As the search for effective treatments for COVID-19 continues, the high mortality rate among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) presents a profound challenge. This study explores the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a supplementary treatment for severe COVID-19. A total of 110 critically ill COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vulcan Hill Hospital between Feb., 2020, and April, 2020 (Wuhan, China) participated in this observational study. All patients received standard supportive care protocols, with a subset of 81 also receiving TCM as an adjunct treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period and the clinical outcome of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. Our findings indicated that the TCM group exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the non-TCM group (16 of 81 vs 24 of 29; 0.3 vs 2.3 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with improved survival odds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis also revealed that TCM treatment could partially mitigate inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the recovery of multiple organic functions, thereby potentially increasing the survival rate of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Critical Illness ; Treatment Outcome

Isolated vertigo due to vascular mechanisms manifests as vertigo, dizziness or imbalance only. Due to the lack of focal neurological symptoms or signs, it is often misdiagnosed as peripheral vestibular disease, resulting in serious adverse consequences. This article reviews the lesion location, cerebrovascular basis, clinical evaluation, and imaging examination of isolated vertigo caused by vascular mechanisms.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of anteromedial ankle approach for talus fracture.Methods From January 2012 to October 2018,the data of 28 cases of talus fracture treated by anteromedial ankle approach were retrospectively analyzed,including 26 males and 2 females,aged 24-61 years with an average of 38.6 years.All 25 cases of closed injuries and 3 cases of open injuries were fresh injuries.There were 16 cases of traffic injuries,8 falling injuries,2 heavy object injuries and 2 sprains.Among the 28 patients,17 were talus neck fractures,and according to Hawkins talus neck fracture classification,there were 1 case of type Ⅰ,12 type Ⅱ,and 4 type Ⅲ.There were 11 cases of talus fracture,which were classified according to Sneppen talus fracture types:2 cases of type Ⅰ,8 cases of type Ⅱ and 1 case of type Ⅴ.Among them,2 cases of talus neck fracture complicated with T12 vertebral body fractures and 2 cases complicated with calcaneal fractures.The time from injury to operation for 3 patients with open fracture was 3-6 hours.25 cases of closed fracture injuries took 2-10 hours to operate,with an average time of 5.6 hours.All patients were fixed with cannulated screws through the anteromedial ankle approach.The weight-bearing time and strength of lower limbs were determined according to fracture healing after surgery.The ankle function was evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score.Results All 28 patients were followed up for 23 to 82 months,with an average of 37.5 months.All fractures healed.The healing time of talus neck fracture was 3.5-8 months,with an average of 5 months.The healing time of talus fracture was 3-7 months,averaging 4.5 months.At the latest follow-up,AOFAS score ranged from 68 to 100,with an average of 82.5 points,including excellent in 15 cases,good in 8 cases,fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 case,with the excellent and good rate of 82.1％ (23/28).There were no signs of fracture displacement,malunion,loosening and prolapse of internal fixation,fracture and ischemic necrosis of talus after operation.Traumatic arthritis occurred in 9 patients,with an incidence rate of 32.1％ (9/28).Tibial joint was involved in 5 cases,talus joint in 3 cases,tibialis in 1 case and talus joint in 1 case.Among them,traumatic arthritis occurred in 2 cases of open injury.Nine patients (32.1％) suffered from traumatic arthritis 6-10 months after operation,with an average of 8 months.According to conservative treatments such as weight control,ankle immobilization,physiotherapy,anti-inflammatory and analgesic,nutrition of articular cartilage drugs,joint traction and plasty were given.The patients' conditions improved to different degrees and could tolerate walking and normal life and work.Conclusion The anteromedial ankle approach has the advantages of minimal vessel injuries,clear exposure for direct reduction,low rate of necrosis of talus and satisfactory curative effect.

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is characterized by an intramural hematoma of the internal carotid artery or the vertebral artery.CeAD is the major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults.Carotid artery dissection is a major cause of stroke.Early recognition and treatment of CeAD is important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

Objective To explore the correlation of Connexion43(Cx43),E-cadherin(E-cad)in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma tis-sue. Methods The expressions of Cx43 and E-cad proteins were detected in 89 cases breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma tissue,48 cases partition groups. by immunohistochemistry Elivision method. Results The expressions of Cx43 and E-cad has a better consistency in the tumor area,the border area and far cancer area of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma. For both the negative expression in tumor area same time,the rate of lymph node metastasis was highest. Conclusion Cx43 and E-cad in breast invasive ductal carcinoma has a certain synergy in the process of the occurrence and development,which related to its metastasis occurred.

Objective To investigate the manifestations of CT and MRI images of paranasal sinuses sarcoma, improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Methods Make retrospective analysis of our hospital from January 2008 to January 2014,36 patients with pathologically confirmed nasal sinuses sarcoma in patients with CT and MRI imaging data, to explore the value of imaging diagnosis. Results The MRI sarcoma typically presents with slight long T1 and slight long T2 signal,enhanced moderately enhanced. 36 cases of lesions center located in the sphenoid region, in maxillary sinus in 6 cas-es. The CT diagnosis of paranasal sinuses sarcoma of the lesion was a total of 27 cases(75.00%),the MRI can provide the diagnosis of paranasal sinuses sarcoma in 35 cases(97.22%),two methods had significant difference (χ2=7.43,P<0.05). Conclusion CT can effectively show the sinus bone destruction, MRI could clearly display the lesion's extent,the combination of image can provide more comprehensive information for the diagnosis and treatment of the Sinus.

objective To understand the baseline data of mortality from malignant tumor from 2006 to 2009 around Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant in Wafangdian City,Liaoning Province,so as to provide scientific basis for evaluating the impact of normal operation of nuclear power plant on the health of the residents nearby.Methods Thirty small towns near Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant were divided into 5 investigated areas according to the distances away therefrom(0.,10.,20-,30-,and 40-km).The data about from malignant tumor were obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Wafangdian.The mortality distribution of difierent malignant tumors was analyzed,including the radiosensitive malignant tumors,especially leukemia,breast cancer,and thyroid gland cancer in different area,gender,and age groups.Results The mortality from malignant tumor was 151.97/105,and the standardized mortality rate(SMR)was 97.76/105.The mortality from malignant tumor among the males was 188.28/105(with the SMR of 116.76/105),and that among the females was 113.47/105(with the SMR of 75.89/105).with a sex ratio of 1.71.The first five cancers in the rank of death causes were lung,liver,stomach,colorectal,and esophageal cancers with mortality of 46.19/105,23.51/105,20.30/105,8.06/105 and 5.45/105,respectively.The mortality from mal.ignant tumor in the areas around the nuclear power plant from the near to the distant were 99.85/105, 137.40/105,138.73/105,156.30/105,and 154.16/105,respectively.The mortality from radiosensitive malignant tumors,leukemia,breast cancer,and thyroid gland cancer were 4.57/105,4.06/105,and 0.26/105,respectively.Conclusions Lung cancer and digestive tract malignant tumors are the main causes of death from malignant tumors in Wafangdian area before the nuclear power plant began to operate.There are no significant differences in the mortality distribution of malignant tumors among different areas,genders,and age groups.There are not significant differences in the mortality distribution of leukemia and breast cancer among different areas and age groups.

Objective:To study the role of NF- ?B in the mechanism of liver injury following intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound. Methods:A total of 42 Chang-Bai piglets were assigned randomly into 7 groups: control group and wounded 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours group.The model of intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound was established in wounded groups. Hepatic NF-?B and TNF-? content was measured with immunohistochemical staining and image analysis in all groups. Hepatocyte apoptosis indexes and serum ALT levels were also determined at the same time. The alterations of hepatic tissue were observed under light microscope. Results: Levels of hepatic NF-?B activity in wounded groups were significantly elevated compared with control group, and two peaks appeared in 1 h group and 8 h group, respectively (P

Objective:To study the role of TNF-?in the mechanism of hepatocyte apoptosis induced by intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound. Methods:A total of 42 Chang-Bai piglets were divided randomly into 7 groups: control group and wounded 1, 2 , 4, 8, 12, 24 hour groups.The model of intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound were established in wounded groups. Levels of plasma endotoxin were measured using ehromogenic limulus amehoeyte lysate test.Hepatic TNF-? content was measured with immunohistochemical staining and image analysis in all groups. Hepatocyte apoptosis indexes and serum TNF-? levels were determined at the same time. Results: Levels of plasma endotoxin, serum TNF-?, hepatic TNF-? content and hepatocyte apoptosis indexes in wounded groups were all significantly elevated compared with control group(P

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of Jieminqufeng decoction to the rats of allergic rhinitis and study the mechanism by which it treats allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Forty wistar rats were divided into 4 groups at random. There are Jieminqufeng decoction group, cetirizine group, model control group and normal control group. The rats of allergic rhinitis were established with ovalbumin. We surveyed the behavioral changes of rats, searched eosinophilic granulocytes in the nasal secretion, detected the contents of cAMP and cGMP in the blood plasma and nasal mucosa. RESULT: The model control group had typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the eosinophilic granulocytes could be found more frequently. The contents of cAMP and cAMP/cGMP rose in the blood plasma and nasal mucosa (P < 0.01). However, the changes of jieminqufeng decoction group were small. CONCLUSION The jieminqufeng decoction is an effective drug to allergic rhinitis. Its possible mechanism is that it changes the contents of cAMP and cGMP, lessens inflammatory reaction and blocks up the allergy.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cyclic AMP ; analysis ; Cyclic GMP ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; drug therapy