Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non inflammatory degeneration of articular cartilage and the formation of osteophytes at the edge of the joint, caused by complex causes. Its pathology is complex, and its pathogenesis is not yet clear, ultimately leading to joint stiffness and functional activity disorders. At present, the treatment for osteoarthritis is limited to alleviating symptoms and improving function, with varying degrees of side effects. Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death discovered in recent years, which is related to the pathological and physiological processes of osteoarthritis and plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Its main characteristics include iron metabolism imbalance and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, ferroptosis inhibitors targeting ferroptosis have shown great application prospects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In this review, the author summarizes the relevant mechanisms of ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis, outlines a large number of specific therapeutic drugs and their corresponding targets, with the aim of delaying and reversing the progression of osteoarthritis by regulating chondrocyte ferroptosis, which has certain clinical guiding significance.

Objective:A kinetic model of the clearance of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) in maintenance hemodialysis patients is established to evaluate the effects of adding sorbents with different sorption efficiency to dialysate on the clearance rate of PBUTs, and to predict the sorption efficiency of sorbents using the model.Methods:The kinetic model was established by integrating the parameters of plasma flow rate ( Qp), dialysate flow rate ( Qd), free plasma fraction of PBUTs ( f1), free dialysate fraction of PBUTs ( f2), mass transfer coefficient of dialyzer ( K) and surface area of dialysis membrane ( A), and using the mass balance equation and Fick's first law. The model was also used to evaluate the relationship between the clearance rate of different PBUTs and the parameters of dialyzer and the sorption efficiency of sorbents. Results:The kinetic model of PBUTs clearance (CL): ?CL=Qp1-f1-f2γφf1-f2γ,?γ=QpQd,?φ=eKAf1Qp-f2Qd. The model was used to analyze the dialysis parameters of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate dialysis.The clearance rate of PBUTs increased with the decrease of its binding capacity to albumin in plasma and the increase of plasma flow rate in dialyzer, dialysate flow rate, mass transfer coefficient of dialyzer, surface area of dialysis membrane, and sorption capacity of sorbents in dialysate. The increasing trend of PBUTs clearance rate was particularly obvious after applying sorbents. Further analysis of the dialysate flow rate and the sorption efficiency of sorbents in the dialysate showed that the increase of the dialysate flow rate could make up for the difference of the sorption efficiency of sorbents. When the dialysate flow rate tended to be infinite, the sorption efficiency of sorbents in the dialysate had no effect on the clearance rate of PBUTs. Conclusion:Adding sorbents of PBUTs to the dialysate during dialysis can significantly improve the clearance rate of PBUTs, suggesting a promising clinical application value.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To clarify the resource status and diversity of endemic medicinal plants in Shaanxi province. METHODS The species specificity, species composition, faunal composition, family and genus types, medicinal value and endangerment degree of endemic medicinal plants in Shaanxi province were studied by literature review.RESULTS There were 713 species of 331 genera and 101 families endemic to Chinese medicinal plants in the study area. Fifteen species were naturally distributed only in Shaanxi province, and the remaining 698 species were also naturally distributed in other provinces of China. Among the 713 species, 233 species(69 families, 159 genera) were not collected from the fourth resource census in Shaanxi province. There were 11 species of pteridophytes in 7 families and 11 genera, 14 species of gymnosperms in 4 families and 10 genera, 627 species of dicotyledons in 82 families and 278 genera, and 59 species of monocots in 8 families and 32 genera. The endemic life forms of medicinal plants in the study area were mostly herbaceous, followed by shrubs and trees, and semi-shrubs and epiphytes accounted for the least. There were 9 families with ≥ 20 species and 4 families with ≥ 10 species in the study area. The 90 families belonging to the endemic species of medicinal plants in Shaanxi province were divided into 13 distribution types and 9 variations, and the tropical distribution(2-7 categories) had a total of 34 families. There were 5 endemic species of medicinal plants in the study area under the national class I key protection, and 14 species under the national class II key protection. There were 26 species of plants under local key protection in Shaanxi province. There were 21 plants that could be used as original plants for medicinal materials included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(2020 edition). CONCLUSION The endemic species of medicinal plants in Shaanxi province are rich in resources and have good medicinal value. However, the growing environment of some plants is harsh and human damage is serious. Multiple protection measures should be taken to maintain the species diversity and sustainable development of resources in the study area.

