Objective:To investigate the evaluation efficacy and predictive prognostic value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with PD-1 inhibitors (α-PD-1) for intermediate-to-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 205 patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were admitted to 9 medical centers, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from March 2020 to July 2022 were collected. There were 178 males and 27 females, aged (52±12)years. Based on AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment, patients were divided into the AFP response group (AFP level decreased by ≥50% compared to baseline) and the AFP no response group (AFP level decreased by <50% compared to baseline). Observation indicators: (1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy; (2) comparison of patient prognosis; (3) analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Measurement data with normal distrubution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) and M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional risk model was used for univariate analysis and the COX stepwise regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy. Before treatment, all 205 patients were positive of AFP, with a baseline AFP level of 1 560(219,3 400)μg/L. All 205 patients were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1, and the AFP level was 776(66,2 000)μg/L after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Of the 205 patients, 88 cases were classified as AFP response and 117 cases were classified as AFP no response. According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 42.05%(37/88) and 94.32%(83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 16.24% (19/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=16.846, 25.950, P<0.05). According to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, the ORR and DCR were 69.32% (61/88) and 94.32% (83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 33.33% (39/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=26.030, 25.950, P<0.05). (2) Comparison of patient prognosis. All 205 patients were followed up for 12.4(range, 2.4-34.0)months after treatment. The median progression free survival time and total survival time were 5.5 months and 17.8 months, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year progression free survival rates were 20.8% and 7.2%, and the 1-year, 2-year overall survival rates were 68.7% and 31.5%, respectively. The median progression free survival time, 1-year and 2-year progression free survival rates were 9.7 months, 39.6% and 14.2% in patients of the AFP response group and 3.7 months, 7.8% and 2.0% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in progression free survival between them ( χ2=43.154, P<0.05). The median overall survival time, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were not reached, 85.2% and 56.3% in patients of the AFP response group and 14.6 months, 56.3% and 14.5% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in overall survival between them ( χ2=33.899, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Results of multivariate analysis showed that invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, combined hepatic artery intervention therapy, and AFP response were independent factors influencing progression free survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio=1.474, 1.584, 0.631, 0.367, 95% confidence interval as 1.069-2.033, 1.159-2.167, 0.446-0.893, 0.261-0.516, P<0.05), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, and AFP response were independent factors influencing overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio= 1.347, 1.914, 1.673, 0.312, 95% confidence interval as 1.041-1.742, 1.293-2.833, 1.141-2.454, 0.197-0.492, P<0.05). Conclusions:AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment can effectively evaluate anti-tumor efficacy of TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 for intermediate-to-advanced HCC. AFP response is the independent factor influencing progression free survival and overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1.

Objective:To explore the value of dual-layer detector spectral CT quantitative parameters in evaluating the treatment response of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. From May 2021 to March 2023, a total of 52 patients with LARC who received complete nCRT and were pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma at the Guangdong Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively enrolled. Each patient underwent spectral CT examination before and after nCRT, including plain scan, arterial phase (AP), and venous phase (VP) scans. According to the tumor regression grade, the patients were divided into the good response ( n=20) and the poor response group ( n=32). Measurements of the primary tumor′s spectral CT parameters, including effective atomic number (Z eff) at plain scan, iodine concentration (IC), CT values of 40 keV and 100 keV virtual monochromatic image (VMI) at dual-enhanced phases, were taken before and after nCRT. Additionally, the normalized iodine concentration (NIC), spectral curve slope (λHU), and the change rate of the above parameters before and after nCRT were calculated. The independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the efficacy of various metrics in evaluating the tumor treatment response of nCRT. A binary logistic regression analysis of combined parameter results was performed for the parameters with the areas under curve (AUC)>0.75, and the AUC of the combined parameter was evaluated. Results:There were significant differences in NIC AP and λHU VP before nCRT, NIC VP and λHU VP after nCRT, and the change rates of Z eff, NIC AP, NIC VP and λHU AP between the good response group and the poor response group ( P<0.05). The remaining parameters showed no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The ROC curve results showed that the AUCs of the above 8 parameters for evaluating tumor treatment response of nCRT were 0.702, 0.655, 0.695, 0.769, 0.738, 0.807, 0.791, and 0.677, respectively. The AUC of the combined model of the three parameters with AUC>0.75 (λHU VP after nCRT, the change rate of NIC AP and NIC VP) was 0.869, with 80.0% sensitivity and 84.4% specificity. Conclusion:The quantitative parameters derived from spectral CT may provide new markers for evaluating the response to nCRT treatment in patients with LARC. The multi-parameter combined model can improve diagnostic efficacy.

Objective:To examine the associations of BMI and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its subtypes in adults in China.Methods:The data from the China Kadoorie Biobank were used. After excluding those with cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, or CKD at baseline survey, 480 430 participants were included in this study. Their body height and weight, and WC were measured at baseline survey. Total CKD was defined as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), hypertensive nephropathy (HTN), glomerulonephritis (GN), chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN), obstructive nephropathy (ON), CKD due to other causes, and chronic kidney failure. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the associations between exposure factors and risks of outcomes.Results:During a follow-up period of (11.8±2.2) years, 5 486 cases of total CKD were identified, including 1 147 cases of DKD, 340 cases of HTN, 1 458 cases of GN, 460 cases of CTIN, 598 cases of ON, 418 cases of CKD due to other causes, and 1 065 cases of chronic kidney failure. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, baseline prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and WC and compared to participants with normal BMI (18.5-23.9 kg/m 2), the hazard ratios ( HRs) of total CKD for underweight (<18.5 kg/m 2), overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m 2), and obese (≥28.0 kg/m 2) were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.23-1.63), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93-1.08) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.87-1.10), respectively. Stratification analysis by WC showed that BMI was negatively associated with risk for total CKD in non-central obese participants (WC: <85.0 cm in men and <80.0 cm in women) ( HR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99), while the association was positive in central obese participants (≥90.0 cm in men and ≥85.0 cm in women) ( HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). The association between BMI and GN was similar to that of total CKD. BMI was associated with an increased risk for HTN, with a HR of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06-1.18) per 1.0 kg/m 2 higher BMI. After adjusting for potential confounders and BMI, compared to participants with non-central obesity, the HRs for pre-central obesity (WC: 85.0-89.9 cm in men and 80.0-84.9 in women) and central obesity were 1.26 (95% CI: 1.16-1.36) and 1.32 (95% CI: 1.20-1.45), respectively. With the exception of HTN and CTIN, WC was positively associated with risks for all CKD subtypes. Conclusions:BMI-defined underweight and central obesity were independent risk factors for total CKD, and BMI and WC had different associations with risks for disease subtypes.

Objective:To identify the risk factors, and develop and validate a risk prediction model for abnormal bone mass in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.Methods:It was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The clinical and laboratory data of ESRD patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to May 2023 were collected retrospectively. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7∶3. They were further divided into normal and abnormal bone mass groups according to the T value measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Then, backward stepwise regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were respectively used to develop the risk prediction model for abnormal bone mass in ESRD patients. Akaike information criterion (AIC), bayesian information criterion (BIC), and accuracy were used to evaluate the performance of these two models, after which the preferable model was selected. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analyses (DCA) were applied to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the preferable model. Finally, a dynamic nomogram for individual assessment was constructed based on the preferable model.Results:A total of 254 ESRD patients were enrolled, including 160 (63.0%) males, 161 (63.4%) hemodialysis patients, and 202 (79.5%) patients with abnormal bone mass. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of abnormal bone mass between training group ( n=178) and validation group ( n=76) (79.2% vs. 80.3%, χ2=0.036, P=0.849). The final variables and variable parameters included in the LASSO and stepwise regression models were the same, which were five variables: age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and osteocalcin. Both models also had the same AIC, BIC, and accuracy in the training group, which were 113.45, 132.54, and 0.837, respectively. Therefore, the LASSO model and the stepwise regression model performed consistently in this study and could be considered as the same model, hereafter referred to as the Model. The Model's area under the ROC curve in the training and validation groups was 0.923 (95% CI 0.884-0.963) and 0.809 (95% CI 0.675-0.943), respectively. The optimal cutoff for the training group was 0.858, with a sensitivity of 0.801, a specificity of 0.973 and an accuracy of 0.837; when this cutoff value was taken, the validation group's sensitivity was 0.689, specificity was 0.800, and accuracy was 0.711. The Model demonstrated excellent performance in the calibration curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test ( P>0.05), and DCA. Finally, based on the five predictors of the Model, a dynamic nomogram was created for clinicians to enter baseline clinical parameters for early identification of high-risk patients with abnormal bone mass. Conclusions:A dynamic nomogram for abnormal bone mass in ESRD patients is constructed with good predictive performance based on the prediction model, which can be used as a practical approach for the personalized early screening and auxiliary diagnosis of the potential risk factors and assist physicians in making a personalized diagnosis for patients.

