Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated by pulmonary cryptococcosis, thereby enhancing the understanding of this clinical scenario.Methods:We report a case of pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated by pulmonary cryptococcosis treated at Beijing Hospital.The patient was diagnosed with stage Ⅱ pulmonary sarcoidosis via CT-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration lung biopsy.However, during treatment with oral prednisone, a chest CT scan revealed newly developed multiple nodules in the right lower lobe.By considering the patient's medical history, imaging results, cryptococcal antigen(CrAg)levels, and treatment response, a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated by pulmonary cryptococcosis was established.Additionally, we systematically reviewed the literature on pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated by pulmonary cryptococcosis published before April 2024, focusing on epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.Results:A total of seven articles were obtained, and nine cases were reviewed in conjunction with this case.Among these, 55.6%(5/9)of the patients were male, with an average age of 51 years, and one-third of the patients were categorized as elderly.The stages of pulmonary sarcoidosis identified were stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ.Eight patients(88.9%, 8/9)were receiving glucocorticoids or other immunosuppressants at the time of cryptococcosis diagnosis.In the cases that specified the diagnostic method for cryptococcosis, serum cryptococcal antigen(CrAg)was found to be positive, including in three elderly patients.One patient did not receive antifungal treatment due to the rapid deterioration of his condition.During a follow-up period of at least six months, all patients remained clinically stable, with fluconazole being the most chosen antifungal agent.Conclusions:Although cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated by cryptococcal infection are rare, clinicians should remain vigilant to this possibility.The two conditions may exhibit overlapping clinical manifestations, yet their treatment strategies can be contradictory.Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis could result in serious clinical consequences.Serum CrAg testing is particularly useful for diagnosis, especially in elderly patients.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and risk factors of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome(CPFE)in the elderly.Methods:42 patients with CPFE and 83 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)admitted to Beijing Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020 were included for this retrospective study, and their clinical data, laboratory test results, imaging, pulmonary function and treatment outcomes were compared.The correlations of diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide(DLCO)with lung volume and other ventilation-related parameters were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic analysis was used to screen for risk factors.Results:Compared with the IPF group, the proportions of patients who were male(78.6% or 33/42 vs.50.6% or 42/83), were smokers(78.6% or 33/42 vs.45.8% or 38/83)and had allergies(23.8% or 10/42 vs.4.8% or 4/83)were significantly higher in the CPFE group( χ2=9.090, 12.219, 8.293, P=0.003, 0.000, 0.004, respectively). Eosinophil counts were significantly higher in the CPFE group than in the other group[0.17×10 9/L with a(0.12-0.25)×10 9/L range vs.0.10×10 9/L with a(0.03-0.21)×10 9/L range]. In terms of pulmonary function tests, patients with CPFE had higher levels of vital capacity(VC)[2.60 L, range: (2.18-3.08)L vs.1.99 L, range: (1.48-2.63)L], total lung capacity(TLC)[4.54 L, range: (3.89-5.45)L vs.3.74 L, range: (2.92-4.70)L], forced vital capacity(FVC)[2.46 L, range: (2.12-3.08)L vs.1.95 L, range: (1.43-2.58)L], and forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)/FVC%[84.18%, range: (75.59-88.83)% vs.80.94%, range: (69.07-83.08)%], with significant differences from patients in the IPF group( Z=2.032, 2.248, 2.357, 2.421, 3.102, P=0.042, 0.025, 0.018, 0.015, 0.002). Positive correlations of DLCO were found with residual volume of the predicted(RV%pred), vital capacity of the predicted(VC%pred), alveolar ventilation of the predicted(VA%pred), total lung capacity of the predicted(TLC%pred), forced vital capacity of the predicted(FVC%pred), and percentage of forced expiratory volume in first second as predicted(FEV1%pred)in the IPF group( r=0.422, 0.370, 0.473, 0.520, 0.356, 0.267, P=0.000, 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.003, 0.029), but not in the CPFE group.According to multivariate Logistic regression analysis, smoking( OR=5.421, 95% CI: 1.458-20.154, P=0.012)and allergies( OR=7.458, 95% CI: 1.795-30.979, P=0.006)were independent predictors of CPFE. Conclusions:The eosinophil count and lung volume in elderly CPFE patients are higher than those in IPF patients, and the significant feature is the decrease of DLCO, which is not correlated with changes in lung ventilation parameters and lung volume.Smoking and allergies are risk factors for CPFE in the elderly.

