As the search for effective treatments for COVID-19 continues, the high mortality rate among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) presents a profound challenge. This study explores the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a supplementary treatment for severe COVID-19. A total of 110 critically ill COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vulcan Hill Hospital between Feb., 2020, and April, 2020 (Wuhan, China) participated in this observational study. All patients received standard supportive care protocols, with a subset of 81 also receiving TCM as an adjunct treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period and the clinical outcome of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. Our findings indicated that the TCM group exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the non-TCM group (16 of 81 vs 24 of 29; 0.3 vs 2.3 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with improved survival odds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis also revealed that TCM treatment could partially mitigate inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the recovery of multiple organic functions, thereby potentially increasing the survival rate of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Critical Illness ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the effectiveness of ADDIE instruction model(Analyse,Design,Develop,Implement,Evaluate)in the on-the-job training for neonatal transfer nurses to improve the comprehensive ability in life-saving as well as to ensure the safety of neonates during the transfer.Methods The pre-and post-control study in self-trained comparison was conducted with 35 neonatal nurses in our hospital.Thirty-five neonatal nurses in our hospital were included in a special training group for neonatal transport.According to the ADDIE instruction model,the training needs of nurses were analysed,special training protocols were designed and developed,training rules were implemented and the effects of training on the nurses were evaluated.Scores in professional theoretical knowledge,practical and various skills and teamwork and communication abilities in neonatal transfer were compared before and after the implementation of the ADDIE instruction model.Results All of the 35 nurses had completed the training and responded to the survey.The scores in professional theoretical knowledge,practical skills and teamwork and communication abilities in the neonatal transfer nurses were all significantly increased after the training with ADDIE instruction model(P＜0.001).Conclusions On-the-job training of ADDIE instruction model among the neonatal transfer nurses can effectively enhance the professional knowledge and practice skills,enable the nurses to play a leading role in the process of treatment and improve abilities in teamwork and communication of the neonatal transfer nurses.The ADDIE instruction model provides valuable insights in the training of neonatal transfer nurses.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in pediatric patients undergoing malignant tumor resection.Methods:Medical records of pediatric patients who underwent open abdominal malignant tumor resection at Children′s Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine from August 2019 to July 2023, with length of hospital stay ≥48 h, were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into PPC group and non-PPC group based on the occurrence of PPCs within 7 days postoperatively. Variables with P<0.05 in the univariate analysis were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for PPCs. Results:A total of 605 pediatric patients who underwent abdominal malignant tumor resection were finally included, among which 391 children developed PPCs, with an incidence of 64.6%. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that body weight ( P=0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ( P<0.001), preoperative hypoalbuminemia ( P=0.013), preoperative chemotherapy ( P=0.003), tumor compression/encasement of major abdominal vessels ( P=0.002), anesthesia duration ( P<0.001), intraoperative fluid intake (ml·kg -1·h -1, P<0.001), intraoperative use of hypotensive agents ( P=0.047), and concurrent resection of mediastinal tumors via abdominal approach ( P<0.001) were risk factors for PPCs in children undergoing malignant tumor resection. Age ( P<0.001) was identified as a protective factor for PPCs. Conclusions:Body weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, preoperative chemotherapy, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, tumor compression/encasement of major abdominal vessels, anesthesia duration, intraoperative fluid intake, intraoperative use of hypotensive agents, and concurrent resection of mediastinal tumors via abdominal approach are risk factors for PPCs in pediatric patients undergoing open abdominal malignant tumor resection, whereas age is a protective factor for PPCs.

