1.Methodology for Developing Patient Guideline (3):Reporting Frameworks and Presentation
Lijiao YAN ; Ning LIANG ; Haili ZHANG ; Nannan SHI ; Ziyu TIAN ; Ruixiang WANG ; Xiaojia NI ; Yufang HAO ; Wei CHEN ; Yingfeng ZHOU ; Dan YANG ; Shuyu YANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Ziteng HU ; Jianping LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(22):2304-2309
Standardized reporting is a crucial factor affecting the use of patient guidelines (PGs), particularly in the reporting and presentation of recommendations. This paper introduced the current status of PG reporting, including the research on PG content and presentation formats, and provided comprehensive recommendations for PG reporting from aspects such as overall framework, recommendations, presentation format, and readability. First, the presentation of PG recommendations should include clearly defined clinical questions, recommendations and their rationale, and guidance on how patients should implement the interventions; for specific content in the PG, such as level of evidence, level of recommendation, it is recommended to explain in text the reasons for giving different levels of recommendation, i.e., to present the logic behind giving the level of recommendation to the patient; additional information needed in the recommendation framework should be supplemented by tracing references or authoritative textbooks and literature that support the recommendations. Subsequently, the PG text should be written based on the Reporting Checklist for Public Versions of Guidelines (RIGHT-PVG) reporting framework. Finally, to enhance readability and comprehension, it is recommended to refer to the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for translating PG content. To enhance the readability of PGs, it is suggested to present the PG content in a persona-lized and layered manner.
2.Prognosis and influencing factors analysis of patients with initially resectable gastric cancer liver metastasis who were treated by different modalities: a nationwide, multicenter clinical study
Li LI ; Yunhe GAO ; Liang SHANG ; Zhaoqing TANG ; Kan XUE ; Jiang YU ; Yanrui LIANG ; Zirui HE ; Bin KE ; Hualong ZHENG ; Hua HUANG ; Jianping XIONG ; Zhongyuan HE ; Jiyang LI ; Tingting LU ; Qiying SONG ; Shihe LIU ; Hongqing XI ; Yun TANG ; Zhi QIAO ; Han LIANG ; Jiafu JI ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(1):114-124
Objective:To investigate the prognosis of patients with initially resectable gastric cancer liver metastasis (GCLM) who were treated by different modalities, and analyze the influencing factors for prognosis of patients.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 327 patients with initially resectable GCLM who were included in the database of a nationwide multicenter retrospective cohort study on GCLM based on real-world data from January 2010 to December 2019 were collected. There were 267 males and 60 females, aged 61(54,68)years. According to the specific situations of patients, treatment modalities included radical surgery combined with systemic treatment, palliative surgery combined with systemic treatment, and systemic treatment alone. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients who were treated by different modalities; (2) prognostic outcomes of patients who were treated by different modalities; (3) analysis of influencing factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM; (4) screening of potential beneficiaries in patients who were treated by radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients who were treated by palliative surgery plus systemic treatment. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and draw survival curve, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional hazard regression model. The propensity score matching was employed by the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method with a caliper value of 0.1. The forest plots were utilized to evaluate potential benefits of diverse surgical combined with systemic treatments within the population. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients who were treated by different modalities. Of 327 patients, there were 118 cases undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment, 164 cases undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment, and 45 cases undergoing systemic treatment alone. There were significant differences in smoking, drinking, site of primary gastric tumor, diameter of primary gastric tumor, site of liver metastasis, and metastatic interval among the three groups of patients ( P<0.05). (2) Prognostic outcomes of patients who were treated by different modalities. The median overall survival time of the 327 pati-ents was 19.9 months (95% confidence interval as 14.9-24.9 months), with 1-, 3-year overall survival rate of 61.3%, 32.7%, respectively. The 1-year overall survival rates of patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment, palliative surgery plus systemic treatment and systemic treatment alone were 68.3%, 63.1%, 30.6%, and the 3-year overall survival rates were 41.1%, 29.9%, 11.9%, showing a significant difference in overall survival rate among the three groups of patients ( χ2=19.46, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that