Wangbi granule as a combination therapy to achieve clinical deep remission in rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for a multicenter, triple-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that may lead to bone erosion and disability. Although there are many biological therapies in RA treatment nowadays, such as etanercept and tofacitinib, there are still a considerable number of patients who cannot achieve clinical deep remission, which makes patients feel pain and stiffness of joints. As a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Wangbi granule showed a synergistic role with methotrexate in the treatment of RA patients with "kidney deficiency and dampness" or "stasis blocking channels".

HBx-related long non-coding RNA 01152 promotes cell proliferation and survival by IL-23 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Accumulating evidence suggests that long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays important roles in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, the mechanism underlying how lncRNA regulate hepatocellular carcinoma process remains largely unknown. In this study we found that the expression of LINC01152 was significantly increased in HBV positive HCC tissues and cells and was induced by HBx in vitro.

Readmission Patterns After GI Cancer Hospitalizations: The Medical Versus Surgical Patient.

Purpose: Readmission within 30 days has been used as a metric for quality of care received at hospitals for certain diagnoses. In the era of accountability, value-based care, and increasing cancer costs, policymakers are looking into cancer readmissions as well. It is important to describe the readmission profile of patients with cancer in the most clinically relevant approach to inform policy and health care delivery that can positively impact patient outcomes.

Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on the Mortality of Elderly Patients Who Develop Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: Comorbidity among cancer patients poses additional risks for mortality. The possible impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on cancer patient survival is unclear. Our objective was to examine survival among elderly patients with RA who develop cancer.

[Meta-analysis on causes of ulcerative colitis].

Objective: To analyze the main influencing factor of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Literature retrieval was conducted by using English databases (PubMed, Cochrane and Embase) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed and VIP) to collect the studies on the influencing factors of UC published both at home and abroad from January 2000 to October 2014. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted and methodological quality was assessed.

Patterns and predictors of unplanned hospitalization in a population-based cohort of elderly patients with GI cancer.

Purpose: Hospitalizations among patients with cancer are common and costly and, if unplanned, may interrupt oncologic treatment. The rate of unplanned hospitalizations in the population of elderly patients with cancer is unknown. We sought to describe and quantify patterns and risk factors for early unplanned hospitalization among elderly patients with GI cancer.

Reliability and clinically important improvement thresholds for osteoarthritis pain and function scales: a multicenter study.

Objective: To assess the reliability and clinically meaningful thresholds of intermittent and constant osteoarthritis pain (ICOAP) score, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical function Short-form (KOOS-PS), the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical function Short-form (HOOS-PS), and the Quality of life subscales of HOOS/KOOS (HOOS-QOL/KOOS-QOL) in patients with knee or hip arthritis.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-five patients (141 knee, 54 hip) seen at 2 orthopedic outpatient clinics with a diagnosis of knee or hip OA completed patient-reported questionnaires (ICOAP pain scale, KOOS-PS, HOOS-PS, KOOS-QOL, HOOS-QOL) at baseline and 2-week followup. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Low rates of bone mineral density measurement in Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer initiating androgen deprivation therapy.

Background: Men with prostate cancer who undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are at risk for bone loss and fractures. Our objective was to determine if Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer in the state of Texas underwent DXA scans when initiating ADT.

Methods: We identified men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2005 and 2007 in the Texas Cancer Registry/Medicare linked database, and who received parenteral ADT or orchiectomy.

Association of potentially inappropriate medication use with patient and prescriber characteristics in Medicare Part D.

Purpose: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older people is associated with increased risk of adverse drug events and hospitalization. This study aimed to determine the contribution of primary prescribers to variation in PIM use.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using 2008 Medicare Part D event files and claims data for a 100% sample of Texas beneficiaries.

Ethnic disparities in adherence to antihypertensive medications of medicare part D beneficiaries.

Objectives: To determine the level of adherence to medications and characteristics of Part D beneficiaries associated with higher levels of antihypertensive medication adherence.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Medicare claims and Part D event files.

Molecular genetic analysis of partial 9p trisomy in two Chinese families with mental retardation and facial anomaly.

Mental retardation is defined by significant limitations in intellectual function and adaptive behavior that occur before 18 years of age. Many chromosomal diseases come with mental retardation. We reported two Chinese families with partial trisomy 9p and other chromosome partial monosomy, clinical features of mental retardation and mild facial and pinkie anomalies.

Predictors of anticoagulation in hospice patients with lung cancer.

Background: Guidelines recommend lifelong anticoagulation in patients with cancer and a history of thromboembolism, but the use of anticoagulation in hospice has not been described. A retrospective study of medication data was conducted to determine patterns of anticoagulant use and predictors of type of anticoagulant prescribed for hospice patients with lung cancer.

Methods: Medication data were evaluated for 16,896 hospice patients with lung cancer in 2006 to determine patient and hospice characteristics that predicted anticoagulant prescription.

[Cytogenetic analysis of partial trisomy 9p resulting from a reciprocal balanced 9/21 translocation].

In this study, a four-generation Chinese family in Nanyang, Henan Province was identified with partial trisomy 9p syndrome. Of the 23 family members studied, six were characterized with mental retardation and mild facial and little finger anomalies. All affected family members demonstrated significant intrafamilial homogeneous phenotype except concomitance epilepsy in proband.

The role of the surgeon in whether patients with lymph node-positive colon cancer see a medical oncologist.

Background: Chemotherapy improves survival for patients with stage III colon cancer, but some older patients with lymph node-positive colon cancer do not see a medical oncologist and, thus, do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: To evaluate the role of the surgeon in determining referrals to medical oncology among patients with stage III colon cancer, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6158 patients aged >or=66 years who were diagnosed with stage III colon cancer from 1992 through 1999 by using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database. Multilevel analysis was used to simultaneously model variations in patients' seeing a medical oncologist at the patient and surgeon levels.

Referral to medical oncology: a crucial step in the treatment of older patients with stage III colon cancer.

Purpose: Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer produces a substantial survival benefit, but many older patients do not receive chemotherapy. This study examines factors associated with medical oncology consultation and evaluates the impact of such consultation on chemotherapy use.

Patients And Methods: We used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database and identified 7,569 patients, aged 66-99, with stage III colon cancer diagnosed from 1992-1999.