OBJECTIVE: To explore whether hydrocortisone can improve the prognosis of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) on hydrocortisone in the treatment of sCAP were extracted from the database including PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Embase, and the search time was up to April 29, 2023. The patients in the standard treatment group received standard treatment such as antibiotics and supportive care, while those in the hydrocortisone group received hydrocortisone treatment on the basis of standard treatment. Meta-analysis was used to compare the mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation rate and incidence of adverse reactions (hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, secondary infection) between the two groups. The risk of literature bias was assessed. The studies that might have publication bias were corrected by the subtraction and complementation method. At the same time, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 5 RCTs involving 1 031 patients were finally enrolled, including 494 patients in the standard treatment group and 537 patients in the hydrocortisone group. Among the 5 studies, the research site of 2 studies was in the mixed ward. Considering the inclusion characteristics of the study population, there was doubt whether its research object was sCAP patients, which might have a certain impact on the results and introduce potential bias. Meta-analysis showed that the mortality in the hydrocortisone group was significantly lower than that in the standard treatment group [6.0% vs. 14.0%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.25-0.59, P < 0.01; I² = 9%]. The studies that were asymmetric were corrected by the reduction and supplementation method. Even after filling the missing studies, hydrocortisone could still reduce the death risk of the patient (OR = 0.49, 95%CI was 0.32-0.73, P < 0.01; I² = 31%). TSA showed that the average mortality of the standard treatment group was about 14.0%, and that of the hydrocortisone group was about 6.0%, with a relative risk reduction (RRR) = 57%. The calculated sample size was 699 cases, and the actual sample size was 1 031 cases. The actual sample size exceeded the required sample size, and the Z-curve crossed the O'Brien-Fleming boundary and the curve corresponding to P = 0.05, it meant that hydrocortisone could effectively reduce the mortality of sCAP. Compared with the standard treatment group, no statistical difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation was found in the hydrocortisone group [mean difference (MD) = -3.26, 95%CI was -6.72-0.21, P = 0.07; I² = 0%], but the 8-day mechanical ventilation rate was significantly lowered (19.5% vs. 55.4%; OR = 0.24, 95%CI was 0.12-0.45, P < 0.01; I² = 0%), and also no significantly difference was found in the incidence of hyperglycemia (54.3% vs. 44.6%, OR = 1.26, 95%CI was 0.56-2.84, P = 0.58; I² = 61%), gastrointestinal bleeding (2.5% vs. 3.6%; OR = 0.70, 95%CI was 0.34-1.46, P = 0.34; I² = 0%) and secondary infection (9.2% vs. 11.5%; OR = 0.46, 95%CI was 0.06-3.35, P = 0.45; I² = 53%). CONCLUSION Hydrocortisone can reduce the mortality rate of sCAP patients, decrease their need for mechanical ventilation, and does not increase the risk of hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, or secondary infections.
Humans ; Hydrocortisone/therapeutic use* ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy* ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Respiration, Artificial ; Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Objective To observe the effects of Huosha Oral Liquid on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea(IBS-D)rats with cold and dampness syndrome based on Notch1/Hes-1/Math-1 signaling pathway;To elucidate its mechanism of repair of intestinal mucosal barrier.Methods An IBS-D cold and dampness syndrome rat model was established by using restraint stress combined with bitter-cold cathartic method and cold and dampness environmental method.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model group,Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 6 rats in each group.An additional 6 rats were set as the normal group.The Western medicine group was given mebeverine(13.5 mg/kg)by gavage,while the Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given Huosha Oral Liquid(3.15,6.3,12.6 g/kg)by gavage,the normal group and model group were given distilled water by gavage,for 4 weeks.The general status of rats were ovserved,the body mass,loose stool rate,fecal water rate and abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)score were measured,the morphalogy of colon tissue were observed by HE staining,the mRNA expression of Occludin,ZO-1,Notch1,Hes-1 and Math-1 in colon tissue were detected by RT-PCR,the protein expression of Notch1 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group had a reduced body mass(P<0.05)and increased loose stool rate,fecal water rate and AWR score(P<0.05),inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in colon tissue and the expressions of Occludin,ZO-1,Math-1 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of Notch1,Hes-1 mRNA increased(P<0.05),and the expression of Notch1 protein increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups increased(P<0.05),loose stool rate,fecal water rate and AWR scores decreased(P<0.05),a small amount of neutrophils was visible in the colon tissue,the expressions of Occludin,ZO-1,Math-1 mRNA in colon tissue increased in Huosha Oral Liquid medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.05)and the expressions of Notch1 and Hes-1 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Notch1 protein decreased in Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Huosha Oral Liquid may regulate the expressions of tight junction proteins by inhibiting excessive activation of the Notch/Hes-1/Math-1 signaling pathway,thereby protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier function,improving diarrhea symptoms in IBS-D rats with cold and dampness syndrome,and reducing visceral sensitivity and colonic tissue inflammation.