The Omicron family of SARS-CoV-2 variants are currently driving the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we analyzed the clinical laboratory test results of 9911 Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages-infected symptomatic patients without earlier infection histories during a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Shanghai in spring 2022. Compared to an earlier patient cohort infected by SARS-CoV-2 prototype strains in 2020, BA.2.2 infection led to distinct fluctuations of pathophysiological markers in the peripheral blood. In particular, severe/critical cases of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection were associated with less pro-inflammatory macrophage activation and stronger interferon alpha response in the bronchoalveolar microenvironment. Importantly, the abnormal biomarkers were significantly subdued in individuals who had been immunized by 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 prototype-inactivated vaccines, supporting the estimation of an overall 96.02% of protection rate against severe/critical disease in the 4854 cases in our BA.2.2 patient cohort with traceable vaccination records. Furthermore, even though age was a critical risk factor of the severity of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection, vaccination-elicited protection against severe/critical COVID-19 reached 90.15% in patients aged ≽ 60 years old. Together, our study delineates the pathophysiological features of Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages and demonstrates significant protection conferred by prior prototype-based inactivated vaccines.
Humans ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Vaccination

Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiome contributes to the host immune response to infectious diseases. Here, to explore the role of the gut microbiome in the host immune responses in COVID-19, we conducted shotgun metagenomic sequencing and immune profiling of 14 severe/critical and 24 mild/moderate COVID-19 cases as well as 31 healthy control samples. We found that the diversity of the gut microbiome was reduced in severe/critical COVID-19 cases compared to mild/moderate ones. We identified the abundance of some gut microbes altered post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and related to disease severity, such as Enterococcus faecium, Coprococcus comes, Roseburia intestinalis, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides cellulosilyticus and Blautia obeum. We further analyzed the correlation between the abundance of gut microbes and host responses, and obtained a correlation map between clinical features of COVID-19 and 16 severity-related gut microbe, including Coprococcus comes that was positively correlated with CD3⁺/CD4⁺/CD8⁺ lymphocyte counts. In addition, an integrative analysis of gut microbiome and the transcriptome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed that genes related to viral transcription and apoptosis were up-regulated in Coprococcus comes low samples. Moreover, a number of metabolic pathways in gut microbes were also found to be differentially enriched in severe/critical or mild/moderate COVID-19 cases, including the superpathways of polyamine biosynthesis II and sulfur oxidation that were suppressed in severe/critical COVID-19. Together, our study highlighted a potential regulatory role of severity related gut microbes in the immune response of host.
COVID-19 ; Clostridiales ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Immunity ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective:To explore the practical effect of goal-oriented hierarchical responsibility system in the teaching of emergency standardized training.Methods:A total of 43 residents who rotated in the Emergency Department of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from March 2019 to August 2019 were selected as the control group, and traditional teaching was implemented. Another 41 residents who rotated from September 2019 to March 2020 were selected as the research group, and the goal-oriented hierarchical responsibility system of teaching was implemented. They were all taught for 3 months, and the scores of theoretical and clinical skills, clinical comprehensive ability and teaching recognition before and after teaching were compared between the two groups. SPSS 24.0 was used for t-test and Chi-square test. Results:After teaching, the scores of theoretical knowledge questions, question and answer questions and case analysis in the two groups were higher than those before teaching ( P<0.05), and the scores of the research group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After teaching, the scores of 8 items in the study group on understanding of skill indications, anatomy and operation, preparation before operation, aseptic operation, operation ability, post-operation treatment, communication ability, humanistic care and overall performance were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The recognition rates of teaching management, teaching methods, teaching content and teaching effect in the research group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The application of goal-oriented hierarchical responsibility system in the teaching of standardized training of emergency residents is helpful to improve their theoretical and clinical skill examination results and clinical ability, with high degree of teaching recognition.

