BACKGROUND:Nucleus pulposus degeneration is an important pathological link of intervertebral disc degeneration.Melatonin has a protective effect on cells through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways,but the effect of melatonin on the nucleus pulposus has been less studied.At present,the emergence of various biological scaffolders provides a new idea for the study of drug-material combinations.OBJECTIVE:To explore whether melatonin can improve the metabolic state of the nucleus pulposus by reducing oxidative stress damage as well as the effect of gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)microspheres loaded with melatonin on intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo.METHODS:In vitro,melatonin was combined with GelMA solution,and GelMA hydrogel was prepared into microspheres by microfluidic technology to co-culture with nucleus pulposus cells.The cell proliferation activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay,the surface morphology of the microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy,and the rate of drug release was detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Then,interleukin-1β was used to induce degeneration of the nucleus pulposus.After treatment,the expression levels of aggrecan,type Ⅱ collagen α1,matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5(ADAMTS5)in the nucleus pulposus were detected by qRT-PCR.In vivo,nucleus pulposus degeneration was induced by puncture.Subsequently,GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres were injected.After 6 weeks,the specimens were taken for tissue staining,and the changes in tissue morphology were observed under the microscope for histological analysis and scoring.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When the GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres were observed under electron scanning microscope,melatonin binding did not change the morphology and external appearance of the microspheres.Drug release experiments showed that the drug release reached about 80%after 40 days.(2)Cell counting kit-8 assay results showed that both GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres had no obvious cytotoxicity and promoted the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells.(3)qRT-PCR results revealed that GelMA@MT microspheres increased the expression of aggrecan and type Ⅰ collagen α1 in the interleukin 1β environment by 42.1%and 27.1%,respectively,and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and ADAMTS5 by 70.7%and 109.3%,respectively.(4)The level of reactive oxygen species was significantly lower in the interleukin 1β+GelMA@MT group than in the interleukin 1β and interleukin 1β+GelMA groups.(5)Histological staining of the sections showed that melatonin-loaded GelMA microspheres significantly delayed disc degeneration in vivo.(6)These findings indicate that GelMA@MT microspheres made by combining melatonin with GelMA hydrogel have good cytocompatibility in vitro and significantly delay nucleus pulposus degeneration in vitro and in vivo.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with type A aortic dissection, and further discuss its prevention and treatment. Methods The clinical data of patients with type A aortic dissection admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 2017 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a GIB group and a non-GIB group based on the presence of GIB after surgery. The variables with statistical differences between two groups in univariate analysis were included into a multivariate logistic regression model to analyze the risk factors for postoperative GIB in patients with type A aortic dissection. Results There were 18 patients in the GIB group including 12 males and 6 females, aged 60.11±10.63 years, while 511 patients in the non-GIB group including 384 males and 127 females, aged 49.81±12.88 years. In the univariate analysis, there were statistical differences in age, preoperative percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)<95%, intraoperative circulatory arrest time, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, ventilator withdrawal time>72 hours, postoperative FiO2≥50%, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) rate, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) rate, infection rate, length of hospital stay and ICU stay, and in-hospital mortality (all P<0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative SpO2<95% (OR=10.845, 95%CI 2.038-57.703), ventilator withdrawal time>72 hours (OR=0.004, 95%CI 0.001-0.016), CRRT (OR=6.822, 95%CI 1.778-26.171) were risk factors for postoperative GIB in patients (P≤0.005). In the intra-group analysis of GIB, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) accounted for 38.9% (7/18) and was the main disease type for postoperative GIB in patients with type A aortic dissection. Conclusion In addition to patients with entrapment involving the superior mesenteric artery who are prone to postoperative GIB, preoperative SpO2<95%, ventilator withdrawal time>72 hours, and CRRT are independent risk factors for postoperative GIB in patients with type A aortic dissection. NOMI is a major disease category for GIB, and timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are effective ways to reduce mortality. Awareness of its risk factors and treatment are also ways to reduce its incidence.

Background::Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 10% of adults worldwide. CM310 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 receptor alpha that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CM310 in Chinese adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Methods::This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial was conducted in 21 medical institutions in China from February to November 2021. Totally 120 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized (1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 mg CM310, 150 mg CM310, or placebo every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) score from baseline at week 16. Safety and pharmacodynamics were also studied.Results::At week 16, the proportion of EASI-75 responders from baseline was significantly higher in the CM310 groups (70% [28/40] for high-dose and 65% [26/40] for low-dose) than that in the placebo group (20%[8/40]). The differences in EASI-75 response rate were 50% (high vs. placebo, 95% CI 31%–69%) and 45% (low vs. placebo, 95% CI 26%–64%), with both P values <0.0001. CM310 at both doses also significantly improved the EASI score, Investigator’s Global Assessment score, daily peak pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, AD-affected body surface area, and Dermatology Life Quality Index compared with placebo. CM310 treatment reduced levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, total immunoglobulin E, lactate dehydrogenase, and blood eosinophils. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar among all three groups, with the most common TEAEs reported being upper respiratory tract infection, atopic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. No severe adverse events were deemed to be attributed to CM310. Conclusion::CM310 at 150 mg and 300 mg every 2 weeks demonstrated significant efficacy and was well-tolerated in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04805411.

Objective:To explore the association between the intake and changes in various types of food and the changes in blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.Methods:Mild to moderate hypertension participants with complete baseline and outcome data were included from DECIDE-Diet study, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Dietary records and blood pressure measurements at both 7-day run-in (baseline) and 28-day intervention phases were collected for enrolled participants. Blood pressure change was defined as the difference between blood pressure at the end of trial and the baseline blood pressure. Baseline intake of food was the average daily intake during the run-in period, and the intake increment was defined as the difference between the average intake during the trial period and the average intake during the run-in period. After adjusting for age, sex, study center, intervention groups, baseline body mass index (kg/m 2), antihypertension medication use, and baseline total calorie intake, a linear regression model was used to analyze the associations of the before-after-intervention change in blood pressure with baseline intake and intake increment of foods. Results:A total of 258 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were included, including 133 males, aged (56.5±9.9) years. (1) After adjusting for confounding factors, there was no significant association between baseline intake of food and baseline blood pressure (all P>0.05). The blood pressure change was negatively associated with baseline intakes of tubers, vegetables, and vegetable oils but positively with baseline intake of meats; and was negatively associated with intake increment of whole grains and fish (all P<0.05). (2) The multiple linear regression analysis showed that baseline intake of vegetables ( β=-0.021, P=0.004), vegetable oils ( β=-0.260, P=0.002), and increment in intake of fish ( β=-0.128, P=0.026) were all significantly associated with changes in systolic blood pressure; baseline intake of vegetables ( β=-0.017, P=0.002), vegetable oils ( β=-0.182, P=0.001), dairy products ( β=0.021, P=0.022), and increment in intake of fish ( β=-0.092, P=0.010) were all significantly associated with changes in diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion:Increasing the intake of whole grains, vegetables, vegetable oils, and fish and decreasing the intake of meat may be beneficial for blood pressure control in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Background::A phase II trial on recombinant human tenecteplase tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) has previously shown its preliminary efficacy in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. This study was designed as a pivotal postmarketing trial to compare its efficacy and safety with rrecombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator alteplase (rt-PA) in Chinese patients with STEMI.Methods::In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial, patients with acute STEMI were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive an intravenous bolus of 16 mg rhTNK-tPA or an intravenous bolus of 8 mg rt-PA followed by an infusion of 42 mg in 90 min. The primary endpoint was recanalization defined by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 or 3. The secondary endpoint was clinically justified recanalization. Other endpoints included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and safety endpoints.Results::From July 2016 to September 2019, 767 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive rhTNK-tPA ( n = 384) or rt-PA ( n = 383). Among them, 369 patients had coronary angiography data on TIMI flow, and 711 patients had data on clinically justified recanalization. Both used a –15% difference as the non-inferiority efficacy margin. In comparison to rt-PA, both the proportion of patients with TIMI grade 2 or 3 flow (78.3% [148/189] vs. 81.7% [147/180]; differences: –3.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –11.5%, 4.8%) and clinically justified recanalization (85.4% [305/357] vs. 85.9% [304/354]; difference: –0.5%; 95% CI: –5.6%, 4.7%) in the rhTNK-tPA group were non-inferior. The occurrence of 30-day MACCEs (10.2% [39/384] vs. 11.0% [42/383]; hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.50) did not differ significantly between groups. No safety outcomes significantly differed between groups. Conclusion::rhTNK-tPA was non-inferior to rt-PA in the effect of improving recanalization of the infarct-related artery, a validated surrogate of clinical outcomes, among Chinese patients with acute STEMI.Trial registration::www.ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT02835534).

Objective:To establish a provincial-level supervision and inspection protocol for Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) based on the need for high-quality development of clinical research in China.Methods:Through literature analysis combined with personal work experience, this study proposed a system of clinical research supervision and management in Beijing based on the ″Administrative Measures for the Conduct of Investigator-Initiated Trials by Health Care and Medical Institutions (Trial)″ issued by the National Health Commission.Results:This article detailed the formation and training of supervisory inspectors, the principles and methods for selecting projects for supervisory inspection, the content of supervisory inspection, workflow, the classification and severity assessment of identified issues, as well as guidelines for the classification and handling of inspected projects.Conclusions:This protocol provides valuable experience for ensuring the implementation of high-quality IIT, but its implementation is still in the pilot exploration stage, and its impacts will be evaluated in the next implementation practices.

Objective:To explore the clinical outcomes of recipients with refractory heart failure requiring an insertion of mechanical circulation support(MCS)device prior to heart transplantation(HT).Methods:From March 2017 to December 2021, retrospective review is performed for clinical data of 7 recipients with refractory heart failure requiring a bridging placement of MCS.There are 2 males and 5 females with an average age of(39.0±16.3)years(7~56 years)and an average weight of(57.6±19.9)kg(7~56 kg).The primary diseases of recipients are dilated cardiomyopathy(4 cases)severe viral myocarditis(2 cases)and ischemic cardiomyopathy(1 case).All of them develope acute decompensation of congestive heart failure.Before implanting MCS, two or more inotropic drugs are offered at maximal doses ages or IABP device, 6 cases required cardio-pulmonary resuscitation treatment and another patient for Heartcon assistance.All the patients bridge to heart transplatation.Results:Adjuvant therapy of MCS was offered for(20.0±11.5)d(7~34 d).Emergency HT is performed.Two post-HT deaths occurr due to multiple organ failure(1 case)and severe infection(1 case).The remainders recover smoothly during a follow-up period of(6~24 months).Conclusions:MCS device is recommended as a bridging too for HT recipients with refractory heart failure.It is imperative to improve clinical outcomes with MCS support before an onset of multiple organ dysfunction.Despite a perioperative mortality, long-term prognosis is generally satisfactory.

Objective To evaluate the effect of preoperative pulmonary artery pressure on perioperative prognosis of the recipients with end-stage heart failure undergoing heart transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 105 recipients receiving heart transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was used as the diagnostic criterion. The optimal cut-off value of mPAP for predicting perioperative prognosis of heart transplant recipients was determined. According to the optimal cut-off value of mPAP, all recipients were divided into the low mPAP group (n=66) and high mPAP group (n=39). Intraoperative indexes (cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, assisted circulation time and cold ischemia time of donor heart) and postoperative indexes [intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support rate, IABP support time, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support rate, ECMO support time, mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, incidence of moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation and perioperative mortality rate] were compared between the low and high mPAP groups. The prognosis of the two groups was compared. Results The optimal cut-off value of mPAP in predicting clinical prognosis of heart transplant recipients was 30.5 mmHg. In the high mPAP group, the ECMO support rate and perioperative mortality rate were higher than those in the low mPAP group (both P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, assisted circulation time, cold ischemia time of donor heart, IABP support rate, IABP support time, ECMO support time, mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay and incidence of moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation between two groups (all P > 0.05). No significant differences were noted in the 1-, 2-, 3- and 4- survival rates between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative mPAP in patients with end-stage heart failure is intimately correlated with perioperative prognosis of heart transplant recipients. The optimal cut-off value of mPAP in predicting perioperative prognosis of heart transplant recipients is 30.5 mmHg. In the high mPAP group, perioperative ECMO support rate and perioperative mortality rate are high, which do not affect the medium and long-term prognosis of the recipients undergoing heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among Chinese patients with psoriasis are very limited. This study, conducted by rheumatologists, estimated the prevalence of PsA in a large number of Chinese patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis attending nine dermatology clinics in five hospitals were recruited. All psoriasis patients were asked to complete a questionnaire comprising 16 questions to identify possible cases of PsA. All patients with one or more positive answers to the questionnaire were evaluated by two experienced rheumatologists. RESULTS: A total of 2434 psoriasis patients, including 1561 males and 873 females, were enrolled. Both the questionnaire and rheumatologists' examinations were completed in the dermatology clinics. The results identified 252 patients with PsA, comprising 168 males and 84 females. The overall prevalence of PsA among psoriasis patients was 10.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 9.1%-11.7%). By sex, the prevalence was 10.8% (95% CI, 9.2%-12.5%) for males and 9.6% (95% CI, 7.7%-11.9%) for females and there was no significant sex difference in the prevalence of PsA (P = 0.38). Of the 252 PsA patients, 125 (49.6%, 95% CI, 41.3%-59.1%) were newly diagnosed by rheumatologists. Consequently, the prevalence of undiagnosed PsA among psoriasis patients was 5.2% (95% CI, 4.4%-6.2%). CONCLUSION The prevalence of PsA in the Chinese population with psoriasis is about 10.4%, which is almost double that of previous reports in the Chinese population, but lower than that in Caucasians.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology* ; Rheumatologists ; Prevalence ; East Asian People ; Psoriasis/epidemiology*

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of different transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)-based regimens in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC)and explore the optimal timing for combining TACE with tyrosine kinase inhibit-ors(TKIs)and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 555 patients with uHCC who underwent TACE-based treatment between April 2016 and December 2021 in Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University.The pa-tients were assigned into the following four groups according to different treatment regimens:TACE group(n=317),TACE combined with TKIs group(TACE+TKIs,n=66),TACE combined with ICIs group(TACE+ICIs,n=33),and TACE combined with TKIs+ICIs group(TACE+TKIs+ICIs,n=139).Subgroup analysis was performed within the TACE+TKIs+ICIs group,with patients being assigned into"pre-TACE"and"post-TACE"groups based on the timing of the combination therapy.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify pro-gnostic factors influencing overall survival(OS).Results:The TACE+TKIs+ICIs group showed the longest OS(21.9 months,95%confidence in-terval[CI]:17.2-26.6,P=0.030)and progression-free survival(PFS)(8.3 months,95%CI:7.3-9.3,P=0.004)compared to those in the other three groups.In the subgroup analysis,the"post-TACE"group had longer OS than the"pre-TACE"group(26.8 months vs.19.2 months,P = 0.011).The objective response rate(ORR)was 32.8%,41.1%,42.4%,and 52.5%(P=0.001)and the disease control rate(DCR)was 59.6%,71.2%,69.7%,and 82.7%(P<0.001)in the TACE,TACE+TKIs,TACE+ICIs,and TACE+TKIs+ICIs groups,respectively.The adverse events were similar to those reported in previous studies.Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor number,extrahepatic metastasis,and treatment regimen were independent factors influencing OS in patients(all P<0.05).Conclusions:TKIs or ICIs can improve OS and PFS in patients with uHCC receiving TACE,and the combination of TKIs+ICIs with TACE achieves better beneficial outcomes.The greatest OS was observed when the combination therapy TKIs+ICIs was initiated within 3 months after the first TACE procedure.