Objective:To explore the predictive value of changes in prealbumin for the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) after artificial liver treatment.Methods:From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, the clinical data (including prealbumin, platelet count, lymphocyte count, alanine transaminase (ALT), etc.) of 87 patients with HBV-ACLF who received artificial liver treatment at the Department of Gastroenterology of the General Hospital of Western Theater Command PLA were retrospectively collected. The 90-day survival status of all the patients was followed up, and the patients were divided into the survival group and the mortality group according to the survival status. The clinical characteristics and the changes of prealbumin on day 1 to 3, day 3 to 7, and day 1 to 7 after artificial liver treatment were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of the 90-day prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment, and the nomogram prediction model was established and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to assess the area under the curve (AUC). Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration curve and clinical decision curve were performed to evaluate the goodness of fit, consistency and clinical value of the prediction model. Paired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 69 cases enrolled into the survival group, and 18 cases enrolled into the mortality group. The levels of albumin, prealbumin, platelet count, lymphocyte count, and ALT before treatment, and the level of prealbumin at the 3rd day after treatment of the survival group were all higher than those of the mortality group (32.5 (30.6, 35.2) g/L vs. 29.4 (27.6, 32.3) g/L, 66.0 (52.5, 81.5) mg/L vs. 56.5 (39.2, 65.0) mg/L, 103.0 (72.5, 145.0)×10 9/L vs. 63.5 (40.0, 92.5)×10 9/L, 1.1 (0.8, 1.4)×10 9/L vs. 0.9 (0.5, 1.1)×10 9/L, (514.7±86.4) U/L vs. (328.2±93.4) U/L, 90.0 (69.5, 102.5) mg/L vs.68.5(60.0, 75.8) mg/L), and the age, the level of total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and prothrombin time before treatment of the survival group were all lower than those of the mortality group (48.0 (42.0, 57.0) years old vs. 48.5 (47.0, 56.0) years old, 323.9 (261.2, 409.2) μmol/L vs. 452.2 (405.8, 510.8) μmol/L, 1.5 (1.3, 1.9) vs. 1.9 (1.4, 2.1), 17.3 (14.6, 20.8) s vs. 21.4 (16.6, 23.2) s), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-3.38, -2.87, -2.38 and -2.01, t=2.39, Z=-4.11, 3.00, 3.64, 2.18 and 2.37; all P<0.05). The change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment in the mortality group was greater than that in the survival group (-0.182 (-0.321, -0.026) vs. -0.043 (-0.133, 0.093)), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.42, P=0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age, total bilirubin before treatment, and the change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment were independent influencing factors for the 90-day prognosis in HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment (all P<0.05), and the nomogram model was established based on the above 3 factors. The results of ROC analysis showed that the AUC of the prediction model was 0.933 (95% confidence interval: 0.866 to 1.000, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 0.933 and a specificity of 0.825. The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the prediction model had a good fit( P=0.700). The results of calibration curve analysis indicated that the actual curve of the prediction model was close to the calibration curve, with an average absolute error of 0.034, the consistency between the predicted probability and the actual probability was good. The clinical decision curve analysis suggested that the prediction model had significant clinical benefits. Conclusions:The changes of prealbumin after artificial liver treatment in HBV-ACLF patients can reflect the recovery of liver function. The nomogram prediction model based on the change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment, age, and total bilirubin before treatment can better predict the 90-day prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of changes in prealbumin for the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) after artificial liver treatment.Methods:From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, the clinical data (including prealbumin, platelet count, lymphocyte count, alanine transaminase (ALT), etc.) of 87 patients with HBV-ACLF who received artificial liver treatment at the Department of Gastroenterology of the General Hospital of Western Theater Command PLA were retrospectively collected. The 90-day survival status of all the patients was followed up, and the patients were divided into the survival group and the mortality group according to the survival status. The clinical characteristics and the changes of prealbumin on day 1 to 3, day 3 to 7, and day 1 to 7 after artificial liver treatment were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of the 90-day prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment, and the nomogram prediction model was established and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to assess the area under the curve (AUC). Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration curve and clinical decision curve were performed to evaluate the goodness of fit, consistency and clinical value of the prediction model. Paired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 69 cases enrolled into the survival group, and 18 cases enrolled into the mortality group. The levels of albumin, prealbumin, platelet count, lymphocyte count, and ALT before treatment, and the level of prealbumin at the 3rd day after treatment of the survival group were all higher than those of the mortality group (32.5 (30.6, 35.2) g/L vs. 29.4 (27.6, 32.3) g/L, 66.0 (52.5, 81.5) mg/L vs. 56.5 (39.2, 65.0) mg/L, 103.0 (72.5, 145.0)×10 9/L vs. 63.5 (40.0, 92.5)×10 9/L, 1.1 (0.8, 1.4)×10 9/L vs. 0.9 (0.5, 1.1)×10 9/L, (514.7±86.4) U/L vs. (328.2±93.4) U/L, 90.0 (69.5, 102.5) mg/L vs.68.5(60.0, 75.8) mg/L), and the age, the level of total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and prothrombin time before treatment of the survival group were all lower than those of the mortality group (48.0 (42.0, 57.0) years old vs. 48.5 (47.0, 56.0) years old, 323.9 (261.2, 409.2) μmol/L vs. 452.2 (405.8, 510.8) μmol/L, 1.5 (1.3, 1.9) vs. 1.9 (1.4, 2.1), 17.3 (14.6, 20.8) s vs. 21.4 (16.6, 23.2) s), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-3.38, -2.87, -2.38 and -2.01, t=2.39, Z=-4.11, 3.00, 3.64, 2.18 and 2.37; all P<0.05). The change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment in the mortality group was greater than that in the survival group (-0.182 (-0.321, -0.026) vs. -0.043 (-0.133, 0.093)), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.42, P=0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age, total bilirubin before treatment, and the change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment were independent influencing factors for the 90-day prognosis in HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment (all P<0.05), and the nomogram model was established based on the above 3 factors. The results of ROC analysis showed that the AUC of the prediction model was 0.933 (95% confidence interval: 0.866 to 1.000, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 0.933 and a specificity of 0.825. The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the prediction model had a good fit( P=0.700). The results of calibration curve analysis indicated that the actual curve of the prediction model was close to the calibration curve, with an average absolute error of 0.034, the consistency between the predicted probability and the actual probability was good. The clinical decision curve analysis suggested that the prediction model had significant clinical benefits. Conclusions:The changes of prealbumin after artificial liver treatment in HBV-ACLF patients can reflect the recovery of liver function. The nomogram prediction model based on the change of prealbumin on day 1 to 3 after treatment, age, and total bilirubin before treatment can better predict the 90-day prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after artificial liver treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, changes in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and prognosis in cases of Amanita oberwinklerana poisoning.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 patients who were diagnosed with Amanita oberwinklerana poisoning at Xiangya Changde Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022. The analysis included an assessment of clinical manifestations, renal function changes, LDH levels, and patient prognosis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS25.0 Comparisons of ratios between groups were performed using the t test, correlation analyses were performed using scatter diagram and Pearson correlation method, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The latency period for symptom onset ranged from 6 to 18 hours, with early symptoms primarily consisting of nausea and vomiting. Three patients developed anuria in the early stage. All patients experienced acute kidney injury (AKI) accompanied by mild liver injury. LDH levels were significantly elevated compared to other types of mushroom poisoning cases ( P < 0.01), with a mean peak value exceeding 2000 U/L. While no correlation was found between LDH levels and kidney injury severity, a positive correlation was observed between LDH levels and length of the course. All 12 patients recovered following dialysis treatment, with recovery periods ranging from 20 to 60 days. No cases of chronic renal failure or mortality were reported. Conclusions:Amanita oberwinklerana poisoning primarily causes acute renal injury. A significant elevation in LDH levels may serve as a potential marker for this type of poisoning. LDH levels did not correlate with kidney injury severity, while positively corrected with the length of the course. All patients in this study achieved good prognosis with full renal recovery.

Objective: To explore early diagnosis, surgical intervention and efficacy for blunt cardiac injury. Methods: 43 patients with blunt cardiac injury treated operatively were studied retrospectively in respect of sex, age, cause of injury, preoperative diagnosis, operative time from injury, surgical procedures, and therapeutic efficacy. The study lasted for 15 years between September 2003 and August 2018. The main cause of injury is road traffic accident with a rate of 48.8%(21/43); and steering wheel injury accounted for 71.4%(15/21). Preoperative diagnosis was based on computer scaning, echocardiography in 26 cases. In remaining 17, initial judgement of cardiac wound was done because of obvious cardiac tamponade, or massive hemothorax with shock; and was proved during emergent thoracotomy. Surgical intervention was started within one hour in cases of 27.9%(12/43). Main procedures included pericardial decompression, clear off hemopericardium, and cardiorrhaphy in 36 cases; relief of pericardial herniation with strangulation of the heart in 3 cases, and repair of diaphragmatic hernia involving pericardium in 4 cases. Of all 43 cases, 7 cases underwent Emergent Department Thoracotomy(EDT) with a resuscitative rate of 42.9%(3/7). Results: Overall mortality rate was 32.6%(14/43); 4 cases died at EDT, 5 cases intraoperatively, and 5 cases postoperatively. The cause of deaths was directly related to BCI in 9 cases(associated with transected aorta in 1 case); and associated injuries in 5 cases including liver trauma(3 cases), brain trauma(1 case), and cervical spinal trauma(1 case). In 4 of 29 survivors, intracardiac injury was proved by echocardiography postoperatively, including mitral valve in 2 cases, tricuspid in 1 case, and ventricular septum in 1 case. Of these 4 cases 2 received valvuloplasty 2 weeks and 3 months after initial operation respectively; and other 2 restored spontaneously which were ensured by echocardiography. Postoperative complications included atelectasis in 3 and infectious endocarditis in 1 respectively. They were cured . All survivors were followed up from 6 to 36 months, with a normal cardiac function and healthy condition. Conclusion Early diagnosis and emergent thoracotomy in time are essential to improve survival rate. Preoperative massive transfusion and pericardiocentesis are not advocated. If it is necessary, EDT should be exercised decidedly.

Objective To study the early diagnosis,surgical treatment options,prevention and management of complications in patients with duodenal trauma.Methods All patients with duodenal trauma treated operatively from January 2009 to December 2018 were studied retrospectively.Factors including sex,age,cause of injury,AAST grading,diagnostic method,operative procedure,therapeutic effectiveness,complications,and factors related to death were analyzed.The "double-tube gastrostomy" technique consisting of duodenal decompression and jejunal feeding as recommend by the authors were used in severe cases.Results Blunt trauma occurred in 66 of 86 patients (76.7％).The diagnosis of duodenal trauma was made preoperatively based on abdominal signs,peritoneocentesis,and imaging in 32 patients (37.2％).The remaining 54 patients (62.8％),with duodenal injury was detected during emergency laparotomy.All the 86 patients underwent surgical intervention which included simple suturing,pedicled jejunal flap,segmental resection and anastomosis,Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy,diverticularization,and Whipple's procedure using the principle of Damage Control Surgery (DCS).Postoperative morbidity occurred in 15 patients (17.4％).There was a high incidence of duodenal (or pancreatic,biliary) fistulae.The overall mortality rate was 12.8％ (in 11 patients).The causes of deaths were mainly massive bleeding and poly-trauma.Conclusions To decrease morbidity and mortality rates,early diagnosis and surgical intervention were critical.The choice of surgical treatment procedures should be based on the duodenal trauma grading and whether there were associated injuries.For patients with a combined pancreaticoduodenal trauma,DCS is a wise procedure to adopt.The double-tube gastrostomy technique as recommended by the authors is beneficial to severe cases in decreasing the incidences of postoperative duodenal and jejunal obstruction.

Objective: To explore the early diagnosis, therapeutic methods and efficacy for blunt cardiac injury (BCI). Methods: All BCI patients from September 2003 to August 2018 were studied retrospectively in respect of sex, age, cause of injury, diagnostic methods, therapeutic procedures, and outcome. The patients were divided into two groups: nonoperative group (n=305) and operative group (n=43). The two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: Totally 348 BCI patients accounted for 18.3% of 1 903 patients with blunt thoracic injury (BTI), and the mortality rate was 10.1%. The main cause of injury was traffic accident with an incidence of 48.3%. The diagnostic methods included electrocardiogram (ECG), enzymes and troponin I, echocardiography, and CT scanning, or confirmed by emergency thoracatomy. In the nonoperative group, patients were mainly myocardial contusion, with a mortality rate of 6.9%. In the operative group, patients were mainly cardiac rupture and pericardial hernia, and the mortality was 32.6%. The incidence of negative ECG between the two groups was not significantly different (16.7% vs 11.6%, P>0.05). The incidence of shock and mortality in the operative group were significantly higher than those in the the nonoperative group (P<0.01). The number of death directly resulted from BCI in the operative group was greater than that in the nonoperative group (P<0.05). Conclusions For BTI patients, BCI must be highly suspected, and necessary examinations should be given. To manage myocardial contusion without surgery, it is necessary to protect the heart, alleviate edema of myocardium, and control arrhythmia with drugs. To deal with those patients requiring operation, early recognition and expeditious thoracotomy are essential.

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis often have varying degrees of portal hypertension, and when portal pressure reaches a certain threshold, various clinical complications may occur and even threaten patients′ lives. Therefore, portal pressure assessment is important for the clinical management and prognosis of such patients. Due to the anatomical characteristics of the portal vein, it is difficult to measure portal pressure directly. At present, hepatic venous pressure gradient is used to replace portal pressure in China and foreign countries. However, the measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient is an interventional procedure and is difficult to perform in clinical practice. Therefore, noninvasive assessment of portal hypertension has become a research hotspot. This article reviews the research advances in the roles of serum markers, ultrasound elastography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance elastography in noninvasive assessment of portal hypertension.

Objective To explore the role of LiCl in modulating bacterial-mediated inflammation after Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.Methods Western-blot was used to determine the efficacy of LiCl usage.The expression of inflammatory cytokines in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected macrophages and neutrophils was detected by qPCR.Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.Results Western-blot data showed that LiCl up-regulated the protein levels of p-GSK-3β(Ser 9)and β-catenin in macrophages and neutrophils,indicating the efficacy of LiCl usage.qPCR data indicated that LiCl enhanced the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected macrophages and neutrophils.Flow cytometry data indicated that LiCl could promoted the apoptosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected macrophages and neutrophils.Conclusion LiCl inhibited the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced inflammation,via regulating the inflammatory cytokine expression and the apoptosis of inflammatory cells.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels and infection sites,as well as between PCT and bacterial species in gram negative (G-) bacteria induced sepsis,so as to provide rationale for therapeutic strategy of using antibiotic in sepsis.Methods The data of patients with sepsis admitted in Emergency Department and ICU from January 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.The blood culture of G-bacteria and PCT detection were carried out simultaneously within 24 hours after admission.The clinical data was analyzed to find out the correlation between PCT levels and infection sites,as well as between PCT levels and pathogenic bacterial species.Results A total of 187 specimens (came from 162 patients) were enrolled in the study with a median age of 70 years old and a median sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 4.PCT levels were found to be associated with bacterial species.PCT level caused by Escherichia coli bacteremia infection was higher than that caused by Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia and Burkholderia cepacia bacteremia infection (4.62 ng/mL vs.2.44 ng/mL;4.62 ng/mL vs.0.81 ng/mL;P ＜ 0.05).Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) for PCT was 0.61 to discriminate Escherichia coli infection from Acinetobacter baumannii infection and an AUC was 0.66 to discriminate Escherichia coli infection from Burkholderia cepacia infection.When the cutoff point of PCT was 30.32 ng/mL,it could predict Escherichia coli infection rather than Acinetobacter baumannii infection with 94.10％ specificity,90.00％ positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio for 4.24.When the cutoff point of PCT was 8.01 ng/mL,it could predict Escherichia coli infection rather than Burkholderia cepacia infection with 85.70％ specificity,93.94％ positive predictive value,and positive likelihood ratio for 3.01.When PCT cutoff value reached 47.31 ng/mL,the specificity and positive predictive value were both 100.00％.PCT level caused by urinary tract infection was higher than that caused by pulmonary infection (11.58 ng/mL vs.2.07 ng/mL,P ＜ 0.05),and the AUC was 0.69.When the cutoff point of PCT was 32.11 ng/mL,it could predict Escherichia coli infection rather than Acinetobacter baumannii infection with 90.60％ specificity,86.18％ negative predictive value and positive likelihood ratio for 3.68.Conclusions PCT elevation in G-bacteria induced sepsis might be associated with infection sites and bacterial species.

Objective To investigate in vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against Enterococcus spp . isolated from clinic specimens in a hospital.Methods 188 Enterococcus spp . isolates from specimens sent by clinic depart-ments in June 2013-July 2014 were identified and performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Results Of 188 En-terococcus spp . isolates,119 were Enterococcus faecium (E.faecium),60 were E.faecalis ,and 9 were E.avium, these strains were mainly isolated from urine (34.57%)and blood specimens (19.15% ).No daptomycin and linezolid-resistant strain was detected;resistant rates of E.faecium to vancomycin was 1 .68%,to penicillin, ampicillin,high concentration gentamycin,erythromycin,and levofloxacin were all > 70%;except tetracycline, resistant rates of E.faecalis to the other antimicrobial agents were all lower than E.faecium,resistant rates of E. faecalis to penicillin and ampicillin were 16.67% and 13.33% respectively.Conclusion Daptomycin has high activity against Enterococcus spp . in this hospital.