Because of the low throughput of current first-generation sequencing and the shortread length of second-generation sequencing, a new technology that overcomes the above shortcomings has emerged. The third-generation sequencing based on nanopore does not rely on the chain reaction of DNA polymerases and distinguishes bases by identifying electrical signals. It has broad application prospects and also faces more challenges. At present, it has many applications in detection of infectious pathogens, infectious disease prevention and control, genetic variation, and tumor diagnosis.

Objective:To study the value of ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)in combination with a low-dose CT scan(SPECT/CT)in diagnosing pulmonary embolism(PE)in elderly patients.Methods:In this retrospective study, data were collected from 279 patients with suspected PE and undergone SPECT/CT between January 2015 and December 2019 at Beijing Hospital, with 163 aged ≥65(the elderly group)and 116 aged <65(the control group). Based on diagnosis confirmed during follow-up as the final diagnosis, the diagnostic efficacy of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT in the two age groups was examined.The diagnostic efficacy of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT and age-adjusted D-dimer in the elderly group was also compared.The diagnostic efficacy of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT and CT pulmonary angiography(CTPA)was compared in 43 elderly patients who had undergone both ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT and CTPA.Results:The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT in the elderly group were 96.10%(74/77), 91.86%(79/86)and 93.87%(153/163)in the elderly group and 96.43%(27/28), 94.31%(83/88)and 94.83%(110/116)in the control group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups( χ2=0.000, 0.409, 0.116, P=1.000, 0.522, 0.733). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of age-adjusted D-dimer were 84.42%(65/77), 63.95%(55/86)and 73.62%(120/163), and were significantly different from those of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT(all P<0.05). Among 43 elderly patients undergone ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT and CTPA, 1 was excluded because the diagnosis based on CTPA was uncertain.The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT were 96.55%(28/29), 92.31%(12/13)and 95.24%(40/42)and those of CTPA were 65.52%(19/29), 92.31%(12/13)and 73.81%(31/42). They had the same specificity, but there were significant differences in sensitivity and accuracy( P=0.012, 0.022). Conclusions:Ventilation/perfusion SPECT/CT has higher accuracy in the diagnosis of PE in elderly patients, compared with CTPA and age-adjusted D-dimer.

Objective:To establish the method for detecting lower respiratory infections (LRIs) bacterialpathogens using nanopore sequencing, and evaluate the feasibility of this method.Methods:Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 33 patients with LRIs who visited the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Beijing Hospital from July 2019 to September 2020 were collected.Nanopore 16S amplicon sequencing were performed on these samples. In order to evaluate the clinical value of the nanopore sequencing, χ 2 test was used to analyze the pathogen differences between the detection rate and pathogen types results found with using the nanopore 16S sequencing and the results found with bacterial culture. Results:The process and method of nanopore sequencing used in the detection of the LRIs pathogens were established. The pathogen detection rate of the 16S sequencing was higher than that of the traditional bacterial culture (75.8% [25/33], 45.5% [15/33], χ2=5.140, P<0.05). From the 25 positive samples found with nanopore 16S sequencing, 16 pathogens were detected, including Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Acinetobacter junii, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus gallinarum, Corynebacterium striatum, Mycobacterium paraintracellulare, Serratia marcescens, Achromobacter insuavis, Citrobacter murliniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. More than 6 pathogens were tested in clinical culture, including Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptomonas maltophilia (χ2=7.949, P<0.05). 16S sequencing aligned to species level sequences accounted for 80.0 (60.0, 86.0)% of the genus level. The results obtained by using16S sequencing and bacterial culture were consistent in 11 (33.3%) samples. Conclusions:Nanopore 16S amplicon sequencing can quickly identify pathogenic bacteria from BALF in LRIs patients. Nanopore 16S amplicon sequencing has a high detection rate, it can detect more pathogens than traditional bacterial culture, and it can also identify most bacteria to the species level. This technology is a very promising platform with broad application prospects.

