Objectives The combined use of bedaquiline and delamanid(BDQ-DLM)is limited by an increased risk of prolonging the QTc interval.We retrospectively evaluated patients who received DLM/BDQ-containing regimens at a TB-specialized hospital.We aimed to present clinical efficacy and safety data for Chinese patients. Methods This case-control study included patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB)treated with BDQ alone or BDQ plus DLM. Results A total of 96 patients were included in this analysis:64 in the BDQ group and 32 in the BDQ+DLM group.Among the 96 patients with positive sputum culture at the initiation of BDQ alone or BDQ combined with DLM,46 patients(71.9%)in the BDQ group and 29(90.6%)in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion during treatment.The rate of sputum culture conversion did not differ between the two groups.The time to sputum culture conversion was significantly shorter in the BDQ-DLM group than in the BDQ group.The most frequent adverse event was QTc interval prolongation;however,the frequency of adverse events did not differ between the groups. Conclusion In conclusion,our results demonstrate that the combined use of BDQ and DLM is efficacious and tolerable in Chinese patients infected with MDR-TB.Patients in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion sooner than those in the BDQ group.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, ranking second only to COVID-19 as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, with 1.3 million TB-related deaths reported in 2022. Treatment efficacy has been compromised by the emergence of drug-resistant strains, including rifampin-resistant TB (RR-TB), multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Although first-line drugs like isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol form the cornerstone of TB therapy, the rise of resistant strains necessitates the use of second-line drugs, which often come with increased toxicity and limited accessibility. Recent advances have focused on repurposing existing compounds and developing new drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Promising agents such as second-generation bedaquiline analogs (TBAJ-587, TBAJ-876), sudapyridine (WX-081), delamanid, pretomanid, and TBI-166 (pyrifazimine) have shown efficacy against resistant Mtb strains. Innovative treatment regimens like the BPaLM protocol-combining bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin-offer shorter, all-oral therapies with higher cure rates. Personalized treatment durations and dose optimizations are becoming feasible through risk stratification algorithms and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies. Immunotherapy is emerging as a complementary strategy to enhance the host's immune response against Mtb. Agents such as vitamin D, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), statins, metformin, and biological agents like interleukins and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor are under exploration. Additionally, cell therapies involving mesenchymal stem cells and immune effector cells present new therapeutic avenues. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in achieving the World Health Organization's "End TB Strategy" goals, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources and attention. Ongoing research and global collaboration are crucial to develop novel therapeutic strategies, optimize treatment regimens, and ultimately reduce the global burden of TB.
Humans ; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology*

Objective:To study the predictive value of Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging system combined with albumin-indocyanine green (ALICE) score (ALICE-BCLC) in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, and compare it with BCLC staging system combined with Child-Pugh score (CP-BCLC).Methods:The clinical data of 311 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy at Jinhua Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University from April 2012 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 271 males and 40 females, with a median age of 59 years old (range 26 to 92 years old). These patients were divided into two groups based on the ALICE-BCLC: the ALICE-BCLC grade 0 group ( n=63) and the ALICE-BCLC grade A group ( n=248); and another two groups based on the CP-BCLC: the CP-BCLC grade 0 group ( n=58) and the CP-BCLC grade A group ( n=253). The clinical data, including indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min, and albumin were collected and the scores were calculated. Follow-up was conducted by combining outpatient visits with telephone calls. The survival rate was calculated by the life method, and survival curves were drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method. The multivariate Cox regression model was used to determine the main factors affecting prognosis. Weighted Kappa was used to compare consistency of the two staging systems. Results:Multivariate analysis showed that a maximum tumor diameter >5 cm, total bilirubin >18 μmol/L, major hepatectomy, CP-BCLC grade A and ALICE-BCLC grade A to be independent risk factors affecting overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection with curative intent (all P<0.05). The median survival of patients in the CP-BCLC grade 0 group and the CP-BCLC grade A group were 43.0 and 28.0 months, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.017). The median survival of patients in the ALICE-BCLC grade 0 group and the ALICE-BCLC grade A group were 41.4 and 28.1 months, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.035). The weighted Kappa coefficient of ALICE-BCLC and CP-BCLC was 0.949, showing a strong consistency ( P<0.001). Conclusion:ALICE-BCLC showed a good predictive value for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection, and it had a similar overall prognostic discrimination ability as CP-BCLC.

BACKGROUND: Although intensively studied in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the prognostic value of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) has little been elucidated in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study aimed to reveal the prognostic value of DBP in AECOPD patients. METHODS: Inpatients with AECOPD were prospectively enrolled from 10 medical centers in China between September 2017 and July 2021. DBP was measured on admission. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality; invasive mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were secondary outcomes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariable Cox regressions were used to identify independent prognostic factors and calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Among 13,633 included patients with AECOPD, 197 (1.45%) died during their hospital stay. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that low DBP on admission (<70 mmHg) was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.53-3.05, Z = 4.37, P <0.01), invasive mechanical ventilation (HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.32-2.05, Z = 19.67, P <0.01), and ICU admission (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24-1.69, Z = 22.08, P <0.01) in the overall cohort. Similar findings were observed in subgroups with or without CVDs, except for invasive mechanical ventilation in the subgroup with CVDs. When DBP was further categorized in 5-mmHg increments from <50 mmHg to ≥100 mmHg, and 75 to <80 mmHg was taken as reference, HRs for in-hospital mortality increased almost linearly with decreased DBP in the overall cohort and subgroups of patients with CVDs; higher DBP was not associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Low on-admission DBP, particularly <70 mmHg, was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes among inpatients with AECOPD, with or without CVDs, which may serve as a convenient predictor of poor prognosis in these patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, No. ChiCTR2100044625.
Humans ; Blood Pressure ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy* ; Cohort Studies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Inpatients ; Hospital Mortality

Objective    To evaluate the association of intraoperative ventilation modes with postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in adult patients undergoing selective cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods    The clinical data of 604 patients who underwent selective cardiac surgical procedures under CPB in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University from June to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 293 males and 311 females with an average age of 52.0±13.0 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the ventilation modes, including a pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guarantee (PCV-VG) group (n=201), a pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) group (n=200) and a volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) group (n=203). The association between intraoperative ventilation modes and PPCs (defined as composite of pneumonia, respiratory failure, atelectasis, pleural effusion and pneumothorax within 7 days after surgery) was analyzed using modified poisson regression. Results    The PPCs were found in a total of 246 (40.7%) patients, including 86 (42.8%) in the PCV-VG group, 75 (37.5%) in the PCV group and 85 (41.9%) in the VCV group. In the multivariable analysis, there was no statistical difference in PPCs risk associated with the use of either PCV-VG mode (aRR=0.951, 95%CI 0.749-1.209, P=0.683) or PCV mode (aRR= 0.827, 95%CI 0.645-1.060, P=0.133) compared with VCV mode. Conclusion    Among adults receiving selective cardiac surgery, PPCs risk does not differ significantly by using different intraoperative ventilation modes.

Objective To establish and improve the quality standard of ginkgo semen decoction pieces. Methods The morphological character for 29 batches of ginkgo gemen and 12 batches of stir-fried ginkgo gemen were observed, and the moisture contents were assayed using the method in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 edition, the first supplement. Results The character of ginkgo gemen and stir-fried ginkgo gemen were consistent in different batches. The moisture content of ginkgo gemen was 8.8% to 12.2%, with an average of 10.5%. The moisture content of stir-fried ginkgo gemen was from 5.4% to 12.3%, with an average of 8.9%. Considering that ginkgo semen decoction pieces are stored for a long time, they are prone to the attack of mildew and insects, and the moisture limit is set to be no more than 10.0% in ginkgo gemen and stir-fried ginkgo. Conclusion Compared with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 edition, the first supplement, the character identification for ginkgo semen decoction pieces was added and the quality standards were improved. The moisture content of ginkgo semen decoction pieces needs to be strictly controlled under 10.0% to prevent mildew and insects.

