Predictive value of SYNTAX-Ⅱ score on prognosis of patients with chronic total occlusion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of SYNTAX-Ⅱ score on long term prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Patients undergoing CTO-PCI in Fuwai hospital from January 2010 to December 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The SYNTAX-Ⅱ score of the patients was calculated. According to SYNTAX-Ⅱ score tertiles, patients were stratified as follows: SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤20, 20<SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤27, SYNTAX-Ⅱ>27. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACCE), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and any revascularization. Secondary endpoints included stent thrombosis, heart failure and target lesion failure (TLF). Patients were followed up by outpatient visit or telephone call at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after PCI, and annually up to 5 years. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors of all-cause death in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. The predictive value of SYNTAX score with SYNTAX-Ⅱ score for all-cause death was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). Results: A total of 2 391 patients with CTO and received PCI were enrolled in this study. The mean age was (57.0±10.5) years, 1 994 (83.40%) patients were male. There were 802 patients in lower tertile group (SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤20), 798 patients in intermediate group (20<SYNTAX-Ⅱ≤27) and 791 patients in upper tertile group (SYNTAX-Ⅱ>27). At the end of 5-year follow-up, the loss to follow-up rate of the three groups was 9.10%(73/802), 10.78%(86/798)and 8.85%(70/791), respectively. The rate of all-cause mortality (1.78% (13/729) vs. 3.65% (26/712) vs. 9.02% (65/721), P<0.001), cardiac death (1.37% (10/729) vs. 2.11% (15/712) vs. 4.85% (35/721), P<0.001), target vessel myocardial infarctions (4.25% (31/729) vs. 4.49% (32/712) vs. 7.07% (51/721), P=0.03), probable stent thrombosis (1.51% (11/729) vs. 2.81% (20/712) vs. 3.61% (26/721), P=0.04) and heart failure (1.78% (13/729) vs. 1.97% (14/712) vs. 5.41% (39/721), P<0.001) increased in proportion to increasing SYNTAX-Ⅱ score (all P<0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that female (HR=2.05, 95%CI 1.12-3.73, P=0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.97, 95%CI 0.95-1.00, P=0.05) and SYNTAX-Ⅱ score (HR=1.07, 95%CI 1.02-1.11,P=0.01) were independent predictors for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. The predicted value of the SYNTAX-Ⅱ score for all-cause death was significantly higher than the SYNTAX score (AUC 0.71 vs. 0.60, P=0.003). Conclusion: For CTO patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, SYNTAX-Ⅱ score is an independent predictor for 5-year all-cause death, and SYNTAX-Ⅱ serves as an important predictor for all-cause death in these patients.

A clinical analysis of bronchiectasis in 78 children / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of bronchiectasis, in order to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 78 children with bronchiectasis at Qingdao Women and Children′s Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2010 to January 2020 were analyzed, including age, regional distribution, etiology, clinical manifestations, lung function characteristics, results of lung high-resolution CT, results of fiberbronchoscopy examination, treatment, and prognosis.Results:Among 78 children with bronchiectasis, there were 35 males(44.9%)and 43 females(55.1%), with a median age of 8.7(6.1, 9.0)years.There were 51 children in rural areas(65.4%)and 27 children in urban areas(34.6%). The incidence of children in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas.The top three causes of bronchiectasis were 40 (51.3%)cases after infection, nine cases(11.5%)of primary immunodeficiency and seven cases(9.0%)of inhalation.The main clinical manifestations were wet cough, expectoration, wheezing and repeated respiratory infection.High-resolution CT of the lungs showed 36(46.2%)cases with diffuse bronchiectasis and 37 (47.4%) cases with localized bronchiectasis.Forty-nine(62.8%) cases had abnormal pulmonary ventilation function.Sixty-one(78.2%)cases were treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy, of which 49(80.3%)cases had "fishbone" changes.After anti-infection, fiberbronchoscopy examination, expectorant and physical therapy, 67 cases were discharged and followed up for more than one year.Among them, 55 cases had symptoms improved, 12 patients had recurrent respiratory tract infection, and three patients died.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of bronchiectasis in children have no obvious specificity.Early diagnosis, identification of the cause and comprehensive management are critical to prognosis of bronchiectasis.

A clinical analysis of protracted bacterial bronchitis in 102 children in Qingdao Area / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of 102 children with protracted bacterial bronchitis in Qingdao area.Methods:One hundred and two children with protracted bacterial bronchitis treated at respiratory clinic of Women and Children′s Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University from January 2016 to March 2021 were included in this study.The clinical data, age and seasonal distribution, etiology, clinical manifestations, high-resolution CT of the lungs, characteristics of lung function, bronchoscopy and treatment prognosis were retrospectively analized.Results:The top three pathogens of protracted bacterial bronchitis in 102 children (55 boys, 47 girls, median age: 1.7 (0.8, 4.2)years were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, with frequency of 12.75%, 10.78%, and 6.86%, respectively.The onset season was mainly autumn and winter, with a total of 73 (71.57%) cases.The main clinical manifestations were wet cough and (or) wheezing, and the cough was not divided between day and night.CT of the lungs showed thickening of the bronchial wall in 16(15.69%) cases and uneven ventilation in 5(4.90%) cases.Twenty-three (22.55%) cases had abnormal lung function.Fifty-two (50.98%) cases underwent bronchoscopy, of which 33(32.35%) cases had multiple lung segmental purulent changes under the microscope.After standard anti-infection, bronchoscopy and alveolar lavage, expectorant and physical therapy, the prognosis was mostly good.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children have no obvious specificity.Early diagnosis, identification of the cause and comprehensive management are critical to its prognosis.

The cause analysis of chronic wet cough in children in Qingdao area / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To explore the etiology and characteristics of chronic wet cough in children in Qingdao.Methods:Patients with chronic wet cough treated at respiratory clinic of the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from July 2018 to June 2019 were included in this study.After three-month follow-up, the etiological data was analyzed.Results:(1)A total of 213 children were included, ranging in age from 1 month to 14 years old, including 38 cases of 1 month~1 year old, 47 cases of 1~3 years old, 87 cases of 3~6 years old, and 41 cases of 6~14 years old.The median age was 4.7 years.The top four causes of chronic wet cough in children were upper airway cough syndrome(33.8%), protracted bacterial bronchitis(20.7%), asthma with upper airway cough syndrome(15.5%), and asthma with infection(10.8%). Other causes were postinfection cough, pertussis syndrome, bronchiectasis, gastroesophageal reflux, bronchial foreign body, abnormal airway development, cystic fibrosis and so on.(2)The first cause of chronic wet cough in different age groups: 1 month to 3 years old group was protracted bacterial bronchitis; 3 to 14 years old group was upper airway cough syndrome.(3)The causes of chronic wet cough showed seasonal differences.Upper airway cough syndrome and cough after infection had a more balanced incidence throughout the year; protracted bacterial bronchitis and pertussis syndrome were common in winter; asthma with upper airway cough syndrome and asthma with infection were common in spring and autumn.Conclusion:Upper airway cough syndrome, protracted bacterial bronchitis, asthma with upper airway cough syndrome, and asthma with infection are the 4 leading causes for children with chronic wet cough in Qingdao.The causes of chronic wet cough have age and seasonal differences.

Five-year clinical outcomes of patients with in-stent chronic total occlusion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the safety and long-term clinical efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with in-stent chronic total occlusion (IS-CTO) lesions. Metheds: This is a retrospective analysis. Patients with IS-CTO who underwent PCI in Fuwai hospital from January 2010 to December 2013 were enrolled. A total of 212 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the IS-CTO group, 212 matched patients with primary CTO lesions were included in the de novo CTO group. The incidence of complications and the success rate of PCI were compared between the two groups. Successful PCI was defined as successfully implantation of stent(s) at target CTO lesions. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite event of cardiac death and myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary endpoints including PCI success, all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, target vessel related MI, revascularization, target vessel revascularization, heart failure for rehospitalization. The patients were followed up for 5 years after PCI. Results: A total of 424 cases were included. The mean age was (57.8±10.5) years, there were 364 males in this cohort. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower ((58.7±9.2)% vs. (61.0±7.7)%, P=0.01) and the SYNTAX scores was significantly higher (19.4±8.3 vs. 15.3±10.0, P<0.01) in IS-CTO group than that in de novo CTO group. The proportion of patients with target CTO lesions in left anterior descending artery was significantly higher (42.9% (50/212) vs. 23.6% (91/212), P<0.01) in IS-CTO group than that in de novo CTO group. The rate of successful PCI (71.7% (152/212) vs. 69.8% (148/212), P=0.70) and complication (40.6% (86/212) vs. 36.3% (77/212), P=0.37) was similar between the two groups. The incidence of primary endpoint at 5 years was significantly higher in IS-CTO group (10.8% (23/212) vs. 4.7% (10/212), P=0.02), which was driven by higher incidence of MI (9.0% (19/212) vs. 4.2% (9/212), P=0.05). There were a trend of higher secondary endpoints in IS-CTO group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The safety and effectiveness of PCI are acceptable in patients with IS-CTO, but the risk of long-term cardiac death and MI is higher among patients with IS-CTO as compared to patients with primary CTO lesions.

The safety and efficacy of Firesorb bioresorbable scaffold in first-in-man study for coronary artery disease: the four-year outcomes / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the 4-year clinical outcomes of patients following Firesorb bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) implantation. Methods: The study reported the 4-year follow-up results of the FUTURE I study. FUTURE I was a prospective, single-center, open-label, first-in-man study which evaluated the feasibility, preliminary safety, and efficacy of Firesorb stent in the treatment of coronary artery stenosis. A total of 45 patients with single de novo lesions in native coronary arteries ,who hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from January to March 2016 were enrolled. After successfully stent implantation these patients were randomized in a 2∶1 ratio into cohort 1 (n=30) or cohort 2 (n=15). The patients in cohort 1 underwent angiographic, IVUS or OCT examination at 6 months and 2 years; and cohort 2 underwent angiographic, IVUS or OCT at 1 and 3 years. All patients underwent clinical follow-up at 1, 6 months and 1 year and annually thereafter up to 5 years. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF, including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization). Secondary endpoints included patient-oriented composite endpoint (PoCE, defined as composite of all death, all miocardial infarction, or any revascularization). Results: A total of 45 patients were enrolled and implanted with Firesorb BRS, including 35 males (77.8%), and the age was (54.4±9.3) years. At 4 years, 10 patients in cohort 1 were reexamined by coronary angiography and OCT examination. Among them, 2 patients' stents were completely degraded and absorbed. Compared with the OCT images of the other 8 patients in cohort 2 at 3 years, the degree of stent degradation was increased, and no stent adherence was found. The 4-year clinical follow-up rate was 100%. In 4-year clinical following up, 2 patients suffered PoCE (4.4%): 1 patient underwent non-target vessel revascularization the day after index procedure and target vessel revascularization (Non-target lesion revascularization) at 2-year imaging follow-up; the other patient underwent target lesion revascularization during imaging follow-up at 4 years but not due to ischemic driven. There was no scaffold thrombosis or TLF events through 4 years. Conclusions: Four years after the implantation, complete degradation and absorption of the Firsorb stent are evidenced in some patients. Firesorb stent is feasible and effective in the treatment of patients with non-complex coronary lesions.

Mis-estimation of coronary lesions and rectification by SYNTAX score feedback for coronary revascularization appropriateness / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Imprecise interpretation of coronary angiograms was reported and resulted in inappropriate revascularization. Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score is a comprehensive system to evaluate the complexity of the overall lesions. We hypothesized that a real-time SYNTAX score feedback from image analysts may rectify the mis-estimation and improve revascularization appropriateness in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).@*METHODS@#In this single-center, historical control study, patients with stable CAD with coronary lesion stenosis ≥50% were consecutively recruited. During the control period, SYNTAX scores were calculated by treating cardiologists. During the intervention period, SYNTAX scores were calculated by image analysts immediately after coronary angiography and were provided to cardiologists in real-time to aid decision-making. The primary outcome was revascularization deemed inappropriate by Chinese appropriate use criteria for coronary revascularization.@*RESULTS@#A total of 3245 patients were enrolled and assigned to the control group (08/2016-03/2017, n = 1525) or the intervention group (03/2017-09/2017, n = 1720). For SYNTAX score tertiles, 17.9% patients were overestimated and 4.3% were underestimated by cardiologists in the control group. After adjustment, inappropriate revascularization significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-0.95; P = 0.007). Both inappropriate percutaneous coronary intervention (adjusted OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.92; P < 0.001) and percutaneous coronary intervention utilization (adjusted OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79-0.98; P = 0.016) decreased significantly in the intervention group. There was no significant difference in 1-year adverse cardiac events between the control group and the intervention group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Real-time SYNTAX score feedback significantly reduced inappropriate coronary revascularization in stable patients with CAD.@*CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Nos. NCT03068858 and NCT02880605; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The value of chest CT and flexible bronchoscope in necrotizing pneumonia / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of chest CT imaging and prognosis of children with necrotizing pneumonia (NP) after flexible bronchoscopy, in order to improve the clinician′s diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Methods:The clinical information, imaging features of the sixty-six patients suffering from NP, who were diagnosed and treated in Qingdao Women and Children′s Hospital from September 2015 to April 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Fourty-six cases who were treated with flexible bronchoscopy alveolar lavage(treatment group) were comparative analyzed with the left 20 cases who were not treated with flexible bronchoscopy alveolar lavage(control group).Results:In treatment group, all patients appered lung consolidation at early stages, and multiple balloon chambers emerged in consolidation shadows in late period. There was no statistic difference in basic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and etiology between the control group and treatment group( P>0.05). The treatment group had a lower incidence of pulmonary complications and a higher lung shadow full absorption rate, which showed the statistical difference( P<0.05). Conclusion:The flexible bronchoscopy alveolar lavage plays an important role in the process of treating the children with NP, and chest CT provides reliable imaging evidence in the early diagnosis and prognosis of the NP children.

Long-term outcomes of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing early versus late delayed percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the long-term outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent early or late delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational and single-center study. Consecutive STEMI patients (n=977), who admitted to Fuwai Hospital in 2013 and underwent successful selective PCI using drug-eluting stents (DES) within 3 to 35 days after symptom onset were enrolled and divided into the early delayed PCI (3-14 d) group (n=495) and the late delayed PCI (15-35 d) group (n=482). General clinical data of the patients and related data of coronary angiography and interventional therapy were collected, and the endpoint events were followed up. The primary endpoint was 2-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, definite or probable stent thrombosis and ischemic stroke. The secondary endpoint was 2-year ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization. The incidence of endpoint events of the two groups was compared, and it was compared again after the primary baseline characteristics such as age and gender were matched by the propensity scoring method at a 1∶1 ratio. Results: A total of 910 (93.1%) patients who underwent delayed PCI were transferred from other hospitals, and 292 (29.9%) patients received thrombolysis before PCI. The time interval before PCI was 14 (10, 20) days. The incidence of 2-year MACCE (3.0%(15/495) vs. 2.3%(11/482), P=0.468) and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (3.8%(19/495) vs. 5.0%(24/482), P=0.385) were similar between the two groups. The incidence of 2-year MACCE (3.3%(15/453 vs. 2.4%(11/453), P=0.426) and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (4.2% (19/453) vs. 4.9%(22/453), P=0.632) were also similar between the two groups after matching propensity score. Conclusion: The long-term clinical outcomes after early delayed PCI using DES is statistically equivalent to those of late delayed PCI using DES for STEMI patients who missed the time window for emergency PCI.

Clinical Features and Prognostic Risk Factors of Choroid Plexus Tumors in Children / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Decision-making concerning the treatment of choroid plexus tumor (CPT) in pediatric patients remains a topic of considerable debate. The aim of this work was to describe clinical features and prognostic risk factors of CPT in the pediatric population and to provide theoretical opinions regarding clinical decisions for CPT.@*Methods@#The data of 96 patients with CPT and younger than 14 years were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics such as pathological type of CPTs, rate and severity of hydrocephalus, treatment and outcome, and recurrence were investigated. For categorical variables, the Pearson's Chi-square test was performed. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons between nonnormally distributed parameters. Log-rank test was used for progression-free survival (PFS).@*Results@#The study included 70 choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) cases, 17 atypical choroid plexus papilloma (aCPP) cases, and 9 choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) cases. Compared with patients with CPP or aCPP, patients with CPC had a shorter disease course (median: CPP, 4 months; aCPP, 2 months; CPC, 1 month; H: 23.5, P 0.05). Patients with CPC experienced shorter time for recurrence than those with CPP or aCPP (χ = 40.1, P < 0.0001).@*Conclusions@#Our results indicated that CPP in the fourth ventricle could trigger serious clinical symptoms at an early stage, requiring early intervention. Adjuvant treatment might be necessary for patients with partially resected CPP, aCPP, and CPC to achieve a favorable outcome.

Characteristics of Coronary Artery Lesions in Smokers With Coronary Heart Disease and Prognostic Evaluation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of coronary lesions and evaluate the prognosis post-percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in smokers with coronary heart disease. Methods: The data were derived from PANDA III, which was a perspective, multi-center, "all-comer", randomized controlled trial. Between Dec. 2013 and Aug. 2014, 2 348 patients from 46 centers were enrolled. Mean age was (61.2 ±10.6) years old, 1 658 patients (70.6%) were male. All the patients underwent PCI and biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents were implanted as indicated. Patients were divided into non-smoking group, quitter group and smoking-group based on the basis of smoking status at baseline. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and repeated revascularization. Secondary endpoint were stent thrombosis and target lesion failure (TLF), including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and ischemia driven target lesion revascularization. Results: Smokers and quitters were more often males. Compared with non-smoking group and quitter group, patients in smoking group were significantly younger (P<0.0001), proportion of hypertension (P=0.0002), diabetes mellitus (P=0.0052) and previous PCI history (P<0.0001) was significantly lower. The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the smoking group was as high as 41.3% (363/879), which was significantly higher than that of the quitter group and non-smoking group (P<0.0001). A total of 1 130 (96.7%), 286 (95.3%) and 846 (96.2%) patients in the non-smoking group, quitter group and smoking-group completed the 2-year follow-up, respectively. The results of 2-years follow-up showed that MACE rate of non-smoking group, quitter group and smoking-group was 11.23%, 13.64% and 12.21%(P=0.54), respectively. Multivariable cox regression analysis indicated that smoking status was not an independent predictor for all-cause mortality and TLF.

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Long-term Prognosis of Patients After Implantation of Biodegradable Polymer Drug Eluting Stent or Excel Stent / 中国循环杂志

Objectives:To evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus on prognosis of coronary artery disease patients after implantation of the novel biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents. Methods:PANDA Ⅲ was a perspective, multi-center, "all-comer", randomized controlled trial. Between Dec. 2013 and Sep. 2014, 2 348 patients from 46 centers were enrolled. All the patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, among them 1 174 patients implanted with BuMA stent and 1 174 patients implanted with Excel stent. Mean age was 61.2 ±10.6, 1 658 patients (70.6%) were male, 570 (24.2%) patients presented with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 1 778 (75.7%) without DM. Patients were divided into DM and non-DM groups. Primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and ischemia driven target lesion revascularization. Secondary endpoints included stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction and any revascularization. Results:A total of 558 (97.9%) and 1 704 (95.8%) patients completed 2-year follow-up in DM and non-DM groups. Incidence of TLF in the DM and non-DM group was 8.24% vs. 6.81%, P=0.25, and cardiac death rate was significantly higher in the DM group compared with non-DM group:2.87% vs. 1.12%, P=0.004. Incidence of MACE was similar between two group:13.98% vs. 11.38, P=0.10. Myocardial infarction and any revascularization events were numericallyhigher in the DM group compared with non-DM group, but without statistical significance:5.73% vs. 5.11%, P=0.56; 6.45% vs. 5.46%, P=0.38, respectively. Incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in the DM group compared with non-DM group:4.30% vs. 2.46%, P=0.03. The results were similar after propensity match analysis. Multivariable analysis showed that DM and baseline SYNTAX score were independent factors for 2-year cardiac death. Conclusions:Two-year incidence of TLF is similar in coronary artery disease patients with or without DM post implantation of biodegradable polymer drug eluting stent or Excel stent, however, the rate of death especially cardiac death is significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group.

Effect of Systolic Cardiac Function on Passive Leg Raising for Predicting Fluid Responsiveness: A Prospective Observational Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Passive leg raising (PLR) represents a "self-volume expansion (VE)" that could predict fluid responsiveness, but the influence of systolic cardiac function on PLR has seldom been reported. This study aimed to investigate whether systolic cardiac function, estimated by the global ejection fraction (GEF) from transpulmonary-thermodilution, could influence the diagnostic value of PLR.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This prospective, observational study was carried out in the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2013 to July 2015. Seventy-eight mechanically ventilated patients considered for VE were prospectively included and divided into a low-GEF (<20%) and a near-normal-GEF (≥20%) group. Within each group, baseline hemodynamics, after PLR and after VE (250 ml 5% albumin over 30 min), were recorded. PLR-induced hemodynamic changes (PLR-Δ) were calculated. Fluid responders were defined by a 15% increase of stroke volume (SV) after VE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-five out of 38 patients were responders in the GEF <20% group, compared to 26 out of 40 patients in the GEF ≥20% group. The thresholds of PLR-ΔSV and PLR-Δ cardiac output (PLR-ΔCO) for predicting fluid responsiveness were higher in the GEF ≥20% group than in the GEF <20% group (ΔSV: 12% vs. 8%; ΔCO: 7% vs. 6%), with increased sensitivity (ΔSV: 92% vs. 92%; ΔCO: 81% vs. 80%) and specificity (ΔSV: 86% vs. 70%; ΔCO: 86% vs. 77%), respectively. PLR-Δ heart rate could predict fluid responsiveness in the GEF ≥20% group with a threshold value of -5% (sensitivity 65%, specificity 93%) but could not in the GEF <20% group. The pressure index changes were poor predictors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, the diagnostic value of PLR for predicting fluid responsiveness depends on cardiac systolic function. Thus, cardiac systolic function must be considered when using PLR.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-OCH-13004027; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5540.</p>

Determinants and Equity Evaluation for Health Expenditure Among Patients with Rare Diseases in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>China has not established social security system for rare diseases. Rare diseases could easily impoverish patients and their families. Little research has studied the equity and accessibility of health services for patients with rare diseases in China. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence health expenditure of rare diseases and evaluate its equity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Questionnaire survey about living conditions and cost burden of patients with rare diseases was conducted. Individual and family information, health expenditure and reimbursement in 2014 of 982 patients were collected. The impact of medical insurance, individual sociodemographic characteristics, family characteristics, and healthcare need on total and out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures was analyzed through the generalized linear model. Equity of health expenditure was evaluated by both concentration index and Lorenz curve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all the surveyed patients, 11.41% had no medical insurance and 92.10% spent money to seek medical treatment in 2014. It was suggested female (P = 0.048), over 50 years of age (P = 0.062), high-income group (P = 0.021), hospitalization (P = 0.000), and reimbursement ratio (RR) (P = 0.000) were positively correlated with total health expenditure. Diseases not needing long-term treatment (P = 0.000) was negatively correlated with total health expenditure. Over 50 years of age (P = 0.065), high-income group (P = 0.018), hospitalization (P = 0.000) and having Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) (P = 0.022) were positively correlated with OOP health expenditure. Patient or the head of the household having received higher education (P = 0.044 and P = 0.081) and reimbursement ratio (P = 0.078) were negatively correlated with OOP health expenditure. The equity evaluation found concentration indexes of health expenditure before and after reimbursement were 0.0550 and 0.0539, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OOP health expenditure of patients with UEBMI was significantly more than that of patients without medical insurance. However, for any other medical insurance, there was no difference between OOP health expenditure of the insured patients and patients without insurance. The current reimbursement policies have increased the equity of health expenditure, but are biased toward high-income people.</p>

Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Signaling Pathway Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>An acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still one of the major challenges in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) on ARDS in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six rats were randomized into three groups: control, LPS, and LPS + JNK inhibitor. Rats were sacrificed 8 h after LPS treatment. The lung edema was observed by measuring the wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio of the lung. The severity of pulmonary inflammation was observed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of lung tissue. Moreover, the neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted to observe the airway inflammation. In addition, lung collagen accumulation was quantified by Sircol Collagen Assay. At the same time, the pulmonary histologic examination was performed, and lung injury score was achieved in all three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MPO activity in lung tissue was found increased in rats treated with LPS comparing with that in control (1.26 ± 0.15 U in LPS vs. 0.77 ± 0.27 U in control, P < 0.05). Inhibiting JNK attenuated LPS-induced MPO activity upregulation (0.52 ± 0.12 U in LPS + JNK inhibitor vs. 1.26 ± 0.15 U in LPS, P < 0.05). Neutrophils in BALF were also found to be increased with LPS treatment, and inhibiting JNK attenuated LPS-induced neutrophils increase in BALF (255.0 ± 164.4 in LPS vs. 53 (44.5-103) in control vs. 127.0 ± 44.3 in LPS + JNK inhibitor, P < 0.05). At the same time, the lung injury score showed a reduction in LPS + JNK inhibitor group comparing with that in LPS group (13.42 ± 4.82 vs. 7.00 ± 1.83, P = 0.001). However, the lung W/D ratio and the collagen in BALF did not show any differences between LPS and LPS + JNK inhibitor group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibiting JNK alleviated LPS-induced acute lung inflammation and had no effects on pulmonary edema and fibrosis. JNK inhibitor might be a potential therapeutic medication in ARDS, in the context of reducing lung inflammatory.</p>

Epidemiological Study of Sepsis in China: Protocol of a Cross-sectional Survey / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sepsis is the leading cause of death among critically ill patients. Herein, we conducted a national survey to provide data on epidemiology and treatment of sepsis in the clinical practice in China, which has no detailed epidemiological data available on sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a prospective cross-sectional survey from December 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016 in all provinces/municipalities of the mainland of China. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of sepsis, and the secondary outcome was its etiology in China. Patients with sepsis admitted to the Intensive Care Units were included in this study. The demographic, physiological, bacteriological, and therapeutic data of these patients were recorded. The incidence of sepsis was estimated using the data from the sixth census in China, reported by the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics as the standard population. The independent risk factors for increased mortality from sepsis were calculated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study indicated the incidence and outcome of sepsis in China. It also showed the most common etiology of different sites and types of infection, which could guide empiric antibiotic therapy. Moreover, it provided information on the independent risk factors for increased mortality due to sepsis. The findings provide evidence to guide clinical management and may help improve the outcome in septic patients.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02448472; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02448472.</p>

Effect of methylprednisolone on the expression levels of aquaporin-4 and S100 protein in brain tissue after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in rats / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To observe the effect of methylprednisolone on the expression levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and S100 protein in brain tissue of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in rats and to investigate the treatment timing and the possible neuroprotective mechanism of methylprednisolone for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Sixty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:a sham operation group ( n= 8 ), a control group ( n= 8 ), and a methylprednisolone group ( n= 48 ). The methylprednisolone group was redivided into 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hsubgroups (n=8 in each subgroup) according to the modeling to the time intervals of methylprednisolone treatment. Methylprednisolone was administered intraperitoneal y (30 mg/kg fol owed by 15 mg/kg every 6 hours for 3 d) at the corresponding time points in the methylprednisolone group, and the equal volume normal saline was administered intraperitoneal y in the control group. Neurological behavior score was conducted at 24 and 72 h after methylprednisolone treatment. The dry-wet weight method was used to measure hemispheric water content. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the expression changes of AQP-4 mRNA and AQP-4 protein respectively. Double staining immunohistochemistry was used to detect AQP-4 and S100 protein. Results Compared with the sham operation group, the expression level of AQP-4 and brain water content in the control group were significantly increased (al P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the neurological scores, expression levels of AQP-4 mRNA and protein, as wel as the brain water content in early methylprednisolone subgroups (2 h, 4 h and 8 hsubgroups) were significantly decreased (al P<0. 05). Double staining immunohistochemistry showed that expression levels of AQP-4 and S100 protein in early methylprednisolone subgroups (2 h, 4 h and 8 hsubgroups) were significantly decreased than those in the control group (al P<0. 05). Conclusions Early methylprednisolone may downregulate the expression levels of AQP-4 and S100 protein in the brain tissue after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in rats, and thus attenuate brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Negative modulation of NO for diaphragmatic contractile reduction induced by sepsis and restraint position / 法医学杂志

In practice of forensic medicine, potential disease can be associated with fatal asphyxia in restraint position. Research has demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are plentifully distributed in skeletal muscle, contributing to the regulation of contractile and relaxation. In the current study, respiratory functions, indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions ex vivo, as well as NO levels in serum, the expressions of diaphragmatic inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, and the effects of L-NNA on contractility of the diaphragm were observed in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) under the condition of restraint position. The results showed that in the CLP12-18h rats, respiratory dysfunctions; indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions (Pt, +dT/dt(max), -dT/dt(max), CT, Po, force over the full range of the force-frequency relationship and fatigue resistance) declined progressively; the NO level in serum, and iNOS mRNA expression in the diaphragm increased progressively; force increased significantly at all stimulation frequencies after L-NNA pre-incubation. Restraint position 1 h in CLP12 h rats resulted in severe respiratory dysfunctions after relative stable respiratory functions, almost all the indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions declined further, whereas little change took place in NO level in serum and diaphragmatic iNOS mRNA expression; and the effects of L-NNA were lack of statistical significance compared with those of CLP12 h, but differed from CLP18 h group. These results suggest that restraint position and sepsis act together in a synergistic manner to aggravate the great reduction of diaphragmatic contractility via, at least in part, the negative modulation of NO, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of positional asphyxia.

Effect of Shengmai injection () on diaphragmatic contractility in doxorubicin-treated rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diaphragmatic toxicity in doxorubicin (DOX)-treated rats and the related mechanisms, as well as the effects of Shengmai Injection (SMI, ) on the diaphragmatic dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, DOX-treated and DOX+SMI treated groups. DOX was given to rats in DOX and DOX+SMI groups in 6 equal doses [2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)], on alternate days, over a period of 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg. SMI was given to DOX+SMI rats in 12 doses (3 mL/kg, i.p.) for a period of 2 weeks before the administration of DOX and 2 weeks during the administration of DOX. The rats in the control group received equal volume of normal saline. Subsequently, the twitch and tetanic characteristics and force-frequency relationships, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as the mRNA content and proteins of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The DOX-treated rats had decreased the peak twitch tension (Pt), maximal tetanic tension (P0) and force-frequency relationship as compared with the control rats (P<0.01), while the diaphragm contractility in rats treated with SMI were significantly higher than that in DOX-treated rats (P<0.01). The DOX-treated rats had increased MAD levels and decreased SOD activities (P<0.05), and SMI decreased the MDA levels and increased the SOD activities in DOX-treated rats (P<0.05). Ultrastructure of diaphragm in the DOX-treated rats revealed typical alterations including fracture of diaphragm fibers, and edema and degeneration of mitochondria; these changes were relieved by SMI treatment. The mRNA content and protein of iNOS in DOX-treated rats were remarkably higher than those in control rats (P<0.01), while SMI decreased the mRNA expression level of iNOS in DOX-treated rats (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lipid peroxidation is responsible for DOX-induced diaphragm toxicity. SMI protects diaphragm muscles and their function from DOX impairment, and these beneficial effects may be somehow correlated with the decrease in expression of iNOS and lipid peroxidation.</p>

Perioperative fluid therapy of gastrointestinal surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Fluid therapy has been the focus of attention and dispute. In this paper, there are three aspects including postoperative bowel function, surgical prognosis, and acute diffuse peritonitis. Colloidal supplement and appropriate crystal/colloid ratio should be noted in low perfusion conditions. The different types of fluid in recent studies did not show a significant difference in the long term. The new evidence will be noted in fluid therapy among 2012 SSC Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Guideline update (unpublished).