Background/Aims: Chicago classification version 4.0 enhances the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using position change and provocative tests such as multiple rapid swallows and a rapid drink challenge. This study investigates the diagnostic role of the rapid drink challenge based on Chicago classification 4.0 using a functional luminal imaging probe to estimate the cutoff value. Methods: This study included 570 patients who underwent esophageal manometry with a rapid drink challenge between January 2019 and October 2022. The diagnostic flow was analyzed according to Chicago classification 4.0. Results: Ninety-nine patients (38, achalasia; 11, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction; 7, ineffective esophageal motility; 1, hypercontractile esophagus; and 42, normal esophageal function) failed the rapid drink challenge. Among the 453 participants, 50and 86 were diagnosed with achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, respectively, using Chicago classification4.0. In 249/453 (55.0%) patients initially diagnosed with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction using Chicago classification3.0, the diagnosis was changed to achalasia (n = 28), hypercontractile esophagus (n = 7), ineffective esophageal motility (n = 7), or normal esophageal function (n = 121) using Chicago classification 4.0. Rapid drink challenge-integrated relaxation pressure’s diagnostic cutoff value was 19 mmHg. Nine patients had diagnoses changed after the rapid drink challenge, including 3 with panesophageal pressurization. Conclusions Chicago classification 4.0 increased the diagnostic yield of the rapid drink challenge by 2.0% (9/453 patients). However, the rapid drink challenge had a failure rate of 17.9% (99/552 patients). Given the relatively low diagnostic yield and high failure rate of therapid drink challenge, we recommend adopting an individualized approach to manometry.

Background/Aims: Chicago classification version 4.0 enhances the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using position change and provocative tests such as multiple rapid swallows and a rapid drink challenge. This study investigates the diagnostic role of the rapid drink challenge based on Chicago classification 4.0 using a functional luminal imaging probe to estimate the cutoff value. Methods: This study included 570 patients who underwent esophageal manometry with a rapid drink challenge between January 2019 and October 2022. The diagnostic flow was analyzed according to Chicago classification 4.0. Results: Ninety-nine patients (38, achalasia; 11, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction; 7, ineffective esophageal motility; 1, hypercontractile esophagus; and 42, normal esophageal function) failed the rapid drink challenge. Among the 453 participants, 50and 86 were diagnosed with achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, respectively, using Chicago classification4.0. In 249/453 (55.0%) patients initially diagnosed with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction using Chicago classification3.0, the diagnosis was changed to achalasia (n = 28), hypercontractile esophagus (n = 7), ineffective esophageal motility (n = 7), or normal esophageal function (n = 121) using Chicago classification 4.0. Rapid drink challenge-integrated relaxation pressure’s diagnostic cutoff value was 19 mmHg. Nine patients had diagnoses changed after the rapid drink challenge, including 3 with panesophageal pressurization. Conclusions Chicago classification 4.0 increased the diagnostic yield of the rapid drink challenge by 2.0% (9/453 patients). However, the rapid drink challenge had a failure rate of 17.9% (99/552 patients). Given the relatively low diagnostic yield and high failure rate of therapid drink challenge, we recommend adopting an individualized approach to manometry.

Background/Aims: Chicago classification version 4.0 enhances the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using position change and provocative tests such as multiple rapid swallows and a rapid drink challenge. This study investigates the diagnostic role of the rapid drink challenge based on Chicago classification 4.0 using a functional luminal imaging probe to estimate the cutoff value. Methods: This study included 570 patients who underwent esophageal manometry with a rapid drink challenge between January 2019 and October 2022. The diagnostic flow was analyzed according to Chicago classification 4.0. Results: Ninety-nine patients (38, achalasia; 11, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction; 7, ineffective esophageal motility; 1, hypercontractile esophagus; and 42, normal esophageal function) failed the rapid drink challenge. Among the 453 participants, 50and 86 were diagnosed with achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, respectively, using Chicago classification4.0. In 249/453 (55.0%) patients initially diagnosed with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction using Chicago classification3.0, the diagnosis was changed to achalasia (n = 28), hypercontractile esophagus (n = 7), ineffective esophageal motility (n = 7), or normal esophageal function (n = 121) using Chicago classification 4.0. Rapid drink challenge-integrated relaxation pressure’s diagnostic cutoff value was 19 mmHg. Nine patients had diagnoses changed after the rapid drink challenge, including 3 with panesophageal pressurization. Conclusions Chicago classification 4.0 increased the diagnostic yield of the rapid drink challenge by 2.0% (9/453 patients). However, the rapid drink challenge had a failure rate of 17.9% (99/552 patients). Given the relatively low diagnostic yield and high failure rate of therapid drink challenge, we recommend adopting an individualized approach to manometry.

Background/Aims: As the global impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been severe, many countries have intensified containment activities to eliminate virus transmission, through early detection and isolation strategies. To establish a proper quarantine strategy, it is essential to understand how easily the virus can spread in the communities. Methods: In this study, we collected detailed information on the circumstances in which human-to-human transmission occurred in the tertiary transmission cases of COVID-19 in the community. Results: On January 26, 2020, an imported case of COVID-19 was confirmed, and by February 10, 2020, one secondary transmission and three tertiary transmissions were identified. Secondary transmission occurred on the first day of illness of the infector, and his symptoms were suggestive of a common cold. The transmission occurred during a 90-minute long meal together in a restaurant. The people were sitting within one meter of each other, and had no direct contact. The tertiary transmission also occurred on the first-day illness of the other infector, and his only symptom was slight chills. The transmission occurred at a church during 2-hour-long worship, and two rows separated them. Conclusions Our findings suggest that mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 could transmit the virus from the first day of illness through daily activities in the community. Early detection and isolation of patients with COVID-19 may be challenging.

Objective:To understand the actual needs for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV infection and the factors hindering PrEP utilization in men who have sex with men (MSM).Methods:Participants were recruited by using MSM social application software Blued 6.5.0 and through MSM peer referral, sample size was 600. An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted anonymously with guidance of investigators via "Questionnaire Star" platform. The contents of the survey included demographic characteristics of the participants, the awareness of PrEP related knowledge, willingness and concerns about using PrEP, actual need for PrEP and self-efficacy of using PrEP.Results:A total of 622 MSM completed the survey, of whom 56.4 % (351/622) and 4.3 % (27/622) ever heard of and received PrEP, respectively. The need assessment of PrEP showed that 67.2 % (418/622) of the participants had actual needs for PrEP and 21.2 % (132/622) used PrEP with good self-efficacy. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that the awareness of PrEP related knowledge and concerning about PrEP utilization in MSM played a direct positive role in their self-efficiency of using PrEP, and the effect coefficients were 0.08 and 0.13, respectively. MSM self-discrimination indirectly affected the self-efficiency of using PrEP through concerns about PrEP use, the effect coefficient was 0.035. The result of generalized linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that the utilization of PrEP can improve the self-efficacy of using PrEP ( OR=5.55), which increased by 0.14 times and 0.07 times with the increase of 1 score of the awareness of PrEP related knowledge and concern about using PrEP respectively. In addition, this survey found that in the participants, the main concerns about using PrEP were side effects, HIV prevention effect and its expense, accounting for 61.1 % (380/622), 60.1 % (374/622) and 53.2 % (331/622), respectively. Most participants hoped to obtain PrEP services from CDC, MSM social organization and internet, accounting for 75.6 % (470/622), 65.4 % (407/622), and 63.8 % (397/622), respectively. Conclusions:MSM showed difference of high need but low utilization of PrEP services. Low awareness of PrEP related knowledge, concerns about the prevention effect, side effects and expense of PrEP as well as self-discrimination were the factors hindering the use of PrEP in MSM. It is necessary to establish a suitable PrEP service model to meet the needs for PrEP in MSM.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSC) and the level of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in the bone marrow of adult ITP patients, and to explore their possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.

METHODSTwenty-five patients of newly diagnosed ITP, 25 patients of complete remission group and 15 patients of control group were selected. The number of MDSC in the bone marrow between 3 groups was detect by flow cytometry (FCM). The serum level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in 3 groups was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative expression of IFN-γ mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells was measured by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in each groups.

RESULTSThe number of MDSC in the complete remission group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); the number of MDSC in the newly diagnosed group was higher than that in the control group; the number of MDSC in the complete remission group was higher than that in the newly diagnosed group. The serum level of PGE2 in bone marrow of ITP patients in the newly diagnosed group was higher than that of the control group（P<0.05）. The serum level of PGE2 in the bone marrow of ITP patients of the complete remission group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05）. The level of PGE2 in bone marrow serum of ITP patients of the newly diagnosed group was lower than that in the complete remission group(P<0.05）. The relative expression level of IFN-gamma in bone marrow mononuclear cells of the ITP patients in newly diagnosed group was higher than that in the control group and the complete remission group（P<0.001）. The relative quantification (RQ) of IFN-γ in bone marrow mononuclear cells was 2.60 between the newly diagnosed group and the complete remission group.

CONCLUSIONWhen adult ITP disease is remitted, the number of MDSC rises and correlates with the therapeutic response and PGE2 level in the bone marrow.

A 60-year-old woman with end stage liver cirrhosis caused by genotype 2 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection received an orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The patient was negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and positive for the anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) prior to and one and a half months following the OLT. Due to reactivation of hepatitis C, treatment with interferon-alpha and Ribavirin started two months following the OLT and resulted in a sustained virological response. We performed a liver biopsy because a biochemical response was not achieved. Surprisingly, liver pathology showed HBsAg-positive hepatocytes with a lobular hepatitis feature, which had been negative in the liver biopsy specimen obtained one and a half months post-OLT. High titers of both HBsAg and HBeAg were detected, while anti-HBs antibodies were not found. Tests for IgM anti-hepatitis B core antibody and anti-delta virus antibodies were negative. The serum HBV DNA titer was over 1x10(7) copies/mL. A sequencing analysis showed no mutation in the "a" determinant region, but revealed a mixture of wild and mutant strains at an overlapping region of the S and P genes (S codon 213 (Leu/Ile); P codons 221 (Phe/Tyr) and 222 (Ala/Thr)). These findings suggest that de novo hepatitis B can develop in patients with HCV infection during the post-OLT period despite the presence of protective anti-HBs.
Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Codon ; DNA ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Interferon-alpha ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Ribavirin ; Superinfection ; Viruses

Common causes of acquired tracheoesophageal (T-E) fistula are blunt trauma on the neck or chest, malignancy, long-term mechanical ventilation, and post-intubation injury. Most of the cases are fatal due to severe respiratory infection. We experienced two cases of post-intubation T-E fistula in patients with a history of tracheostomy that developed earlier than usual. One case was caused by excessive cuff pressure and the other by avulsion injury during endotracheal intubation. We can get instructions from these cases that how to prevent T-E fistula because it is hard to treat and causes severe outcomes.
Fistula ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Neck ; Respiration, Artificial ; Thorax ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula ; Tracheostomy

Background Primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG)is a major cause of visual morbidity in East Asia.Dark-room provocative test(DRPT)has been used to determine which narrow angles have the risk to develop angle closure.However,the accuracy of DRPT might be altered because that after emerging from the dark room,the configuration of the angle is affected by the light of the slit-lamp and the appositionally closed angle reopens.The aim of this study was to examine the pupillary diameter in different light conditions and use it as a parameter to assess the accuracy of dark-room provocative test.Methods Patients with suspected primary angle-closure glaucoma undergoing DRPT were recruited.The anterior chamber angle was examined by anterior segment optical coherence tomography under the following conditions:(1)in standard room illumination;(2)after short-term dark-adaptation and(3)after DRPT.Mean values of pupil size and numbers of appositionally closed angle under different conditions were compared.Results A total of 47 eyes of 47 patients were analyzed.The pupil size after DRPT was smaller than that after short-term dark-adaptation(P＜0.001)and smaller than that in standard room illumination(P=0.026).The numbers of appositionally closed angles after short-term dark-adaptation were significantly larger than those after DRPT(P＜0.001).There was no significant difference between the numbers of appositionally closed angles in standard room illumination and after DRPT(P=0.157).Conclusions Constriction of pupil size immediately after prolonged dark room provocative test may lead to change in the angle configuration,which may lead to false negative results.We suggest a modified protocol of recording intraocular pressure immediately after DRPT and performing gonioscopy following short-term dark adaptation to improve the accuracy of angle closure assessment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adefovir dipivoxil (adefovir) effectively inhibits both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The development of adefovir resistance is both delayed and infrequent compared with lamivudine resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize the serologic, biochemical, and virologic response to adefovir, and to explore the factors affecting initial virologic response (IVR, defined as a decrease in serum HBV below 4 log10copies/mL after 6 month of treatment) and adefovir resistance in lamivudine resistant HBV-infected patients. METHODS: This study population comprised 76 patients with lamivudine-resistance who had received adefovir for more than 12 months between March 2004 and December 2006. The adefovir-resistant mutant was assayed at 6 months and 12 months during adefovir administration. Restriction-fragment mass polymorphism analysis was used for detecting YMDD and adefovir mutants. RESULTS: After adefovir administration, an IVR was observed in 31% of the patients with lamivudine resistance. Factors associated with an IVR were HBeAg negativity (P=0.04) and the presence of liver cirrhosis (P=0.04). Age, sex, pretreatment levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, pretreatment HBV DNA levels, presence of precore mutation, and type of YMDD mutants were not related to an IVR during adefovir treatment. The prevalence of adefovir resistance was 5% and 13% at 6 months and 12 months after therapy, respectively. Mixed infection of the precore mutant was a risk factors for the emergence of adefovir resistance (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine-resistant HBV patients exhibiting HBeAg negativity and liver cirrhosis were more likely to achieve an IVR after adefovir therapy. Adefovir resistance was associated with mixed infection of the precore mutant.
Adenine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; DNA, Viral/blood ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy/virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Phosphonic Acids/*therapeutic use ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length