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

Intramesorectal lymph node metastasis after radical surgery of prostate cancer is rare in clinical practice. This paper reported 2 cases of intramesorectal lymph node metastasis and resection after operation for prostate cancer. Patient 1 underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy 5 years ago, who was followed up closely after surgery, and was diagnosed with mesorectal lymph node metastasis by MRI examination. Patient 2 underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy 2 months ago, who was followed up by pelvic MRI and mesorectal lymph node metastasis was revealed. Both patients underwent fluorescence laparoscopic mesenteric lymphadenectomy in our department. With 4 to 6 month of follow-up after surgery, MRI examination showed no recurrence of tumor.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic outcomes of 1 147 patients who underwent liver transplantation at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital and to summarize measures to enhance the efficacy of liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and follow-up data of 1 147 liver transplant patients at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital.Results:The overall postoperative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 1 147 liver transplant patients were 87.20%, 73.40%, and 65.60%, respectively. The survival rates for benign disease liver transplant recipients were 88.01%, 84.98%, and 81.39% at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant, respectively, compared to recipients transplanted for malignancies of 78.11%, 64.41%, and 60.06% (all P<0.001). Among the mid vs more recent period, patients' 1-year and 3-year postoperative survival rates were 84.20%, 70.80% vs 90.50%, 71.70%, respectively,significantly in favor of recently enrolled patients ( P=0.022). In the complex surgery group, patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82.70%, 65.50%, 56.70%, while in less complicated group, it was 89.00%, 76.50%, 69.20% ( P<0.001). The primary causes of death for benign disease recipients were multi-organ failure (4.1%), while in recipients with malignant disease primary cause of death was tumor recurrence (23.7%). Postoperative complications included primary graft dysfunction, delayed graft function recovery, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary stricture, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and graft-versus-host disease, with occurrence rates of 1.05%, 6.89%, 1.92%, 0.44%, 2.00%, 0.61%, and 0.44%, respectively. Conclusions:With the continuous improvement in surgical techniques and perioperative care levels, the 3-year survival rate of recipients at our center has increased. Malignant diseases and complex liver transplantation remain crucial factors affecting recipient prognosis, highlighting the need to further enhance comprehensive treatment capabilities for patients with malignant diseases and complex surgeries.

Objective:To investigate the value of short-time transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (TcPCO 2) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO 2) monitoring in critically ill preterm infants. Methods:From January to December 2018, 62 critically ill neonates receiving respiratory support at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 348 sets of paired data including TcPCO 2/TcPO 2 and arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO 2)/arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2) were analyzed. The patients were divided into different groups based upon birth weight (23 cases>1 000 g-≤1 500 g, 129 sets of paired data; 18 cases≤1 000 g, 130 sets of paired data) and gestational age (16 cases born at ≤28 gestational weeks, 127 sets of paired data; 29 cases born at 28-34 gestational weeks, 159 sets of paired data) and the differences between groups were compared. The correlation and consistency of TcPCO 2/TcPO 2 and PaCO 2/PaO 2 were evaluated using Pearson's correlation and Blan-Altman scatter plots. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of TcPCO 2 in neonates with hypercapnia. Results:There was a positive correlation between TcPCO 2 and PaCO 2 in all patients ( r=0.913, 95% CI:0.894-0.929, P<0.05). In patients whose birth weight was>1 000 g-≤1 500 g or≤1 000 g, TcPCO 2 and PaCO 2 were positively correlated and the consistency were good ( r=0.909, 95% CI:0.874-0.935; r=0.934, 95% CI:0.908-0.953; both P<0.05), and the same finding was also observed in patients born at≤28 gestational weeks or 28-34 weeks of gestation ( r=0.938, 95% CI:0.913-0.956; r=0.871, 95% CI: 0.827-0.904; both P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and area under curve of TcPCO 2 in the diagnosis of hypercapnia were 90.91%, 85.85%, and 0.942, respectively. There was a poor correlation between TcPO 2 and PaO 2 in all patients and those with birth weight >1 000 g-≤1 500 g or gestational age 28-34 weeks (all r<0.75, all P<0.05). There was no correlation between TcPO 2 and PaO 2 in the birth weight ≤1 000 g and gestational age ≤28 weeks groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Short-time TcPCO 2 monitoring can accurately assess PaCO 2 in critically ill neonates requiring respiratory support and is of high diagnostic value for hypercapnia. However, TcPO 2 has limitation in evaluating PaO 2 and other indicators may need to be involved.

Acetaminophen, also known as N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP), is commonly used as an antipyretic and analgesic agent. APAP overdose can induce hepatic toxicity, known as acetaminophen-induced liver injury (AILI). However, therapeutic doses of APAP can also induce AILI in patients with excessive alcohol intake or who are fasting. Hence, there is a need to understand the potential pathological mechanisms underlying AILI. In this review, we summarize three main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AILI: hepatocyte necrosis, sterile inflammation, and hepatocyte regeneration. The relevant factors are elucidated and discussed. For instance, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) protein adducts trigger mitochondrial oxidative/nitrosative stress during hepatocyte necrosis, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released to elicit sterile inflammation, and certain growth factors contribute to liver regeneration. Finally, we describe the current potential treatment options for AILI patients and promising novel strategies available to researchers and pharmacists. This review provides a clearer understanding of AILI-related mechanisms to guide drug screening and selection for the clinical treatment of AILI patients in the future.
Acetaminophen/toxicity* ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/toxicity* ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic/pathology* ; Humans ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Liver/pathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Necrosis/pathology*

Objective:To assess the left ventricular myocardial function in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) by noninvasive myocardial work technology, and to explore the evolution of left ventricular myocardial function recovery.Methods:A total of 92 NSTE-ACS patients from July to December 2019 in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital with normal wall motion and LVEF (>55%) after PCI were recruited. Echocardiography was performed 1 day before PCI, 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after PCI. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was analyzed, and Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) among groups were compared and their correlations with strain parameters were explored.Results:GWI, GCW, GWE were improved ( P<0.05) at 1 day after PCI, GLS improved ( P<0.05) and GWW decreased ( P<0.05) at 2 weeks, LVEF improved ( P<0.05) at 1 month. Baseline GWI and GCW had a moderately negative correlation with GLS ( r=-0.67, -0.66; both P<0.05); GWW had a moderately positive correlation with mechanical dispersion(MD) and postsystolic shortening index(PSI) ( rs=0.45, 0.50; both P<0.05); GWE had a moderately negative correlation with GLS, MD and PSI ( rs=-0.47, -0.55, -0.56; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Left ventricular myocardial function gradually improves in NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion and LVEF after PCI. Myocardial work parameters changes are more sensitive than GLS and LVEF, and can assess early left ventricular myocardial function changes after PCI.

Gastric schwannoma is a tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue. The clinical incidence is relatively rare, accounting for 6.3% of all gastric stromal tumors. The tumor is more likely to occur in the body of the stomach and usually originates from the gastric submucosal nerve. Most gastric schwannomas do not have any clinical symptoms. Imaging examination can play a diagnostic role, but the diagnosis still requires pathological examination, especially S-100 protein which is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastric schwannomas. Gastric schwannoma usually needs to be distinguished from gastrointestinal stromal tumors and gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors. In terms of treatment, complete surgical resection is the first choice.

Objective:To investigate the application value of sound touch quantification (STQ) in screening high risk group of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).Methods:From February 2019 to January 2020, 98 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and 36 healthy volunteers were included in this study. NAFLD patients were divided into NASH high risk group and NASH low risk group. The liver Young′s modulus were measured by STQ and compared among the three groups. The ROC curve was used to analyze the effectiveness of STQ in screening NASH high risk population. When the maximum value of Jordan index was selected, the best boundary threshold was selected to analyze its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Liver biopsy was performed in 15 patients with abnormal liver function as validation group.Results:There were significant differences in the mean values of Young′s modulus among high risk group, low risk group and control group ( F=33.068, P<0.01). The Young′s modulus of NASH high risk group was significantly higher than those in NASH low risk group and control group ( P<0.05). The Young′s modulus between NASH Low risk group and control group was not significantly different( P=0.443). The best screening threshold was 6.46 kPa, the sensitivity was 89.2%, the specificity was 85.2%, and the accuracy was 88.6%. In the verification group, when the Young′s modulus≥6.46 kPa, the accuracy was 73.3%, the sensitivity was 75.0%, and the specificity was 66.7%. Conclusions:As a screening index, STQ elastic imaging technology has certain value in screening NASH high risk group.

Objective:To assess global myocardial work in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure-strain loops, and to explore its diagnostic value in patients with NSTE-ACS.Methods:A total of 169 NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion abnormalities and LVEF (>55%) were recruited in Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from June to December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of coronary stenosis, including severe coronary artery stenosis group ( n=121), and no severe stenosis group ( n=48). The patients of severe coronary artery stenosis group were further subdivided into single-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=52) and multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( n=69). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography before coronary angiography. Brachial cuff systolic pressure was used as left ventricular pressure to construct a non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW) and global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) was computed by LV pressure-strain loops with a proprietary algorithm between groups. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of the parameters to detect severe coronary artery stenosis. Independent factors affecting left ventricular myocardial function were assessed by Logistic regression analysis. Results:GLS, GWI, GCW and GWE were significantly reduced, and GWW was increased in severe coronary artery stenosis group than in no severe stenosis group(all P<0.05). GLS was significantly reduced in multi-vessel severe stenosis group ( P<0.05) but not in single-vessel severe stenosis group ( P=0.32). GWE was an independent factor affecting myocardial function in severe coronary artery stenosis group, GWE<96% had a area under the curve (AUC)=0.83 (74% for sensitivity, 81% for specificity) to identify severe coronary artery stenosis, and was superior to GLS (AUC=0.66, P<0.05) and GWI (AUC=0.70, P<0.05). Conclusions:In NSTE-ACS patients with severe coronary artery stenosis, no obvious regional wall motion abnormalities and preserved LVEF, LV global myocardial function is impaired based on noninvasive pressure-strain loops, GWI, GCW, and GWE are reduced, and GWW is increased, and GWE is a more sensitive index than GLS and GWI to predict severe coronary artery stenosis in NSTE-ACS patients.

Objective:To summarize the patient profiles and therapeutic efficacies of ABO-incompatible living-related kidney transplantations at 19 domestic transplant centers and provide rationales for clinical application of ABOi-KT.Methods:Clinical cases of ABO-incompatible/compatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT/ABOc-KT) from December 2006 to December 2009 were collected. Then, statistical analyses were conducted from the aspects of tissue matching, perioperative managements, complications and survival rates of renal allograft or recipients.Results:Clinical data of 342 ABOi-KT and 779 ABOc-KT indicated that (1) no inter-group differences existed in age, body mass index (BMI), donor-recipient relationship or waiting time of pre-operative dialysis; (2) ABO blood type: blood type O recipients had the longest waiting list and transplantations from blood type A to blood type O accounted for the largest proportion; (3) HLA matching: no statistical significance existed in mismatch rate or positive rate of PRA I/II between two types of surgery; (4) CD20 should be properly used on the basis of different phrases; (5) hemorrhage was a common complication during an early postoperative period and microthrombosis appeared later; (6) no difference existed in postoperative incidence of complications or survival rate of renal allograft and recipients at 1/3/5/10 years between ABOi-KT and ABOc-KT. The acute rejection rate and serum creatinine levels of ABOi-KT recipients were comparable to those of ABOc-KT recipients within 1 year.Conclusions:ABOi-KT is both safe and effective so that it may be applied at all transplant centers as needed.