[Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of intravenous infusion of ferric derisomaltose in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia: a single-center retrospective analysis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose injection versus iron sucrose injection in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) . Methods: A total of 120 patients with iron deficiency anemia admitted from June 2021 to March 2023 were given intravenous iron supplementation with ferric derisomaltose to assess the efficacy and safety of hemoglobin (HGB) elevation before and after treatment. Simultaneously, the clinical effects of iron supplementation with iron sucrose were compared to those of inpatient patients during the same period. Results: Baseline values were comparable in both groups. Within 12 weeks of treatment, the elevated HGB level in the ferric derisomaltose group was higher than that of the iron sucrose group, with a statistical difference at all time points, and the proportion of HGB increased over 20 g/L in the patients treated for 4 weeks was higher (98.7%, 75.9% ). During the treatment with ferric derisomaltose and iron sucrose, the proportion of mild adverse reactions in the ferric derisomaltose group was slightly lower than that of the iron sucrose group, and neither group experienced any serious adverse reactions. The patients responded well to the infusion treatment, with no reports of pain or pigmentation at the injection site. Conclusion: The treatment of IDA patients with ferric derisomaltose has a satisfactory curative effect, with the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and safety. Therefore, it is worthy of widespread clinical use.

Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of limb dyskinesia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in post-stroke limb movement disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane database, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP was performed to collect randomized controlled clinical studies on acupuncture administered for post-stroke dyskinesia from inception to April 2023. Data including baseline information, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores, and Barthel Index (BI) were included and analyzed using the meta package in R language. RESULTS: After searching and screening, 17 pieces of literature involving 1,928 participants were included, with 962 participants in the control group and 966 in the study group. Results from the included studies suggested significant benefits provided by acupuncture to improve FMA scores and BI. In specific, incorporation of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke limb movement disorders significantly reduced the overall FMA scores of patients by 3.45 (95% CI: 0.22, 6.69) points, the upper extremity FMA scores by 3.63 (95% CI: 0.64, 6.62) points, the lower extremity FMA scores by 3.56 (95% CI: 1.78, 5.35) points, and BI by 7.75 (95% CI: 3.35, 12.16) points. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture as an adjunct to the management of post-stroke limb movement disorders contributes significantly to enhancing the motor function and quality of life of patients. However, the evidence of this study is compromised by the limited quantity of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the mediocre methodological quality. Therefore, high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to validate the benefits of acupuncture on the motor function of patients with post-stroke limb movement disorders.

Risk of skin cancer after ultraviolet phototherapy in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy is an effective treatment for vitiligo, its effect on the risk of skin cancer remains controversial. AIM: To investigate the association between UV phototherapy and skin cancer risk in patients with vitiligo. METHODS: A systematic review was performed for studies published before 5 May 2021 in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcome was the association of UV phototherapy with the risk of skin cancer in patients with vitiligo. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model was conducted. RESULTS: Five retrospective cohort studies covering a total of 228 607 patients with vitiligo (110 038 who had been treated with UV phototherapy and 118 569 patients who had not) were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer [Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (MHRR) = 0.95; 95% CI 0.44-2.05] and melanoma (MHRR = 1.11; 95% CI 0.33-3.82) did not significantly increase after phototherapy in patients with vitiligo. In the subgroup analysis, we also found no significant association between phototherapy with narrowband UVB phototherapy specifically and risk of skin cancer in patients with vitiligo. There was no significant difference in risk of skin cancer between patients from Europe and those from East Asia and the risk was not affected by the number of narrowband UVB phototherapy sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that UV phototherapy is a safe treatment for vitiligo with no significant risk of skin cancer.

New criteria of resectability for pancreatic cancer: A position paper by the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS).

The symposium "New criteria of resectability for pancreatic cancer" was held during the 33nd meeting of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS) in 2021 to discuss the potential modifications that could be made in the current resectability classification. The meeting focused on setting the foundation for developing a new prognosis-based resectability classification that is based on the tumor biology and the response to neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). The symposium included selected experts from Western and Eastern high-volume centers who have discussed their concept of resectability status through published literature. During the symposium, presenters reported new resectability classifications from their respective institutions based on tumor biology, conditional status, pathology, and genetics, in addition to anatomical tumor involvement. Interestingly, experts from all the centers reached the agreement that anatomy alone is insufficient to define resectability in the current era of effective NAT. On behalf of the JSHBPS, we would like to summarize the content of the conference in this position paper. We also invite global experts as internal reviewers of this paper for intercontinental cooperation in creating an up-to-date, prognosis-based resectability classification that reflects the trends of contemporary clinical practice.

Vitamin B12 for herpetic neuralgia: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most distressful complication of herpes zoster. PHN results in an impaired quality of life and higher healthcare utilization. Vitamin B12 has been proven to be effective in pain relief for various conditions. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B12 supplementation in PHN patients. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched. Randomised control trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of vitamin B12 in PHN patients were selected. Eligible trials were abstracted and assessed for the risk of bias by two reviewers, and the results of pain indicators in the selected trials were analysed. RESULTS: Four trials including 383 participants were published between 2013 and 2016. Compared with the placebo group, the Vitamin B12 group exhibited a significant decrease in the Numeric Rating Scale score, with a mean difference of -4.01 (95% confidence interval = -4.70 to -3.33). Vitamin B12 administration improved the quality of life of PHN patients with moderate quality evidence and significantly decreased the number of patients using analgesics. CONCLUSION: Vitamin B12 appears to be an attractive complementary therapy for PHN patients. Further investigation is needed before conclusive recommendations can be made.

First Report of Potato virus Y in Kalimeris indica in China.

Kalimeris indica, a tall, fecund plant in the family Asteraceae, a native of China, Japan, and Siberia, has been around a long time. It was first mentioned in 1825 and is popular in Europe. It is widely grown in Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Shanxi, and other provinces in China for its medicinal properties. K. indica is believed to have a clearing effect on eyesight, reduces blood pressure and swelling, and is rich in carotene, which can reduce internal heat, enhancing human immunity. It also grows as a weed around tobacco fields and can transmit viruses to tobacco. In June of 2012, we observed diffuse chlorotic and necrotic spots on the leaves of K. indica in the field in Liaoning Province. Sap extracts from symptomatic plants were tested by direct antigen coated ELISA using polyclonal antibodies specific to Potato virus Y (PVY), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Samples were negative for CMV and TMV but positive for PVY. RNA extracted from symptomatic leaves of K. indica was used as template for obtaining PVY genomic sequences. cDNA of the PVY genome were prepared using PrimeScript II High Fidelity RT-PCR Kit (TaKaRa Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd) as described by the manufacturer. The strategy for amplification of overlapping genome fragments and determining the 5'-terminal end of the genome by 5'-RACE and 3'-terminal end of the genome by 3'-RACE was described previously (1). PCR amplification was performed using the TaKaRa PrimeSTAR GXL DNA Polymerase (TaKaRa Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd) following the manufacturer's instructions with PVY1F(5'-AAAACAACTCAATACAACAT-3'), PVY3R(5'-GTCTCCTGATTGAAGTTTACAGYCACT-3'), R2743 (5'-CTGTTGCTGCCGTGTCAATTAT-3'), F1810 (5'-CTGGCTGAGTTTAGGCGGAAGA-3'), R5868 (5'-GCTTGACTTGCCCATACCAACA-3'), F5711 (5'-CTCACCAGGGCAAGAACAAATC-3'), F830 (5'-ATCTCGCCAGGACGGACAAGTG-3'), R2678 (5'-GCTAAGGCGGACAATAACGATG-3'), R7713 (5'-TTCAGGTAGACGCCGAAGCAAT-3'), F7442 (5'-TTACTGAGGCGGATAAAGAGGA-3'), R8940 (5'-TCCGTTGATGTTTGGCGAGGTT-3'), F1 (5'-AATGAAAATGCCCAAGAGTAAG-3'), F3 (5'-TCTGCGCGATGGAAGTTTGG-3'), R1 (5'-TCTGGGCATCAGTCTTGTATCG-3'), R2 (5'-AACTTCTCGTTTCCCCGCAACT-3') primers. The expected genome sequence was amplified from symptomatic leaves and the amplicon was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ971975). The complete genome sequence named ME162 was determined to be 9,714 nucleotides in length, excluding the 3'-terminal poly (A) tail. Comparisons of amplicon with the nucleotide sequences available in the NCBI database using BLAST showed 99% identity with PVY from Uganda (GenBank Accession No. DQ157180). The isolate was most closely related to potato virus Y N strain. The serological and sequence data revealed that K. indica plants were infected by PVY. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PVY in K. indica in China. K. indica is an important medicinal plant. This report provides the scientific evidence for virus control on future K. indica plantings. K. indica grows as a weed around tobacco fields and can serve as an indirect host for virus transfer. Controlling virus incidence on K. indica is an important way to protect tobacco from infection by PVY. Reference: (1) J. Chen and J. P. Chen. Chin. J. Virol. 18:371, 2002.

Solid state fermented potato pulp can be used as poultry feed.

1. Potato pulp is the industrial waste produced during starch extraction from potatoes. Its discharge has become an environmental pollution problem and a decisive cost factor due to stricter environmental legislation and associated expense in the potato starch industry. 2. To date, little information has been provided regarding the nutritive value and any possible toxic effects of potato pulp for poultry feed. 3. In the present paper, a model was developed to assess potato pulp for use as a new poultry feed, which will help starch factories to decrease waste discharge. 4. First, a solid-state fermentation technique to change potato pulp to poultry feed is briefly described; then, the major nutrient compositions of this feed are analysed; lastly, related toxicological effects are studied and the safety of the feed assessed. 5. The results indicated that no unintended effects were found on layer quails during a 30-d feeding study, and the new feed initially showed its safety for poultry in our assessment procedure. However, additional work on limiting nutrients analysis, appetite depressant effects, and egg-laying in a large-scale experiment is required to further establish the findings.

[Study on motilin and spleen-yin deficiency].

The Plasma motilin level in 44 cases patients with Spleen-Yin deficiency (SYD) was observed and compared with Spleen-Qi Insufficiency (SQI), the normal control group. SYD patients were treated using self-made Shen Rou Yang Zhen Tang oral liquor. The results showed that plasma motilin level was higher significantly than that of the control group (P < 0.01), but was remarkably lower than that of SQI. The difference was significant among the three groups (P < 0.01). The abnormal incidence of positive plasma motilin was 65.91% and 75.00% respectively. It is conjectured that the plasma motilin level in SYD was related to excitability of vagus nerve, disturbance of gastro-intestinal internal environment, indigestion and malabsorption of GI tract.