[Interpretation on the report of global cancer statistics 2022].

In April 2024, the World Health Organization/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published the global cancer statistics 2022 in the CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians. This report focuses on the incidence and mortality of 36 cancers in 185 countries or territories worldwide, analyzing the differences of gender, geographic region, and the Human Development Index (HDI) level. It is estimated that in the year 2022, there were 19.96 million new cancer cases and 9.74 million cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer (2 480 301, 12.4%) was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, followed by female breast cancer (2 295 686, 11.5%), colorectal cancer (1 926 118, 9.6%), prostate cancer (1 466 680, 7.3%), and gastric cancer (968 350, 4.9%). Lung cancer (1 817 172, 18.7%) was also the leading cause of cancer death, followed by colorectal cancer (903 859, 9.3%), liver cancer (757 948, 7.8%), female breast cancer (665 684, 6.9%), and gastric cancer (659 853, 6.8%). With demographics-based predictions indicating that the number of new cases of cancer will reach over 35 million by 2050. The Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control team has collated this report and briefly interpreted it in combination with the current situation of cancer incidence and mortality in China.

[Evolution, controversies, and exploration of the nature of the definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a collection of clinical syndromes characterized by a variety of heterogeneous causes. It includes diffuse lung diseases of various etiologies that ultimately lead to refractory hypoxia and severe acute respiratory failure. Despite advances in research and treatment of ARDS, its incidence and mortality continue to pose significant challenges in clinical practice. Since its inception in 1967, the definition of ARDS has undergone several revisions that have generated controversy and influenced the implementation of diagnostic and treatment strategies. At present, ARDS remains a formidable obstacle to both diagnosis and treatment. This article undertakes a comprehensive review of the evolution of ARDS definitions, examines the current diagnostic paradigm, and explores its far-reaching consequences. Our aim is to identify research directions, both in the realm of basic science and clinical practice, that are consistent with the nature of this complex disorder.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant therapy is recommended for locally advanced esophageal cancer, but the optimal strategy remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients staged as cT3-4aN0-1M0 ESCC were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to the nCRT or nCT group stratified by age, cN stage, and centers. The chemotherapy, based on paclitaxel and cisplatin, was administered to both groups, while concurrent radiotherapy was added for the nCRT group; then MIE was carried out. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03001596). RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were eligible for the intention-to-treat analysis. By 30 November 2021, 121 deaths had occurred. The median follow-up was 43.9 months (interquartile range 36.6-49.3 months). The overall survival in the intention-to-treat population was comparable between the nCRT and nCT strategies [hazard ratio (HR) 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-1.18; P = 0.28], with a 3-year survival rate of 64.1% (95% CI 56.4% to 72.9%) versus 54.9% (95% CI 47.0% to 64.2%), respectively. There were also no differences in progression-free survival (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.59-1.16; P = 0.27) and recurrence-free survival (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.71-1.60; P = 0.75), although the pathological complete response in the nCRT group (31/112, 27.7%) was significantly higher than that in the nCT group (3/104, 2.9%; P < 0.001). Besides, a trend of lower risk of recurrence was observed in the nCRT group (P = 0.063), while the recurrence pattern was similar (P = 0.802). CONCLUSIONS: NCRT followed by MIE was not associated with significantly better overall survival than nCT among patients with cT3-4aN0-1M0 ESCC. The results underscore the pending issue of the best strategy of neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced bulky ESCC.

[Role of glucocorticoids in pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with non-HIV infection/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) and related mechanisms].

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection caused by Pneumocystis carinii and is the most common fungal infection in HIV/AIDS patients. With the routine use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the incidence of PCP infection in HIV/AIDS patients has decreased and the prognosis has improved significantly. On the other hand, the use of chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy in patients with cancer, post-transplantation and autoimmune diseases are increasing dramatically, which has led to a similar increase in the incidence of PCP in these non-HIV/AIDS patients. There is a global shift in research on PCP from HIV-infected co-infected PCP (HIV-PCP) to non-HIV-infected co-infected PCP. The clinical course of non-HIV-PCP is rapid and severe, and the morbidity and mortality rates are higher than those of HIV-PCP. Studies have shown that 90% of non-HIV-PCP patients have a history of glucocorticoid use prior to infection, such as in patients with hematologic malignancies, solid organ transplants, and rheumatic diseases, and that long-term high-dose glucocorticoid use is an important risk for PCP susceptibility. Clinical practice has shown that PCP often occurs during the tapering of glucocorticoids, and a higher proportion of patients develop diffuse pulmonary lesions and, in more severe cases suffer from life-threatening acute respiratory failure. The pathogenesis of non-HIV infections associated with PCP is not yet clarified, and there is a lack of effective therapeutic practices that require further investigation.

[Pathogenesis and assessment of exertional dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory system disease that seriously affects the quality of life and has a high mortality rate. Exertional dyspnea is the most common symptom in COPD patients with complexed pathogenesis and limited therapeutic drug effects. In this paper, we reviewed the relevant mechanisms and assessment, in order to improve understanding of the pathogenesis of exertional dyspnea in COPD, to emphasize the importance of accurate assessment, and to explore effective interventions that can effectively improve the degree of dyspnea and even delay or reverse the decline in lung function.

[Identification of study populations in the clinical study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Surface-based or essence-based].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has had a tremendous impact on the diagnosis and treatment of COPD. This article reviewed the evolution of the definition of COPD in GOLD and the change of its treatment strategy. In addition, in light of relevant clinical studies, the paper attempted to illustrate the importance of understanding the heterogeneous nature of COPD, and analyzed the possible consequences of ignoring this nature, including confusion with bronchial asthma caused by lung function as the "gold standard" and excessive use of inhaled glucocorticoids (ICS). It is suggested that in clinical practice, the essential characteristics of COPD patients should be clarified by collecting a variety of information in order to provide personalized treatment for patients' assessment, therapy and rehabilitation. At the same time, more basic and clinical research on COPD should be conducted, based on the nature of the disease, to explore new treatment methods.

Risk factors for progression of Urolith Associated with Obstructive Urosepsis to severe sepsis or septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the risk factors for progression of urolith associated with obstructive urosepsis to severe sepsis or septic shock, we had done the retrospective cross-sectional study, which would facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Datas were retrospectively reviewed from 160 patients, suffering from obstructive urosepsis associated with urolith between December 2013 and December 2019. There were 49 patients complicating by severe sepsis (severe sepsis group), 12 patients complicating by septic shock (septic shock group), and 99 patients without progressing to severe sepsis or septic shock (sepsis group). The data covered age, gender, BMI (body mass index), time interval from ED (emergency department) to admission, WBC count (white blood cell count), NLR (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio), HGB (hemoglobin), etc. Datas were analyzed by univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The corresponding nomogram prediction model was drawn according to the regression coefficients. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the differences of age, the time interval from ED to admission, history of diabetes mellitus, history of CKI (chronic kidney disease), NLR, HGB, platelet count, TBil (total bilirubin), SCr (serum creatinine), ALB (albumin), PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), INR (international normalized ratio), PCT (procalcitonin), and positive rate of pathogens in blood culture were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Multivariatelogistic regression analysis showed that age, SCr, and history of CKI were independent risk factors for progression to severe sepsis, or septic shock (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aged ≥ 65 years, SCr ≥ 248 mol/L, and history of CKI were independent risk factors for progression of urolith associated with obstructive urosepsis to severe sepsis or septic shock. We need to pay more attention to these aspects, when coming across the patients with urolithic sepsis.

Optical design and performance of the biological small-angle X-ray scattering beamline at the Taiwan Photon Source.

