The diagnosis of hematological disorders is currently established from the combined results of different tests, including those assessing morphology (M), immunophenotype (I), cytogenetics (C), and molecular biology (M) (collectively known as the MICM classification). In this workflow, most of the results are interpreted manually (i.e., by a human, without automation), which is expertise-dependent, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and with inherent interobserver variability. Also, with advances in instruments and technologies, the data is gaining higher dimensionality and throughput, making additional challenges for manual analysis. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool in clinical hematology to ensure timely diagnosis, precise risk stratification, and treatment success. In this review, we summarize the current advances, limitations, and challenges of AI models and raise potential strategies for improving their performance in each sector of the MICM pipeline. Finally, we share perspectives, highlight future directions, and call for extensive interdisciplinary cooperation to perfect AI with wise human-level strategies and promote its integration into the clinical workflow.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is vital for a functional cure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the incidence and predictors of HBsAg seroclearance in patients co-infected with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain largely unknown in Guangdong, China. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, patients co-infected with HBV/HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University were retrospectively reviewed with the endpoint on December 31, 2020. The incidence and risk factors for HBsAg seroclearance were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1550 HBV/HIV co-infected patients were included in the study, with the median age of 42 years and 86.0% (1333/1550) males. Further, 98.3% (1524/1550) received ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus lamivudine (3TC). HBV DNA was examined in 1283 cases at the last follow-up. Over the median 4.7 years of follow-up, 8.1% (126/1550) patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance, among whom 50.8% (64/126) obtained hepatitis B surface antibody, 28.1% (137/488) acquired hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion, and 95.9% (1231/1283) undetectable HBV DNA. Compared with patients who maintained HBsAg positive, cases achieving HBsAg seroclearance showed no differences in age, gender, CD4 + T cell count, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, or fibrosis status; however, they presented lower HBV DNA levels, lower HBsAg levels, and higher rates of HBV genotype B at the baseline. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline HBsAg <1500 cutoff index (COI) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.74, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.48-5.09), ALT elevation >2 × upper limit of normal during the first six months after receiving ART (aHR, 2.96, 95% CI: 1.53-5.77), and HBV genotype B (aHR, 3.73, 95% CI: 1.46-9.59) were independent predictors for HBsAg seroclearance (all P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Long-term TDF-containing ART has high anti-HBV efficacy including relatively high overall HBsAg seroclearance in HBV/HIV co-infected patients. Lower baseline HBsAg levels, HBV genotype B, and elevated ALT levels during the first six months of ART are potential predictors of HBsAg seroclearance.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; HIV ; DNA, Viral ; Incidence ; Coinfection/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tenofovir/therapeutic use* ; Lamivudine/therapeutic use* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy*