Objective:To investigate the changes in clinical signs and laboratory testing results and their risk-tiring diagnostic effectiveness in elderly patients with pulmonary embolization (PE) with different risk levels.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly hospitalized PE patients in Beijing Hospital and other coordinated hospital from 2012 to 2020.Differences in 43 clinical signs and detection indicators between patients with four different risk levels were compared.The univariate and multivariate regression models were used to analyze differences between high-risk and non-high-risk PE and between intermediate-risk and low-risk PE with ROC analysis.Results:In the multi-group comparison, there are 33 clinical tests having significant differences between four risk groups, 29 clinical tests having significant differences between three risk groups(high, intermediate and low groups), and 21 clinical tests having significant differences between two groups(high and non-high groups). In the ROC analysis of risk stratification in high-risk and non-high-risk groups, it was found that the range of area under the curves(AUC)of 14 significantly changed clinical tests were 0.611 to 0.802 in the univariate regression analysis.The AUC of the model of systolic blood pressure(SBP)combined with white blood cell count(WBC)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)was 0.8593(95% CI: 0.795-0.924)in the multivariate regression analysis.While in the ROC analysis between intermediate-risk and low-risk, the range of AUC of 12 significantly changed clinical tests were 0.592 to 0.835 in the univariate regression analysis.The B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)can assist the risk stratification in intermediate-risk and low-risk PE groups.No efficient combined diagnosis model was found. Conclusions:The basic vital signs and multiple clinical laboratory tests were significantly different among four risk levels of elderly PE patients, such as blood gas analysis, coagulative function, liver and kidney function and myocardial markers.The combination of SBP, WBC, and AST can effectively assist the risk stratification in high-risk and non-high-risk PE groups.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of elderly patients with malignant tumors complicated with venous thromboembolism(VTE).Methods:The clinical data of 280 patients with malignant tumors and VTE hospitalized in Beijing Hospital from January 2003 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical features and prognosis were analyzed and compared between the elderly and non-elderly groups.Results:Of the 280 patients with VTE, 167(59.6%)were elderly and 113(40.4%)were non-elderly, with an average age of(75.2±6.1)years and(53.9±8.2)years, respectively.Patients in the elderly group were associated with higher incidences of hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiac insufficiency and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower rate of liver disease, higher proportions of urinary system tumors, braking for more than 3 d, trauma history and surgery history(>3 months), lower proportions of chemotherapy history and surgery history(<1 month), increased occurrences of fever and lower extremity edema( χ2=6.043, P=0.014; χ2=3.862, P=0.049), a higher score of pulmonary embolism severity index( t=3.339, P=0.001), a lower platelet level in the elderly group( Z=-2.383, P=0.017), and a higher D-dimer level( Z=-3.150, P=0.002)compared with those in the non-elderly group(all P<0.05). Up to the follow-up time, 89 elderly patients in the elderly group died, with an average survival time of (29.3±2.8)months.However, 41 patients died in the non-elderly group with an average survival time of (49.7±4.1)months.The proportion of death in the elderly group(89/167, 53.3%)was higher than that in the non-elderly group(41/113, 36.3%)( χ2=8.394, P=0.004). Log-rank test showed that the difference in survival time between the two groups was statistically significant( χ2=8.878, P=0.003). The binary Logistic regression analysis showed that elderly men(≥65 years)( OR=3.263, 95% CI: 1.600~6.654)and urinary system tumors( OR=4.875, 95% CI: 1.526~15.571)were predictive factors of death in the elderly with malignant tumor and VTE. Conclusions:Patients with malignant tumors and VTE are more common in elderly patients.Elder patients have more comorbidities, greater disease severity and a higher rate of mortality.And male and urinary system tumors are predictors of death in elderly patients.

Objective To investigate clinical features and prognosis of patients with cancerrelated isolated distal deep vein thrombosis(IDDVT).Methods Data of 64 patients with malignant tumor complicated with IDDVT at our hospital from January 2003 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed for the clinical features and prognosis.Results Among the 64 patients,32 male and 32 female cases were involved,aged 37 to 87 years,average(66.0 ± 12.6) years.There were 42 cases aged 65 years and older and 22 cases aged under 65 years.The IDDVT involved veins of lower extremity in 64 patients,unilaterally (47/64)or bilaterally (17/64).The intermuscular veins were involved by IDDVT in 46 cases(71.9％).Posterior tibial veins were involved in 17 cases(26.6％),peroneal veins were involved in 14 cases(21.9％),anterior tibial veins were involved in 2 cases (3.1 ％).Common symptoms were swollen lower extremity and pain (53.1％).Bleeding occurred in 2 (3.6 ％) of the 55 patients(55/64,85.9 ％) who underwent anticoagulant therapy,and no major bleeding occurred.The cumulative incidence of IDDVT at 3,6,and 12 months after tumor diagnosis was 64.0％ (41/64 cases),75.0 ％ (48/64 cases) and 85.9 ％ (55/64 cases),respectively.The cumulative incidences of IDDVT at 3 and 6 months were higher after diagnosis of lung cancer than after diagnosis of digestive tract tumors(P =0.005 and 0.035).By the end of follow-up(a median follow-up of 13.0 months),30 patients(46.9 ％)died.The mortality rate was lower in the non-elderly group than in the elderly group (22.7％ vs.59.5％,x2 =7.850,P=0.005).The mortality rate was lower in patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅲa than in patients with stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ(24.0％ vs.68.8％,x2=11.246,P=0.001).The mortality rate was lower in patients with gynecologic tumors(10.0％) than in patients with lung cancer(55.6％),digestive tract tumors (40.0％) and hematologic tumors (71.4％) (P =0.041,0.037 and 0.035,respectively).TNM Ⅲ b-Ⅳ (OR =8.42,95 ％ CI:1.93-30.00,P =0.004) and age ≥ 65 years (OR =6.28,95％CI:1.50-27.76,P=0.012)were independent risk factors for death.Conclusions Cancerassociated IDDVT most commonly involves the intermuscular veins.The incidence of hemorrhage after anticoagulant therapy is low.For patients without anticoagulation contraindications,active anticoagulant therapy should be recommended.The advanced cancer and old age are independent risk factors for cancer-related IDDVT death.

Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of aspirin in prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to LMWH,warfarin,rivaroxaban and placebo.Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and cohort studies comparing aspirin to LMWH,warfarin,rivaroxaban and placebo for prevention of VTE were retrieved from PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Scopus,Ovid,CINAHL and Wanfang Data.Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.3 software after data extraction and quality evaluation.Results Totally 40 studies were included.There were no significant differences in overall rate of VTE(RR=1.08,95％CI:0.97-1.20,P=0.15),major bleeding incidence(RR=0.97,95％CI:0.81-1.16,P=0.73) and death (RR=0.86,95％CI:0.71-1.03,P=0.10)between aspirin and LMWH groups.Aspirin was associated with a lower risk of VTE(RR=0.49,95％CI:0.43-0.57,P＜0.05),major bleeding(RR=0.62,95％CI:0.46-0.84,P＜0.01)and death(RR=0.32,95％CI:0.15-0.64,P＜0.01)compared with warfarin.Rivaroxaban was associated with a significantly lower risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) (RR=2.55,95％CI:1.41-4.62,P＜0.01),while no significant differences in pulmonary embolism (PE)(RR=1.86,95％CI:0.69-5.04,P=0.22),major bleeding(RR=0.90,95％CI:0.44-1.87,P=0.79)and death(RR=1.50,95％CI:0.60-3.74,P=0.39)compared with aspirin.Compared to placebo group aspirin significantly reduced the risk for VTE(RR=0.81,95％CI:0.72-0.90,P＜0.01),increased the frequency of major bleeding(RR=1.17,95％CI:1.06-1.30,P＜0.01),while there was no significant difference in death between aspirin and placebo (RR=0.97,95％CI:0.89-1.04,P=0.38).Conclusion Aspirin is not inferior to LMWH,warfarin,and rivaroxaban in safety and efficiency for preventing VTE,and can be used for VTE prevention for patients after total joint arthroplasty.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the pulmonary perfusion tomography combined with low dose CT scan (Q SPECT/ CT) in detecting acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by compa-ring with pulmonary ventilation/ perfusion (V/ Q) SPECT imaging. Methods A total of 203 patients sus-pected with acute PE (88 males, 115 females, age range 19-94 years) from January 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent V/ Q SPECT and low dose CT scan. Final clinical diagnosis was regarded as the gold standard. The diagnostic consistency and diagnostic efficacy of Q SPECT/ CT were compared with those of V/ Q SPECT. χ2 test was used to compare the differences be-tween the two methods. Kappa analysis was used to analyze the agreement of them. Results The coinci-dence rate of Q SPECT/ CT and V/ Q SPECT was 94.09％(191/ 203), Kappa= 0.882, P<0.001. Among the 12 cases with inconsistent diagnosis, 9 were finally diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Q SPECT / CT in the diagnosis of PE were 95. 12％(78/ 82), 80.99％(98/ 121), 77.23％(78/ 101), 96.08％(98/ 102), 86. 70％ ( 176/ 203). The counterpart parameters of V/ Q SPECT were 95. 12％ ( 78/ 82), 90. 91％(110/ 121), 87.64％ (78/ 89), 96.49％ (110/ 114), 92.61％ (188/ 203). Compared with V/ Q SPECT, Q SPECT/ CT had the same sensitivity but lower specificity (χ2 = 4.928, P = 0.026). The positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Q SPECT/ CT were lower than those of V/ Q SPECT, but there was no significant difference (χ2 values: 3.491, 0.000, 3.824, all P>0.05). Conclusion In the majority of patients with suspected acute PE, V/ Q SPECT scan can be replaced by Q SPECT/ CT, but it must be careful to select Q SPECT/ CT for patients with COPD history.