Background::Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a fatal cardiovascular disease, yet missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis often occur due to non-specific symptoms and signs. A simple, objective technique will help clinicians make a quick and precise diagnosis. In population studies, machine learning (ML) plays a critical role in characterizing cardiovascular risks, predicting outcomes, and identifying biomarkers. This work sought to develop an ML model for helping APE diagnosis and compare it against current clinical probability assessment models.Methods::This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients with suspected APE were continuously enrolled and randomly divided into two groups including training and testing sets. A total of 8 ML models, including random forest (RF), Na?ve Bayes, decision tree, K-nearest neighbors, logistic regression, multi-layer perceptron, support vector machine, and gradient boosting decision tree were developed based on the training set to diagnose APE. Thereafter, the model with the best diagnostic performance was selected and evaluated against the current clinical assessment strategies, including the Wells score, revised Geneva score, and Years algorithm. Eventually, the ML model was internally validated to assess the diagnostic performance using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results::The ML models were constructed using eight clinical features, including D-dimer, cardiac troponin T (cTNT), arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, chest pain, lower limb pain, hemoptysis, and chronic heart failure. Among eight ML models, the RF model achieved the best performance with the highest area under the curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.774). Compared to the current clinical assessment strategies, the RF model outperformed the Wells score ( P = 0.030) and was not inferior to any other clinical probability assessment strategy. The AUC of the RF model for diagnosing APE onset in internal validation set was 0.726. Conclusions::Based on RF algorithm, a novel prediction model was finally constructed for APE diagnosis. When compared to the current clinical assessment strategies, the RF model achieved better diagnostic efficacy and accuracy. Therefore, the ML algorithm can be a useful tool in assisting with the diagnosis of APE.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

For wild natural medicine, unanticipated biodiversity as species or varieties with similar morphological characteristics and sympatric distribution may co-exist in a single batch of medical materials, which affects the efficacy and safety of clinical medication. DNA barcoding as an effective species identification tool is limited by its low sample throughput nature. In this study, combining DNA mini-barcode, DNA metabarcoding and species delimitation method, a novel biological sources consistency evaluation strategy was proposed, and high level of interspecific and intraspecific variations were observed and validated among 5376 Amynthas samples from 19 sampling points regarded as "Guang Dilong" and 25 batches of proprietary Chinese medicines. Besides Amynthas aspergillum as the authentic source, 8 other Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were elucidated. Significantly, even the subgroups within A. aspergillum revealed here differ significantly on chemical compositions and biological activity. Fortunately, this biodiversity could be controlled when the collection was limited to designated areas, as proved by 2796 "decoction pieces" samples. This batch biological identification method should be introduced as a novel concept regarding natural medicine quality control, and to offer guidelines for in-situ conservation and breeding bases construction of wild natural medicine.

Humans ; Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control* ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Patients ; Hospitalization ; Risk Factors

Objective:To clarify the infection and epidemic characteristics of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Chinese patients with febrile respiratory syndrome (FRS), and to provide important baseline data for clinical diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of HMPV-induced respiratory tract diseases in China.Methods:FRS cases from January 2009 to June 2021 in 9 provinces in China, including Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, Shandong, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Anhui, Guangdong, Hunan were retrospectively analyzed for their respiratory samples, clinical and epidemic data.The respiratory samples were detected for HMPV by quantitative real-time PCR.Results:A total of 11 660 cases were tested for HMPV, involving 296 (2.54%) HMPV-positive cases.Among 296 HMPV-positive cases, 218 were single HMPV infection, and 78/296 (26.35%) were co-infected with one or more respiratory viruses.HMPV mainly affected children under 5 years of age (3.10%), and in this population, the proportion of pneumonia in HMPV co-infection cases was significantly higher than that of single HMPV infection.HMPV could be detected all year round, which was more popular in winter and spring, with the peak of HMPV epidemic in March.Conclusions:HMPV is one of the important pathogens causing acute respiratory infection in children, showing a clear seasonal epidemic.HMPV can be infected alone or in combination with other respiratory viruses, which may increase the risk of pneumonia in children.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation with Sufuning (SFN) lotion for prevention of postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer. Methods A total of 240 bladder cancer patients who were diagnosed as bladder cancer and accepted trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor from January 2010 to June 2016 in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital were randomly divided into the experimental group (120 cases) and the control group (120 cases) according to the envelope method. The patients in the experimental group were treated with SFN lotion for immediate intravesical instillation(250 mg for once), and the patients in the control group were treated with pirarubicin (THP) for immediate intravesical instillation (30 mg for once). The patients of two groups were treated with intravesical chemotherapy once a week for 8 times, and the chemotherapy was performed once a month for 1 year. The recurrence rate, progression-free survival (PFS) rate, overall survival (OS) rate and recent side effects were compared between the two groups. Results The patients were followed up for 6 to 60 months. The median follow-up time was 36.5 months.In the experimental group,6 patients were lost and 8 patients were lost in the control group.The experimental group, the total recurrence rate was 26.3 % (30/114). The control group, the overall recurrence rate was 25.0 % (28/112) (χ2= 0.142, P = 0.781). Five years of PFS rate in the experimental group and the control group was 73.7 % (84/114) and 75.0 % (84/112) respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ2= 2.011, P= 0.615). Five years of OS rate in the experimental group and the control group was 95.6 % and 92.9 % respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ 2= 1.611, P= 0.425). The major side effects included chemical cystitis and hematuria. The incidence of chemical cystitis and hematuria in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(χ2=5.991,P=0.018;χ2=4.925,P=0.036).There was a statistically significant difference of the hematological side effects (blood routine changes) between the two groups (χ 2= 4.891, P= 0.032). Conclusion It is safe and effective for intravesical instillation of SFN lotion to prevent the recurrence of bladder cancer.