there was a significant difference in overall survival rate between patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients undergoing systemic treatment alone ( hazard ratio=0.40, 95% confidence interval as 0.26-0.61, P<0.05), between patients undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment and patients under-going systemic treatment alone ( hazard ratio=0.47, 95% confidence interval as 0.32-0.71, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of influencing factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the larger primary gastric tumor, poorly differentiated tumor, larger liver metastasis, multiple hepatic metastases were independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM ( hazard ratio=1.20, 1.70, 1.20, 2.06, 95% confidence interval as 1.14-1.27, 1.25-2.31, 1.04-1.42, 1.45-2.92, P<0.05) and immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the treatment modality of radical or palliative surgery plus systemic therapy were independent protective factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM ( hazard ratio=0.60, 0.39, 0.46, 95% confidence interval as 0.42-0.87, 0.25-0.60, 0.30-0.70, P<0.05). (4) Screening of potentinal beneficiaries in patients who were treated by radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients who were treated by palliative surgery plus systemic treatment. Results of forest plots analysis showed that for patients with high-moderate differentiated GCLM and patients with liver metastasis located in the left liver, the overall survival rate of patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment was better than patients undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment ( hazard ratio=0.21, 0.42, 95% confidence interval as 0.09-0.48, 0.23-0.78, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared to systemic therapy alone, both radical and palliative surgery plus systemic therapy can improve the pro-gnosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM. The larger primary gastric tumor, poorly differen-tiated tumor, larger liver metastasis, multiple hepatic metastases are independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with initial resectable GCLM and immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the treatment modality of radical or palliative surgery plus systemic therapy are independent protective factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM.
3.Chinese Translation of the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale and Its Application Evaluation on Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Liver-Constraint and Spleen-Deficiency Syndrome
Shibing LIANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Zhijie WANG ; Zeyu YU ; Mei HAN ; Huijuan CAO ; Guoyan YANG ; Shihuan CAO ; Hongjie CHENG ; Qiaoyan ZHANG ; Youzhu SU ; Yufei LI ; Jianping LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):1994-2001
ObjectiveTo adapt the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale(SETS) into Chinese(C-SETS) and test the feasibility, validity and reliability of its application in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D) with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome treated with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). MethodsWe obtained authorisation from the developer of the SETS, and followed the principle of "two-way translation" to translate the SETS by literal translation and back translation to form the C-SETS. Ninety-six IBS-D patients with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome were enrolled as respondents and filled out C-SETS before receiving treatment; the feasibility was assessed by the recall rate, completion rate and the duration of filling out the scale; the reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α; the structural validity was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the content validity was assessed by correlation analysis. ResultsThe C-SETS consists of 10 items, with the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rating items constituting the Positive Expectations subscale, and the 2nd, 4th, and 6th rating items constituting the Negative Expectations subscale, each of which is rated on a 7-point Likert Scale. The recall of C-SETS was 100%(96/96), the completion rate was 89.58%(86/96); Cronbach's α for the Positive and Negative Treatment Expectations subscales were 0.845 and 0.854, respectively; exploratory factor analysis showed that the coefficient of commonality for all six entries was larger than 0.4, and that the six entries could be used by both factors to explain 77.092% of the total variance; validation factor analysis showed that the goodness-of-fit index, comparative fit index, root mean square of approximation error, canonical fit coefficient, and chi-square degrees of freedom ratio took the values of 0.943, 1.003, 0, 0.943, and 0.626, respectively; and the results of Spearman's analysis suggested that the C-SETS had good content validity. ConclusionThe C-SETS has well feasibility, reliability, and validity, which initially proves that it can be used as a tool to assess the treatment expectation of patients with IBS-D with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome before receiving TCM treatment.
