Objective:To analyze and summarize the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in the treatment of refractory systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA）.Methods:The clinical data of ten patients with refractory sJIA admitted to Department of Nephrology and Immunology in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2015 to March 2022 were collected，and the clinical manifestations，efficacy and safety of thalidomide in the treatment of refractory sJIA were analyzed retrospectively. Systemic juvenile arthritis disease activity score（sJADAS）was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measurements using general linear models.Results:Among the 10 children（4 males and 6 females）with refractory sJIA，the average age of onset was（7.5±3.3）years. Seven patients were complicated with macrophage activation syndrome at an early stage of disease.The average course of disease was（4.4±1.7）years，and the longest course of disease was 8.3 years. Before the application of thalidomide，all the 10 children experienced relapses（ranging from 2 to 10 times）. The indices of 10 children treated with thalidomide at 6 months and 12 months were compared with those before treatment. Peripheral blood leukocytes［（10.19±3.67）×10 9/L，（8.53±2.83）×10 9/L vs.（16.11±7.81）×10 9/L， F=7.918，11.084， P=0.020，0.009］，C-reactive protein［19.13（0.38，35.21）mg/L，8.05（0.10，18.00）mg/L vs. 59.34（24.20，131.90）mg/L， F=7.030，12.731， P=0.026，0.006］，sJADAS scores［6.00（1.50，12.50）scores，3.00（0，12.50）scores vs. 20.00（11.50，28.00）scores， F=14.710，17.870， P=0.004，0.002］were decreased significantly. The doses of prednisone［0.13（0，0.45）mg/（kg·d），0.02（0，0.06）mg/（kg·d）vs. 0.42（0.16，1.47）mg/（kg·d）， F=5.890，7.623， P=0.041，0.022］were significantly decreased.All the differences were statistically significant. Prednisone was successfully discontinued in 7 cases. Tocilizumab was gradually withdrawn in 3 cases，and tocilizumab administration interval was prolonged in 1 case. None of the 10 children had serious adverse reactions. Conclusion:Thalidomide is clinically effective in the treatment of sJIA，and can reduce the required dose of prednisone and prolong the tocilizumab free remission.

Objective:To explore the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis (DM) associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies(MDA5-DM).Methods:Twenty-eight cases of MDA5-DM in the department of rheumatology and immunology, the first hospital of Nanjing medical university and the first affiliated hospital od Wannan medical colledge from August 2018 to December 2011 were included in this study, comprising 15 cases with combined rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPILD) and 13 cases without RPILD (nonRPILD). Additionally, 28 cases of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and 28 healthy volunteers (HC) were included for comparison. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected for both the DM and ASS groups. Serum IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA. Independent t test, Mann-whitney U test, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact probability method were used for analysis. Results:Significant differences were observed in LDH, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), ESR, CRP, serum ferritin (SFE), and IL-18 levels between the MDA5-DM group, the ASS group and the HC group ( F=46.65, 43.19, 31.28, 23.94, 30.94, 49.44, all P<0.001). Additionally, lymphocyte counts and hemoglobin levels differed significantly among the three groups( F=35.26, P<0.001; F=18.59, P<0.001). MDA5-DM patients exhibited higher incidences of Gottron′s sign, helitrope rash, periungual erythema, skin ulcers, and RPILD compared to ASS patients ( χ2=20.96, P<0.001; χ2=5.85, P=0.016; χ2=13.69, P<0.001; χ2=9.16, P=0.002; χ2=4.79, P=0.029). However, the incidence of mechanic′s hand was lower in MDA5-DM patients ( χ2=3.90, P=0.048). The level of IL-18 significantly decreased in MDA5-DM after treatment[(104.28(71.96,151.10)pg/ml vs. 78.30(56.20, 94.80)pg/ml, =2.27, P=0.023)]. Similar reductions were observed in the ASS group[(72.30(61.39, 95.94)pg/ml vs. 45.30(29.00,84.10)pg/ml, Z=2.691, P=0.007]. The IL-18 level changes in the MDA5-DM combined with RPILD group were not statistically significant [99.49 (77.65, 130.87)pg/ml vs. 89.40(54.80, 120.20)pg/ml, Z=0.65, P=0.515]. In the MDA5-DM survival group, IL-18 levels decreased significantly after treatment [59.45(53.58, 81.63)pg/ml vs. 106.37(83.62, 152.07)pg/ml, Z=2.80, P=0.005], while the changes in the IL-18 levels of patients in the MDA5-DM death group were not statistically significant [99.49(56.70, 140.15)pg/ml vs. 94.80(71.40, 155.45)pg/ml, Z=1.75, P=0.080]. Conclusion:MDA5-DM patients are different from the ASS patients in clinical manifestations and indicators involved in laboratory tests. The expression level of IL-18 tends to increase during the active phase of MDA5-DM and ASS, and decrease with remission of the disease. MDA5-DM may play an important role in the pathogenesis, and persistent high level of IL-18 is responsible for RPILD and death of MDA5-DM. Sustained high level of IL-18 can be used as a potential biomarker for the estimating development of MDA5-DM into RPILD.

A 41-year-old male was presented with rapidly progression memory impairment for 2 months and episodic limb shaking for 2 weeks as the main manifestations.Physical examination showed verbal disadvantage with decreased memory,attention,comprehension,and orientation.Serum vitamin B12 levels decreased,serum anti gastric parietal cell antibodies and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies were positive.Blood analysis showed macrocytic anemia,neuropsychological scale showed functional impairment in multiple cognitive domains,electrophysiological examination showed peripheral nerve damage,cerebrospinal fluid and imaging examination showed no abnormalities.The patient was diagnosed as having vitamin B12 deficiency dementia,vitamin B12 deficiency related involuntary movement and pernicious anemia.Supplementing with B vitamins and folic acid significantly improved cognitive impairment and eliminated symptoms of limb shaking.The purpose of this case report is to enhance the understanding of clinical doctors about dementia and involunting movement caused by vitamin B12 deficiency,in order to diagnose and treat it early.

Objective:To compare the similarities and differences of macrophage activation syndrome（MAS）combined with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA）versus with juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus（JSLE）.Methods:The clinical data of 48 children with MAS admitted to the Department of Nephrology and Immunology in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from May 2015 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into sJIA-MAS and JSLE-MAS group，and the clinical manifestations，laboratory indicators and treatment of the two groups were compared.Results:Among the 48 children（14 males and 34 females）with MAS，the average age of onset was 9.5（3.0，11.8）years. There were 28 cases（11males and 17 females）of sJIA-MAS and 20 cases（3 males and 17 females）of JSLE- MAS. All the 48 children with MAS had fever and hyperferinemia，and the fever with sJIA-MAS was mostly continued fever or remittent fever. Respiratory tract infection was the most common trigger in sJIA-MAS［15 cases（53.6%）］，and disease activity was the most common trigger in JSLE-MAS［13 cases（65.0%）］.Additionally，viral infections（EB virus and cytomegalovirus）were also one of the triggers in MAS［sJIA：7 cases（25%），JSLE：4 cases（20%）］.Compared with JSLE-MAS，the number of days with fever［15.0（12.0，21.0）days vs. 6.0（4.0，9.5）days， Z=-3.812， P=0.001］and the length of hospital stay［29.0（26.3，39.8）days vs.26.0（19.3，30.8）days， Z=-1.958， P=0.049］were longer in sJIA. Compared with JSLE-MAS，ALT［（685.32±561.67）U/L vs.（139.61±124.44）U/L， t=4.973， P=0.001］，AST［784.00（235.25，1 251.25）U/L vs.189.50（53.25，374.08）U/L， Z=-3.283， P=0.001］，CRP［11.48（3.56，28.89）mg/L vs.1.91（0.53，8.98）mg/L， Z=-3.200， P=0.001］，ferritin［32 167.0（12 384.8，65 963.8）μg/L vs.2 003.5（922.5，11 430.0）μg/L， Z=-4.130， P=0.001］，ferritin max/ESR min［1 353.35（355.75，4 342.53）vs.91.92（34.94，291.53）， Z=-4.120， P=0.001］were higher in sJIA.The decrease of CRP was greater in sJIA［80.04（45.64，143.71）mg/L vs.10.20（6.27，25.64）mg/L， Z=-4.433， P=0.001］.Compared with sJIA-MAS，peripheral white blood cell counting［4.05（2.90，7.73）×10 9/L vs.1.56（1.15，3.47）×10 9/L， Z=-3.577， P=0.001］and platelet counting［（162.68±92.19）×10 9/L vs.（110.10±72.99）×10 9/L， t=2.118， P=0.040］were lower in JSLE-MAS. Kidney involvement was more common in JSLE-MAS［10 cases（50%）vs.0 cases（0%）， χ 2=17.684， P=0.001］.There was no significant difference in the incidence of sJIA-MAS and JSLE-MAS meeting the criteria of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis［6 cases（21.4%）vs.5 cases（25.0%）， χ 2=0.084， P=0.772］. Conclusion:Compared with JSLE-MAS，sJIA-MAS is more dangerous and difficult to control，while JSLE-MAS involves more organs，among which the blood system and kidney are more common.