Objective To investigate in vitro combined effect of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG). Methods A total of 25 NG clinical isolates were collected from the STD clinic of Dalian Dermatosis Hospital in 2012. Epsilometer test(Etest)method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against NG isolates. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated to evaluate the in vitro combined effect of ceftriaxone and azithromycin against NG isolates. Results The mean MICs of ceftriaxone and azithromycin were 0.032 mg/L (range, 0.008- 0.064 mg/L) and 0.834 mg/L (range, 0.064-4.000 mg/L), respectively. The FICI ranged from 0.724 to 2.696, and ceftriaxone and azithromycin showed an additive effect against the above NG isolates. Conclusion Ceftriaxone and azithromycin show an additive effect against NG in vitro, but further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm their effects.

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of early oral feeding (EOF) and the traditional oral feeding (TOF) in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer using Meta-analysis.

METHODSThe databases of PubMed, SCI, Ovid, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trial (RCT) about EOF versus TOF in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The retrieval time span was from inception to June 1, 2016. The studies were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were extracted and the quality was evaluated by 2 reviewers independently. The Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software.

RESULTSA total of 14 studies with 1 807 patients (906 cases in EOF group and 901 cases in TOF group) were included. The time to first passage of flatus (MD=-16.11 h, 95%CI:-18.27 to -13.94 h, P=0.00), postoperative hospital stay (MD=-1.92 d, 95%CI:-2.83 to -1.01 d, P=0.00), hospitalization cost (ten thousand yuan) (MD=-0.58, 95%CI:-0.71 to -0.46, P=0.00) were less in EOF group compared to TOF group. EOF patients had lower total complication rate (OR=0.68, 95%CI:0.48 to 0.95, P=0.03), in which the pulmonary infection (OR=0.27, 95%CI:0.13 to 0.53, P=0.00), pharyngolaryngitis (OR=0.06, 95%CI:0.04 to 0.11, P=0.00) were lower than those in TOF group, while the tube reinsertion (OR=2.34, 95%CI:1.08 to 5.07, P=0.03) was higher. The incidence of anastomotic leakage, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and wound infection between two groups was not significantly different(all P>0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in IgM (P>0.05), while the IgA (MD=0.3, 95%CI:0.12 to 0.48, P=0.00), IgG (MD=2.13 ,95%CI:0.82 to 3.44, P=0.001), CD4+ (MD=3.80, 95%CI:2.55 to 5.04, P=0.00), CD4+/CD8+ (MD=0.22, 95%CI:0.04 to 0.41, P=0.02) in EOF group were higher than those in TOF group. Postoperative CRP decreased rapidly in EOF group (MD=-30.10, 95%CI:-48.07 to -12.13, P=0.00), and IL-6 was not significantly different (P>0.05). EOF patients had higher serum albumin level 5 days after operation (MD=3.27, 95%CI: 2.48 to 4.07, P=0.00).

CONCLUSIONSEOF can promote gas passage and defecation, reduce postoperative hospital stay and treatment costs. Also, it can decrease the incidence of complications and postoperative inflammation, and maintain immune function.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of 125I radioactive particle implantation combined with surgery and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).Methods The clinical data of 128 patients of locally advanced (T3,T4) UTUC treated with surgery with radioactive particle implantation plus postoperative GC chemotherapy (experimental group) and surgery plus postoperative GC chemotherapy (control group) were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients underwent complete resection of the tumor.The postoperative pathology was urinary tract epithelium cancer.In the experimental group,there were 45 (69.2％) males and 20 (30.8％) females,with median age 56.5 years.There were 39 (60.0％) patients diagnosed with renal pelvic cancer,including 13 (33.3 ％) patients with local lymph node metastasis;26 patients (40.0％) with ureteral cancer,11 patients (42.3％) with local lymph node metastasis.In the control group,there were 46 males (73.0％) and 17 females (27.0％),with median age 57.1 years.There were 40 (63.5％) patients with renal pelvic cancer,including 12 (30％) cases of local lymph node metastasis;23 patients with ureteral carcinoma (36.5％),including 10 patients (43.4％) with local lymph node metastasis.There was no significant difference in basehne data between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The recurrence and distant metastasis,recurrence-free survival,distant disease free survival(DDFS),disease-specific survival(DSS),overall survival (OS) and comphcations of two groups were compared.Results The follow-up time was 50.5 months (ranged 5 to 62 months).In experimental group,there were 2 cases,5 cases,11 cases,16 cases and 21 cases occurred recurrence and distant metastasis in 6 months,1 year,2 years,3 years and 5 years respectively,and the 5-year cumulative recurrence and distant rate was 32.3％ (21/65).In control group,there were 3 cases,5 cases,17 cases,21 cases and 32 cases,occurred recurrence and distant metastasis in 6 months,1 year,2year,3 year,5 year respectively,and the 5-year cumulative recurrence and distant rate was 50.8％(32/63).There was significant difference between the two groups (P =0.034).In the experimental group and the control group,the 5-year non-metastatic survival rates were 61.5％ (40/65)and 41.3％ (26/63),respectively.There was significant difference in 5-year non-metastatic survival rate between the two groups (P =0.033).The 5-year DSS rates were 69.2％ (45/65) and 50.8％ (32/63),respectively.The 5-year DSS rate of the two groups was significantly different (P =0.033).The 5-year OS rates were 53.8％ (35/65) and 36.5％ (23/63) respectively.There was significant difference in the 5-year OS rate between the two groups (P =0.049).Condusions Compared with surgery and chemotherapy,the use of 125I radioactive particle implantation combined with surgery and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced stage (T3-T4) UTUC could achieve the total survival benefit,and less adverse reactions.