4.Methodology for Developing Patient Guideline(1):The Concept of Patient Guideline
Lijiao YAN ; Ning LIANG ; Ziyu TIAN ; Nannan SHI ; Sihong YANG ; Yufang HAO ; Wei CHEN ; Xiaojia NI ; Yingfeng ZHOU ; Ruixiang WANG ; Zeyu YU ; Shuyu YANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Ziteng HU ; Jianping LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(20):2086-2091
Since the concept of patient versions of guidelines (PVGs) was introduced into China, several PVGs have been published in China, but we found that there is a big difference between the concept of PVG at home and abroad, and the reason for this difference has not been reasonably explained, which has led to ambiguity and even misapplication of the PVG concept by guideline developers. By analyzing the background and purpose of PVGs, and the understanding of the PVG concept by domestic scholars, we proposed the term patient guidelines (PGs). This refers to guidelines developed under the principles of evidence-based medicine, centered on health issues that concern patients, and based on the best available evidence, intended for patient use. Except for the general attribute of providing information or education, which is typical of common health education materials, PGs also provide recommendations and assist in decision-making, so PGs include both the patient versions of guidelines (PVG) as defined by the Guidelines International Network (GIN) and "patient-directed guidelines", i.e. clinical practice guidelines resulting from the adaptation or reformulation of recommendations through clinical practice guidelines.
5.Methodology for Developing Patient Guideline (2):Process and Methodology
Lijiao YAN ; Ning LIANG ; Nannan SHI ; Sihong YANG ; Ziyu TIAN ; Dan YANG ; Xiaojia NI ; Yufang HAO ; Wei CHEN ; Ruixiang WANG ; Yingfeng ZHOU ; Shibing LIANG ; Shuyu YANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Ziteng HU ; Jianping LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(21):2194-2198
At present, the process and methodology of patient guidelines (PGs) development varies greatly and lacks systematic and standardised guidance. In addition to the interviews with PG developers, we have sorted out the relevant methodology for the adaptation and development of existing clinical practice guideline recommendations and facilitated expert deliberations to achieve a consensus, so as to finally put forward a proposal for guidance on the process and methodology for the development of PGs. The development of PGs can be divided into the preparation stage, the construction stage, and the completion stage in general, but the specific steps vary according to the different modes of development of PGs. The development process of Model 1 is basically the same as the patient version of the guideline development process provided by the International Guidelines Network, i.e., team formation, screening of recommendations, guideline drafing, user testing and feedback, approval and dissemination. The developer should also first determine the need for and scope of translating the clinical practice guideline into a patient version during the preparation phase. Model 2 adds user experience and feedback to the conventional clinical practice guideline development process (forming a team, determining the scope of the PG, searching, evaluating and integrating evidence, forming recommendations, writing the guideline, and expert review). Based on the different models, we sort out the process and methods of PG development and introduce the specific methods of PG development, including how to identify the clinical problem and how to form recommendations based on the existing clinical practice guidelines, with a view to providing reference for guideline developers and related researchers.
6.Study on the Mechanism of the Flavonoids from the New
Liang GAO ; Yalin ZHANG ; Yuhan WU ; Jiahui SHAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Yidan SHAO ; Yaping XU ; Jianping JIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(2):166-176
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanisms of the flavonoids from new "Zhe Eight Flavors" Quzhou Fructus Aurantii(PTFC) against hepatocellular carcinoma based on the prediction of network pharmacology and experimental verification.
METHODS
From TCMSP, TCMID, ETCM, BATMAN-TCM and SwissTargetPrediction databases, the potential target proteins of PTFC, including naringin, narirutin and neohesperidin were collected. Based on the GeneCards, CTD, Disgenet, and OMIM databases, a set of target proteins for hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed. Taking the intersection of potential target proteins of PTFC and target proteins of hepatocellular carcinoma, key target proteins were obtained and a protein-protein interaction network was established. Besides, GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the core target proteins was performed and a Compounds-Targets-Pathways-Disease network was constructed. Through proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration experiments, the effects of PTFC on the viability of HepG2 liver cancer cells were analyzed. Using fluorescence probe staining the impacts of PTFC on the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis of HepG2 were observed. Finally, the validation of the regulatory effect of PTFC on the key predicted target PRKCA were carried out through RT-qPCR.
