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 establish the quality standard of Triadica cochinchinensis and to perform the acute toxicity study. METHODS Appearance properties, powder microscopic identification, and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) identification were researched. The specific chromatogram was established by HPLC. The content of cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), arsenic(As), copper(Cu), and mercury(Hg) was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). Acute toxicity was studied by maximum dose. RESULTS The outer skin of herbs was dark brown, and the inner surface was light yellow brown and fibrous. Besides, crystal sheath fiber was common, and calcium oxalate clusters arranges in rows. In the TLC diagram of the test product, the fluorescent spots of the same color were displayed at the corresponding position of the control product(scopoletin, isofraxidin). Five common peaks were calibrated in the characteristic map and the three characteristic peaks(scopoletin, isofraxidin, dimethylfraxetin) were recognized. The content of the measured heavy metal elements was lower than the national limit standard. The linear correlation coefficient was R2 > 0.999. The precision, stability, repetitive RSD were < 10%. The average recovery rate of the added sample was 80%−120%, and the RSD was < 10%. The maximum dose of the acute toxicity test was 184.09 g·kg−1. The 14 d internal body mass, food intake, organ-body ratios, the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were not significantly different by comparing with the normal controls. Therefore, no significant toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION The established standard can provide a reference for evaluating the quality of Triadica cochinchinensis. The heavy metal content of ten batches of medicinal materials is within the safe range. Acute toxicity test show that there is no obvious significant adverse teactions after oral administration, and the safe dose range is large, which can provide a reference for the subsequent development and utilization.

Helicobacter pylori(Hp)is responsible for chronic gastritis,peptic ulcers,and even gastric cancers.Currently,there is no vaccine to prevent or treat Hp infections.Here,we described the chemical synthesis of α-1,6-glucans with different lengths(di-to hexasaccharide),which are present in the core oligosaccharide of Hp lipopolysaccharide(LPS).The 1,2-cis-glucosidic bonds were constructed successfully using a synergistic glycosylation strategy based on acyl remote participation and solvent effects.The results of glycan microarrays indicated that all synthesized α-1,6-glucan fragments possessed a strong binding to IgG antibodies in both rabbit serum immunized with Hp O1 LPS and patient serum infected with Hp.The α-1,6-linked trisaccharide exhibited strong binding affinity to anti-LPS rabbit IgG antibodies.The α-1,6-glucan trisaccharide and pentasaccharide elicited a strong response to IgG antibodies in sera of most Hp-infected patients.Some patients'sera exhibited strong binding activity with α-1,6-linked disaccharide.The results suggest that the α-1,6-glucan disaccharide,trisaccharide and pentasaccharide could be important carbohydrate antigen fragments in Hp lipopolysaccharide.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the impact of different Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels on progression of intermediate coronary stenosis,and the associated risk factors leading to the progression of such lesions. Methods:Data were collected on 219 consecutive patients admitted at the Fuwai Central China Vascular Hospital from January 2020 to February 2021,underwent angiographic examinations and diagnosed with intermediate coronary stenosis,with at least one follow-up angiography after 11 months.Offline quantitative flow ratio(QFR)analysis was performed on these cases.Patients were divided into two groups:LDL-C controlled group(LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L,148 patients with 191 vessels)and LDL-C uncontrolled group(LDL-C≥1.8 mmol/L,71 patients with 98 vessels).Coronary artery QFR and anatomical indicators such as minimal lumen diameter,minimal lumen area,percentage diameter stenosis,percentage area stenosis were compared within and between the groups.Further analysis was performed to identify influencing factors leading to changes in coronary physiological parameters derived from QFR. Results:Within the LDL-C controlled group,there was no significant difference in the QFR values of the vessels compared to baseline(P>0.05),whereas in the LDL-C uncontrolled group(P<0.05),a notable decline in QFR was observed.Patients in the LDL-C controlled group had lower rates of maximum diameter and area stenosis and higher minimum lumen diameter and area(all P<0.05).Through multifactorial Logistic regression analysis,it was found that a body mass index＞28 kg/m2,LDL-C≥1.8 mmol/L,and a history of myocardial infarction were independent risk factors leading to the decline in QFR(all P<0.05). Conclusions:It was found that patients in the LDL-C controlled group had higher coronary artery QFR,minimum lumen diameter and area,lower rates of maximum diameter and area stenosis.

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.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction for pediatric acute intussusception.Methods:One thousand eight hundred and thirty patients with acute intussusception diagnosed by ultrasound in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from September 2017 to July 2020 were treated with ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction method. The therapeutic effects, complications and ultrasonic features were observed.Results:Among 1 830 cases, 1 791 cases were diagnosed as primary intussusception, and 39 cases were secondary intussusception. The overall rate of successful ultrasound enema reduction were 1 780/1 830(93.7%) patients. All 50/1 830(2.7%) patients underwent surgery after unsuccessful enema reduction, including 42 cases of primary intussusception, and 8 cases of secondary intussusception. The complication of intestinal perforation occurred in 3 cases (0.16%), and there were no deaths.Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided enema reduction for pediatric acute intussusception is an effective and safe method without radiation exposure, and can be used as the preferred method for non-operative treatment of intussusception.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of sound touch elastography (STE) in the evaluation of the curative effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of stroke patients with upper limb spasm.Methods:Fifty-five patients with upper limb spasm after stroke were selected as stroke group, and thirty healthy volunteers matched with age, gender and body mass index (BMI) were selected as control group between September 2020 and March 2021. The shear wave velocity (SWV) of biceps brachii and triceps brachii were measured in both groups. In stroke group, the SWVs of biceps brachii and triceps brachii on spastic side and non-spastic side were measured before and after acupuncture treatment, and the correlations between SWV and spastic grade (X), muscle response angle (R1), passive range of motion (R2), spastic angle (R2-R1) of modified Tardieu scale (MTS) were analyzed.Results:At 0 degree, the SWV of spastic biceps brachii (3.85±0.62)m/s was significantly higher than those of the non-spastic side [(3.34±0.35)m/s] and control group [(3.15±2.66)m/s] (all P<0.001), and decreased [ (3.45±0.47)m/s] after acupuncture treatment ( P<0.001). At 90 degree, the SWV of non-spastic biceps brachii was larger than those of spastic side and control group [1.98(1.92, 2.14)m/s vs 1.98(1.92, 2.11) m/s, 1.95(1.86, 2.05)m/s, all P<0.05], and there was no significant difference between the SWV of spastic side and control group ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in SWV of triceps brachii between the spastic side and control group at both 0 degree or 90 degree ( P>0.05). At 0 degree, SWV positively correlated with MTS (x) ( rs=0.639, P<0.001) and negatively with R1 ( rs=-0.527, P<0.001) and R2 ( rs=-0.825, P<0.001) on the spastic biceps brachii. Conclusions:STE can provide quantitative index for the objective evaluation of the curative effect of acupuncture in upper limb spasm after stroke, and it is proposed to be an effective means of clinical diagnosis and efficacy evaluation in patients with upper limb spasm after stroke.

The avian influenza A (H7N9) virus is a zoonotic virus that is closely associated with live poultry markets. It has caused infections in humans in China since 2013. Five waves of the H7N9 influenza epidemic occurred in China between March 2013 and September 2017. H7N9 with low-pathogenicity dominated in the first four waves, whereas highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza emerged in poultry and spread to humans during the fifth wave, causing wide concern. Specialists and officials from China and other countries responded quickly, controlled the epidemic well thus far, and characterized the virus by using new technologies and surveillance tools that were made possible by their preparedness efforts. Here, we review the characteristics of the H7N9 viruses that were identified while controlling the spread of the disease. It was summarized and discussed from the perspectives of molecular epidemiology, clinical features, virulence and pathogenesis, receptor binding, T-cell responses, monoclonal antibody development, vaccine development, and disease burden. These data provide tools for minimizing the future threat of H7N9 and other emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Animals ; COVID-19 ; China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza in Birds/epidemiology* ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Poultry ; SARS-CoV-2

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.

Purpose: Fractionated radiotherapy as well as concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy such astemozolomide for postoperative high-grade glioma (HGG) patients improves progressionfreesurvival and overall survival. Multiple factors such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy,tumor grade, residual tumor volume, and genetic modifications might play a role in the formationof cognitive impairment. The risk factors of cognitive impairment in postoperativepatients with HGG receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains a concern in this population.The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for cognitive impairment inpatients of postoperative HGG. Materials and Methods: A total of 229 patients with HGG who underwent surgery were analyzed. Cognitive impairmentwas defined as a decrease of Cognitive Assessment Montreal (MoCA)’s score in atleast two cognitive domains or any MoCA’s score of less than 26 points at the time of studycompared with baseline level. Multiple potential risk factors including methylated status ofthe O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter, glioma World HealthOrganization (WHO) grade, residual tumor volume, education, and sex were analyzed. Coxunivariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to detect the significant risk factorsfor cognitive impairment. Results: At the end of follow-up among the 229 patients, 147 patients (67%) developed cognitiveimpairment. 82 patients (36%) remained in normal cognitive condition. In multivariate analysis,unmethylated MGMT promoter (hazard ratio [HR], 1.679; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.212 to 2.326; p=0.002), glioblastoma (HR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.117 to 2.149; p=0.009),and residual tumor volume > 5.58 cm3 (HR, 1.454; 95% CI, 1.047 to 2.020; p=0.026) wereindependent risk factors for cognitive impairment. Conclusion Methylated status of the MGMT promoter, glioma WHO grade, and residual tumor volumemight be risk factors for the cognitive impairment in postoperative patients with HGG.