Objective:To analyze the costs and effectiveness of five common screening modes and genetic screening for thalassemia in China in order to find the optimal way and provide evidence for the implementation of thalassemia prevention and control projects in Hunan Province.Methods:From June 2020 to April 2021, 12 971 couples from 14 cities and autonomous prefectures in Hunan Province were selected as the study population. The diagnosis of thalassemia was based on the results of genetic testing. Results of routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were collected and analyzed. The efficacy of five screening modes, at the cut-off value of <80 fl or 82 fl for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), was analyzed by positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Jorden index and cost-effectiveness ratio. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the feasibility of genetic screening at different costs after fixing the costs of routine blood and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The five thalassemia screening models are as follows: Mode 1: The woman had a blood routine test first. If the result was positive, the spouse required a blood routine test. If both results were positive, a thalassemia gene test should be offered to the couple. Mode 2: Both husband and wife were screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If one or both of them were positive, both would be tested for thalassemia gene. Mode 3: The couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing. Mode 4: The woman was screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If any one of them was positive, the woman would be tested for thalassemia gene. If the gene test result was positive, the spouse should receive thalassemia gene. Mode 5: Both spouses conducted a blood routine test. If either was positive, both would conduct hemoglobin electrophoresis test. If both were positive, both spouses should receive thalassemia gene testing. Gene testing mode: The woman would be tested for thalassemia, and her spouse would have thalassemia test too if her result was positive.Results:When using MCV<80 fl as the cut-off for diagnosing thalassemia, the Youden indices of the five prenatal screening modes in Hunan Province were 0.551, 0.639, 0.898, 0.555 and 0.356, while when using MCV<82 fl as the cut-off, the Youden indices were 0.549, 0.629, 0.851, 0.548 and 0.356. When the MCV cut-off value was <80 fl, the missed diagnosis rates of the five screening modes were 44.44%, 0.00, 0.00, 18.52% and 62.96%, and the cost-effectiveness ratios were 21 709, 250 939, 76 870, 138 463 and 92 860 yuan (RMB)/couple, respectively. When the price of genetic testing was lower than 55 yuan (RMB), the cost-effectiveness ratio of genetic screening was lower than that of Mode 3.Conclusions:MCV<80 fl can be considered as the positive criteria in blood routine screening for thalassemia in Hunan Province, and the cost-effectiveness ratio of Mode 3 (the couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing) is the best. Genetic screening has certain advantages with the decreasing price.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic efficacy and factors influencing the sequential combination of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) with pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN-α) in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:144 CHB cases with NAs treatment for more than 1 year, HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification < 3 000 IU/ml, treated with a sequential combination of Peg-IFN-α treatment for 48 to 96 weeks, and followed up were selected from the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital between May 2018 and May 2020. Intention-to-treat analysis was used to measure the HBsAg clearance rate at 96 weeks. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compute the cumulative HBsAg clearance rate at 96 weeks. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing HBsAg clearance at 48 weeks of sequential combination therapy. Univariate and multifactorial COX proportional hazard models were used to analyze the factors influencing HBsAg clearance following 96 weeks of prolonged PEG-IFN-α treatment. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the predictive value of factors influencing HBsAg clearance. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the measurement data between groups. The count data was compared using the χ2 test between groups. Results:41 (28.47%) cases achieved HBsAg clearance at 48 weeks of sequential combination therapy. The HBsAg clearance rate at 96 weeks was 40.28% (58/144) by intention-to-treat analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method computed that the cumulative HBsAg clearance rate at 96 weeks was 68.90%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HBsAg quantification at baseline ( OR = 0.090, 95% CI: 0.034-0.240, P < 0.001) and a 24-week drop in HBsAg level ( OR = 7.788, 95% CI: 3.408-17.798, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of HBsAg clearance in CHB patients treated sequentially in combination with NAs and Peg-IFN-α for 48 weeks. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the baseline HBsAg quantification [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), 0.911, 95% CI: 0.852-0.952)] and 24-week drop in HBsAg level (AUC = 0.881, 95% CI: 0.814-0.930) had equally good predictive value for 48-week HBsAg clearance, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two ( Z = 0.638, P = 0.523). The value of the combination of baseline HBsAg quantification and 24-week drop in HBsAg level (AUC = 0.981, 95% CI: 0.941-0.997) was superior to that of single baseline HBsAg quantification ( Z = 3.017, P = 0.003) and 24-week drop in HBsAg level ( Z = 3.214, P = 0.001) in predicting HBsAg clearance rate at 48 weeks. Multivariate COX proportional hazards model analysis showed that HBsAg quantification at 48 weeks ( HR = 0.364, 95% CI: 0.176-0.752, P = 0.006) was an independent predictor of HBsAg clearance with a prolonged course to 96 weeks of Peg-IFN-α treatment. Conclusion:The HBsAg clearance rate can be accurately predicted with baseline HBsAg quantification combined with a 24-week drop in HBsAg level in patients with CHB who are treated with a sequential combination of NAs and Peg-IFN-α therapy for 48 weeks. Prolonging the course of Peg-IFN-α treatment can enhance the HBsAg clearance rate's capability. An independent predictor of HBsAg clearance is HBsAg quantification at 48 weeks of sequential combination therapy with a prolonged course of 96 weeks of Peg-IFN-α treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pain caused by somatosensory neuropathy or disease, and genistein (Gen) might be a potential drug for the treatment of NP. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of Gen on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury of dorsal root ganglion neuron (DRGn) in rats and the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: The DRGn of 1-day-old juvenile rats were taken for isolation and culture. The DRGn in logarithmic growth phase were divided into a control group, a LPS group, a tubastatin hydrochloride (TSA)+LPS group, a Gen1+LPS group, a Gen2+LPS group, a Gen2+LPS+TSA group, a Gen2+pcDNA-histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6)+LPS group, and a Gen2+pcDNA3.1+LPS group. The LPS group was treated with 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h; the TSA+LPS group, the Gen1+LPS group, the Gen2+LPS group were treated with 5 μmol/L TSA, 5 μmol/L Gen, 10 μmol/L Gen respectively for 0.5 h, and then added 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h; the Gen2+TSA+LPS group was treated with 10 μmol/L Gen and 5 μmol/L TSA for 0.5 h and then added 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h; the Gen2+pcDNA-HDAC6+LPS group and the Gen2+pcDNA3.1+LPS group received 100 nmol/L pcDNA-HDAC6 and pcDNA3.1 plasmids respectively, and 24 h after transfection, 10 μmol/L Gen was pretreated for 0.5 h, and then added 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the HDAC6 mRNA expression in DRGn; CCK-8 method was used to detect cell viability of DRGn; flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis of DRGn; ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in DRGn culture supernatant; Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of HDAC6, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and NF-κB p65 in DRGn. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression levels of HDAC6 mRNA and protein, the expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88 protein in DRGn of LPS group rats were significantly up-regulated, the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was significantly increased, and the activity of DRGn was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the DRGn culture supernatant were significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the expression levels of HDAC6 mRNA and protein, TLR4 and MyD88 protein expression levels in DRGn of the TSA+LPS group, the Gen1+LPS group, the Gen2+LPS group and the Gen2+TSA+LPS group were significantly down-regulated, the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was significantly decreased, the activity of DRGn was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the DRGn culture supernatant were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), and the above changes were most obvious in the Gen2+TSA+LPS group. Compared with the Gen2+LPS group, the expression levels of HDAC6 mRNA and protein, TLR4 and MyD88 protein expression levels in DRGn of the Gen2+pcDNA-HDAC6+LPS group were significantly up-regulated, the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was significantly increased, the activity of DRGn was significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the DRGn culture supernatant were significantly increased (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Gen can alleviate LPS-induced DRGn inflammatory injury in rats, which might be related to down-regulating the expression of HDAC6 and further inhibiting the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Genistein/pharmacology* ; Histone Deacetylase 6/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Objective    To evaluate the early and mid-term safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement via transfemoral (TF), transapical (TAp) and transsubclavian (TSc) approaches by meta-analysis. Methods    We systematically searched the clinical comparative trials published from inception to June 2019 from PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase and The Cochrane Library, to evaluate the safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement through TF, TAp or TSc approaches. The information of all-cause mortality at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years and the incidence of common complications at 30 days after operation (including pacemaker-dependent block, major vascular complications, severe bleeding events, acute renal injury and stroke) were exacted, and a meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results    This study included 11 literatures, with a total of 7 833 patients, among whom 5 348 patients were treated by TF TAVR, 1 796 patients by TAp TAVR and 689 patients by TSc TAVR. The results of the meta-analysis were as follows: (1)  at 30 days after operation, the mortality of TF and TSc approaches were lower than that of the TAp approach (TF vs. TAp:OR=0.57, 95%CI 0.39-0.84, P=0.004; TSc vs. TAp: OR=4.12, 95%CI 1.93-8.79, P=0.000 3). There was no statistical difference between the TF and TSc approaches (TF vs. TSc: OR=0.98, 95%CI 0.38-2.51, P=0.97); at 1 year, there was no statistical difference in mortality among the three approaches (P>0.05); at 2 years, there was no statistical difference between TSc and TF or TAp approaches (TF vs. TSc: OR=1.21, 95%CI 0.95-1.54, P=0.13; TSc vs. TAp: OR=1.02, 95%CI 0.76-1.36, P=0.91). (2) The incidence of acute kidney injury after TF approach was lower than that of the TAp approach (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.22-0.41, P<0.000 01). (3) There was no statistical difference in major vascular complications between TSc and TF or TAp approaches (TF vs. TSc: OR=0.75, 95%CI 0.38-1.49, P=0.41; TSc vs. TAp: OR=1.37, 95%CI 0.56-3.32, P=0.49). (4) There was no statistical difference in severe bleeding events between TF and TSc (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.53-1.76, P=0.92). (5) There was no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative stroke, pacemaker dependent block among the three approaches (P>0.05). Conclusion    TAp and TSc approaches are safe and effective. They are not only an alternative to TF approach, but also the first choice in some patients with poor condition of iliofemoral artery.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of Changsulin ? with Lantus ? in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods:This was a phase Ⅲ, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, active-controlled clinical trial. A total of 578 participants with T2DM inadequately controlled on oral hypoglycemic agents were randomized 3∶1 to Changsulin ? or Lantus ? treatment for 24 weeks. The efficacy measures included changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG), 8-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) profiles from baseline, and proportions of subjects achieving targets of HbA1c and FPG. The safety outcomes included rates of hypoglycemia, adverse events (AEs) and anti-insulin glargine antibody. Results:After 24 weeks of treatment, mean HbAlc decreased 1.16% and 1.25%, FPG decreased 3.05 mmol/L and 2.90 mmol/L, 2hPG decreased 2.49 mmol/L and 2.38 mmol/L in Changsulin ? and in Lantus ?, respectively. No significant differences could be viewed in above parameters between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences between Changsulin ? and Lantus ? in 8-point SMBG profiles from baseline and proportions of subjects achieving the targets of HbA1c and FPG (all P>0.05). The rates of total hypoglycemia (38.00% and 39.01% for Changsulin ? and Lantus ?, respectively) and nocturnal hypoglycemia (17.25% and 16.31% for Changsulin ? and Lantus ?, respectively) were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Most of the hypoglycemia events were asymptomatic, and no severe hypoglycemia were found in both groups. No differences were observed in rates of AEs (61.77% vs.52.48%) and anti-insulin glargine antibody (after 24 weeks of treatment, 6.91% vs.3.65%) between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Changsulin ? shows similar efficacy and safety profiles compared with Lantus ? and Changsulin ? treatment was well tolerated in patients with T2DM.

Objective: To compare the changes of spontaneous brain activity in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab) positive and Aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: A case control study was designed.A total of 11 NMOSD patients with positive MOG-Ab and 21 NMOSD patients with positive AQP4-Ab were enrolled from October 2006 to May 2017 in PLA General Hospital.Thirty-four healthy controls closely matched in age, sex and education were recruited and underwent resting-state fMRI scans.The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was extracted to investigate the spontaneous brain activity.This study was approved by Ethics Committee of PLA General Hospital (S2019-111-01). All subjects enrolled signed informed consent. Results: Two patients in the MOG-Ab positive group had seizure history, and no seizure history was observed in AQP4-Ab positive group and healthy control group.Compared with healthy control group, all patients in MOG-Ab positive group and AQP4-Ab positive group had significantly increased ALFF values of prefrontal gyrus.The ALFF values of bilateral anterior central gyrus and bilateral posterior central gyrus in AQP4-Ab positive group were 1.89±0.56 and 2.10±0.69, respectively, which were lower than 3.32±1.15 and 3.61±1.23 in MOG-Ab positive group, the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.001, AlphaSim correction). Conclusions Resting-state fMRI could provide new evidence of possibly multi-focal disease mechanisms.Hyperactivity in prefrontal cortex, motor cortex and somatosensory cortex might reflect differences in pathological processes between MOG-Ab positive and AQP4-Ab positive NMOSD patients.