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer pa-tients,as well as construct and validate a nomogram prediction model.Methods 588 gastric cancer surgery pa-tients who admitted to the Department of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from April 2021 to March 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Clinical data of patients were collected and ran-domly divided into the training set and the validation set according to the ratio of 3∶1.Clinical data between two groups of patients were compared.Patients were divided into the infection group and non-infection group according to whether they had intra-abdominal infection after surgery.Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted,and a nomogram prediction model was constructed and validated based on the results of multivariate analysis.Results Among the 588 patients,52(8.84％)had postoperative intra-abdominal infection.A total of 65 strains of patho-gens were detected from 52 peritoneal fluid specimens,out of which 47(72.31％)were Gram-negative bacteria,15(23.07％)were Gram-positive bacteria,and 3(4.62％)were fungi.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the degree of eradication(microscopic residue),combined organ resection,hypertension,history of ab-dominal surgery,and duration of surgery were all independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infec-tion in gastric cancer patients(all P＜0.05).Based on multivariate analysis results,a nomogram prediction model for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer patients was constructed.The receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve result showed that the areas under the ROC curve(AUCs)of the training set and validation set were 0.764(95％CI:0.677-0.852)and 0.712(95％CI:0.565-0.860,respectively,indicating that the model had good discriminability for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer patients.Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a x2 value of 8.491 and a P value of 0.387,suggesting goodness fit of the model.The decision curve analysis(DCA)result showed that within the risk threshold ranges of the training set(0.05-0.4)and validation set(0.1-1.0,positive benefits may be obtained by using the model to intervene in patients with high risk of post-operative intra-abdominal infection.Clinical impact curve(CIC)analysis result showed that within the risk thresh-old ranges of the training set(0-0.4)and validation set(0-0.5),the number of infected cases predicted by the model was higher than the actual number,indicating good clinical practicality of the model.Conclusion Construc-tion of a nomogram prediction model based on independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer can provide a quantitative and intuitive reference for the early clinical assessment of postoperative in-tra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia（SMPP）with bronchiolitis and consolidation to raise awareness.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on children hospitalized at the first affiliated hospital of Xiamen University diagnosed with（SMPP）from February 2023 to January 2024.The children were divided into bronchiolitis group and large consolidation group based on their high-resolution CT imaging findings.Data on basic information，clinical features，auxiliary examination results，and bronchoscopy findings were analyzed.Results:This study included 415 pediatric patients，including 203 with bronchiolitis and 212 with large consolidation.The proportion of males，atopy rate，and first-degree relative atopy rate in the bronchiolitis group were higher，and the age of the bronchiolitis group was younger（ P<0.05）.The fever peak，incidence of fever，and low breath sound in the bronchiolitis group were lower，and the incidence of hypoxemia，wheezing，shortness of breath，inspiratory tri-concave signs，moist rales were higher than those in the consolidation group（ P<0.05）.The white blood cell counts，platelet counts，and lactate dehydrogenase were higher and the percentage of neutrophils，C-reactive protein，ferritin，D-dimer，and fibrinogen degradation products were lower in the bronchiolitis group than those in the consolidation group（ P<0.05）.The rate of 2 or more bronchoscopy procedures，and the proportion of longitudinal plica，mucus plug，and plastic in the consolidation group were higher than those in the bronchiolitis group（ P<0.05）.After three months of follow-up，there were 8 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans，including 7 cases in the bronchiolitis group and 1 case in the large consolidation group. Conclusion:If atopy，wheezing，and dyspnea are present in young children and preschool children with confirmed SMPP，they should be closely monitored for signs of bronchiolitis SMPP.Children with significant consolidation on imaging should have the possibility of various intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary problems taken into account.Appropriate treatment options should be implemented during the acute phase based on the imaging findings.

Objective To investigate the association between gout-related gene polymorphisms and clinical phenotypic heterogeneity among gout patients in the Foshan region,thereby providing a scientific basis for stratified clinical management.Methods A total of 125 gout patients diagnosed at the Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2022 and May 2025 were enrolled in this study.The collected data included demo-graphic characteristics,frequency of gout attacks,presence of tophi,levels of uric acid,creatinine,C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),gout-related genes(ABCG2,SLC2A9,SLC22A12,MTHFR),and joint ultrasound findings.Group comparisons and rank correlation analyses were conducted to explore potential associations between gene polymorphisms and clinical heterogeneity.Results The male-to-female ratio was 11∶1;the mean age was(35.28±2.67)years;the mean disease duration was(6.03±0.68)years;and the mean frequency of acute attacks in the past 12 months was 4(2.0,7.25).Genotype distributions were as follows:ABCG2:wild-type(C/C),23.8%;heterozygous(C/A),53.2%;homozygous(A/A),23%.SLC2A9:wild-type(A/A),24.6%;heterozygous(A/G),50%;homozygous(G/G),25.4%.SLC22A12:wild-type(A/A),4.8%;heterozygous(A/C),31.7%;homozygous(C/C),63.5%.MTHFR:wild-type(C/C),68.3%;heterozygous(C/T),28.6%;homozygous(T/T),3.2%.Rank correlation analysis revealed that SLC2A9 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with tophi formation(ρ=0.193,P=0.031)and crystal deposition on ultrasound(ρ=0.202,P=0.025).SLC22A12 polymorphisms were associated with hypertension(ρ=0.269,P=0.003)and diabetes(ρ=0.200,P=0.026).MTHFR polymorphisms showed a correlation with diabetes(ρ=0.224,P=0.012).Conclusions Polymorphisms in SLC2A9,SLC22A12,and MTHFR are significantly linked to clinical phenotypic heterogeneity among gout patients.Genetic testing could facilitate the early identification of individuals at high risk for complications and support the development of stratified and individualized treatment approaches.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer pa-tients,as well as construct and validate a nomogram prediction model.Methods 588 gastric cancer surgery pa-tients who admitted to the Department of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from April 2021 to March 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Clinical data of patients were collected and ran-domly divided into the training set and the validation set according to the ratio of 3∶1.Clinical data between two groups of patients were compared.Patients were divided into the infection group and non-infection group according to whether they had intra-abdominal infection after surgery.Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted,and a nomogram prediction model was constructed and validated based on the results of multivariate analysis.Results Among the 588 patients,52(8.84％)had postoperative intra-abdominal infection.A total of 65 strains of patho-gens were detected from 52 peritoneal fluid specimens,out of which 47(72.31％)were Gram-negative bacteria,15(23.07％)were Gram-positive bacteria,and 3(4.62％)were fungi.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the degree of eradication(microscopic residue),combined organ resection,hypertension,history of ab-dominal surgery,and duration of surgery were all independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infec-tion in gastric cancer patients(all P＜0.05).Based on multivariate analysis results,a nomogram prediction model for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer patients was constructed.The receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve result showed that the areas under the ROC curve(AUCs)of the training set and validation set were 0.764(95％CI:0.677-0.852)and 0.712(95％CI:0.565-0.860,respectively,indicating that the model had good discriminability for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer patients.Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a x2 value of 8.491 and a P value of 0.387,suggesting goodness fit of the model.The decision curve analysis(DCA)result showed that within the risk threshold ranges of the training set(0.05-0.4)and validation set(0.1-1.0,positive benefits may be obtained by using the model to intervene in patients with high risk of post-operative intra-abdominal infection.Clinical impact curve(CIC)analysis result showed that within the risk thresh-old ranges of the training set(0-0.4)and validation set(0-0.5),the number of infected cases predicted by the model was higher than the actual number,indicating good clinical practicality of the model.Conclusion Construc-tion of a nomogram prediction model based on independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer can provide a quantitative and intuitive reference for the early clinical assessment of postoperative in-tra-abdominal infection in gastric cancer.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia（SMPP）with bronchiolitis and consolidation to raise awareness.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on children hospitalized at the first affiliated hospital of Xiamen University diagnosed with（SMPP）from February 2023 to January 2024.The children were divided into bronchiolitis group and large consolidation group based on their high-resolution CT imaging findings.Data on basic information，clinical features，auxiliary examination results，and bronchoscopy findings were analyzed.Results:This study included 415 pediatric patients，including 203 with bronchiolitis and 212 with large consolidation.The proportion of males，atopy rate，and first-degree relative atopy rate in the bronchiolitis group were higher，and the age of the bronchiolitis group was younger（ P<0.05）.The fever peak，incidence of fever，and low breath sound in the bronchiolitis group were lower，and the incidence of hypoxemia，wheezing，shortness of breath，inspiratory tri-concave signs，moist rales were higher than those in the consolidation group（ P<0.05）.The white blood cell counts，platelet counts，and lactate dehydrogenase were higher and the percentage of neutrophils，C-reactive protein，ferritin，D-dimer，and fibrinogen degradation products were lower in the bronchiolitis group than those in the consolidation group（ P<0.05）.The rate of 2 or more bronchoscopy procedures，and the proportion of longitudinal plica，mucus plug，and plastic in the consolidation group were higher than those in the bronchiolitis group（ P<0.05）.After three months of follow-up，there were 8 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans，including 7 cases in the bronchiolitis group and 1 case in the large consolidation group. Conclusion:If atopy，wheezing，and dyspnea are present in young children and preschool children with confirmed SMPP，they should be closely monitored for signs of bronchiolitis SMPP.Children with significant consolidation on imaging should have the possibility of various intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary problems taken into account.Appropriate treatment options should be implemented during the acute phase based on the imaging findings.

Objective To investigate the association between gout-related gene polymorphisms and clinical phenotypic heterogeneity among gout patients in the Foshan region,thereby providing a scientific basis for stratified clinical management.Methods A total of 125 gout patients diagnosed at the Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2022 and May 2025 were enrolled in this study.The collected data included demo-graphic characteristics,frequency of gout attacks,presence of tophi,levels of uric acid,creatinine,C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),gout-related genes(ABCG2,SLC2A9,SLC22A12,MTHFR),and joint ultrasound findings.Group comparisons and rank correlation analyses were conducted to explore potential associations between gene polymorphisms and clinical heterogeneity.Results The male-to-female ratio was 11∶1;the mean age was(35.28±2.67)years;the mean disease duration was(6.03±0.68)years;and the mean frequency of acute attacks in the past 12 months was 4(2.0,7.25).Genotype distributions were as follows:ABCG2:wild-type(C/C),23.8%;heterozygous(C/A),53.2%;homozygous(A/A),23%.SLC2A9:wild-type(A/A),24.6%;heterozygous(A/G),50%;homozygous(G/G),25.4%.SLC22A12:wild-type(A/A),4.8%;heterozygous(A/C),31.7%;homozygous(C/C),63.5%.MTHFR:wild-type(C/C),68.3%;heterozygous(C/T),28.6%;homozygous(T/T),3.2%.Rank correlation analysis revealed that SLC2A9 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with tophi formation(ρ=0.193,P=0.031)and crystal deposition on ultrasound(ρ=0.202,P=0.025).SLC22A12 polymorphisms were associated with hypertension(ρ=0.269,P=0.003)and diabetes(ρ=0.200,P=0.026).MTHFR polymorphisms showed a correlation with diabetes(ρ=0.224,P=0.012).Conclusions Polymorphisms in SLC2A9,SLC22A12,and MTHFR are significantly linked to clinical phenotypic heterogeneity among gout patients.Genetic testing could facilitate the early identification of individuals at high risk for complications and support the development of stratified and individualized treatment approaches.

Objective To observe the effects of Huosha Oral Liquid on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea(IBS-D)rats with cold and dampness syndrome based on Notch1/Hes-1/Math-1 signaling pathway;To elucidate its mechanism of repair of intestinal mucosal barrier.Methods An IBS-D cold and dampness syndrome rat model was established by using restraint stress combined with bitter-cold cathartic method and cold and dampness environmental method.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model group,Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 6 rats in each group.An additional 6 rats were set as the normal group.The Western medicine group was given mebeverine(13.5 mg/kg)by gavage,while the Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given Huosha Oral Liquid(3.15,6.3,12.6 g/kg)by gavage,the normal group and model group were given distilled water by gavage,for 4 weeks.The general status of rats were ovserved,the body mass,loose stool rate,fecal water rate and abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)score were measured,the morphalogy of colon tissue were observed by HE staining,the mRNA expression of Occludin,ZO-1,Notch1,Hes-1 and Math-1 in colon tissue were detected by RT-PCR,the protein expression of Notch1 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group had a reduced body mass(P<0.05)and increased loose stool rate,fecal water rate and AWR score(P<0.05),inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in colon tissue and the expressions of Occludin,ZO-1,Math-1 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of Notch1,Hes-1 mRNA increased(P<0.05),and the expression of Notch1 protein increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid low-,medium-and high-dosage groups increased(P<0.05),loose stool rate,fecal water rate and AWR scores decreased(P<0.05),a small amount of neutrophils was visible in the colon tissue,the expressions of Occludin,ZO-1,Math-1 mRNA in colon tissue increased in Huosha Oral Liquid medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.05)and the expressions of Notch1 and Hes-1 mRNA decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Notch1 protein decreased in Western medicine group and Huosha Oral Liquid groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Huosha Oral Liquid may regulate the expressions of tight junction proteins by inhibiting excessive activation of the Notch/Hes-1/Math-1 signaling pathway,thereby protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier function,improving diarrhea symptoms in IBS-D rats with cold and dampness syndrome,and reducing visceral sensitivity and colonic tissue inflammation.