This article summarized the experience of Professor Xiong Jibai,a national TCM master,in treating pulmonary nodules based on the theory of"body fluids and blood stasis mixing"in Huang Di Nei Jing.Professor Xiong Jibai believes that the basic pathogenesis of pulmonary nodules is that"body fluids and blood stasis mixing"accumulate in lung collaterals,and the fundamental pathological factor is phlegm and blood stasis.Xiong's treatment is based on dissipating phlegm and activating qi,activating blood circulation and resolving masses,paying attention to syndrome differentiation and treatment,examining syndromes and seeking causes,flexibly selecting prescriptions and treating both symptoms and root causes;attaching importance to maintaining healthy qi,preventing both illness and change,and preventing recovery after illness.Clinical medical records were attached to prove the clinical thinking and medication characteristics.

Objective To investigate the correlation between MEX3A and differentiation characteristics of gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia,and its combination with caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2(CDX2)and mucin 2(MUC2)and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC)to determine the role of carcinogenic intestinal metaplasia.Methods From January 2010 to December 2014,a total of 410 cases of gastric cancer and paracarcinoma paraffin-embedded tissue samples were selected from the Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College and the Second Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College.According to pathological diagnosis,they were divided into control group(mild superficial gastritis,79 cases),intestinal metaplasia group(149 cases)and gastric cancer group(182 cases).The expressions of MEX3A,CDX2,MUC2 and MUC5AC were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results MEX3A was highly expressed in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially diffuse gastric cancer,poorly differentiated gastric cancer and type Ⅲ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).CDX2 and MUC2 were highly expressed in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially intestinal type gastric cancer,highly and moderately differentiated gastric cancer,type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).The expression of MUC5AC was high in control group and low in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially in intestinal type gastric cancer,type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).Gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia differentiation were negatively correlated with MEX3A and MUC5AC expression,but positively correlated with CDX2 and MUC2 expression(P<0.05).MEX3A was negatively correlated with the expression of CDX2 and MUC2,and positively correlated with the expression of MUC5AC in gastric cancer(P<0.05).MEX3A was negatively correlated with the expression of CDX2 and MUC2 in intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05),while CDX2 was positively correlated with the expression of MUC2(P<0.05).Conclusion MEX3A is negatively correlated with gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia differentiation.Gastric cancer is characterized by high MEX3A expression and low CDX2 and MUC2 expression.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair in the treatment of hypertension based on the network pharmacology method and animal experiment verification.Methods(1)TCMSP,BATMAN and TCMIP databases were used to screen the active components and targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair.The hypertension-related targets were obtained by searching the Drugbank,Genecard,TTD and Disgenet databases.The intersection(common target)of the active component target and the target related to hypertension disease was taken,and the obtained intersection target was the potential target of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair for the treatment of hypertension.The active ingredients and their targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 software to construct a'Chinese medicines-active ingredients-targets'network and screen key active ingredients.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of potential targets was constructed to screen potential core targets.The Metascape platform was used to analyze the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of potential targets.The key active components and potential core targets were selected for molecular docking verification.(2)Thirty male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were randomly divided into model group,western medicine group(Candesartan Cilexetil,0.72 mg·kg-1)and low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(2.25,4.50,9.00 g·kg-1).Another male WKY rats were selected as blank group,with 6 rats in each group,once a day for 8 weeks.The systolic blood pressure of rat tail artery was detected before administration and 2,4,6 and 8 weeks after drug intervention.The pathological changes of thoracic aorta were observed by HE staining.The protein expression levels of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in aorta abdominalis were detected by Western Blot.Results(1)A total of 83 active components of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were obtained,and 158 potential targets(intersection targets)for the treatment of hypertension were screened out.Five key active ingredients:p-hydroxybenzoic acid,4-hydroxybenzylamine,tanshinone I,tanshinone,γ-sitosterol;6 potential core targets:IL6,TNF,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2,IL1B;GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 1 826 biological process items,89 cell component items,and 199 molecular function items.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 186 pathways,mainly involving neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,calcium signaling pathway,inflammatory response(such as TNF and MAPK signaling pathway),vascular protection(such as HIF-1 and cAMP signaling pathway),oxidative stress(such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway)and other signaling pathways.Tanshinone I and tanshinone had strong binding force to 6 potential core targets,and γ-sitosterol had strong binding force to IL6,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2 and IL1B.(2)Compared with the blank group,the systolic blood pressure of the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The thoracic aortic endothelial injury was obvious,the endothelial cell morphology was abnormal,swelling and exfoliated cells could be seen,the intima of the tissue was disordered,the intima structure was incomplete,and the intima was thickened.The protein expressions of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in abdominal aorta were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the systolic blood pressure of the rats in the administration group was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the injury of thoracic aorta was alleviated,and the morphology,intima structure and thickness of endothelial cells were improved to varying degrees.The protein expressions of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in abdominal aorta were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair may act on core targets such as IL6,TNF,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2,and IL1B through key active components such as p-hydroxybenzoic acid,tanshinone,and γ-sitosterol,and regulate key signaling pathways such as TNF signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and PERK signaling pathway to improve vascular endothelial dysfunction,inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress,and lower blood pressure.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical efficacy of prone transpsoas lateral interbody fusion (PTP LIF) combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases in the prone position.Methods:A total of 23 patients who underwent LLIF in the prone position at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between March 2023 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort comprised 9 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 55.5±8.8 years (range, 41-70 years). The clinical diagnoses included intervertebral disc herniation with endplate inflammation (3 cases), lumbar spinal stenosis (13 cases), lumbar spondylolisthesis (5 cases), and lumbar instability (2 cases). The surgical segments involved L 3, 4 (15 cases), L 4, 5 (6 cases), and L 3-L 5 (2 cases), with 21 cases involving a single segment and 2 cases involving double segments. The disc height and lumbar lordosis Angle before and after surgery were compared. Lower back pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), while lumbar spine function was assessed via the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria at the last follow-up. Results:All surgeries were successfully completed. The operation time was 120.2±21.4 min (range, 90-175 min), intraoperative blood loss was 131.1±40.8 ml (range, 60-200 ml), and the hospital stay was 6.2±1.6 days (range, 4-10 days). Follow-up was obtained for all 23 cases, with the follow-up time being 9.6±2.2 months (range, 6-13 months). One case of endplate damage occurred during surgery, two cases of transient psoas muscle weakness occurred postoperatively, and one case of lower limb pain and numbness was reported; no cases of wound infection or delayed healing were observed. The postoperative disc height improved compared to preoperative (6.8±1.9 mm; F=66.618, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between 3 months postoperative (11.1±1.2 mm) and immediately postoperative (12.2±1.2 mm; P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the last follow-up (10.7±1.1 mm) and immediately postoperative ( P<0.05). The postoperative lumbar lordosis angle improved compared to preoperative (35.3°±5.4°; F=19.465, P<0.001), with no statistically significant difference between 3 months postoperative (44.1°±5.4°) and immediately postoperative (47.8°±6.6°; P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the last follow-up (43.2°±5.3°) and immediately postoperative ( P<0.05). The postoperative VAS score improved compared to preoperative (6.3±1.1 points; F=79.931, P<0.001), and the last follow-up (1.1±1.1 points) showed further improvement compared to 3 months postoperative (1.7±1.4 points; P<0.05). The postoperative ODI improved compared to preoperative (69.9%±7.4%; F=592.392, P<0.001), with 3 months postoperative (23.1%±3.1%) showing improvement compared to 1 month postoperative (29.2%±3.1%), and the last follow-up (17.5%±3.6%) showing further improvement compared to 3 months postoperative ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria were: excellent in 16 cases, good in 5, fair in 2, with an excellent and good rate of 91% (21/23); 7 cases of cage subsidence were observed, with no cases of internal fixation loosening. Conclusion:PTP LIF combined with pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases is safe and effective, with satisfactory short-term postoperative outcomes.

Background Acne treatment cycle lasts long and will cause facial appearance damage.Many patients are prone to psychological problems and severe patients may even experience suicidal ideation.However,the influencing factors of psychological health problems in acne patients are still unclear.Objective To investigate the mental health status of patients with moderate-to-severe acne and to analyze the influencing factors of their psychological health problems,so as to provide references for improving their mental health.Methods A total of 120 patients with moderate-to-severe acne of grades II-IV were selected as the research subjects,who were treated in the dermatology outpatient department of the Third Hospital of Mianyang from June 2021 to June 2023.All subjects were evaluated by using the Acne-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire(Acne-QoL),Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS),Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale(RSES)and Social Phobia Inventory(SPIN).According to the evaluation results of SDS,SAS,RSES,SPIN,subjects were divided into a group with mental health problems(n=21)and a group without mental health problems(n=99).Binary Logistic regression anaylsis was adopted to explore the influencing factors of psychological health problems in acne patients.Results A total of 21 patients(17.50%)were detected to have symptoms of depression,anxiety,inferiority or social dysfunction.Statistically significant difference was observed in comparison between two groups in gender,profession,acne classification,dietary habit,age,illness course as well as the factor scores of self perception,emotional function,social function and acne symptom in Acne-QoL(χ2=7.013,23.123,9.028,11.327,t=9.913,13.022,4.081,5.383,5.361,10.203,P<0.05).The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the followings were risk factors for the occurrence of psychological health problems in acne patients:female(OR=2.243,95%CI:1.136～4.429),acne of grade III(OR=3.615,95%CI:1.269～10.295)or IV(OR=1.872,95%CI:1.073～3.266),course of disease≥1.6 years(OR=2.499,95%CI:1.068～5.851),a spicy or greasy diet(OR=3.811,95%CI:1.169～12.427),Acne-QoL self perception score≤18(OR=1.802,95%CI:1.227～2.646),Acne-QoL emotional function score≤18(OR=2.252,95%CI:1.016～4.992),Acne-QoL social function score≤14(OR=3.515,95%CI:1.534～8.053)and Acne-QoL acne symptom score≤18(OR=3.586,95%CI:1.098～11.715).Protective factors for psychological health problems in acne patients included age over 30 years old(OR=0.429,95%CI:0.283～0.648),occupation as professional cadre or enterprise employee(OR=0.483,95%CI:0.249～0.939)and other occupations(OR=0.276,95%CI:0.090～0.850).Conclusion A part of patients with moderate-to-severe acne may experience psychological health problems.Patients with female gender,higher acne grades,longer disease duration,preference for greasy or spicy foods and lower scores in all Acne-QoL factors have a higher risk of experiencing psychological health problems.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative numbness syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation (LDH) based on propensity score matching (PSM). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 429 LDH patients who underwent surgical treatment. The patients were divided into numbness syndrome group (85 patients) and non-numbness syndrome group (344 patients) according to whether they developed postoperative numbness syndrome. A 1∶1 match was performed between the numbness syndrome group and the non-numbness syndrome group based on PSM, with 67 patients in each group after matching. The clinical data of the two groups before and after matching were compared, and Cox regression analysis was performed on the matched data to screen risk factors for postoperative numbness syndrome secondary to LDH. Results The incidence of postoperative numbness syndrome in LDH patients was 19.81%(85/429). Before matching, the numbness syndrome group had a higher or longer proportion of males, age, body mass index (BMI), duration of disease, proportion of patients with L₃ to L₄ or L₄ to L₅ lesion segments, proportion of patients with grade Ⅳ to Ⅴ disc degeneration, proportion of patients with prolapsed or free-fragment herniation, operation time, proportion of patients with incomplete nucleus pulposus removal during surgery, proportion of patients with annulus fibrosus rupture, proportion of patients with a history of hyperlipidemia, proportion of patients who did not undergo postoperative rehabilitation exercises, and postoperative activity intensity scores compared to the non-numbness syndrome group (P < 0.05). After matching, the numbness syndrome group had higher or longer age, BMI, duration of disease, proportion of patients with grade Ⅳ to Ⅴ disc degeneration, proportion of patients with prolapsed or free-fragment herniation, proportion of patients with incomplete nucleus pulposus removal during surgery, proportion of patients with annulus fibrosus rupture, proportion of patients with a history of diabetes, proportion of patients who did not undergo postoperative rehabilitation exercises, and postoperative activity intensity scores compared to the non-numbness syndrome group (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high BMI, grade Ⅳ to Ⅴ disc degeneration, incomplete nucleus pulposus removal during surgery, annulus fibrosus rupture, history of diabetes, lack of postoperative rehabilitation exercises, and high postoperative activity intensity were independent risk factors for postoperative numbness syndrome secondary to LDH (HR=4.395, 7.183, 4.404, 5.633, 3.521, 4.929, 3.710, P < 0.05). Conclusion After controlling for confounding factors based on PSM, the risk factors for postoperative numbness syndrome secondary to LDH include high BMI, grade Ⅳ to Ⅴ disc degeneration, incomplete nucleus pulposus removal during surgery, annulus fibrosus rupture, a history of diabetes, lack of postoperative rehabilitation exercises, and high postoperative activity intensity, which is helpful for clinical healthcare professionals to early identify high-risk patients with postoperative numbness syndrome secondary to LDH and provide a reference for subsequent patient treatment.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of pathogens of acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in children in Guangzhou area.Methods:A total of 13 610 hospitalized children with ARTI in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled. Throat swab specimens were collected, and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect 11 respiratory pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), enterovirus (EV), influenza A virus (IFA), influenza B virus (IFB), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP). Grouping according to age (< one year group, one to < three years group, three to < six years group, six to 14 years group) and season. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:At least one pathogen was detected in 6 331 cases among 13 610 patients, and the overall positive rate was 46.52%. The detection rates from high to low were as follows: RSV (13.75%(1 872/13 610)), ADV (4.82%(656/13 610)), PIV (4.82%(656/13 610)), MP (4.54%(618/13 610)), HRV (3.39%(462/13 610)), HBoV (2.64%(359/13 610)), HMPV (2.59%(352/13 610)), EV (1.76%(239/13 610)), IFA (1.29%(176/13 610)), IFB (0.90%(122/13 610)) and CP (0.30%(41/13 610)). The positive rate of viral detection showed significant differences among different age groups ( χ2=49.91, P<0.001), and the highest positive rate was in the age group of one to

ObjectiveTo assess the anxiety and depression symptoms and sleep quality in patients with menstrual migraine， so as to provide references for the prevention and treatment of menstrual migraine and its comorbidity. MethodsAccording to the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorder， third edition （ICHD-3）， 501 female migraine patients， including 112 patients with menstrual migraine and 389 patients with non-menstrual migraine， who attended the outpatient clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from February 2019 to February 2020， were selected for the study. The general and clinical data of the patients were collected， meantime， patients were assessed using Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA）， Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item （HAMD-24）， 6-item Headache Impact Test （HIT-6） and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）. ResultsThe detection rates of pure anxiety， pure depression， comorbid anxiety-depression and sleep disorders in patients with menstrual migraine were higher than those in patients with non-menstrual migraine （χ²=4.198， 4.355， 5.236， 8.624， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Patients with menstrual migraine had higher scores of HAMA、HAMD-17、PSQI and HIT-6 than those of non-menstrual migraine patients （Z=-3.550、-2.723、-2.482、-4.717，P<0.05 or 0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that PSQI score of menstrual migraine patients was positively correlated with HAMA score （r=0.338， P<0.01）， HAMD-24 score （r=0.372， P<0.01） and HIT-6 score （r=0.192， P<0.05）. ConclusionCompared with non-menstrual migraine patients， patients with menstrual migraine experience more severe anxiety and depression symptoms and sleep problems and suffer greater negative life impacts. In addition， the influence of anxiety and depression symptoms and headache on daily life is associated with sleep quality.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with lateral plate (LP) fixation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) combined with pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of adjacent segment disease (ASDis).Methods:Data of 21 ASDis patients treated with OLIF-LP from August 2016 to October 2019 were selected, including 9 males and 12 females; age was 59.3±7.0 years (range, 46-71 years). Target segments: L 2, 3 1 cases (4.8%), L 3, 4 16 cases (76.2%), L 4, 5 4 cases (19.1%). Twenty-one ASDis patients matched with age, sex and surgical segment and treated with PLIF were selected as the control group. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, visual analogua scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), disc height (DH), intervertebral foramen height (IFH) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were compared between the groups were tested by t-test. VAS score, ODI, DH, IFH and LL were compared within the group by ANOVA, and Bonferroni's test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:All of 42 patients were followed up for 23.7 ±7.4 months (range, 12-36 months). The operation time (97.6 ± 18.0 min) and interpretative bleeding (38.5±62.7 ml) in OLIF-LP group were significantly lower than those in PLIF group (operation time 154.6±42.4 min) and interpretative bleeding (288.6±55.3 ml). There were significant differences between two groups ( t=5.66, P<0.001; t=8.23, P<0.001); the postoperative hospital stay 4.4±1.3 d in OLIF-LP group was longer than that in PLIF group 5.1±1.2 d, but there was no significant difference ( t=1.93, P=0.061); VAS score in OLIF-LP group at 1 month and 3 months after operation (1.6 ± 0.9 points, 1.4 ± 0.8 points), and the ODI index (29.4%±4.7%) after one month operation was improved better than that of PLIF group ( t=2.48, P=0.017; t=2.35, P=0.024; t=2.28, P=0.029), but there was no significant difference between the 12 months after operation of two groups ( t=0.99, P=0.329; t=0.86, P=0.395). The immediately after operation, 3 months after operation and 12 months after operation of DH, IFH and LL in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The immediately after operation, 3 months after operation and 12 months after operation of DH and IFH in the OLIF-LP group were better than those in the PLIF group ( P<0.05), while LL had no significant difference ( P>0.05). There were 2 cases (9.52%) in each group with cage sinking, but no clinical symptoms occurred. In the OLIF-LP group, there was no injury of blood vessels, nerves or abdominal organs during operation, and 2 patients had transient lower limb pain after operation; In the PLIF group, 2 cases (9.52%) of dural rupture were repaired during operation, and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred after operation; Postoperative lower limb pain was aggravated in 3 cases, and improved after dehydration, anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment; 2 cases of incision exudation healed after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion:OLIF combined with LP fixation has the same clinical effect as PLIF in the treatment of lumbar ASDis, but OLIF combined with LP fixation has more advantages in surgical trauma, postoperative recovery and related complications.

Objective:Serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is a useful biomarker of bacterial infection. However, the diagnostic value of sTREM-1 of alveolar fluid in pulmonary infection is still unclear. This article aimed to explore the value of sTREM-1 of alveolar fluid in the early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by systematic review of relevant literatures.Methods:CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed/Medline and Embase databases were retrieved. Articles on diagnosis of VAP by sTREM-1 before June 30, 2019 were collected. QUADAS-2 scale provided by Cochrane Collaboration Network was used to evaluate the quality of diagnostic experiments. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13.0 software were used to complete Meta-analysis. The levels of sTREM-1 between VAP and non-VAP patients were analyzed by Meta-analysis, and then diagnostic test Meta-analysis was conducted. Heterogeneity, sensitivity and publication bias were analyzed.Results:A total of 24 articles were enrolled. QUADAS-2 scale indicated that the selected literature had low bias and high clinical adaptability. ① In Meta-analysis of sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid, 20 articles were selected and found to have high heterogeneity ( I2 = 94.4%, P = 0.000). The random effects models were used for Meta-analysis. It was indicated that the sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid of VAP group was significantly higher than that of non-VAP group with significant difference [standardized mean difference ( SMD) was 1.47, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.00-1.95, Z = 6.14, P = 0.000]. By subgroup analysis and Meta-regression analysis, no source of heterogeneity was found. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of this Meta-analysis were robust and credible, and Begg funnel plot analysis showed that there was no significant publication bias ( Z = 1.46, P = 0.143). ② A total of 18 articles were included in the Meta-analysis of diagnostic experiments. Deek funnel plot showed publication bias ( P = 0.012). The combined sensitivity was 0.87 (95% CI was 0.81-0.91), specificity was 0.80 (95% CI was 0.73-0.86), and diagnostic odds ratio ( DOR) was 26 (95% CI was 13-50). Subgroup analysis of three different sources of alveolar fluid (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, endotracheal aspiration fluid and exhaled ventilator condensate) showed that STREM-1 had a certain value in early diagnosis of VAP. The I2 of combined DOR was 35.4%, and I2 of sensitivity was 79.46%, I2 of specificity was 77.61%, suggesting heterogeneity in the selected literature. Subgroup analysis found that nationality, subject design, sample source, sample size and diagnostic "gold criteria" were related to heterogeneity, but not age. The area under synthetic receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve (AUC) was 0.90 (95% CI was 0.87-0.92). Conclusions:The detection of sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid can be used for the early diagnosis of VAP with high sensitivity and specificity. If combined with other biomarkers, it may have more diagnostic value.