End-stage renal disease is a late complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and one of the leading causes of high mortality worldwide. Over the years, the impacts of gut microbiota and their associated uremic toxins on kidney diseases through the intricate “gut-kidney axis” have been extensively studied. However, translation of microbiome-related omics results into specific mechanisms is still a significant challenge. In this paper, we review the interaction between gut microbiome and blood purification, as well as the current microbiota-based therapies in CKD. Additionally, the current sequencing technologies and progresses in the gut microbiome research are also discussed.
ObjectiveTo systematically elucidate the resistance mechanism of targeted drug therapy for breast cancer and to discuss future direction of optimized treatment strategies. MethodA literature review on targeted therapy for breast cancer had been conducted based on recent domestic and international research. ResultsContemporary breast cancer targeted therapies mainly comprised human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed agents, CDK4/6 inhibitors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway blockers, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint modulators, etc. While these agents had conferred subtype-specific survival benefits, resistance developed through target mutations, compensatory signaling, epigenetic alterations, drug efflux pumps, among other mechanisms. Emerging strategies for reversing drug resistance included dual-targeted approaches (such as trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab), dynamic monitoring of drug-resistant gene mutations by liquid biopsy, epigenetic modulators, etc. ConclusionsDrug resistance remains a key bottleneck limiting long-term efficacy of breast cancer targeted therapy. Future research should integrate multi-omics approaches to decipher tumor heterogeneity, implement combinatorial multi-target inhibition with real-time monitoring of multidimensional interventions, and leverage artificial intelligence to predict resistance evolution. This integrated strategy is expected to enable personalized combination therapies, ultimately overcoming drug resistance and improving patient survival outcomes.
ObjectiveTo summarize the treatment strategies and clinical experiences of 5 cases of giant plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) involving the head, face, and neck. MethodsBetween April 2021 and May 2023, 5 patients with giant PNFs involving the head, face, and neck were treated, including 1 male and 4 females, aged 6-54 years (mean, 22.4 years). All tumors showed progressive enlargement, involving multiple regions such as the maxillofacial area, ear, and neck, significantly impacting facial appearance. Among them, 3 cases involved tumor infiltration into deep tissues, affecting development, while 4 cases were accompanied by hearing loss. Imaging studies revealed that all 5 tumors predominantly exhibited an invasive growth pattern, in which 2 and 1 also presenting superficial and displacing pattern, respectively. The surgical procedure followed a step-by-step precision treatment strategy based on aesthetic units, rather than simply aiming for maximal tumor resection in a single operation. Routine preoperative embolization of the tumor-feeding vessels was performed to reduce bleeding risk, followed by tumor resection combined with reconstructive surgery. Results All 5 patients underwent 1-3 preoperative embolization procedures, with no intraoperative hemorrhagic complications reported. Four patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. A total of 10 surgical procedures were performed across the 5 patients. One patient experienced early postoperative flap margin necrosis due to ligation for hemostasis; however, the incisions in the remaining patients healed without complications. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 6 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up duration of 21.6 months. No significant tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion For patients with giant PNF involving the head, face, and neck, precision treatment strategy can effectively control surgical risks and improve the standard of aesthetic reconstruction. This approach enhances overall treatment outcomes by minimizing complications and optimizing functional and cosmetic results.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical morphological classification feature of symptomatic spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD), basing on the relative diameter of the true lumen (TLRD) and type of lesion, and then summarize the reasonable clinical treatment strategies and timing of arterial reconstruction.MethodsRetrospectively analyzed the imaging data, treatment methods, perioperative complications, and follow-up results of 26 symptomatic SICAD patients admitted to the Department of Endovascular Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2012 to May 2019, patients were divided into conservative treatment group (n=12) and endovascular intervention group (n=14) according the treatment, and then compared the clinical data of the two groups.ResultsTwelve patients in the conservative treatment group had an average of 12.6 days (5–22 days) and discharged from hospital with better condition, of which 11 patients’ TLRD≥30%. In the endovascular intervention group, 2 patients continued to aggravate the symptoms at the 3rd day of admission and received endovascular intervention, the remaining 12 patients’ symptoms were not significantly relieved or the symptoms reappeared after averaged 11.4 days, whose TLRD<30% or diameter >1.5 cm. Compared with the endovascular intervention group, the duration of symptoms was shorter (P=0.04), proportions of back pain (P=0.02) and chest pain (P=0.04) were lower, TLRD value and proportion of TLRD value>30% (subtype of a) were higher (P=0.01, P=0.02). The average follow-up duration of 26 patients was 28.2 months (12–83 months). The follow-up results of all patients in the conservative treatment group were good and no relevant symptoms had appeared since discharge. One patient in the endovascular intervention group had transient liver function damage, 1 patient had severe deformation of the proximal end of the stent at 1 year after implantation of the celiac artery stent. The remaining patients were stable with no progress.ConclusionsFor symptomatic SICAD, if the clinical symptoms are stable after hospitalization, conservative medication and close imaging follow-up are preferred, if there is no relief of symptoms, continuous organ perfusion and other manifestations based on medication, endovascular intervention can be considered for arterial reconstruction, the early and medium follow-up results were satisfactory under this treatment algorithm. In addition, there are differences in TLRD value between the conservative treatment group and the endovascular intervention group, suggesting that TLRD as the morphological characteristics of the classification has a potential guiding significance for the development of clinical treatment strategy.
The 14th Five-Year Plan for National Health explicitly proposes elevating the comprehensive prevention and control strategy for chronic diseases to the national strategy, aiming to address the growing demand for long-term management and individualized treatment of chronic diseases. In this context, the adaptive treatment strategy (ATS), as an innovative treatment model, offers new ideas and methods for the management and treatment of chronic diseases through its flexible, personalized, and scientific characteristics. To construct ATS, the sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) has emerged as a research method for multi-stage randomized controlled trials. The SMART design has been widely used in international clinical research, but there is a lack of systematic reports and studies in China. This paper first introduces the basic principles of ATS and SMART design, and then focuses on two key elements of the SMART design: re-randomization and intermediate outcomes. Based on these two elements, four major types of SMART designs are summarized, including: (1) SMART designs in which the intermediate outcome corresponds to a single re-randomization scheme (the classical type), (2) SMART designs in which no intermediate outcome is embedded, (3) SMART designs in which the intermediate outcome corresponds to a different re-randomization scheme, and (4) SMART designs in which the intermediate outcome and the previous interventions jointly determine the re-randomization. These different types of SMART designs are appropriate for solving different types of scientific problems. Using specific examples, this paper also analyzes the conditions under which SMART designs are applicable in clinical trials and predicts that the mainstream analysis methods for SMART designs in the future will combine frequentist statistics and Bayesian statistics. It is expected that the introduction and analysis in this paper will provide valuable references for researchers and promote the widespread application and innovative development of SMART design in the field of chronic disease prevention, control, and treatment strategies in China.
Objective To investigate the clinical features, etiology and treatment strategies of patients with delirium in emergency intensive care unit ( EICU) . Methods Patients with delirium during hospitalization between January 2010 and January 2012 were recruited from respiratory group of EICU of Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Over the same period, same amount of patients without delirium were randomly collected as control. The clinical datawere retrospectively analyzed and compared. Results The incidence of delirium was 7.5% ( 42/563) . All delirium patients had more than three kinds of diseases including lung infections, hypertension, coronary heart disease, respiratory failure, heart failure, renal failure, hyponatremia, etc. 50% of delirium patients received mechanical ventilation ( invasive/noninvasive) . The mortality of both the delirium patients and the control patients was 11.9% ( 5 /42) . However, the patients with delirium exhibited longer hospital stay [ 14(11) d vs. 12(11) d, P gt;0. 05] and higher hospitalization cost [ 28, 389 ( 58,999) vs. 19, 373( 21, 457) , P lt;0.05] when compared with the control group. 52.4% ( 22/42) of delirium patients were associated with primary disease. 9. 5% ( 4/42) were associated with medication. 38. 1% (16/42) were associated with ICU environment and other factors. Conclusions Our data suggest that the causes of delirium in ICU are complex. Comprehensive treatment such as removal of the relevant aggravating factors, treating underlying diseases, enhancing patient communication, and providing counseling can shorten their hospital stay, reduce hospitalization costs, and promote rehabilitation.