ObjectiveTo investigate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in diagnosing lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in adult.MethodsIn a retrospective study,97 patients were enrolled,who admitted into Peking University People's Hospital with suspected LRTI from July to December 2008.During analysis,the subjects are categorized into groups of LRTI with sepsis,hospital-acquired pneumonia(HAP),community-acquired pneumonia(CAP),acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (AECOPD),other LRTI and non-infectious diseases.In these cases,the following parameters were assessed regularly,such as white blood cell count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate( ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),PCT,bacterial culture of both sputum and blood,and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)Ⅱ score.PCT levels were determined using antibody-coated tubes as a complete diagnostic-kit (LUMI test Pro-Calcitonin) in a Luminometer.ResultsMean PCT levels in groups of LRTI with sepsis, hospital-acquired pneumonia ( HAP ), community-acquired pneumonia ( CAP ), acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease( AECOPD),other LRTI,non-infectious diseases were 10.1 (0.7 -37.0),0.3(0.1 -0.8),0.2(0.1 -0.9),0.2(0.1 -0.4),0.3(0.1 -0.5),0.1 (0.1 -0.2) mg/L,respectively.There were statistical differences between these groups (H =19.898,P ＜ 0.01 ).And the PCT levels in groups of LRTI with sepsis,HAP,CAP,AECOPD,other LRTI were higher than group of non-infectious diseases ( U values were 0,18.000,81.000,20.000,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Patients with sepsis exhibited strongly higher PCT levels than patients with other lung diseases ( U values were 11.000,45.000,3.000,4.500,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Pearson correlation analysis of PCT levels with positive bacterial cultures and APACHE Ⅱ score was performed ( r =0.449).ROC analysis revealed that optimal discrimination between LRTI and non-infectious diseases could be performed at the cut-off point of 0.5 mg/L with a sensitivity of 32.6％ and specificity of 100％,while at a suggested cut-off point of 0.235 mg/L with a sensitivity of 53.9％ and specificity of 100％.Conclusions PCT is a more useful parameter for diagnosing lower respiratory tract infections( especially for those with sepsis) than other infectious markers such as CRP,ESR and white blood cell count.The sensitivity of PCT could be elevated with a reduction of the cut-off level.

Abstract: To investigate the distribution of avian influenza virus in environmental samples from live poultry markets (LPM) in China, samples were collected and tested by nucleic acid during 2009-2013 season. Each sample was tested by real-time RT PCR using flu A specific primers. If any real-time PCR was positive, the sample was inoculated into specific-pathogen-free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs for viral isolation. The results indicated that the positive rate of nucleic acid in enviromental samples exhibited seasonality. The positive rate of nucleic acid was significantly higher in Winter and Spring. The positive rate of nucleic acid in LPM located in the south of China was higher than in northern China. Samples of Sewage for cleaning poultry and chopping board showed that higher positive rate of nucleic acid than other samples. The Subtype identification showed that H5 and H9 were main subtypes in the enviromental samples. Viral isolation indicated H5 subtypes was more than H9 subtypes between 2009 and 2013 while H9 subtypes increased in 2013. Our findings suggested the significance of public health based on LPM surveillance and provided the basis of prevention and early warning for avian flu infection human.
Animals ; China ; Feces ; virology ; Fresh Water ; virology ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Poultry ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; Public Health ; Seasons ; Sewage ; virology

Objective:To investigate the role of serum CX3CR1 in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis and in the evaluation of prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods:A total of 101 patients with coronary artery stenosis (≥ 50% stenosis) confirmed with coronary angiography (CAG) in Haiyang People's Hospital from January 2018 to May 2019 who were followed up till May 2021 were included in the observation group. Thirty-four healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were included in the control group. Patients in the observation group were divided into an in-stent restenosis group (ISR group, n = 28) and a non-ISR group ( n = 73). The expression of CX3CR1 was detected. The incidence of adverse cardiac events was calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) plotted for the use of CX3CR1 to diagnose coronary artery stenosis and predict adverse cardiac events were evaluated. Results:The expression of CX3CR1 in the observation group was (3.95 ± 1.05) μg/L, which was significantly higher than (2.30 ± 0.65) μg/L in the control group ( t = 2.87, P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the use of CX3CR1 in diagnosing coronary artery stenosis were 0.892, 75.2%, and 88.2%. The incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, and cardiac death in the ISR group was significantly higher compared with the non-ISR group ( χ2 = 8.06, 7.17, 8.06, 7.17, all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed that the AUC value of CX3CR1 in predicting non-fatal myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, and cardiac death were 0.786, 0.895, 0.997, and 0.887, respectively. Conclusion:CX3CR1 is highly expressed in coronary artery stenosis, which can provide a reference for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of coronary artery stenosis.