PURPOSE: Although the effect of lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer (BC) cells has already been studied, its specific role in BC progression is still elusive. Here, we evaluated the effect of different levels of LAPTM4B expression on the proliferation, invasion, adhesion, and tumor formation abilities of BC cells in vitro, as well as on breast tumor progression in vivo. METHODS: We investigated the influence of LAPTM4B expression on MCF-7 cell proliferation, invasion, adhesion, and tube formation abilities in vitro through its overexpression or knockdown and on breast tumor progression in vivo. RESULTS: Cell growth curves and colony formation assays showed that LAPTM4B promoted the proliferation of breast tumor cells. Cell cycle analysis results revealed that LAPTM4B promoted the entry of cells from the G1 into the S phase. Transwell invasion and cell extracellular matrix adhesion assays showed that LAPTM4B overexpression increased the invasion and adhesion capabilities of MCF-7 cells. More branches were observed in MCF-7 cells overexpressing LAPTM4B under an electron microscope. In comparison with LAPTM4B overexpression, LAPTM4B knockdown decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and significantly inhibited the vasculogenic tube formation ability of tumors. These results were also verified with western blot analysis. CONCLUSION: LAPTM4B promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 cells through the downregulation of p21 (WAF1/CIP1) and caspase-3, and induced cell invasion, adhesion, and angiogenesis through the upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and MMP9 expression. This specific role deems LAPTM4B as a potential therapeutic target for BC treatment.
Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Disease Progression ; Down-Regulation ; Extracellular Matrix ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; In Vitro Techniques ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; MCF-7 Cells ; S Phase ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HI) in patients with adrenal incident pheochromocytoma.Methods Perioperative clinical parameters of patients undergoing surgery for adrenal incident pheochromocytoma at the First Hospital of Peking University from January 2001 to July 2018 were analyzed.There were 39 males and 41 females,with mean age of 45.1 years (13-76 years old).The median tumor length was 5.1 cm (1.5-14.0 cm),with 25 cases (31.3％) on the left side,55 cases (68.8％) on the right side.There were 37 cases combined with coronary heart disease or diabetes or BMI≥24 kg/m2.Patients were divided into hemodynamic instability (HI group) and hemodynamic stability group (HS group) by whether intraoperative hemodynamic instability occurred.The differences of demographic characteristics and clinical parameters between the two groups were compared.Logistic regression analysis was done for seeking the risk factors for hemodynamic instability during surgery.Results There were 54 cases (67.5％) in the HS group and 26 cases (32.5％) in the HI group.Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in age [(44.06 ± 13.58) years old vs.(47.35 ± 16.11) years old],combined with coronary heart disease or diabetes or BMI≥24 kg/m2 [50.0％(27/54) vs.38.5％ (10/26)],tumor long diameter [median 5.0 cm(1.5-14.0 cm) vs.6.0cm(1.5-13.5 cm)],tumor location [left:29.6％ (16/54) vs.34.6％ (9/26)],preoperative catecholamine test positive [44.4％ (20/45) vs.50.0％ (10/20)],open surgery [27.8％ (15/54) vs.34.6％ (9/26)]and preoperative non-alpha blockers[13.0％ (7/54) vs.30.8％ (8/26)] between HS group and HI group (P ＞ 0.05).Further logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of intraoperative hemodynamic instability.Multivariate analysis found that patients who preoperative non-alpha blockers before surgery were independent risk factor for HI (OR =4.574,95 ％ CI 1.273-16.432,P =0.020).Conclusions Preoperative non-alpha blocker in patients with adrenal incidental pheochromocytoma could be independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability.Therefore,it is recommended that patients with adrenal incidental tumors,especially those who fail to rule out pheochromocytoma,take preoperative alpha blockers.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating de novo coronary lesions with paclitaxel-eluting balloon. Methods: This is a retrospective study, which enrolled 76 patients with 80 de novo coronary lesions treated with paclitaxel-eluting balloons(<30% residual stenosis and there was no blood flow limited dissection after pretreatment) from April 2015 to November 2016 in Guangdong general hospital. The data of basic characteristics,procedures,devices and follow-up information were retrieved and analyzed. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization. Results: (1)The age was (63.3±10.3) years. There were 68.4%(52/76) acute coronary syndrome patients, prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 36.8%(28/76), and 64.5%(49/76)patients with at least one high bleeding risk. (2)The lesion length was (17.4±7.6)mm, and the stenosis was (88.1±8.2)%.The reference vessel diameter≥2.75 mm accounted for 51.2% (41/80), and bifurcation stenosis accounted for 67.5%(54/80). (3)53.7%(43/80) lesions were pretreated with scoring balloon to optimize plaque modification. The paclitaxel-eluting balloon length and diameter were (22.3±5.5)mm and (2.74±0.52)mm.The residual stenosis was (12.3±10.3)%. Procedural success was 88.8%(71/80).Bail-out stenting rate was 5.0%(4/80). (4)The median follow-up duration was 12(6, 25) months. Primary endpoint occurred in 3 cases (3.9%), including 2 cardiac deaths(1 patient died of recurrent myocardial infarction, and 1 patient died of acute heart failure induced by severe mitral insufficiency), and one patient receivedtarget lesion revascularization. Conclusion In case of no more than 30% residual stenosis and no blood flow limited dissection after lesion pretreatment,it is safe and feasible to treat de novo coronary lesionsusing paclitaxel-eluting balloon.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab for relapsing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Methods A perspective study.21 patients who were diagnosed with NMOSD one year ago were recruited for rituximab treatment.Of 21 patients,one was male,20 were females.Onset age was 10-51 years,the mean onset age was (26.2± 12.0) years.Duration of disease was 2.3-25.8 years,the mean duration was (9.2 ± 5.9) years.Best corrected vision activity (BCVA),expanded disability status scale (EDSS),annualized relapsing rate (ARR) were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab.The BCVA was examined using Snellen chart,and converted to logMAR.The mean BCVA was 1.13 ± 1.09,the mean BCVA in better eyes was 0.4±0.68,the mean BCVA in latter eyes was 1.87±0.90.The mean EDSS was 3.09±0.70.The mean ARR was 1.04± 0.65.All patients underwent two cycles of RTX treatment.The annually induction treatment was RTX 100 mg per week for 4 weeks.Of 21 patients,12 patients had treatment within one month after attack.The mean follow-up period was (28.4±4.9) months.The side effects were recorded,BCVA,EDSS,ARR were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab.Paired t test,independent sample t test and Chi-squared test were used.Results The mean BCVA at last follow-up was 0.62 ± 0.91,the mean BCVA in better eye was 0.62±0.91,the BCVA in latter eye was 1.0± 1.01.The mean EDSS was 2.26± 1.07.The mean ARR was 0.21 ± 0.3.After the treatment,patient had significant improvement on BCVA in worst eye (t=4.256),ARR (t=2.900),EDSS (t=4.620) with the significant differences (P＜0.05).Thirteen relapses in 9 patients were observed.B lymph cells were more than 0.01％ in all relapses.There was no significant difference on the BCVA in better eye (t=1.840,P＞0.05).There were 9 patients had relapse,13 times in total.Of 13 relapses,B lymph cell count was performed in 12 relapses,and the counts were 0.01％-0.14％.There were no significant difference between relapsed patients and non-relapsed patients on onset age (t=0.67,P=0.51),whether underwent plasma exchange treatment (x2=1.61,P＞ 0.05),with/without auto-immune antibody ratio (x2=1.61,P＞ 0.05).Of 21 patients,8 patients had side effects,including 5 patients with infection,4 patients with chest congestion,3 patients with hair losing,2 patients with skin rashes,headache and short of breath,1 patient with tinnitus,palpitation and fatigue.Four patients had more than one symptom.Of all patients who had side effects,slowing down the infusion speed of RTX or infusing 5 mg of dexamethasone could relieve the discomfort.Conclusion Lose-dose rituximab reduces the frequency of NMOSD relapses and is well tolerated.