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Objective:To investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of mitochondrial coenzyme Q (MitoQ) on mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods:The type Ⅱ lung epithelial cell line (A549) were cultured with different concentrations of LPS in vitro, a cell model of acute lung injury (ALI) was reproduced, the optimal concentration of LPS was obtained according to the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50). The cells were pretreated with different concentrations of MitoQ to determine the best intervention concentration of MitoQ. The cells were divided into four groups: the cells in blank control group were cultured in DMEM; the cells in LPS group were stimulated with 10 mg/L of LPS for 24 hours; the cells in MitoQ+LPS group were pretreated with 1 μmol/L MitoQ for 60 minutes, and then were co-cultured with 10 mg/L of LPS for 24 hours; and the cells in MitoQ+phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) selective inhibitor LY294002+LPS group were pretreated with 1 μmol/L MitoQ and 20 μmol/L LY294002 for 60 minutes, and then were co-cultured with 10 mg/L of LPS for 24 hours. Cell viability was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry and TdT-mediated dUTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The protein expression levels of apoptosis protein Bax, anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and PI3K-serine/threonine kinase (Akt) protein PI3K expression and Akt phosphorylation level were detected by Western blotting. Results:According to the inhibition rate curve, the IC 50 of LPS on A549 cells was 11.06 mg/L. Therefore, 10 mg/L was selected as the stimulating concentration of LPS. After stimulation with 10 mg/L LPS, the cell viability first increased and then decreased with the increase in MitoQ pretreatment concentration. According to the cell viability curve, 1 μmol/L was selected as the optimum concentration of MitoQ. Compared with LPS group, after pretreated with 1 μmol/L MitoQ, cell mitochondrial dependent apoptosis was significantly attenuated, which was characterized by the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased [flow cytometry: (8.73±0.25)% vs. (18.10±0.70)%, TUNEL: (12.30±0.82)% vs. (21.43±0.86)%, both P < 0.05], the expression of Bax was significantly down-regulated (Bax/β-actin: 0.58±0.03 vs. 1.06±0.10, P < 0.05) and Bcl-2 level was significantly up-regulated (Bcl-2/β-actin: 1.03±0.06 vs. 0.53±0.07, P < 0.05), meanwhile the expression of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation level were significantly increased [PI3K protein (PI3K/β-actin): 1.20±0.02 vs. 0.96±0.04, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein (p-Akt/t-Akt): 1.22±0.08 vs. 0.92±0.04, both P < 0.05]. Pretreatment with LY294002 could inhibit the anti-apoptotic effect of MitoQ on cells, it was characterized by the apoptotic rate was significantly increased as compared with MitoQ+LPS group [flow cytometry: (14.50±0.57)% vs. (8.73±0.25)%, TUNEL: (16.50±0.53)% vs. (12.30±0.82)%, both P < 0.05], the expression of Bax was significantly up-regulated (Bax/β-actin: 0.95±0.03 vs. 0.58±0.03, P < 0.05) and Bcl-2 level was significantly down-regulated (Bcl-2/β-actin: 0.62±0.03 vs. 1.03±0.06, P < 0.05), meanwhile the expression of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation level were significantly decreased [PI3K protein (PI3K/β-actin): 0.90±0.05 vs. 1.20±0.02, p-Akt protein (p-Akt/t-Akt): 0.89±0.02 vs. 1.22±0.08, both P < 0.05]. Conclusion:MitoQ improved LPS induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis of A549 cells by significantly activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway, which provided a new treatment for LPS induced ALI.
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Objective:To evaluate the skin development and repair process of X-ray radiation damage in rat with non-invasive two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) imaging technology in vivo. Methods:Totally 24 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups including X-ray irradiated group (25, 35 and 45 Gy) and non-irradiation control group. At different times after irradiation, the degree of skin injury was evaluated, and the pathological changes of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H] and collagen fiber fluorescence signals in epidermal cells were detected in vivo by TPEF imaging technology. Results:At 10 d post-irradiation, the skin of irradiation groups showed erythema and desquamation. At 15-20 d post-irradiation, the skin of radiation groups developed progressive exudation, edema and ulcers with increasing radiation dose. On day 25, the skin began to repair in the 25 Gy group, however, the skin of other groups still had exudation and ulcers. On day 10, NAD(P)H fluorescence signal in epidermal cells of irradiation groups decreased and the fluorescence signal of collagen fibers in papillary layer and reticular layer of irradiation groups reduced, which were significantly lower than that of normal control group ( t=24.145, 28.303, 26.989, 6.654, 7.510, 7.997, P<0.05). On day 30, fluorescence signal of NAD(P)H and collagen fibers in epidermal cells and dermis began to repair, the cell from stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale in the 25 Gy group showed fluorescence signal, the other groups did not show. The fluorescence signal of collagen fibers in the 25 Gy group were gradually increased in papillary layer and reticular layer, however, they were significantly lower than normal control group ( t=115.133, 17.431, P<0.05), the skin of 45 Gy group did not show fluorescence signal of collagen fibers. Conclusions:The damage and repair process of epidermal cells and dermal collagen fiber can be detected noninvasively by TPEF imaging technology after X-ray irradiation in vivo.
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Objective:To observe the influence of pregnant mice having malaria on T cell function of offspring mice, and to study the changes of cellular immune response in offspring mice exposed to malaria infection in uterus.Methods:Adult Kunming mice of clean grade were selected after mating, on the 14th day of pregnancy, pregnant mice were randomize assigned into experimental group ( n = 5) and control group ( n = 5) according to the method of random number table. Each mouse in the experimental group was intraperitoneally inoculated with 1 × 10 6 red blood cells infected with Plasmodium berghei ( P.b), and same volume of normal saline was given to control group. After birth, the changes of CD4/CD8 T cell subsets in their thymuses and spleens of the two group neonatal mice were analyzed by flow cytometry at day 0, 1, 3, 5 and 4-week-old. Then the 4-weeks-old neonatal mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 1 × 10 6P.b. On the third day, the changes of CD4/CD8 T cells subsets in their thymuses and spleens were observed, respectively, and the immune response of spleen cells stimulated by P.b antigen or mitogen [concanavalin A (Con A)] was detected. Results:Compared with the control group, the proportions of CD3 +CD4 +CD8 - T cells in thymus and spleen of the offspring of the experimental group (0, 1, 3, 5 days) were higher ( P < 0.05), while the proportions of CD3 +CD4 -CD8 + T cells in thymus were lower ( P < 0.05). For 4-week-old offspring and after infection of P.b, the proportions of CD3 +CD4 +CD8 - T cells in thymus and spleen of the experimental group were both significantly higher than those of control group ( P < 0.05), in contrast, the proportions of CD3 +CD4 -CD8 + T cells in thymus and spleen were both significantly lower than those of control group ( P < 0.05). The spleen cells of 4-week-old mice were stimulated by P.b antigen or mitogen ConA in vitro, compared with the control group, there were no significant differences in the proportions of CD3 +CD4 +CD8 - T cells and CD3 +CD4 -CD8 + T cells in the experimental group ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:During pregnancy, the maternal infection of P.b could significantly affect the ratio of CD4/CD8 T cell subsets in thymus and spleen of offspring mice; and could change the cellular immune response of offspring to P.b infection.