Objective:To explore the effect of simulation-based diagnosis and treatment on the teaching of international students in cardiovascular clinical practice.Methods:In the study, 35 international students were randomized into experimental group and control group. Eighteen students in experimental group were divided into 3 groups with 6 students in each group, receiving simulation-based diagnosis and treatment teaching, and 17 students in control group took routine clinical practice. The teaching effect of the two groups was evaluated by filling in the evaluation form and doing relevant clinical ability test. SPSS 19.0 software was used to perform t test. Results:According to the statistical results of the evaluation form, the international students participating in the teaching of simulation-based diagnosis and treatment all hoped to adopt this method more often in their practice in every department. In terms of clinical ability test, the experimental group was better than the control group in history collection [(22.16±2.17) vs. (20.33±2.03)], physical examination [(23.05±1.79) vs. (19.78±2.05)] and question answering [(23.50± 1.47) vs. (19.56±1.92)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in medical record writing between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The application of highly simulation-based diagnosis and treatment teaching can make up for the defect that international students can not fully contact with patients during the internship, which is helpful to improve their clinical skills and enhance the doctor-patient communication ability and other medical professional quality.

Objective:To evaluate the significance of S1 posterior edge inlet view for placement of percutaneous sacroiliac screws.Methods:1. CT data of the pelvis were collected from 134 normal adults and introduced into Mimics Medical 21.0 system. Anatomical parameters of sacral vertebrae were measured and analyzed to observe the anatomical disparities between the anterior and posterior edges of S1 vertebral body. A mathematical model was established using the data acquired. 2. Manual placement of sacroiliac screws was performed using a conventional S1 posterior edge inlet view on the pelvic specimens from 5 adult cadavers in simulation of actual surgical situations. After placement, the inlet views from both the S1 anterior and posterior edges were taken to observe the imaging differences and to check if the screws had pierced the sacral canal. 3. A retrospective study was conducted of the 11 patients with posterior pelvic ring fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji Hospital from January 2019 to October 2020. Their fractures were fixated by percutaneous sacroiliac screws under the guidance of a C-arm X-ray machine. The manual placement of the screws was guided intraoperatively by the inlet views from both the S1 anterior and posterior edges to secure a safe placement. Pelvic CT examinations were performed to check any screw dislocation.Results:1. CT measurements in the normal adults showed that the angle of S1 anterior edge inlet view (20.71°±11.89°) was smaller than that of S1 posterior edge inlet view (41.99°±11.67°) and the width of S1 upper end plate [(32.22±3.41) mm] greater than that of S1 lower end plate [(20.10±3.28) mm], showing significant disparities in anatomy between the anterior and posterior edges of S1 vertebral body ( P<0.05). 2. In 2 of the 5 cadaveric specimens, imaging differences were observed between the inlet views of the anterior and posterior edges of S1 and the screws pierced out of the sacral canal. 3. Satisfactory closed reduction was achieved in all the 11 patients. A total of 17 screws were placed, with 12 ones into S1 and 5 ones into S2. Operation time ranged from 84 to 141 min (average, 114.4 min), fluoroscopy frequency from 69 to 101 times (average, 89.6 times), and intraoperative blood loss from 110 to 463 mL(average, 296.6 mL). No screw dislocation was observed on postoperative CT. Conclusion:As there is a difference between the inlet views of the anterior and posterior edges of S1 vertebral body, the inlet view of the posterior edge of S1 can display the posterior edge of S1 more clearly so as to improve the safety of placement of percutaneous sacroiliac screws.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of a dengue fever outbreak in Hunan province in 2018.Methods:Real-time PCR assay was performed for the laboratory diagnosis of 8 suspected dengue fever cases. Etiological surveillance was performed in 186 suspected dengue fever cases and fever cases who had close contacts with dengue fever patients. C6/36 cells was used for the virus isolation from acute phase serum. By sequencing the full length of E genes of 15 dengue virus strains, phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the sequences obtained, including reference sequences from the NCBI GenBank database, the serotypes and gene subtypes of the virus were analyzed to trace the possible source of transmission. An emergency monitoring of vector density and a retrospective survey of sero-epidemiology in healthy population were conducted in the epidemic area.Results:In the serum samples of 8 suspected patients, 6 were dengue virus RNA positive, and 4 were NS1 antigen positive. In 186 suspected patients, 96 were dengue virus nucleic acid, NS1 antigen or antibody positive in etiological test. A total of 64 dengue virus strains were isolated. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all the dengue virus strains belonged to type 2, which might be from Guangdong or Zhejiang provinces. The Bretub index was up to 65, indicating an extremely high risk of transmission. The positive rate of the dengue virus IgG antibody was 0.53%(2/377) in retrospective survey of 377 healthy people.Conclusion:The field epidemiologic and the molecular genetics analyses showed the outbreak of dengue fever in Hunan in 2018 was caused by imported cases and dengue virus 2.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke . Methods In this multi‐center study ,2 310 continuously inpatients with ischemic stroke diagnosed in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to M ay 2016 were enrolled . Carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color‐coded sonography or transcranial Doppler were performed in all patients to confirm the presence of cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion . According to the distribution of lesions ,the subjects were divided into 2 groups :the simple intracranial artery stenosis group and the simple extracranial artery stenosis group . T he difference of risk factors between the two groups was compared . Results Of the 2 310 patients with ischemic stroke ,1 516 ( 65 .6% ) had simple intracranial artery stenosis and 794 ( 34 .4% ) had simple extracranial artery stenosis . T he incidence of anterior circulation artery stenosis was higher in the group of intracranial artery stenosis than that in the extracranial artery stenosis group ( 68 .1% vs 48 .7% , P ＜0 .001) . Posterior circulation artery stenosis and combined anterior with posterior circulation artery stenosis were more common in patients with extracranial artery stenosis group than those in intracranial artery stenosis group ( 36 .4% vs 22 .1% ,14 .9% vs 9 .8% ;all P ＜0 .001) . Univariate analysis of risk factors for stroke showed that patients with intracranial arterial stenosis had a higher prevelence of hypertension , diabetes ,obesity ,and family history of stroke ,and their systolic blood pressure ,diastolic blood pressure , body mass index ( BM I) ,fasting blood‐glucose ,glycosylated hemoglobin ,triacylglycerol ,total cholesterol , and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher than those in the extracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . T he proportion of elderly ( ≥ 65 years old ) ,male and smokers in the extracranial arterial stenosis group was significantly higher than that in the intracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜0 .05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly ( ≥65 years old) ,male , and smoking history were independent risk factors for extracranial arterial stenosis ( OR＝ 2 .012 ,1 .637 , 1 .325 ,respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . While hypertension ,diabetes ,less physical activity ,and high BM I levels were independent risk factors for simple intracranial arterial disease ( OR ＝ 1 .301 ,1 .252 ,1 .248 ,1 .030 , respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions There are significant differences in the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in patients with ischemic stroke in China .

Background:Screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA), the precursor of CRC, is crucial for CRC prevention.It is believed that opportunistic screening of CRC in high risk population would narrow down the screening scope and save the health resources, and is suitable for the present status in China.Aims:To analyze the performance of high risk factors in predicting CRC/CRA, for exploring the feasibility of opportunistic screening for CRC in high risk population.Methods:A total of 1 862 outpatients and health examination subjects undergoing colonoscopy from Feb.2015 to Aug.2016 at the PLA 281 Hospital were recruited and asked to complete a questionnaire of high risk factors for CRC and CRA before colonoscopy.The questionnaire was designed based on the updated consensus on the screening and management of early colorectal cancer and precancerous lesion in China.Using the results of colonoscopy as gold standard, the predictive performance of high risk factors for CRC/CRA was analyzed.Results:Four hundred and sixty-eight (25.1%) individuals with high risk factors for CRC/CRA were screened out by the questionnaire.The detection rate of CRC in individuals with high risk factors was significantly higher than those without (17.5% vs.0.9%, P=0.000).The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of high risk factors in predicting CRC were 87.2%, 78.2%, 17.5% and 99.1%, respectively, and the missed diagnosis rate was 12.8%.For CRC/CRA, the corresponding figures were 83.2%, 87.0%, 57.3%, 96.1% and 16.8%, respectively.The risk ratios (RR) of high risk factors for CRC and CRC/CRA were 20.35 and 14.78, respectively.Conclusions:Opportunistic screening of CRC in high risk population is feasible and applicable in China under present condition.

Objective To analyze the correlation between smoking and occurrence of intracranial artery stenosis.Methods From June 2015 to May 2016,a total of 10 711 inpatients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke from 20 basel hospitals of nationwide were enrolled using a cross-sectional study,76 patients with unknown smoking and smoking cessation years were excluded.Finally,a total of 10 635 patients were enrolled.Transcranial color coded sonography and/or transcranial Doppler were used evaluate the intracranial artery stenosis lesions.The basic risk factors for cerebrovascular disease (age,sex,smoking and smoking years,whether smoking cessation and years,hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,atrial fibrillation,and family history of stroke) were recorded.According to the different smoking years,the smoking years were divided into five groups:non-smoking,smoking time ≤10-year,11 to 20-year,21 to 30-year,and >30-year groups for trend chi square test.According to the different smoking cessation years in the smokers,the smoking cessation years were divided into four groups:non-cessation,cessation time 1 to 10-year,11 to 20-year,and >20-year groups for trend chi square test.The effects of different smoking years and different smoking cessation years on the occurrence of intracranial arterial stenosis were analyzed.Results The incidence of intracranial artery stenosis in the smokers (40.4%[1 433/3 547]) was significantly higher than that in the non-smoking patients (29.4%[2 085/7 088]).There was significant difference (χ2=128.850,P<0.01),and the incidence of cerebral infarction in the smokers (91.6%[3 250/3 547]) was significantly higher than the non-smokers (85.0%[6 027/7 088]).There was significant difference (χ2=92.328,P<0.01).Smoking was an independent risk factor for intracranial artery stenosis (OR,1.603;95%CI 1.456-1.765;P<0.01).With the increase of smoking years,the detection rate of intracranial arterial stenosis increased gradually (trend χ2=115.437,P<0.01).Whether giving up smoking had no significant effect on the incidence of intracranial artery stenosis in patients with ≥20 years of smoking (trend χ2=1.043,P=0.307).Conclusions Smoking is an independent risk factor for affecting intracranial artery stenosis;the risk of disease increases with the number of smoking years.Long-term smokers (≥20 years) cannot reduce the effect on intracranial artery stenosis,even if they give up smoking.

Objective To investigate the effect of serum lipid level on carotid artery stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods Using a multi-center cross-sectional study,10 711 consecutive inpatients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke diagnosed clearly in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to May 2016 were enrolled.According to the results of carotid ultrasonography,1 560 patients with extracranial carotid artery stenosis rate≥50% screened were enrolled in the study.They were divided into a severe stenosis group (70%-99%) and a mild-moderate stenosis group (<70%).The distribution of total cholesterol (TC),triacylglycerol (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in both groups of carotid stenosis patients were analyzed,and the quantitative classification was based on the normal range of serum lipids.The distributions of serum lipid levels in different grades in patients of both groups were compared with the non-parameter test.Results The incidence of dyslipidemia in the severe stenosis group was higher than that in the mild and moderate stenosis group.There was no significant difference between the two groups (54.4%[319/586]vs.48.3%[470/974],P<0.05).Dyslipidemia was an independent risk factor for severe carotid artery stenosis (OR,1.27,95% CI 1.24-1.30,P<0.01).The TC and LDL-C levels in patients of the severe stenosis group were significantly higher than those in the mild-moderate stenosis group (TC:3.98[3.31,4.82]mmol/L vs.3.91[3.31,4.53]mmol/L,LDL-C:2.48[1.86,3.14]vs.2.30[1.79,2.80];all P<0.01).With the increase of TC and LDL-C levels,there was significant differences between the severe stenosis group and the mild-moderate stenosis group (all P<0.05),and the proportions of TC >5.80 mmol/L (7.3%[43/586]vs.0.4%[4/974]) and LDL-C>3.12 mmol/L (26.3%[154/586]vs.10.0%[97/974]) in patients of the severe stenosis group were higher than those in the mild-moderate stenosis group (26.3%[154/586]vs.10.0%[97/974]).Conclusion The high LDL-C and TC levels may increase the incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion.