High-dose methotrexate and zanubrutinib combination therapy for primary central nervous system lymphoma

In this editorial I comment on the article,published in the current issue of the World Journal of Clinical Oncology.Primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL)is a disease of elderly and immunocompromised patients.The authors reported clinical results of 19 patients with PCNSL treated with zanubrutinib/high dose methotrexate(HD-MTX)until disease progression.They demonstrated that the combination of zanubrutinib with HD-MTX led to a marked clinical response and tolerability among these patients.They also observed that cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsy to detect circulating tumor DNA may be a good option for evaluating treatment response and tumor burden in patients with PCNSL.PCNSL is a challenging disease for treatment as these patients present with different neurological states and comorbidities.Treatment has evolved over the years from whole brain radiotherapy to HD-MTX followed by autologous stem cell transplant.Gradually,treatment of patients with PCNSL is going to become individualized.

Status of Renal and Liver Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients of Chattogram, Bangladesh Treated with Methotrexate (MTX)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is usually manifested as inflammation in multiple joints and several extra-articular symptoms, involving the liver, kidney, eye, skin, blood, blood vessels, heart, lungs, nervous system, and other organs. Methotrexate (MTX) is the anchor drug that treats RA. As renal and liver abnormalities are more common during disease conditions as well as during the treatment period, we tried to find out if there is any impact of MTX in these organs during the treatment of RA patients. Once the disease complications are developed, it is quite difficult to reverse the disease, and treatment in this situation is not very effective. Consequently, patients suffer a lot. So, early evaluation of renal and liver function is essential for the treatment of RA patients and it might also help prevent different complications which are usually very frequently observed. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 150 RA patients treated with MTX were evaluated for the study where female and male respondents were 115 and 35 respectively. In this study, we found that 82% of RA patients had creatinine levels ≤ 1.1 mg/dL although the normal range of serum creatinine is below 1.4 mg/dL. Usually, a 15% increase in Serum creatinine level from the baseline is considered renal impairment. We found 4% of such cases. Moreover, 2% of RA patients had creatinine levels above the normal range of 1.4 mg/dL and those patients were hypertensive as well. So, a total (4 + 2 = 6)% had renal impairments. Among them, 5% had diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, the ultrasonogram (USG) of RA patients with kidney disease showed signs of renal parenchymal disease and 3% of RA patients having renal problems whose serum creatinine level was within the normal range showed signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD). On the other hand, 2% of RA patients showed signs of hepatic parenchymal disease. In this study, 69% of RA patients had ALT levels ≤ 50 mg/dL, 23% had 50 - 100 mg/dL, and 5% had 101 - 150 mg/dL. The remaining 3% of RA patients had ALT levels above 150 mg/dL. All those patients with ALT levels above 100 mg/dL used Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) concomitantly. Different parameters of liver and renal function should be monitored strongly in RA patients treated with MTX and NSAIDs. MTX should not be given for a prolonged period without monitoring renal and liver function. As MTX, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc., may cause renal complications, we could not concretely conclude which one is the actual causative agent.

工程教育中心何以推动科教融合——荷兰4TU工程教育中心的探索性单案例研究

工程教育中心作为建立在大学或研究机构中的跨学科交叉合作平台,是连接科学研究与教育实践的纽带,在高质量工程人才培养中发挥着重要作用。荷兰4TU工程教育中心利用4所顶尖理工大学在工程学科和教育领域的独特优势,积极与研发单位、教育单位、企业部门合作,通过将前沿科学研究彻底融入工程课程设计、教学模式等多个方面,形成了独具一格的科教融合工程人才培养模式。文章从战略目标、组织架构、运行机制、质量保障4个维度详实分析了4TU工程教育中心推动科教融合的内在机制,总结归纳其在主题项目设置、教育共同体形成、课程体系迭代、创新网络构建、内外部质量保障等方面的核心特征,期望对我国科教融合的工程教育改革与建设有所启示。

