[Dyspnea with multiple bilateral lung opacities on CT scan].

A 58-year-old man was admitted with a typical presentation of acute left heart failure. However, the patient showed a partial response to the anti-heart failure therapy. Following admission, a continuous fever was monitored, and a CT scan revealed that multiple opacities on bilateral lungs had progressed. Bronchoscopy was performed, and Coxiella burnetii was detected by Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF), and transbronchial lung biopsy showed organizing pneumonia. Considering that the patient had a history of rabbit breeding and delivery, with some newborn rabbits dying before he became ill, organizing pneumonia secondary to Q fever pneumonia was diagnosed. Anti-Q fever treatment was initiated and the patient's temperature returned to normal. Glucocorticoid was administered after adequate treatment for Q fever. The patient's symptom of dyspnea relieved soon and opacities on CT scan were absorbed remarkably. The final diagnosis was organizing pneumonia secondary to Q fever pneumonia accompanied with left heart failure.

[Multiple pulmonary nodules with cavity formation].

A 64-year-old female patient was admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital on February 21, 2023 because of right-sided chest pain for more than 4 years and left-sided chest pain for more than 9 months. She had a past medical history of previous tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. A chest CT in October 2018 revealed multiple pulmonary nodules. A CT-guided biopsy showed no tumors, and adenosine deaminase levels in the pleural effusion were elevated, suggesting a high likelihood of tuberculosis. As a result, anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated in March 2019. In December 2019, she underwent a right lower lobe resection due to localized hydropneumothorax on the right side. Postoperative pathology unveiled granulomatous inflammation with necrosis. A chest CT in May 2020 showed a significant increase in nodules and cavities. In January 2023, a diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia was considered, and she was prescribed oral fluconazole. Finally, the diagnosis of pulmonary rheumatoid nodules was confirmed after a pathological consultation of the postoperative specimen. After one month of treatment with oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil, a follow-up chest CT showed improvement. It was recommended that she continue with her current treatment and undergo regular chest CT scans.

[Secondary non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection in patients with bronchiectasis caused by Marfan syndrome].

In this article, we reported a 28-year-old female patient who presented with intermittent hemoptysis, cough, and sputum production. Laboratory tests showed no abnormalities in the blood counts or inflammatory markers, and the sputum cultures were negative. A chest computed tomography scan showed bronchiectasis associated with infection in the middle and lower lobes of the right lung and right pleural thickening. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage by bronchoscopy in the dorsal segment of the right lower lobe and found Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The patient's symptoms improved significantly after anti-mycobacterium treatment and the extent of infection was reduced on imaging. To further identify the cause of bronchiectasis, the patient is tall and thin, with slender limbs. Cardiac color ultrasound showed the widening of aortic sinus. Her genetic testing of blood samples revealed the gene mutation in the FBN1 gene (c.4349G>A). Based on these results, she was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

[Takayasu arteritis with pulmonary artery involvement initially presenting as community-acquired pneumonia].

The initial clinical manifestations of pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu arteritis were complicated and non-specific, making early diagnosis difficult. Three cases of Takayasu arteritis with pulmonary artery involvement (TA-PAI) initially presenting as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were reported. The clinical characteristics and lab test results of the three cases were summarized, and the relevant literature on TA-PAI mimicking CAP was concomitantly reviewed. It might be helpful in the early recognition and diagnosis of such patients.

[A rational analysis of the commonly used renal tumor scoring systems in predicting surgical outcomes of cystic renal masses].

Objective: To explore the predictive effect of the renal tumor scoring system on the surgical outcomes of cystic renal masses (CRM). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 234 patients who received robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to June 2020. And 31 cases had CRM and 203 cases had solid renal masses (SRM). The propensity score of patients was calculated by logistic regression model, and 1∶2 matching was performed by the nearest neighbor method. The changes in perioperative indexes and long-term estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in CRM group and SRM group were compared. The CRM group and SRM group were stratified according to the complexity grading of R.E.N.A.L. score and PADUA score, respectively, to compare the difference in the achievement rate of ideal surgical outcome between the two groups, and analyze the predictive factors affected. The CRM diameter was stratified with 4 cm as the cut-off value (CRM1 group with a diameter<4 cm, CRM2 group with a diameter≥4 cm), and the surgical results were compared with the matched SRM1 group and SRM2 group. Results: In the matching cohort, the CRM group comprised 29 patients with a mean age of (48.7±10.8) years, of which 22 (75.9%) were males. The SRM group included 58 patients with a mean age of (50.4±10.2) years, of which 41 (70.7%) were males, with no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). The warm ischemia time (WIT) [M (Q1,Q3)] in the CRM group was longer than that in the SRM group [23(18, 25) vs 19(17, 25) min, P=0.040]. The operation time (OT) [M (Q1,Q3)] in the CRM group was also longer than that of the SRM group [130(100, 150) vs 108(86, 120) min, P=0.006]. The change in serum creatinine before and after the operation [M (Q1,Q3)] was higher in the CRM group than in the SRM group [15(10, 23) vs 12(6, 17) µmol/L, P=0.030]. The ideal surgical outcomes were achieved in 7 patients (24.1%) in the CRM group and 36 patients (62.1%) in the SRM group. The number of patients achieving ideal surgical outcomes in R.E.N.A.L. intermediate complex surgery and PADUA advanced complex surgery in the SRM group were 24 (58.5%) and 15 (51.7%), respectively, which were higher than those in the CRM group 6 (27.3%) and 1 (5.9%) respectively (P<0.05). Preoperative eGFR (OR=0.758, 95%CI: 0.719-0.799) and the nature of the tumor (CRM as reference, OR=4.883, 95%CI: 1.550-15.378) were influencing factors for achieving the ideal surgical outcome. Subgroup analysis showed that eGFR changes before and after surgery and the estimated blood loss (EBL) in the CRM2 group were higher than those in the SRM2 group, and WIT and OT were longer than those in the SRM2 group (all P<0.05). The EBL and WIT of the CRM1 group were shorter than those of the CRM2 group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The surgical risk of RAPN in complex CRMs with a maximum diameter of≥4 cm is higher than the risk of RAPN in SRM with equivalent R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA scores.

[Materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Shandong province in Ben Cao Tu Jing].

Ben Cao Tu Jing had 48 materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Shandong province. It was found that 42 of them were plant medicinal materials, distributed in seven areas in Shandong province. This study examined these illustration of plant medicinal materials and found that 26 species of these illustration of plant medicinal materials were identified with three genera and 11 illustrations were unverified. Most materia medica illustrations relating to the regional names in Shandong province were found mainly in Yanzhou, Qizhou and Zizhou. This indicated that materia medica were widely used in these areas in the Northern Song Dynasty. The haustorium of Cuscuta Chinensis were depicted in the "Shanzhou Tu Si Zi" and the habitat of wild poriacocos was described. This showed that the illustrators of Ben Cao Tu Jing might have conducted fieldwork and reflected on the main principles about how to identify materia medica in Ben Cao Tu Jing Zou Chi. Inconsistencies were found between the illustrations and the expressions of plant medicinal materials in some illustrations, such as Gui Jiu, Ginsen and Shan Zhu Yu. This suggested that in the Northern Song Dynasty Stemmacantha Uniflora, Belamcanda chinensis might have been mixed up with Dysosma and Pinellia Pedatisecta might have been mixed up with Pinellia Ternata. This was in line with the compiling theories of Su Song that they could be recorded together when the illustrations and literature were inconsistent with each other.

[Clinical characteristics of 6 children with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 6 children with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical manifestations, examinations, treatment and prognosis of 6 children with IIP who were hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2015 to March 2020. Results: Of the 6 children, 2 were males and 4 were females, aged 4.8 to10.6 years. All children had a subacute onset, and presented with cough, shortness of breath and cyanosis. The lung high-resolution CT (HRCT) showed diffuse patchiness in bilateral lung fields in all the children and reticular pattern in 2 cases. Pulmonary function test found moderate to severe mixed defect in 5 children. Lung biopsy was performed in 4 children. All of the 6 children were treated with systemic glucocorticoids, of whom 2 cases had additional inhaled glucocorticoids. Four children were finally diagnosed as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), whose lung HRCT return to normal in 1-11 months. Two children were finally diagnosed as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and had long-term residual fibrosis on lung HRCT. The 6 children were followed up for 1 year to 6 years and 5 months after discontinuation of systemic glucocorticoids, and all had no recurrence. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of IIP in children are subacute onset presented with cough, shortness of breath, cyanosis and diffuse patchiness in bilateral lungs on HRCT. The common subtypes of IIP in children are COP and NSIP. Systemic glucocorticoid is effective for IIP in children and there is a good prognosis overall.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of dasotraline, a dual dopamine and norepinephrine transporter inhibitor in vivo.

Inhibitors of dopamine transporters (DAT), norepinephrine transporters (NET) and serotonin transporters (SERT) are effective treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases. Dasotraline [(1R,4 S)- 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine, also known as SEP-225289) was evaluated for its inhibitory potency at DAT, NET and SERT using in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro radiometric functional uptake studies showed preferential inhibition by dasotraline of hDAT (IC50 =3 nM) and hNET (IC50 =4 nM relative to hSERT(IC50 =15 nM). In mouse ex vivo occupancy studies, dasotraline demonstrated total plasma concentration-dependent occupancy at DAT, NET and SERT. Determination of the TO50 (50% transporter occupancy) were 32, 109 and 276 ng/ml, respectively. In SPECT imaging studies in baboons, dasotraline (0.2 mg/kg iv) displaced radiotracer binding to DAT by 87% but only 20% at NET and SERT. Rat microdialysis studies were performed in prefrontal cortex and striatum. Dasotraline produced sustained (>4 h) increases in dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations. Dasotraline was also more potent at increasing synaptic dopamine in the striatum, and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex than serotonin in these regions. In summary, dasotraline preferentially inhibits DAT and NET relative to SERT. Together, the occupancy and neurochemical profile of dasotraline provide a mechanistic basis for the treatment of diseases that have an underlying causality involving dopamine and norepinephrine dysfunction.

[Comparison of the efficacy of IA and HAD induction regimens in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: a single-center study].

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two induction regimens, namely, idarubicin combined with cytarabine (IA) versus the combination of homoharringtonine, daunorubicin, and cytarabine (HAD) , in adult patients with newly diagnosed de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: From May 2014 to November 2019, 199 patients diagnosed with AML receiving either the IA or HAD regimens were assessed for overall survival (OS) , relapse-free survival (RFS) , as well as the CR rate and the MRD negative rate after induction therapy. The differences in prognosis between the two induction therapy groups was assessed according to factors, including age, white blood cell (WBC) count, NPM1 mutation, FLT3-ITD mutation, 2017 ELN risk stratification, CR(1) transplantation, and the use of high-dose cytarabine during consolidation therapy, etc. Results: Among the 199 patients, there were 104 males and 95 females, with a median age of 37 (15-61) years. Ninety patients received the IA regimen, and 109 received the HAD regimen. Comparing the efficacy of the IA and HAD regimens, the CR rates after the first induction therapy were 71.1% and 63.3%, respectively (P=0.245) , and the MRD negative rates after the first induction therapy were 53.3% and 48.6%, respectively (P=0.509) . One patient in the IA group and two in the HAD group died within 60 days after induction. The two-year OS was 61.5% and 70.6%, respectively (P=0.835) , and the two-year RFS was 51.6% and 57.8%, respectively (P=0.291) . There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that the ELN risk stratification was an independent risk factor in both induction groups; CR(1) HSCT was an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS in the IA patients and for RFS in the HAD patients but not for OS in the HAD patients. Age, WBC level, NPM1 mutation, and FLT3-ITD mutation had no independent prognostic significance. Conclusion: The IA and HAD regimens were both effective induction regimens for AML patients.

[Efficacy and safety of IAC regimen for relapse/refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a prospective randomized controlled study].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity profiles of idarubicin, cytarabine, and cyclophosphamide (IAC) in relapse/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial with the registration number NCT02937662. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with an IAC regimen, and the regimen of the control group was selected by doctors according to medication experience. After salvage chemotherapy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was conducted as far as possible according to the situation of the patients. We aimed to observe the efficacy, safety, and toxicity of the IAC regimen in relapse/refractory AML and to explore which is the better regimen. Results: Forty-two patients were enrolled in the clinical trial, with a median age of 36 years (IAC group, 22 cases and control groups, 20 cases) . ①The objective response rate was 71.4% in the IAC group and 40.0% in the control group (P=0.062) ; the complete remission (CR) rate was 66.7% in the IAC group and 40.0% in the control group (P=0.121) . The median follow-up time of surviving patients was 10.5 (range:1.7-32.8) months; the median overall survival (OS) was 14.1 (range: 0.6-49.1) months in the IAC group and 9.9 (range: 2.0-53.8) months in the control group (P=0.305) . The 1-year OS was 54.5% (95%CI 33.7%-75.3%) in the IAC group and 48.2% (95%CI 25.9%-70.5%) in the control group (P=0.305) , with no significant difference between these two regimens. ②The main hematologic adverse events (AEs) were anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. The incidence of grade 3-4 hematologic AEs in the two groups was 100% (22/22) in the IAC group and 95% (19/20) in the control group. The median time of neutropenia after chemotherapy in the IAC group and control group was 20 (IQR: 8-30) and 14 (IQR: 5-50) days, respectively (P=0.023) . ③The CR rate of the early relapse (relapse within 12 months) group was 46.7% and that of the late relapse (relapse after 12 months) group was 72.7% (P=0.17) . The median OS time of early recurrence was 9.9 (range:1.7-53.8) months, and that of late recurrence patients was 19.3 (range: 0.6-40.8) months (P=0.420) , with no significant differences between the two groups. The 1-year OS rates were 45.3% (95%CI 27.2%-63.3%) and 66.7% (95%CI 40.0%-93.4%) , respectively (P=0.420) . Survival analysis showed that the 1-year OS rates of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation group and non-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation group were 87.5% (95%CI 71.2%-100%) and 6.3% (95%CI 5.7%-18.3%) , respectively. The OS rate of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation group was significantly higher than that of the non-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation group (P<0.001) . Conclusion: The IAC regimen is a well-tolerated and effective regimen in relapsed/refractory AML; this regimen had similar efficacy and safety with the regimen selected according to the doctor's experience for treating relapsed/refractory AML. For relapsed/refractory patients with AML, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be attempted as soon as possible to achieve long-term survival.

[Research advances on the techniques for diagnosing burn wound depth].

The accurate diagnosis of burn wound depth is particularly important for evaluating the disease prognosis of burn patients. In the past, the diagnosis of burn wound depth often relied on the subjective judgment of doctors. With the continuous development of diagnostic technology, the methods for judging the depth of burn wound have also been updated. This paper mainly summarizes the research progress in the applications of indocyanine green angiography, laser Doppler imaging, laser speckle contrast imaging, and artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of burn wound depth, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, so as to provide ideas for accurate diagnosis of burn wound depth.

Nomogram to predict haemorrhagic transformation after stroke thrombolysis: a combined brain imaging and clinical study.

AIM: To construct a novel nomogram by integrating computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and clinical parameters for individualised prediction of haemorrhagic transformation (HT) in intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)-treated acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients. METHODS: Anterior circulation AIS patients who underwent IVT at a single centre from January 2018 to June 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The CTP parameters of two regions of interest (ROI), the entire perfusion lesion areas, and the infract core areas, were assessed. HT was documented by follow-up CT 24 ± 2 h after IVT. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by including clinical variables and CTP parameters to identify the independent predictors of HT. A nomogram was developed based on the independent predictors. The discriminative value and calibration of the nomogram were tested by concordance indexes (C-indexes) and calibration plots. Internal validation was performed using fivefold cross-validation. RESULTS: The nomogram was generated using the complete data from 341 patients. Seven variables were included in the final nomogram, including: the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), permeability surface (PS), and relative PS (rPS) in infract core areas, the relative time to maximum (rTmax) and rPS in entire perfusion lesion areas, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and atrial fibrillation (AF). The C-indexes were 0.815 and 0.817 for the nomogram and internal validation. The calibration plots showed excellent agreement. CONCLUSION: This is the first study establishing a nomogram based on CTP and clinical parameters to predict HT after stroke thrombolysis.

Application of rigid bronchoscopy for emergent removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in paediatric cases: a learning curve study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the factors associated with the operative duration for paediatric tracheobronchial foreign body removal by rigid bronchoscopy, and to analyse the learning curve for mastery of the rigid bronchoscopy skill. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of paediatric cases of tracheobronchial foreign body removal by rigid bronchoscopy in our department from January 2007 to July 2019. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyse the factors associated with the operative duration. In addition, the learning curves for two doctors were evaluated by curve-fitting regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 410 paediatric cases of tracheobronchial foreign body removal by rigid bronchoscopy were evaluated. The operative duration was significantly influenced by the skill of the doctor. The learning curves for both doctor A and doctor B demonstrated two typical phases: an initially rapidly changing learning phase followed by a steady consolidation phase. CONCLUSION: The operative duration for paediatric tracheobronchial foreign body removal by rigid bronchoscopy was associated with the skill of the doctor. In order to fully master the rigid bronchoscopy technique, doctors should perform a minimum number of procedures to pass the learning phase and reach the consolidation phase.

[Correlation between intrahepatic triglyceride content quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and glucose metabolism].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between intrahepatic triglyceride content (IHTC) and glucose metabolism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Methods: A total of 239 subjects without diabetes mellitus were previously enrolled and underwent 1H-MRS scans. Anthropometric indexes including height, weight, waist and blood pressure, and laboratory findings as plasma glucose (PG), insulin (INS), C-peptide (CP), liver enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)] and lipid profiles were collected. According to IHTC levels, participants were divided into three groups: the non-NAFLD group (IHTC<5.56%), the mild NAFLD group (IHTC 5.56%-<33%), and the moderate and severe NAFLD group (IHTC ≥ 33%). The clinical characteristics of each group were analyzed, and the correlation between IHTC and glucose metabolism were assessed. Results: Compared with those in the non-NAFLD group, male proportion, waist, 120 min postprandial PG (PG120), CP, liver enzymes and total cholesterol (TC) levels were greater in the NAFLD group, whereas insulin sensitivity index-Cederholm (ISI-Cederholm) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower in the NAFLD groups. Subjects in the moderate and severe NAFLD group had higher levels of 120 min postprandial INS (INS120) and Stumvoll indexes, and lower ISI-Cederholm than those in the mild NAFLD group [80.37 (57.68, 112.70) mU/L vs.110.50(71.78, 172.80)mU/L, 1453(1178, 1798)vs.1737(1325, 2380), 358(297, 446) vs.441(318, 594), 2.27(2.01, 2.53) vs.2.06(1.81, 2.39), respectively, all P<0.05]. Correlation analyses showed that IHTC was significantly positively correlated with waist hip ratio (WHR), PG120, INS120, HOMA insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Stumvoll 1st-insulin secretion, Stumvoll 2nd-insulin secretion, ALT, AST, GGT and TC (r=0.197, 0.274, 0.334, 0.162, 0.199, 0.211, 0.406, 0.361, 0.215, and 0.196, respectively, all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with ISI-Cederholm and HDL-C (r=-0.334, and-0.237, respectively, all P<0.05). Furthermore, a multiple linear stepwise regression analysis indicated that ISI-Cederholm (Standardized ß =-0.298, P<0.001) and Stumvoll 1st insulin secretion (Standardized ß = 0.164, P = 0.024) were independent factors of IHTC. Conclusions: Peripheral insulin resistance occurs in the early stage of NAFLD and becomes worse with the progression of the disease. IHTC was independently associated with insulin sensitivity and first-phase insulin secretion.

[Epidemiological characteristics of local outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in Liwan district, Guangzhou].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a local outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2(Delta) variant in Liwan district, Guangzhou, and provide evidence for the further prevention and control of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Methods: From May 21 to June 18, 2021, the incidence data of COVID-19 caused by Delta variant were obtained from National Notifiable Disease Report System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System and Liwan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangzhou.Frequency analysis (proportions), histograms, and percentage stacked area plots were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreaks. The incubation period and time-varying reproduction numbers (Rt) estimations were used for the further analysis. Results: By June 18, 2021, a total of 127 COVID-19 cases caused by Delta variant was reported in Liwan district. The youngest case was aged 2 years and the oldest was aged 85 years. There were 18.9% (24/127) aged <18 years, 43.3% (55/127) aged 18-59 years, and 37.8% (48/127) aged ≥60 years, the male to female ratio of the cases was 1∶1.35 (54∶73). The cases were mainly retired people (32.3%, 41/127), the jobless or unemployed (18.1%, 23/127), and students (16.5%, 21/127). The infections mainly occurred in Baihedong (70.1%, 89/127) and Zhongnan street (23.6%, 30/127) communities in the southern area of Liwan district. The median incubation period of the Delta variant infection was 6 days (range: 1-15 days). The clinical classification were mainly common type (64.6%, 82/127). The basic reproduction number (R0) was 5.1, Rt which once increased to 7.3. The transmissions mainly occurred in confined spaces, such as home (26.8%), restaurant (29.1%), neighborhood (3.9%), and market (3.1%), the household clustering was predominant. Close contacts tracing (66.1%) and community screening (33.1%) were the main ways to find the infections. Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak caused by Delta variant in Liwan district of Guangzhou was highly contagious, with the obvious characteristics of household clustering and high proportions of cases in adults aged 18-59 years and elderly people aged ≥60 years.