Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(anti-CCP)and rheumatoid factor(RF)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods Anti-CCP antibody was measured in sera from 75 human,including 27 RA patients,40 other rheumatic diseases and 8 healths.Anti-CCP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The sensitivity of anti-CCP antibody was 70.4%,with a high specificity(93.8%)in RA.The positive rates of anti-CCP antibody have no difference in the patients within 2 years and exceed 2 years from onset.Anti-CCP antibody wasn't correlated with RF,ESR and CRP.Conclusion Anti-CCP antibody has better sensitivity and specificity for rheumatoid arthritis,combining anti-CCP antibody and RF can increase diagnosis sensitivity and specificity of RA,indicating it is a useful laboratory marker for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To investigate MR imaging features of parotid gland in Sj?gren′s syndrome ( SS).Methods Twenty-seven cases of xerostomia patients were collected and divided into SS group ( n=21) and non-SS group (n=6) according to the international classification (diagnosis) criteria for SS.Ten healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group.All the subjects underwent conventional MRI of parotid gland and MR sialography ( MRS).Standard deviation of T 1 WI and T2 WI signal intensity among 3 groups was observed, meanwhile, grading was made according to parotid glands , fat signal and parotid duct expansion degree respectively.With clinical diagnosis as the gold standard , diagnostic value of conventional MRI , MRS and their combination used in SS was compared.One-way ANOVA was used in comparison of standard deviation of parotid gland′s signal intensity among 3 groups , and Chi-square test was applied in comparison of conventional MRI and MRS diagnostic value.Moreover , Kappa value was calculated to assess the consistency of two grading results in SS.Results Signal intensity of parotid glands in control group and non-SS group was homogeneous.However , bilaterally diffused and heterogeneous high signal intensity on both T1WI and T2WI was found in SS patients, which was depressed on T2WI fat suppression sequences.Forty-two parotid glands were graded by fat signal:Grade 0 (n=2 glands), Grade 1 (n=10), Grade 2 (n=10), Grade 3 (n=6) and Grade 4 (n=14).Parotid peripheral ducts of control group and non-SS group were unexpanded , while bilaterally expanded parotid peripheral ducts were shown in SS patients.The grading of 42 parotid glands by expansion degree of parotid duct , Grade 0 was rated in 12, Grade 1 in 8, Grade 2 in 10, Grade 3 in 5, and Grade 4 in 7.Standard deviation of T1WI signal intensity of parotid glands among SS group , non-SS group and control group were 124.1 ±30.0, 81.8 ±27.6, and 86.3 ±35.0 respectively;and standard deviation of T 2 WI signal intensity were 115.1 ±35.2, 69.8 ±23.5, and 80.1 ±31.4 respectively; the standard deviation of T 1 WI and T2 WI signal intensity of SS group was higher than both non-SS group and control group′s ( F value =13.780 and 13.301, respectively, P <0.01), however, the difference of standard deviation of signal intensity of non-SS group and control group had no statistical significance (P>0.05).Among 42 parotid glands with SS, conventional MRI and MRS showed parotid gland lesions in 40 and 30 respectively , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =13.04, P=0.013).There was no false positive result.The combination of the two methods detected all 42 lesions.The consistency of detecting parotid abnormalities with SS between conventional MRI and MRS was poor (Kappa=0.12, P=0.092).Conclusions Diffuse fatty infiltration on conventional MRI and diffuse peripheral duct dilatation on MRS in the parotid gland are characteristic features of SS , and conventional MRI could be used as the preferred technique for the SS.combination with MRS may improve diagnostic accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are commonly occurred in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, evidence of irAEs derived from the Chinese population is relatively lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and outcomes of irAEs in Chinese patients with lung cancer after receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: Clinical and follow-up data from lung cancer patients who received at least one time of ICIs from January 2018 to September 2021 at Huadong Hospital, Fudan University were included. Statistical descriptions and Kaplan-Meier method were used to analyze the overall incidence of irAEs, as well as the incidence and outcomes of each type of irAEs. RESULTS: 135 patients were included in the study. 106 patients (78.5%) presented at least one type of irAEs, and the median time to first irAEs onset was 28 d. Most irAEs occurred at early time after treatment, and most irAEs were mild-moderate and reversible. 57 patients (42.2%) died at the study cutoff. The mortality rate of severe irAEs was 12.6% (n=17), and among them 7 patients (41.2%) died of pneumonitis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) time of the total population was 505 d (95%CI: 352-658) and 625 d (95%CI: 491-759), respectively. Patients who presented any irAEs achieved a longer PFS than those who did not (median PFS: 533 d vs 179 d, P=0.037, HR=0.57), while patients who presented skin toxicities achieved a longer OS than patients who did not (median OS: 797 d vs 469 d, P=0.006, HR=0.70). CONCLUSIONS In real-world settings, irAEs in lung cancer patients were commonly observed, with pneumonitis as the most common fatal irAEs. In addition, patients who presented any irAEs may tend to achieve a longer PFS.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Incidence ; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use* ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective We investigated the changes of the motorial network in patients suffered from brain tumors adjacent to the central sulcus occurred with reorganization of motor function using function connectivity MRI(fcMRI)technique in order to provide the new evidence for the compensational hypothesis of the reorganization caused by focal lesions.Methods Using 1.5 T MRI unit,14 patients with brain tumors in the vicinity of the central sulcus occurred with reorganization of motor function and 6 normal volunteers were examined with fcMRI technique while the subjects performed no task.By selecting seed voxels(region of interest)in the regions showing the most activation in M1 area on the activated map and cross correlating with every voxel within the brain,the fcMRI maps based on unilateral primary motor(M1)area were calculated.The location,extent and volume of the region showing significant connectivity to the several seed voxel,such as left/right M1 area in the health group and affected/unaffected M1 area in the patient group were evaluated on the fcMRI map.Results In healthy group,the extent and volume of the region showing significant connectivity to the left M1 area[(9514.17±186.92)mm3]were almost similar to those to the right M1 area [(9364.67±382.75)mm3].There showed no significant difference in motor connectivity between the two groups(P>0.05).In the tumor group,the volume of regions showing significant connectivity to the M1 area located in the affected hemisphere [(11193.14±811.29)mm3]was obviously higher than that of regions based on the seed voxel in the unaffected side[(6549.86±400.94)mm3](t=20.383,P＜0.01).The volume was significantly different among the regions showing high connectivity to the M1 of the affected side in patient group.those showing significant connectivity to the left M1 and fight M1 in health group(P＜0.01),the former was the biggest(P＜0.01).The extent of the regions showing connectivity to the affected M1 was consistent with the reorganization area of motor function revealed by fMRI.The volume of regions showing significant connectivity to M1 area of unaffected hemisphere in patient group showed significant difference compared with those showing significant connectivity to the left M1 and right M1 in health group(P＜0.01),the former was smallest(LSD,P＜0.01).especially in the affected hemisphere.It might mean the disrupted functional connectivity between the M1 area of unaffected hemisphere in patient group and motor area located in the collateral side.Conclusion The increased connectivity between the M1 area of the affected hemisphere and the other motor cortex might indicate that the reorganization in the motor pathway and the formation of the potential compensatory network second to the impairment of the normal motor pathway resulted in the functional reorganization of the motor cortex.The fcMRI technique might be a valuable approach to reveal the pathophysiological changes of nerve network caused by brain tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of improved nursing strategy on prognosis of older immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and sepsis. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. The older immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and sepsis admitted to the department of intensive care medicine and emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2017 to July 2022 were enrolled. In the first stage (from January 2017 to December 2019), patients received the original nursing strategy (original nursing strategy group), including: (1) nurses were randomly assigned; (2) routine terminal cleaning; (3) ICU environmental cleaning twice a day; (4) oral care was performed with chlorhexidine twice a day; (5) original lung physiotherapy [head of bed elevated at 30 degree angle-45 degree angle, maintaining a Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) -2 to 1, sputum aspiration as needed]. After 1 month of learning and training of the modified nursing treatment strategy for nurses and related medical staff, the patients in the second stage (from February 2020 to July 2022) received the improved nursing strategy (improved nursing strategy group). The improved nursing strategy improved the hospital infection prevention and control strategy and lung physical therapy strategy on the basis of the original nursing strategy, including: (1) nurses were fixed assigned; (2) patients were placed in a private room; (3) enhanced terminal cleaning; (4) ICU environmental cleaning four times a day; (5) education and training in hand hygiene among health care workers was improved; (6) bathing with 2% chlorhexidinegluconate was performed once daily; (7) oral care with a combination of chlorhexidine and colistin was provided every 6 hours; (8) surveillance of colonization was conducted; (9) improved lung physiotherapy (on the basis of the original lung physiotherapy, delirium score was assessed to guide early mobilization of the patients; airway drainage was enhanced, the degree of airway humidification was adjusted according to the sputum properties, achieving sputum viscosity grade II; lung ultrasound was also used for lung assessment, and patients with atelectasis were placed in high lateral position and received the lung recruitment maneuver). Baseline patient information were collected, including gender, age, underlying diseases, source of admission, disease severity scores, vital signs, ventilatory parameters, blood gas analysis, life-sustaining treatments, clinical laboratory evaluation, indicators of infection and inflammation, pathogens and drug therapy. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, and the secondary outcomes were duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and ICU mortality. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for 28-day death in older immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and sepsis. RESULTS: Finally, 550 patients were enrolled, including 199 patients in the original nursing strategy group and 351 patients in the improved nursing strategy group. No significant differences were found in gender, age, underlying diseases, source of admission, disease severity scores, vital signs, ventilatory parameters, blood gas analysis, life-sustaining treatments, clinical laboratory evaluation, indicators of infection and inflammation, coexisting pathogens or drug therapy between the two groups. Compared with patients in the original nursing strategy group, those in the improved nursing strategy group had significantly fewer duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay [duration of mechanical ventilation (days): 5 (4, 7) vs. 5 (4, 9), length of ICU stay (days): 11 (6, 17) vs. 12 (6, 23), both P < 0.01], and lower ICU mortality and 28-day mortality [ICU mortality: 23.9% (84/351) vs. 32.7% (65/199), 28-day mortality: 23.1% (81/351) vs. 33.7% (67/199), both P < 0.05]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the improved nursing strategy acted as an independent protective factor in 28-day death of older immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and sepsis [odds ratio (OR) = 0.543, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.334-0.885, P = 0.014]. CONCLUSIONS Improved nursing strategy shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay, and decreased ICU mortality and 28-day mortality in older immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and sepsis, significantly improving the short-term prognosis of such patients.
Humans ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Chlorhexidine/therapeutic use* ; Intensive Care Units ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Sepsis/therapy* ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVETo establish a rapid and simple method to detect Y chromosome microdeletions directly using whole blood as starting material for multiplex-PCR.

METHODSUsing a self-prepared pHpH-Bufferq, multiplex-PCR amplification was directly carried out from the anticoagulant whole blood sample without DNA extraction step. Twelve sequence tagged sites (STS), namely SY84, SY86, SY127, SY134, SY124, SY132, SY152, SY157, SY239, SY242, SY254 and SY255, in AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc gene regions were detected in 5 different tubes. In order to ensure the validity of the experiments, sex-determining region Y (SRY) and X-linked or Y-linked zinc finger gene (ZFX/Y) were used as internal controls. Furthermore, conventional PCR using genomic DNA extracted from each blood sample was performed in parallel for evaluating the accuracy of the experiments.

RESULTSA total of 156 male samples were detected, and a normal male sample and a female sample were used as a positive and a negative control respectively. The results showed that 144 samples had no deletion; one sample was AZF-deleted; one sample was AZFb-deleted; seven samples were AZFc-deleted; one sample was both AZFb- and AZFc- deleted; and two samples were all AZFa-, AZFb- and AZFc- deleted. The observed results from two kinds of starting material (whole blood and purified DNA) are completely consistent.

