Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective To analyze the main factors influencing the management effect of rural epilepsy prevention and control projects in Hubei Province, and to provide reference for further improving the management effect. Methods According to the phenobarbital treatment and management plan of the rural epilepsy project, the target population was screened and reviewed, and patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled into the project management. Regular follow-up visits, free drug treatment, health education and other measures were carried out, and all relevant information was collected and integrated into the survey data. After the data was reviewed level by level, SPSS20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020, among patients treated and managed with phenobarbital in 6 project counties, 1430 patients were treated and managed for more than 1 year, of whom 1119 (78.25%) had no seizures or had more than 75% reduction in the number of seizures during the observation period. Compared with other age groups, the age group of 65 years and above had the highest markedly effective/effective ratio (95.77%). From the point of follow-up, the markedly effective/effective ratio of 5 years and above was the highest (91.51%). Compared with those who received no treatment prior to enrollment and those who received regular treatment, the patients receiving informal treatment had the lowest markedly effective/effective ratio (82.43%). 1213 cases (84.83%) had good compliance during the observation period, of whom 1062 cases (87.55%) had a reduction in the number of seizures by more than 50% compared with that before treatment. Univariate analysis showed that the age of patients, the length of follow-up, the treatment status before enrollment, the average daily dose of phenobarbital and the compliance of patients all had an impact on the management effect, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the markedly effective/effective rate of patients in the age group of 65 years and above was 6.749 times that of the younger age group. Receiving informal treatment prior to enrollment was a risk factor for difficult-to-control epilepsy. The markedly effective/effective rate of patients receiving informal treatment was 0.29 times that of patients never receiving treatment. Good compliance was a protective factor for epilepsy control, and the markedly effective/effective rate of patients with good compliance was 2.058 times that of patients with poor compliance. Conclusion The epilepsy prevention and management project in rural areas has a significant effect on seizure control. Early treatment, standardized treatment, and improvement of treatment compliance are effective ways to improve the management effect of epilepsy patients.

Objective:To understand the current status of personal protection in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis in China and provide evidence for the evaluation of implementation of National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020).Methods:Four counties in Shanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected to conduct a questionnaire survey in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis from December 2019 to July 2020 by using cross-sectional survey methods.Results:A total of 2 384 persons at high risk for brucellosis were surveyed, and the standardized utilization rate of personal protective equipment (PPE) was 20.13% (480/2 384). The utilization rate of glove, mask, rubber shoe, and work cloth were 38.26% (912/2 384), 31.80% (758/2 384), 32.01% (763/2 384) and 30.87% (736/2 384),respectively. There were significant differences in the utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of the four types of PPE among populations in different age, occupation, educational level and area groups (all P<0.001). The utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of PPE were lower in people over 60 years old, women, farmers, and those with lower educational level. The results of multivariate analysis showed that occupation and area were the influencing factors for the standardized utilization of PPE, the standardized utilization rates of PPE were higher in herdsmen and veterinarians. The standardized utilization rate of PPE in Yanggao County and Huocheng County was significantly higher than that in Zuoyun County and Hunyuan County. Conclusions:The utilization rate of the four types of PPE in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis was not high in China, and the standardized utilization rate was low, lower than the requirement in National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan, and there were significant differences among different areas. It is urgent to distribute PPE to occupational population at high risk for brucellosis and carry out health education about PPE utilization. Meanwhile, it is necessary to strengthen information exchange or sharing among different areas.

Objective:The emergence of polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(KPN)in clinical settings necessitates an analysis of its antibiotic resistance characteristics,epidemiological features,and risk factors for its development.This study aims to provide insights for the prevention and control of polymyxin-resistant KPN infections. Methods:Thirty clinical isolates of polymyxin-resistant KPN were collected from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.Their antibiotic resistance profiles were analyzed.The presence of carbapenemase KPC,OXA-48,VIM,IMP,and NDM was detected using colloidal gold immunochromatography.Hypervirulent KPN was initially screened using the string test.Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using crystal violet staining.Combination drug susceptibility tests(polymyxin B with meropenem,tigecycline,cefoperazone/sulbactam)were conducted using the checkerboard method.Polymyxin-related resistance genes were detected by PCR.Multi-locus sequence typing(MLST)was performed for genotyping and phylogenetic tree construction.The study also involved collecting data from carbapenem-resistant(CR)-KPN polymyxin-resistant strains(23 strains,experimental group)and CR-KPN polymyxin-sensitive strains(57 strains,control group)to analyze potential risk factors for polymyxin-resistant KPN infection through univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression.The induction of resistance by continuous exposure to polymyxin B and colistin E was also tested. Results:Among the 30 polymyxin-resistant KPN isolates,28 were CR-KPN,all producing KPC enzyme.Four isolates were positive in the string test.Most isolates showed strong biofilm formation capabilities.Combination therapy showed additive or synergistic effects.All isolates carried the pmrA and phoP genes,while no mcr-1 or mcr-2 genes were detected.MLST results indicated that ST11 was the predominant type.The phylogenetic tree suggested that polymyxin-resistant KPN had not caused a hospital outbreak in the institution.The use of two or more different classes of antibiotics and the use of polymyxin were identified as independent risk factors for the development of polymyxin-resistant strains.Continuous use of polymyxin induced drug resistance. Conclusion:Polymyxin-resistant KPN is resistant to nearly all commonly used antibiotics,making polymyxin-based combination therapy a viable option.No plasmid-mediated polymyxin-resistant KPN has been isolated in the hospital.Polymyxin can induce resistance in KPN,highlighting the need for rational antibiotic use in clinical settings to delay the emergence of resistance.

Objective:To understand the current status of knowledge of brucellosis prevention and control among occupational groups at high-risk of brucellosis, and to provide a scientific basis for assessing the effectiveness of brucellosis prevention and control in China.Methods:A total of four counties in Shanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected as survey counties from 2019 to 2020, and 600 people from the occupational groups at high-risk of brucellosis in each survey county were selected as survey respondents, and basic information and knowledge of prevention and treatment were collected through questionnaires. Single-factor and multi-factor logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors affecting the population's knowledge of prevention and treatment.Results:A total of 2 411 people participated in the survey and 2 384 valid questionnaires were obtained, including 1 405 males and 979 females, with the youngest age being 18 years old, the oldest being 91 years old, and the median being 57 years old. The overall knowledge of brucellosis prevention and control was 17.74% (423/2 384). The knowledge rate was lower among people over 60 years old, farmers, and people with less than elementary school education (13.99%, 14.50%, and 13.78%), and higher among women, herders, and people with elementary school education (20.02%, 36.33%, and 19.58%); the knowledge rate was lower in Hunyuan County (0.51%), and the differences in overall knowledge rates by age, occupation, education level, and region were statistically significant (χ 2 = 18.25, 87.18, 11.05, 197.43, P < 0.001). Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that gender, occupation, literacy and region were associated with knowledge of prevention and treatment ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The overall knowledge of prevention and treatment among high-risk occupational groups in the key areas of China's brucellosis prevention and treatment program is low, with a large gap with the goals of the national brucellosis prevention and treatment program, and gender, occupation, literacy level, and region are the influencing factors of the knowledge of prevention and treatment. There is an urgent need to carry out a variety of health education activities for high-risk occupational groups and to strengthen the exchange of experience on brucellosis prevention and treatment between regions.

Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-6/therapeutic use*

Objective:To explore the medical costs and influencing factors of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang).Methods:Information on demographics, medical visits, and costs of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis were collected between January 1,2017 and December 31,2019. The effects of different genders, age groups, clinical stages, and comorbidities on patients' health care utilization and medical costs were analyzed by nonparametric tests. The median was used to describe the outpatient and inpatient costs of patients with Brucellosis.Results:A total of 13 532 patients (8 113 outpatient and 5 419 inpatient cases) were included in the analysis. A total of 67.8% (9 176/13 532) were male, with an average age of (42.7±15.4 ) years; age between 18-44 years (46.6%, 6 304/13 532) and 45-59 years (34.2%,4 622/13 532) were the dominant groups. The mean age of inpatients [(43.3±15.7) years] was higher than that of outpatients [(42.3±15.1) years, Z=-3.85, P<0.001]. When hospitalized patients are treated,systemic symptoms were common with fever (36.9%, 1 997/5 419) and fatigue (36.6%, 1 983/5 419), and with joint/muscle pain (68.9%, 3 735/5 419) being the highest proportion of local symptoms. A total of 79.1% (4 289/5 419) of inpatients were diagnosed with acute Brucellosis. A total of 46.5% (2 519/5 419) of inpatients had complications;skeletal system complications ranked the highest. The average number of outpatient visits per outpatient was (1.6±1.4) times. The duration of hospitalization was (11.3±4.2) days, with longer days for patients in the chronic phase and with complications ( P<0.05). A total of 89.3% (4 840/5 419) of inpatients had outpatient records in the same year,and the average number of outpatient visits per patient was (3.6±2.6) times. Outpatient medical costs were dominated by laboratory and drug costs (75.1%), and inpatient costs were dominated by drug, laboratory, and other costs (74.4%). Outpatient medical expenses M( Q1, Q3) were 61(52, 497) Yuan, 61 (51, 346) Yuan and 58 (46, 318) Yuan,respectively. Inpatients' medical expenses M ( Q1, Q3) were 8 214 (6 355, 10 721) Yuan,9 095 (7 018, 12 155) Yuan and 9 492 (7 530, 12 351) Yuan, respectively. For patients, age, clinical stages,complications,and joint/muscle pain symptoms were influential factors for hospitalization costs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The economic burden was higher for inpatients, especially those in the high age group, with chronic phases and skeletal and neurological complications. Improving patients' awareness of early treatment, standardized treatment, and reducing chronicity and complications are the main points in reducing the economic burden caused by Brucellosis diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the medical costs and influencing factors of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis in Datong of Shanxi province.Methods:Information on demographics, medical visits, and costs of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were collected. Health care utilization and medical costs were analyzed from different genders, age groups, underlying diseases, clinical stages, and comorbidities.Results:A total of 2 289 patients (1 715 outpatient and 574 inpatient cases) were included in the analysis. 72.0% (1 649/2 289) were male, with an average age of (49.6±15.5) years; age between 45-59 years was the dominant group (36.2%,829/2 289). The mean age of inpatients (51.4±16.0) was higher than that of outpatients (49.0±15.2)( Z=-4.01, P<0.001). The average number of outpatient visits per outpatient was (1.6±1.5) times. The duration of hospitalization was (14.6±9.9) and (20.8±11.4) days for patients with central nervous system complications and (16.6±9.5) days for vascular system complications. Of the inpatients, 51.0% (293/574) had underlying diseases, and 30.3% (174/574) had endocrine and metabolic diseases. 54.0% (310/574) of inpatients were diagnosed with acute Brucellosis, and 46.0% (264/574) were diagnosed with chronic Brucellosis. A total of 64.3% (369/574) of inpatients had complications, 30.3% (174/574) of digestive system complications, followed by skeletal system complications (29.1%, 167/574). Among outpatients, age significantly affected medical costs ( P<0.001). For inpatients, age and complications and treatment effect were influential factors ( P<0.05). Patients with the combined skeletal system and central nervous system complications had significantly higher medical costs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The medical costs for outpatient cases of Brucellosis were moderate. However, the economic burden was higher for inpatients, especially those with skeletal and neurological complications. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cases were essential to avoid chronic Brucellosis and its complications and reduce medical costs.