Objective:To analyze the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on peritoneal dialysis（PD）patients with cognitive impairment and its impact on quality of life.Methods:A total of 120 maintenance PD patients with cognitive impairment admitted to Linyi Central Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method，with 60 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received conventional treatments including PD for end-stage renal disease. The control group received cognitive training，and the observation group received hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the basis of the training of the control group. The changes of cognitive function and quality of life of the patients in the two groups were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in the levels of BUN，Scr，PaO 2，PaCO 2，and pH between the two groups before and after treatment（ P>0.05）. After treatment，Hb levels in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups（ P>0.05）. After treatment，the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised（ACE-R）total score and sub-scale scores of patients in both groups were significantly increased than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and those scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. The serum BNDF level of the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment. The serum Hcy and CRP levels of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and those two levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. The indicators of quality of life in the two groups were significantly improved than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and the indicators of the observation group were better than those of the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups during treatment（ P>0.05）. Conclusion:Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve the cognitive function and quality of life of PD patients，and it is safe and reliable，which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To analyze the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on peritoneal dialysis（PD）patients with cognitive impairment and its impact on quality of life.Methods:A total of 120 maintenance PD patients with cognitive impairment admitted to Linyi Central Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method，with 60 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received conventional treatments including PD for end-stage renal disease. The control group received cognitive training，and the observation group received hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the basis of the training of the control group. The changes of cognitive function and quality of life of the patients in the two groups were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in the levels of BUN，Scr，PaO 2，PaCO 2，and pH between the two groups before and after treatment（ P>0.05）. After treatment，Hb levels in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups（ P>0.05）. After treatment，the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised（ACE-R）total score and sub-scale scores of patients in both groups were significantly increased than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and those scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. The serum BNDF level of the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment. The serum Hcy and CRP levels of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and those two levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. The indicators of quality of life in the two groups were significantly improved than those before treatment，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05），and the indicators of the observation group were better than those of the control group，with statistically significant differences（ P<0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups during treatment（ P>0.05）. Conclusion:Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve the cognitive function and quality of life of PD patients，and it is safe and reliable，which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and pathogen spectrum of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients complicated with pulmonary filamentous fungal infection in Guangdong Province, so as to provide evidences for improving the diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 143 AIDS patients with pulmonary filamentous fungal infection hospitalized in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018 were included. The filamentous fungi cultured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of these patients were identified with morphological and molecular biological methods. And their clinical characteristics were analyzed. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 143 patients, 116(81.1%) had fever, 104(72.7%) had cough, 83(58.0%) had expectoration, and 59(41.3%) had anhelation. The CD4 + T lymphocyte count was 22.0(9.3, 60.8) cells/μL and 118(82.5%) cases were below 100.0 cells/μL. The white blood cell counts decreased in 52(36.4%) cases and increased in 18(12.6%) cases, anemia was found in 109(76.2%) cases, platelet count decreased in 29(20.3%) cases. Sixty-four (44.8%) cases were positive for galactomannan test. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse infection of both lungs in 114(79.7%) cases, miliary changes in 12(8.4%) cases, pleural effusion in 44(30.8%) cases, and enlargement of pleural and (or) mediastinal lymph nodes in 45(31.5%) cases. After receiving antifungal therapy, 124 (86.7%) cases were cured or improved, and 19 (13.3%) cases were discharged automatically or died of disease deterioration. Among the 143 strains of filamentous fungi, there were 56 strains of Aspergillus species pluralis (39.2%, including 24 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus), 37 strains of Talaromyces marneffei ( T. marneffei) (25.9%), 22 strains of Penicilium species pluralis (15.4%), and 28 strains of other genera of filamentous fungi (19.6%). The median CD4 + T lymphocyte counts in patients infected with Aspergillus species pluralis, T. marneffei, Penicilium species pluralis and other genera were 24.5, 15.0, 53.5 and 22.0 cells/μL, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=11.282, P=0.010). The proportions of AIDS patients with different pulmonary filamentous fungal infection of CD4 + T lymphocyte count ≤50.0 cells/μL in descending order were T. marneffei group (89.2%(33/37)), Aspergillus species pluralis group and other genera group (67.9%(38/56), 67.9%(19/28)), and Penicillium species pluralis group (54.5%(12/22)), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.296, P=0.026). Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of pulmonary filamentous fungal infection in AIDS patients in Guangdong Province are not specific. The pathogenic spectrum contains various genera, and T. marneffei and Aspergillus fumigatus are dominant, which could be correlated with CD4 + T lymphocyte count.

Objective:To investigate the impact of low level viremia (LLV) on the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients received anti-retroviral therapy (ART).Methods:From January to December 2015, the HIV/AIDS patients with LLV received ART over one year were recruited in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (LLV group). Patients with viral load (VL) less than 50 copies/mL were matched at ratio of 1∶1 according to gender, age and the transmission route were included in the control group (suppression group). The LLV group was divided into three subgroups according to VL (LLV-1 subgroup was 50-200 copies/mL, LLV-2 subgroup was 201-400 copies/mL, and LLV-3 subgroup was 401-1 000 copies/mL). The influence of LLV on the antiviral response during the following three years was investigated.The Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results:One hundred and thirty-seven patients were enrolled in the LLV group, of whom 111 were males and 26 were females, with age of (39.5±13.5) years old. At the same time, 137 patients were included in the suppression group. There were 93 cases in LLV-1 subgroup, 25 cases in LLV-2 subgroup and 19 cases in LLV-3 subgroup. There were no significant differences in the CD4 + T lymphocyte counts and CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte counts ratios between LLV group and suppression group before ART (both P>0.05). During the three-year follow-up, the cumulative number of viral failures in LLV group (7.3%(10/137)) was significantly higher than that in the suppression group (1.5%(2/137)) ( χ2=5.578, P=0.018). Virological failure occurred in eight patients (8.6%) in the LLV-1 subgroup, two patients (8.0%) in the LLV-2 subgroup, and no patients in the LLV-3 subgroup. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of virological failure among all the subgroups ( P>0.05). At one, two, three years follow-up, the CD4 + T lymphocyte counts increased in both LLV group and suppression group without statistical differences (all P>0.05), and the CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte counts ratios in each LLV group were lower than that in the suppression group ( Z=-3.183, -2.094 and -2.312, respectively, all P<0.05). At one, two, three years follow-up, There were no significant differences in CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte counts ratios among the LLV-1, LLV-2 and LLV-3 subgroups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:HIV/AIDS patients with LLV having received ART over one year are more likely to develop virological failure and delay the recovery of immune function, which requires early relevant interventions.

