1.High-Throughput Sequencing Technology for Detection of Gene Mutations in Myeloid Malignancies and Its Clinical Prognostic Significance.
Min OUYANG ; Bin JIANG ; Mei-Xiang ZHANG ; Wen-Qing HU ; Lin SHI ; Jian-Xin LIU ; Ya-Yun ZHANG ; Chun-Jian WANG ; Fang WANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Han-Yun REN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2023;31(4):992-998
OBJECTIVE:
To detect the gene mutations in patients with myeloid malignancies by high-throughput sequencing and explore the correlation between gene mutations and prognosis.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 56 patients with myeloid malignancies who were hospitalized in the department of hematology, Peking University International Hospital from January 2020 to May 2021. The genetic mutations of the patients were detected by next-generation sequencing technology, and the correlation between the genetic mutations and prognosis of myeloid malignancies was analyzed.
RESULTS:
In 56 patients, the number of mutated genes detected in a single patient is 0-9, with a median of 3. Sequencing results showed that the most common mutated genes were RUNX1(21.4%), TET2(17.9%), DNMT3A(17.9%), TP53(14.3%) and ASXL1(14.3%), among which the most common mutations occurred in the signaling pathway-related genes (23.3%) and the transcription factor genes (18.3%). 84% of the patients carried multiple mutated genes (≥2), and correlation analysis showed there were obvious co-occurring mutations between WT1 and FLT3, NPM1 and FLT3-ITD, and MYC and FLT3. TP53 mutation was more common in MDS patients.The overall survival time of patients with NRAS mutation was significantly shortened (P =0.049). The prognosis of patients with TP53 mutation was poor compared with those without TP53 mutation, but the difference wasn't statistically significant (P =0.08).
CONCLUSION
The application of next-generation sequencing technology is of great significance in myeloid malignancies, which is helpful to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease, to judge the prognosis and to find possible therapeutic targets.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics*
;
Nucleophosmin
;
Prognosis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
;
Myeloproliferative Disorders
;
Mutation
2.Transanal drainage tube for prevention of anastomotic leak after anterior resection for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis.
Cheng Ren ZHANG ; Shi Yun XU ; Yao Chun LV ; Bin Bin DU ; De Wang WU ; Jing Jing LI ; Cheng Zhang ZHU ; Xiong Fei YANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2023;26(7):689-696
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of transanal drainage tube (TDT) in reducing the incidence of anastomotic leak following anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies published from inception to October 2022 across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The primary outcomes included total incidence of anastomotic leak, grade B and C anastomotic leak rates, reoperation rate, anastomotic bleeding rate, and overall complication rate. Results: Three randomized controlled trials involving 1115 patients (559 patients in the TDT group and 556 in the non-TDT group) were included. Meta-analysis showed that the total incidences of anastomotic leak and of grade B anastomotic leak were 5.5% (31/559) and 4.5% (25/559), respectively, in the TDT group and 7.9% (44/556) and 3.8% (21/556), respectively, in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.120, P=0.560, respectively). Compared with the non-TDT group, the TDT group had a lower incidence of grade C anastomotic leak (1.6% [7/559] vs. 4.5% [25/556]) and reoperation rate (0.9% [5/559] vs. 4.3% [24/556]), but a higher incidence of anastomotic bleeding (8.2% [23/279] vs. 3.6% [10/276]). These differences were statistically significant (P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.030, respectively). The overall complication rate was 26.5%(74/279) in the TDT group and 27.2% (75/276) in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.860). Conclusions: TDT did not significantly reduce the total incidence of anastomotic leak but may have potential clinical benefits in preventing grade C anastomotic leak. Notably, placement of TDT may increase the anastomotic bleeding rate.