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) on treatment strategies and long-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism before and after the implementation of the first PERT in China. Methods The official start of PERT (July 2017) was took as the cut-off point, all APE patients who attended Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University one year before and after this cut-off time were included through the hospital electronic medical record system. The APE patients who received traditional treatment from July 5, 2016 to July 4, 2017 were recruited in the control group (Pre-PERT group), and the APE patients who received PERT mode treatment from July 5, 2017 to July 4, 2018 were recruited as the intervention group (Post-PERT group). Treatment methods during hospitalization were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up for one year after discharge to evaluate their anticoagulant therapy, follow-up compliance and long-term prognosis. Results A total of 108 cases in the Pre-PERT group and 102 cases in the Post-PERT group were included. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in age and gender (both P>0.05). Anticoagulation therapy (87.3% vs. 81.5%, P=0.251), catheter-directed treatment (3.9% vs. 2.8%, P=0.644), inferior vena cava filters (1.0% vs. 1.9%, P=1.000), surgical embolectomy (2.0% vs. 0.9%, P=0.613), systemic thrombolysis (3.9% vs. 4.6%, P=0.582) were performed in both groups with no significant differences between the two groups. The use rate of rivaroxaban in the Post-PERT group was higher than that in the Pre-PERT group at one year of discharge, and the use rate of warfarin was lower than that of the Pre-PERT group (54.5% vs. 32.5%; 43.6% vs. 59.0%, P=0.043). The anticoagulation time of the Post-PERT group was longer than that of the Pre-PERT group (11.9 months vs. 10.3 months, P<0.001). The all-cause mortality within one year, hemorrhagic events and the rate of rehospitalization due to pulmonary embolism were not significantly different between the two groups, (10.4% vs. 8.6%), (14.3% vs. 14.8%), and (1.3% vs. 2.5%, χ2=3.453, P=0.485), respectively. Conclusions APE treatment was still dominated by anticoagulation and conventional treatment at the early stage of PERT implementation, and advanced treatment (catheter-directed treatment and surgical embolectomy) is improved, it showed an expanding trend after only one year of implementation although there was no statistical difference. At follow-up, there is no increase in one-year all-cause mortality and bleeding events with a slight increase in advanced treatment after PERT implementation.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the influence of single-stent versus double-stent strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions prognosis.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, WanFang Data, VIP and CNKI databases were searched online to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of single-stent versus double-stent strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions from inception to March, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 12.0 software.ResultsA total of 23 RCTs involving 7 391 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared to the double-stent strategy, the single-stent strategy significantly reduced the myocardial infarction rate (RR=0.61, 95%CI 0.50 to 0.73, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between two groups in all cause mortality, cardiac mortality, main adverse coronary event (MACE), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis. The results of subgroup analysis showed that: single-stent strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions was associated with lower all-cause mortality at five-years follow-up (RR=0.59, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.88,P=0.01).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that single-stent strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions could reduce the myocardial infarction rate and five-year mortality compared to double-stent strategy. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify above conclusion.
目的：探讨松果体区肿瘤的治疗策略。方法:我院自2003年12月至2007年12月收治的58例松果体区肿瘤，按肿瘤标志物甲胎蛋白（AFP）和人β促绒膜性腺激素（hCG-β）将其分为标志物增高组和正常组，回顾分析两组临床资料和治疗体会。结果:肿瘤标志物正常组36例，其中27例行手术切除肿瘤，9例行伽马刀治疗（其中5例行伽马刀加脑室腹腔分流治疗）。术后4例因病理报告示生殖细胞瘤行伽马刀补充治疗，3例因梗阻性脑积水行脑室腹腔分流。增高组22例，均选用伽马刀治疗（其中17例合并梗阻性脑积水者行伽马刀加脑室腹腔分流）。治疗后3例因症状缓解不佳行手术切除肿瘤术。手术病例中24例采用经胼胝体入路，4例经枕部小脑幕入路，2例经幕下小脑上入路。手术全切24例，次全切5例，部分切除1例，术后住院期内死亡者1例。病理诊断:生殖细胞瘤14例，畸胎瘤5例，中枢神经细胞瘤4例，室管膜瘤2例，表皮样囊肿2例，脑膜瘤1例，胶质瘤1例，皮样囊肿1例。放射外科治疗病例中28例术后3个月临床症状明显改善，4例随访期内肿瘤无明显变化，3例肿瘤增大。2例放疗后出现鞍区转移。结论:松果体区肿瘤组织类型多样，应尽可能先明确肿瘤性质后选择合理治疗策略。