ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α receptor Ⅱ:IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) for treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsThis study included 86 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis treated between September 2011 and January 2013. They were divided into two groups randomly. Forty-three patients in the treatment group received rhTNFR:Fc (25 mg, twice a week) by subcutaneous injection and methotrexate (MTX) (10 mg, orally once a week), and the other 43 patients in the contrast group received MTX (10 mg, orally once a week), hydroxychloroquine (100 mg, orally twice daily), and leflunomide (10 mg, orally once daily). The clinical efficacy of the treatments 12 weeks later were compared between the two groups. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, 50, and 70 evaluation criteria were used for efficacy evaluation. ResultsThe ACR 20, 50 and 70 effective rates in 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the treatment in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The seven indicators including the duration of morning stiffness, joint tenderness index, joint swelling index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, platelets and rheumatoid factors within 12 weeks after treatment were significantly improved in both the two groups, and the improvements in the treatment group were more significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionRhTNFR:Fc is effecive and safe in treating active RA.
ObjectiveTo learn the serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) level in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in the active phase by detecting the IgG4 concentration in the patients with PV. MethodsWe collected the serum samples from patients with active-phase PV (including acute-onset and chronic active phases) between April and December 2014. The serum IgG4 level was detected by immuno-scatter turbidmetry, and the difference of serum IgG4 level between PV patients and normal subjects was assessed by Student's t-test. ResultsThirty-two patients with pemphigus vulgaris in the active phase were enrolled for this study, among whom 22 (including 8 males and 14 females) had normal serum IgG4 level, 8 (including 3 males and 5 females) higher and 2 (including 1 male and 1 female) lower. Compared with normal subjects, the average level of serum IgG4 in PV patients was not significantly different (P>0.05). The serum IgG4 level of acute-onset and chronic active PV patients was (1.015±0.825) g/L and (1.058±1.133) g/L, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionThe serum IgG4 level of patients with pemphigus vulgaris in the active phase can be normal, higher or lower. And there is no obvious difference in the serum IgG4 level between acute-onset and chronic active PV patients.
An 89 years old male patient was admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital due to chest tightness and shortness of breath for half a month. Severe aortic valve stenosis was found in post admission assessment. We proposed to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery. Preoperative evaluation showed severe distortion of the descending aorta. We used the double guide wire technique and a 14F long sheath to assist the stepwise balloon expansion, and successfully completed the valve implantation. For patients with severe tortuous aorta, how to successfully complete transcatheter aortic valve replacement, this case may provide some reference.