Humans
;
Anastomotic Leak/etiology*
;
Rectal Neoplasms/complications*
;
Drainage
;
Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects*
;
Reoperation/adverse effects*
;
Hemorrhage
;
Retrospective Studies
3.Analysis of risk factors of mortality in infants and toddlers with moderate to severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Bo Liang FANG ; Feng XU ; Guo Ping LU ; Xiao Xu REN ; Yu Cai ZHANG ; You Peng JIN ; Ying WANG ; Chun Feng LIU ; Yi Bing CHENG ; Qiao Zhi YANG ; Shu Fang XIAO ; Yi Yu YANG ; Xi Min HUO ; Zhi Xian LEI ; Hong Xing DANG ; Shuang LIU ; Zhi Yuan WU ; Ke Chun LI ; Su Yun QIAN ; Jian Sheng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2023;61(3):216-221
Objective: To identify the risk factors in mortality of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: Second analysis of the data collected in the "efficacy of pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the treatment of children with moderate to severe PARDS" program. Retrospective case summary of the risk factors of mortality of children with moderate to severe PARDS who admitted in 14 participating tertiary PICU between December 2016 to December 2021. Differences in general condition, underlying diseases, oxygenation index, and mechanical ventilation were compared after the group was divided by survival at PICU discharge. When comparing between groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for measurement data, and the chi-square test was used for counting data. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the accuracy of oxygen index (OI) in predicting mortality. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for mortality. Results: Among 101 children with moderate to severe PARDS, 63 (62.4%) were males, 38 (37.6%) were females, aged (12±8) months. There were 23 cases in the non-survival group and 78 cases in the survival group. The combined rates of underlying diseases (52.2% (12/23) vs. 29.5% (23/78), χ2=4.04, P=0.045) and immune deficiency (30.4% (7/23) vs. 11.5% (9/78), χ2=4.76, P=0.029) in non-survival patients were significantly higher than those in survival patients, while the use of pulmonary surfactant (PS) was significantly lower (8.7% (2/23) vs. 41.0% (32/78), χ2=8.31, P=0.004). No significant differences existed in age, sex, pediatric critical illness score, etiology of PARDS, mechanical ventilation mode and fluid balance within 72 h (all P>0.05). OI on the first day (11.9(8.3, 17.1) vs.15.5(11.7, 23.0)), the second day (10.1(7.6, 16.6) vs.14.8(9.3, 26.2)) and the third day (9.2(6.6, 16.6) vs. 16.7(11.2, 31.4)) after PARDS identified were all higher in non-survival group compared to survival group (Z=-2.70, -2.52, -3.79 respectively, all P<0.05), and the improvement of OI in non-survival group was worse (0.03(-0.32, 0.31) vs. 0.32(-0.02, 0.56), Z=-2.49, P=0.013). ROC curve analysis showed that the OI on the thind day was more appropriate in predicting in-hospital mortality (area under the curve= 0.76, standard error 0.05,95%CI 0.65-0.87,P<0.001). When OI was set at 11.1, the sensitivity was 78.3% (95%CI 58.1%-90.3%), and the specificity was 60.3% (95%CI 49.2%-70.4%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, sex, pediatric critical illness score and fluid load within 72 h, no use of PS (OR=11.26, 95%CI 2.19-57.95, P=0.004), OI value on the third day (OR=7.93, 95%CI 1.51-41.69, P=0.014), and companied with immunodeficiency (OR=4.72, 95%CI 1.17-19.02, P=0.029) were independent risk factors for mortality in children with PARDS. Conclusions: The mortality of patients with moderate to severe PARDS is high, and immunodeficiency, no use of PS and OI on the third day after PARDS identified are the independent risk factors related to mortality. The OI on the third day after PARDS identified could be used to predict mortality.
Female
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Child, Preschool
;
Infant
;
Child
;
Critical Illness
;
Pulmonary Surfactants/therapeutic use*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
Respiratory Distress Syndrome/therapy*
4.Proteomic Analysis Revealed the Involvement of Autophagy in Rat Acute Lung Injuries Caused by Gas Explosion Based on a Data-Independent Acquisition Strategy.
Shan HONG ; Chun Jie DING ; Qiang ZHOU ; Yun Zhe SUN ; Miao ZHANG ; Ning LI ; Xin Wen DONG ; Yi GUAN ; Lin ZHANG ; Lin Qiang TIAN ; Jia CAO ; Wu YAO ; Wen Jie REN ; San Qiao YAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2023;36(2):206-212
Animals
;
Rats
;
Explosions
;
Proteomics
;
Autophagy
5.Association of Overlapped and Un-overlapped Comorbidities with COVID-19 Severity and Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Nine Provinces in China.