ObjectiveTo explore the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu prescription in the intervention of pyroptosis. MethodTen male BALB/c mice were randomly selected and assigned to the blank group. The remaining 40 mice underwent the induction of the liver cancer xenograft model. After 5 days of modeling， 40 surviving mice were randomly divided into model group， cisplatin group ［2.5×10^-3 g·kg^-1·（3 d）^-1］， Shenqi Yiliu prescription group （27 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and a combination group （Shenqi Yiliu prescription group + cisplatin）. The mice in the blank group and the model group were treated with an equal volume of normal saline for 10 days. The general conditions of mice in each group were observed. After the intervention， the tumor weight of the mice was weighed and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in tumor tissues. The levels of mouse liver function indicators， including alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were detected. The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay was used to detect DNA damage in mouse tumor tissue cells. Immunohistochemistry （IHC）， immunofluorescence （IF）， and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， and gasdermin D （GSDMD） in tumor tissues. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in tumor tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultCompared with the mice in the blank group， those in the model group were in a poor mental state， sleepy， and lazy， and their fur color was dull， with increased levels of serum ALT and AST in liver function tests （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the groups with drug intervention showed improved mental state， inhibited tumor growth to varying degrees， and decreased tumor weight， and the tumor inhibition rate in the combination group was the highest （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that the pathological and morphological lesions of the tumor tissues in the model group were significant， while those in all groups with drug intervention were improved to a certain extent. The karyolysis and nuclear rupture in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group and the combination group were more significant. In the liver function test， the serum ALT and AST levels of mice in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group and the combination group decreased （P<0.01）， and the inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in each group with drug intervention decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among them， the declining trend of IL-1β and IL-18 in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group was the most significant （P<0.01）. TUNEL staining showed that the positive TUNEL staining in each group with drug intervention decreased after intervention （P<0.05， P<0.01）， especially the cisplatin group and Shenqi Yiliu prescription group （P<0.01）. Western blot， IHC， and IF found that the protein expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in each group with drug intervention decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the mice in the cisplatin group， those in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group and the combination group had better mental state and regular tumor morphology， and the tumor weight of the mice in the combination group decreased （P<0.05）. The levels of ALT and AST in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group decreased （P<0.05）， and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group and the combination group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， especially in the combination group （P<0.01）. The results of IHC showed that the expression of GSDMD protein in the tumor tissues of mice in the combination group was reduced （P<0.01）. IF detection showed that the expression of NLRP3 in the tumor tissues of the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group was reduced （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that the expression level of NLRP3 protein in the Shenqi Yiliu prescription group and the combination group decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression level of Caspase-1 protein in the combination group decreased （P<0.01）. The decrease in GSDMD protein expression was not significant， and the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionShenqi Yiliu prescription combined with cisplatin has an obvious anti-tumor effect， which may be achieved by down-regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD inflammatory pyroptosis pathway to inhibit cell pyroptosis， and relieve the inflammatory response in mice with liver cancer.

17α hydroxylase is a key enzyme for the conversion of progesterone to prepare various progestational drug intermediates. To improve the specific hydroxylation capability of this enzyme in steroid biocatalysis, the CYP260A1 derived from cellulose-mucilaginous bacteria Sorangium cellulosum Soce56 and the Fpr and bovine adrenal-derived Adx_4-108 derived from Escherichia coli str. K-12 were used to construct a new electron transfer system for the conversion of progesterone. Selective mutation of CYP260A1 resulted in a mutant S276I with significantly enhanced 17α hydroxylase activity, and the yield of 17α-OH progesterone reached 58% after optimization of the catalytic system in vitro. In addition, the effect of phosphorylation of the ferredoxin Adx_4-108 on 17α hydroxyl activity was evaluated using a targeted mutation technique, and the results showed that the mutation Adx_4-108T69E transferred electrons to S276I more efficiently, which further enhanced the catalytic specificity in the C17 position of progesterone, and the yield of 17α-OH progesterone was eventually increased to 74%. This study provides a new option for the production of 17α-OH progesterone by specific transformation of bacterial-derived 17α hydroxylase, and lays a theoretical foundation for the industrial production of progesterone analogs using biotransformation method.
Animals ; Cattle ; Progesterone/metabolism* ; Hydroxylation ; Biocatalysis ; Electron Transport ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism*

The data of a child with sphingosine phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) admitted to Children′s Hospital of Hebei Province on February 4, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The child had edema, complicated with ichthyosis, adrenal calcification, and hearing loss from the early infancy.Laboratory examination results suggested a low albumin level, hypercholesterolemia, a high proteinuria level, abnormal liver and renal functions, and hyponatremia.The child gave up treatment and died at home.Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) results showed two hete-rozygous mutations of SGPL1 gene (chr10: 72604336, c.134G>A, p.W45X; chr10: 72629563, c.719G>T, p.S240I). SPLIS is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.It starts in infancy, and affects the kidney, skin, endocrine, nervous and immune systems.It is suggested that SPLIS patients should take genetic examination.Early diagnosis, appropriate intervention, and vitamin B 6 treatment may relieve some symptoms of SPLIS patients.Adeno-associated virus mediated SGPL1 gene replacement therapy can be a novel cure of SPLIS and is worthy of investigation.

Objective:To explore the effects of staged rehabilitation training on the dyspnea, motor function, and lung function of mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia in ICU under the framework of a quantitative assessment strategy, and provide a scientific basis for clinical work.Methods:Totally 104 mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia in ICU at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from April 2018 to April 2020 were selected by the convenient sampling method, and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table, with 52 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received conventional rehabilitation training, while patients in the observation group underwent staged rehabilitation training under the framework of quantitative assessment strategy on the basis of the training provided to the control group. The incidence of complications, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time, compliance time of adequate enteral nutrition, and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups of patients. The dyspnea scores, Medical Research Council (MRC) score, motor function, and lung function [peak respiratory flow (PEF) , forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1) , FEV 1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ] of the two groups were compared when they were admitted into the ICU, transferred from the ICU, and discharged from the hospital. Results:The mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time, and compliance time of adequate enteral nutrition in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01) . The PEF, FEV 1, FEV 1/FVC, and motor function in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the MRC score was lower than that in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . The incidence of complications in the observation group was 9.62% (5/52) , which was lower than 25.00% (13/52) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The nursing satisfaction in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:In the management of mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia in the ICU, staged rehabilitation training under the framework of quantitative assessment strategies can reduce the symptoms of dyspnea, improve lung function, enhance mobility, and reduce the risk of complications through targeted and standardized training, which also helps to speed up disease recovery.

Objective:To investigate the value of D-dimer, carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) for postoperative monitoring and prediction of survival time in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.Methods:The data of 119 patients with pancreatic cancer who were admitted to the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from May 2010 to January 2014 were collected. Immunoturbidimetry was used to determine the level of D-dimer before surgery, at postoperative stable disease stage and disease progression stage; electrochemiluminescence was used to determine the level of CA199, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum IGFBP2 level. A total of 30 healthy people and 40 patients with pancreatic serous cystadenoma were treated as the controls. The correlations of the levels of preoperative D-dimer, CA199 and IGFBP2 with clinicopathological characteristics and survival time of patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed.Results:The levels of preoperative D-dimer, CA199, IGFBP2 in patients with pancreatic cancer were higher than those in the both control group (all P < 0.01). The levels of serum D-dimer, CA199 and IGFBP2 after the progression of pancreatic cancer were higher than those at postoperative stable disease stage [1 496.0 ng/ml (590.0 ng/ml, 2 280.4 ng/ml) vs. 578.1 ng/ml (381.7 ng/ml, 671.5 ng/ml), 207.0 U/ml (54.5 U/ml, 736.5 U/ml) vs. 31.9 U/ml (14.1 U/ml, 44.0 U/ml), (435±107) ng/ml vs. (249±83) ng/ml, all P < 0.01]. There were no statistical differences in the proportion of pancreatic cancer patients stratified by different clinicopathological factors with the increased levels of D-dimer before operation (all P > 0.05). The proportion of the increased levels of CA199 and IGFBP2 in patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis (both P < 0.05); there was no association of the increased levels of CA199 and IGFBP2 with other factors (all P > 0.05). The preoperative progression-free survival (PFS) time and overall survival (OS) time of pancreatic cancer patients with elevated D-dimer level was shorter than that for those with normal D-dimer level [(10.6±1.2) months vs. (20.4±2.4) months, (18.9±1.9) months vs. (29.2±2.6) months, both P < 0.01]. When the threshold value of CA199 was 37 U/ml, there was no correlation between CA199 and survival of pancreatic cancer patients (all P > 0.05); when the threshold value was 253.8 U/ml (median CA199 for the enrolled patients) and 1 000 U/ml, patients with elevated CA199 level had shorter OS time and PFS time compared with the patients with normal CA199 level [253.8 U/ml: (11.5±1.5) months vs. (21.0±2.6) months, (19.9±2.1) months vs. (29.0±2.7) months, both P < 0.01; 1 000 U/ml: (8.9±1.9) months vs. (19.1±1.9) months, (15.5±2.3) months vs. (28.0±2.0) months, both P < 0.01]. When the threshold value of IGFBP2 was 339.1 ng/ml, patients with elevated preoperative IGFBP2 level had shorter PFS time and OS time compared with the patients with normal IGFBP2 level [(10.8± 1.1) months vs. (21.1±2.6) months, (18.9±1.8) months vs. (30.3±2.8) months, both P < 0.01]. Cox multivariate analysis showed that preoperative D-dimer and IGFBP2 levels were independent factors affecting PFS and OS in patients with pancreatic cancer (D-dimer: HR = 0.561, 95% CI 0.336-0.936, P = 0.027; HR = 0.515, 95% CI 0.303-0.874, P = 0.014; IGFBP2: HR = 0.430, 95% CI 0.253-0.731, P = 0.002; HR = 0.361, 95% CI 0.202-0.644, P = 0.001). Conclusions:For patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, D-dimer, CA199 and IGFBP2 can be used for postoperative condition monitoring, and preoperative D-dimer and IGFBP2 can be used for survival time prediction.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with S-1 in patients with advanced NSCLC without sensitive gene mutation or unknown mutation status.Methods One hundred and four patients with advanced NSCLC without sensitive gene mutation or unknown mutation status were selected from the oncology department of the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao City,Hebei Province from April 2015 to April 2017.All patients refused intravenous chemotherapy.One hundred and four patients were randomly divided into treatment group (apatinib combined with S-1 group) and control group (S-1 alone group) by 1:1 digital method.However,two patients in the treatment group transferred to the control group for personal reasons.There is 50 cases in apatinib combined with S-1 group and 54 cases in S-1 group.The efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were evaluated.Results The objective remission rate was 48.0％ (24/50) and 27.8％ (15/54) (x2=4.530,P =0.033),the disease control rate was 82.0％ (41/50) and 74.1％ (40/54) (x2=0.947,P=0.331),the median PFS was 6.6 months and 3.4 months (t=25.555,P =0.000),the median OS was 16.0 months and 10.5 months (t =59.439,P =0.000),respectively.The overall incidence of adverse reactions was 82.0％ (41/50) and 70.4％ (38/54) respectively (x2 =1.923,P=0.166),of which 18.0％ (9/50) and 13.0％ (7/54) were more than grade 3 respectively (x2 =0.506,P =0.477).There was no death caused by treatment-related adverse reactions in both groups.Conclusion Appatinib combined with S-1 capsule has good short-term and long-term efficacy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer without gene mutation or unknown mutation.The adverse reactions are tolerable and can be used as first-line treatment for patients unwilling to receive intravenous chemotherapy.