沉默TUFM通过AMPK/mTOR信号通路调控线粒体自噬对肺源性心脏病模型大鼠肺动脉高压的影响

目的探讨线粒体翻译延伸因子Tu(TUFM)通过线粒体自噬促进肺动脉高压(PAH)血管重塑的作用机制。方法2022年1月—2023年6月于辽宁省人民医院中心实验室进行实验。将36只健康雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分为空白对照(Ctrl)组、模型(PAH)组、TUFM过表达(OE)组、OE阴性对照(OE-NC)组、短发夹RNA(Sh)敲除TUFM(Sh)组和Sh-NC阴性对照(Sh-NC)组,每组6只。除Ctrl组外,其余大鼠均一次性腹腔注射1%野百合碱(60 mg/kg)诱导心源性肺水肿PAH大鼠模型;大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMC)在低氧(3%O 2)条件下培养24 h模拟体内肺动脉高压微环境,分为常氧(Norm)组、低氧(Hyp)组、小干扰RNA(SiRNA)-1组、SiRNA-2组、Si-NC组、OE-NC组和OE组。右心导管插管和脉冲多普勒超声检测大鼠肺血流动力学;苏木素-伊红染色检测肺小动脉病理结构;免疫荧光共染检测TUFM组织定位;细胞计数法检测细胞增殖;透射电镜观察线粒体结构和自噬小体;蛋白免疫印迹检测TUFM、自噬、凋亡和磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)通路相关蛋白表达。结果与Ctrl组比较,PAH组大鼠TUFM蛋白表达升高,且主要与PASMC标志物α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)在肺小动脉内膜存在共定位,而与内皮细胞标志物CD31无共定位,肺动脉收缩压(PASP)升高,肺动脉血流加速时间(PAAT)缩短,远端肺小动脉管壁呈向心性增厚,管腔狭窄几乎堵塞,TUFM、苄氯素1重组蛋白(BECN1)、人微管相关蛋白轻链3(LC3)II/I和B淋巴细胞瘤2(Bcl2)蛋白表达升高,P62、Bcl2相关X蛋白(Bax)和凋亡酶激活因子(Apaf)蛋白表达降低(P<0.05);与PAH组比较,OE组PASP升高,PAAT缩短,肺小动脉管壁厚度升高,肺动脉TUFM、BECN1、LC3II/I和Bcl2表达升高,P62、Bax和Apaf表达降低(P<0.05);与PAH组比较,Sh组PASP降低,PAAT延长,肺小动脉管壁厚度和管腔狭窄度有所改善,TUFM、BECN1、LC3II/I和Bcl2表达降低,P62、Bax和Apaf表达升高(P<0.05)。与Norm组比较,Hyp组PASMC细胞TUFM蛋白表达升高;与Si-NC组细胞相比,SiRNA-1和SiRNA-2组P62、Bax蛋白表达升高,BECN1、LC3II/I、Bcl2、TUFM表达降低,线粒体结构完整,PASMC细胞增殖活性降低,细胞p-AMPK表达降低,p-mTOR表达升高(P<0.05);与OE-NC组比较,OE组细胞P62和Bax蛋白表达降低,BECN1、LC3II/I、Bcl2和TUFM表达升高,部分线粒体损伤崩解,嵴断裂消失,PASMC细胞增殖活性明显升高,细胞p-AMPK表达升高,p-mTOR表达降低(P<0.05)。结论沉默TUFM可通过激活AMPK/mTOR信号通路促进线粒体自噬加速PAH肺动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡。

秦川牛宰后成熟过程中线粒体翻译延长因子Tu与能量代谢的关联性分析

目的:线粒体翻译延长因子Tu(mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor,TUFM)已被证明参与秦川牛宰后成熟过程中的细胞自噬活动,实验探究该过程中TUFM表达与能量代谢变化的关系。方法:以秦川牛背最长肌为研究对象,测定4℃不同成熟时间(0、2、12、24、48、96、144、192 h)TUFM表达量及含量、葡萄糖(glucose,GLU)、乳酸(lactic acid,LA)、腺苷三磷酸(adenosine triphosphate,ATP)、二磷酸腺苷(adenosine diphosphate,ADP)、单磷酸腺苷(adenosine monophosphate,AMP)6种物质含量以及乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(succinate dehydrogenase,SDH)、磷酸丙糖异构酶(triose phosphate isomerase,TPI)、苹果酸脱氢酶(malate dehydrogenase,MDH)、细胞色素c氧化酶(cytochrome c oxidase,COX)5种酶活性的变化情况。结果:在秦川牛宰后成熟期间,GLU、ATP、ADP、AMP含量和LDH、SDH、TPI活性均呈下降趋势,TUFM表达量、MDH活性及LA和TUFM含量均呈先上升后下降趋势,COX活性呈先下降后上升再下降趋势。能量代谢各指标和TUFM蛋白主要在宰后初期发挥作用,对宰后初期及宰后中后期分别进行Pearson相关性分析,结果表明,在宰后初期牛背最长肌中TUFM表达量与MDH、LA呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与ATP、ADP、AMP、LDH、SDH、TPI、COX、GLU呈极显著负相关(P<0.01)。在宰后中后期,TUFM表达与所有指标(GLU、LA、ATP、ADP、AMP、LDH、MDH、SDH、TPI、COX)均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。结论:在宰后初期TUFM表达量逐渐增加,可为肌肉细胞提供能量从而用于能量代谢途径,该过程可能是TUFM正向参与细胞自噬所致。在宰后中后期能量短缺时,TUFM可能抑制细胞自噬,优先将能量用于除细胞自噬外的其他重要途径(如能量代谢途径)以维持细胞稳态。综上,在宰后成熟过程中TUFM具有双重作用,可调节细胞自噬为能量代途径提供能量,有助于维持宰后能量代谢持续的时间。