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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for asthenospermia and oligospermia.@*METHODS@#A total of 105 patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia were randomly divided into a combination group, a TEAS group and a medication group, 35 cases in each one. In the medication group, vitamin E capsules, coenzyme Q10 capsules，@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, except for the sperm morphology 2 months into treatment in the medication group, the semen routine indexes 2, 3 months into treatment were improved in the 3 groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency TEAS can improve semen routine, reduce sperm oxidative stress damage for patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia, and the clinical efficacy is better than the medication and TEAS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acupuncture Points , Moxibustion , Oligospermia/therapy , Sperm Motility , SpermatozoaABSTRACT
This article introduces the present development status, medical insurance charges, publicity and influence, legislation and practice of acupuncture-moxibustion in Namibia, and proposes some countermeasures for the current problems in the development of acupuncture-moxibustion in Namibia. Namibia has passed legislation of acupuncture-moxibustion and incorporated acupuncture-moxibustion into the medical insurance system in March 2020. The acupuncture-moxibustion will enter the fast track of development, but the acupuncture-moxibustion education, training and cooperation, talent cultivation mode, reimbursement scope of medical insurance, and standardization construction still need to be steadily improved and strengthened.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture , Acupuncture Therapy , Moxibustion , Namibia , Reference StandardsABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of IR-61, a novel mitochondrial heptamethine cyanine dye with antioxidant effects, on diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 1 diabetes. Eight weeks after STZ injection, all rats were divided into three groups: the control group, DM group, and DM + IR-61 group. In the DM + IR-61 group, the rats were administered IR-61 (1.6 mg kg
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Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a group of adenocarcinoma that derives from epithelium of the subbranches of intrahepatic bile ducts, which is characterized by difficulty in early diagnosis, high malignancy and poor prognosis. ICC is relatively rare, but it is the second most common in primary liver cancer, and its incidence has gradually increased worldwide. Radical resection is recognized as the only treatment that can bring better long-term survival currently. However, many surgery-related problems, such as lymph node dissection and major vascular resection and reconstruction, are still controversial. Adjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy, regional therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, has received increasing attention in recent years. Although there is no uniform standard, a large number of related studies have supported its efficacy. In this article, the authors have reviewed the molecular pathogenesis of ICC and advances in treatment.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the disease progression and immunoprotective characteristics in mice re-infected with homogeneous/heterogeneous Plasmodium strains following cure of Plasmodium infections with chloroquine at the peak of parasitemia. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were infected with the non-lethal P. yoelii 17XNL strain, and half of mice were given treatment with chloroquine at the peak of parasitemia (9 days post-infection), while the other mice were self-cured naturally. Then, all cured mice were re-infected with the equivalent lethal P. yoelii 17XL or P. berghei ANKA strain 90 days following primary Plasmodium infections. The parasitemia levels during primary infections and reinfections were measured by microscopic examinations of Giemsa-stained thin blood films, and the levels of the IgG antibody in sera and the percentages of memory T cell subsets in spleen cells were detected in mice using ELISA and flow cytometry before and after parasite reinfections, respectively. Results Following primary infections with the P. yoelii 17XNL strain, the serum IgG antibody levels were (5.047 ± 0.924) pg/mL in the selfcured mice and (4.429 ± 0.624) pg/mL in the chloroquine-treated mice, respectively (t = 0.437, P > 0.05), which were both significantly higher than that in the uninfected mice (1.624 pg/mL ± 0.280 pg/mL) (F = 22.522, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the serum IgG antibody level among self-cured and chloroquine-treated mice re-infected with the P. yoelii 17XL strain or the P. berghei ANKA strain (F = 0.542, P > 0.05); however, the serum IgG antibody levels were all significantly higher in selfcured and chloroquine-treated mice re-infected with the P. yoelii 17XLstrain[(15.487±1.173)pg/mLand(15.965±1.150)pg/mL] or the P. berghei ANKA strain [(14.644 ± 1.523) pg/mL and (15.185 ± 1.333) pg/mL] relative to primary infections (F = 67.383, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the proportion of CD4+ [(34.208 ± 2.106), (32.820 ± 1.930), (34.023 ± 2.289), (35.608 ± 1.779) pg/mL] or CD8+ T memory cells [(17.935 ± 2.092), (18.918 ± 2.823), (17.103 ± 1.627), (17.873 ± 1.425) pg/mL] in self-cured and chloroquine-treated mice with primary infections with the P. yoelii 17XNL strain followed by re-infections with the P. yoelii 17XL strain or the P. berghei ANKA strain (F = 0.944 and 0.390, both P > 0.05); however, the proportions of the CD4+ or CD8+ T memory cells were significantly greater in self-cured and chloroquine-treated mice with primary infections with the P. yoelii 17XNL strain followed by re-infections with the P. yoelii 17XL strain or the P. berghei ANKA strain than in mice with primary infections (F = 50.532 and 21.751, both P < 0.01). Conclusions The cure of murine Plasmodium infections with chloroquine does not affect the production of effective immune protections in mice during parasite re-infections. Following a primary infection, mice show a protection against re-infections with either homogeneous or heterogeneous Plasmodium strains, and a higher-level resistance to re-infections with homogeneous parasite strains is found than with heterogeneous strains.
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The current epidemic situation of corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) still remained severe. As the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine is the primary medical care center for COVID-19 inZhejiang Province. Based on the present expert consensus carried out by National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our team summarized and established an effective treatment strategy centered on "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" for clinical practice. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance"strategy included antivirus, anti-shock, anti-hyoxemia, anti-secondary infection, and maintaining of water, electrolyte and acid base balance and microecological balance. Meanwhile, integrated multidisciplinarypersonalized treatment was recommended to improve therapeutic effect. The importance of early viralogical detection, dynamic monitoring of inflammatory indexes and chest radiograph was emphasized in clinical decision-making. Sputum was observed with the highest positive rate of RT-PCR results. Viral nucleic acids could be detected in10% patients'blood samples at acute periodand 50% of patients had positive RT-PCR results in their feces. We also isolated alive viral strains from feces, indicating potential infectiousness of feces.Dynamic cytokine detection was necessary to timely identifyingcytokine storms and application of artificial liver blood purification system. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance"strategyeffectively increased cure rate and reduced mortality. Early antiviral treatment could alleviate disease severity and prevent illness progression, and we found lopinavir/ritonavir combined with abidol showed antiviraleffects in COVID-19. Shock and hypoxemia were usually caused by cytokine storms. The artificial liver blood purification system could rapidly remove inflammatory mediators and block cytokine storm.Moreover, it also favoredthe balance of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base and thus improved treatment efficacy in critical illness. For cases of severe illness, early and also short periods of moderate glucocorticoid was supported. Patients with oxygenation index below 200 mmHg should be transferred to intensive medical center. Conservative oxygen therapy was preferred and noninvasive ventilation was not recommended. Patients with mechanical ventilation should be strictly supervised with cluster ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention strategies. Antimicrobial prophylaxis should be prescribed rationally and was not recommended except for patients with long course of disease, repeated fever and elevated procalcitonin (PCT), meanwhile secondary fungal infection should be concerned.Some patients with COVID-19 showed intestinal microbialdysbiosis with decreasedprobiotics such as and . Nutritional and gastrointestinal function should be assessed for all patients.Nutritional support and application of prebiotics or probiotics were suggested to regulate the balance of intestinal microbiota and reduce the risk of secondary infection due to bacterial translocation. Anxiety and fear were common in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, we established dynamic assessment and warning for psychological crisis. We also integrated Chinese medicine in treatment to promote disease rehabilitation through classification methods of traditional Chinese medicine. We optimized nursing process for severe patients to promote their rehabilitation. It remained unclear about viral clearance pattern after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, two weeks' quarantine for discharged patients was required and a regular following up was also needed.The Zhejiang experience above and suggestions have been implemented in our center and achieved good results. However, since COVID-19 was a newly emerging disease, more work was warranted to improve strategies of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19.
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OBJECTIVE@#This study summarizes and compares clinical and laboratory characteristics of 34 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China from Jan. 22 to Mar. 5, 2020.@*METHODS@#A total of 34 patients were divided into two groups, including those who required noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with additional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in 11 patients. Clinical features of COVID-19 patients were described and the parameters of clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#The rates of the acute cardiac and kidney complications were higher in IMV cases than those in NIV cases. Most patients had lymphocytopenia on admission, with lymphocyte levels dropping progressively on the following days, and the more severe lymphopenia developed in the IMV group. In both groups, T lymphocyte counts were below typical lower limit norms compared to B lymphocytes. On admission, both groups had higher than expected amounts of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), which over time declined more in NIV patients. The prothrombin time was increased and the levels of platelet, hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and IL-6 were higher in IMV cases compared with NIV cases during hospitalization.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Data showed that the rates of complications, dynamics of lymphocytopenia, and changes in levels of platelet, hemoglobin, BUN, D-dimer, LDH and IL-6, and prothrombin time in these ICU patients were significantly different between IMV and NIV cases.
Subject(s)
Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acute Kidney Injury , Virology , Betacoronavirus , Blood Urea Nitrogen , China , Coronavirus Infections , Therapeutics , Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation , Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products , Heart Diseases , Virology , Hemoglobins , Hospitalization , Intensive Care Units , Interleukin-6 , Blood , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Blood , Lymphopenia , Virology , Noninvasive Ventilation , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , Therapeutics , Positive-Pressure Respiration , Prothrombin Time , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objective:Five popular DNA barcoding sequences，namely ITS，ITS2，rbcL，matK and psbA-trnH，were employed to evaluate the identification efficiency of multi-source ethnodrug Rodgersiae Rhizoma，and the most suitable sequence was then screened out. Method:Efficiency of polymerase chain reaction（PCR） amplification，success rate of sequencing，intra- and inter-specific distances calculated by rank sum test，phylogenetic tree constructed with neighbor-joining（NJ） method and identification efficiency assessed by Blast 1 and NJ method were adopted in this study. Result:Efficiency of PCR amplification and success rate of sequencing for ITS，ITS2，psbA-trnH，rbcL and matK were 100%，96.61% ，100%，98.31%，100%，100%，100%，100%，98.31% and 98.31%，respectively. Intra- and inter-specific genetic distances and identification achievement rate for psbA-trnH were the highest among the five candidate sequences. Besides，the average coalescent depth was less than the smallest interspecific distance for psbA-trnH. Phylogenetic tree also illustrated that Rodgersiae Rhizoma could be distinguished based on psbA-trnH. Conclusion:According to the findings，psbA-trnH was superior to other DNA barcodes. Therefore， psbA-trnH was recommended as the ideal DNA barcode for the identification of multi-source ethnodrug Rodgersiae Rhizoma.
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Objective:To explore the clinicopathological characteristics of the primary hepatic adenosquamous carcinoma(ASC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 5 ASC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from 2006 to 2019 who underwent surgical resection and were pathologically confirmed.Results:Among the 5 ASC cases, there were 4 males and 1 female. The age ranged from 48 to 73 years. As for the initial symptoms, there were 5 cases complaining upper abdominal pain, 2 cases presenting fever, 1 case presenting weight loss and 1 case presenting jaundice. CA19-9 was significantly higher than normal in 4 cases, while AFP was normal in all. None had definite preoperative diagnosis.All the 5 patients underwent surgical resection with pathology proved primary hepatic ASC. Lymph node metastasis was found in 4 cases and nerve invasion in 2 cases. There were 4 cases at TNM stage ⅣA, one at stage ⅠB. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 5 months and the overall survival (OS) was 9 months.Conclusions:Primary hepatic adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare type of liver malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Surgical resection helps little in improving the prognosis.
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Objective:To investigate epidemiological features of skin damage among front-line healthcare workers fighting against COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire was released on an online survey website "wenjuan.com", and sent to the front-line medical staff caring for patients with confirmed COVID-19 in 6 infectious disease wards of the General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA via WeChat from March 10th to 20th, 2020. Then, the questionnaires were collected, a database was established, and statistical analysis was performed on the incidence, types and epidemiological characteristics of skin damage among the medical staff.Results:A total of about 550 medical staff were surveyed, 404 questionnaires were collected, of which 391 were valid, and 303 cases had skin damage. The survey showed that females, hand cleaning frequency > 10 times per day, wearing three-level protective equipment for more than 6 hours per week were risk factors for skin damage, and frequent use of a hand cream could reduce skin problems. Among the respondents, the incidence of skin damage was significantly higher in the females (79.81%, 249/312) than in the males (38.35%, 54/79; χ2 = 4.741, P = 0.029), and higher in the groups with hand cleaning frequency of 10-20 times per day (79.73%, 118/148) and > 20 times per day (85.71%, 84/98) than in the group with hand cleaning frequency of 1-10 times per day (69.66%, 101/145; χ2 = 9.330, P = 0.009). The incidence of skin damage was significantly lower in the group wearing protective equipment for 1-5 hours per week (64.04%, 73/114) than in the groups wearing protective equipment for 6-10 hours per week (81.48%, 66/81), 11-15 hours per week (95.24%, 20/21), 16-20 hours per week (81.82%, 36/44), 21-25 hours per week (86.49%, 32/37), and > 25 hours per week (80.85%, 76/94; χ2 = 19.164, P = 0.002). Among the 391 respondents, the skin damage related to disinfection and protective equipment mainly manifested as dry skin (72.89%), desquamation (56.78%), skin pressure injury (54.48%), skin maceration (45.01%), and sensitive skin (33.50%) ; acne (27.11%) was the related skin disease with the highest incidence, followed by facial dermatitis (23.27%), eczematous dermatitis (21.48%), folliculitis (18.92%), dermatomycosis (11.00%), urticaria (9.21%), etc. Conclusion:There was a high incidence of skin damage related to protective equipment among the front-line healthcare workers fighting against COVID-19, and strengthening skin protection could markedly reduce the incidence of skin damage.
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OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the CT findings of patients with different clinical types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#A total of 67 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were included and divided into 4 groups according to the clinical staging based on . The CT imaging characteristics were analyzed among patients with different clinical types.@*RESULTS@#Among 67 patients, 3 (4.5%) were mild cases, 35 (52.2%) were ordinary cases, 22 (32.8%) were severe cases, and 7 (10.4%) were critically ill. There were no abnormal CT findings in mild cases. In 35 ordinary cases, there were single lesions in 3 cases (8.6%) and multiple lesions in 33 cases (91.4%), while in severe case 1 case had single lesion (4.5%) and 21 had multiple lesions (95.5%). CT images of ordinary patients were mainly manifested as solid plaque shadow and halo sign (18/35, 51.4%); while fibrous strip shadow with ground glass shadow was more frequent in severe cases (7/22, 31.8%). Consolidation shadow as the main lesion was observed in 7 cases, and all of them were severe or critical ill patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CT images in patients with different clinical types of COVID-19 have characteristic manifestations, and solid shadow may predict severe and critical illness.
Subject(s)
Humans , Betacoronavirus , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Coronavirus Infections , Diagnosis , Diagnostic Imaging , Lung , Diagnostic Imaging , Pathology , Pneumonia, Viral , Diagnostic Imaging , Pathology , Severity of Illness Index , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , MethodsABSTRACT
Acute respiratory failure due to acute hypoxemia is the major manifestation in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Rational and effective respiratory support is crucial in the management of COVID-19 patients. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been utilized widely due to its superiority over other non-invasive respiratory support techniques. To avoid HFNC failure and intubation delay, the key issues are proper patients, timely application and improving compliance. It should be noted that elder patients are vulnerable for failed HFNC. We applied HFNC for oxygen therapy in severe and critical COVID-19 patients and summarized the following experiences. Firstly, to select the proper size of nasal catheter, to locate it at suitable place, and to confirm the nose and the upper respiratory airway unobstructed. Secondly, an initial flow of 60 L/min and 37℃ should be given immediately for patients with obvious respiratory distress or weak cough ability; otherwise, low-level support should be given first and the level gradually increased. Thirdly, to avoid hypoxia or hypoxemia, the treatment goal of HFNC should be maintained the oxygen saturation (SpO) above 95% for patients without chronic pulmonary disease. Finally, patients should wear a surgical mask during HFNC treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission through droplets or aerosols.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Betacoronavirus , Cannula , Coronavirus Infections , Therapeutics , Hypoxia , Therapeutics , Masks , Oxygen , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy , Reference Standards , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
The current epidemic situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still remained severe. As the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine is the primary medical care center for COVID-19 in Zhejiang province. Based on the present expert consensus carried out by National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our team summarized and established an effective treatment strategy centered on "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" for clinical practice. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" strategy included antivirus, anti-shock, anti-hyoxemia, anti-secondary infection, and maintaining of water, electrolyte and acid base balance and microecological balance. Meanwhile, integrated multidisciplinary personalized treatment was recommended to improve therapeutic effect. The importance of early viralogical detection, dynamic monitoring of inflammatory indexes and chest radiograph was emphasized in clinical decision-making. Sputum was observed with the highest positive rate of RT-PCR results. Viral nucleic acids could be detected in 10%patients' blood samples at acute period and 50%of patients had positive RT-PCR results in their feces. We also isolated alive viral strains from feces, indicating potential infectiousness of feces.Dynamic cytokine detection was necessary to timely identifying cytokine storms and application of artificial liver blood purification system. The "Four-Anti and Two-Balance" strategy effectively increased cure rate and reduced mortality. Early antiviral treatment could alleviate disease severity and prevent illness progression, and we found lopinavir/ritonavir combined with abidol showed antiviral effects in COVID-19. Shock and hypoxemia were usually caused by cytokine storms. The artificial liver blood purification system could rapidly remove inflammatory mediators and block cytokine storm.Moreover, it also favored the balance of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base and thus improved treatment efficacy in critical illness. For cases of severe illness, early and also short period of moderate glucocorticoid was supported. Patients with oxygenation index below 200 mmHg should be transferred to intensive medical center. Conservative oxygen therapy was preferred and noninvasive ventilation was not recommended. Patients with mechanical ventilation should be strictly supervised with cluster ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention strategies. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was not recommended except for patients with long course of disease, repeated fever and elevated procalcitonin (PCT), meanwhile secondary fungal infection should be concerned.Some patients with COVID-19 showed intestinal microbial dysbiosis with decreased probiotics such as and , so nutritional and gastrointestinal function should be assessed for all patients.Nutritional support and application of prebiotics or probiotics were suggested to regulate the balance of intestinal microbiota and reduce the risk of secondary infection due to bacterial translocation. Anxiety and fear were common in patients with COVID-19. Therefore,we established dynamic assessment and warning for psychological crisis. We also integrated Chinese medicine in treatment to promote disease rehabilitation through classification methods of traditional Chinese medicine. We optimized nursing process for severe patients to promote their rehabilitation. It remained unclear about viral clearance pattern after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, two weeks' quarantine for discharged patients was required and a regular following up was also needed.The Zhejiang experience and suggestions have been implemented in our center and achieved good results. However, since COVID-19 was a newly emerging disease, more work was warranted to improve strategies of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Humans , Betacoronavirus , China , Epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Therapeutics , Virology , Disease Management , Early Diagnosis , Feces , Virology , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Therapeutics , Virology , Sputum , VirologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the CT findings of patients with different clinical types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#A total of 67 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were collected and divided into 4 groups according to the clinical stages based on . The CT imaging characteristics were analyzed among patients with different clinical types.@*RESULTS@#Among 67 patients, 3(4.5%) were mild, 35 (52.2%) were moderate, 22 (32.8%) were severe, and 7(10.4%) were critical ill. No significant abnormality in chest CT imaging in mild patients. The 35 cases of moderate type included 3 (8.6%) single lesions, the 22 cases of severe cases included 1 (4.5%) single lesion and the rest cases were with multiple lesions. CT images of moderate patients were mainly manifested by solid plaque shadow and halo sign (18/35, 51.4%); while fibrous strip shadow with ground glass shadow was more frequent in severe cases (7/22, 31.8%). Consolidation shadow as the main lesion was observed in 7 cases, and all of them were severe or critical ill patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CT images of patients with different clinical types of COVID-19 have characteristic manifestations, and solid shadow may predict severe and critical illness.
Subject(s)
Humans , Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections , Classification , Diagnostic Imaging , Lung , Diagnostic Imaging , Pandemics , Classification , Pneumonia, Viral , Classification , Diagnostic Imaging , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Acute respiratory failure due to acute hypoxemia is the major manifestation in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Rational and effective respiratory support is crucial in the management of COVID-19 patients. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been utilized widely due to its superiority over other non-invasive respiratory support techniques. To avoid HFNC failure and intubation delay, the key issues are proper patients, timely application and improving compliance. It should be noted that elder patients are vulnerable for failed HFNC. We applied HFNC for oxygen therapy in severe and critical ill COVID-19 patients and summarized the following experiences. Firstly, to select the proper size of nasal catheter, to locate it at suitable place, and to confirm the nose and the upper respiratory airway unobstructed. Secondly, an initial ow of 60 L/min and 37℃ should be given immediately for patients with obvious respiratory distress or weak cough ability; otherwise, low-level support should be given first and the level gradually increased. Thirdly, to avoid hypoxia or hypoxemia, the treatment goal of HFNC should be maintained the oxygen saturation (SpO) above 95% for patients without chronic pulmonary disease. Finally, patients should wear a surgical mask during HFNC treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission through droplets or aerosols.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Betacoronavirus , Cannula , Coronavirus Infections , Therapeutics , Oxygen , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii excretory-secretory antigens (ESA) on CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T (Treg) cells in mice carrying Lewis lung carcinoma, and examine the inhibitory effect of T. gondii ESA on tumor growth. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into the PBS group (n = 14) and the Lewis group (n = 34). Mice in the Lewis group were subcutaneously injected with 2 × 105 Lewis lung carcinoma cells in the right axilla, while animals in the PBS group were injected with the same volume of sterile PBS. On day 7 post-injection (D7), mice in the PBS group were further divided into the PBS2 group and the PBS2 + ESA group, of 7 mice in each group, and mice in the Lewis group were further divided into the Lewis2 group and the Lewis2 + ESA group, of 17 mice in each group. Then, mice in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of ESA. The mouse spleen coefficient was calculated in each group 7 days post-injection with ESA, and the changes of Treg cell counts and the long-term tumor growth were measured in tumor-bearing mice. Results The spleen coefficient was significantly greater in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the PBS2 (0.66% ± 0.09% vs. 0.30% ± 0.02%, P < 0.05) and Lewis2 groups (0.69% ± 0.07% vs. 0.33% ± 0.03%, P < 0.05) 7 days post-treatment with ESA, respectively, and the percentage of splenic Treg cells in splenocytes was significantly lower in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the PBS2 (1.28% ± 0.14% vs. 2.06% ± 0.07%, P < 0.05) and Lewis2 groups (1.58% ± 0.14% vs. 2.44% ± 0.23%, P < 0.05), respectively. T. gondii ESA treatment caused a delay in tumor growth, and the tumor size was significantly smaller in the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the Lewis2 group (P < 0.05). Conclusion T. gondii ESA may reduce the proportion of splenic Treg cells in splenocytes and inhibit tumor growth in mice carrying Lewis lung carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii excretory-secretory antigens (ESA) on CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T (Treg) cells in mice carrying Lewis lung carcinoma, and examine the inhibitory effect of T. gondii ESA on tumor growth. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into the PBS group (n = 14) and the Lewis group (n = 34). Mice in the Lewis group were subcutaneously injected with 2 × 105 Lewis lung carcinoma cells in the right axilla, while animals in the PBS group were injected with the same volume of sterile PBS. On day 7 post-injection (D7), mice in the PBS group were further divided into the PBS2 group and the PBS2 + ESA group, of 7 mice in each group, and mice in the Lewis group were further divided into the Lewis2 group and the Lewis2 + ESA group, of 17 mice in each group. Then, mice in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of ESA. The mouse spleen coefficient was calculated in each group 7 days post-injection with ESA, and the changes of Treg cell counts and the long-term tumor growth were measured in tumor-bearing mice. Results The spleen coefficient was significantly greater in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the PBS2 (0.66% ± 0.09% vs. 0.30% ± 0.02%, P < 0.05) and Lewis2 groups (0.69% ± 0.07% vs. 0.33% ± 0.03%, P < 0.05) 7 days post-treatment with ESA, respectively, and the percentage of splenic Treg cells in splenocytes was significantly lower in the PBS2 + ESA group and the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the PBS2 (1.28% ± 0.14% vs. 2.06% ± 0.07%, P < 0.05) and Lewis2 groups (1.58% ± 0.14% vs. 2.44% ± 0.23%, P < 0.05), respectively. T. gondii ESA treatment caused a delay in tumor growth, and the tumor size was significantly smaller in the Lewis2 + ESA group than in the Lewis2 group (P < 0.05). Conclusion T. gondii ESA may reduce the proportion of splenic Treg cells in splenocytes and inhibit tumor growth in mice carrying Lewis lung carcinoma.