RESULTS
Based on network pharmacology, a total of 217 potential target proteins for PTFC were screened, with 59 intersecting target proteins related to diseases, including ALB, ESR1, PRKCA, and others. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the PTFC target proteins were involved in 193 biological processes and 13 cancer-related signaling pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that PTFC could impact the proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration abilities of liver cancer cells, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting cell apoptosis. The results of RT-qPCR confirmed a significant downregulation of PRKCA expression by PTFC, validating the predictions made by network pharmacology analysis.
CONCLUSION
This study has revealed the potential molecular mechanism of PTFC treating hepatocellular carcinoma via the PRKCA target, laying the foundation for clinical application of PTFC.
7.Study on the Optimal Harvesting Period of Platycodonis Radix by Grey Correlation Method and TOPSIS Method Based on Entropy Weight Method
Yajiang JING ; Jianping HUANG ; Qilong WANG ; Jia AN ; Xiang WANG ; Yupeng WANG ; Gang ZHANG ; Liang PENG ; Jing GAO ; Changli WANG ; Yonggang YAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(9):1229-1237
OBJECTIVE
To improve the quality evaluation method of Platycodonis Radix, to study the differences in the quality of three-years-old Platycodonis Radix under different harvesting periods, and to determine the optimal harvesting period of Platycodonis Radix.
METHODS
The leachate, ash, moisture, refractive index and the content of six saponins were used as the quality evaluation indexes. The differences between the herbs of Platycodonis Radix at different harvesting periods were characterized with the help of mathematical and statistical methods. And link the entropy weight method, gray correlation analysis and TOPSIS method were combined to obtain the statistical analysis of the relevant indexes and the quality ranking information of the herbs in different harvesting periods.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between the quality evaluation indexes of three-years-old Platycodonis Radix at different harvesting periods. The added multi-indicator testing had improved the quality evaluation system of Platycodonis Radix and enhanced the "Drug properties-Effectiveness" linkage of the herbs. And the results of the comprehensive quality evaluation model showed that the herbs harvested around October 21 (Frost’s Descent) were ranked best in terms of comprehensive index.
CONCLUSION
In order to ensure the quality of Platycodonis Radix, the best harvesting period for three-years-old Platycodonis Radix is determined around the "Frost’s Descent" season, taking into account the characteristics of the herbs' appearance and the material basis of herbs.
8.Can Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi pills relieve endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea? Protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Mei Han ; Jiahui Cao ; Jiali Wei ; Hui Luo ; Chaoqin Yu ; Xuefang Liang ; Nyangmotse ; Guoyan Yang ; Huilan Du ; Jianping Liu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(1):78-85
Objective:
To provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi (HHRY) pills for endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea.
Methods:
This study constitutes a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial encompassing a three-menstrual cycle intervention followed by a three-menstrual cycle follow-up period. A total of 164 eligible females with endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into HHRY pills and placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea symptoms assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and quality of life, whereas the secondary outcome measures included the maximum VAS for non-menstrual pelvic pain, duration of pain episodes (in days), frequency and quantity of the consumption of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules (or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and days off work/study for staff/student due to dysmenorrhea, ovarian cyst, and/or pelvic nodule size. The safety was monitored throughout the treatment period. All the analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. For continuous outcomes, simple or multiple linear regressions were used to estimate the differences between the HHRY pills and placebo groups, with categorical data expressed as the number and percentage of occurrences. Differences were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The predefined analysis was adjusted for concomitant treatment, a variable considered to be associated with outcomes but unaffected by treatment allocation. Estimates of treatment effects were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Two-tailed P values ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant.
Conclusion
Positive results from this trial, upon completion would provide robust evidence for the efficacy and safety of HHRY pills in treating dysmenorrhea in patients with endometriosis.