This article introduces the contents of the latest edition Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies-of Exposure (ROBINS-E) published in June 2022 [ROBINS-E (2022)], and gives some examples about its usage. ROBINS-E is a tool for assessing the risk of bias in non-randomized studies-of exposure. Compared with ROBINS-E (2019), ROBINS-E (2022) adds more bias for observational studies, covers a more comprehensive range of bias, and adds the assessment of the external authenticity of the study. ROBINS-E (2022) adds a preliminary evaluation process to improve the efficiency of evaluation. In addition, ROBINS-E (2022) visualizes and instrumentalizes the use of signal problems in the form of path graph, making it more convenient to use. ROBINS-E (2022), although more consideration has been given to the issue of co-exposure, still does not address the problem of effect modification in co-exposure, and there is still room to expand the applicable research.

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy of mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream combined with sertaconazole nitrate cream in the treatment of scaly hyperkeratotic tinea pedis.Methods:From March 2019 to January 2020, 100 patients with scaly hyperkeratotic tinea pedis were enrolled into this study, and randomly and equally divided into 2 groups by using a random number table: control group treated with topical sertaconazole nitrate cream alone at a dose of 0.5-1 g twice a day; combined group treated with topical mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream at a dose of 0.5-1 g followed by topical sertaconazole nitrate cream at a dose of 0.5-1 g 30 minutes later, which were performed twice a day. The treatment lasted 4 weeks. The time to clinical symptom relief, efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was assessed at 0, 2 and 4 weeks after the start of treatment. Two-independent-sample t test, repeated measures analysis of variance and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:After treatment, the time to pruritus relief and that to desquamation improvement were 6.05 ± 1.98 and 12.03 ± 3.92 days respectively in the combined group, which were significantly shorter than those in the control group (8.39 ± 2.11, 15.11 ± 4.05 days, t = 5.72, 3.86, respectively, both P < 0.001) . During the 4 weeks of treatment, DLQI scores gradually decreased in both the 2 groups (all P < 0.001) , which were significantly lower in the combined group than in the control group at weeks 2 and 4 (both P < 0.001) . After 4-week treatment, the total response rate was 98% (49/50) in the combined group, significantly higher than that in the control group (82%, 41/50; χ2= 7.11, P= 0.007) . There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream can improve the efficacy of sertaconazole nitrate cream in the treatment of scaly hyperkeratotic tinea pedis.

BACKGROUND: Targeted therapy for patients with driver genes positive and immunotherapy for patients with driver gene-negative but high programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression are the standards of first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The treatment options for patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression are still worth exploring. METHODS: The characteristics of 315 patients with NSCLC were identified to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression, and the efficacy of targeted therapy. RESULTS: Among the 315 patients, the total positive rate of driver genes was 62.2%, and the high PD-L1 expression rate (≥50.0%) was 11.2%. The proportion of patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression was 10.7%. PD-L1 was highly expressed in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, KRAS mutation, ALK fusion, BRAF mutation, and MET 14 exon skip mutation, the proportions were 7.8% (11/141), 18.2% (4/22), and 23.1%, (3/13), 50.0% (2/4) and 100.0% (1/1) respectively. EGFR mutation positive with PD-L1 high expression was mainly in patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. KRAS mutation positive with PD-L1 high expression was mainly in patients with a history of smoking. Among them, two patients were followed in detail for targeted therapy, who with ALK fusion-positive and PD-L1 high expression (90.0%), EGFR L858R mutation and PD-L1 high expression (70.0%) respectively. The total OS of the patients was 5 months, 2 months. CONCLUSIONS The high PD-L1 expression rate in NSCLC patients with different driver gene mutations was variable, which maybe correlated with distinct clinicopathological characteristics. Patients with sensitive mutations and high PD-L1 expression may be less benefit from targeted therapy and have poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma should select targeted drugs based on the type of tumor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation. However, it is difficult to collect tumor tissue of advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and some experts agree that peripheral blood can be used as a substitute for tumor tissue as a test specimen. This paper aimed to investigate the clinical value of ddPCR and super-amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) in detecting EGFR gene mutation in peripheral blood of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 119 patients diagnosed in Beijing Chest Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from February 2016 to February 2019 were collected, and the sensitivity and specificity of plasma ctDNA EGFR gene mutation detected by ddPCR and super-arms were compared. Some patients with positive EGFR gene mutations received oral treatment with first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). The patients were divided into subgroups according to the test results. In group 1, both ddPCR and super-arms showed positive EGFR gene mutation results, with 21 cases. In group 2, ddPCR and super-arms detection of EGFR gene mutation were all negative, with 16 cases. In group 3, the ddPCR test was positive and the super-arms test was negative, with 5 cases. In group 4, the ddPCR test result was negative while the super-arms test result was positive. Since the number of patients in group 4 was 0, no statistics were included. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were used to evaluate the short-term outcome, and progression-free survival (PFS) was compared with survival analysis to evaluate the long-term outcome. RESULTS: EGFR mutations were detected in 58 (48.7%) of 119 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The coincidence rate between ddPCR and EGFR gene mutation in tumor tissues was 82.4% (Kappa=0.647, P<0.001), the sensitivity was 74.1%, and the specificity was 90.2%. However, the coincidence degree of super-arms test and tissue test was 71.4%, the sensitivity was only 58.6%, and the specificity was 83.6%. The ORR and DCR values in group 3 were lower than those in group 1 and 2, but there was no significant difference in ORR between groups (P>0.05). Survival analysis showed that the PFS of the three groups was compared. The difference was not statistically significant (χ²=2.221, P=0.329). CONCLUSIONS ddPCR, as a high sensitivity and specificity liquid gene detection method, can be used as a reliable method to detect the mutation of plasma ctDNA EGFR gene in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The results of plasma genetic testing can also be used as the basis for predicting the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients.

