluorescence components of three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum of Astmgali Radix were analyzed by parallel factor analysis. The three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of Astmgali Radix samples from 23 different places were measured for quality discriminant analysis. Results:After the optimization, the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum of 80% ethanol extract of Astmgali Radix showed that three groups of characteristic excitation/emission (λex/λem) peak, which located at 305 nm/420 nm (Peak 1), 280 nm/315 nm (Peak 2) and 265 nm/475 nm (Peak 3), respectively. The results of parallel factor analysis showed that Peak 1 and Peak 3 both contained one isoflavones fluorescent component, and Peak 2 contained two amino acid fluorescent components. There were differences in the number of characteristic peaks and fluorescence intensity of three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of Astmgali Radix samples from different origins. Conclusion:The three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum could evaluate the consistency of Astmgali Radix from different places. The method is simple, fast, and efficient. This method is accurate, which could provide reference for the quality evaluation of Astmgali Radix.

Objective:The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China.Methods:This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems.Results:According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%).Conclusion:Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

To investigate the predictive value of [ 18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission computed tomography(PET)/CT for disease progression in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Sixty-seven DM patients who underwent [ 18F] FDG-PET/CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed from January 2012 to September 2017 at PLA General Hospital. Their clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics were recorded. Compared with those chronically progressed (C-ILD), patients with rapid progression (RP-ILD) had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and standardized uptake value (SUV) in lungs ( P<0.05). In patients with RP-ILD, SUV in lungs was positively correlated with age, disease course, and ESR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that when lung SUV cut off value was 2.25, the sensitivity and specificity to predict disease progression was 77.8% and 72.8%, respectively. Old age, longer disease course, low creatine kinase level, higher ESR, and high SUV are prognostic factors for DM-associated ILD.

Objective The aim of this study was to set up a large,longitudinal and prospective database to compare the clinical manifestations in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive and negative patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS) based on real-world evidence in Chinese population.Methods A total of 897 outpatients with confirmed AS were recruited consecutively by smart management system for spondyloarthritis (SMSP) from April 13,2016 to June 6,2017 in Chinese PLA General Hospital from 30 provinces and autonomous regions.801 patients with HLA-B27 data were included in the analysis.Demographic and clinical parameters including Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI),Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI),ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS),arthritis,enthesitis,Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between HLA-B27 positive and negative groups.Results A total of 801 patients were included in the analysis with an average age of (30.7± 8.8) years.There were 659 males and 142 females and HLA-B27 was present in 88.0％(705/801).Males were significantly more in HLA-B27 positive patients [83.3％ (587/705) vs.75.0％ (72/96);P=0.047].The average age at disease onset was (22.3 ±7.6)years in HLA-B27 positive patients and (24.4 + 8.7) years in HLA-B27 negative ones (P=0.028).There was significant difference in diagnose delay between two groups [14.3(2.5,43.6)months in HLA-B27 positive patients vs.20.3(5.0,67.4) months in HLA-B27 negative ones,P=0.041].Anterior uveitis was found to be significantly more common in HLA-B24 positive patients [18.9％ (133/705) vs.7.3％ (7/96),P=0.005],and knee involvement less common in HLA-B27 positive patients [4.0％ (27/682) vs.10.0％(9/90),P=0.010],conversely.CRP[6.5(3.0,16.4)mg/L vs.3.5(1.6,12.3)mg/L] and ESR[11.0(4.0,24.0)mrn/1h vs.7.0(3.0,16.0)mm/1h] were significantly higher in HLA-B27 positive patients(P=0.005,0.013,respectively).But no differences in BASDAI,ASDAS,BASFI and BASMI were obtained between two groups.Conclusions HLA-B27 positive patients had a higher proportion of males,a younger age of onset and a greater risk for occurrence of anterior uveitis,suggesting a poorer prognosis.