CONCLUSIONIn our method, PCR amplification was directly carried out from whole blood without any DNA extraction step. So it has the advantages of low cost, simple process, time-saving operation and less cross-contamination. The whole process can be completed within 2 hours. Thus the efficiency of clinical detection is improved greatly.

Azoospermia ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

Objective:To investigate the status of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in emergency department.Methods:Participants of a national emergency conference from August 1st to August 4th in 2019 from hospitals of different levels in different regions were interviewed by online questionnaire to collect data about the current status and limitations of the application of RCA in emergency CRRT by convenient sampling.Results:Totally 407 questionnaires were collected through internet, and the completeness of the answers was as high as 100%. Twenty-three responses with logic errors were excluded, and 384 questionnaires were finally retrieved, with an effective rate of 94.35%. Representatives from 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government participated in the questionnaire survey, and the hospitals in which they worked were mainly class Ⅲ grade A [70.31% (270/384)]. The survey showed that 61.46% (236/384) of the emergency departments could carry out CRRT independently. There were less than 10 CRRT cases per month in most emergency departments [52.87% (166/314)]. In the emergency departments where CRRT were carried out, heparin was a widely used and well-applied anticoagulant [82.17% (258/314)], and 199 emergency departments (63.38%) were proficient in RCA. In clinical practice, heparin [49.68% (156/314)] was preferred to RCA [25.80% (81/314)] and low molecular weight heparin [23.56% (74/384)]. In the emergency departments where RCA could be used skillfully, 4% sodium citrate was the main regional anticoagulant [68.34% (136/199)]. Anticoagulation protocol came from different sources, most of which were from nephrology or dialysis center (29.65%). Most departments could adjust the ionized calcium before the filter to the target safety level [0.9-1.2 mmol/L, 88.94% (177/199)], and adjust the ionized calcium after the filter to the target ideal anticoagulation level [0.2-0.4 mmol/L, 93.47% (186/199)] within 4 hours. The common complications that emergency physicians concerned were accumulation of citrate [58.29% (116/199)], metabolic alkalosis [54.77% (109/199)] and metabolic acidosis [37.19% (74/199)]. In 281 emergency departments that could not use RCA, there were kinds of factors that limited the use of citrate, such as higher cost than heparin (31.67%), unskilled personnel (21.00%), limited source of citrate (17.08%), concerns of complications (11.74%). At present, the substitution fluids used in clinical practice were mainly the commercial products (45.54%). In most cases, emergency CRRT filters had a life span of 12-23 hours (39.49%).Conclusions:The use of RCA in domestic emergency CRRT is low. Compared with the international peers, we are still lacking of adequate understanding of RCA. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticoagulation protocol of RCA for emergency departments in China, and promote training of CRRT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Qishe Pill () on neck pain in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: A multi-center, prospective, observational surveillance in 8 hospitals across Shanghai was conducted. During patients receiving 4-week Qishe Pill medication, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) assessments have been used to assess their pain and function, while safety monitoring have been observed after 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Results from 2,023 patients (mean age 54.5 years) suggest that the drug exposure per unit of body mass was estimated at 3.41 ± 0.62 g/kg. About 8.5% (172/2,023) of all participants experienced adverse events (AEs), while 3.8% (78/2,023) of all participants experienced adverse reaction. The most common AEs were gastrointestinal events and respiratory events. The VAS score (pain) and NDI score (function) significantly decreased after 4-week treatment. An effect-quantitative analysis was also conducted to show that the normal clinical dosage may be consider as 3-4 g/kg, at which dosage the satisfactory pain-relief effect may achieve by 40-mm reduction in VAS. CONCLUSION These findings showed that patients with cervical radiculopathy who received Qishe Pill experienced significant improvement on pain and function. (Registration No. NCT01875562).

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis