COVID-19 and early-stage lung cancer both featuring ground-glass opacities: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Radiological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) featured ground-glass opacities (GGOs), especially in the early stage, which might create confusion in differential diagnosis with early lung cancer. We aimed to specify the radiological characteristics of COVID-19 and early lung cancer and to unveil the discrepancy between them. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven COVID-19 patients and 374 early lung cancer patients from four hospitals in China were retrospectively enrolled. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics were compared between the two groups using propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients had more distinct symptoms, tended to be younger (P<0.0001), male (P<0.0001), and had a higher body mass index (P=0.014). After 1:1 PSM, 121 matched pairs were identified. Regarding radiological characteristics, patients with a single lesion accounted for 17% in COVID-19 and 89% in lung cancer (P<0.0001). Most lesions were peripherally found in both groups. Lesions in COVID-19 involved more lobes (median 3.5 vs. 1; P<0.0001) and segments (median 6 vs. 1; P<0.0001) and tended to have multiple types (67%) with patchy form (54%). Early lung cancer was more likely to have a single type (92%) with oval form (66%). Also, COVID-19 and early lung cancer either had some distinctive features on computed tomography (CT) images. CONCLUSIONS: Both COVID-19 and early lung cancers showed GGOs, with similar but independent features. The imaging characteristics should be fully understood and combined with epidemiological history, pathogen detection, laboratory tests, short-term CT reexamination, and pathological results to aid differential diagnosis.

[Genotyping of HBV DNA in Shenzhen and clinical manifestations].

OBJECTIVE: To detect HBV DNA and its genotypes. METHODS: The 6 isoforms of HBV DNA was detected out using of different probes by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Nucleic Acid hybridization. RESULTS: Of 150 HBV DNA positive patients who lived in Shenzhen, 50 samples (33%) are type B, 36 samples (24%) are type C, 13 samples (9%) are type D, 3 samples is type F, 1 sample is type A, 48 samples (31%) are mixed type. The ALT value was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C. HBe positivity were higher in genotype B than genotype C. HBeAg positivity were higher in genotype C than in genotype B. There are not obvious relations between genotype and age or sex. CONCLUSION: In the detected samples, the major genotype of HBV DNA is type B, several are type C, D. The type E haven't been found. There are some relations between all kinds of genotypes and the severity of hepatitis B.

[Expression of P27 protein and cyclin E in colon cancer].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: P27 protein and cyclin E were negative cell cycle regulators. Until the present, the influence of P27 protein and cyclin E on progression of colon cancer was unclear. The aim of this study was to observe the expression features of P27 protein and cyclin E in the tissues of colon neoplasms, and to investigate the relationship between colon neoplasms and tumor special growth factor (TSGF). METHODS: Sixty-nine cases of samples included 23 normal tissues, 28 colon polyps (13 inflammatory polyps and 15 adenomatous polyps), and 18 colon carcinomas. The location and expression of P27 protein and cyclin E were determined using immunohistochemical method in all samples. These samples were diagnosed using formal pathological techniques simultaneously; the relationship between colon neoplasms and TSGF was also investigated. RESULTS: The positive signal of P27 and cyclin E was found mainly in the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix of normal colon tissues, inflammatory polyps, and adenomatous polyps. Less amount of positive expression product of P27 protein and cyclin E was observed in colon carcinoma cells; and the positive signal was only located in the cytoplasm of gland-like cells. The content of TSGF in colon carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (117.3+/-57.02 versus 64.16+/-27.5,P< 0.01), but there was no significant difference between colon carcinoma tissues and inflammatory polyp tissues (117.3+/-57.02 versus 92.5+/-47.9,P >0.05). CONCLUSION: P27 protein and cyclin E participate in the adjustment process of colon neoplasm occurrence and progression. The reduced expression of P27 protein and cyclin E may indicate the possibility of colon carcinoma.