Objective:To investigate the serum levels of soluble growth stimulation expression gene 2 protein (sST2) and inflammatory factors in patients with acute left ventricular ejection fraction reduction heart failure (HFrEF) treated with sacubitril/valsartan.Methods:Ninety six patients with acute HFrEF admitted in The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from March 2020 to March 2021 were enrolled. The patients were treated with sacubitril/valsartan,the dose was gradually increased from 50 mg b.i.d to the target dose of 200 mg b.i.d according to hemodynamics. After 12 weeks, the target dose was achieved in 72 cases (compliance group), and did not achieved in 24 cases (non-compliance group). The serum levels of sST2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-αand IL-10 were measured and compared between the two groups. The changes in left atrial anteroposterial diameter (LA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values were assessed with echocardiography. The adverse reactions, readmission rate and all-cause death within 3 months after discharge were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 96 patients with acute HFrEF completed the follow-up, including 72 patients (75.0%) in the compliance group and 24 (25.0%) in the non-compliance group; aged 50-75 (66.1±6.7) years old, and 68 (70.8%) males. After treatment, the serum levels of sST2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased, and the IL-10 level was increased in both groups ( P<0.05); while the improvement of serum indicators in the compliance group was more marked ( P<0.05). Echocardiography showed that the LA, LVDd, and LVEF were significantly increased after treatment ( P<0.05) in compliance group, while there was no significant changes before and after treatment in the non-compliance group. SST2, inflammatory factors and echocardiographic measurements of patients in the standard group had statistical significance before and after treatment ( P<0.05), and the difference showed a downward trend. No deterioration of renal function and angioedema were observed in both groups, and there was no significant difference in hyperkalemia (two in compliance group and one in non-compliance group), symptom hypotension (each in two groups) between the two groups (χ 2=0.12, 0.68; P>0.05). In the non-compliance group, 10 patients (41.7%) were readmitted due to heart failure, and 6 patients (25.0%) died; while there were no readmitted cases or fatal cases in compliance group (χ 2=33.49, 19.20; P<0.05). Conclusion:Early application of sacubitril and valsartan sodium in patients with acute HFrEF after hemodynamic stabilization can significantly improve left ventricular remodeling, for those with earlier escalation to the target dose, it is more beneficial. The changes of serum sST2 and inflammatory factor level after treatment may predict the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan therapy.

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of five elderly patients with Chlamydia psittaci-caused severe pneumonia.Methods:Through retrospective analysis, diagnosis and treatment process and clinical characteristics of five elderly inpatients with severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci were summarized in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Quanzhou First Hospital East Street Branch Area, affiliated to Fujian Medical University between January to June 2021.Results:Five patients with severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci were aged from 64 to 74 years, with various underlying diseases such as coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.All patients had an established history of poultry exposure.These cases had high fever, cough, spitting, and dyspnea as the main clinical manifestations.Some of them also had systemic symptoms or weakness of the limbs as the prodromal symptoms.The disease progressed rapidly, with severe respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, and shock appearing soon, accompanied by different degrees of muscle injury, and damage to the heart, liver, blood coagulation, and immune systems at the same time.Laboratory examination showed that levels of inflammatory indicators were increased: at 3, 5, 7 d after admission, the level of C reactive protein was 214.6(153.9-256.3)mg/L, 199.2(115.8-333.8)mg/L, 151.0(11.19-173.7)mg/L, respectively; and interleukin 6 level was 1 241.0(912.1-6822.0)ng/L, 779.1(451.2-7122.0)ng/L, 631.2(7.0-4 321.0)ng/L, respectively.And monitoring results of nutritional index indicated a high metabolic state.The imaging examinations showed that consolidation and ground-glass shadows spreaded to both lungs, may accompany the miliary and nodular shadows, and may also involve pleural which caused pleural effusion.After the clinical use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS), mNGS has been confirmed as an important method for the diagnosis of Chlamydia psittaci infection.The disease course and prognosis were related to the severity of the disease, advanced age, underlying diseases, and timely diagnosis and effective treatment.Conclusions:The progression of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia to severe disease may be related to advanced age, more basic diseases such as chronic cardiopulmonary disease, smoking, and timely diagnosis and treatment.Generally, laboratory and imaging examinations have no diagnostic specificity, but mNGS is of great significance for early diagnosis, transition to target treatment and improvement of prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Methods: Forty-eight patients with DLBCL treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital between November 2010 and December 2014 were assessed. All patients underwent PET/CT scanning prior to or after auto-HSCT. Correlation analysis was done based upon patients characteristics, PET/CT scan results and survival. Results: ①Among 48 patients, 27 was male, 21 female, median age was 43 (17-59) years old. ② Patients with negative pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment demonstrated significantly better 3-year progression free survival (PFS) (87.1% vs 53.3%, χ²=7.02, P=0.019) and overall survival (OS) (90.3% vs 60.0%, χ²=6.51,P=0.022) than patients with positive pre-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Three-year PFS (94.1% vs 30.0%, χ²=22.75, P=0.001) and OS (97.1% vs 40.0%, χ²=21.09, P=0.002) were also significantly different between patients with negative and positive post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. ③ Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association of PFS (HR=13.176, P=0.005) and OS (HR=20.221, P=0.007) with post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment. Number of prior treatment regimens was associated with PFS (HR=10.039, P=0.040). ④ Harrell’s C index revealed that the value of combined use of number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment was superior to either one used alone in PFS (Harrell’s C values were 0.976, 0.869 and 0.927 in combined use, number of prior treatment regimens and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively), and the combined use of ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment significantly increased the Harrell’s C index in OS (Harrell’s C values were 0.973, 0.711 and 0.919 in combined use, ECOG performance status and post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment, respectively). Conclusions Post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment is the main predictor of outcomes in DLBCL patients receiving auto-HSCT. Combined use of post-auto-HSCT PET/CT assessment and number of prior treatment regimens and ECOG performance status is a better prognostic tool in patients with DLBCL undergoing transplantation.

Objective:To perform acceptance test and performance assessment for Siemens Biograph Vision 600 positron-emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)according to the national health industry standard WS 817-2023.Methods:Spatial resolution,sensitivity,scatter fraction,count loss and random coincidence,correction accuracy of count loss and random coincidence,time-of-flight(TOF)resolution of the PET component within the PET/CT system were tested through the measurement program(NU2-2018)of National Electrical Manufacturers Association(NEMA),which was installed inside of the equipment,in accordance with the requirement of national health industry standard WS 817-2023.The PET/CT registration accuracy was measured through Gantry_offset acquisition program that was built into the equipment.Results:The transversely and axially spatial resolutions of Biograph Vision 600 PET/CT were respectively 3.69 mm and 4.10 mm at 1 cm away from the center of visual field,and were respectively 4.26 mm and 4.89 mm at 10 cm away from the center of visual field,and were respectively 4.68 mm and 4.89 mm at 20 cm away from the center of visual field.The sensitivity of 10 cm away from center and radial of visual field were respectively 16.12 kcps/MBq and 16.00 kcps/MBq.The peak value of noise equivalent count rate(NECR)was 281.60 kcps,and the corresponding radioactivity concentration of peak value was 30.69 kBq/ml.The NECR peak value,scatter fraction and maximum value of the error of relative count rate were respectively 38.17% and 4.0%.The TOF resolution was 209.87 ps when the radioactivity concentration was 5.3 kBq/mL.The registration accuracy values of Biograph Vision 600 PET/CT were 0.347 mm,-0.226 mm and 3.659 mm at the directions of x,y and z axis.Conclusion:It is feasible to perform the acceptance test according to the WS 817-2023 standard through uses the NEMA NU2-2018 standard measurement program that is installed inside of the equipment.The performance indicators can meet requirement of standard as the current national standard GB/T 18988.1-2013 and the health industry standard WS 817-2023 that will being implemented in the test of Biograph Vision 600 PET/CT,which can pass acceptance.

Using of high throughput sequencing technology to study the microbial diversity in complex samples has become one of the hottest issues in the field of microbial diversity research. In this study, the soil and sheep rumen chyme samples were used to extract DNA, respectively. Then the 25 ng total DNA was used to amplify the 16S rRNA V3 region with 20, 25, 30 PCR cycles, and the final sequencing library was constructed by mixing equal amounts of purified PCR products. Finally, the operational taxonomic unit (OUT) amount, rarefaction curve, microbial number and species were compared through data analysis. It was found that at the same amount of DNA template, the proportion of the community composition was not the best with more numbers of PCR cycle, although the species number was much more. In all, when the PCR cycle number is 25, the number of species and proportion of the community composition were the most optimal both in soil or chyme samples.
Animals ; Bacteria ; classification ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Gene Library ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Rumen ; microbiology ; Sheep ; Soil Microbiology

Adult ; Aged ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of interim and end-of-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT after first-line treatment in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 50 newly diagnosed HL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline, interim and end-of-treatment PET-CT were performed, and then imaging results were analyzed for the survival of patients via software SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSFifty patients received first-line treatment with ABVD (doxorubicin + bleomycin + vincristine + dacarbazine) or BEACOPP (bleomycin + etoposide + doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide + vincristine + procarbazine+ prednisone) regimen. Interim PET-CT of 35 patients were performed after 2-4 cycles of treatment, 46 patients received PET-CT scans at the end of treatment. After a median follow-up of 29.4 months (12.2-52.4 months), the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 100% and 70% for the interim PET-CT negative (n=25) and positive (n=10) patients, respectively (P=0.004). The 3-year PFS rates were 100% and 60% for the post-treatment PET-CT negative (n=36) and positive (n=10) patients, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONInterim and end-of-treatment PET-CT were correlated with 3-year PFS rates for HL patients. They may play an important role in predicting the outcome of HL. The relationship with OS can not be determined because of the short follow-up time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Hodgkin Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome