37 research outputs found
Long-term efficacy of non-steroid immunosuppressive agents in anti-muscle-specific kinase positive myasthenia gravis patients: a prospective study
Background and Purpose: Anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) positive myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by a high relapsing rate, thus, choosing the appropriate oral drug regimen is a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral immunosuppressants (IS) in preventing relapse in MuSK-MG.
Methods: This prospective cohort observational study included patients with MuSK-MG at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2018, and November 15, 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with (IS+) or without (IS-) non-steroid immunosuppressive agents. The primary outcome was relapsed at follow-up, and the log-rank test was used to compare the proportion of maintenance-free relapse between the groups; hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using the Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: Fifty-three of 59 patients with MuSK-MG were included in the cohort, 14 were in the IS+ group, and 39 were in the IS- group. Twenty-four cases in the cohort experienced relapse at least once; the relapse rate was 2/14 (14.3%) in the IS+ group and 22/39 (56.4%) in the IS- group. At the end of follow-up, the proportion of maintenance-free relapse was significantly different between the two groups (log-rank χ2 = 4.94, P = 0.02). Of all the potential confounders, only the use of IS was associated with a reduced risk of relapse. The HR for relapse among patients in the IS+ group was 0.21 (95%CI 0.05–0.58) and was 0.23 (95%CI 0.05–0.93) in a model adjusted for age, sex, relapse history, highest Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), and accumulated time of steroid therapy.
Conclusions: This study provides evidence that oral non-steroid immunosuppressive agents may be beneficial in reducing relapse in patients with MuSK-MG
Treatment of insomnia in myasthenia gravis—A prospective study on non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in the treatment of myasthenia gravis patients with insomnia
ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with insomnia.MethodsThis is a prospective longitudinal study. Outpatients who met the criteria for stable MG and insomnia diagnosis according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (third edition) were included in the study. They took a regular dose of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (zolpidem 10 mg per night or zopiclone 7.5 mg per night) based on their own preferences. Patients received psychotherapy (including sleep health education) and were followed up for 4–5 weeks. Cases with lung diseases, respiratory disorders, or inappropriate use of hypnotic medications were excluded. The primary outcome is the difference in total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score between baseline and the end of follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include the difference in Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) between baseline and the end of follow-up period and the safety of medication.ResultsA total of 75 MG patients with insomnia were included in this study. After 4–5 weeks of treatment, the total PSQI score and MG-ADL score were lower than baseline (p < 0.01). No patients had an increased MG-ADL score. The incidence rate of adverse events was 16.0% (12 cases), including dizziness (6 cases, 8.0%), drowsiness (3 cases, 4.0%), fatigue (2 cases, 2.7%), and nausea (1 case, 1.3%), all of which were mild. No patients had new onset breathing disorders.ConclusionNon-benzodiazepine hypnotics are safe and effective for stable MG patients who need insomnia treatment
Genome Sequencing of the Sweetpotato Whitefly \u3cem\u3eBemisia tabaci\u3c/em\u3e MED/Q
The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a highly destructive agricultural and ornamental crop pest. It damages host plants through both phloem feeding and vectoring plant pathogens. Introductions of B. tabaci are difficult to quarantine and eradicate because of its high reproductive rates, broad host plant range, and insecticide resistance. A total of 791 Gb of raw DNA sequence from whole genome shotgun sequencing, and 13 BAC pooling libraries were generated by Illumina sequencing using different combinations of mate-pair and pair-end libraries. Assembly gave a final genome with a scaffold N50 of 437 kb, and a total length of 658 Mb. Annotation of repetitive elements and coding regions resulted in 265.0 Mb TEs (40.3%) and 20 786 protein-coding genes with putative gene family expansions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on orthologs across 14 arthropod taxa suggested that MED/Q is clustered into a hemipteran clade containing A. pisum and is a sister lineage to a clade containing both R. prolixus and N. lugens. Genome completeness, as estimated using the CEGMA and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs pipelines, reached 96% and 79%. These MED/Q genomic resources lay a foundation for future \u27pan-genomic\u27 comparisons of invasive vs. noninvasive, invasive vs. invasive, and native vs. exotic Bemisia, which, in return, will open up new avenues of investigation into whitefly biology, evolution, and management
Diverse Applications of Nanomedicine
The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic. \ua9 2017 American Chemical Society
The crystal structure of dimethyl 4,4′-[10,20-bis(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphyrin-5,15-diyl]dibenzoate chloroform solvate, C50H32Cl6F4N4O4
C50H32Cl6F4N4O4, triclinic, P1‾
(no. 2), a = 6.6447(6) Å, b = 12.5839(11) Å, c = 14.3335(11) Å, α = 85.845(7)°, β = 85.679(7)°, γ = 85.679(7)°, V = 1188.89(18) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt(F) = 0.0605, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1740, T = 200 K
T42. A retrospective study of the characteristics and clinical significance of A-waves in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
High reactivity and sintering resistance of CH4 oxidation over modified Pd/Al2O3
High reactivity and sintering resistance are key factors to design outstanding CH4 oxidation noble metal-based supported catalysts. Herein, we prepared and screened 0.5 wt% Pd/Al2O3 (among 0.3-3 wt% Pd loading) samples prepared by wet impregnation with very high CH4 catalytic activity. The hydrophobic modification of gamma-Al2O3 support by triethoxyoctylsilane (TEOOS) exhibits further enhanced activity for CH4 oxidation, ca. T-90 decrease from 375 degrees C to 350 degrees C with enhanced concentration of surface Pd-0 sites. Besides, after Al2O3 protection layer deposition over the 0.5 wt% Pd/Al2O3 by atomic layer deposition (ALD), distinct higher temperature stability due to reduced agglomeration was demonstrated
Afterdischarges following M waves in patients with voltage-gated potassium channels antibodies
Objective: To explore the correlation between afterdischarges in motor nerve conduction studies and clinical motor hyperexcitability in patients with voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC) antibodies. Methods: Six patients with positive serum antibodies to contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) or/and leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) were recruited, including 5 with autoimmune encephalitis, and 1 with cramp-fasciculation syndrome. Electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS) and F waves were performed, and afterdischarges were assessed. One patient was followed up. Results: Five patients had clinical evidence of peripheral motor nerve hyperexcitability (myokymia or cramp), and four of them had abnormal spontaneous firing in concentric needle electromyography (EMG). Prolonged afterdischarges following normal M waves were present in all six patients, including the two patients who had no EMG evidence of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH). Afterdischarges disappeared after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Conclusion: The afterdischarges in motor nerve conduction study might be a sensitive indicator of peripheral motor nerve hyperexcitability in patients with VGKC antibodies. Significance: Afterdischarges in motor nerve conduction study might be more sensitive than needle electromyography for detecting peripheral motor nerve hyperexcitability, and could disappear gradually in accordance with clinical improvement and reduction of antibodies. Keywords: Afterdischarges, VGKC, Autoimmune encephalitis, Peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, F wave, M wav