Objective To compare the short term clinical efficacy of percutaneous resection and laparoscopic deroofing of renal cysts.Methods From October 2013 to June 2016,the data from 39 cases with renal cysts were followed for approximately 22 months (ranging 5-36 months).Patients were randomized into two groups.In the resectoscopic group(17 pts),the mean age of those patients was 57 years (ranging 34-81 years).The mean size of these cysts was 6.4cm (ranging 5.4-8.2 cm).The mean preoperative creatinine was 66.5μmol/L (ranging 38.1-108.8μ mol/L).The mean preoperative sodium was 141.4μ mol/L(ranging 135.6-145.1μmol/L).The mean preoperative potassium was 4.0μmol/L (ranging 3.4-4.7 μmol/L).In the latter laparoscope (22pts),the mean age of these patients was 60 years (ranging 46-73 years).The mean size of these cysts was 6.8cm (ranging 4.3-8.9cm).The mean preoperative creatinine was 74.8μmol/L (ranging 48.6-141.9μmol/L).The mean preoperative sodium was 141.5μmol/L(ranging 135.0-146.1 μmol/L).The mean preoperative potassium was 4.0μmol/L (ranging 3.1-4.8μmol/L).The operative time,blood loss,days of drainage,hospital stay and complications were compared with the two groups.Results All of the 39 cases were accepted the procedure successfully without open conversion.Compared the resectoscopic group with Laparoscopic,the mean operative time was 29.7 min (ranging 15-50 min) and 63.0min (ranging 20-1 00 min),mean blood loss was 36.6ml(ranging 10-80 ml) and 60.4ml(ranging 10-200 ml),days of drainage was 2.3 days and 3.1 days,hospital stay was 3.7 days and 5.1 days,the mean postoperative creatinine was 67.4 μmol/L(ranging 43.8-95.5 μmol/L) and 68.9μmol/L(ranging 46.5-157.6 μmol/L),the mean postoperative sodium was 141.2μmol/L(ranging 136.0-147.2 μmol/L) and 141.6 μmol/L(ranging 136.0-147.2 μmol/L),the mean postoperative potassium was 3.8 μmol/L (ranging 3.2-4.3 μmol/L) and 3.8μmol/L (ranging 3.3-4.3 μmol/L).The overall postoperative pathology was renal cysts.All cases were followed for approximately 19 months (ranging 6-35 months) and 22 months (ranging 5-36 months) in reseetoscopic and laparoscopic group respectively.No cysts recurrence was found by ultrasound.Conclusions Compared with laparoscopic deroofing,use of resectoscopic technology significantly enhances the possibility of achieving better intraoperative results in all patients with renal cysts.Percutaneous resection of simple renal cysts is safe and feasible.

OBJECTIVE:To prepare aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres,and control its quality. METHODS:Aspirin-β-cy-clodextrin inclusion complexes were firstly prepared,and then aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres were prepared by emul-sion-solvent evaporation method. The morphology and particle size of microspheres were detected,and entrapment efficiency and accu-mulative release rate were calculated. With entrapment efficiency as index,orthogonal test was adopted to optimize stirring speed,PVA concentration,PVA volume and feed ratio. RESULTS:The optimal formulation was as follows as stirring speed of 4 000 r/min,PVA concentration of 3%(g/100 ml),PVA volume of 30 ml,feed ratio of 1∶10. Prepared microspheres were round and smooth in appear-ance. Entrapment efficiency of the microspheres was (41.79 ± 1.09)%. The diameter were regular and ranged 0.5-127.5 μm. As drug-loaded microspheres degraded,the release of aspirin was slow and its accumulative release rate was 83%within 600 h. CONCLU-SIONS:Aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres are prepared successfully with regular morphology and good sustained-release.