Objective:To investigate the long-term characteristic changes of virus, immune status, and liver fibrosis markers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients after receiving direct-antiviral agents (DAAs).Methods:HIV/HCV co-infected patients who visited the Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from May 2014 to December 2019 were selected as the research subjects. The changes of virological response rate, peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte level and serological markers of liver fibrosis (APRI score and FIB-4 index) were observed during 144 weeks of follow-up course after the end of DAAs treatment. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical approach. Results:A total of 103 cases were included in the study. There were 87 males (87.5%), with a median age of 44 years. Sustained virological response rate at 12 weeks (SVR12) after DAAs treatment was 97.6%, and the SVR during the entire follow-up period was at least 95.9%. Compared with baseline, CD4 +T lymphocyte count were significantly increased equally at 12 weeks ( Z = -2.283, P = 0.022), 24 weeks (Z = -3.538, P < 0.001), 48 weeks ( Z = -3.297, P = 0.001), 96 weeks ( Z = -3.562, P < 0.001), and 144 weeks ( Z = -2.842, P = 0.004). APRI score ( Z = -6.394, P < 0.001) and FIB-4 index ( Z = -2.528, P = 0.011) were significantly lower than baseline at week 4 of DAAs treatment, and thereafter remained at a low level, without further declination. Conclusion:HIV/HCV co-infected patients can maintain high SVR for a long time, acquire good immune reconstitution, and significantly improve liver fibrosis after DAAs treatment.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and discuss the role and significance of surgical intervention in the treatment of AIP.Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with preoperative confirmed AIP and 8 patients with preoperative suspected AIP receiving surgical intervention at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from 2011 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 11 preoperatively confirmed AIP patients,9 (47.4％) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with nasal bile duct implantation or biliary stent drainage,and 2 (10.5％)underwent choledochojejunostomy.Among 8 putative AIP patients in which a cancer was suspected 4 (21.1％) underwent choledochojejunostomy,3 (15.8％) did pancreaticoduodenectomy,and 1 (5.3％) had distal pancreatectomy plus splenectomy.Postoperative pathology confirmed pancreatic cancer in 3 cases,IPMN in 1 case.Conclusions While autoimmune pancreatitis is IgG4 related disease,surgical intervention is indicated when there is poor response to drug treatment or when a cancer is to be ruled out.

Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Single-Cell Analysis

Objective:To analyze the dynamic changes of total HIV-1 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) following highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients.Methods:Thirty patients with HIV-1/HCV co-infection without anti-HCV treatment (co-infected group) and 42 HIV-1 infected patients with initial treatment (mono-infected group) admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital from May 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The virological and immunological responses of the two groups at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 weeks after HAART, the changes of total HIV-1 DNA in PBMC and its relationship with peripheral blood HIV-1 RNA and T lymphocyte subsets were observed. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data.Results:The plasma HIV-1 virus inhibition rate, CD4 + T cells and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio increased and the total HIV-1 DNA in PBMC decreased in both groups after HAART. The inhibition rate of HIV RNA at week 72 in co-infected group was significantly lower than that in the mono-infected group ( χ2=7.93, P<0.01). Compared with the mono-infected group, the CD4 + T cells at week 12, 24, 72 and 96 after HAART were lower in the co-infected group ( U=313.50, 329.00, 286.00 and 204.50, P<0.05 or <0.01). The CD4 + /CD8 + ratio at week 48 in the co-infected group was lower than that in the mono-infected group ( U=294.50, P<0.05). The total HIV-1 DNA of the co-infected group at baseline and week 12 was lower than that of the mono-infected group ( U=362.00 and 359.00, P<0.01 or <0.05). There was no significant correlation between total HIV-1 DNA in PBMC and HIV-1 RNA or CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in both groups ( P>0.05). There was no correlation between total HIV-1 DNA and CD4 + T cells in HIV-1/HCV co-infected group ( b=-0.001, P>0.05), but it had negative correlation in the mono-infected group ( b=-0.001, P<0.05). Conclusion:Total HIV-1 DNA in PBMC was significantly decreased after HAART in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients. Co-infected with HCV may delay the decrease of total HIV-1 DNA after HAART in patients with HIV-1 infection.