ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of preoperative and postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapies in the treatment of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ A gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy with R0 resection. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ A gastric cancer who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy with R0 resection in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2012 to 2019. Among these patients, 25 received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (group A) and 22 received postoperative chemoradiotherapy (group B). The disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), local recurrence rate, distant metastasis rate, and adverse reactions were compared between both groups. The total dose, single dose, fractions, and duration of radiotherapy for all the patients were 45-50.4 Gy, 1.8-2.0 Gy, 25-28 fractions, and 5-6 weeks, respectively. The target areas were delineated in accordance with the ASTRO and EORTC-ROG guidelines. Results:There was no statistical difference in clinical baseline characteristics between the two groups. The median follow-up was 48 months (3-72 months). The 1-year OS of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (92% vs. 54.5%, χ2= 5.68, P = 0.017). The 3-year OS and DFS of the two groups were 56% vs. 40.9% ( P> 0.05) and 51.4% vs. 31.8% ( P> 0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference in the local recurrence rate between both groups ( P> 0.05), but the distant metastasis rate of group A was significantly lower than that of group B ( χ2= 6.01, P = 0.014). There was no significant difference in digestive side effects and myelosuppression between both groups ( P> 0.05). Conclusions:For patients with stageⅢ-Ⅳ A gastric cancer after D2 lymphadenectomy with R0 resection, the preoperative and postoperative chemoradiotherapies yield similar efficacy and safety. However, compared to postoperative chemoradiotherapy, preoperative chemoradiotherapy improves the 1-year OS and reduces the distant metastasis rate.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To establish a quantitative evaluation parameter system for basic acupuncture manipulations based on 3D motion tracking technology, and to further analyze the characteristics of acupuncture manipulation.@*METHODS@#The motion tracking system Simi Motion Ver.8.5 was used to collect parameters of acupuncture manipulations, so as to establish a quantitative evaluation system mainly in spatial control parameters, time control parameters and stability parameters. Based on the evaluation parameter system, data of acupuncture manipulations (even reinforcing-reducing manipulation using lifting-thrusting technique and twirling technique) were collected from 19 teachers majored in acupuncture-moxibustion, of which the characteristics were analyzed and were compared with the results tested by traditional ATP-Ⅱ acupuncture manipulation parameter determination apparatus (ATP-Ⅱ).@*RESULTS@#The evaluation parameter system could quantitatively analyze the basic acupuncture manipulations in 3 aspects, i.e. space, time and stability. Acupuncture manipulations were performed by shifting the needle body in a certain range along X, Y and Z axes. The amplitude and speed of thumb movement were greater than those of index finger. The time-history of lifting was similar to thrusting, while the time-history of twirling to left was similar to twirling to right in even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The coordinate-time curve of finger movement of the evaluation system had consistent wave pattern compared with the voltage-time curve generated by ATP-Ⅱ.@*CONCLUSION@#The quantitative evaluation parameter system based on 3D motion tracking technology can objectively evaluate basic acupuncture manipulations, and show the characteristics of different manipulations and the movement details of finger joints.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Adenosine Triphosphate , Moxibustion , TechnologyABSTRACT
@#Objective To study the clinical characteristics of patients with partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects (P/TAVSDs) in our hospital, and to evaluate the early follow-up outcomes from a real-world research perspective. Methods The clinical data of all patients diagnosed with P/TAVSDs from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020, in our hospital were collected, and all patients' examination results were used as the real-world follow-up data, univariable Cox risk proportional model was used to analyze the outcomes. A total of 93 patients were finally included in the analysis, 72 with partial and 21 with transitional AVSD. There were 38 males and 55 females at age of 182.0 months (20.0 d to 779.5 months). Results Univariable Cox proportional risk model suggested that at least one cardiac malformation (HR=15.00, 95%CI 3.00 to 75.00, P=0.001), preoperative moderate or greater mitral regurgitation (HR=6.60, 95%CI 1.70 to 26.00, P=0.007), and preoperative moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation (HR=13.00, 95%CI 3.10 to 51.00, P<0.000 1) were risk factors for moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Conclusion Children with coarctation of the aorta or partial pulmonary vein connection, moderate or greater preoperative mitral regurgitation, and moderate or greater preoperative tricuspid regurgitation need to be alerted to the risk of moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Real-world data, with relaxed statistical P values and combined expertise, can suggest clinical conclusions that are close to those of high-quality retrospective studies.