9.Efficacy of flexible negative pressure ureteral access sheath plus disposable flexible ureteroscope versus SMP in the treatment of 2-3 cm renal calculi
Jianfeng LIN ; Zhibin YE ; Liren HU ; Fulyu LIANG ; Jianping TU ; Chaohao MIAO ; Xianming FAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(7):617-621,626
Objective To explore the efficacy of negative pressure ureteral access sheath combined with disposable flexible ureteroscope(UAS+FRUS)in the treatment of renal calculi of 2-3 cm,so as to provide reference for the treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 130 cases of renal calculi of 2-3 cm treated with surgery in Xiamen Third Hospital during Sep.2021 and Sep.2023,including 68 cases with UAS+FRUS and 62 cases with super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotripsy(SMP).The perioperative indexes and stone-clearance rate(SFR)were compared between the two groups.Results All operations were successful.There were no statistically significant differences in the total SFR and incidence of complications(5.88%vs.9.67%)between the two groups 3 days(88.24%vs.90.32%)and 1 month(91.18%vs.93.55%)after surgery(P>0.05).For patients with lower calyceal calculi with infundibulopelvic angle(IPA)<45°,the SFR of the UAS+FRUS group was significantly lower than that of the SMP group(57.14%vs.100%,P<0.05).The UAS+FRUS group had a longer operation time than the SMP group[(104.94±8.79)minutes vs.(77.98±6.60)minutes,P<0.001],higher hospitalization costs[(23 112.82±1152.34)yuan vs.(21 975.84±1512.24)yuan,P<0.001],less postoperative decrease in hemoglobin[(6.71±2.07)g/L vs.(9.81±4.80)g/L,P<0.001],and shorter postoperative hospitalization time[(3.28±0.51)d vs.(5.58±0.71)d,P<0.001].The UAS+FRUS group had lower postoperative VAS score at 6,24,and 48 hours than the SMP group[(6.38±0.69)vs.(7.87±0.88);(3.62±0.73)vs.(5.81±0.83)and(3.12±0.33)vs.(3.81±0.60)],with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Both surgical methods have a high SFR in the treatment of renal calculi of 2-3 cm.SMP has the advantages of short operation time,low hospitalization costs,and high SFR for lower calyx calculi,while UAS+FURS has the advantages of little bleeding,minimal trauma,and short hospital stay.Surgeons can make reasonable choices based on the patients'condition and willingness,combined with their own surgical experience.
10.Curative effect of percutaneous microwave ablation therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma survival: a 15-year real-world study
Yanchun LUO ; Manlin LANG ; Wenjia CAI ; Zhiyu HAN ; Fangyi LIU ; Zhigang CHENG ; Xiaoling YU ; Jianping DOU ; Xin LI ; Shuilian TAN ; Xuejuan DONG ; Ping LIANG ; Jie YU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(4):332-339
Objective:To evaluate the long-term efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:2054 cases with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0~B at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2006 to September 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The primary endpoint of overall survival and secondary endpoints (tumor-related survival, disease-free survival, and postoperative complications) of patients treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for stratified survival rate analysis. Fine-and-Gray competing risk model was used to analyze overall survival.Results:A total of 5 503 HCC nodules [mean tumor diameter (2.6±1.6) cm] underwent 3 908 MWAs between January 2006 and September 2020, with a median follow-up time of 45.6 (24.0 -79.2) months.The technical effectiveness rate of 5 375 tumor nodules was 97.5%. The overall survival rates at 5, 10, and 15-years were 61.6%, 38.8%, and 27.0%, respectively. The tumor-specific survival rates were 67.1%, 47.2%, and 37.7%, respectively. The free tumor survival rates were 25.8%, 15.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. The incidence rate of severe complications was 2.8% (108/3 908). Further analysis showed that the technical effectiveness and survival rate over the passing three time periods from January 2006-2010, 2011-2015, and 2016-September 2020 were significantly increased, with P ?0.001, especially for liver cancer 3.1~5.0 cm ( P ?0.001). Conclusion:Microwave ablation therapy is a safe and effective method for BCLC stage 0-B, with significantly enhanced technical efficacy and survival rate over time.


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