Objective To explore the value of neopterin (Np) in early diagnosis and risk stratification of sepsis.Methods A total of 82 patients admitted to the emergency department from April 2013 to February 2014 were enrolled in the study.They were divided into two groups:sepsis-free group (n =8) and sepsis group (n =74).Patients' APACHE Ⅱ scores were calculated within 24 hours after admission,and then their plasma levels of Np and procalcitonin (PCT) were detected and analysis was carried out to find the correlation between plasma levels of Np,PCT and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ score (APACHE Ⅱ score) in two groups.And 74 patients in sepsis group were further divided into three subgroups according to their APACHE Ⅱ score:Ⅰ subgroup (score ＜ 15,n =27),Ⅱ subgroup (score 15 to 24,n =32),and Ⅲ subgroup (score ＞ 25 or more,n =15).The differences in plasma Np and PCT levels were compared among three subgroups and correlation analysis of Np levels with PCT levels and APACHE Ⅱ scores was carried out.Results The plasma levels of Np,PCT and APACHE Ⅱ scores in sepsis group were higher than those in sepsis-free group (P ＜ 0.05).In sepsis group,the plasma levels of Np and PCT were gradually increased with the increasing severity of sepsis (P ＜ 0.05);In sepsis group,the plasma levels of Np,PCT and APACHE Ⅱ scores were positively correlated (P ＜0.01).The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of Np was O.79 and the area under ROC of PCT was 0.75,both of which had high diagnostic accuracy.Conclusions Neopterin has greatly useful value in early diagnosis and risk stratification of sepsis.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a useful approach for diagnosing vascular diseases. In this paper, we proposed a reconstruction algorithm for dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch. The projection data are collected by the double-source double-multislice spiral CT (DSDMS-CT). However, the pitch of the DSDMS-CT is variable other than being constant. We have developed a new formula performing interpolation along Z-axis for dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch. The dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch can chase contrast bolus more flexibly and more effectively. The simulation results show the correctness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Algorithms ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Humans ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in 276 hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infection to facilitate prevention and treatment. Methods Among of 276 hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infection from January 2019 to December 2021 were analyzed. Data on the distribution of pathogenic bacteria were collected and analyzed. At the same time, the information on drug resistance was collected, and the potential relationship between pathogen distribution and drug resistance was briefly analyzed and discussed. Results A total of 532 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected in the blood samples from 276 patients in this study. There were 207 strains of Gram-positive bacteria, including 104 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 96 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and 7 strains of others. Gram negative bacteria (325 strains) were 172 strains of Klebsiella and 153 strains of Escherichia coli. The distribution of pathogenic bacteria in different gender and age groups (under 5 years old, 5-10 years old, and over 10 -14 years old) was calculated separately. The results showed that the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in female children under 5 years old (n=49 cases) was different from the total population: the infection of Gram-positive bacteria was higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria, and the proportion of Staphylococcus epidermidis was the highest (P<0.05). The distribution characteristics of children of other ages and sexes were consistent with the total distribution characteristics. The resistance rate of Gram-positive bacteria to penicillin, erythromycin and clarithromycin was high, while the resistance rate of Gram-negative bacteria to ampicillin, cefazolin and cefuroxime was high. The distribution characteristics were the same in children of different sex and age. Conclusion The pathogenic bacteria in children with lower respiratory tract infection in pediatric ward are mainly Gram-negative bacteria, and the main pathogenic bacteria have a high resistance rate to common drugs. The distribution of pathogenic bacteria in female children under 5 years old is unique: the infection of Gram-positive bacteria is higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria, and the proportion of Staphylococcus epidermidis is the highest, which deserves attention. The clinical drug sensitivity test can be used as an important reference for the treatment of drugs to guide the rational selection of antibiotics.