Background::B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM.Methods::Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells.Results::In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow ( P = 0.0125), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak ( P = 0.0375), and higher percentages of CD8 + T cells ( P = 0.0340). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143 ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) ( P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143 ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [ P = 0.004], IRF4 [ P = 0.024], and CREBBP [ P = 0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation ( ERBB4, P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. Conclusion::Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy.

Purpose This study aims to analyze genetic mutations in patients with BCR ∷ABL negative myelopro-liferative neoplasms(MPN)and to explore their relationship with clinical features.Methods We retrospectively ana-lyzed the clinical data of 208 patients diagnosed with BCR ∷ABL negative MPN,which included 34 patients with poly-cythemia vera(PV),33 with essential thrombocytopenia(ET),and 141 with primary myelofibrosis(PMF).Mutations in driver genes were assessed in all patients.A total of 72 patients underwent next-generation sequencing(NGS)with 69-gene panel,and the relationship between gene mutations and clinical features were analyzed.Results Among the 208 MPN patients,at least one driver gene mutation(JAK2,CALR,MPL)was detected in 96.15％(200/208)of the patients.Only 0.48％(1/208)of the patients exhibited both JAK2 and CALR driver mutations.We analyzed the clinical data of 136 patients with only driver gene mutations to compare the relationship between the most common JAK2 mutations(identified in 110 patients)and clinical outcomes.The JAK2 mutation group demonstrated higher white blood cell(WBC)counts and lower platelet(PLT)counts compared to the group without JAK2 mutations.173 muta-tions in 40 genes were detected in 72 patients,per capita carried(2.40±1.40)mutations.TET2,ASXL1,and TP53 are the most prevalent non-driver gene mutations,with 44.4％(32/72)of patients exhibiting at least one mutation in these three genes.In comparison to patients without detected mutations in TET2,ASXL1,and TP53,those with muta-tions in these genes demonstrated lower hemoglobin(HGB)levels,a higher incidence of splenomegaly,and more se-vere bone marrow fibrosis.High-molecular risk category(HMR)mutations were detected in 22.22％(16/72)of the patients,and patients with HMR exhibited lower hemoglobin(HGB)levels,lower PLT counts,a higher likelihood of peripheral blood primitive cell percentage ≥ 1％,a greater incidence of splenomegaly,and more severe myelofibrosis.Mutations in the ASXL1 gene were exclusively observed in patients with PMF.Among the PMF patients with ASXL1 mutations(12 patients),there was a higher likelihood of having a peripheral blood primitive cell percentage of ≥1％,as well as a more severe degree of myelofibrosis.Conclusion Approximately 97％of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPN)exhibit positivity for driver genes,with a notably high mutation rate of the JAK2 gene.Each sub-group of MPN is characterized by distinct gene mutation patterns.Notably,ASXL1 mutations are exclusive to patients with primary myelofibrosis(PMF).Furthermore,PMF patients harboring ASXL1 mutations tend to demonstrate more pronounced bone marrow fibrosis and a greater proportion of blast cells in peripheral blood.

Purpose This study aims to analyze genetic mutations in patients with BCR ∷ABL negative myelopro-liferative neoplasms(MPN)and to explore their relationship with clinical features.Methods We retrospectively ana-lyzed the clinical data of 208 patients diagnosed with BCR ∷ABL negative MPN,which included 34 patients with poly-cythemia vera(PV),33 with essential thrombocytopenia(ET),and 141 with primary myelofibrosis(PMF).Mutations in driver genes were assessed in all patients.A total of 72 patients underwent next-generation sequencing(NGS)with 69-gene panel,and the relationship between gene mutations and clinical features were analyzed.Results Among the 208 MPN patients,at least one driver gene mutation(JAK2,CALR,MPL)was detected in 96.15％(200/208)of the patients.Only 0.48％(1/208)of the patients exhibited both JAK2 and CALR driver mutations.We analyzed the clinical data of 136 patients with only driver gene mutations to compare the relationship between the most common JAK2 mutations(identified in 110 patients)and clinical outcomes.The JAK2 mutation group demonstrated higher white blood cell(WBC)counts and lower platelet(PLT)counts compared to the group without JAK2 mutations.173 muta-tions in 40 genes were detected in 72 patients,per capita carried(2.40±1.40)mutations.TET2,ASXL1,and TP53 are the most prevalent non-driver gene mutations,with 44.4％(32/72)of patients exhibiting at least one mutation in these three genes.In comparison to patients without detected mutations in TET2,ASXL1,and TP53,those with muta-tions in these genes demonstrated lower hemoglobin(HGB)levels,a higher incidence of splenomegaly,and more se-vere bone marrow fibrosis.High-molecular risk category(HMR)mutations were detected in 22.22％(16/72)of the patients,and patients with HMR exhibited lower hemoglobin(HGB)levels,lower PLT counts,a higher likelihood of peripheral blood primitive cell percentage ≥ 1％,a greater incidence of splenomegaly,and more severe myelofibrosis.Mutations in the ASXL1 gene were exclusively observed in patients with PMF.Among the PMF patients with ASXL1 mutations(12 patients),there was a higher likelihood of having a peripheral blood primitive cell percentage of ≥1％,as well as a more severe degree of myelofibrosis.Conclusion Approximately 97％of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPN)exhibit positivity for driver genes,with a notably high mutation rate of the JAK2 gene.Each sub-group of MPN is characterized by distinct gene mutation patterns.Notably,ASXL1 mutations are exclusive to patients with primary myelofibrosis(PMF).Furthermore,PMF patients harboring ASXL1 mutations tend to demonstrate more pronounced bone marrow fibrosis and a greater proportion of blast cells in peripheral blood.

Objective To establish a rapid screening method for 34 emerging contaminants in surface water by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Methods The pretreatment conditions of solid phase extraction(SPE)were op-timized by orthogonal experimental design and the surface water samples were concentrated and ex-tracted by Oasis? HLB and Oasis? MCX SPE columns in series.The extracts were separated by Kine-tex? EVO C18 column,with gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1%formic acid methanol solution.Q-TOF-MS'fullscan'and'targeted MS/MS'modes were used to detect 34 emerging contaminants and to establish a database with 34 emerging contaminants precursor ion,prod-uct ion and retention times.Results The 34 emerging contaminants exhibited good linearity in the con-centration range respectively and the correlation coefficients(r)were higher than 0.97.The limit of de-tection was 0.2-10 ng/L and the recoveries were 81.2%-119.2%.The intra-day precision was 0.78%-18.70%.The method was applied to analyze multiple surface water samples and 6 emerging contaminants were detected,with a concentration range of 1.93-157.71 ng/L.Conclusion The method is simple and rapid for screening various emerging contaminants at the trace level in surface water.

Group B Streptococcus(GBS)is a major member of the Gram-positive Streptococcus family,which occupies a dominant position in the infection spectrum of newborns and young infants.GBS infections occurring 0?6 days after birth are called GBS early-onset disease(GBS-EOD),and those occurring 7?89 days are called GBS late-onset disease(GBS-LOD).With the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis,the incidence of neonatal GBS-EOD has declined without a notable impact on GBS-LOD,which brings great pressure and challenge to clinical diagnosis and nursing work.However,the specific mechanisms by which GBS transmission triggers illness in newborns and young infants are not fully elucidated.Some factors,such as maternal GBS colonization,maternal characteristics(age,weight and ethnicity),preterm birth,GBS infection in multiple births,and exposure to human immunodeficiency virus,have been identified as risk factors for GBS-LOD.To prevent maternal and infant GBS infection,some measures,such as vaccination of pregnant women,gut microbiota regulation and lactoferrin supplementation,are developing.In addition,strengthening maternal health care and health education,along with some other conventional infection control strategies(including enhancing hand hygiene awareness among caregivers and making good disinfection of the environment and equipment)is also effective in the prevention of GBS-LOD.This review elaborates the prevalence,transmission,risk factors and prevention of GBS-LOD in infants,aiming to improve the understanding and clinical practice ability of the medical staff.

BACKGROUND: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM. METHODS: Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells. RESULTS: In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow (P = 0.013), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak (P = 0.037), and higher percentages of CD8+ T cells (P = 0.034). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143 ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143 ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [P = 0.004], IRF4 [P = 0.024], and CREBBP [P = 0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation (ERBB4, P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. CONCLUSION: Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. REGISTERATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100046474) and National Clinical Trial (NCT04670055, NCT05430945).

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*

AIM: To report 5 cases with drug-induced bilateral acute ciliochoroidal effusion(DBACE)and myopic shift, with or without ocular hypertension(OHT), summarize patients' clinical characteristics and recovery process of DBACE, and investigate the possible pathophysiological mechanism.METHODS:A retrospective observational case study conducted from June 2017 to February 2021. The included patients were subjected to a series of ocular examinations listed as follows: 1)best corrected visual acuity; 2)intraocular pressure(IOP); 3)slit-lamp microscopy; 4)fundus photography; 5)ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM); 6)subjective optometry; 7)axial length and anterior chamber depth. All patients were followed up every 2d until the diopters were completely restored to the state before the disease onset.RESULTS:In total, 5 patients aged 10-45 years old, including 3 female and 2 male patients, were enrolled in this study. All patients were bilaterally involved(5/5), and had myopic shift(5/5), of whom 3 patients had OHT(3/5). With the increase of age, myopic shift decreased, while OHT increased. Based on OHT, the dynamic aggravation process of DBACE was subdivided into 2 stages, stage 1(myopic shift without OHT)and stage 2(myopic shift with OHT). With the deterioration of DBACE, when myopic shift approached or exceeded the minimum amplitude of accommodation(MAA), IOP gradually rose, and DBACE progressed from stage 1 to stage 2. With the recovery of DBACE after discontinuing the suspicious drugs, DBACE in stage 2 first returned to stage 1, and then returned to normal.CONCLUSION:Pathophysiological mechanism of DBACE was subdivided into 2 stages, including stage 1(myopic shift without OHT)and stage 2(myopic shift with OHT). The transition between the two stages depends on the imbalance between myopic shift and MAA.

Objective To investigate the Gram-positive coccus resistance in nationwide's tertiary hospitals and understand the trend of antimicrobial resistance.Methods All the clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were tested using agar/broth dilution method recommended.Results A total of 1 974 pathogenic Gram-positive coccus from 19 tertiary hospitals in 19 cities nationwide over the period from July 2021 to June 2022 were studied.Based on the MIC results,the prevalence of methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin resistant Stapylococcus epidermidis(MRSE)were 36.4％and 79.9％respectively.No vancomycin insensitivity Staphylococcus was detected.Staphylococcus aureus were 100％susceptibility to linezolid and teicoplanin.Antibiotic resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin were 3.1％and 92.9％.The detectation rate of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus(VRE)was 1.6％.Nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecalis to linezolid was 32.2％,two consecutive monitoring rises and nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecium(12.5％)was also significantly increased.The prevalence of penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae(PNSSP)was 0.8％based on non-meningitis and parenteral administration criterion,decrease of nearly 30 percentage points from the previous surveillance.While for cases of oral penicillin,the rate was 71.8％,showing similar to last time.The results indicated that the number of strains with higher MIC value of penicillin(MIC ≥4 mg·L-1)decreased significantly.There were no significant differences of resistance rates of Stapylococcus aureus,Stapylococcus epidermidis,Enterococcus faecalis,Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus pneumoniae among various groups such as different department,age,or specimen source.Conclusion VRE detection ratio stablized at a relatively low level.The number of Streptococcus pneumoniae with higher MIC value of penicillin decreased significantly compared with the previous monitoring.The increase of linezolidin-insensitive Enterococcus was noteworthy.

Objective To investigate the Gram-negative bacteria resistance in nationwide's tertiary hospitals and understand the trend of antimicrobial resistance.Method All the clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were tested using agar/broth dilution method recommended.Results A total of 4 066 pathogenic isolates from 19 tertiary hospitals in 19 cities nationwide over the period from July 2021 to June 2022 were studied.Based on the MIC results,Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed extended spectrum β-lactamase(ESBLs)phenotype rates of 55.0％and 21.0％,respectively,ESBLs phenotype rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae keep going down.The ratios of carbapenems resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae increased by 5 percentage points compared with the previous monitoring.Carbapenems,moxalactam,sitafloxacin,β-lactam combination agents,fosfomycin trometamol,and amikacin displayed desirable antibacterial activity against Enterbacterales,susceptibal rates were above 75％.In addition,tigacycline,omacycline,colistin and fluoxefin maintained good antibacterial activity against their respective effective bacteria/species,and the bacterial sensitivity rates by more than 80％.Resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannnii to imipenem were 26.3％and 72.1％and multidrug-resistant(MDR)detection rates were 41.1％and 77.3％,extensively drug-resistant(XDR)were 12.0％and 71.8％,respectively.Comparison of drug resistance rates from different wards,ages and specimen sources indicated that the proportion of resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care unit(ICU)were significantly higher than non-ICU.Carbapenem resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from ICU were more than 35％.Resistance rates of Haemophilus influenzae isolated in children to β-lactam,macrolide,clindamycin and ESBLs detection rate in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from children were more than those from adults and the old people,so bacterial resistance in children is an important problem in China.Conclusion ESBLs detection rate of Escherichia coli increased slightly after years of continuous decline.The proportion of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was stable,but the resistance rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenems was still increased,which should be paid more attention.