BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a complex pathological condition that lacks a cure. Certain Chinese medicines, such as melittin, a major component in bee venom, have shown efficacy in treating CRF patients. On the other hand, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of melittin are unclear.MATERIALS/METHODS: A 5/6 nephrectomy model (5/6 Nx) of renal failure was established on rats for in vivo assays, and mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) mouse podocyte cells were treated with angiotensin II (AngII) to establish an in vitro podocyte damage model. The 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were evaluated after one, 2, and 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to examine the pathological changes in kidney tissues. A cell counting kit 8 assay was used to assess the cell viability. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels in the cells, respectively. RESULTS: In the rat 5/6 Nx, melittin reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Furthermore, the renal pathology was improved in the melittin-treated 5/6 Nx rats. Melittin promoted podocin, nephrin, Beclin 1, and the LC3II/ LC3I ratio and inhibited phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR in 5/6 Nx-induced rats and AngII-induced MPC5 mouse podocyte cells. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy with 3-MA weakened the effects of melittin on podocin, nephrin, and the LC3II/ LC3I ratio in podocytes. CONCLUSION Melittin may offer protection against kidney injury, probably by regulating podocyte autophagy. These results provide the theoretical basis for applying melittin in CRF therapy.

Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.

BACKGROUND: The presence of fibrosis is a criterion for subtype classification in the newly updated hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) guidelines. The present study aimed to summarize differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (NFHP) and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) and explore factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with HP through a multidisciplinary discussion were enrolled. Collected data included demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and radiologic and histopathological features. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to the presence of fibrosis. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients with HP were enrolled, including 87 (43.1%) NFHP patients and 115 (56.9%) FHP patients. Patients with FHP were older and more frequently presented with dyspnea, crackles, and digital clubbing than patients with NFHP. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 153, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, and antigen cytokeratin 21-1, and count of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophils were higher in the FHP group than in the NFHP group. BAL lymphocytosis was present in both groups, but less pronounced in the FHP group. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors for the development of FHP. Twelve patients developed adverse outcomes, with a median survival time of 12.5 months, all of whom had FHP. CONCLUSIONS Older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors associated with the development of FHP. Prognosis of patients with NFHP was better than that of patients with FHP. These results may provide insights into the mechanisms of fibrosis in HP.
Humans ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Prospective Studies ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic/diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Carbohydrates

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

Objective:To explore the threshold and diagnostic value of Chinese version of the Chelsea Physical Function Assessment Tool (CPAx-Chi) for ICU acquired weakness(ICU-AW).Methods:To learn the details and precautions of the CPAx-Chi scale, and then two researchers used the CPAx-Chi scale and MRC-Score scale to independently evaluate 200 patients who come from a comprehensive ICU in a top first-class hospital in Gansu Province simultaneously. The best cut-off point and value of the CPAx-Chi scale in the diagnosis of ICU-AW were determined by calculating the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, the Youden index(YI) and the consistency test that are all based on the MRC-Score≤48.Results:The ROC Area Under Curve(AUC) of the CPAx-Chi scale diagnosis ICU-AW which based on the MRC-Score≤48 were as follows: ROC AUC of group A was 0.899 (95% CI 0.862-1.025); ROC AUC of group B was 0.874 (95% CI 0.824-0.925). When the best cut-off point of CPAx-Chi scale for diagnosis ICU-AW was 31.5, the maximum YI=0.643, the sensitivity was 87%, and the specificity was 77% in group A; and the maximum YI= 0.62, the sensitivity was 75%, and the specificity was 87% in group B. Meanwhile, when the best cut-off point of CPAx-Chi scale for diagnosis ICU-AW was 30.5, the maximum YI=0.62, the sensitivity was 79%, and the specificity was 83% in group B. Taking the CPAx -Chi≤31 as the best cut-off point, the score differences in ICU-AW group and the non-ICU-AW group were not detected, A group ( F value was 4.53, P=0.035) or B group ( F value was 6.51, P=0.011). The consistency of CPAx -Chi≤31 and MRC-Score≤48 in the diagnosis of ICU-AW was high, and the Kappa=0.845 ( P=0.02) in the group A; the Kappa=0.839( P=0.04) in the group B, and the group differences were detected. Conclusions:CPAx-Chi≤31 is the best cut-off point for diagnosing ICU-AW, and has good sensitivity and specificity. CPAx-Chi scale can be popularized and applied in the critical care medicine in China.

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Anlotinib is a newly developed small molecule multiple receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that was approved for the treatment of patients with lung cancer in China. We aim to report 3 cases of rare complication of anlotinib-bronchial fistula (BF) during the treatment of lung cancer patients and summarize the possible causes. METHODS: We collected three patients who developed BF due to anlotinib treatment, and conducted a search of Medline and PubMed for medical literature published between 2018 and 2020 using the following search terms: "anlotinib," "lung cancer," and "fistula." RESULTS: Our literature search produced two case reports (three patients) which, in addition to our three patients. We collated the patients' clinical characteristics including demographic information, cancer type, imaging features, treatment received, risk factors for anlotinib related BF, and treatment-related outcomes. The six patients shared some common characteristics: advanced age, male, concurrent infection symptoms, diabetes mellitus (DM), advanced squamous cell and small cell lung cancers, centrally located tumors, tumor measuring ≥5 cm in longest diameter, and newly formed tumor cavitation after multi-line treatment especially after receiving radiotherapy. Fistula types included broncho-pericardial fistula, broncho-pleural fistula, and esophago-tracheobronchial fistula. Six patients all died within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Although anlotinib is relatively safe, it is still necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of BF, a rare treatment side effect that threatens the quality of life and overall survival of patients. Anlotinib, therefore, requires selective use and close observation of high-risk patients.

Objective:To investigate the current status of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) assessment, analyze the assessment barriers, and to provide reference to improve ICU-AW assessment.Methods:A convenient sampling cross-sectional survey was conducted. First, an interview outline which based on related domestic and international literatures and combining with the research purpose of this study were designed. Thirteen medical personnel (8 ICU nurses, 3 ICU doctors, 1 respiratory therapist and 1 physiotherapist) who worked in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were enrolled with convenience sampling method to interview. Second, the topics were comprehensively analyzed and extracted, and then a questionnaire was constructed, and the reliability and validity was assessed. Finally, the questionnaire survey including the general situation of ICU medical staffs, the current practices of ICU-AW and influencing factors was implemented in China.Results:The retest reliability was 0.92 and expert validity was 0.96 of the questionnaire. There were 3 563 respondents in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions which eliminated 357 unqualified questionnaires, including 173 respondents from neonatal or pediatric ICU, 89 respondents whose working time was less than 6 months, and 95 invalid respondents, and then there were finally 3 206 valid questionnaires and the response rate were 90.0%. Those 3 206 respondents included 616 doctors (19.2%), 2 371 nurses (74.0%), 129 respiratory therapists (4.0%), 51 physiotherapist (1.6%) and 39 dietitians (1.2%). The mean age was (30.7±6.3) years old. Most of them had bachelor's degree (65.9%), master and above was 14.1%. Associate senior physician and above was 8.0%; ICU working time was (5.94±4.50) years. In clinical practice, only 26.5% of the ICU medical staffs confirmed that they had treated or taken care for ICU-AW patients; 52.9% of medical staffs evaluated ICU-AW only based on clinical experience, and only 12.3% used ICU-AW assessment tools. The majority of respondents believed that ICU-AW knowledge training should be performed (81.8%), ICU-AW assessment should be as important as other complications (pressure sore, infected ventilator associated pneumonia, etc., 75.1%), and ICU-AW assessment should be part of daily treatment and care activities (61.2%). However, only 10.2% of respondents had received ICU-AW related knowledge training, and 42.7% respondents believed that their ICU-AW related knowledge could not meet clinical needs. Only 18.7% respondents would actively assess whether patients suffered from ICU-AW or not, and 42.3% respondents thought that ICU-AW should be assessed every day, and the assessment tools were also inconsistent. There were 44.0% respondents considered the Medical Research Council Muscle score (MRC-score) scale was the optimal tool for diagnosing ICU-AW, the following were neuro-electrophysiological examination (17.2%) and manual muscle strength (MMT, 11.1%). The main cause of the ICU-AW assessment barriers was the lack of ICU-AW related knowledge (88.1%), and the following were lack of ICU-AW assessment guidelines (76.5%), patients' cognitive impairment or limited understanding ability (84.6%), unable to cooperate with the assessment due to critical illness (83.0%), and inadequate attention to ICU-AW assessment by the department (77.5%).Conclusion:The current status of ICU-AW assessment were unsatisfying in China, and the main barriers were lack of skills and knowledge.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of patients with trauma in intensive care unit (ICU), a new warning scoring system is established for predicting the incidence of sepsis in traumatic patients; and to provide a new simple method of clinical score, which could provide a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of sepsis. Methods The clinical data of 591 patients with trauma in the ICU of the Army Specialized Medical Center of Army Medical University and Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into sepsis group (n = 382) and non-sepsis group (n = 209) according to their clinical outcome. The basic clinical data of all ICU trauma patients were collected, and the differences in gender, age, underlying diseases, and vital signs, critical illness scores, blood culture results and laboratory biochemical examinations within 24 hours of ICU admission between the two groups were analyzed. Univariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the related factors leading to sepsis. The indexes with P < 0.12 analyzed by univariate Logistic regression analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The risk factors of sepsis in traumatic patients were screened and assigned, and the total score was sepsis early warning score. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of the warning score of sepsis in patients with trauma. Results The incidence of sepsis in ICU trauma patients was 64.6% (382/591), and the ICU mortality was 10.5% (40/382). The traffic accident was a common cause of ICU trauma patients. Compared with non-sepsis patients, Glasgow coma score (GCS), proportion of past history, red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT), albumin (Alb) were lower in patients with sepsis, and body temperature, pulse, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), injury severity score (ISS), new injury severity score (NISS), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), blood sodium, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher, blood transfusion, central venous catheterization, mechanical ventilation, shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), open injury and multiple injuries were more common, the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU days and total hospital days were longer, and all the differences were statistically significant. Most of the traumatic patients with sepsis were undergone with multiple trauma. Compared with non-sepsis patients, the proportion of multiple position trauma was significantly higher than patients without sepsis. And most traumatic patients were insulted in head, face and neck. The risk factors were screened by univariate and multivariate Logistic stepwise regression analysis, the indexes into the regression model were pulse > 100 bpm [odds ratio (OR) = 1.617, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.992-2.635, P = 0.044], APTT > 36 s (OR = 2.164, 95%CI =1.056-4.435, P = 0.035), shock (OR = 1.798, 95%CI = 1.056-3.059, P = 0.031), mechanical ventilation (OR = 5.144, 95%CI = 2.302-11.498, P < 0.001), APACHEⅡ > 21 (OR = 3.348, 95%CI = 1.724-6.502, P < 0.001), NISS > 25 (OR = 3.332, 95%CI = 1.154-9.624, P = 0.026), assigning scores were 0.5, 1.0, 0.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, respectively, which were included in the new warning score of sepsis. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of warning score for predicting sepsis in patients with trauma was 0.782, which was significantly higher than the APACHEⅡ(AUC = 0.672), APTT (AUC = 0.574) and NISS (AUC = 0.515) with significant difference (all P < 0.01). When the cut-off value of sepsis warning score was 4.0, the sensitivity and specificity were 71.7% and 61.9%, respectively. Conclusions Close monitoring and stabilization of vital signs of traumatic patients within 24 hours of ICU admission and reduction of unreasonable invasive mechanical ventilation time are expected to reduce the incidence of sepsis in traumatic patients. New warning score of sepsis consisted of six factors: pulse, APTT, shock, mechanical ventilation, APACHEⅡ and NISS. Rational use of warning score of sepsis would help us to assess the prognosis of traumatic patients more easily and effectively, and the predicted effect is much better than APACHEⅡ, APTT and NISS.

Objective? To analyze the relevant literatures of research on Intensive Care Unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW) by visualization analysis method based on the large data visualization analysis background, understand the current researches on ICU-AW treatment as a whole, and find out the hot spots and shortcomings of ICU-AW related researches, so as to provide reference for clinical researches. Methods? To retrieve the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, WanFang, CNKI and VIP Chinese databases from the databases' establishment data to September 1st, 2018. All published Chinese and English articles about ICU-AW were included. Endnote software was used to extract the main contents of literatures and generate co-occurrence matrix by BICOMB 2 software after manual de-duplication. Then Ucinet 6.0 was used to map the main information social network graph. Finally, gCluto 1.0 was used to draw the visualization graphs. Results? A total of 1 053 literatures were extracted. Since the publication of the first one in 1993, scholars began to pay attention to the disease in 2006. A total of 41 countries and regions all over the world had collaborative research in varying levels, of which 223 (21.18%) have been published in the United States. Up to 259 articles (24.6%) were summaries and systematic reviews, while few studies were clinical trials, observation and cohorts. Totally 48 authors participated in the publication of 10 or more papers, and the number of authors who had published one article was 2 080 (69.15%). The literatures were published in 385 journals. Only 14 journals (3.64%) contained more than 10 articles, and 450 journals (42.73%) accumulated. The citation frequency of published literatures was relatively low, and only 80 (7.60%) of them were cited more than 50 times. The visualization graph of key words showed that the research hot spots of ICU-AW included pathophysiological mechanism, diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment. Conclusions? The research on ICU-AW is still in the preliminary stage, and its depth and breadth need to be further explored. More multi-center and single-center clinical studies are needed to explore the diagnosis, related risk factors, treatment measures,prevention of ICU-AW and its impact on patients' outcomes and quality of life.