Objective:To study echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province, and to explore the current epidemic situation and main transmission species of Echinococcus. Methods:In June 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2 villages each in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Each village included at least 100 permanent residents who had lived locally for at least 1 year and were 2 years old or older as the survey subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum antibodies against Echinococcus larvae in the population, and B-mode ultrasound was used for abdominal organ scanning. Meanwhile, on the main roads of Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, canine feces were collected in designated areas at intervals. ELISA was used to detect the antigen of canine fecal Echinococcus, and PCR was used to detect the types of parasites ( Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus shiquicus). Results:A total of 511 residents were investigated in Yushu City, and the positive rate of serum Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population was 26.22% (134/511), and the detection rate of echinococcosis B-mode ultrasound was 1.37% (7/511). Among them, the detection rates of B-mode ultrasound for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 1.17% (6/511) and 0.20% (1/511), respectively. The positive rate of Echinococcus antigen in 543 canine feces detected by ELISA was 12.89% (70/543). PCR was used to test 497 canine feces, and the detection rate of Echinococcus was 3.02% (15/497). Among them, the detection rate of Echinococcus multilocularis was higher than that of Echinococcus granulosus [2.82% (14/497) vs 0.20% (1/497)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 11.44, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus shiquicus was detected. Conclusions:The positive rates of Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population and canine Echinococcus antigen in Yushu City, Qinghai Province are both relatively high. There is a mixed epidemic of CE and AE, with Echinococcus multilocularis being the main species.

Objective:To study echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province, and to explore the current epidemic situation and main transmission species of Echinococcus. Methods:In June 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2 villages each in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Each village included at least 100 permanent residents who had lived locally for at least 1 year and were 2 years old or older as the survey subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum antibodies against Echinococcus larvae in the population, and B-mode ultrasound was used for abdominal organ scanning. Meanwhile, on the main roads of Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, canine feces were collected in designated areas at intervals. ELISA was used to detect the antigen of canine fecal Echinococcus, and PCR was used to detect the types of parasites ( Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus shiquicus). Results:A total of 511 residents were investigated in Yushu City, and the positive rate of serum Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population was 26.22% (134/511), and the detection rate of echinococcosis B-mode ultrasound was 1.37% (7/511). Among them, the detection rates of B-mode ultrasound for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 1.17% (6/511) and 0.20% (1/511), respectively. The positive rate of Echinococcus antigen in 543 canine feces detected by ELISA was 12.89% (70/543). PCR was used to test 497 canine feces, and the detection rate of Echinococcus was 3.02% (15/497). Among them, the detection rate of Echinococcus multilocularis was higher than that of Echinococcus granulosus [2.82% (14/497) vs 0.20% (1/497)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 11.44, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus shiquicus was detected. Conclusions:The positive rates of Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population and canine Echinococcus antigen in Yushu City, Qinghai Province are both relatively high. There is a mixed epidemic of CE and AE, with Echinococcus multilocularis being the main species.

Objective:To explore the rapid evaluation of the early pathogen of severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, so as to start effective anti-infection treatment before the results of macrogenome next generation sequencing (mNGS) test. Methods:The clinical data of three patients with severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia who were successfully treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, the First People's Hospital of Aksu District, and the First Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from October 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including the rapid assessment of early pathogens by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy and the use of antibiotics to start anti-infection treatment. These patients were successfully treated. Results:The three patients were male, aged 63, 45 and 58 years old, respectively. Before the onset of the penumonia, they had a clear medical history of bird exposure. The clinical manifestations mainly included fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and dyspnea. One case had abdominal pain and lethargy. The results of laboratory examination indicated that the peripheral blood white blood cell count (WBC) of two patients were high [(10.2-11.9)×10 9/L], the percentage of neutrophils increased (85.2%-94.6%) and the percentage of lymphocytes decreased (3.2%-7.7%) in all 3 patients after admission to hospital and entering into intensive care unit (ICU). The procalcitonin (PCT) of 3 patients increased after admission, and still increased when entering ICU (0.3-4.8 ng/L), so did C-reactive protein (CRP, 58.0-162.0 mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, 36.0-90.0 mm/1 h). After admission, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) increased in 2 cases (136.7 U/L, 220.5 U/L), so did aspartate transaminase (AST) in 2 cases (249.6 U/L, 164.2 U/L). ALT (162.2-267.9 U/L) and AST (189.8-223.2 U/L) increased in 3 patients when they entered ICU. The level of serum creatinine (SCr) of 3 patients were normal after admission and entering ICU. The chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 3 patients were acute interstitial pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and lung consolidation, of which 2 cases were accompanied by a small amount of pleural effusion, and 1 case was accompanied by more regular small air sacs. Multiple lung lobes were involved, but mainly one lung lobe. The oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) of the 3 patients admitting to ICU were 100.0, 57.5 and 105.4 mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa), respectively, which met with the diagnostic criteria of moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). All three patients received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Under the bedside bronchoscope, the bronchial mucosa of 3 patients were obviously congested and edematous, without purulent secretion, and there was 1 case with mucosal hemorrhage. Three patients underwent bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, and the evaluation result of the pathogen was that it might be atypical pathogen infection, so they were given moxifloxacin, cisromet and doxycycline intravenously, respectively, and combined with carbapenem antibiotics intravenously. After 3 days, the detection results of mNGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed that only Chlamydia psittaci was infected. At this time, the condition was significantly improved, and PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly increased. Therefore, the antibiotic treatment scheme remained unchanged, and mNGS only served to verify the initial diagnosis. Two patients were extubated on the 7th and 12th day of admission to the ICU, respectively, while one patient was extubated on the 16th day of admission to the ICU due to nosocomial infection. All 3 patients were transferred to the respiratory ward after the condition was stable. Conclusion:The bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy based on clinical characteristics is conducive to not only the rapid assessment of the early pathogens of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia, but also effective anti-infection treatment before the returning of mNGS test results, which can make up for the lag and uncertainty of the mNGS test results.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic rapid on-site evaluation (B-ROSE) in patients with severe invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (IBPA) and provide evidence for starting antifungal treatment before microbiological results were available. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted to select patients with severe pneumonia suspected of IBPA admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2014 to June 2022, and those who were primarily infected with other pathogens (such as bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis) at admission were excluded. Whether the antifungal treatment was initiated or not on the basis of the bedside B-ROSE, the B-ROSE was administered as soon as possible within 24 hours after admission to RICU. The current international definition of invasive aspergillosis was used as the gold diagnostic standard, the diagnostic accordance rate, the sensitivity and specificity of B-ROSE were calculated respectively, and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was also plotted, to evaluate the predictive value in diagnosing IBPA. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with severe pneumonia suspected of IBPA were included in the study. According to international diagnostic standards, there were 81 cases of IBPA and 95 cases of non-IBPA. According to the early diagnosis of B-ROSE, there were 89 cases of IBPA and 87 cases of non-IBPA. The diagnostic accordance rate of B-ROSE was 84.09% (148/176), the area under the ROC curve for B-ROSE in diagnosing severe IBPA was 0.844, the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.782-0.905, the sensitivity was 87.65%, the specificity was 81.05%, the positive predictive value was 79.78%, the negative predictive value was 88.51%, the rate of underdiagnosis was 12.35% (10/81), and the rate of misdiagnosis was 18.95% (18/95). Compared with the true negative group, the proportion of long-term (≥ 14 days) use of glucocorticoid [70.0% (7/10) vs. 9.1% (7/77), P < 0.01] and the proportion of cases with diabetes [40.0% (4/10) vs. 10.4% (8/77), P < 0.05] were significantly higher in the false negative group (underdiagnosis group). However, B-ROSE of both groups showed mucosal bleeding, congestion and edema [100.0% (10/10) vs. 94.8% (73/77), P > 0.05], indicating that acute mucosal inflammation was non-characteristic. Compared with the true positive group, the proportion of long-term (≥ 14 days) use of glucocorticoid in the false positive group (misdiagnosis group) was significantly reduced [33.3% (6/18) vs. 60.6% (43/71), P < 0.05]. The B-ROSE results showed the proportion of cases with mucosal white spots, black plaques and pseudomembrane was significantly reduced [16.7% (3/18) vs. 52.1% (37/71), P < 0.01] in the misdiagnosed group, which suggest that cases of long-term use of glucocorticoid and cases with B-ROSE showing mucosal white spots, black plaques and pseudomembrane were less likely to be misdiagnosed. The main diseases that were easily misdiagnosed as IBPA included pulmonary tuberculosis (38.9%, 7/18), inflammatory lung adenocarcinoma (27.8%, 5/18) and pulmonary vasculitis (16.7%, 3/18). CONCLUSIONS Before obtaining microbiological evidence, B-ROSE can assist in decision-making of early anti-aspergillus treatment for severe IBPA. This method is prompt, simple, and has high accuracy and reliability. If B-ROSE lacks characteristic manifestations, especially for severe pneumonia in patients with long-term use of glucocorticoid or diabetes, attention should be paid to the underdiagnosis of IBPA. Diseases such as lung tuberculosis, inflammatory lung adenocarcinoma and lung vasculitis should be vigilant against misdiagnosis as IBPA.
Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Antifungal Agents ; Glucocorticoids ; Rapid On-site Evaluation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Pulmonary Aspergillosis ; Pneumonia ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Vasculitis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To explore the value of MRI signs in assessing the presence or absence of hernia sacs in fetuses with congenital diaphragm hernia.Methods:MRI images of 57 patients with congenital diaphragm hernia confirmed by postpartum surgery were analyzed from November 2016 to December 2020 in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, with a gestational age of 20－40 (28±5) weeks. In postpartum surgery, 18 cases were found with hernia sacs (hernia sac group) and 39 cases without hernia sacs (hernia-free group). Seven MRI signs were analyzed, including hernia peripheral enveloping sensation, smooth lung-hernia interface, crescent-shaped lung compression, residual lung tissue on the affected side, heart displacement, effusion above the lung-hernia interface and effusion below the lung-hernia interface. The differences in MRI signs between the hernia sac and hernia-free groups were compared using the χ 2 test or Fisher′s exact probability method. The diagnostic efficacy of each sign was calculated. The MRI signs with statistical differences between the two groups were included in the predictive integration model, and 1 point was scored for each sign, the imaging score of each fetus was calculated, and the efficacy of imaging points in diagnosing the presence or absence of hernia sacs was assessed by the subject manipulation receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results:There were statistically significant differences in 5 MRI signs between the hernia sac and the hernia-free groups, namely hernia peripheral enveloping sensation (χ2=25.74, P<0.001), smooth lung-hernia interface (χ2=48.20, P<0.001), crescent-shaped lung compression (χ2=57.00, P<0.001), residual lung tissue on the affected side (χ2=12.14, P<0.001) and effusion above the lung-hernia interface (χ2=4.31, P=0.022). Among them, the sign of crescent-shaped lung compression had the highest diagnostic efficacy, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy all were 100%. Five statistically significant MRI signs were included in the predictive integration model, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.999, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 94.9%, and the optimal threshold was 2 points. Conclusion:Fetal MRI signs and predictive integration model can effectively identify the presence or absence of hernia sacs in fetuses with congenital diaphragm hernia, which has certain clinical significance.

Objective To evaluate the predictive factors for failure of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in immunosuppressed patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Methods The clinical data of 118 immuno-deficient patients treated with NIPPV in the respiratory and intensive care unit (RICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2012 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a non-endotracheal intubation (ETI) group (n = 62) and ETI group (n = 56) according to whether ETI was performed during the hospitalization period or not. Each observed indicator was analyzed by univariate analysis, and factors leading to failure of NIPPV were further analyzed by Logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of risk factors for failure of NIPPV in immunosuppressed patients with ARF. Results The non-intubation rate for NIPPV in immunosuppressed patients was 50.8% (60/118). Compared with the non-ETI group, the body temperature, pH value in the ETI group were significantly increased, the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) was significantly decreased, the ratio of oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) < 100 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) score ≥ 20, and the number of cases requiring catecholamine were significantly increased, the mortality was significantly increased. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20 [odds ratio (OR) = 15.274, 95% confidence internal (95%CI) = 2.175-107.252, χ2= 7.516, 1 = 0.006], PaO2/FiO2< 100 mmHg (OR = 0.075, 95%CI = 0.014-0.408, χ2= 8.968, 1 = 0.003), and need for catecholamine (OR = 35.736, 95%CI = 6.974-183.124, χ2= 18.400, 1 < 0.001) were independent risk factors for failure of NIPPV. ROC curve analysis showed that the APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20 and PaO2/FiO2< 100 mmHg could predict failure of NIPPV, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20 was 0.787, the sensitivity was 83.93%, the specificity was 69.35%, the positive predict value (PPV) was 71.21%, the negative predict value (NPV) was 82.69%, the positive likelihood ratio (PLR) was 2.74, the negative likelihood ratio (NLR) was 0.23, and Youden index was 0.53; the AUC of PaO2/FiO2< 100 mmHg was 0.757, the sensitivity was 80.65%, the specificity was 66.07%, the PPV was 68.18%, the NPV was 78.85%, the PLR was 2.38, the NLR was 0.29, and Youden index was 0.47. Conclusions 50.8% of immunocompromised and ARF patients treated with NIPPV did not require ETI, which is independent of the etiology of ARF. APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20, PaO2/FiO2<100 mmHg, and the need for catecholamine are predictive factors for failure of NIPPV in immunocompromised patients.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically investigate the management mode of non-medical prescribing in Britain and its enlightenment to the establishment and implementation of non-medical prescribing in China. METHODS:By retrieving domestic and foreign literatures,non-medical prescribing in Britain was introduced systematically in terms of development history,types, core elements,implementation status and effect;the suggestions were put forward for the development of non-medical prescribing in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:Britain implemented non-medical prescribing since 1994. After years of practice and a series of legislation and revision,independent prescribers (including nurses and pharmacists) have owned the statutory right to prescribe any medicine for patients by 2012. In Britain,non-medical prescribing is divided into independent prescribing which mainly exists in community pharmacies and is limited to specific diseases,supplementary prescribing which exists in hospitals or clinic and needs to be signed with doctors. The management institutions are mainly composed of one state administrative department (British Department of Health) and three professional associations (British Nursing and Midwifery Council,The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain,The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland). There are detailed and strict stipulations on the qualification and corresponding responsibilities of the prescribing authority. The British government has provided legal protection for the development of the non-medical prescribing model,and the number of non-medical prescribers is increasing. The implementation of this model has increased the patients'access to medical services. Drawing lessons from the development of non-medical prescribing management in Britain,our country needs to improve legislation,provide legislative protection for the implementation of non-medical prescribing,expand the scope of practice of nurses and pharmacists,establish and improve the training program of non-medical prescribing professionals to promote the development of non-medical prescribing model in China.

Objective To compare and analyze the accuracy and safety of robot-assisted and conventional freehand open approach in pedicle screw fixation using meta-analysis.Methods PubMed,Embase,Cochrane,China Biology Medicine,Wanfang and CNKI databases were searched by computer retrieval to identify the relevant literatures published before December1,2016.The qualified literatures were selected according to the preestablished the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria,and processed for data extraction and quality evaluation.The RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis.The relative risk (RR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) were adopted to represent the effect differences in the dichotomous variable data.The effect difference of continuous variable data was represented by mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD).When P＜0.05 and 95％ CI does not contain the value of 1,the difference was considered statistically significant.Results A total of 266 patients were enrolled,including 138 cases of robot-assisted group and 128 cases of conventional freehand open group,in which 1 200 screws were implanted,including 608 screws by robot-assisted system and 592 screws by conventional freehand open approach.The Gertzbein-Robbins grading criteria (grade A to C) were used.The results showed that there was no significant difference in the accuracy of pedicle screw fixation between the robotic-assisted and conventional freehand open approach according to the grading criteria,i.e.grades A (RR =1.07,95％CI:0.82,1.39,I2=46％,P=0.62),grades B (RR=l.56,95％CI:0.86,2.82,I2=0％,P=0.14) and grades C (RR=0.91,95％CI:0.32,2.55,I2=0％,P=0.85).For the two groups,the difference was no statistically significance in the complication rate (RR=0.33,95％CI:0.05,2.17,I2=0％,P=0.25),and in the revision rate (RR=0.53,95％CI:0.10,2.90,I2=0％,P=0.47).The difference was statistically significance in the overall surgical time (MD=20.90,95％CI:5.54,36.26,I2=15％,P=0.008),and in the exposure time (MD=-1.19,95％CI:-1.63,-0.75,I2=15％,P＜0.000 01).The difference was no statistically significance in the distance between screws and facet joint surfaces (SMD=-1.15,95％CI:0.79,1.51,I2=16％,P＜0.000 01).Conclusions Compared with the conventional freehand open approach,the current evidence cannot confirm that the robot-assisted system has significant advantages in the surgical accuracy of pedicle screw fixation and complication rate.The spinal surgical robot-assisted system,as a new technology,has considerable potential for further development and application in spinal surgery.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of clinical and radiographic features in fungal pathogen identification in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary invasive fungal infection (IFI).Methods All consecutive immunocompromised adult patients with pulmonary IFI in respiratory intensive care unit (ICU)in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were recruited during a 2 year period.All patients met the 2008 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group (EORTC /MSG) criteria were studied for proved or probable IFI responding to antifungal agents.The data of demographic,clinical and radiographic features,as well as serological test results of the patients were collected.Differences in the clinical and radiographic features of pulmonary IFIs caused by yeasts and molds were compared by χ2 test.A logistic regression model was used to perform discriminant analysis,and the effect of discrimination was assessed for accuracy.Results The study included 143 patients with a probable diagnosis of IFI who had the following risk factors:diabetes mellitus (43.4%),chronic lung disease (32.2%),broad-spectrum antibiotics administration (≥14 days;35.7%),malignancy (23.1%),corticosteroid therapy (≥14 days;23.1%),chronic renal failure and renal replacement therapy (16.1%),and immunological disease (10.5%).Frequent broad-spectrum antibiotics administration was associated with yeast infection (P <0.05 ),while mold infection was associated with chronic lung disease (P <0.05 ) .Yeast was more often isolated from patients with concurrent bacterial infection and on mechanical ventilation (P <0.05 ) . Thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)showed the following images:bronchial pneumonia/pulmonary consolidation (53.1%),massive shadowing (29.4%),small nodules (24.5%),large nodules (18.9%),pleural effusion (18.9%),halo sign (14%),and cavity (9.8%).Imaging showed that mold was more common than yeast in patients with pleural and pericardial effusions (P <0.05).Logistic regression modeling showed that broad-spectrum antibiotics administration,prolonged mechanical ventilation,and pleural and pericardial effusions were statistically significant in fungal identification (P <0.05 ),with a predictive accuracy of 77.6%.Conclusions For immunocompromised patients with pulmonary IFI,most of the risk factors ,the main clinical and chest HRCT features did not help to predict the type of fungal pathogen,and yeast but not cryptococcus may be accompanied or colonized.

Objective To investigate the supplementary roles of MRI in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities in twin fetuses.Methods MRI manifestations of 22 twins were retrospectively analyzed after abnormalities were found by prenatal ultrasonography (US) from Sep 2005 to Dec 2012.Two rapid scanning sequences were used in the study,fast-imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) and fast inversion recovery motion insensitive (FIRM).MRI findings were compared with those of prenatal US,induced labour or postpartum diagnosis.Results A total of 22 twins were reported with 23 abnormal fetuses in 20 twins and 2 normal twins.MRI confirmed central nervous system abnormalities in 3 abnormal fetuses which were anencephalus,meningoencephalocele and enlargement of lateral ventricles respectively.The case of meningoencephalocele was showed brain tissue protruding from the occipital defect on MRI,which was misdiagnosed as a cystic lymphagioma by US.The MRI diagnosis of anencephalus and enlarged lateral ventricles were accordant with US.MRI made the definite diagnosis in 5 chest abnormalities,which were left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in 5 abnormal fetuses.They were diagnosed as possible CDH by US.Abdominal abnormalities (n=7,8 abnormal fetuses) included two fetuses in one twin with expanded digestive tract,one fetus with expanded colon and rectus and five fetuses with omphalocele.MRI diagnosis was compatible with US diagnosis in the 7 cases.Twins micromelia were found in one case with 2 abnormal fetuses.Conjoined twins in chest and abdomen were found in another case,which manifested as two hearts,one shared liver and independent urinary tracts and gastrointestinal tracts on MRI.One fetus in twin was dead (n=1,1 abnormal fetus).MRI showed small size and skin edema of the dead fetus.One acephalus acardius of twins (n=2,2 abnormal fetuses) was proved.Normal MRI manifestations were indicated in 2 cases which were suspected by US for abnormal digestive tract and cryptorachischisis respectively.Conclusions MRI,an important supplementary method of prenatal US diagnosis,shows valuable advantages including multi-plane manifestations,more extensive visual field and good soft tissue contrast.It is especially helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple pregnancy.