Efficacy and cost-effectiveness analysis of pretreatment percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (GASTO 1059).

Background: We launched a single-arm phase II study to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Eligible patients received pretreatment PEG and enteral nutrition during CCRT. The primary outcome was the change of weight during CCRT.

[Clinical study of Biqi Capsule combined with methotrexate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of Biqi Capsule (BQC) combined with methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to study an effective protocol of RA treated by integrative medicine.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight patients with RA were randomly assigned to Group I (44 cases, treated by BQC), Group II (46 cases, treated by MTX), and Group III (48 cases, treated by BQC combined with MTX). The therapeutic course for each group was 12 weeks.

[Therapeutic effect of total glucosides of paeony on lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on lupus nephritis (LN) in MRL/lpr mice.

Methods: MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis were randomized into model group and TGP group. The urinary protein content was detected using Coomassie brilliant blue, and the serum levels of IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).