AIM:To analyze the characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in patients with infectious eye diseases at Shangrao Central Hospital from 2020 to 2024, providing a basis for the precise clinical prevention and control and the development of effective strategies.METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on clinical specimens including the cornea, lacrimal duct, conjunctiva, and intraocular fluid samples, from patients with infectious eye diseases between May 2020 and December 2024. All the specimens underwent microbiological cultures and identification.RESULTS: A total of 447 patients enrolled ultimately in this study, including 250 males and 197 females, with an average age of 58.5±17.1 y. Among the 447 ocular specimens, bacterial infection was confirmed in 146 cases(32.7%). Of these positive samples, male patients accounted for 63.7%(93/146)and patients aged 51-70 y had the highest infection rate(88/146, 60.3%). Furthermore, migrant workers represented the predominant demographic affected by ocular infections, accounting for an overwhelming majority at 95.9%(140/146). When compared to other etiologies of disease, trauma emerged as the primary cause of ocular infections(P<0.01). In cases of bacterial ocular infections, Gram-positive cocci comprised approximately 61.2%, with Staphylococcus identified as the principal pathogen affecting the lacrimal duct, conjunctivae, and intraocular fluid. Streptococcus pneumoniae was found to be the main pathogen associated with corneal infections. Gram-negative bacteria were predominantly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fungal infections were observed in an alarming rate of 91.8% among corneal specimens. Fusarium was identified as the leading fungal pathogen responsible for these cases at a proportion of 45.9%.CONCLUSION: The distribution of pathogenic bacteria causing ocular infections demonstrates obvious tissue specificity. Trauma is identified as a major inducement of corneal fungal infection. Clinically, it is essential to pay particular attention to patients with ocular trauma, especially those engaged in agricultural labor who present with ocular infections, and fungal tests should be conducted as early as possible.

Tocilizumab has been reported to attenuate the "cytokine storm" in COVID-19 patients. We attempted to verify the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab therapy in COVID-19 and identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label multicenter trial among COVID-19 patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The cure rate, changes of oxygen saturation and interference, and inflammation biomarkers were observed. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the tocilizumab group, and 32 patients to the control group. The cure rate in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (94.12% vs. 87.10%, rate difference 95% CI-7.19%-21.23%, P = 0.4133). The improvement in hypoxia for the tocilizumab group was higher from day 4 onward and statistically significant from day 12 (P = 0.0359). In moderate disease patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions, the hypoxia ameliorated earlier after tocilizumab treatment, and less patients (1/12, 8.33%) needed an increase of inhaled oxygen concentration compared with the controls (4/6, 66.67%; rate difference 95% CI-99.17% to-17.50%, P = 0.0217). No severe adverse events occurred. More mild temporary adverse events were recorded in tocilizumab recipients (20/34, 58.82%) than the controls (4/31, 12.90%). Tocilizumab can improve hypoxia without unacceptable side effect profile and significant influences on the time virus load becomes negative. For patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions and elevated IL-6 levels, tocilizumab could be recommended to improve outcome.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome

Cordyceps militaris exopolysaccharides (EPS) have many pharmacological activities such as boosting immunity and antifatigue. To obtain EPS efficiently, we added moderate Vernonia amygdalina leaf powder as inducer to the fermentation medium to promote the production of Cordyceps militaris EPS and studied the infrared absorption spectrum and antioxidant activities of the EPS after optimization. The optimum liquid fermentation conditions were as follows: addition of Vernonia amygdalina leaf powder of 8 g/L, fermentation duration of 9 d, initial pH of 6.5, inoculation quantity of 5.0 mL. Under such a condition, the yield of Cordyceps militaris EPS reached (5.24±0.28) mg/mL, increased by 205.20% compared to the control group without adding Vernonia amygdalina leaf powder. Results of infrared analysis and antioxidant activity showed that the Vernonia amygdalina leaves had little effect on the structure and activities of Cordyceps militaris EPS. The results of this research suggest that Vernonia amygdalina leaf can enhance the production of Cordyceps militaris EPS effectively, and provides a novel method for efficient production of EPS in Cordyceps militaris.
Antioxidants ; Cordyceps ; Plant Leaves ; Polysaccharides ; Vernonia

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.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and causes of death in patients with acute heart failure at aged 75 and over.Methods The prospective study collected 175 patients with acute heart failure from January 2012 to December 2014.They were divided into ≥75 years old group and＜75 years old group and the general clinical data were recorded.Follow-up was performed mainly by telephone with supplemented hospitalization follow-up and outpatient follow-up.Survival rates were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method.The survival rate difference between the two groups was compared using the log-rank test.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for death.Results The proportions of ischemic heart disease,hypertension and old myocardial infarction were higher in the elderly group than in the young group with a higher proportion of male,diabetes and body mass index in ＜75 years old group.Elderly group had a higher level of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and a lower level of total cholesterol,triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C).Kaplan-Meier curves showed that allcause mortality(x2 =4.005,P =0.045) and non-cardiovascular mortality(x2 =4.418,P =0.041) were significantly higher in the elderly group than in the younger group,whereas cardiovascular mortality had no significant difference between the two groups (x2 =0.754,P =0.385).In patients with noncardiovascular mortality,12 cases (63.2％)died of pulmonary infection in elderly group,3 cases(25.0％) died of lung infection in younger group,and the difference was statistically significant between the 2 groups (x2 =4.288,P =0.038).Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that age≥75 years was an independent predictor for both non-cardiovascular mortality [HR(95％CI):2.71(1.50-6.55),Wald x2 =2.266,P=0.038]and all-cause mortality[HR(95 ％CI):1.75(1.28-3.13),Wald x2 =2.914,P=0.026]in patients with acute heart failure.Conclusions Age ≥75 years is an independent risk factor for all dead patients with acute heart failure and noncardiovascular death,but it is not the independent risk factors for cardiovascular death,which is of great significance to establish a more rational treatment strategy for senile heart failure.

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and outcome determinants in cardiac arrest patients secondary to acute myocardial infarction treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: The clinical data of 27 patients hospitalized from January 2014 to March 2017 in 3 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data of the surviving group (12 cases) and the death group (15 cases) were compared and the outcome determinants were explored. Results: Twenty seven patients were successfully treated with coronary angiography and emergency PCI under ECMO assistance, and the successful procedure rate was 100%. The survival rate was 44.4% (12/27). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body weight, myocardial infarct location, past disease history and smoking status between the two groups (all P>0.05). Traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation time was significantly longer, the CCU hospitalization time was significantly shorter, the number of diseased vessels was significantly higher, and the prevalence of distribution of blood vessels in left main stem was significantly higher and mean artery pressure at 24 and 48 hours post ECMO was significantly lower in the death group than in survival group (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that left anterior descending artery lesion, higher number of lesion vessels, longer traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation time, longer time interval between cardiac arrest and ECMO placement were related increased risk of death post ECMO and emergency PCI in this patient cohort(OR=1.316, 95%CI 1.217-5.792, P=0.002; OR=1.238, 95%CI 1.107-4.961, P=0.000; OR=1.712, 95%CI 1.136-3.973, P=0.001; OR=1.629, 95%CI 1.132-4.521, P=0.000, respectively), while higher mean artery pressure at 48 hours post ECMO was related with reduced risk of death post ECMO and emergency PCI in this patient cohort(OR=0.672, 95%CI 0.326-0.693, P=0.001). Conclusions ECMO combined with emergency PCI can improve the success rate of traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with cardiac arrest secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Left anterior descending artery lesion, number of lesion vessels, traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation time, time interval between cardiac arrest and ECMO placement and mean artery pressure at 48 hours post ECMO are outcome determinants post ECMO and emergency PCI in this patient cohort.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of low dose dopamine combined with phentolamine in the treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) with edema. Methods Retrospective control studies were performed in 155 patients of PNS with edema, who received comprehensive treatment with small dose dopamine combined with phentolamine (group A). Patients treated with furosemide infusion were recruited as control (group B). Results The urinary output, urinary sodium increased after therapy in group A, showing significant differences (P ＜ 0. 01). But urinary potassium excretion, serum sodium and potassium showed no significant difference after therapy in group A. The urinary output, urinary sodium and potassium excretion increased and the serum sodium and potassium decreased after therapy in group B, all showing significant differences between before and after treatment (P ＜0. 01). The edema relief rate,urinary output, urinary sodium excretion, serum sodium and potassium in group A was significantly higher whereas urinary potassium excretion were significantly lower than those of group B(P ＜0. 01). The rate of drug adverse reaction in group A was significantly lower than that of group B. Conclusion Low dose dopamine combined with phentolamine in PNS with edema is safe and effective,which may be a substitute of diuretic like furosemide in the treatment of edema of patients with different blood volume.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of laboratory tests in the renal damage early diagnosis of children with Henoch-Schoalein purpura (HSP) and clinical effect of early intervention.Methods For the 143 HSP patients with normal repeated urine routine test findings,renal function biomarkers including urinary proteins ( immunoglobulin G (IgG),micro-albumin ( MA ),transferrin (TRF),a1 -microglobulin ( α1 -MG),β2-Microglobulin (β2-MG) ) and urinary enzymes ( N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase ( NAG ),γ-glutamyltransferase (y-GT) ) were detected to investigate the details of renal function changes.One hundred and thirty-one HSP patients,who had abnormal laboratory test findings of renal function biomarkers mentioned above,were randomly divided into control group ( n =65 ) and intervention group ( n =66 ),and both groups received comprehensive treatment including cimetidine,loratadine and calcium agents.However,66 patients in intervention group received low-dose heparin via micropump-based continuous intravenous infusion and regular oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate treatment.Sixty-five patients were enrolled in control group,without further treatment.Results Among the 143 patients with normal urine routine examination,131 cases (91.61％ ) had abnormal findings of renal function biomarkers.After therapy either for 2 months or 4 months,urine protein and urine enzymes were lower than before treatment,and the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01 ).In the control group only β2-MG,NAG,γ-GT3 indexes significantly lowered at the end of 2 months ( P ＜0.01 ),and all parameters were significantly decreased at the end of 4 months ( P ＜0.01 ).Furthermore,Intervention group had lower levels of renal function biomarkers at the end of 2 months or 4 months,as compared with the control group,showing significant difference ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01 ).Urinary IgG,MA,TRF,NAG recovered rapidly in the intervention group after 4 months and almost returned to the normal,but urinary α1-MG,β2-MG,γ-GT recovered slowly and still remained abnormal after 4 months due to the varying severity.After treatment for 4 months,the rate of urine testing abnormalities was higher in the control group than in the intervention group (36.92％ vs 6.10％ ),and the difference was significant (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Combined detection of renal function biomarkers is helpful for early diagnosis of renal damage in HSP patients.Early intervention with heparin and diammonium glycyrrhizinate can prevent kidney damage,delay disease progress.Early diagnosis and early intervention should be emphasized for the treatment strategy of the renal damage of children with HSP.

OBJECTIVETo understand the clinical feature and natural course of polycythemia vera (PV).

METHODSThe clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory examination and prognosis of 185 patients with PV were analysed.

RESULTSThere are 122 males and 63 females. The mean age was (52.7 +/- 14.1) years. The mean hemoglobin level was (208.3 +/- 21.2) g/L. Pancytosis was displayed in 74 (40%) cases, excess of red blood cells in 33 (17.8%), excess of red blood cells and granulocytes in 67 (36.2%) and excess of red blood cell and platelets in 11 (5.9%). Splenomegaly was found in 123 (66.5%) patients and hepatomegaly in 30 (16.2%). Quantitative assess of serum Epo was done in 25 patients. The level was low in 16 (64.2%) and normal in 9 (36.0%). Hematopoietic progenitor culture yields was elevated in 11 patients, endogenous erythroid colonies (EEC) formation was found in 10 cases (90.9%). Eighty two patients (44.3%) had 101 attacks of vascular thrombotic incidents, 7 patients developed myelofibrosis (MF). Secondary cancer occurred in 1 patient. Two patients died of thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONPV is an elderly adult myeloproliferative disease with a high frequency of thrombosis. EEC can be found out in PV patients. The serum Epo level is not increased in PV patients. The main sequelae of PV is MF.

Adult ; Aged ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Hepatomegaly ; etiology ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycythemia Vera ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; etiology ; Splenomegaly ; etiology ; Thrombosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo detect the quantity, proportion and function of producing cytokines of Th1 and Th2 cells in aplastic anemia (AA) patients and their contribution to the hematopoietic failure.

METHODS(1) Eleven patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) at diagnosis were observed by Marsh's method for the CFU-E, BFU-E and CFU-GM before and after depletion of CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC); (2) Th1 (CD(4)(+) IFN-gamma(+)) and Th2 (CD(4)(+) IL-4(+)) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) of 21 SAA patients and 17 normal controls were counted by FACS. (3) mRNA expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4 gene in unstimulated BMMNC from 16 SAA patients, 11 chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) patients, 26 other hematological diseases patients and 11 normal controls were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULT(1) CFU-E, CFU-GM and BFU-E increased significantly after depletion of CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes from BMMNC of SAA patients. (2) The percentage of IFN-gamma producing CD(4)(+) T cell (Th1) of SAA patients was significantly higher than that of controls, the percentages of IL-4 producing CD(4)(+) T cells (Th2) had no difference between SAA patients and normal controls. (3) IFN-gamma mRNA was detected in unstimulated BMMNC in 13 of 16 SAA patients, 6 of 11 CAA patients and one of 6 paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. The IFN-gamma mRNA was not detected in unstimulated BMMNC of 11 normal controls and other hematological diseases patients.

CONCLUSIONSDisbalance of CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes subsets and increases in quantity and IFN-gamma producing function of Th1 cells might be important for the development of bone marrow failure in AA and in distinguishing AA from other kinds of pancytopenic diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; etiology ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Granulocytes ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Th2 Cells ; cytology ; metabolism