Arterial partial pressure of oxygen and procalcitonin levels correlate with pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECT: We aimed to study whether arterial blood gas parameters, inflammatory markers, and coagulation indicators correlate with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) values in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: A total of 121 patients with PTB who had a measurement of PASP by Doppler echocardiography in the active phase of tuberculosis were included in this study. We carried out univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to determine factors correlated with PASP values. We excluded patients with other diseases or conditions that might lead to increased PASP. RESULTS: Univariate linear regression analysis revealed positive correlations of age, white blood cell count, neutrophils ratio, Log procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Log C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, Log D-dimer with PASP and showed an inverse correlation of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) with PASP. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that PaO2 and Log procalcitonin remained correlated with PASP values. CONCLUSION: PaO2 and procalcitonin were strongly correlated with PASP values in patients with active PTB. The degree of hypoxia and severity of secondary respiratory bacterial infection may influence PASP value in active PTB.

Laparoscopic surgery for treatment of hepaticojejunostomy strictures after cholangiectasis surgery in children / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for treatment of hepaticojejunostomy strictures after cholangiectasis surgery in children.Methods:The clinical data of 12 children was retrospectively analysed. There were 5 males and 7 females, aged 4 (range 0.45 to 9.00) years old, who developed hepaticojejunostomy strictures after cholangiectasis surgery and underwent reoperative treatment at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital from January 2013 to January 2021. These patients were divided into the laparoscopic surgery group ( n=5) and the open surgery group ( n=7) based on the mode of reoperation. The children were followed-up by outpatient review and the relevant clinical data of the children in the 2 groups was analyzed. Results:The reoperations were completed successfully in the 2 groups. The maximum preoperative dilated common hepatic duct diameter was significantly larger in the laparoscopic group (1.26±0.23) cm than the open group (0.64±0.19) cm ( P<0.05). The alkaline phosphatase and glutamyltransferase levels in the laparoscopic surgery group were significantly lower before the operation (all P<0.05), and the total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamyltransferase levels were significantly lower in the laparotomy group than before the operations (all P<0.05). In the laparoscopic group, the time of the reoperations, postoperative hospital stay, and blood loss were 268(117, 340) min, (9.0±2.9) d and (14.0±5.5) ml, respectively, while those in the open group were 180(150, 205) min, (9.7±3.4) d and (13.3±2.6) ml, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). On follow-up, all children were well except for one child who showed mild elevation levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Conclusion:Laparoscopic surgery for hepaticojejunostomy strictures after cholangiectasis surgery in children was safe and feasible. Its curative effect was no less than that of open surgery.

A systematic literature review of individual-level psychological and behavioral responses to the health information of COVID-19 from social media and legacy media

Covid-19 has been recognized as a terrifying global health threat since its detection, with far-reaching consequences that are unprecedented in the modern era. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, social media and legacy media have collectively delivered health information related to COVID-19 to the public as a catalyst to community perception of risk. However, the existing literature exhibits different viewpoints toward the role of social media and legacy media in disseminating health information of COVID-19. In this regard, this article conducted a systematic literature review to provide an overview of the current state of research concerning individuals-level psychological and behavioral response to COVID-19 related information from different sources, as well as presents the challenges and future research directions.

Application of totally implantable venous access ports in chemotherapy for young children with malig-nant tumors / 中华临床营养杂志

Objective To summarize our experiences of applying totally implantable venous access ports ( TIVAP) in chemotherapy for young children with malignant tumors.Methods Between December 2011 and May 2015, 50 young children with malignant tumors were implanted with TIVAP in Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital for chemotherapy.A retrospective review was conducted with their clinical records, focusing on success rate, clinical effect, and complications of TIVAP.Results The technical success rate was 100%with no intrao-perative complication such as puncture-related injury.In one case the device had to be adjusted through reopera-tion due to malposition of catheter tip.The port was removed in one case after 1 year due to infection.15 patients had the ports removed after the completion of chemotherapy.5 patients died due to the relapse and metastasis of tumor.29 patients are still using the port with no complications.Conclusion TIVAP is a safe device in young children, ensuring reliable vascular access for chemotherapy and improving patients'quality of life.