OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Qili Qiangxin capsules on the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and cardiac function in patients with silicosis.

METHODSHospitalized silicosis patients with heart failure were divided into treatment group (41 cases) and control group (30 cases) according to their own will. Both groups received comprehensive symptomatic treatment; in addition, the treatment group received Qili Qiangxin capsules. The treatment lasted 6 months. The observed items included NT-proBNP level, 6-minute walk test, ultrasonic cardiogram, and NYHA classification before and after treatment.

RESULTSAccording to NYHA classification, the response rate was 29.27%in the treatment group and 10.00%in the control group; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The average walk distance in the treatment group was increased from 150.96±73.12 m before treatment to 169.32±77.04 m after treatment, and the improvement was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average NT-proBNP level in the treatment group was reduced from 1154.44 ± 480.79 ng/L before treatment to 494.49 ± 342.61 ng/L after treatment, and the reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQili Qiangxin capsules in addition to comprehensive symptomatic treatment can significantly reduce NT-proBNP level and improve cardiac function in silicosis patients, and thereby improve patients' quality of life.

Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quality of Life ; Silicosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Objective To explore the clinical treatment strategies of laparoscopic hepatocellular carcinoma ablation for patients with severe cirrhosis background.Methods We analyzed the clinical data of 430 patients and analyzed the indications,key techniques,efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hepatocellular carcinoma ablation for patients with severe cirrhosis background,and summarized the related experiences.Results The first complete ablation rate for the entire cohort was 94％,the 2-year local recurrence rate was 2.8％.No significant complications were found postoperatively.Conclusions Laparoscopic hepatocellular carcinoma ablation is a minimally invasive,safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with small cancer under severe cirrhosis background.Especially when the tumor is located in the " high-risk parts" for ablation,it could be a preferred method for pre-transplant treatment of these patients.

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.