AIM: To evaluate the influences of triptolide on serum cytokines, symptoms and pulmonary function in patients with steroid - resistant asthma, so as to investigate if there is therapeutic effect of triptolide on these patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients with steroid - resistant asthma were randomly divided into two groups (A and B, n =8 for each group). All of the patients took procaterol (50 - 100 μg/d) and theophylline (400 mg/d) orally as baseline treatment. Additionally, triptolide was prescribed for group A (33 μg, orally, three times per day for 4 weeks). Asthmatic symptom score calculation, serum cytokines ( interferon - γ, IFN - γ; interleukin - 4, IL - 4; and interleukin - 5, IL - 5)determination and pulmonary function test (FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25% ) were undertaken before and at the end of the study. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant difference was found between group A and group B with respect to the above mentioned indices. Following the administration of triptolide, group A had significantly increased serum IFN -γlevel, FVC%, FEV1%, PEF%, V50% and V25%, and significantly decreased asthmatic symptom score and serum IL-4, IL-5 levels (P＜0.01 compared with baseline in the same group, and P＜0.05 compared with group B at the end of the study). Compared with baseline, no significant change was observed for group B regarding all the indices at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Triptolide in combination with procaterol and theophylline may be a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of steroid - resistant asthma.

AIM: To evaluate the pulmonary function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to identify whether the lung is a target organ of chronic pathologic changes in diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Pulmonary ventilation function and diffusion capacity were studied in 107 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 61 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urine albumin excretion rate (AER), fundus examination and nerve conduction velocity were included as parameters of glycemic control and diabetic microangiopathies. RESULTS: Pulmonary ventilation function was similar in type 2 diabetic group and the control. Compared with the control, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) and DLCO corrected by alveolar volume (DLCO/VA) were significantly lower in type 2 diabetic group (P<0.05). DLCO and DLCO/VA were inversely correlated with microangiopathy score (r: -0.291, -0.324, respectively, P<0.01). Furthermore, DLCO/VA was negatively correlated with age and duration of diabetes mellitus (r: -0.269, -0.236, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary ventilation function is normal in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but their diffusion capacity is impaired. It suggests that the lung may also be the target organ of the chronic pathologic changes of diabetes mellitus.

0.05,respectively).Plasma Mg2+,intracellular Mg2+,the beta 2-AR mRNA and protein in lung tissue in group C at 21st d and 34th d were significantly higher than those in group A at 21st d and 34th d 21st d:(0.84?0.09)mmol/L vs 0.57?0.10)mmol/L,(2.39?0.14)mmol/L vs(2.11?0.08)mmol/L,(0.75?0.09)pmol/g vs(0.59?0.06)pmol/g,(88.50?8.50)pmol/g vs(60.10?7.70)pmol/g,P