绵羊肺炎支原体EF-Tu蛋白的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

[目的]克隆绵羊肺炎支原体(Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae,Mo)EF-Tu基因,原核表达获得EF-Tu蛋白,制备抗EF-Tu蛋白的兔源多克隆抗体,为研究肺炎支原体EF-Tu蛋白的结构和功能奠定基础。[方法]采用重叠延伸PCR方法将pET-28a-EF-Tu质粒中EF-Tu基因中间的TGA密码子突变为TGG,并对测序结果与其他支原体参考株进行相似性比对和遗传进化分析,利用在线软件对其推测的蛋白序列进行生物信息学分析。将突变后的重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞进行原核表达,经SDS-PAGE和Western blotting鉴定,利用镍柱亲和层析法纯化,以纯化的EF-Tu融合蛋白免疫家兔制备多克隆抗体,采用间接ELISA和Western blotting检测多克隆抗体效价及免疫反应性。[结果]试验成功突变了EF-Tu基因中TGA位点,并构建了融合表达His标签pET-28a-EF-Tu′原核表达载体。生物信息学分析表明,克隆的EF-Tu基因与绵羊肺炎支原体MoGH3-3菌株相似性最高,亲缘关系最近;编码387个氨基酸,无N-糖基化位点和跨膜区域,存在10个丝氨酸、20个苏氨酸、4个酪氨酸磷酸化位点,二级结构由无规则卷曲(35.14%)、α-螺旋(26.87%)、延伸链(26.87%)及β-转角(11.11%)构成。SDS-PAGE和Western blotting结果显示,目的蛋白大小约为43 ku,蛋白纯化浓度为0.615 g/L。ELISA和Western blotting结果显示,制备的多克隆抗体效价可达1∶128 000,能够特异性识别EF-Tu融合蛋白,具有良好的免疫反应性。[结论]本研究成功突变了EF-Tu基因的TGA密码子,原核表达并纯化获得EF-Tu融合蛋白,制备其多克隆抗体效价为1∶128 000,为后续研究肺炎支原体EF-Tu蛋白结构和生物学功能及其疫苗研发提供了试验基础。

异氟烷麻醉对小鼠自发肌电及TUS/TMAS诱发肌电的影响

经颅超声刺激(TUS)和经颅磁声耦合刺激(TMAS)调控运动皮层效果明显,但受限于清醒状态动物难以束缚,已有研究大多在麻醉状态下进行,对麻醉减弱调控效果的分析集中于中枢神经系统。本研究记录了异氟烷麻醉下24只小鼠的肢体自发肌电和TUS/TMAS诱发肌电,定量分析了麻醉对自发肌电和诱发肌电发放率、潜伏期、时长和幅值的影响。结果显示,随着异氟烷输出浓度从0.40%增加至0.75%,每周期内小鼠自发肌电频次减少约50%,肌电发放时长变短,呈抑制状态;TUS/TMAS诱发肌电的成功率分别降低约50%和70%、潜伏期均延长约0.1 s、时长分别缩短约0.3和0.5 s,表明TUS/TMAS对运动皮层的调控效果随麻醉程度的加深而减弱。肢体自发和诱发肌电在发放率和时长上存在关联性特征,提示麻醉状态下小鼠自发肌电抑制状态可能是刺激效果减弱的影响因素之一。

Conservative management of cervical pregnancy with intramuscular administration of methotrexate and KCl injection: Case report and review of the literature

