OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation versus intravenous monotherapy for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 10 tertiary class-A hospitals in Henan Province between July 2021 and May 2023, who received colistin sulfate for CRO pulmonary infections. Data included baseline characteristics, inflammatory markers [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP)], renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], life support measures, anti-infection regimens, clinical efficacy, microbiological clearance rate, and prognostic outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: intravenous group (colistin sulfate monotherapy via intravenous infusion) and combination group ((intravenous infusion combined with nebulized inhalation of colistin sulfate). Changes in parameters before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with CRO pulmonary infections were enrolled, including 89 in the intravenous group and 48 in the combination group. Baseline characteristics, life support measures, daily colistin dose, and combination regimens (most commonly colistin sulfate plus carbapenems in both groups) showed no significant differences between two groups. The combination group exhibited higher clinical efficacy [77.1% (37/48) vs. 59.6% (52/89)] and microbiological clearance rate [60.4% (29/48) vs. 39.3% (35/89)], both P < 0.05. Pre-treatment inflammatory and renal parameters showed no significant differences between two groups. Post-treatment, the combination group showed significantly lower WBC and CRP [WBC (×10⁹/L): 8.2±0.5 vs. 10.9±0.6, CRP (mg/L): 14.0 (5.7, 26.6) vs. 52.1 (24.4, 109.6), both P < 0.05], whereas NEU, PCT, SCr, and BUN levels showed no significant between two groups. ICU length of stay was shorter in the combination group [days: 16 (10, 25) vs. 21 (14, 29), P < 0.05], although mechanical ventilation duration and total hospitalization showed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation improved clinical efficacy and microbiological clearance in CRO pulmonary infections with an acceptable safety profile.
Humans ; Colistin/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carbapenems/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*

Objective:To assess the effects of allergens on interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-18 binding protein a (IL-18BPa), and IL-18 receptor α (IL-18Rα) expression levels in different monocyte subtypes of the peripheral blood samples of allergic asthma (AA) patients, and the correlations between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods:A cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 28 healthy controls and 33 patients experiencing acute attack of AA based on a positive skin prick test of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2023 to April 2024. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of allergens on IL-18, IL-18BPa, and IL-18Rα expression levels in the classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes of the peripheral blood samples of AA patients. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pairwise test were used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were estimated using Bioplex assays. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and the plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Results:Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of classical and non-classical monocytes in the peripheral blood of AA patients were reduced by 20.2% ( Z=-3.89, P<0.001) and 45.8% ( Z=-4.01, P<0.001), respectively. Allergens increased the percentages of classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes in AA patients in vitro by 13.1%-61.5% (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of IL-18 expression in classical monocytes of AA patients was elevated by 1.08-fold ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001), whereas the percentages of IL-18 expression in intermediate and non-classical monocytes were reduced by 52.7% ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001) and 3.23% ( Z=-3.13, P=0.001), respectively. Allergens upregulated IL-18 expression by 16.4%-67.8% in the classical and intermediate monocytes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18BPa expression level was lower in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). However, allergens upregulated IL-18BPa expression by 8.9% and 13.3% in the classical monocytes (both P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18Rα expression was elevated by 1.29-fold in the classical monocytes of AA patients ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001). Allergens upregulated IL-18Rα expression by 17.6%-39.2% in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the AA patients were increased compared to those in healthy controls (all P<0.001), and correlated with the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes ( r=0.451, 0.714; both P<0.05). Conclusions:Allergens may participate in the inflammatory response of AA by inducing the differentiation of monocytes and the expression levels of IL-18, IL-18BPa and IL-18Rα in different blood monocytes subtypes. Classical monocytes are the potential source of elevated plasma IL-18 level in AA patients.

Objective:To assess the effects of allergens on interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-18 binding protein a (IL-18BPa), and IL-18 receptor α (IL-18Rα) expression levels in different monocyte subtypes of the peripheral blood samples of allergic asthma (AA) patients, and the correlations between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods:A cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 28 healthy controls and 33 patients experiencing acute attack of AA based on a positive skin prick test of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2023 to April 2024. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of allergens on IL-18, IL-18BPa, and IL-18Rα expression levels in the classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes of the peripheral blood samples of AA patients. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pairwise test were used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were estimated using Bioplex assays. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes and the plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Results:Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of classical and non-classical monocytes in the peripheral blood of AA patients were reduced by 20.2% ( Z=-3.89, P<0.001) and 45.8% ( Z=-4.01, P<0.001), respectively. Allergens increased the percentages of classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes in AA patients in vitro by 13.1%-61.5% (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, the percentages of IL-18 expression in classical monocytes of AA patients was elevated by 1.08-fold ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001), whereas the percentages of IL-18 expression in intermediate and non-classical monocytes were reduced by 52.7% ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001) and 3.23% ( Z=-3.13, P=0.001), respectively. Allergens upregulated IL-18 expression by 16.4%-67.8% in the classical and intermediate monocytes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18BPa expression level was lower in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). However, allergens upregulated IL-18BPa expression by 8.9% and 13.3% in the classical monocytes (both P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, IL-18Rα expression was elevated by 1.29-fold in the classical monocytes of AA patients ( Z=-6.40, P<0.001). Allergens upregulated IL-18Rα expression by 17.6%-39.2% in the three monocyte subtypes of AA patients (all P<0.05). Plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the AA patients were increased compared to those in healthy controls (all P<0.001), and correlated with the percentage of IL-18 +classical monocytes ( r=0.451, 0.714; both P<0.05). Conclusions:Allergens may participate in the inflammatory response of AA by inducing the differentiation of monocytes and the expression levels of IL-18, IL-18BPa and IL-18Rα in different blood monocytes subtypes. Classical monocytes are the potential source of elevated plasma IL-18 level in AA patients.

Hepatolenticular degeneration is kind of an autosomal recessive genetic disease with diverse, complex and non-specific clinical manifestations, high misdiagnosis rate, rapid disease progression, poor drug treatment effect, and high mortality. It is one of the rare several genetic metabolic diseases in clinic that could be cured by liver transplantation method. Liver transplantation provides healthy P-type ATP enzyme through the donor liver, which can correct its genetic defects, improve copper metabolism disorders, relieve clinical symptoms, improve the quality of life, and improve the survival rate of patients. Liver transplantation is playing an increasingly important role as an important means to treat hepatolenticular degeneration. With the rapid development of partial living donor liver transplantation, auxiliary liver transplantation, domino-assisted liver transplantation and cross-assisted domino liver transplantation, a new way has been provided for patients with hepatolenticular degeneration, alleviating the problem of donor liver shortage and shortening the waiting time of recipients, which has certain clinical value and development prospects. In this paper, a review of the research progress in the treatment of hepatolenticular degeneration with liver transplantation was made with reference to the relevant literature at home and abroad.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Mashao Pingchuan decoction （MSPC） on lipopolysaccharides （LPS）-induced autophagy in human bronchial airway epithelial cells （16HBE） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. Method16HBE cells were selected for the study， and cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect the activity of of LPS-induced 16HBE cells and the effect of MSPC-containing serum on the cells. Suitable LPS-induced 16HBE cells were screened by the CCK-8 method， and the content of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was measured to identify the established model. And MSPC-containing serum was prepared. The cells were divided into normal group， LPS group， LPS+MSPC group， LY294002+LPS group and LY294002+LPS+MSPC group. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe the changes in autophagic vesicles and ultrastructure of the cells. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expressions of PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， mTOR， phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B）， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors interleukin-5 （IL-5）， IL-6， TNF-α and IL-10 in the five groups. ResultLPS inhibited the 16HBE cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the normal group， the LPS group （150 mg·L^-1 of LPS） increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α after 24 h of treatment （P<0.05） and facilitated the autophagosome formation， and MSPC-containing serum exerted a concentration-dependent promotion effect on the 16HBE cells， inhibited the autophagy to a certain degree and enhanced the cell status. Western blot revealed that the protein expressions of p-PI3K， p-Akt and p-mTOR in the model group were lower （P<0.05） and the protein expression of LC3B was higher （P<0.01） than those in the normal group. Compared with the conditions in the LPS group， the protein expressions of p-PI3K， p-Akt and p-mTOR in the LPS+MSPC group were elevated （P<0.05） and that of LC3B was reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the LPS+LY294002 group， the LY294002+LPS+MSCP group had up-regulated protein expressions of p-PI3K， p-Akt and p-mTOR （P<0.05） and down-regulated protein expression of LC3B （P<0.05）. ELISA showed that the LPS group had higher levels of IL-5， IL-6， TNF-α and IL-10 than the normal group， while the levels of TNF-α， IL-6 and IL-8 were decreased （P<0.01） and the level of IL-10 was increased （P<0.01） after treatment with MSCP. ConclusionMSCP may lower the LPS-induced autophagy in 16HBE cells and improve the inflammatory response through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of different spray-coagulation time of argon plasma coagulation (APC) injury on the Glisson system primary branche(G1) in the hepatic portal of pigs.Methods:Fifty clean healthy domestic pigs (27 females and 23 males, aged 7 to 14 months) were selected, with the body weighted (100.0±9.5) kg. They were randomly divided into five groups (A, B, C, D, and E), with 10 pigs in each group. G1 models were made and sprayed by APC for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 seconds. The damage, maximum damage area, maximum damage depth, and damage of the three branches of the Glisson system (the first branches of the portal vein, intrahepatic bile duct, and hepatic artery) were compared among the groups. The pigs were divided into two groups based on whether the three branches were damaged or not: the three-branch damage group ( n=23) and the control group ( n=27). The maximum damage area and maximum damage depth were compared between the two groups. Results:After the APC spraying, circular or elliptical damage appeared on the surface of the G1, with changes such as yellow-brown color, brown color, charred appearance, and defects. Under the microscope, G1 capsule was found to be deficient, the fibrous tissue beneath the capsule was ruptured, and the structures of small blood vessels and small bile ducts were incomplete. " Burn marks" and damage to the three branches of the Glisson system in G1 were also observed, and the damage was more severe at the center of the spray-coagulation. As the spray-coagulation time increased, the maximum damage area of the G1 model also increased, and the two were positively correlated ( r=0.90, P<0.001). The maximum damage depth was also positively correlated with spray-coagulation time ( r=0.97, P<0.001). The numbers of pigs with damage to the three branches of the Glisson system in Groups A-E were 0, 2, 5, 6, and 10, respectively, and the number of pigs with damage increased with the spray-coagulation time. In the three-branch damage group, the spray-coagulation time, maximum damage area, and maximum damage depth were all higher than those in the control group (without three-branch damage), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The degree of damage to G1 caused by APC is positively correlated with the spray-coagulation time, and damage to the three branches of the Glisson system in G1 is related to the maximum damage area, maximum damage depth, and APC spray-coagulation time.

A 24-year-old male patient was admitted to the Organ Transplant Department of the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force on March 13, 2000, due to repeated abdominal distension accompanied by edema of both lower limbs for more than 7 months and aggravated for 1 month. Clinical diagnosis: hepatolenticular degeneration, metabolic encephalopathy, decompensated stage of cirrhosis. Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed under general anesthesia on March 24, 2000. The postoperative recovery is smooth, and the patient has survived for more than 23 years, with normal life and work.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of avatrombopag combined with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) versus avatrombopag in the treatment of severe thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 56 patients with severe thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from May 2020 to October 2021 were collected. There were 36 males and 20 females, aged from 33 to 74 years, with a median age of 54 years. Of 56 patients, 21 cases undergoing treatment of avatrombopag combined with rhTPO were allocated into the combined treatment group and 35 cases undergoing treatment of avatrombopag were allocated into the monotherapy group. Observation indicators: (1) changes of platelet after treatment; (2) adverse drug reaction. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect changes of platelet and effects of treatment within 2 weeks after treatment. The follow-up was up to October 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and compari-son between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Results:(1) Changes of platelet after treatment. The platelet level within 1 to 5 days and 6 to 10 days after treatment in the combined treatment group were (35±19)×10 9/L and (73±41)×10 9/L, respectively. The above indicators of the monotherapy group were (40±30)×10 9/L and (70±51)×10 9/L, respectively. There was no significant difference in change trends of platelet before and after treatment between the two groups ( Fgroup=0.30, P>0.05). There was a significant difference in platelet count before and after treatment between the two groups ( Ftime=59.96, P<0.05). There was no interaction effect in change trends of platelet between the two groups ( Finteraction=0.40, P>0.05). The effective rates were 66.67%(14/21) in the combination therapy group and 54.29%(19/35) in the monotherapy group. There was no significant difference in the effective rate between the two groups ( χ2=0.83, P>0.05). (2) Adverse drug reaction. Cases with headache, dizziness, blood transfusion reaction, hematuria, proteinuria, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, nausea or peripheral tissue edema were 2, 4, 1, 2, 2, 7, 10, 6, 8, 14, 12, 5 in the combined treatment group, versus 5, 8, 1, 3, 5, 7, 19, 11,20, 19, 14, 5 in the monotherapy group, respectively. There was no significant difference in cases with headache, dizziness, blood transfusion reaction, hematuria, proteinuria between the two groups ( P>0.05), and there was no significant difference in cases with fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, nausea, peripheral tissue edema between the two groups ( χ2=1.24, 0.23, 0.05, 1.91, 0.83, 2.04, 0.81, P>0.05). Conclusion:Both of avatrombopag combined with rhTPO and monotherapy of avatrom-bopag can be used to promote the platelet level in patients with severe thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease, and avatrombopag combined with rhTPO does not provide better clinical benefits compared with monotherapy avatrombopag.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation for Wilson's disease(WD).Methods:From January 1999 to November 2021, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 16 recipients with WD undergoing liver transplantation.There were 9 males and 7 females with an age range of 29.5(14~54)years.They were followed up by telephone, outpatient services and hospitalization.The starting point of follow-up was operation date.And recipient death was an endpoint.Postoperative survival, improvement of neuropsychiatric symptom, changes of corneal K-F ring, altered levels of liver function and serum copper-protein at Month 1 post-operation were observed.The follow-up deadline was November 24, 2021.Results:15 recipients underwent classical orthotopic liver transplantation and the other one recipient underwent living-related liver transplantation.No perioperative deaths occurred.All 16 recipients were followed up for 122(6~260)months.The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 93.8%、85.2%and 75.8%, respectively.Among 10 recipients with corneal K-F ring positive with varying degrees after operation and was disappeared in 2 recipients at 7 and 11 months.Among 5 recipients with neuropsychiatric manifestation, 4 recipients showed ameliorative neuropsychic symptoms with varying degrees after operation and 1 recipient died.All the levels of liver function and serum copper-protien of all recipients recovered obviously in 1 month and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year post-operation.Conclusions:Classical orthotopic liver transplantation and living-related liver transplantation not only effectively improves copper metabolism of patient with WD and relieves their severe neurological manifestation, but also improves their life and prolongs survival, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To analyze the status of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for poisoned patients in China, and prognosis, complications and risk factors for death in poisoned patients supported with ECMO.Methods:The data of adult poisoned patients registered in Chinese Society of Extracorporeal Life Support (CSECLS) database were collected. Patients were divided into the survival group and death group according to the conditions at discharge. The type of poisoning, patient prognosis, hemodynamic parameters and complications before and after ECMO were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 96 poisoned patients supported with ECMO were included in the database from 2017 to 2022, including 77 adult patients. The use of ECMO for poisoning was more common in Henan Province (28 cases, 36%), Guangdong Province (11 cases, 14%) and Zhejiang Province (9 cases, 8%). The number of adult poisoned patients registered in the database increased over time from 2017 to 2022, but the survival rate showed no significant difference ( P = 0.794). Agricultural poisoning was the most common indication (43%). Veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO was used in 60 patients (78%) and venovenous (V-V) ECMO in 27 patients (22%). Thirty-two patients (42%) survived to hospital discharge. The mean duration of ECMO support was 57 (34, 123) h, the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 88 (33, 211) h, the mean length of hospital stay was 10 (2, 21) days, and the mean length of ICU stay was 9 (2, 18) days. Multivariate analysis showed that 24-h lactic acid level was significantly associated with mortality ( OR = 0.378, 95% CI: 0.183-0.779, P = 0.008). Conclusions:ECMO can be used as a salvage strategy to treat various types of severe poisoning. Although the application of ECMO is expanded rapidly in China, it is still necessary to optimize intervention indications and treatment timing, and adopt standardized ECMO management and monitoring strategies to improve the prognosis of patients.