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for the number of lymph node harvested after Da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 396 patients who underwent Da Vinci robotic or laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from December 2014 to July 2019 were collected. There were 991 males and 405 females, aged (60±11) years. Surgery using Da Vinci robotic system or laparoscopic system was completed according to patients' wishes. Cases with early gastric cancer underwent D 1+ lymphadenectomy and cases with advanced gastric cancer underwent standard D 2 lymphadenectomy. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) influencing factors for the number of lymph node harvested after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer; (4) follow-up and survival. Follow-up using outpatient examination or telephone interview was performed to detect survival of patients up to October 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Univariate analysis was done using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Multivariate analysis was performed using Logistic regression model. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results:(1) Intraoperative situations: all the 1 396 patients underwent radical gastrectomy, including 415 cases undergoing Da Vinci robotic radical gastrectomy and 981 cases undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Thirty-five of the 1 396 patients were converted to open surgery, including 5 cases undergoing Da Vinci robotic radical gastrectomy and 30 cases undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Of the 1 396 patients, 983 cases underwent distal gastrectomy, 400 cases underwent total gastrectomy and 13 cases underwent proximal gastrectomy, among which 597 cases underwent Billroth Ⅰ anastomosis, 385 cases underwent Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis, 401 cases underwent Roux-en-Y anastomosis and 13 cases underwent residual stomach-esophagus anastomosis. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss and cases with intraoperative blood transfusion were (221±51)minutes, (201±81)mL, 24 of 415 cases undergoing Da Vinci robotic radical gastrectomy, and (196±42)minutes, (232±76)mL, 75 of 981 cases undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, respectively. (2) Postoperative situations: the time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative initial liquid food intake and duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 1 396 patients were (3.0±1.0) days, (4.2±1.5) days and (9.0±3.8) days, respectively. Two hundred and ten of the 1 396 patients had postoperative complications including 170 cases with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ complications and 40 cases with grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complications. Eight of the 210 patients with postoperative complications died of serious complica-tions and the other 202 cases were cured after symptomatic treatment. Results of postoperative histopathological examination showed that there were 958 cases of adenocarcinoma, 220 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, and 218 cases of signet ring cell carcinoma. The number of lymph node harvested and the number of positive lymph node of the 1 396 patients were 26.0±8.3 and 3.6±0.9, respectively, and cases with the number of lymph node harvested ≥16 or <16 were 1 312 and 84. (3) Influencing factors for the number of lymph node harvested after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer: results of univariate analysis showed that the operating surgeon, operation method, range of gastric resection, nerve invasion, degree of tumor invasion and tumor pathological N stage were related factors influencing the number of lymph node harvested after Da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer ( χ2=13.167, 6.029, 15.686, 5.573, 9.402, 17.139, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that the operating surgeon, operation method, range of gastric resection and tumor pathological N stage were independent factors influencing the number of lymph node harvested after Da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer ( odds ratio=1.589, 2.018, 1.787, 0.267, 95% confidence interval as 1.221?2.068, 1.140?3.570, 1.066?2.994, 0.103?0.689, P<0.05). (4) Follow-up and survival: of the 1 396 patients, 1 256 cases were followed up for 2 to 70 months, with a median follow-up time of 27 months. The 3-year cumulative survival rate of the 1 256 cases was 70.2%. Conclusion:The operating surgeon, operation method, range of gastric resection and tumor pathological N stage are independent factors influencing the number of lymph node harvested after Da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Objective: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of robotic rectectomy and laparoscopic rectectomy for rectal cancer based on propensity score matching. Methods: The clinical data of 106 patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer at Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2015 to December 2015 were retrospectively collected. Propensity score matching method was used to perform 1∶1 matching between robot and laparoscopic rectal cancer radical surgery. Thirty-two patients in robot group and 32 patients in laparoscopic group were successfully matched. There were 15 males and 17 females in the robotic group, aging (56.2±7.5) years, 19 males and 13 females in the laparoscopic group, aged (55.5±7.6) years. The clinical outcome of the two groups were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables, repeated measures analysis of variance, χ² test, Fisher exact test or Wilcoxon rank sum test for dichotomous variables. The overall survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier curve and the difference of survival curve was compared by Log-rank method. Results: The general data of the two groups of patients were comparable after matching. Sixty-four patients successfully completed robotic or laparoscopic operation without conversion to open surgery or perioperative death case. The total operative time, the lymph node namely No. 253 group dissection time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative urethral catheter retention time, the serum C-reactive protein levels of 24 hours after surgery were (135.7±12.1) minutes, (11.6±2.7) minutes, (66.8±10.2) ml, 3.0(1.0) d,(50.9±7.7) μg/L, respectively, while in laparoscopic group were (124.9±23.2) minutes, (13.2±2.7) minutes, (74.8±13.9) ml, 4.0(2.0) d, (55.9±6.7) μg/L respectively. The differences were statistically significant (t=2.341, t=-2.354, t=-2.621, Z=-2.743, F=7.902, respectively, P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in separation time, numbers of retrieved lymph nodes, time to first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complication and Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications (t=0.336, t=0.714, t=-0.568, Z=-1.766, Fisher Z=-0.586, respectively, all P>0.05). Conclusions Robotic surgery not only has similar safety and feasibility but also has advantages of short-term outcomes compared with laparoscopic rectectomy for rectal cancer. The long-term outcomes were similar between two groups.