We report the case of a cervical pregnancy successfully treated with intramuscular injection of methotrexate(MTX) and intramniotic administration of potassium chloride. A 41-year-old woman was admitted to our Department with the suspicion of ectopic pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed empty endometrialcavity, gestational sac within the cervical canal and embryonic echo measuring crown rump length 1.5 mm. Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropine(β-HCG) was measured 28590 IU/L. No cardiac activity was detected. The diagnosis of a cervical pregnancy was made. Patient was treated with intramuscular administration of methotrexate(50 mg/m2) in combination with ultrasoundguided intramniotic injection of KCl(2 meq/mL). Gradual decrease of β-HCG levels as well as ultrasound observation of collapsed gestational sac was observed. No curettage was necessitated. Patient was discharged on day 10 th and was set in follow-up on a weekly basis. β-HCG values were measured < 10 IU/L on 56 th day after MTX administration. Intramuscular administration of MTX may be effective in treatment of cervical pregnancy without additional interventional measures.

The water-soluble TF3 component from Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker promotes tibial fracture healing in rats by promoting osteoblast proliferation and angiogenesis

Objective To determine the active components of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker(Tu Bie Chong)and explore the mechanisms underlying its fracture-healing ability.Methods A modified Einhorn method was used to develop a rat tibial fracture model.Progression of bone healing was assessed using radiological methods.Safranin O/fast green and CD31 immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the growth of bone cells and angiogenesis at the fracture site.Methylthiazoletetrazolium blue and wound healing assays were used to analyze cell viability and migration.The Transwell assay was used to explore the invasion capacity of the cells.Tubule formation assays were used to assess the angiogenesis capacity of human vascular endothelial cells(HUVECs).qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the changes in gene transcription levels.Results Tu Bie Chong fraction 3(TF3)significantly shortened the fracture healing time in model rats.X-ray results showed that on day 14,fracture healing in the TF3 treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group(P=.0086).Tissue staining showed that cartilage growth and the number of H-shaped blood vessels at the fracture site of the TF3 treatment group were better than those of the control group.In vitro,TF3 significantly promoted the proliferation and wound healing of MC3T3-E1s and HUVECs(all P<.01).Transwell assays showed that TF3 promoted the migration of HUVECs,but inhibited the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells.Tubule formation experiments confirmed that TF3 markedly promoted the ability of vascular endothelial cells to form microtubules.Gene expression analysis revealed that TF3 significantly promoted the expression of VEGFA,SPOCD1,NGF,and NGFR in HUVECs.In MC3T3-E1 cells,the transcript levels of RUNX2 and COL2A1 were significantly elevated following TF3 treatment.Conclusion TF3 promotes fracture healing by promoting bone regeneration associated with the RUNX2 pathway and angiogenesis associated with the VEGFA pathway.

Intratubal Methotrexate Injection Combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine for Tubal Pregnancy and Following Pregnancy Prognosis

Objective: To compare the effects of treatment of tubal pregnancy (TP)and its following second pregnancy by intratubal methotrexate injection(IMI) alone and combination of IMI with Chinese herbal medicine. Methods: Thirty-five patients suffering from unruptured TP were divided into two groups at random, to the 19 patients in the treated group, the treatment of combined IMI with Ectopic Pregnancy decoction No. 2 (EP2, a traditional Chinese medical decoction) was applied, and to the other 16 patients in the control group, IMI alone was applied for control. Serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotro-pinβ(β-HCG), size of the gestational sac, existent time of fetal cardiac beat and peritoneal fluid were measured before and after treatment. And hysterosalpingography were performed 6 months after ending the treatment to verify the presence of tubal obstruction and the condition of relapse.Results: The treatment of all the 35 women was successful. The recovery duration of serumβ-HCG, disappearance duration of TP sac and existent time of peritoneal fluid in the treated group were 20.0±7. 8 days, 1.2±0. 7 months and 10. 7±2. 9 days respectively, which were significantly different from those in the control group (24. 4 ±8.1 days, 3.6±1.7 months and 19.1±3. 2 days respectively(P<0. 05, P<0.01 and P<0. 05 respectively), but the existent time of fetal cardiac beat in the two groups (8.8±1. 9 days vs 9.0±1. 3 days) was not significantly different (P>0.05). The post-treatment oviduct obstructive rate in the two groups was 10.5% and 43.8% respectively, that in the treatment group was less significant (P<0.05). The relapse rate of EP in the treatment group was insignificantly different from that in the control group (5.3% vs 18.8%, P>0.05). Conclusion: The two therapies (IMI alone and IMI combined with EP2) could obtain e-qual efficacy in curing TP. Compared with IMI alone, the combined therapy appears to have the effects of accelerating the resorption of gestational sac and peritoneal fluid, improving the patency of fallopian tube and ameliorating the circumstance of pregnancy, which is favorable to improvement of the re-pregnancy rate and reduction of the re-occurrence of ectopic pregnancy as well as to the enhancement of the effect of IMI in killing trophocytes. But there is not enough proof to show the potency of EP2 in killing embryo.

Conservative Management of Unruptured Ectopic Pregnancy—A Retrospective Study

An ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as any pregnancy that occurs outside the uterine cavity. The most common site of ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tube. The goal of this retrospective study is to address medical and conservative surgical management of unruptured fallopian tube EP as an effective manner to preserve tubes to prevent secondary infertility. This study was conducted between January 1, 2010, and April 30, 2024, in Ponni Hospital, Madurai. It included 319 women, out of 6248 pregnant women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy by using an Inexecreen kit, trans-abdominal scan, trans-vaginal scan, and doubling of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) in 48 hours and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Medical and conservative surgical management were given to those patients effectively. Out of 319 patients, 62 patients (19.4%) had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and underwent surgical treatment;257 patients (80.6%) had an unruptured ectopic pregnancy. The conservative medical management was provided to 257 patients. Out of 257 patients, 235 patients were treated by injecting methotrexate and folic acid rescue when the criteria were met. 14 patients had salpingostomy and injection methotrexate (Inj. Methotrexate) and inj. Prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered into the tubal wall to preserve tubes. 8 patients had a live ectopic pregnancy;for those patients, Inj. Methotrexate was injected into the gestational sac through ultrasound guidance. 225 out of 257 patients reached out to us to seek fertility treatment;the remaining 32 patients were not seeking fertility. All fertility-seeking patients had successful pregnancies. We lost follow-up of 12 patients in this study. Out of 213 patients who came for fertility treatment, a 76.1% success rate was achieved with live birth, the recurrent ectopic pregnancy rate was 13.6%, the miscarriage and stillbirth rates were 10.3%. 32 patients, who were not seeking fertility, had quality life without surgical scars for ectopic pregnancy and cost-effective treatment. 25 patients out of 32 had laparoscopic sterilization later, and 7 patients followed temporary contraception as per our advice. This clinical data was retrieved from medical records.

An Investigation of Moxibustion Treatment for Abscesses in the Song Dynasty:Focusing on the“Jiu Ai Tu”

Jiu Ai Tu(The Moxa Treatment)from the Song dynasty is the earliest surviving painting that focuses on the subject of acupuncture and moxibustion.This paper takes the medical activities depicted in the artwork as its research object and systematically analyzes the external treatment methods for abscesses during the Song dynasty reflected in Jiu Ai Tu.By examining the understanding of abscesses during that period,the paper explores the level of development in external medicine techniques.By analyzing the medical awareness and behaviors of patients when facing such severe illnesses,it aims to explore the societal cognition and experiences regarding health and disease.The paper attempts to present the folk medical ecology of the Song dynasty represented by Jiu Ai Tu.

Perioperative Use of Methotrexate and Tumor Necrosis Factor α Inhibitors Combination Therapy Is Not Likely to Increase Post-Operative Infection Rate in the National Veterans Health Administration Administrative Databases

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the risk of post-operative outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients continuing versus stopping combination therapy of methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNF) prior to surgery. Methods: Using the United States Veterans Affairs (VA) databases, we identified surgical procedures in a 17-year cohort of RA patients. Among those patients, those on MTX + HCQ or MTX + TNF were identified. Post-operative outcome variables include infection, length of post-operative hospital stay and death. Results: We identified a total of 29,708 surgeries in RA patients. Among them, we identified the most recent elective surgeries without pre-operative infection in 16,174 patients. There were 783 and 550 patients on MTX + HCQ and MTX + TNF, respectively. The rates of post-op infection were 5% and 4% for the MTX + HCQ and MTX + TNF continuing medication groups, respectively, similar to the general RA population (5%). Sensitivity analyses at various time points of discontinuation combination therapies prior to surgery did not show significant change in terms of infection. Conclusions: The prevalence of adverse outcome is low. The proportion of post-operative infection in continuing and discontinuing medicine groups is similar for both MTX + HCQ and MTX + TNF. While we were unable to formally compare proportions of post-operative infection among the two groups, these preliminary findings do not support the hypothesis that continuing either MTX + TNF or MTX + HCQ combination during perioperative period increases post-operative infection compared with discontinuation prior to therapy.

Clinical and laboratory features of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with wrist involvement:Results of a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Previous studies in the pre-biological era showed an association of wrist inflammation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)with progressive disease course,polyarticular involvement and failure of methotrexate treatment.AIM To describe features of JIA,associated with wrist arthritis.METHODS Data from about 753 JIA patients were included in this retrospective cohort study.The clinical and laboratory features of patients with and without wrist involvement were analyzed.RESULTS Wrist involvement was found in oligoarthritis(5.8%),RF(−)/RF(+)polyarthritis(44.9%/15.0%),enthesitis-related arthritis(17.7%),and systemic(58.6%)JIA categories.Unilateral wrist involvement was typical for oligoarthritis patients,bilateral involvement was either equal to that of unilateral involvement or was more frequent in other categories.Wrist arthritis was found to be associated with female sex,a low incidence of uveitis,and more indications of systemic inflammation,including elevated levels of C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and platelets,as well as involvement of the cervical spine,temporomandibular,shoulder,elbow,metacarpophalangeal,proximal interphalangeal,distal interphalangeal,hip,ankle,and tarsus arthritis.The number of patients with hip osteoarthritis and hip replacement was also higher.Wrist arthritis was associated with a lower probability of achieving remission[hazard ratio(HR)=1.3(95%CI:1.0-1.7),P=0.055],and a higher probability of being treated with biologics[HR=1.7(95%CI:1.3-2.10,P=0.00009)].CONCLUSION Wrist arthritis in JIA patients is a marker of a severe disease course,characterized by more intensive inflammation,unfavorable outcomes,and.requiring more intensive treatment with early administration of biologics.Close monitoring of wrist inflammation with ultrasound and MR assessment with early biological treatment might improve the outcomes.

Successful treatment of a high-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumor using etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine: A case report

BACKGROUND Choriocarcinoma is an infrequent entity and the most aggressive subtype of germcell tumors.Because of early metastatic spread and rapid disease progression,choriocarcinoma patients display poor prognosis.Although etoposide,methotrexate,actinomycin D,cyclophosphamide,and vincristine(EMA-CO)regimen is widely used to treat gestational trophoblastic tumors in females,its role in treating male choriocarcinoma is seldom reported.CASE SUMMARY A 32-year-old man was diagnosed with burned-out primary germ cell tumors(GCT)with retroperitoneum,liver and lung metastases.Biopsy of the liver revealed pure choriocarcinoma.The patient received bleomycin,etoposide,and cisplatin chemotherapy.After two cycles of treatment,response evaluation revealed the mixed response.EMA-CO regimen was used in the second-line therapy.After eight cycles,the patient showed a potentially resectable state and thus,all residual masses were surgically removed.The patient was completely cured,and 10 years later,he is leading a healthy life without complications.CONCLUSION This paper is the first case of high-risk nonseminomatous GCT in a male patient to be successfully treated with the EMA-CO regimen.The EMA-CO regimen can be used actively in patients with high-risk nonseminomatous GCT.

Study on the Regulation of Qinxitong Combined with Methotrexate Tablets on Multiple Inflammatory Indicators and Mechanism Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective:To study the changes of several inflammatory index mechanism factors in the clinical efficacy of tablet and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly divided into observation(n=10)and control(n=10),then normal people as normal(n=10),all three groups were given methotrexate and the observation group were treated with Qin interest pain tablets.Expression of inflammatory index mechanism factors in each group.Results:After treatment,inflammatory index mechanism factors were detected;a significant decrease of IFN-g,IL-1b,IL-10,IL-37,TNF-a and other factors was found before and after combination treatment(P<0);IL-8 and IL-13 expression(P<0);the CRP,ESR score of the study group was lower than the control group(P<0.05);and the inflammatory index mechanism factors were affected by drug combination.Conclusion:Tablets combined with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients is better than methotrexate.It obviously changed the expression of the patient’s inflammatory index mechanistic factors,which has a regulatory effect on the inflammatory mechanistic factors.

Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) Microspheres Containing Methotrexate (MTX) I.Pharmaceutical Aspects

Microspheres Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were produced by emulsion technique.Microsphere I was solidified by glutaraldehyde crosslinking,microsphere Ⅱ was solidified by glutaraldehyde crosslinking and further treated with glycine solution and microsphere Illwas solidified by heating denaturation only.The results showed that the microsphere diameter produced by cross[inking was bigger than that prepared by heating.The microsphere Ⅱ had higher hydrophilicity than Microsphere I had.The methotrexate (MTX) contents in microspheres Ⅰ and Ⅱ were 2.73±0.053%,2.87±0.119% respectively. microsphere Ⅲ was only blank microspheres with MTX adsorbed on their surfaces.In vitro release studies,microspheres I and I have maintained sustained release of MTX till the next day,it was found that the drug releases from microspheres Ⅰ and Ⅱ were governed by Higuchi diffusion law.

Analytical methodologies for determination of methotrexate and its metabolites in pharmaceutical,biological and environmental samples

Methotrexate(MTX)is a folate antagonist drug used for several diseases,such as cancers,various malignancies,rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and inflammatory bowel disease.Due to its structural features,including the presence of two carboxylic acid groups and its low native fluorescence,there are some challenges to develop analytical methods for its determination.MTX is metabolized to 7-hydroxymethotrexate(7-OH-MTX),2,4-diamino-N10-methylpteroic acid(DAMPA),and the active MTX polyglutamates(MTXPGs)in the liver,intestine,and red blood cells(RBCs),respectively.Additionally,the drug has a narrow therapeutic range;hence,its therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM)is necessary to regulate the pharmacokinetics of the drug and to decrease the risk of toxicity.Due to environmental toxicity of MTX;its sensitive,fast and low cost determination in workplace environments is of great interest.A large number of methodologies including high performance liquid chromatography equipped with UVevisible,fluorescence,or electrochemical detection,liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy,capillary electrophoresis,UVevisible spectrophotometry,and electrochemical methods have been developed for the quantitation of MTX and its metabolites in pharmaceutical,biological,and environmental samples.This paper will attempt to review several published methodologies and the instrumental conditions,which have been applied to measure MTX and its metabolites within the last decade.

Risk of liver disease in methotrexate treated patients

Methotrexate is the first line drug treatment for anumber of rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases. It is effective in controlling disease activity and preventing disease-related damage, and significantly cheaper than many alternatives. Use in rheumatoid arthritis infers a significant morbidity and mortality benefit. Methotrexate is generally well tolerated but can cause symptomatic adverse events. Multiple serious adverse events have been attributed to methotrexate, based largely on older reports using high or daily doses, and subsequent case reports and circumstantial evidence. The risk with modern dosing regimens: Lower doses, weekly schedules, and concomitant folic acid is less clear. Clarification and dissemination of the actual risk is crucial so appropriate judgements can be made for patients who may benefit from this treatment. Methotrexate has been associated with a range of liver related adverse events ranging from asymptomatic transaminase elevations to fibrosis and fatal hepatic necrosis. Concern over potential liver toxicity has resulted in treatment avoidance, cessation, or recommendations for investigations which may be costly, invasive and unwarranted. Modern laboratory monitoring of liver blood tests may also influence the risk of more serious complications. The majority of present day studies report an approximate doubling of the relative risk of elevated transaminases in methotrexate treated patients but no increased risk of symptomatic or severe liver related adverse events. In this article we will review the evidence around methotrexate and liver related adverse events.

TU1无氧铜/316L不锈钢电子束焊接接头组织与性能

采用真空电子束焊分别对2mm、3mm、5mm不同厚度的TU1无氧铜板材和316L不锈钢板材进行异种材料焊接,并对焊接接头的显微组织和力学性能进行了研究。实验结果表明:焊缝区和热影响区呈现波浪形状,焊缝区存在不同程度的混合组织,接头母材区及热影响区的晶粒大小随铜钢板材厚度的增加而增加。TU1热影响区的晶粒明相比母材区,明显增大。焊缝区的硬度高于母材区。在电子束电流为10mA,加速电压为150kV,焊接速度为15mm/s的焊接参数下,2mm、3mm、5mm厚的接头抗拉强度分别是263MPa、174MPa、141MPa。2mm厚的拉伸式样断裂发生在TU1热影响区,而3mm和5mm厚拉伸式样断裂发生在焊缝处,即2mm厚的TU1无氧铜板材和316L不锈钢板材焊接接头抗拉性能最好。