Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are one of the major populations susceptible to tuberculosis. However, little is known about the unique characteristics and diagnostic biomarkers of tuberculosis in this population. In this study, 81 AYAs were recruited, and the high-quality serum proteome of the AYAs with tuberculosis was profiled by quantitative proteomics. The data of serum proteomics indicated that the relative abundance of hemoglobin and apolipoprotein was significantly reduced in the patients with active tuberculosis (ATB). The pathway enrichment analysis showed that the downregulated proteins in the ATB group were mainly involved in the antioxidant and cell detoxification pathways, indicating extensive oxidative stress damage. Random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) were employed to evaluate protein importance, which yielded a set of candidate proteins that can distinguish between ATB and non-ATB. The analysis with the support vector machine algorithm (recursive feature elimination) suggested that the combination of apolipoprotein A-I (APOA1), hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB), and hemoglobin subunit alpha-1 (HBA1) had the highest accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosing ATB. Meanwhile, the levels of hemoglobin (HGB) and albumin (ALB) can be used as blood biochemical indicators to evaluate changes in the protein levels of APOA1 and HBB. This study established the serum proteome landscape of AYAs with tuberculosis and identified new biomarkers for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in this population.
Humans ; Proteomics/methods* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Apolipoprotein A-I/blood* ; Machine Learning ; Tuberculosis/blood* ; Proteome/analysis* ; Male ; Hemoglobins/analysis* ; Female ; Blood Proteins/analysis* ; Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of simultaneous treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with cone-beam computed tomography-guided(CBCT-guided)microwave ablation(MWA).Methods The clinical data of 69 patients with small HCC(72 lesions in total),who underwent TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment from March 2018 to December 2022 at First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University hospital,were retrospectively analyzed.Follow-up check was performed at 1,3,6,and 12 months after treatment.The mRECIST criteria was used to evaluate the tumor response.The objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),progression-free survival(PFS),local tumor progression(LTP),and adverse reactions were analyzed.Results The initial complete remission(CR)rate,ORR and DCR of TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment for small HCC was 94.2％(65/69),100％and 100％respectively.44.9％(31/69)of patients experienced tumor progression,and 20.3％(14/69)of patients experienced local tumor progression.Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the maximum tumor diameter(≥2 cm and＜3 cm)was the main risk factor for PFS(HR=4.498,P＜0.001).No serious adverse events occurred during the study.Conclusion TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment for small HCC is clinically effect and safe,and this therapy is particularly suitable for the treatment of lesions where the use of traditional image-guided methods is limited.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of acute stent implantation during endovascular treatment for patients with emergent large vessel occlusion due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on 46 patients with emergent large vessel occlusion due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis who received endovascular treatment at the Strategic Support Force Medical Center from January 2015 to August 2022. Twenty-seven patients underwent balloon angioplasty alone and 19 patients underwent acute stent implantation. The baseline characteristics, modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of the responsible vessels, modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 90 days after operation, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality of the two groups were evaluated.Results:The proportion of effective recanalization of the offending vessels (mTICI≥2b) in the acute stenting group was slightly higher than that in the balloon angioplasty group (16/19 vs. 81.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference in the median of mRS between the acute stenting group [3.0(0, 4.0)] and the balloon angioplasty group [4.0(1.0, 5.0)] 90 days after operation ( P>0.05). In terms of safety, the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality were comparable between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The effect of acute stent implantation during endovascular treatment for patients with emergent large vessel occlusion due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis is not inferior to that of balloon angioplasty, and it does not increase the risk of intracranial bleeding complications.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of high-definition diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)sequence combined with T1 WI-fat suppression(FS)dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)sequence for preoperative T-stage of rectal cancer by using 3.0T MRI standardized scanning.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on MRI images of 57 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by pathology.Before surgery,the patients underwent 3.0T MRI standardized rectal cancer scan methods,including routine sequence,high-definition DWI sequence,and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,etc.Then two experienced physicians evaluated the T-stage of preoperative rectal cancer through high-definition DWI(transverse and sagittal sections)and T1 WI-FS DCE sequences in the double-blind method.Using the postoperative pathological results of rectal cancer as the"gold standard",two sequences were combined to evaluate the accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of rectal cancer T-stage.Results Among the 57 cases,there were 9 cases of upper rectal cancer,39 cases of middle rectal cancer,and 9 cases of lower rectal cancer.The accuracy rates of preoperative T-stage diagnosis for rectal cancer by two evaluator were both 85.7％(6/7)in T1 stage,88.2％(15/17)and 94.1％(16/17)in T2 stage,96.9％(31/32)and 93.8％(30/32)in T3 stage,and both 100.0％(1/1)in T4 stage.For evaluator 1,the sensitivity and specificity of the rectal cancer T-stage diagnosis were 96.1％and 83.3％,and for evaluator 2 were 94.1％and 83.3％,respectively.For rectal cancer MRI diagnosis,the accuracy rates and sensitivity were higher when combining the high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,compared with a single high-definition DWI sequence or T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,and the difference was statistically significant.The average preoperative apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of rectal cancer was compared between the corresponding postoperative pathological T1 to T4 stage groups,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion The combination of high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence improves the accuracy of rectal cancer T-stage,providing assistance for personalized clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of dynamic diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in the postoperative efficacy of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)and to determine whether DTI parameters in different positions can be used as predictors of poor neurological prognosis.Methods A total of 105 CSM patients who underwent cervical spine decompression surgery were included.The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association(mJOA)score was used to assess patients'neurological function before surgery and one year after surgery.Patients were divided into two groups based on the recovery rate:the good prognosis group(recovery rate ≥50％)(44 cases)and the poor prognosis group(recovery rate＜50％)(61 cases).Univariate analysis was performed based on patients'clinical characteristics,imaging features and dynamic DTI parameters.Significant variables were subjected to binary logistic regres-sion analysis to identify risk factors for poor postoperative prognosis in CSM patients.Results Univariate analysis results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of diabetes,number of compression segments,pre-mJOA score,cross-sectional area of the spinal canal at the narrowest location[Area-N(natu-ral),Area-E(extension),Area-F(flexion)],apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)(ADC-N,ADC-E,ADC-F)and fractional ani-sotropy(FA)(FA-N,FA-E,FA-F)(P＜0.05).Binary logistic regression analysisrevealed that Area-N[odds ratio(OR)0.226;95％confidence interval(CI)0.069-0.732,P=0.013],FA-N(OR 3.028;95％CI 1.12-8.19,P=0.029),Area-E(OR 0.248;95％CI 0.076-0.814,P=0.021),FA-E(OR 4.793;95％CI 1.737-13.228,P=0.002),Area-F(OR 0.288;95％CI 0.095-0.87,P=0.027),FA-F(OR 2.964;95％CI 1.126-7.801,P=0.028)were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.FA-E had significant predictive value for poor prognosis in CSM patients.Conclusion Dynamic DTI can predict the postoperative outcomes in CSM,and FA-E value can serve as an excellent predictor of poor neurological prognosis.

The gastric fundus fornix and upper part of the gastric body pose challenges for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), resulting in unsatisfactory resection outcomes for lesions in these areas,because of the difficulty in the endoscope reaching the lesion site. Drawing inspiration from the formation of α loop during flexible colonoscopy and double-channel multibending gastroscope, a single-channel treatment gastroscope was utilized to create a multibending state (referred to as single-channel endoscope multibending method, SCMB). This method was employed to treat 6 patients with lesions in the stomach at Digestive Endoscopy Center of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from June 2021 to December 2021. There were 3 cases in the gastric fundus fornix, 2 cases in the greater curvature on the upper part of the gastric body, and 1 case in the posterior wall of gastric fundus and subcardia. After 2-3 attempts during surgery, SCMB was successfully performed in all cases within 60-120 seconds. All 6 cases completed successful endoscopic resection within 20-80 minutes without significant complications, including 4 cases of ESD and 2 cases of endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR). Preliminary results indicate that SCMB method during ESD and its derivative technologies are both safe and effective for lesions in challenging areas where gastric ESD is difficult to perform. During surgery, this approach facilitates the front end of endoscope access to the lesion, providing a clear visual field and a stable dissection plane.

Objective To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation versus thyroidectomy in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTN) and to explore the influencing factors of prognosis. Methods A total of 282 BTN patients were enrolled and divided into ablation group (treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation, n=172) and resection group (treated with thyroidectomy, n=110) based on treatment methods. Perioperative indicators and thyroid function indices before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. Patients were followed up for 1 year and divided into good prognosis group [volume reduction rate (VRR)≥80%, n=210] and a poor prognosis group (VRR < 80%, n=72) based on the VRR. Factors influencing the prognosis of BTN patients were analyzed. Results The ablation group had shorter operative time and hospital stay, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores compared to the resection group (P < 0.05). One month after surgery, serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were higher, while free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were lower than preoperative levels in both groups, however, TSH level was lower, and FT3 and FT4 levels were higher in the ablation group compared to the resection group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative TSH levels, the proportion of solid nodules, and the proportion of nodules in the risk zone were lower, while preoperative FT4 levels were higher in the good prognosis group compared to the poor prognosis group (P < 0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that nodule type, nodule location, preoperative TSH, and preoperative FT4 were all influencing factors for the prognosis of BTN patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Compared to thyroidectomy, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for BTN offers advantages such as less intraoperative blood loss, milder postoperative pain, shorter operative time and hospital stay, and less damage to thyroid function. Preoperative TSH and FT4 levels, nodule type, and nodule location are closely related to the prognosis of BTN patients and should be given attention in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of subcutaneous injection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in preventing invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods:The clinical data of 222 patients who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients was given GM-CSF (3-5 μg·kg -1·d -1, GM-CSF group) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 2-5 μg·kg -1·d -1, G-CSF group) when neutrophils (ANC) ≤1.5×10 9/L after induction chemotherapy. Patients were discontinued when white blood cell count (WBC) ≥10.0×10 9/L. The incidence of IFD (including confirmed, clinical and proposed diagnosis) and breakthrough invasive fungal infections was compared between the two groups. Results:The incidence of IFD was 8.1% (18/222) in all patients. The incidence of IFD was 3.5% (3/85) and 10.9% (15/137) in the GM-CSF and G-CSF groups, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2 = 3.88, P = 0.049). In 9 patients of GM-CSF group receiving fungal infection prophylaxis and in 15 patients of G-CSF group receiving fungal infection prophylaxis, the incidence of breakthrough invasive fungal infections was 0 and 7 cases, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P = 0.022). Conclusions:GM-CSF application in MM patients can reduce the incidence of IFD and breakthrough invasive fungal infections.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) has a wide range of symptoms, and it is difficult for clinicians to make a quick and correct diagnosis. On November 11, 2021, a 36-year-old male patient with AAV was admitted to the emergency and critical care department of Yichang Central People's Hospital. He was admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) with gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, black stool) as the main physical signs, and was initially diagnosed as AAV with gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH). No bleeding point was found after repeated gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Abdominal emission CT (ECT) showed diffuse hemorrhage in the ileum, ascending colon and transverse colon. Multi-disciplinary consultation in the whole hospital considered the diffuse hemorrhage caused by small vascular lesions in the digestive tract caused by AAV. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone 1 000 mg/d and immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide (CTX) 0.2 g/d were administered. The patient's symptoms quickly relieved and transferred out of the EICU. After 17 days of treatment, the patient finally died of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. A systematic review of relevant literatures combined with the case diagnosis and treatment process found that only a minority of AAV patients present with gastrointestinal symptoms as their first symptoms, and patients with GIH were very rare. Such patients had a poor prognosis. This patient delayed the use of induced remission and immunosuppressive agents due to the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding, which may be the main cause of life-threatening GIH secondary to AAV. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare and fatal complication of vasculitis. Timely and effective induction and remission treatment is the key to survival. Whether patients should receive maintenance therapy, the duration of maintenance therapy, and the search for markers of disease diagnosis and treatment response are directions and challenges for further research.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis ; Critical Care ; Cyclophosphamide ; Death

Objective:To establish new scar-endoscopic submucosal dissection (scar-ESD) classification based on the relationship between scars and lesion location under endoscopy, and to explore the clinical efficacy of ESD.Methods:Clinical data of 132 patients who underwent ESD with scars from January 2015 to August 2022 at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine. According to the scar-ESD classification, the lesions without surgical anastomosis at the same location were classified as type A: A0, A1, A2, and A3; and those with surgical anastomosis were classified as type B: B0, B1, and B2. The ESD operation time, specimen size, intraoperative assistant methods, intraoperative perforation, en-bloc resection rate, specimen damage rate, and postoperative complications were recorded for each subtype.Results:The age of the 132 patients was 64.22±9.51, with a male-to-female ratio of 3∶1. Forty-nine lesions (37.12%) were located in the esophagus, 40 cases (30.30%) in the stomach, and 43 cases (32.58%) in the colon. The operation time was 49.66±32.96 minutes. The operation time for A0 subtype was 30.38±12.85 minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of the A2 (52.10±36.55 minutes, t=2.15, P<0.05). The operation time for B0 subtype was 45.03±24.35 minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of the B2 (90.71±44.95 minutes, t=3.95, P<0.05). Intraoperative assistance was used in 38 cases (28.79%). Intraoperative perforation occurred in 5 cases (3.79%), including 4 cases of A2 and 1 case of A3, and the highest incidence occurred in the colon [9.30% (4/43)]. The en-bloc resection rate was 97.73% (129/132), the R0 resection rate was 88.64% (117/132), and the curative resection rate was 84.09% (111/132). The specimen damage occurred in 23 cases (17.42%), with the highest incidence in the stomach [32.50% (13/40)]. There were significant differences between A2 and A0 subtypes ( t=2.31, P<0.05) in this variable, and between B2 subtype and A0, A1, A2, A3, and B0 subtypes ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The scar-ESD classification is beneficial for describing and predicting difficulty of ESD. ESD is still the preferred treatment for early digestive lesions with scars, and the efficacy is satisfactory. But it requires experienced physicians to perform the operation.