Objective:To understand the status of frailty among elderly inpatients,analyze its influencing factors,and explore the relationship of frailty with sarcopenia,and subjective social isolation in elderly inpatients.Methods:A total of 518 elderly inpatients from a tertiary hospital in Wuhu were selected as the research subjects.General information questionnaire,Frail Scale,SARC-F Scale,and Subjective Social Isolation Scale were used for investigation.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of frailty among elderly inpatients.Results:The incidence of frailty in 518 elderly inpatients was 52.5%(272/518).Logistic regression analysis revealed that recent falls(OR=3.458,95%CI:1.454-8.229),sarcopenia(OR=5.622,95%CI:2.494-12.677),subjective social isolation(OR=181.165,95%CI:57.307-572.721),polypharmacy(OR=2.409,95%CI:1.336-4.346),and 80-89 years old(OR=8.982,95%CI:0.640-2.357)were risk factors for frailty in elderly inpatients(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The prevalence of frailty is high among elderly inpatients.Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the assessment of frailty in elderly inpatients,and promptly implement targeted interventions to slow down or prevent the progression of frailty.

Off-label use means that the intended use of the drug is not included in the instructions approved by the National Medical Products Administration,including unapproved indication,dosage,the course of treatment,route of administration,or population.The formulation of Pharmaceutical Supply Services-Key Medications Management-Off-label Uses is based on relevant laws,regulations,normative documents,guidelines,literatures,and expert opinions,and follows the principles of scientificity,versatility,instructiveness,and operability.This standard regulates and standardizes the institutional and organizational construction,process management,and the whole process of quality management and evaluation improvement of off-label uses,which is the basis for medical institutions to carry out off-label uses management.This article introduced the formulation process of the off-label uses standard and analyzed the key contents of the standard,which would help medical institutions to better comply with and meet the requirements of this standard in the practice of off-label use management.

Drugs under special management include narcotic drugs,psychotropic drugs,toxic drugs for medical use,radiopharmaceuticals,and pharmaceutical precursor chemicals.Supervising and guiding the clinical use of drugs under special management is one of the important responsibilities of the Pharmaceutical Management and Drug Therapy Committee(Group)of medical institutions.The standard for drugs under special management is led by the Pharmaceutical Professional Committee of the China Hospital Association,which standardizes 16 key elements of organizational management,process management,and quality control management drugs under special management in medical institutions.It can guide the standardized implementation of Pharmaceuticals under special control work in various levels and types of medical institutions.This article elaborates on the methods and contents of formulating standards for Pharmaceuticals under special management,to provide reference and inspiration for medical institutions to carry out special drug drug management and daily related work.

The management of clinical application of antimicrobial drugs is an important part of the pharmaceutical management and pharmacy services in medical institutions.Based on national policies and regulations,this standard focuses on the whole life cycle of antimicrobial drugs in medical institutions.It is developed based on the principles of scientific validity,universality,guidance and operability,formed by sorting out problems,collecting opinions,expert argumentation and deliberation.It is the first group standard to standardize the clinical application management of antimicrobial drugs.This paper introduces and analyzes the team composition,problem sorting and compilation process,and various elements of the standard in the process of formulating the standard,and provide a reference for the majority of peers who use it.

Antineoplastic drugs refer to the drugs that act at the cellular and molecular levels to inhibit tumor growth or eliminate tumors through pathways such as cell killing,immune regulation,and endocrine regulation.Antineoplastic drugs generally including chemotherapeutic drugs,molecular targeted therapeutic drugs,immunotherapeutic drugs,and endocrine therapeutic drugs.The management and rational application of antineoplastic drugs in medical institutions are related to the safety of patient treatment.The standard for management of antineoplastic drugs use in clinical is compiled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Committee of China Hospital Association,which specification requirements 18 key elements in the organizational management and system,medication management,drug monitoring and evaluation of antineoplastic drug management in healthcare institutions.This standard is applicable to all levels and types of healthcare institutions carrying out oncology diagnosis and treatment.This paper describes the methodology and basic content of the standard,hoping to providing a reference for medical institutions to carry out relevant work.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.