OBJECTIVETo describe a hospital outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and summarize its clinical features and therapeutic approaches.

METHODSThe outbreak started with a SARS patient from the community, and a total of 96 people (76 women and 20 men, mean age (29.5 +/- 10.3) years, 93.8% of whom were health care workers) who had exposure to this source patient became infected in a short time. Clinical data in this cohort were collected prospectively as they were identified.

RESULTS(1) The incubation period ranged from 1 to 20 (mean: 5.9 +/- 3.5) days. The duration of hospitalization was (17.2 +/- 8.0) days. (2) The initial temperature was (38.3 +/- 0.6) degrees C, while the highest was (39.2 +/- 0.6) degrees C (P < 0.001), with fever duration of (9.0 +/- 4.2) days. (3) Other most common symptoms included fatigue (93.8%), cough (85.4%), mild sputum production (66.7%), chills (55.2%), headache (39.6%), general malaise (35.4%) and myalgia (21.9%). (4) The radiographic changes were predominantly bilateral in the middle or lower lung zones. The number of affected lung fields was 1.2 +/- 0.8 on presentation, which increased to 2.9 +/- 1.4 after admission (P < 0.001). The interval from the beginning of fever to the onset of abnormal chest radiographs was (3.5 +/- 2.3) days, which increased in size, extent, and severity to the maximum (6.7 +/- 3.5) days later. The time before the lung opacities were basically absorbed was (14.9 +/- 7.8) days. (5) Leukopenia was observed in 67.7% of this cohort. The time between the onset of fever and leukopenia was (4.4 +/- 2.3) days, with the lowest white blood cell count of (2.80 +/- 0.72) x 10(9)/L. (6) The lowest arterial oxygen saturation was (94.8 +/- 3.1)% with supplementary oxygen. (7) Antibiotical therapies included tetracyclines (91.0%), aminoglycosides (83.3%), quinolones (79.2%); 18.8% of the patients received a combination of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides, while 11.5% received a combination of tetracyclines and quinolones, and 63.5% received a combination of tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and quinolones. Vancomycin was used in 13.5% of the patients. (8) 68.8% of the patients were treated with methylprednisolones for a mean interval of (4.9 +/- 2.4) days. The initial dose was (67.3 +/- 28.2) mg/d and the maximal dose was (82.4 +/- 30.5) mg/d. (9) Human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, antiviral drugs (oral ribavirin or oseltamivir) were used respectively in 68.6%, 46.9% and 92.7% of the patients. (10) Ninety-five patients (99.0%) had a complete clinical recovery, and only 1 patient (1.0%) died.

CONCLUSIONSSARS appears to be quickly infectious and potentially lethal among health care workers, characterized by acute onset and rapid progression, and mostly bilateral lung involvement on chest radiographs. Proper administration of glucocorticosteroids seems to be of some benefits. Antibiotics, human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, and antiviral drugs, although empirically, might be useful to shorten the clinical course.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo identify valid measures for preventing outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among protected healthcare workers in isolation units.

METHODSArchitectural factors, admitted SARS cases and infection of healthcare workers in different isolation wards between January 30 and March 30, 2003 were analyzed.

RESULTSFour types of isolation wards were analyzed, including the ward where the thirty-first bed was located on the twelfth floor, the laminar flow ward in the Intensive Care Unit where the tenth bed was located on the fifteenth floor, the ward where the twenty-seventh bed was located on the thirteenth floor of the Lingnan Building, and thirty wards on the fourteenth to eighteenth floors of the Zhongshan Building. The ratios (m(2)/m(3)) of the area of the ventilation windows to the volume of the rooms were 0, 0, 1:95 and 1:40, respectively. Numbers of SARS cases in the wards mentioned above were 1, 1, 1 and 96, respectively. Total times of hospitalization were 43, 168, 110 and 1272 hours, respectively. The infection rates of the healthcare workers in the areas mentioned above were 73.2%, 32.1%, 27.5% and 1.7%, respectively. The difference in the infection rates was of statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSIsolating SARS cases in wards with good ventilation could reduce the viral load of the ward and might be the key to preventing outbreaks of SARS among healthcare workers along with strict personal protection measures in isolation units.

Adult ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; Facility Design and Construction ; Female ; Hospital Units ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Isolation ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVETo explore digestive system manifestations in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODThe clinical data of 96 cases with SARS admitted into our hospital from February 6, 2003 to March 28, 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 96 cases, 26 cases (27%) had diarrhea, 17 (18%) had nausea, 6 (6%) had vomiting, 16 (17%) had bellyache, and 8 (8%) had ALT elevation.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with SARS may have digestive system manifestations; diarrhea is the most common symptom.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; Digestive System Diseases ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Da Vinci robotic and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 171 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2015 to October 2016 were collected.There were 110 males and 61 females,aged from 38 to 81 years,with a median age of 57 years.Of 171 patients,70 undergoing Da Vinci robotic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer and 101 undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy were allocated into the robotic group and laparoscopic group,respectively.Observation indicators:(1) the propensity score matching conditions and comparison of general data between the two groups after the propensity score matching;(2) intraoperative and postoperative situations;(3) situations of pathological examination;(4) follow-up.Patients were followed up by outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect severe complications and survival after discharge up to October 2018.The overall survival time was from the operation data to end of follow-up or time of death.The propensity score matching was used to perform 1 ∶ 1 matching by Empower Stats.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean ± SD,and comparison between groups was done using the t test.Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range),and comparison between groups was done using the Mann-Whitney U test.Count data were represented as absolute number,and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test and comparison of ordinal data between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.The survival rate and curve were respectively calculated and drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method,and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis.Results (1) The propensity score matching conditions and comparison of general data between the two groups after the propensity score matching:124 of 171 patients had successful matching,including 62 in each group.The body mass index (BMI) and tumor diameter before matching were (24.2±2.4)kg/m2 and (50±13)mm in the robotic group,(25.1±2.1) kg/m2 and (45±14) mm in the laparoscopic group,showing statistically significant differences between the two groups (t =-2.676,2.045,P＜ 0.05).The BMI and tumor diameter after matching were (24.5 ± 2.3) kg/m2 and (49 ± 14) mm in the robotic group,(24.4 ± 2.2) kg/m2 and (48 ± 12) mm in the laparoscopic group,showing no statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=0.110,0.524,P＞0.05).(2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations:the total operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss,level of C-reactive protein at day 1 postoperatively,level of C-reactive protein at day 3 postoperatively,volume of totally abdominal drainage were (147±13) minutes,(115±12)mL,(52.2±7.2)mg/L,(33.7±11.9)mg/L,353.5 mL (range,267.0-1 350.0 mL) in the robotic group,and (140± 12) minutes,(131 ± 12) mL,(58.2±7.4) mg/L,(41.1 ± 16.9) rag/L,397.0 mL (range,255.0-1 600.0 mL) in the laparoscopic group,respectively,showing statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the two groups (t =3.163,-7.814,-4.631,-2.840,Z =-4.351,P＜0.05).(3) Situations of pathological examination:patients after matching in the two groups received R0 resection,with negative duodenal margin and gastric margin.The number of lymph nodes dissected in the robotic group and laparoscopic group were 22±4 and 20±4,respectively,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=2.812,P＜0.05).(4) Follow-up:124 patients after propensity score matching were followed up for 6-37 months,with a median time of 25 months.During the follow-up,no severe surgery-related complications such as obstruction of input or output loop and dumping syndrome were found in the two groups within 3 months after operation.The 2-year overall survival rate was 82.1％ and 75.2％ in the robotic and laparoscopic group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (x2 =0.436,P＞0.05).Conclusions Compared with laparoscopic surgery,Da Vinci robotic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer has advantages in postoperative recovery and minimally invasion.There are similar 2-year overall survival rates in the two groups.