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, in which hyperproliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) plays an important role. The cysteine 674 (C674) in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2) is the critical redox regulatory cysteine to regulate SERCA2 activity. Heterozygous SERCA2 C674S knock-in mice (SKI), where one copy of C674 was substituted by serine to represent partial C674 oxidative inactivation, developed significant pulmonary vascular remodeling resembling human PH, and their right ventricular systolic pressure modestly increased with age. In PASMCs, substitution of C674 activated inositol requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) and spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) pathway, accelerated cell cycle and cell proliferation, which reversed by IRE1α/XBP1s pathway inhibitor 4μ8C. In addition, suppressing the IRE1α/XBP1s pathway prevented pulmonary vascular remodeling caused by substitution of C674. Similar to SERCA2a, SERCA2b is also important to restrict the proliferation of PASMCs. Our study articulates the causal effect of C674 oxidative inactivation on the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling and PH, emphasizing the importance of C674 in restricting PASMC proliferation to maintain pulmonary vascular homeostasis. Moreover, the IRE1α/XBP1s pathway and SERCA2 might be potential targets for PH therapy.
ABSTRACT
Consecutively hospitalized patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China were retrospectively enrolled from January 2020 to March 2020 to investigate the association between the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RAS-I) and the outcome of this disease. Associations between the use of RAS-I (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)), ACEI, and ARB and in-hospital mortality were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models in overall and subgroup of hypertension status. A total of 2771 patients with COVID-19 were included, with moderate and severe cases accounting for 45.0% and 36.5%, respectively. A total of 195 (7.0%) patients died. RAS-I (hazard ratio (HR)= 0.499, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.325-0.767) and ARB (HR = 0.410, 95% CI 0.240-0.700) use was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality among patients with COVID-19. For patients with hypertension, RAS-I and ARB applications were also associated with a reduced risk of mortality with HR of 0.352 (95% CI 0.162-0.764) and 0.279 (95% CI 0.115-0.677), respectively. RAS-I exhibited protective effects on the survival outcome of COVID-19. ARB use was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality among patients with COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , COVID-19 , Hypertension/drug therapy , Renin-Angiotensin System , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Diabetic nephropathy （DN） is one of the serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus （DM），and is the main cause of end-stage renal disease（ESRD） worldwide. Although lowering blood glucose and，lowering blood pressure and blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system（RAAS） can reduce blood glucose，blood pressure and urinary protein to a certain extent，it is still difficult to prevent the progression of DN sometimes. The curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine on DN has been confirmed，but its mechanism is has not been fully clarified. Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation pathway in mammals that removes protein aggregates and damaged organelles to maintain cell homeostasis. Podocyte，also known as glomerular epithelial cells，is an important component in maintaining the homeostasis of glomerular filtration barrier，and podocyte injury is considered to be a central link in the occurrence and development of DN. As a highly differentiated cell，podocyte maintains a high level of autophagy to maintain its homeostasis under physiological conditions. In DN state，mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR），AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK），silent information regulator 1（SIRT1） and other nutritional signaling pathways as well as intracellular stress response signaling pathways such as oxidative stress，endoplasmic reticulum stress ，and hypoxia stress，etc.，affect podocyte autophagy of podocytes， and ultimately leading to podocyte injury and the progression of DN. In recent years，regulation of podocyte autophagy has become one of the hot spots in DN research，and has also received extensive attention in the field of Chinese medicine. A review and summary of the domestic and international literature in this field reveals that Chinese medicine can affect podocyte autophagy in multiple pathways and targets. Nevertheless， those studiesbut mainly focuses on two nutrient-sensing signaling pathways，mTOR and AMPK，and there lacks more comprehensive and in-depth mechanism studies. In addition，the current research mainly concentrates focuses on the field of Chinese medicine monomers and Chinese medicine compounds，and rarely studies multi-component Chinese medicinelacking research on Chinese medicine component drugs and single drugs，and the research still lacks there is a lack of hierarchy. The regulatory mechanism of Chinese medicine on podocyte autophagy of podocytes in DN state in Chinese medicine still needs to be further studied in depth and systematically.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the management of hepatic vein (HV) in patients with functional single ventricle (FSV) and separate hepatic venous drainage (SHVD) undergoing total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) and evaluate this kind of surgery. Methods The clinical data of 32 consecutive patients with SHVD who underwent modified TCPC operation from August 2005 to January 2017 in our center were retrospectively analyzed. There were 25 males and 7 females with an average age of 2-19 (8.0±5.0) years and body weight of 11-66 (25.4±15.8) kg. Results There were 20 patients with heterotaxy syndrome and 12 patients with other types of FSV. SHVD was diagnosed preoperatively in 27 patients, among whom 20 patients were connected by intra-extracardiac Gore-Tex conduit, and the other 7 patients were connected by extracardiac Gore-Tex conduit. Because of the missed diagnosis of SHVD, the other 5 patients showed severe decrease of blood oxygen saturation in the early postoperative period and underwent re-operation soon. The postoperative blood oxygen saturation was 92.0% (90.0%, 96.0%), central venous pressure was 10-23 (15.5±3.5) mm Hg, mechanical ventilation assisted time was 16.0 (7.5, 24.0) h, and ICU stay time was 3.0 (2.0, 5.5) d. There were 3 early and 1 late deaths. Conclusion Intra-extracardiac conduit is an effective and feasible modified TCPC operation for patients with FSV and SHVD, while the surgical details need to be formulated in combination with individual anatomical structure. Preoperative missed diagnosis of SHVD must be avoided. Otherwise, after TCPC, a large amount of stealing blood from HV with low circulation pressure into atrium would lead to unacceptable hypoxemia.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of comprehensive therapy in the treatment of advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of 34 patients with primary liver cancer admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Nov 2018 to Dec 2020 initially evaluated as unresectable were treated firstly by combined therapy and then underwent reevaluation for further management.Results:A total of 34 patients completed the integrative treatment, and no serious adverse events occurred. Among them, 6 patients were evaluated as partial remission, and underwent successful tumor resection, tumors in 7 patients were stable, and 21 patients suffered from disease progression.Conclusion:After comprehensive therapy, unresectable tumors in some patients could reduce and be rendered resection.
ABSTRACT
Teratoma is a rare tumor, mainly occurring in the ovary, sacrococcygeal region, testis, central nervous system and mediastinum, rarely occurring in the kidney, and adult immature teratoma originating in the kidney is extremely rare. A case of adult left renal immature teratoma was reported in this paper. After radical nephrectomy, pathological examination found that the tumor tissue contains malignant epithelial tissue and a small number of brain tissue. BEP regimen chemotherapy was performed after operation.The patient was followed up for 26 months, and died of organ failure caused by systemic metastasis.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo determine the situation and challenges of innovation platforms in China， and to explore the construction strategy of Shanghai Nutrition Innovation Platform， which is suitable for Shanghai and may achieve the research and transformation of nutrition innovation and population health， so as to coordinate， unite and gather the superior resources of all parties and promote nutrition innovation. MethodsConstruction scheme and operational mechanism of Shanghai Nutrition Innovation Platform were explored by literature review， expert consultation and questionnaire. ResultsThere were various forms of innovation platforms in China. However， challenges were identified， such as decentralizing force， resource rearrangement and insufficient sharing effect. Shanghai Nutrition Innovation Platform adopted a modular organizational structure， which was divided into central group， node group， and subject group. Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention， as the central organization， is responsible for the platform operation management. The expert database as an academic committee selected key organizations from nutrition-related universities， research institutes， academic associations， centers for disease control and prevention， hospitals and the industry. Based on the opening of its own innovation resources， the platform made effective use of external innovation resources and formed a closely integrated nutrition innovation network of multiple disciplines. ConclusionThis study promotes the construction of innovation platform model of cooperation， co-construction and resource sharing， and provides reference for the construction of innovation platform in China.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To sum up the experience of the primary modified single-patch (MSP) technique applied in our hospital for children with complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD). Methods The clinical data of 141 children who underwent primary MSP technique for CAVSD between June 2009 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 62 males and 79 females with a median age of 6 (3, 11) months and a median weight of 5.8 (4.5, 7.0) kg. According to Rastelli classification, there were 116 patients in type A, 14 in type B and 11 in type C. Among them, 15 patients were diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, atrioventricular valve regurgitation and other clinical data were recorded during and after operation. Results Postoperatively, 17 patients suffered from severe left atrioventricular valve regurgitation (LAVVR) and 6 patients severe right atrioventricular valve regurgitation (RAVVR). In the follow-up period, 5 patients suffered from severe LAVVR and 1 patient severe RAVVR. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) appeared in 1 patient during follow-up period and none at the end of follow-up. There were 5 early deaths and 2 late deaths. Twelve patients underwent reoperation with a median interval time of 268 (8, 1 270) days. Conclusion MSP technique is a wise surgical strategy for CAVSD children with good outcomes, improved postoperative mortality and decreased atrioventricular valve regurgitation.
ABSTRACT
Ultrasonic bubble detection has been widely used in predicting the risk of decompression sickness and evaluating the efficiency and safety of decompression procedures. Currently, the widely used SPENCER scale is conducted by using Doppler ultrasound to monitor the bubble signal in the precordial region of subjects. KM grading system is a computerized system based on Doppler ultrasound. The grading score can be converted into SPENCER bubble grading scale score and the bubble grading is precise and suitable for the motion status. On the basis of the above two methods, the KISMAN integrated severity score, extended SPENCER bubble grading and simplified Doppler bubble grading system were established. They not only coordinated analysis of Doppler ultrasound bubble detection results with other risk factors of decompression disease, but also convenient to use computer for processing detection results. With the in-depth application of Fourier technique and empirical mode decomposition in Doppler audio bubble signal detection, methods such as three-parameter fuzzy analysis and energy operator method are playing an important role in automatic bubble analysis. Optimization of detection technology and improvement of sensitivity and accuracy of automatic analysis are important development directions in the field of decompression bubble Doppler grating technology.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expressions of microRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) and its correlation with the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with ITP (ITP group) and 15 healthy people (control group) were enrolled．Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of six miRNAs (miR-107,miR-205-5p,miR-138-5p,miR-326,miR-1827,miR-185-5p) and Th1-specific transcription factor T-bet mRNA and Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3 mRNA in the peripheral blood of the two groups. Th1 and Th2 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of Th1-cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and Th2-cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were detected by AimPlex multiple immunoassays for Flow. The expression difference of miRNAs, mRNA, Th1, Th2 cells and cytokines of the two groups were compared, and the correlations of miRNAs to mRNA, Th1, Th2 cells and cytokines were analyzed in ITP group.@*RESULTS@#The expressions of miRNAs（miR-107, miR-205-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-326, miR-1827, miR-185-5p）and Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3 mRNA of the patients in ITP group were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with those in control, while the expressions of Th1 cells and Th1-specific transcription factor T-bet mRNA and Th1-cytokines TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.05), also for the ratios of T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA and Th1/Th2 cells were significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative expressions of miR-107, miR-205-5p, miR-138-5p in ITP patients were negatively correlated with Th2 cells (r=-0.411, r=-0.593, r=-0.403,P<0.05) and the relative expression of miR-1827 was negatively correlated with TNF-α (r=-0.390).@*CONCLUSION@#The relative expressions of the six miRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with ITP are significantly decreased, which result in the increasing ratio of T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA, then lead to the imbalance of Th1/Th2.
Subject(s)
Humans , MicroRNAs , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic , RNA, Messenger , Th1 Cells , Th2 CellsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the temperature field distribution and variation rules during treatment with mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion of TCM.@*METHODS@#Six healthy subjects were selected. Mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion were exerted at Zusanli (ST 36) respectively, for 25 min. Using infrared thermal imaging instrument, the temperature field distribution was measured during moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36). The simulated thermometer was adopted to measure the temperature field distribution during moxibustion at the imitated cortex. At 20 min of mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion, the temperature field distribution generated by moxibustion was observed at the imitated cortex and Zusanli (ST 36) separately. The temperature values were collected at the sites 0.7, 2.1 and 3.5 cm far from the center of the moxibustion-exerted places successively, and then the characteristics of temperature field distribution and variation rules were compared between different moxibustion methods at the imitated cortex and Zusanli (ST 36).@*RESULTS@#At 20 min of mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36), the temperature field distribution focused on the center of moxibustion-exerted site and the temperature was reduced to all directions and illustrated as a curved surface graph, whereas, the temperature field distribution at the imitated cortex was consistent with that at Zusanli (ST 36). With mild moxibustion, the temperature field was distributed uniformly along the longitudinal temperature gradient; whereas, with sparrow-pecking moxibustion, the longitudinal temperature of the temperature field was greatly different, in which, the maximum temperature and the average temperature were higher than those with mild moxibustion respectively and the first time up to the peak value of sparrow-pecking moxibustion was shorter than that with mild moxibustion. The thermal transfer was presented at the non-moxibustion exerted areas during the moxibustion experiment at Zusanli (ST 36).@*CONCLUSION@#A distance feature is presented in the temperature field measured by simulated thermometer and generated under suspension moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36). The warm stimulation effect of sparrow-pecking moxibustion is much more obvious at the moxibustion-exerted center as compared with mild moxibustion and the area of warm stimulation generated by sparrow-pecking moxibustion is more concentrated as compared with mild moxibustion. The radiation energy produced by suspension moxibustion is scattered and attenuated in skin tissue, resulting in a certain temperature gradient in the temperature field. The warm stimulation generated at skin surface by moxibustion has a warming-dredging effect.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Moxibustion , Sparrows , Temperature , TorsoABSTRACT
Intracorporeal classic gastrointestinal anastomosis using circular stapler in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) for gastric cancer requires intracorporeal anvil placement and suitable access for introduction of the circular stapler to the abdominal cavity without gas leak. The novel techniques for anvil placement have been updated, but there is no progress for proper access for circular stapler. In the study, intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrointestinal anastomosis were successfully accomplished using a novel device of sealed cap access with a central hole (WLB-60/70-60/100, Wuhan Widerep Medical Instrument Co.,Ltd, China) customized to the incision protection retractor for the simple and accessible introduction of the circular stapler and anvil under the optimal maintenance of pneumoperitoneum pressure in TLG. In these 3 cases, there was no gas leakage and the pneumoperitoneum was well maintained when performing the gastrointestinal anastomosis, and there was no transition to laparotomy or other anastomosis techniques. The result suggests that the sealed cap access could be a novel choice for introduction of the circular stapler to the abdominal cavity in order to obtain laparoscopic circular-stapled gastroin-testinal anastomosis in TLG.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anastomosis, Surgical , China , Gastrectomy , Laparoscopy , Stomach Neoplasms/surgery , Surgical StaplingABSTRACT
A new type of handshape
Subject(s)
Humans , Massage , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Pain , TechnologyABSTRACT
Objective:This study aimed at analyzing risk factors associated with surgical outcomes of neonatal total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) in our center.Methods:A total of 105 neonates who underwent surgical repair for TAPVC from January 1st, 2009 to January 1st, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomical types of TAPVC included supracardiac 42(40%, 42/105), cardiac 21(20%, 21/105), infracardiac 36(34.3%, 36/105), and mixed 6(5.7%, 6/105). The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to analyze the risk factors related to postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) and mortality. Kaplan- Meier analysis was used to analyze the overall survival rates. Results:Twenty-six patients (24.8%, 26/105) were diagnosed with preoperative PVO. The 30-day, 1 year, and 5 years survival rate was 92.4%, 86.7%, and 86.7% respectively. Postoperative PVO occurred in 17 patients (16.2%, 17/105). Preoperative acidosis, low surgical weight, prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time, increasing postoperative central venous pressure (CVP), and reoperation were risk factors associated with mortality. Preoperative acidosis ( P<0.001), prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P<0.001), and increasing postoperative CVP ( P=0.005) were independent risk factors for mortality. Mixed TAPVC, preoperative acidosis, low surgical age, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, postoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension were risk factors associated with postoperative PVO. Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P=0.029), postoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension ( P<0.001), and mixed TAPVC ( P=0.017) were independent risk factors associated with postoperative PVO. Conclusion:The surgical outcomes of neonatal TAPVC in our center were acceptable, with low mortality rate and incidence of PVO. However, neonates with preoperative acidosis, prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time, and increased postoperative CVP had a poor prognosis. Patients with mixed TAPVC were at increased risk for postoperative PVO.
ABSTRACT
Objective:We aimed to compare the characteristics between elderly and non-elderly corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients, especially patients with different severity, in order to achieve a good understanding of elderly patients' clinical presentations.Methods:Records of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized at Tongji Hospital from February 9, 2020 to February 29, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.They were divided into the elderly(≥65 years old)and non-elderly(<65 years old)groups according to age.Data on morbidity, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, imaging characteristics and hospitalization outcomes were collected retrospectively and analyzed statistically.Results:A total of 51 patients were enrolled with 21 in the elderly group(41.2%), with an average age of(71.9±6.4)years, and 30 non-elderly patients(58.8%). There were 13 elderly patients(61.9%)exhibiting fever, representing a lower rate than in the non-elderly patients(27 or 90%)( χ2=5.764, P=0.016). Bilateral pneumonia was present on chest CT scans in all of the elderly patients, while it was seen in 83.3% of the non-elderly patients( χ2=3.880, P=0.049). The proportion of elderly patients with coronary heart disease(61.9%)or hypertension(26.8%)was higher than that of non-elderly patients.The usage rates of antiviral drugs, systemic hormones and antibiotics were all higher and the causes of death were all due to multiple organ failure in elderly patients. Conclusions:Elderly patients with COVID-19 possess special characteristics, showing atypical symptoms, and multiple concomitant diseases may be the reason for their poor clinical prognosis.More rigorous monitoring and careful treatment should be conducted for elderly COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the positioning errors of individual head-rest combined with thermoplastic fixation mask versus thermoplastic fixation mask alone in patients with head and neck tumors. Methods:Twenty-eight patients who received irradiation with helical tomotherapy in Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) between October 2019 and April 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive position fixation with either individual head-rest combined with thermoplastic fixation mask (N1 group, n = 14) or thermoplastic fixation mask alone (N2 group, n = 14). Megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) scanning registration was used to obtain the positioning errors in translation and rotation (ROLL) in the left-right (X), head-food (Y), and belly-back (Z) directions. There were a total of 841 CT scans, consisting of 425 scans in group N1 and 416 scans in group N2. Results:The positioning errors in X, Y, Z and ROLL directions in the N1 group were (1.37 ± 1.04) mm, (1.38 ± 1.12) mm, (1.47 ± 1.62) mm and (1.47 ± 1.62) ° respectively, and they were (1.57 ± 1.21) mm, (2.10 ± 1.51) mm, (1.61 ± 1.50) mm and (1.40 ± 1.30) ° respectively in the N2 group. There was significant difference in positioning errors in the Y direction between N1 and N2 groups ( P = 0.013). In the N1 group, the outward expansion boundaries in X, Y and Z directions was 4.15 mm, 4.23 mm and 4.81 mm respectively, and it was 4.77, 6.31 and 5.08 mm, respectively in the N2 group. In the X direction, there was significant difference in positioning errors taking 3 mm as the dividing point between N1 and N2 groups ( χ2 = 10.516, P < 0.001). In the Y direction, there was significant difference in positioning errors taking 1, 2 and 3 mm as the dividing points between N1 and N2 groups ( χ2 = 24.889, P < 0.001; χ2 = 42.202, P < 0.001; χ2 = 46.204, P < 0.001). In the Z direction, there was significant difference in positioning errors taking 2 mm as the dividing point between N1 and N2 groups ( χ2 = 7.335, P = 0.007). In the N1 group, the percentage of positioning errors < 3 mm in the X, Y and Z directions was 92%, 90% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion:Compared with thermoplastic fixation mask alone, individual head-rest combined with thermoplastic fixation mask can better effectively improve the positioning stability and reduce positioning errors in patients receiving irradiation with helical tomotherapy for head and neck tumors. The combined method is of certain innovation.
ABSTRACT
Background/Aims@#Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of a key biomarker, lipocalin-2 (LCN2), for the detection of NASH progression. @*Methods@#A mouse NASH model was established using a high-fat diet and a high-sugar drinking water. Gene expression profile of the NASH model was analyzed using RNA sequencing. Moreover, 360 NAFLD patients (steatosis, 83; NASH, 277), 40 healthy individuals, and 87 patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease were recruited. @*Results@#Inflammatory infiltration, focal necrosis in the leaflets, steatosis, and fibrosis were documented in the mouse liver. In total, 504 genes were differentially expressed in the livers of NASH mice, and showed significant functional enrichment in the inflammation-related category. Upregulated liver LCN2 was found to be significantly interactive with various interleukins and toll-like receptors. Serum LCN2 levels were significantly increased in NAFLD patients. Serum LCN2 levels were correlated with steatosis, intralobular inflammation, semiquantitative fibrosis score, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. The area under the curve of serum LCN2 was 0.987 with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93.5% for NASH diagnosis, and 0.977 with almost the same specificity and sensitivity for steatosis. @*Conclusions@#LCN2 might be involved in the transition from NAFL to NASH by mediating inflammation. Serum LCN2 levels might be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of NASH.