Background::High-dose dual therapy (HDDT) with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and amoxicillin has attracted widespread attention due to its favorable efficacy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose PPI–amoxicillin dual therapy and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for H. pylori rescue treatment. Methods::This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter, non-inferiority trial. Patients recruited from eight centers who had failed previous treatment were randomly (1:1) allocated to two eradication groups: HDDT (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg three times daily; the HDDT group) and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg, bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, and furazolidone 100 mg twice daily, combined with tetracycline 500 mg three times daily; the tetracycline, furazolidone, esomeprazole, and bismuth [TFEB] group) for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the H. pylori eradication rate. The secondary endpoints were adverse effects, symptom improvement rates, and patient compliance. Results::A total of 658 patients who met the criteria were enrolled in this study. The HDDT group achieved eradication rates of 75.4% (248/329), 81.0% (248/306), and 81.3% (248/305) asdetermined by the intention-to-treat (ITT), modified intention-to-treat (MITT), and per-protocol (PP) analyses, respectively. The eradication rates were similar to those in the TFEB group: 78.1% (257/329), 84.2% (257/305), and 85.1% (257/302). The lower 95% confidence interval boundary (–9.19% in the ITT analysis, –9.21% in the MITT analysis, and –9.73% in the PP analysis) was greater than the predefined non-inferiority margin of –10%, establishing a non-inferiority of the HDDT group vs. the TFEB group. The incidence of adverse events in the HDDT group was significantly lower than that in the TFEB group (11.1% vs. 26.8%, P < 0.001). Symptom improvement rates and patients’ compliance were similar between the two groups. Conclusions::Fourteen-day HDDT is non-inferior to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, with fewer adverse effects and good treatment compliance, suggesting HDDT as an alternative for H. pylori rescue treatment in the local region. Trial registration::Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04678492.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of oral administration of Bletilla Striata polysaccharide cream combined with Honghua Xiaoyao tablet in the treatment of chloasma.Methods:A total of 220 female patients with chloasma treated in the dermatology department of Taihe Hospital of Shiyan (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Medical College) from January 2018 to October 2018 were enrolled.The patients were divided into treatment group and control group by random number table method, with 110 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with Bletilla Striata polysaccharide cream, 1 time in the morning and evening.The control group was treated with Qianbai cream, 1 time in the morning and evening, and the two groups were treated with Honghua Xiaoyao tablets, each time 1.17g, 3 times a day.One month was a course of treatment, a total of 3 courses of treatment.The effect was observed by skin lesion score, effective rate and adverse reaction.Results:After 3 courses of treatment, the skin lesion score and effective rate in the treatment group were (0.93±0.31)points, 84.55%(93/110), respectively, which in the control group were (1.39±0.44)points, 65.45%(71/110), respectively, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant( t=9.901, χ 2=11.594, all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(χ 2=4.053, P<0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy of Bletilla Striata polysaccharide cream combined with Honghua Xiaoyao tablet in the treatment of chloasma is better than Qianbai cream, and the incidence of adverse reaction is low.

The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a newly discovered β Coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). How long the adaptive immunity triggered by SARS-CoV-2 can last is of critical clinical relevance in assessing the probability of second infection and efficacy of vaccination. Here we examined, using ELISA, the IgG antibodies in serum specimens collected from 17 COVID-19 patients at 6-7 months after diagnosis and the results were compared to those from cases investigated 2 weeks to 2 months post-infection. All samples were positive for IgGs against the S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, 14 samples available at 6-7 months post-infection all showed significant neutralizing activities in a pseudovirus assay, with no difference in blocking the cell-entry of the 614D and 614G variants of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, in 10 blood samples from cases at 6-7 months post-infection used for memory T-cell tests, we found that interferon γ-producing CD4
Adaptive Immunity/physiology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood* ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/physiology* ; Time Factors ; Viral Proteins/immunology*

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common hereditary disease, mainly caused by polycystic kidney disease 1/2 (PKD1/2) gene mutation. The main manifestation is the formation of multiple progressive enlarged cysts in both kidneys, which can be accompanied by decreased glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, liver cyst and cerebral aneurysm. About 45% of patients will progress to end-stage renal failure before the age of 60. ADPKD gene sequencing can be chosen for suspicious patients with atypical clinical features, no positive family history, and inconspicuous imaging findings. In the ADPKD positive families, imaging examination is the main means of diagnosing ADPKD. Height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV) and kidney growth rate are commonly used to monitor ADPKD disease progression and prognosis. There is no effective treatment for ADPKD to stop its progress. Drugs such as tolvaptan and bosutinib can delay the renal disfunction and they have been applied to clinical therapy in Europe and America.
Disease Progression ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; Tolvaptan

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of wide local excision surgery combined with 5-aminolaevulinic acid(ALA)-photodynamic therapy(PDT)in treating Paget's disease of the scrotum in elderly people.Methods Patients with an average age of 68.4 ± 4.7 years undergoing wide local excision surgery combined with ALA-PDT for Paget's disease of the scrotum from June 2014 to February 2018 were followed up.All patients underwent wide local excision surgical treatment first and were then enrolled in ALA-PDT study after the diagnosis of Paget's disease of the scrotum was confirmed.Four cases were eliminated as a result of two patients refusing photodynamictherapy for various reasons and two patients lost during follow-up after ALA-PDT.A total of 16 patients were included in the study,of whom 6 cases were in Ray stage A1,7 cases in stage A2 and 3 cases in stage B.Patients underwent 3 courses of ALA-PDT after operation.Then the efficacy,shortand medium-term complications were followed up.Results The duration of disease among the 16 patients ranged from 4 to 76 months before diagnosis,with an average of 35.7 months.Surgery was performed immediately after diagnosis.Ten patients underwent resection and suture and 6 patients were treated with skin flap transfers.Of the patients treated with surgery,3 patients received suspicious lymph node dissection and 1 patient underwent reoperation due to skin flap necrosis.Patients were followed up for 3 months to 3 years and 6 months after ALA-PDT.Recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 2 cases,with 1 case of brain metastasis and 1 case of systemic metastasis,and the overall recurrence rate was 12.5％.During the follow-up,there were no other serious complications except for 1 case(6.3 ％)with lower limb movement disorders.Conclusions Wide local excision surgery combined ALA-PDT has good clinical outcomes,low recurrence rates and few complications for the treatment of Paget's disease of the scrotum in elderly people.

Objective To make a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy (HPC) combined with bevacizumab for malignant ascites or malignant pleural effusion,and to provide the references for further practice and studies.Methods VIP,Wanfang data,PubMed and CNKI were searched from inception to January 2018.HPC combined with bevacizumab or HPC alone for malignant ascites or pleural effusion were collected for controlled clinical trial (CCT).According to inclusion and exclusion criteria,two reviewers checked studies,extracted data and assessed quality of the included studies.RevMan 5.3 software was used to make a meta-analysis.Results A total of 4 CCT involved 226 patients.Meta-analysis showed that compared with the HPC alone,HPC combined with bevacizumab had a higher rate in clinical efficiency (OR =4.82,95 ％ CI 2.45-9.49,P ＜ 0.000 01),malignant ascites or pleural effusion control rate (OR =4.06,95 ％ CI 1.09-15.11,P ＜ 0.05),quality of life improvement rate (OR =6.79,95 ％ CI 3.53-13.08,P ＜ 0.000 01),and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion HPC combined with bevacizumab can improve the clinical effective rate,effusion control rate and quality of life improvement rate of the patients with malignant ascites or pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the role of selected serum microRNA (miRNA) levels as potential noninvasive biomarkers for differentiating S0–S2 (early fibrosis) from S3–S4 (late fibrosis) in patients with a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three treatment-naive patients with a chronic HBV infection who underwent a liver biopsy were enrolled in this study. The levels of selected miRNAs were measured using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with fibrosis progression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and discriminant analyses validated these the ability of these predicted variables to discriminate S0–S2 from S3–S4. RESULTS: Serum miR-29, miR-143, miR-223, miR-21, and miR-374 levels were significantly downregulated as fibrosis progressed from S0–S2 to S3–S4 (p < 0.05), but not miR-16. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a panel of three miRNAs and platelets that were associated with a high diagnostic accuracy in discriminating S0–S2 from S3–S4, with an area under the curve of 0.936. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of the studied miRNAs, with the exception of miR-16, varied with fibrosis progression. A panel was identified that was capable of discriminating S0–S2 from S3–S4, indicating that serum miRNA levels could serve as a potential noninvasive biomarker of fibrosis progression.
Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Early Diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Logistic Models ; MicroRNAs* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; ROC Curve