Objective:To investiagte the ability of albumin-indocyanine green (ALICE) score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and Child-Pugh score in predicting postoperative liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and to determine the clinical value of ALICE score.Methods:The clinical data of 397 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jinhua Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University from June 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 350 males and 47 females, aged (58.9±11.2) years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of PHLF. The predictive ability of ALICE score for PHLF was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and compared with ALBI score and Child-Pugh score.Results:There were 74 patients with PHLF and 323 patients without PHLF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Child-Pugh score ( OR=1.630, 95% CI: 1.251-2.486, P=0.034), ALBI score ( OR=1.863, 95% CI: 1.028-3.119, P=0.049) and ALICE score ( OR=1.759, 95% CI: 1.216-3.078, P=0.038) were independent risk factors for PHLF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and the risk of PHLF increased with the increase of grade. The area under the ROC curve of ALICE score predicting PHLF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.613 (95% CI: 0.564-0.662), the area under the ALBI score was 0.612 (95% CI: 0.563-0.661), and the area under the Child-Pugh score was 0.555 (95% CI: 0.505-0.605). The ALICE score was better than the Child-Pugh score, and the difference was statistically significant ( z=2.04, P=0.041). In small liver resection patients, ALICE score was better than Child-Pugh score ( z=2.61, P=0.009). There was no significant difference betwenn ALICE score and ALBI score ( z=0.06, P=0.954). Conclusion:ALICE score can predict the occurrence of PHLF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in patients with small liver resection, its value is similar to ALBI score, but better than Child-Pugh score.

Bivalves are species-rich mollusks with prominent protective roles in coastal ecosystems.Across these ancient lineages,colony-founding larvae anchor themselves either by byssus produc-tion or by cemented attachment.The latter mode of sessile life is strongly molded by left-right shell asymmetry during larval development of Ostreoida oysters such as Crassostrea hongkongensis.Here,we sequenced the genome of C.hongkongensis in high resolution and compared it to reference bivalve genomes to unveil genomic determinants driving cemented attachment and shell asymmetry.Importantly,loss of the homeobox gene Antennapedia(Antp)and broad expansion of lineage-specific extracellular gene families are implicated in a shift from byssal to cemented attachment in bivalves.Comparative transcriptomic analysis shows a conspicuous divergence between left-right asymmetrical C.hongkongensis and symmetrical Pinctada fucata in their expression profiles.Especially,a couple of orthologous transcription factor genes and lineage-specific shell-related gene families including that encoding tyrosinases are elevated,and may cooperatively govern asymmet-rical shell formation in Ostreoida oysters.

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome caused by the host reaction disorder induced by infection, which leads to serious organ function damage. Sepsis is a serious disease with high mortality, which is the main reason of death caused by infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) is one of the most common genetic variants in human, and is closely related to the genetic susceptibility, early diagnosis, disease development and prognosis of sepsis. This article makes a review on the relationship between CD14, Toll like receptor (TLR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and other gene polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility of sepsis, in order to affect in sepsis on the early prediction, diagnosis, and treatment.

Objective    To evaluate the effect of driving pressure-guided lung protective ventilation strategy on lung function in adult patients under elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods    In this randomized controlled trial, 106 patients scheduled for elective valve surgery via median sternal incision under cardiopulmonary bypass from July to October 2020 at West China Hospital of Sichuan University were included in final analysis. Patients were divided into two groups randomly. Both groups received volume-controlled ventilation. A protective ventilation group (a control group, n=53) underwent traditional lung protective ventilation strategy with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O and received conventional protective ventilation with tidal volume of 7 mL/kg of predicted body weight and PEEP of 5 cm H2O, and recruitment maneuver. An individualized PEEP group (a driving pressure group, n=53) received the same tidal volume and recruitment, but with individualized PEEP which produced the lowest driving pressure. The primary outcome was oxygen index (OI) after ICU admission in 30 minutes, and the secondary outcomes were the incidence of OI below 300 mm Hg, the severity of OI descending scale (the Berlin definition), the incidence of pulmonary complications at 7 days after surgery and surgeons’ satisfaction on ventilation. Results    There was a statistical difference in OI after ICU admission in 30 minutes between the two groups (273.5±75.5 mm Hg vs. 358.0±65.3 mm Hg, P=0.00). The driving pressure group had lower incidence of postoperative OI<300 mm Hg (16.9% vs. 49.0%, OR=0.21, 95%CI 0.08-0.52, P=0.00) and less severity of OI classification than the control group (P=0.00). The incidence of pulmonary complications at 7 days after surgery was comparable between the driving pressure group and the control group (28.3% vs. 33.9%, OR=0.76, 95%CI 0.33-1.75, P=0.48). The atelectasis rate was lower in the driving pressure group (1.0% vs. 15.0%, OR=0.10, 95%CI 0.01-0.89, P=0.01). Conclusion    Application of driving pressure-guided ventilation is associated with a higher OI and less lung injury after ICU admission compared with the conventional protective ventilation in patients having valve surgery.