More studies are necessary to establish the effectiveness of Jinhuang powder in the treatment of diabetic foot

Diabetes mellitus is a common global public health problem that can cause serious illness and premature death. Diabetic foot ulcer, one of the complications of diabetes, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with many other devastating complications. Previous study found that a group of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be used for treating diabetic foot ulcers. More and more attention is being paid to the use of Chinese medicine to heal diabetic feet. Under the guidance of relevant theories of traditional Chinese medicine, more studies are needed to reveal the key active components and related signal pathways of TCM in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer. One clinical study explored the treatment of diabetic foot with infection combined moist exposed burn ointment with Jinhuang powder. However, large-scale multi-center, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials and animal studies are necessary to establish the effectiveness of Jinhuang powder in the treatment of diabetic foot.     

Management of hip fracture in COVID-19 infected patients

Given that the global population of elderly individuals is expanding and the difficulty of recovery, hip fractures will be a huge challenge and a critical health issue for all of humanity. Although people have spent more time at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hip fractures show no sign of abating. Extensive studies have shown that patients with hip fracture and COVID-19 have a multifold increase in mortality compared to those uninfected and a more complex clinical condition. At present, no detailed research has systematically analyzed the relationship between these two conditions and proposed a comprehensive solution. This article aims to systematically review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture and provide practical suggestions. We found that hip fracture patients with COVID-19 have higher mortality rates and more complicated clinical outcomes. Indirectly, COVID-19 prevents hip fracture patients from receiving regular medical treatment. With regard to the problems we encounter, we provide clinical recommendations based on existing research evidence and a clinical flowchart for the management of hip fracture patients who are COVID-19 positive. Our study will help clinicians adequately prepare in advance when dealing with such patients and optimize treatment decisions.     

基于一项“多中心、随机对照、双盲”的临床研究探讨影响肾功能进展的因素＊

目的 基于一项前瞻性、多中心、随机、安慰剂对照、双盲的临床试验结果，探索影响肾功能进展的因素。方法 选择343例慢性肾脏病3期的患者，将入组的患者随机分为治疗组和对照组，治疗组给予中药颗粒剂口服，对照组给予安慰剂口服。两组患者均给予基础治疗，疗程24周。评估两组患者肾功能变化情况。治疗结束后，根据患者肾功能情况，以CKD3期为界限，将病情好转者定为A组，该组患者血肌酐下降至CKD2期或CKD1期；病情恶化者为B组，该组患者血肌酐上升至CKD4期或CKD5期；病情稳定者为C组，该组患者血肌酐稳定，仍处于CKD3期，分析各组患者指标的差异。结果 经过24周观察，比较两组患者的血肌酐（Scr）水平，治疗组130.78 ± 32.55 μmol·L^-1，对照组149.12 ± 41.27 μmol·L^-1，两组比较，差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。eGFR水平比较，治疗组55.74 ± 50.82 mL/min/1.73 m²，对照组44.46 ± 12.60 mL/min/1.73 m²，差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。研究结束后，A组患者血尿酸水平明显低于B组和C组的患者，A组患者血红蛋白水平明显高于B组和C组的患者，A组患者的血磷水平明显低于B组和C组的患者。结论 中药颗粒剂在24周内可以明显改善肾功能，患者的血尿酸水平、血红蛋白及血磷水平对肾功能有一定的影响。     

CLCA1在结肠癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨CLCA1在结肠癌组织中的表达水平及其与肿瘤进展和预后的关系。方法:随机选取西安交通大学第一附属医院及第四军医大学西京医院行手术切除的临床结肠癌病例239例，应用免疫组织化学方法检测结肠癌组织及癌旁组织中CLCA1的表达情况，使用统计学方法分析CLCA1在结肠癌中的表达与肿瘤临床病理特征及预后的相关性。结果:CLCA1 在肿瘤中的表达较癌旁组织显著降低（P＜0.05），CLCA1在结肠癌中表达与原发肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴转移和肿瘤TNM分期显著相关（P＜0.05），而且CLCA1低表达组患者总体生存期较高表达组显著缩短（P＜0.001），多因素分析显示CLCA1的表达可作为结肠癌的独立预后因素。结论:CLCA1在结肠癌中表达下调，CLCA1的低表达与肿瘤的侵袭转移和临床预后密切相关，有望作为结肠癌个体化治疗靶点。     

Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Hematological toxicities in immune checkpoint inhibitors: A pharmacovigilance study from 2014 to 2019

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown remarkable clinical effects in many cancer types. However, ICIs could also induce severe organ system toxicities, including those of the hematological system. The present study aimed to extensively characterize the hematological toxicities of ICIs immunotherapy. Data were extracted from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2019. Disproportionality analysis, including information component (IC) and reporting odds ratio (ROR), was used to detect potential disproportionality signal. The lower boundary of the 95% confidence interval of IC (IC₀₂₅) exceeding zero or that of ROR (ROR₀₂₅) exceeding one was considered statistically significant for detecting disproportionality signal. A total of 29 294 335 records were extracted from the database, with 132 573 related to ICIs. Overall, hematological adverse events (AEs) were more frequently reported in ICIs (IC₀₂₅: 0.81; ROR₀₂₅: 1.80). On further analysis, hematological AEs were overreported in female patients (female vs male, ROR₀₂₅: 1.04) and anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy groups (anti-CTLA-4 vs anti-PD-1, ROR₀₂₅: 1.33) and polytherapy groups (polytherapy vs monotherapy, ROR: 1.20, ROR₀₂₅: 1.11). Moreover, class-specific hematological AEs were also detected and differed in unique ICI regimens. Notably, disseminated intravascular coagulation had the highest proportion of death outcomes among the top 10 most frequently reported ICI-associated hematological AEs. Our study shows a high reporting frequency of hematological AEs induced by ICI monotherapy (especially by anti-CTLA-4 therapy) and reinforced by polytherapy. A spectrum of class-specific disproportionality signal was also detected; some were fatal and reported for the first time. The heterogeneous clinical spectrum of hematological toxicities, including the non-negligible proportion of death as reported outcome, are warranted to be reminded by clinicians. Early recognition and management of ICI-related hematological AEs are highly important and further studies are needed to confirm the results of our study.