[Objective] To explore the predictive value of HALP score for prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on laboratory indicators and related clinical data of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients, treated at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2016 to October 2023, prior to their first treatment. The HALP score was calculated, and the optimal cutoff value for HALP was determined using X-tile software. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves for high HALP and low HALP groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox regression model, and a forest plot was generated using Graphpad Prism to illustrate factors that may impact patient prognosis. The predictive ability of HALP score combined with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score for prognosis in MM patients was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. [Results] A total of 203 MM patients were included, with the optimal cutoff value for HALP score being 29.15 (P<0.05). Among them, 101 patients were in the low HALP score group, and 102 patients were in the high HALP score group. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model showed that a HALP score <29.15 was an independent risk factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that the combination of HALP score with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score had a higher predictive value for prognosis in MM patients compared to using HALP score alone. [Conclusion] The HALP score is closely related to the prognosis of patients with NDMM. A low HALP score indicates a poorer prognosis, while the combination of HALP score with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score provides a higher predictive value when assessed together.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of guideline-directed medical therapy （GDMT） combined with vericiguat in treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction （HFrEF）. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 346 patients with HFrEF who received standardized diagnosis and treatment at the First People’s Hospital of Changzhou from January 2023 to May 2024. They were divided into standard treatment group （n＝215） and vericiguat group （n＝131）. Patients in the standard treatment group received GDMT， while patients in the vericiguat group received GDMT combined with vericiguat. Propensity score matching （PSM） was used to balance confounding factors between two groups， and the effectiveness （including outcome and prognostic indicators） and safety （occurrence of adverse events） of both groups were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for primary and secondary outcome events were drawn， and the influential factors of primary outcome events were screened through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS After PSM， there were 100 patients in the standard treatment group and 100 patients in the vericiguat group， and there was no statistically significant differences in baseline data between two groups （P＞0.05）. During a 1-year follow-up， there were statistically significant differences in the cumulative incidence of major outcome events between the standard treatment group and the vericiguat group， cumulative incidence of hospitalization events due to heart failure， changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels before and after treatment between the standard treatment group and the vericiguat group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups （P＞0.05）. Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% was a risk factor for the occurrence of major outcome events within 1 year [hazard ratio （HR）＝ 2.090， 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.175-3.718， P＝0.012]， while the use of vericiguat was a protective factor for the occurrence of major outcome events within 1 year （HR＝0.505， 95%CI： 0.284-0.899， P＝0.020）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with GDMT， GDMT combined with vericiguat can improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of HFrEF patients， and has good safety.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， evaluate its potential clinical application value， and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules， so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （60 mg·kg^-1）， Cranial Painkiller granules group （2.70 g·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder （1.35， 2.70， 5.40 g·kg^-1） according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds， and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling， and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels in rat serum， as well as neuropeptide substance P （SP） and β-endorphin （β-EP） levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant （P<0.01）， and the inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced， and NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. After administration of the drug， compared with the model group， the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased （P<0.01）. The inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of NLRP3， ASC proteins were decreased （P<0.01）in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile， compared with those in the model group， the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， evaluate its potential clinical application value， and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules， so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （60 mg·kg^-1）， Cranial Painkiller granules group （2.70 g·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder （1.35， 2.70， 5.40 g·kg^-1） according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds， and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling， and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels in rat serum， as well as neuropeptide substance P （SP） and β-endorphin （β-EP） levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant （P<0.01）， and the inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced， and NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. After administration of the drug， compared with the model group， the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased （P<0.01）. The inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of NLRP3， ASC proteins were decreased （P<0.01）in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile， compared with those in the model group， the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of antihypertensive and lipid-regulating Chinese patent medicine combined with conventional Western medicine in the treatment of hypertension with dyslipidemia. To carry out the evidence synthesis of clinical research and provide evidence-based evidence support for clinical decision-making. MethodThe databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI），Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform （WF），VIP，SinoMed，Embase，PubMed，Web of Science （WOS），and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials （RCT） of all listed Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of hypertension with dyslipidemia from the establishment of the databases to April 15，2023. The literature was screened and extracted，and the risk of bias tool 2.0 （RoB2） was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the methodology. Revman 5.4.1 software was used to analyze the outcome indicators. Grading of Recommendations Assessment，Development and Evaluation （GRADE） was applied to assess the quality of evidence formed by clinical research data. The inclusion and recommendation of Chinese patent medicines in the National Drug Catalogue for Basic Medical Insurance，Work-related Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance （2022） and domestic guidelines and consensus were searched to form a bubble chart. ResultA total of 15 studies were included. The evaluation of the methodological quality of each study showed that the risk of bias stemmed from the lack of blinding and allocation concealment，and low sample size. The comprehensive analysis of clinical studies showed that Dengzhan Shengmai capsules combined with rosuvastatin and amlodipine besylate，Yindan Xinnaotong capsules combined with simvastatin and levamlodipine tablets，Xiaoshuan Tongluo capsules combined with nifedipine controlled release tablets and pravastatin sodium tablets，Xinshubao capsules combined with atorvastatin calcium tablets and irbesartan，Wenyading capsules combined with enalapril，and Jiangzhining tablets combined with conventional Western medicines were all superior to conventional Western medicines used in the control group in improving systolic blood pressure （SBP），diastolic blood pressure （DBP），cholesterol （TC），triglyceride （TG），low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C），and high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. The GRADE evaluation of the main outcome indicators showed that the evidence quality of SBP and incidence of adverse reactions was graded as B，that of DBP as C，and that of total TC，TG，LDL-C，and HDL-C as D. The evaluation of Chinese patent medicines covered by medical insurance and recommended by guidelines and consensus showed that Yindan Xinnaotong soft capsules，Dengzhan Shengmai capsules and Xiaoshuan Tongluo capsules belonged to class B drugs of medical insurance，and were recommended for 7，6 and 3 times in the guidelines and consensus，respectively. ConclusionCompared with simple medicine treatment，Chinese patent medicine combined with conventional Western medicine has more advantages in improving blood pressure and blood lipid，and shows higher safety. Among them，Yindan Xinnaotong soft capsules，Dengzhan Shengmai capsules and Xiaoshuan Tongluo capsules have stronger clinical applicability and economy. All the trials included in this article adhered to the principle of randomization and reported the outcome measures. However，the quality of evidence in related clinical studies was low. In terms of trial design，large-sample，multi-center，blinded randomized controlled trials based on the consolidated standards of reporting trials （CONSORT） statement are still needed for comprehensive trial designs and reporting，to further improve the GRADE quality evaluation and guideline formulation under the guidance of evidence-based medicine，so as to provide higher quality evidence-based research evidence for clinical decision-making.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of research and evidence related to antihypertensive Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicines for the treatment of hypertension， synthesize and update the evidence， form expert consensus， and provide evidence for clinical decision-making. MethodThe databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform （WanFang）， Vip Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database （VIP）， Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System （Sinomed）， National Library of Medicine （PubMed）， Cochrane Library， Web of Science， and US Clinical Trials Registry were searched for randomized controlled trials of antihypertensive Chinese medicine combined with western medicine for the treatment of hypertension from database construction to July 31， 2022. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the bias risk assessment tool in Cochrane Handbook 6.3. Evidence synthesis of main outcome indicators was performed using R software. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment， Development， and Evaluation profiler （GRADEprofiler） 3.6 was employed to evaluate the quality of evidence. Expert consensus was formed based on the Delphi method after two rounds of voting. Result64 pieces of literature were included， and the results of literature quality evaluation and risk of bias showed that 70.31% （45/64） of the studies indicated some risks， and 29.69% （19/64） indicated high risks. Compared with conventional western medicines， the combination of Chinese patent medicines with western medicines can significantly lower systolic pressure （SBP） and diastolic pressure （DBP）， increase the effective rate of antihypertensive， reduce the incidence of adverse reactions， endothelin-1， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores. Egger's test showed that Songling Xuemaikang capsules reduced SBP and DBP. Tianma Gouteng granules reduced SBP and DBP and increased the effective rate of antihypertensive， and Xinmaitong capsules reduced SBP and increased the effective rate of antihypertensive， without significant publication bias. Songling Xuemaikang capsules increased the effective rate of antihypertensive， and Xinmaitong capsules decreased DBP， with significant publication bias. The results of the GRADE evidence quality evaluation showed that most evidence was at grades B and C. Finally， four strong recommendations and 14 weak recommendations were formed. ConclusionCompared with conventional western medicines for the treatment of hypertension， antihypertensive Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicines have advantages in reducing blood pressure and improving drug use safety， but they are mostly weak recommendations in terms of efficacy， and more high-quality evidence is needed.

ObjectiveTo systematically collect， analyze， and evaluate the randomized controlled trials （RCT） of Chinese patent medicine combined with western medicine in the treatment of hypertension， map the evidence， and provide reference for the future clinical research and formulation of guidelines and policies. MethodThe relevant articles were retrieved from China Biology Medicine disc， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， VIP， Wanfang Data， PubMed， Embase， and Cochrane Library with the time interval from inception to December 31， 2022. The RCT of Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine in the treatment of hypertension were included. The research characteristics and methodological quality were analyzed and evaluated. ResultA total of 330 RCTs of treating hypertension with Chinese patent medicines combined with Western medicine were included in this study， all of which were published in Chinese. These RCTs involved 88 Chinese patent medicines and 37 788 patients， and 46% of RCT had the sample size ≥100 patients. Eighty-seven percent of RCT showed the study period within 3 months. All the interventions in the RCTs were Chinese patent medicine + western medicine vs western medicine. Among the evaluation indicators， blood pressure， response rate， TCM syndrome score， endothelial cell function， and safety were mainly concerned. In terms of methodological quality， most articles did not mention the generation of random sequences， allocation concealment， or blinding method. The blinding evaluation of outcomes showed low risks of bias， and there was insufficient information to judge whether there was selective bias or other bias. ConclusionThere were many Chinese patent medicines used in combination with western medicine in the treatment of hypertension， and they were mainly taken orally. The existing RCT had problems such as small sample size， unclear clinical value positioning， imperfect design failing to reflect the value of Chinese patent medicines， unreasonable measurement indicators， and non-standard measurement methods. Future research should solve the above problems， improve the research quality， value， and authenticity， and enhance the reliability and extension of evidence.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventional embolization of middle meningeal artery(MMA)for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH).Methods The clinical data of 14 patients with CSDH(17 lesions in total),who were treated with simple embolization of MMA at the Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College of China between July 2021 and July 2022,were retrospective analyzed.After superselective catheterization of MMA using a microcatheter was accomplished,Onyx-18 glue,a liquid embolization agent,was used to embolize the main trunk and the branches of MMA.Imaging follow-up was adopted at 30 days and 90 days after discharge from hospital to evaluate the absorption of hematoma,and the improvement of clinical symptoms was defined as the modified Rankin Scale score(mRS)being decreased≥1 point from the baseline value.Results Successful embolization of MMA was accomplished for all the 17 lesions in the 14 patients,and no procedure-related complications occurred.During the follow-up period,the clinical symptoms and signs were remarkably improved in all patients.The postoperative 90-day hematoma volume was reduced by more than 90%in 11 patients and by more than 40%in one patient,and in 2 patients the postoperative 30-day hematoma volume was reduced by more than 30%.Complete absorption of hematoma was seen in 11 patients,and partial absorption of hematoma was observed in 3 patients.Conclusion For the treatment of newly-developed or recurrent CSDH,interventional embolization of MMA is clinically safe and effective.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:12-16)

Advanced gastric cancer, characterized by high heterogeneity and poor prognosis, has traditionally been managed with a palliative care-centric comprehensive treatment. The concept of conversion therapy aims to reduce tumor staging and achieve complete tumor resection after comprehensive treatment of initially unresectable tumors, thereby improving patient prognosis. Recent large-scale clinical studies have demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy can significantly increase the objective remission rate and improve the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Meanwhile, with the extensive development of multidisci-plinary teams and the advancement of surgical techniques, conversion therapy has shown great potential in improving the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. However, due to the complexity of advanced gastric cancer in terms of local staging, metastatic sites, and molecular typing, there are still many controversies and unanswered questions in the field of conversion therapy. The authors systematically elaborate on the research progress of gastric cancer conversion therapy both domes-tically and internationally, and explore the current status and clinical issues of conversion therapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy(PHO)is a rare disease also known as pachydermo-periostosis.We reported a painless case whose diagnosis was confirmed by genetic test.A 24-year-old male presented a series of symptoms that first began at 14.He suffered from progressive clubbed-fingers accompa-nied by swelling of the wrist and ankle joints.Facial skin concentric thickening and alar nose broadening ap-peared simultaneously and increased progressively.He was also prone to acne and hyperhidrosis.X-rays showed thickening of the metacarpal and phalangeal bones,as well as symmetrical periosteal ossification of both the tibia and fibula.Clinical diagnosis of PHO is difficult because of the variable features.With acromeg-aly excluded,the diagnosis was confirmed by a genetic test.Whole exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous SLCO2A1 c.611C＞T(p.Ser204Lue)and SLCO2A1 c.1602C＞A(p.Asn534Lys)mutation from each par-ent.It suggests that primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy should be considered for young limb hypertrophic patients especially when periosteal thickening signs were showed in X-ray.A confirmatory diagnosis can be made through the genetic test.