Yan MA ; Dong Shan ZHU ; Ren Bo CHEN ; Nan Nan SHI ; Si Hong LIU ; Yi Pin FAN ; Gui Hui WU ; Pu Ye YANG ; Jiang Feng BAI ; Hong CHEN ; Li Ying CHEN ; Qiao FENG ; Tuan Mao GUO ; Yong HOU ; Gui Fen HU ; Xiao Mei HU ; Yun Hong HU ; Jin HUANG ; Qiu Hua HUANG ; Shao Zhen HUANG ; Liang JI ; Hai Hao JIN ; Xiao LEI ; Chun Yan LI ; Min Qing LI ; Qun Tang LI ; Xian Yong LI ; Hong De LIU ; Jin Ping LIU ; Zhang LIU ; Yu Ting MA ; Ya MAO ; Liu Fen MO ; Hui NA ; Jing Wei WANG ; Fang Li SONG ; Sheng SUN ; Dong Ting WANG ; Ming Xuan WANG ; Xiao Yan WANG ; Yin Zhen WANG ; Yu Dong WANG ; Wei WU ; Lan Ping WU ; Yan Hua XIAO ; Hai Jun XIE ; Hong Ming XU ; Shou Fang XU ; Rui Xia XUE ; Chun YANG ; Kai Jun YANG ; Sheng Li YUAN ; Gong Qi ZHANG ; Jin Bo ZHANG ; Lin Song ZHANG ; Shu Sen ZHAO ; Wan Ying ZHAO ; Kai ZHENG ; Ying Chun ZHOU ; Jun Teng ZHU ; Tian Qing ZHU ; Hua Min ZHANG ; Yan Ping WANG ; Yong Yan WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2020;33(12):893-905
Objective:
Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear.
Methods:
A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (
Results:
Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks.
Conclusion
Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult
;
Aged
;
COVID-19/virology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Comorbidity
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Severity of Illness Index
;
Treatment Outcome
6.A multicenter survey of antibiotic use in very and extremely low birth weight infants in Hunan Province.
Ming-Jie WANG ; Shao-Jie YUE ; Jin LIN ; Xi-Rong GAO ; Xiao-Ming PENG ; Meng-Yu CHEN ; Hua-Bao PENG ; Bei CAO ; Yun-Qing ZENG ; Shu-Lian WANG ; Bo WEN ; Xi-Lin HUANG ; Xiao-Ping LI ; Ai-Zhen ZHANG ; Ting CAO ; Yi-Hua CHEN ; Tie-Qiang CHEN ; Chun-Hua YE ; Tao BO ; De-Lin JIANG ; Xiu-Qun HUANG ; Na-Fang REN ; Long-Zhang TAO ; Fang YAO ; Chang-Jun TIAN ; Hong-Ming LI ; Ai-Min ZHANG ; Fu-Rong HUANG ; Wei-Guo ZHANG ; Xiang-Hong CHEN ; Yu-Chan LIU ; Zheng-Lin LIU ; Yan-Shan XU ; Jing-Song MING ; Li CHEN ; Ning-Yi ZHU ; Jun-Min HE ; Sai-Jun YI ; Tuan-Mei WANG ; Zhao-Hui LI ; Gui-Tian WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2020;22(6):561-566
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the current status of antibiotic use for very and extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of Hunan Province.
METHODS:
The use of antibiotics was investigated in multiple level 3 NICUs of Hunan Province for VLBW and ELBW infants born between January, 2017 and December, 2017.
RESULTS:
The clinical data of 1 442 VLBW/ELBW infants were collected from 24 NICUs in 2017. The median antibiotic use duration was 17 days (range: 0-86 days), accounting for 53.0% of the total length of hospital stay. The highest duration of antibiotic use was up to 91.4% of the total length of hospital stay, with the lowest at 14.6%. In 16 out of 24 NICUs, the antibiotic use duration was accounted for more than 50.0% of the hospitalization days. There were 113 cases with positive bacterial culture grown in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, making the positive rate of overall bacterial culture as 7.84%. The positive rate of bacterial culture in different NICUs was significantly different from 0% to 14.9%. The common isolated bacterial pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae was 29 cases (25.7%); Escherichia coli 12 cases (10.6%); Staphylococcus aureus 3 cases (2.7%). The most commonly used antibiotics were third-generation of cephalosporins, accounting for 41.00% of the total antibiotics, followed by penicillins, accounting for 32.10%, and followed by carbapenems, accounting for 13.15%. The proportion of antibiotic use time was negatively correlated with birth weight Z-score and the change in weight Z-score between birth and hospital discharge (r=-0.095, -0.151 respectively, P<0.01), positively correlated with death/withdrawal of care (r=0.196, P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotics used for VLBW/ELBW infants in NICUs of Hunan Province are obviously prolonged in many NICUs. The proportion of routine use of third-generation of cephalosporins and carbapenems antibiotics is high among the NICUs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents
;
Birth Weight
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
7.Molecular identification of Tricula spp. and the parasitized trematode cercariae in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province
Chun-Hong DU ; Shan LÜ ; Yun ZHANG ; Shi-Zhu LI ; Meng-Tao XIONG ; Zhi-Hai HE ; Zhi-Hua LI ; Ming-Shou WU ; Jia-Yu SUN ; Yin-Ben REN ; Chun-Qiong CHEN ; Qiong GU ; Yun-Song WANG ; Yi DONG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2020;32(2):159-167
Objective To characterize a species of the genus Tricula and parasitized trematodes in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province using a molecular analysis, so as to understand their taxonomic positions. Methods Tricula spp. and Oncomelania snails were collected from Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, and cercaria parasitizing snails were observed using crushing followed by microscopy. Cercaria parasitizing Tricula snails at various morphologies were sampled using a shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from snail soft tissues and cercariae, and the 16S rRNA, COI, 28S rDNA genes in snails and the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes in cercariae were amplified using a PCR assay and sequenced. The species of Tricula snails and their parasitized trematodes was characterized using sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Results Among 382 Tricula snails detected, there were three types of trematode cercariae found, including the non-forked (20.94%, 80/382), double-forked (3.40%, 13/382) and swallow shapes (7.07%, 27/382). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the 16S rRNA, COI and 28S rDNA gene sequences of this species of Tricula had high homology to those in Delavaya dianchiensis, and were clustered in a branch. Sequencing analysis of the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes revealed that the non-forked cercariae belonged to the family Pleu- rogenidae, the swallow-shaped cercariae belonged to the family Opecoelidae, and the double-forked cercariae belonged to another species of the genus Schistosoma that was different from S. sinensium and S. ovuncatum. Conclusion The species and taxonomy of Triculla spp. and their parasitized trematodes are preliminarily determined in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province; however, further studies are required to investigate the more definite taxonomy and pathogenicity.
8. Quality Control of Zhenqi Fuzheng Granule Based on Multi-component Determination
Cheng-tao REN ; Lian-chao TIAN ; Yun LI ; Chun LI ; Hong YI ; Dong ZHANG ; Xia-xia FENG ; Wen-wen ZHANG ; Xiao-qian LIU ; Zhi-min WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2019;25(9):150-158
Objective: To estimate the overall quality characteristics of Zhenqi Fuzheng granules (ZQFZ),which were composed of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Astragali Radix and collected from different manufacturers (their final preparations included two types,contained sugar and sugar free) by established HPLC methods,in order to propose an appropriate quality-control strategy for promoting the quality control specification of ZQFZ.Method: The quantification of the 6 components (rhodioloside,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,specnuezhenide,ononin,calycosin and astragaloside IV) were performed on a C18 column with two chromatographic systems.Chromatographic system Ⅰ:methanol and water were adopted as mobile phase with gradient elution,the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1,and optimum detection waves were at 224,250 and 275 nm respectively.Chromatographic system Ⅱ:methanol and water (80:20) were adopted as mobile phase with gradient elution at the flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1,and the detector parameters were set as follows:the drift tube temperature was 75℃,and the carrier gas flow rate was 1.5 L·min-1.Both column temperatures were at 30℃.All of the 80 batches of ZQFZ from different manufacturers were determined and analyzed.Result: All of the six markers could be detected in 80 batches of ZQFZ,but their contents were quite different.The results of the one-way ANOVA showed significant differences between manufacturer 4 and other three manufacturers in sugar-containing preparations (P <0.05).And for sugar-free preparations,manufacturer 3 was significant different from other manufacturers (P<0.05).The differences were concentrated in components of rhodioloside and specnuezhenide derived from crude maternal of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus.Conclusion: It is of great significance to increase relevant quality control markers of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in ZQFZ,such as rhodioloside and specnuezhenide,for standardizing production and improving quality level.
9.The usage of comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a multicenter, prospective study.
Qi WU ; Rong FU ; Ming Feng ZHAO ; Yi Gai MA ; Hao JIANG ; Liang ding HU ; Yu JING ; Hui LIU ; Li Ru WANG ; Li SU ; Yong Qing ZHANG ; Chun Lin ZHOU ; Yan ZHANG ; Han Yun REN ; Bin JIANG ; He Bing ZHOU ; Lin KANG ; Lu ZHANG ; Dao Bin ZHOU ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2019;40(1):35-39
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and potential value of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in elderly (≥60 years) patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in China. Methods: The CGA results of 83 newly diagnosed AML (non-APL) patients from 16 hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin between March 2016 and December 2017 were prospectively collected and analyzed. The clinical data, treatment and follow-up information were also collected. Results: Of 83 newly diagnosed elderly AML patients, 81 patients (97.6%) completed all designated CGA assessment. The median number of impaired scales of the CGA assessment in the studied population was 2(0-6). Sixteen patients (19.3%) showed no impairments according to the geriatric assessment scales implem ented by this study. The distributions of impaired scales were as follows: impairment in ADL, 55.4%; IADL impairment, 42.2%; MNA-SF impairment, 48.2%; cognitive impairment, 15.7%; GDS impairment, 31.7%; HCT-CI impairment, 19.5%, respectively. In patients with "good" ECOG (n=46), the proportion of impairment for each CGA scale ranged from 6.5% to 37.0% and 32 patients (68.9%) had at least one impaired CGA scale. Survival analysis showed that the number of impaired scales of the CGA was significantly correlated with median overall survival (P=0.050). Conclusions: CGA was a tool with feasibility for the comprehensive evaluation in elderly AML patients in China. Combined with age and ECOG, CGA may be more comprehensive in assessing patients' physical condition.
Activities of Daily Living
;
Aged
;
China
;
Geriatric Assessment
;
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
;
Prospective Studies
10.Comparative study on contents of four alkaloids in homologous herbal medicines--Arecae Pericarpium and Arecae Semen.
Lian-Chao TIAN ; Shao-Rong QIN ; Hong YI ; Chun LI ; Hui-Wen MA ; Cheng-Tao REN ; Yun LI ; Xiao-Qian LIU ; Zhi-Min WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2018;43(14):2850-2856
To establish a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of four alkaloids(arecoline, guvacoline, arecaidine, and guvacine) in Arecae Pericarpium (AP) and Arecae Semen (AS), and compare the contents of these four alkaloids between different medicinal parts. The chromatographic conditions were as follows:Welch SCX(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm)column, with acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid solution (adjusted to pH 3.85-3.90 with ammonium hydroxide) at 50:50 as the mobile phase, at a flow rate of 0.5 mL·min⁻¹. The column temperature was set at 35 °C, and the detection wavelength was 215 nm. The results of content determination in 7 batches of AS and 10 batches of AP showed that, the contents of 4 alkaloids in AS (arecaidine 0.020%-0.045%, guvacine 0.031%-0.086%, arecoline 0.194%-0.346%, and guvacoline 0.065%-0.094%) were generally higher than those in AP (arecaidine 0.10%-0.032%, guvacine 0.006%-0.029% arecoline 0.00%-0.070%, and guvacoline 0.00%-0.020%), and most of the APs had no arecoline and arecaidine at all in fruit peel. The above results indicated that different alkaloids can be used to distinguish the different medicinal parts of Arera catechu. Arecoline, guvacoline, arecaidine, and guvacine can be used as the quality control markers of AS, while for AP, only arecaidine and guvacine were needed.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail