Objective To investigate the predictive value of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) combined with grip strength and serum prealbumin for survival and malnutritionin patients with esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 212 patients with esophageal cancer were selected as study objects, and baseline characteristics, pretreatment CAR, grip strength, and serum prealbumin results were collected. Nutritional status was assessed, and overall survival was followed up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of pretreatment CAR, grip strength, and serum prealbumin for malnutrition. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression models were employed to analyze their predictive value for survival outcomes. Results ROC curve analysis revealed that grip strength had the largest area under the curve (0.625) for predicting malnutritionin esophageal cancer patients, followed by serum prealbumin and CAR (0.604, 0.594). Based on the Youden index, the optimal cut-off values for CAR, grip strength, and serum prealbumin were 0.732, 23.1 kg, and 0.190 g/L, respectively. The sensitivity of the combined detection of three indicators was 80.7%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with elevated CAR (≥0.732), reduced grip strength (< 23.1 kg), and decreased serum prealbumin levels (< 0.190 g/L) had shorter overall survival compared to those with CAR < 0.732, grip strength ≥23.1 kg, and serum prealbumin levels ≥0.190 g/L, respectively (P < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified elevated pretreatment CAR (≥0.732), reduced grip strength (< 23.1 kg), and decreased serum prealbumin levels (< 0.190 g/L) as independent risk factors for poor survival prognosis in esophageal cancer patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Pretreatment CAR, grip strength, and serum prealbumin are important indicators for assessing nutritional status and survival prognosis in esophageal cancer patients. Combined detection of these biomarkers may facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervene malnutrition, potentially improving survival outcomes in esophageal cancer patients.

Objective:To evaluate the prognostic value of thromboelastography maximum amplitude(MA)and arterial blood lactate levels for sepsis in elderly patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 63 sepsis patients(≥60 years old)admitted to the Intensive Care Unit(ICU)of Bethune Hospital of Shanxi Province from December 2018 to February 2020.MA values, white blood cell counts, lymphocyte counts, platelets, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)scores, sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)scores, underlying diseases, body mass index, laboratory test results and other related treatments were analyzed.The subjects were divided into the survival group and the death group according to the 28-day survival outcome.Differences in MA, APACHE Ⅱ scores, SOFA scores and laboratory test results between the two groups were analyzed, and the correlations of MA with infection parameters and age were examined.Influencing factors of survival outcomes were analyzed using multivariate Logistic regression.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to calculate the prognostic value of MA and arterial lactate for sepsis in elderly patients.Results:The main sources of infections were pulmonary and abdominal(79.4%, 50/63)in 63 elderly patients with sepsis.The incidences of positive blood cultures and deaths were 15.9%(10/63)and 66.7%(42/63), respectively.There existed significant differences in lymphocyte counts, arterial lactate levels, MA and lengths of stay in the ICU between the survival group and the death group( t=3.847, 2.153, 2.745, -3.574, respectively, all P<0.05).MA was correlated with arterial lactate, SOFA score and survival outcome( r=-0.498, -0.506, and -0.358, respectively, all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that MA and arterial lactate were independent factors for the survival outcome( OR=1.626, 0.766, all P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve(AUC, 95% CI)for the combination of MA and arterial lactate was larger than that of either MA or arterial lactate alone(0.89, range: 0.763-0.846; 0.58, range: 0.574-0.730; 0.77, range: 0.521-0.832; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The combination of thromboelastography maximum amplitude and lactate in arterial blood has important clinical value in assessing the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women complicated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The clinical data of 3 pregnant women with COVID-19 admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 19 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There was one case in the first-trimester pregnancy (case 1), one in the second-trimester pregnancy (case 2) and one in third-trimester pregnancy (case 3). Cough, fever, fatigue, lung imaging changes were the main manifestations. The white cell count, lymphocyte percentage had no significantly changes in case 1 and case 3, while the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IL-6 and IL-10 elevated. The lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage decreased and the inflammatory indicators significantly increased in case 2. All patients were treated with antiviral, antitussive, oxygen inhalation; case 3 received glucocorticoids, case 2 with severe illness received glucocorticoids and additionally gamma globulin. All three cases were cured and discharged. Case 1 with early pregnancy chose to terminate pregnancy after discharge; case 2 chose to continue pregnancy without obstetric complications; and case 3 had cesarean section delivery due to abnormal fetal heart monitoring. CONCLUSIONS The report shows that COVID-19 in pregnancy women could be cured with active treatment, and the maternal and fetal outcomes can be satisfactory.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Cesarean Section ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Oxygen ; therapeutic use ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; gamma-Globulins ; therapeutic use

Acute respiratory failure due to acute hypoxemia is the major manifestation in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Rational and effective respiratory support is crucial in the management of COVID-19 patients. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been utilized widely due to its superiority over other non-invasive respiratory support techniques. To avoid HFNC failure and intubation delay, the key issues are proper patients, timely application and improving compliance. It should be noted that elder patients are vulnerable for failed HFNC. We applied HFNC for oxygen therapy in severe and critical ill COVID-19 patients and summarized the following experiences. Firstly, to select the proper size of nasal catheter, to locate it at suitable place, and to confirm the nose and the upper respiratory airway unobstructed. Secondly, an initial ow of 60 L/min and 37℃ should be given immediately for patients with obvious respiratory distress or weak cough ability; otherwise, low-level support should be given first and the level gradually increased. Thirdly, to avoid hypoxia or hypoxemia, the treatment goal of HFNC should be maintained the oxygen saturation (SpO) above 95% for patients without chronic pulmonary disease. Finally, patients should wear a surgical mask during HFNC treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission through droplets or aerosols.
Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Cannula ; Coronavirus Infections ; therapy ; Humans ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; therapy

Severe and critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were usually with underlying diseases, which led to the problems of complicated drug use, potential drug-drug interactions and medication errors in special patients. Based on ( 6), and -19: , we summarized the experience in the use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, vascular active drugs, antibacterial, probiotics, nutrition support schemes in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. It is also suggested to focus on medication management for evaluation of drug efficacy and duration of treatment, prevention and treatment of adverse drug reactions, identification of potential drug-drug interactions, individualized medication monitoring based on biosafety protection, and medication administration for special patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Critical Illness ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Nutritional Support ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

The current epidemic situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still remained severe. As the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine is the primary medical care center for COVID-19 in Zhejiang province. Based on the present expert consensus carried out by National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our team summarized and established an effective treatment strategy centered on "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" for clinical practice. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" strategy included antivirus, anti-shock, anti-hyoxemia, anti-secondary infection, and maintaining of water, electrolyte and acid base balance and microecological balance. Meanwhile, integrated multidisciplinary personalized treatment was recommended to improve therapeutic effect. The importance of early viralogical detection, dynamic monitoring of inflammatory indexes and chest radiograph was emphasized in clinical decision-making. Sputum was observed with the highest positive rate of RT-PCR results. Viral nucleic acids could be detected in 10%patients' blood samples at acute period and 50%of patients had positive RT-PCR results in their feces. We also isolated alive viral strains from feces, indicating potential infectiousness of feces.Dynamic cytokine detection was necessary to timely identifying cytokine storms and application of artificial liver blood purification system. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" strategy effectively increased cure rate and reduced mortality. Early antiviral treatment could alleviate disease severity and prevent illness progression, and we found lopinavir/ritonavir combined with abidol showed antiviral effects in COVID-19. Shock and hypoxemia were usually caused by cytokine storms. The artificial liver blood purification system could rapidly remove inflammatory mediators and block cytokine storm.Moreover, it also favored the balance of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base and thus improved treatment efficacy in critical illness. For cases of severe illness, early and also short period of moderate glucocorticoid was supported. Patients with oxygenation index below 200 mmHg should be transferred to intensive medical center. Conservative oxygen therapy was preferred and noninvasive ventilation was not recommended. Patients with mechanical ventilation should be strictly supervised with cluster ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention strategies. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was not recommended except for patients with long course of disease, repeated fever and elevated procalcitonin (PCT), meanwhile secondary fungal infection should be concerned.Some patients with COVID-19 showed intestinal microbial dysbiosis with decreased probiotics such as and , so nutritional and gastrointestinal function should be assessed for all patients.Nutritional support and application of prebiotics or probiotics were suggested to regulate the balance of intestinal microbiota and reduce the risk of secondary infection due to bacterial translocation. Anxiety and fear were common in patients with COVID-19. Therefore,we established dynamic assessment and warning for psychological crisis. We also integrated Chinese medicine in treatment to promote disease rehabilitation through classification methods of traditional Chinese medicine. We optimized nursing process for severe patients to promote their rehabilitation. It remained unclear about viral clearance pattern after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, two weeks' quarantine for discharged patients was required and a regular following up was also needed.The Zhejiang experience and suggestions have been implemented in our center and achieved good results. However, since COVID-19 was a newly emerging disease, more work was warranted to improve strategies of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19.
Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; virology ; Disease Management ; Early Diagnosis ; Feces ; virology ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; virology ; Sputum ; virology

Acute respiratory failure due to acute hypoxemia is the major manifestation in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Rational and effective respiratory support is crucial in the management of COVID-19 patients. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been utilized widely due to its superiority over other non-invasive respiratory support techniques. To avoid HFNC failure and intubation delay, the key issues are proper patients, timely application and improving compliance. It should be noted that elder patients are vulnerable for failed HFNC. We applied HFNC for oxygen therapy in severe and critical COVID-19 patients and summarized the following experiences. Firstly, to select the proper size of nasal catheter, to locate it at suitable place, and to confirm the nose and the upper respiratory airway unobstructed. Secondly, an initial flow of 60 L/min and 37℃ should be given immediately for patients with obvious respiratory distress or weak cough ability; otherwise, low-level support should be given first and the level gradually increased. Thirdly, to avoid hypoxia or hypoxemia, the treatment goal of HFNC should be maintained the oxygen saturation (SpO) above 95% for patients without chronic pulmonary disease. Finally, patients should wear a surgical mask during HFNC treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission through droplets or aerosols.
Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; Cannula ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Masks ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; instrumentation ; standards ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; therapy

OBJECTIVE：To study the improvem ent effects of total flavonoids from Morus alba on glycolipid metabolism ， inflammation and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM）model rats ，and to investigate the potential mechanism. METHODS：After feeding high fat diet for 8 weeks，female SD rats with FBG ＜6.67 mmol/L were caged with male SD rats . Pregnant female rats were randomly divided into control group ，GDM group ，M. alba total flavonoids low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups （50，100，200 mg/kg），with 10 rats in each group. Except for control group ，other groups were given intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 25 mg/kg once to induce GDM model. After injection ，rats in each administration group were given corresponding drugs intragastrically ，control group and GDM group were given normal saline 10 mL/kg intragastrically ， once a day ，for consecutive 18 days. The levels of FBG were determined on the 3rd，7th and 18th day of pregnancy （G3d，G7d and G18 d）；the levels of blood lipids （TG，TC，LDL-C，HDL-C）and inflammatory factors （TNF-α，IL -6，IL-8），oxidative stress indicators（MDA，SOD，GSH，CAT）in serum were determined on G 18d. The protein and mRNA expressions of PPARγ and NF-κB， the expression of AMPK mRNA and p-AMPK protein were measured by Real-time-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS ： Compared with control group ，the levels of FBG （G3d，G7d，G18d），TG，TC，LDL-C，TNF-α，IL-6，IL-8 and MDA ，protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB in GDM group were significantly increased，while the levels of SOD ，GSH and CAT ，the expressions of PPARγ protein and mRNA，AMPK mRNA and p-AMPK fcksjf@126.com protein were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. Compared with GDM group ，the levels of FBG （G3 d，G7 d，G18 d），TG， huawei99@163.com TC，LDL-C in M. alba total flavonoids medium-dose and high- dose groups and the levels of TNF-α，IL-6，IL-8 and MDA ，protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB in M. alba total flavonoids groups were significantly decreased ；the levels of SOD ，GSH and CAT ，the expressions of PPARγ protein and mRNA， AMPK mRNA and p-AMPK protein were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：Total flavonoids from M. alba can improve the glycolipid metablism ，inflammation and oxidative stress in GDM model rats ，the mechanism of which may be related to the activation of PPARγ pathway.

Objective: To study the effect of low-to-moderate dose glucocorticoid therapy on viral clearance time in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A total of 72 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 19 to February 17, 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were recruited. All patients received oral abidol and/or combined lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir antiviral, and symptomatic supportive care. Among them, 51 patients received methylprednisolone (0.75-1.50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) (glucocorticoid treatment group), and 21 patients who did not use glucocorticoid were the control group. The time of stable virologic conversion insputumand the time of radiologic recovery in lungsince onset were compared between the two groups and among the normal patients.The Kruskal-Wallis test or Fisher exact test was used to compare the difference between groups. Results: The median ages of the glucocorticoid group and the control group were 52 [interquartile range (IQR):45, 62] years and 46 (IQR: 32, 56)years, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). The clinical conditions at hospital admission were different between the two groups (P<0.01). There were 52.0% critical ill patients in the glucocorticoid treatment group, compared to that of 71.4% normal patients in the control group. The median times from the onset tostable virologic conversion to negative in the two groups were 15 (IQR:13,20) days and 14 (IQR:12,20) days (P>0.05), and the difference was no statistically significant. The median times from onset to radiologic recovery were 13 (IQR: 11,15) days and 13 (IQR:12,17) days in the two groups, and there was no difference (P>0.05). In ordinary patients, the median timesfrom the onset tostable virologic conversion insputum were no difference (P>0.05), with 13 (IQR:11,18) days in the glucocorticoid group and 13 (IQR:12,15) days in the control group; The median times from onset to radiologic recovery in lungwere also no difference (P>0.05), with 12 (IQR: 10,15)days in the glucocorticoid group and 13 (IQR: 12,17) days inthe control group. Conclusions Low-to-moderate glucocorticoid treatment has no effect on the time of virus clearance in patients with different clinical types of COVID-19. The glucocorticoid is not recommended since no effectiveness on accelerating the improvement of radiologic recovery in lung has been observed.

Objective: Comparing the benefit of Abidor, lopinavir/ritonavir and recombinant interferon α-2b triple combination antiviral therapy and lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon dual combination antiviral therapy to hospitalized novel coronavirus pneumonia 2019 in Zhejiang province. Methods: A multi-center prospective study was carried out to compare the effect of triple combination antiviral therapy with dual combination antiviral therapy in 15 medical institutions of Zhejiang Province. All patients were treated with recombinant interferon α-2b (5 million U, 2 times/d) aerosol inhalation. 196 patients were treated with abidol (200 mg, 3 times/d) + lopinavir / ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) as the triple combination antiviral treatment group. 41 patients were treated with lopinavir / ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) as the dual combination antiviral treatment group. The patients who received triple combination antiviral therapy were divided into three groups: within 48 hours, 3-5 days and > 5 days after the symptom onset. To explore the therapeutic effects of triple combination antiviral drugs and dual combination antiviral drugs, as well as triple combination antiviral drugs with different antiviral initiate time. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The time of virus nucleic acid turning negative was (12.2 ± 4.7) days in the triple combination antiviral drug group, which was shorter than that in the dual combination antiviral drug group [(15.0 ± 5.0) days] (t = 6.159, P < 0.01 ). The length of hospital stay [12 (9, 17) d] in the triple combination antiviral drug group was also shorter than that in the dual combination antiviral drug group [15 (10, 18) d] (H = 2.073, P < 0.05). Comparing the antiviral treatment which was started within 48 hours, 3-5 days and > 5 days after the symptom onset of triple combination antiviral drug group, the time from the symptom onset to the negative of viral shedding was 13 (10,16.8), 17 (13,22) and 21 (18-24) days respectively (Z = 32.983, P < 0.01), and the time from antiviral therapy to the negative of viral shedding was (11.8±3.9) , (13.5±5.1) and (11.2±4.3) d. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (Z=32.983 and 6.722, P<0.01 or<0.05). Conclusions The triple combination antiviral therapy of Abidor, Lopinavir/Litonavir and recombinant interferon α-2b showed shorter viral shedding time and hospitalization time compared with the dual combination antiviral therapy. The earlier the time to initiate triple antiviral treatment, the shorter the time of virus shedding.