The HACEK group microorganisms(Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Aggregatibacter actinomycetem-comitans,Cardiobacterium spp.,Eikenella corrodens,Kingella kingae)belong to Gram-negative bacilli and are members of the normal oropharyngeal microbiota,which can cause invasive opportunistic infection when the host immune barrier is damaged,with infective endocarditis being one of the most serious diseases.HACEK endocarditis is characterized by an insidious course,prolonged delay of diagnosis,and dependence on third-generation cephalo-sporins for treatment.In recent years,with the emergence and development of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technique,the rapid diagnosis of this disease is expected to be achieved.This paper summarizes the main clinical characteristics and research progress of infective endocarditis caused by HACEK group bacteria,aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the correlation between G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A(GPRC6A)gene polymorphisms and their expression and pulmonary infections in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods 138 elderly CHF patients admitted to the Xianyang First People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and were divided into an infected group(n=42)and an uninfected group(n=96)based on their lung infection status.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect polymorphisms at the rs6901250 and rs1606365 loci of the GPRC6A gene.The allele and genotype frequency distributions of the infected and uninfected groups were compared.Logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the s6901250 and rs1606365 loci under three genetic models(co-dominant,dominant and reces-sive)and lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of GPRC6A gene.The predictive value of the mRNA expression level of the GPRC6A gene for the development of pulmonary infections in elderly patients with CHF was analyzed by applying the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The distribution of genotypes at loci rs6901250 and rs1606365 of the GPRC6A gene in both the infected and uninfected groups of the lungs of elderly CHF patients conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law(χ2=0.199～0.376,all P>0.05),which was representative of the population.Compared with the uninfected group,the frequency of allele A at locus rs6901250(57.14%vs 41.67%)was significantly higher in the infected group,Allele G(54.76%vs.37.50%)and genotype GG(14.06%vs 29.99%)frequencies were significantly higher at locus rs1606365,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=5.628,7.114,6.849,all P<0.05).At locus rs6901250,in the co-dominant model(GG vs AA)and the dominant model(GA+AA vs GG),the elderly CHF patients with AA genotype the risk of lung infection was higher than that of GG genotype(OR=1.753,1.546,all P<0.05);.rs1606365 locus showed that the risk of lung infection was higher than that of CC genotype in el-derly CHF patients with GG genotype under all three genetic models of co-dominant model(CC vs GG),dominant model(CG+GG vs CC)and recessive model(CG+CC vs GG)(OR=1.833,1.741,0.695,all P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of GPR-C6A gene in the lung-infected group of elderly CHF patients(1.43±0.35)was significantly higher than that in the uninfected group(1.02±0.21),and the difference was statistically significant(t=8.515,P<0.001).The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the GPRC6A gene expression level predicted lung infection in elderly CHF patients with an AUC value of 0.895,a cut-offvalue of 1.37,and sensitivity and specificity of 85.7%and 66.7%,respectively.Conclusion The AA genotype at the rs6901250 locus and the GG genotype at the rs1606365 locus of the GPRC6A gene increased the risk of developing lung infec-tions in elderly patients with CHF.MRNA expression levels of the GPRC6A gene were elevated in the infected group,and its ex-pression level could be used as a predictive indicator for the development of lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.

Objective To investigate the correlation between G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A(GPRC6A)gene polymorphisms and their expression and pulmonary infections in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods 138 elderly CHF patients admitted to the Xianyang First People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and were divided into an infected group(n=42)and an uninfected group(n=96)based on their lung infection status.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect polymorphisms at the rs6901250 and rs1606365 loci of the GPRC6A gene.The allele and genotype frequency distributions of the infected and uninfected groups were compared.Logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the s6901250 and rs1606365 loci under three genetic models(co-dominant,dominant and reces-sive)and lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of GPRC6A gene.The predictive value of the mRNA expression level of the GPRC6A gene for the development of pulmonary infections in elderly patients with CHF was analyzed by applying the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The distribution of genotypes at loci rs6901250 and rs1606365 of the GPRC6A gene in both the infected and uninfected groups of the lungs of elderly CHF patients conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law(χ2=0.199～0.376,all P>0.05),which was representative of the population.Compared with the uninfected group,the frequency of allele A at locus rs6901250(57.14%vs 41.67%)was significantly higher in the infected group,Allele G(54.76%vs.37.50%)and genotype GG(14.06%vs 29.99%)frequencies were significantly higher at locus rs1606365,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=5.628,7.114,6.849,all P<0.05).At locus rs6901250,in the co-dominant model(GG vs AA)and the dominant model(GA+AA vs GG),the elderly CHF patients with AA genotype the risk of lung infection was higher than that of GG genotype(OR=1.753,1.546,all P<0.05);.rs1606365 locus showed that the risk of lung infection was higher than that of CC genotype in el-derly CHF patients with GG genotype under all three genetic models of co-dominant model(CC vs GG),dominant model(CG+GG vs CC)and recessive model(CG+CC vs GG)(OR=1.833,1.741,0.695,all P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of GPR-C6A gene in the lung-infected group of elderly CHF patients(1.43±0.35)was significantly higher than that in the uninfected group(1.02±0.21),and the difference was statistically significant(t=8.515,P<0.001).The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the GPRC6A gene expression level predicted lung infection in elderly CHF patients with an AUC value of 0.895,a cut-offvalue of 1.37,and sensitivity and specificity of 85.7%and 66.7%,respectively.Conclusion The AA genotype at the rs6901250 locus and the GG genotype at the rs1606365 locus of the GPRC6A gene increased the risk of developing lung infec-tions in elderly patients with CHF.MRNA expression levels of the GPRC6A gene were elevated in the infected group,and its ex-pression level could be used as a predictive indicator for the development of lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6(CEACAM6)in pancreatic cancer.Methods A total of 188 patients admitted to the Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May to December 2024 were consecutively enrolled,including 112 patients in the pancreatic cancer group and 76 patients in the benign pancreatic disease group(43 with pancreatitis and 33 with benign pancreatic tumors).Additional-ly,76 healthy individuals were included in the health control group.Serum CEACAM6 and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)levels were detected by ELISA and chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA),respectively.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum CEACAM6 for pancreatic cancer.The positive rate of serum CEACAM6 in CA19-9-negative pancreatic cancer patients was also investigated.Results The levels of serum CEACAM6 in the pancreatic cancer group(20.3[11.1,34.0]ng/mL)were significantly higher than those in the benign pancreatic disease group(6.2[2.6,10.5]ng/mL,Z=64.1,P＜0.001)and healthy control group(0.8[0.4,4.4]ng/mL,Z=131.6,P＜0.001).The areas under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of CEACAM6 and CA19-9 in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 0.889(95%CI:0.854-0.924)and 0.819(95%CI:0.761-0.863),81.3%and 65.2%,and 84.9%and 86.2%,respectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of the combined detection of the two reached 0.916(95%CI:0.875-0.946),91.1%,and 82.2%,respectively,which were better than any single indicator(P＜0.05).In addition,the positive rate of serum CEACAM6 in CA19-9-negative pancreatic canc-er patients was 83.3%,significantly higher than CEA and CA125(P＜0.01).Conclusion The detection of serum CEACAM6 is help-ful to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer,and its combination with serum CA19-9 can improve the diagnostic efficacy of pancreatic cancer.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6(CEACAM6)in pancreatic cancer.Methods A total of 188 patients admitted to the Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May to December 2024 were consecutively enrolled,including 112 patients in the pancreatic cancer group and 76 patients in the benign pancreatic disease group(43 with pancreatitis and 33 with benign pancreatic tumors).Additional-ly,76 healthy individuals were included in the health control group.Serum CEACAM6 and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)levels were detected by ELISA and chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA),respectively.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum CEACAM6 for pancreatic cancer.The positive rate of serum CEACAM6 in CA19-9-negative pancreatic cancer patients was also investigated.Results The levels of serum CEACAM6 in the pancreatic cancer group(20.3[11.1,34.0]ng/mL)were significantly higher than those in the benign pancreatic disease group(6.2[2.6,10.5]ng/mL,Z=64.1,P＜0.001)and healthy control group(0.8[0.4,4.4]ng/mL,Z=131.6,P＜0.001).The areas under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of CEACAM6 and CA19-9 in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 0.889(95%CI:0.854-0.924)and 0.819(95%CI:0.761-0.863),81.3%and 65.2%,and 84.9%and 86.2%,respectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of the combined detection of the two reached 0.916(95%CI:0.875-0.946),91.1%,and 82.2%,respectively,which were better than any single indicator(P＜0.05).In addition,the positive rate of serum CEACAM6 in CA19-9-negative pancreatic canc-er patients was 83.3%,significantly higher than CEA and CA125(P＜0.01).Conclusion The detection of serum CEACAM6 is help-ful to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer,and its combination with serum CA19-9 can improve the diagnostic efficacy of pancreatic cancer.

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Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of continuous venetoclax combined azacitidine (VA) chemotherapy and intermedium/high-dose cytarabine (I/HDAC) consolidation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fit for standard chemotherapy (transform from UNFIT) .Methods:Clinical data of patients who were fit for standard chemotherapy were collected among those with AML who underwent VA induction in the Department of Hematology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), event-free survival (EFS), and incidence of adverse events were analyzed retrospectively.Results:This study enrolled 69 patients, consisting of 46 cases in the VA group and 23 cases in the I/HDAC group. We revealed the following. ① The median OS, RFS, EFS were 26.18, 24.69, 20.34 months in the VA group, and 34.14, 30.99, 28.42 months in the I/HDAC group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Median OS of patients who underwent I/HDAC consolidation with European Leukemia Net (ELN) favorable-risk, positive measurable residual disease (MRD), wild type FLT3, or IDH1/2 mutation was significantly longer than those who received VA ( P<0.05). ②Adverse events rate of grade 3 - 4 neutropenia, grade 3 - 4 thrombocytopenia, and bacteremia were significantly lower in the VA group than in the I/HDAC group ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:I/HDAC consolidation was more likely to help get survival benefits for patients with ELN favorable-risk, positive MRD, wild type FLT3, or IDH1/2 mutation. Continuous VA chemotherapy exhibited superior safety than I/HDAC consolidation.

The HACEK group microorganisms(Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Aggregatibacter actinomycetem-comitans,Cardiobacterium spp.,Eikenella corrodens,Kingella kingae)belong to Gram-negative bacilli and are members of the normal oropharyngeal microbiota,which can cause invasive opportunistic infection when the host immune barrier is damaged,with infective endocarditis being one of the most serious diseases.HACEK endocarditis is characterized by an insidious course,prolonged delay of diagnosis,and dependence on third-generation cephalo-sporins for treatment.In recent years,with the emergence and development of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technique,the rapid diagnosis of this disease is expected to be achieved.This paper summarizes the main clinical characteristics and research progress of infective endocarditis caused by HACEK group bacteria,aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of continuous venetoclax combined azacitidine (VA) chemotherapy and intermedium/high-dose cytarabine (I/HDAC) consolidation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fit for standard chemotherapy (transform from UNFIT) .Methods:Clinical data of patients who were fit for standard chemotherapy were collected among those with AML who underwent VA induction in the Department of Hematology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), event-free survival (EFS), and incidence of adverse events were analyzed retrospectively.Results:This study enrolled 69 patients, consisting of 46 cases in the VA group and 23 cases in the I/HDAC group. We revealed the following. ① The median OS, RFS, EFS were 26.18, 24.69, 20.34 months in the VA group, and 34.14, 30.99, 28.42 months in the I/HDAC group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Median OS of patients who underwent I/HDAC consolidation with European Leukemia Net (ELN) favorable-risk, positive measurable residual disease (MRD), wild type FLT3, or IDH1/2 mutation was significantly longer than those who received VA ( P<0.05). ②Adverse events rate of grade 3 - 4 neutropenia, grade 3 - 4 thrombocytopenia, and bacteremia were significantly lower in the VA group than in the I/HDAC group ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:I/HDAC consolidation was more likely to help get survival benefits for patients with ELN favorable-risk, positive MRD, wild type FLT3, or IDH1/2 mutation. Continuous VA chemotherapy exhibited superior safety than I/HDAC consolidation.

Objective:To design an intelligent measurement program of detection parameters of quality control of imaging system of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) based on MATLAB software platform,so as to achieve intelligent detection for quality control of MSCT imaging system. Methods:We designed an intelligent measurement program for the detection parameters of quality control of MSCT imaging system (referred to as the intelligent measurement program) bases on the function of graphical user interfaces (GUI) of MATLAB software. A series of algorithms such as image reading,binarization,and circular detection based on the Hough transform were employed to conduct automatic measurement and calculation for CT values (water),noise and uniformity of the parameters of MSCT quality control. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was adopted to analyze the consistency of the detection results between the manual measurement method and the designed intelligent detection program. Results:The designed intelligent measurement program in this study can automatically assess the detection parameters of quality control of the MSCT imaging system,which included CT values (water),noise and uniformity. There was favorable consistency in the detection results between the manual measurement method and the intelligent measurement program (range of ICC values was from 0.881 to 0.985). Conclusion:The intelligent measurement program of detection parameters of quality control of MSCT imaging system can simplify the process of calculating detection parameters of quality control of MSCT imaging system,and provide a reliable detection tool for quality control of MSCT imaging equipment,which can effectively improve the detection efficiency of quality control.