OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for identifying high-risk patients among septic populations requiring mechanical ventilation, and to conduct phenotypic analysis based on this method. METHODS: Data from four sources were utilized: the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV 2.0, MIMIC-III 1.4), the Philips eICU-Collaborative Research Database 2.0 (eICU-CRD 2.0), and the Anhui Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital dataset. The adult patients in intensive care unit (ICU) who met Sepsis-3 and received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) on the first day of first admission were enrolled. The MIMIC-IV dataset with the highest data integrity was divided into a training set and a test set at a 6:1 ratio, while the remaining datasets were served as validation sets. The demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory indicators, commonly used ICU scores, and treatment measures of patients were extracted. Clinical data collected within first day of ICU admission were used to calculate the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. K-means clustering was applied to cluster SOFA score components, and the sum of squared errors (SSE) and Davies-Bouldin index (DBI) were used to determine the optimal number of disease subtypes. For clustering results, normalized methods were employed to compare baseline characteristics by visualization, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze clinical outcomes across phenotypes. RESULTS: This study enrolled patients from MIMIC-IV dataset (n = 11 166), MIMIC-III dataset (n = 4 821), eICU-CRD dataset (n = 6 624), and a local dataset (n = 110), with the four datasets showing similar median ages and male proportions exceeding 50%; using 85% of the MIMIC-IV dataset as the training set, 15% as the test set, and the rest dataset as the validation set. K-means clustering based on the six-item SOFA score was performed to determine the optimal number of clusters as 3, and patients were finally classified into three phenotypes. In the training set, compared with the patients with phenotype II and phenotype III, those with phenotype I had the more severe circulatory and respiratory dysfunction, a higher proportion of vasoactive drug usage, more obvious metabolic acidosis and hypoxia, and a higher incidence of congestive heart failure. The patients with phenotype II was dominated by respiratory dysfunction with higher visceral injury. The patients with phenotype III had relatively stable organ function. The above characteristics were consistent in both the test and validation sets. Analysis of infection-related indicators showed that the patients with phenotype I had the highest SOFA score within 7 days after ICU admission, initial decreases and later increases in platelet count (PLT), and higher counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes as compared with those with phenotype II and phenotype III, their blood cultures had a higher positivity rates for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi as compared with those with phenotype II and phenotype III. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that in the training, test, and validation sets, the 28-day cumulative mortality of patients with phenotype I was significantly higher than that of patients with phenotypes II and phenotype III. CONCLUSIONS Three distinct phenotypes in septic patients receiving IMV based on unsupervised machine learning is derived, among which phenotype I, characterized by cardiorespiratory failure, can be used for the early identification of high-risk patients in this population. Moreover, this population is more prone to bloodstream infections, posing a high risk and having a poor prognosis.
Humans ; Machine Learning ; Sepsis/therapy* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Intensive Care Units ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult

Objective:To corelate thromboelastography (TEG)-related parameters and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels with the severity of preeclampsia and pregnancy outcomes in patients with preeclampsia.Methods:A case-control study was conducted involving 92 patients with preeclampsia who received treatment at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between March 2022 and September 2023 (patient group) and 92 healthy pregnant women who underwent routine check-ups during the same period (control group). All participants underwent TEG tests, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were measured. Intergroup comparisons were performed, and patients were categorized based on the severity of their condition. TEG parameters and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were compared among patients with varying severities of preeclampsia. TEG-related parameters were correlated with D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in the patient group were statistically analyzed, and risk factors for these adverse outcomes in women with preeclampsia were identified.Results:In the patient group, the R and K values were (3.06 ± 0.36) minutes and (1.21 ± 0.14) minutes, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(5.44 ± 0.61) minutes, (1.79 ± 0.21) minutes, t = 32.22, 22.04, both P < 0.001]. The α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels in the patient group were (71.31 ± 7.63)°, (3.89 ± 0.41), (65.71 ± 7.01) mm, (2.22 ± 0.24) mg/L, and (4.51 ± 0.49) g/L, respectively, all of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(64.85 ± 6.79)°, (2.19 ± 0.23), (58.96 ± 6.09) mm, (1.92 ± 0.21) mg/L, (3.75 ± 0.40) g/L, t = -6.06, -34.68, -6.97, -9.02, -11.52, all P < 0.001]. In the patient group, severe cases had significantly lower R and K values compared with mild cases, while the α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in severe cases than in mild cases ( t = 11.06, 7.16, -8.01, -12.05, -3.91, -13.74, -8.269, all P < 0.001). In patients with preeclampsia, the R and K values were negatively correlated with D-dimer levels, and the R value was negatively correlated with fibrinogen level ( r = -0.504, -0.612, -0.493, all P < 0.05). In addition, the MA and CI values were positively correlated with D-dimer level, and the α angle was positively correlated with fibrinogen level ( r = 0.436, 0.534, 0.492, all P < 0.05). Among the participants, 41 women experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes. In patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes, the R and K values were (2.48 ± 0.25) minutes and (1.12 ± 0.14) minutes, which were significantly lower than those in patients without adverse pregnancy outcomes [(2.75 ± 0.29) minutes, (1.28 ± 0.13) minutes, t = 4.71, 5.67; both P < 0.001]. The α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels in patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes were (76.62 ± 8.01)°, (4.42 ± 0.46), (69.77 ± 7.06) mm, (2.57 ± 0.27) mg/L, and (4.97 ± 0.51) g/L, all of which were significantly higher than those in patients without adverse pregnancy outcomes [(67.04 ± 7.01)°, (3.46 ± 0.37), (62.45 ± 6.82) mm, (1.94 ± 0.21) mg/L, (4.14 ± 0.43) g/L, t = -6.11, -5.03, -11.09, -12.25, -8.46, all P < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis indicated that R and K values were protective factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes ( OR < 1, P < 0.05), while MA value, α angle, CI value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were independent risk factors ( OR > 1, P < 0.05). Conclusion:TEG-related parameters differ significantly between patients with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. These parameters are correlated with the severity of preeclampsia, as well as with D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. TEG-related parameters are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with preeclampsia.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of the information management system on the clinical application of special-grade antimicrobial.Methods:Using the established knowledge database, a computer program was designed and developed, which was embedded in the electronic medical record to intervene the clinical use of the special-grade antimicrobial since 2015. The basic information of all discharged patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2020 were extracted from the HIS system, including the medical orders for antibiotics and the drug storehouse dispensing data.The trend analysis was carried out on the changes of the use rates and antibiotic use density (AUD) of the special-grade antimicrobials in the whole hospital and intensive care units (ICU). The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 24.0.Results:From 2013 to 2015, except for meropenem and amphotericin B, the usage rate of all special-grade antimicrobials in the whole hospital showed an upward trend ( P<0.05). The proportion of special-grade antimicrobials used in the hospital increased year by year ( χ2=7 804.081, P<0.01). The total usage rate of special-grade antimicrobials in ICU showed an upward trend year by year ( χ2=67.028, P<0.01). Since the implementation of the special-grade antimicrobial information management system in 2015, the total use rate of special-grade antimicrobials in the hospital, the use rate of various antibiotics except linezolid, amphotericin B and posaconazole, and the proportion of special-grade antimicrobials used in the hospital have all shown a downward trend year by year ( P<0.01). The total usage rate and total AUD of special-grade antimicrobials in ICU showed a decreasing trend year by year ( χ2=343.514, P<0.01, β=-0.963, P=0.002). Conclusion:The information management system for special-grade antimicrobial can effectively reduce the utilization rate and AUD of most special-grade antibiotics in hospitalized patients including ICU, and has a good clinical application value in antimicrobial stewardship.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of microneedle radiofrequency in the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris.Methods:From August 2018 to August 2020, 393 patients (192 males and 201 females, aged 15-38 years) with moderate acne were enrolled in the Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College and Shantou Chaonan Minsheng Hospital, including 201 patients in experimental group and 192 patients in control group. In the experimental group, microneedle radiofrequency therapy was used once every 2 weeks for 3 times in total. The control group adopted the fire needle, once every 2 weeks, a total of 3 times. The efficacy of both groups was evaluated at week 8.Results:A total of 378 patients were actually completed: 196 patients in the experimental group, and 182 patients in the control group. At the eighth week of follow-up, the total effective rate was 81.12% in the experimental group and 70.43% in the control group. The efficacy of the two groups was statistically different (χ 2=4.42, P<0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of microneedle radiofrequency therapy in the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris is better than that of fire needle, with good tolerance, short recovery period, few adverse reactions and high compliance, which has clinical promotion value.

Objective:To explore the changes and clinical significance of inflammatory indices of urogenic sepsis with different severity.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was used to analyze the clinical data of 71 patients with urogenic sepsis admitted to 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2010 to April 2018, including 34 males and 37 females, aged 39-96 years [(63.1±18.3)years]. The patients were divided into three groups according to the clinical diagnostic criteria for septic shock and sepsis according to the 2014 edition of the Chinese Urology Surgical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment: 21 cases in sepsis group [sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 3.0 (2.0, 3.0)points], 21 cases in severe sepsis group [SOFA score of 9.0 (6.0, 11.0)points], and 29 cases in septic shock group [SOFA score of 15.0 (14.0, 16.0)points]. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of inflammatory indicators with SOFA, including white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and platelet. Multiple linear regression analysis and stepwise regression weighted analysis were performed to analyze the relation between inflammatory indicators and sepsis severity. Levels of each inflammatory indicator was detected and compared among the groups.Results:① Spearman correlation analysis: percentage of neutrophils, D-dimer, interleukin-6, procalcitonin and SOFA scores were significantly positively correlated, with the r s value of 0.738, 0.712, 0.31, 0.795, respectively ( P<0.01); platelet and SOFA scores were significantly negatively correlated, with the r s value of -0.661 ( P<0.01). ② Multiple linear regression analysis: percentage of neutrophils, platelet, D-dimer, procalcitonin and SOFA score were significantly correlated ( P<0.01); Stepwise regression weighted analysis suggested that the model linear relationship and fit was good. ③ Inflammatory index comparison: percentage of neutrophils in sepsis group, severe sepsis group and septic shock group was 82.30 (76.25, 88.45), 90.50 (86.55, 93.85), 95.10 (92.05, 97.95), respectively; level of platelet was 183.01 (144.50, 246.50)×10 9/L, 149.11 (81.04, 207.00)×10 9/L, 81.26 (50.01, 93.50)×10 9/L, respectively; level of D-dimer was 0.98 (0.71, 1.74)mg/L, 3.45 (1.79, 5.56)mg/L, 7.19 (4.26, 11.63)mg/L, respectively; level of procalcitonin was 0.55 (0.21, 1.09)ng/ml, 5.45 (3.74, 11.80)ng/ml, 17.68 (13.97, 26.75)ng/ml, respectively. There were significant differences in above indicators among the groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum levels of procalcitonin, percentage of neutrophils, D-dimer and platelet are positively correlated with the severity of urogenic sepsis. While combined detection of those indicators can better predict the severity of the sepsis.

Objective: To compare the difference of the clinical and laboratory characteristics between γδ T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (γδT-LGLL) and αβ T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (αβT-LGLL) . Methods: The clinical and laboratory characteristics of 17 patients with γδT-LGLL and 91 patients with αβT-LGLL in the department of therapeutic center of anemia of enrolled in our hospital from January 2009 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The median age of the 17 patients with γδT-LGLL was 54 years (range, 25-73 years) , the most common presenting symptom was anemia. In comparison with αβT-LGLL patients, splenomegaly was common (41% and 44%, respectively) , whereas hepatomegaly (12% and 5%, respectively) and lymphadenopathy (6% and 8%, respectively) were rare. The positive rates of antinuclear antibody (59% and 45%, respectively) were high, whereas the positive rates of rheumatoid factor (6% and 10%, respectively) were rare for both groups. There were no differences on peripheral blood counts between the two groups. However, γδT-LGLL patients were found to be predominantly expressed a CD4⁻/CD8⁻ phenotype. Steroid therapy with prednisone was used alone as first-line therapy for 1 patient. Cyclosporin A (CsA) was used alone as first-line therapy for 3 patients. CsA in combination with steroids were administered in 13 patients. After 4 months treatment, 2 patients acquired complete response, 4 patients acquired partial response, the overall response was 35%. Conclusion γδT-LGLL is a rare mature T-lymphocyte proliferative disease. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were quite similar for γδT-LGLL in compare with αβT-LGLL. γδT-LGLL predominantly expressed a CD4⁻/CD8⁻ phenotype. The data presented here indicate the CsA is an effective option for the first-line treatment of γδT-LGLL.

Objective To detect the red blood cell lifespan in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and explore the influencing factors. Methods From February 2017 to December 2018, 27 patients with PV at Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and 18 normal controls were recruited. Red blood cell lifespan was detected by endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) breath test. The related factors were analyzed. Results The average red blood cell lifespan of 27 PV patients was 80 (range, 35-120) days (d), which was significantly shorter than that of the normal controls [110.5(69-166) d, P<0.05], namely 35.3 d shorter. The red blood cell lifespan of ten newly diagnosed patients and 17 patients who were treated with hydroxyurea and/or interferon were 98 (35-117) d and 69 (45-120) d, respectively, which were both shorter than that of the normal control (P=0.010, 0.000). Correlation analysis showed that red blood cell lifespan of patients with newly diagnosed PV was associated with JAK2 mutation allele burden (r=0.900, P=0.037), peripheral blood lymphocyte count (r=-0.742, P=0.014) and the level of serum vitamin B12 (r=-0.821, P=0.023). Conclusion The lifespan of red blood cells in patients with PV is about one?third shorter than normal, and is related to JAK2 mutation allele burden, absolute lymphocyte count, and serum vitamin B12 level.

Objective: To detect the red blood cell lifespan in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and explore the influencing factors. Methods: From February 2017 to December 2018, 27 patients with PV at Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and 18 normal controls were recruited. Red blood cell lifespan was detected by endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) breath test. The related factors were analyzed. Results: The average red blood cell lifespan of 27 PV patients was 80 (range, 35-120) days (d), which was significantly shorter than that of the normal controls [110.5(69-166) d, P<0.05], namely 35.3 d shorter. The red blood cell lifespan of ten newly diagnosed patients and 17 patients who were treated with hydroxyurea and/or interferon were 98 (35-117) d and 69 (45-120) d, respectively, which were both shorter than that of the normal control (P=0.010, 0.000). Correlation analysis showed that red blood cell lifespan of patients with newly diagnosed PV was associated with JAK2 mutation allele burden (r=0.900, P=0.037), peripheral blood lymphocyte count (r=-0.742, P=0.014) and the level of serum vitamin B₁₂ (r=-0.821, P=0.023). Conclusion The lifespan of red blood cells in patients with PV is about one-third shorter than normal, and is related to JAK2 mutation allele burden, absolute lymphocyte count, and serum vitamin B₁₂ level.

PURPOSE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a risk of chronic liver disease and threatens a significant number of people worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are linked to the regulation of hepatocarcinogenesis. Although miR-373 is required for HCV infection, the underlying mechanisms of miR-373 involvement in HCV replication remain elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays were performed to detect the abundances of miR-373 and HCV RNA either in Huh 7.5 cells or liver biopsy specimens with HCV infection. Luciferase assay was employed to probe the interactions between miR-373 and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5). Western blot was conducted to investigate the effect of miR-373 and IRF5 on HCV replication and activation of type 1 interferon (IFN) response in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells. RESULTS: HCV infection appeared to be caused by increased miR-373 expression. Addition of miR-373 promoted HCV RNA expression, while miR-373 depletion led to an inhibitive effect on HCV replication. Concordantly, IRF5, as a direct target, was limited by miR-373 in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells. In addition, introduction of IRF5 protected HCV replication in the presence of abundant miR-373. Furthermore, the miR-373-mediated inhibitory effect on type 1 IFN response was ablated following IRF5 accumulation. CONCLUSION: miR-373 abrogation reduced HCV replication via activation of type 1 IFN responses by targeting IRF5 in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells, suggesting a promising therapeutic for treating HCV infection.
Biopsy ; Blotting, Western ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Interferons* ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Luciferases ; MicroRNAs ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA

Objective To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of urinary tract infection(UTI)following uret-eroscopy.Methods Patients undergoing ureteroscopy examination or ureteroscopic lithotripsy in a hospital between 2002 and 2011 were analyzed retrospectively,clinical data of patients were collected and analyzed,including age, sex,history,complication ,urine routine test,urine culture,blood routine test,urethral catheterization,ureteral stent placing and antimicrobial use.Results Incidence of UTI following ureteroscopy was 3.77% (20/531),UTI fol-lowing ureteroscopy examination was higher than ureteroscopic lithotripsy (5.84% [9/154]vs 2.92% [11/377]). Pyelonephritis was the main infection type(n= 15 ),the main pathogen was Escherichia coli (n= 6 ),there was no statistical difference in UTI among patients receiving different types of antimicrobial prophylaxis (P= 0.185 ). Patients with bacteriuria,hydronephrosis,urethral catheterization,without ureteral stent placing,and without re-ceiving antimicrobial prophylaxis had higher incidence of URI(all P<0.05).Conclusion Bacteriuria,hydronephro-sis,urethral catheterization,without postoperative ureteral stent placing,ureteroscopy examination,and without receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis are risk factors of UTI following ureteroscopy.