The optical design and performance of the recently opened 13A biological small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) beamline at the 3.0 GeV Taiwan Photon Source of the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center are reported. The beamline is designed for studies of biological structures and kinetics in a wide range of length and time scales, from angstrom to micrometre and from microsecond to minutes. A 4 m IU24 undulator of the beamline provides high-flux X-rays in the energy range 4.0-23.0 keV. MoB4C double-multilayer and Si(111) double-crystal monochromators (DMM/DCM) are combined on the same rotating platform for a smooth rotation transition from a high-flux beam of ∼4 × 1014 photons s-1 to a high-energy-resolution beam of ΔE/E ≃ 1.5 × 10-4; both modes share a constant beam exit. With a set of Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) mirrors, the X-ray beam is focused to the farthest SAXS detector position, 52 m from the source. A downstream four-bounce crystal collimator, comprising two sets of Si(311) double crystals arranged in a dispersive configuration, optionally collimate the DCM (vertically diffracted) beam in the horizontal direction for ultra-SAXS with a minimum scattering vector q down to 0.0004 Å-1, which allows resolving ordered d-spacing up to 1 µm. A microbeam, of 10-50 µm beam size, is tailored by a combined set of high-heat-load slits followed by micrometre-precision slits situated at the front-end 15.5 m position. The second set of KB mirrors then focus the beam to the 40 m sample position, with a demagnification ratio of ∼1.5. A detecting system comprising two in-vacuum X-ray pixel detectors is installed to perform synchronized small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering data collections. The observed beamline performance proves the feasibility of having compound features of high flux, microbeam and ultra-SAXS in one beamline.

Understanding and perception of direct-to-consumer genetic testing in Hong Kong.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) is gaining popularity in Hong Kong (HK). As DTCGT forgoes specialist medical involvement, healthcare professionals have raised concerns regarding its validity, utility, and the public's ability to interpret DTCGT results. Thus, genetic counseling (GC) is recommended to facilitate understanding of DTCGT. This study aimed to investigate HK public's perception toward DTCGT and the importance of GC in DTCGT. A total of 304 HK adults were invited to complete a 37-item survey online. Participants' genomic literacy, understanding and attitude toward DTCGT and GC, and responses to a mock DTCGT scenario were assessed. 48% of participants were aware of DTCGT while 82% indicated an interest. 30% of participants were aware of GC services in HK; 49% were interested in GC services for understanding DTCGT results. Participants scored on average 7.6/11 in the genomic sequencing knowledge scale and were weak in limitations of genomic testing. In the mock DTCGT scenario, 73% of participants expressed concern with the positive results initially. After being explained limitations of DTCGT, 40% of participants reported decreased concern. Reduced perceived helpfulness in medical management and lifestyle modification were also reported by 35% and 27%, respectively. This HK population demonstrated a high level of awareness and interest in DTCGT. As potential DTCGT users, they might experience excess concern and overestimate the usefulness of positive DTCGT results, particularly in medical management. The importance of GC to educate and guide interpretation of DTCGT results is supported; yet the awareness and access of GC services is inadequate in HK.

[Clinical features and prognostic analysis of female breast cancer in different diagnosed ages].

Objective: To evaluate 5-years breast cancer-specific survival (CCS) by age, and the relationship of age at diagnosis and the risk of breast cancer mortality. Methods: Medical records of 3 470 resident patients diagnosed with primary, invasive female breast cancer between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010 in four hospitals in Beijing were reviewed and collected. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2018 to acquire survival outcome. Five-years breast CCS of the five subgroups was estimated by the life-table method. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of different levels of age stratification and breast cancer mortality, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to detect the dose-response relationship. Results: The median diagnosis age among 3 470 female breast cancer patients was 53.2 years. There were 1 289 patients in the age-group of 45~54 years, with the highest proportion of 37.15%. However, only 126 patients occurred in the age-group of less than 35 years, with the lowest proportion of 3.63%. A total of 528 (15.22%) patients died of breast cancer during the study period. Overall 5-year CCS was 90.72% (95%CI: 89.74%~91.70%), 88.68% (95%CI: 83.09%~94.27%) and 87.05% (95%CI: 84.27%~89.82%) for all of the patients, aged less than 35 years and those aged 65 years and older. Compared with patients with diagnosis age of 45~54 years, the multivariate-adjusted HRs for breast cancer mortality associated with patients in age-group of <35 years and those in the age-group of ≥65 years were 1.72 (95% CI: 1.06~2.81) and 1.89 (95% CI: 1.43~2.49), respectively. In addition, patients aged ≥65 years had significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality in Luminal subtypes, with HR of 1.70 (95% CI: 1.17~2.46) for Luminal A breast cancer and HR of 3.84 (95% CI: 1.74~8.49) for Luminal B breast cancer. RCS analysis exhibited a non-linear ( "J-shaped" ) relationship between diagnosis age of female breast cancer and the risk of breast cancer mortality (nonlinear P<0.000 1). In addition, patients aged ≥65 years had significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality in Luminal subtypes, with HR of 1.70 (95% CI: 1.17~2.46) for Luminal A breast cancer and HR of 3.84 (95% CI: 1.74~8.49) for Luminal B breast cancer. RCS analysis exhibited a non-linear ( "J-shaped" ) relationship between diagnosis age of female breast cancer and the risk of breast cancer mortality (nonlinear P<0.000 1). Conclusion: Age at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor for female breast cancer, with worse outcome for both young and old patients.

[Hot issues in robotic-assisted thoracic day surgery].

The application of day surgery on thoracic surgery is just started, and the innovation of surgical robots and their application on thoracic surgery bring new opportunities to the development of thoracic day surgery. However, the clinical practice of robot-assisted thoracic day surgery (RTDS) in China still has challenges and disagreements. Based on the experience of domestic experts in the field of RTDS clinical practice, this review discussed several key points of RTDS, including the future direction of RTDS, adjusting the indications according to their own conditions for the institutions carrying out RTDS, the robot-assisted advantage of RTDS being brought into play during the operation, and the perfect post-discharge follow-up mechanism being an important guarantee for the safe development of RTDS, to promote the application progress of RTDS in China.

[Analysis on status of awareness of cancer prevention and treatment knowledge and its influencing factors among residents in Beijing].

Objective: To analyze the level of the knowledge and related factors of cancer prevention and treatment among residents of Beijing in 2020. Methods: From April 14 to 21,a total of 11 721 residents were recruited in the study by using anonymous network sampling method. A WeChat online electronic questionnaires was conducted to collect basic demographic characteristics and the knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. The Chi-square test was used to compare the difference of the level of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among different groups. A multivariate linear regression model was used to analyze the related factors. Results: Among the subjects, 72.9% (8 542) were male and 93.7% (10 983) were urban residents. The total number of questions answered by the subjects was 117 210 of which 89 093 were known, and the overall awareness rate among the residents was 76.0%. The female, aural residents, with junior college education, and worked in government institutions had a good performance of the knowledge (P<0.05), about 83.4%, 79.7%, 82.3% and 82.0% respectively. The results of multivariate linear regression model showed that female[ß=0.798(95%CI:0.702,0.894)] and junior college education[ß=3.271(95%CI:2.993,3.609)] could know more questions compared to male and primary school education (P<0.05); compared with working in the government institutions, agricultural laborer[ß=-0.911(95%CI:-1.057,-0.766)], retired personnel[ß=-2.273(95%CI:-2.532,-2.014)], school students[ß=-0.629(95%CI:-0.796,-0.462)] and other occupation people[ß=-0.376(95%CI:-0.634,-0.119)] could know fewer questions (P<0.05). Conclusion: The level of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among residents in Beijing was relatively high. Gender, education level and occupation were relevant factors.

[Lung cancer screening in urban Beijing from 2014 to 2019].

Objective: To analyze the current status of lung cancer screening among residents in Urban Beijing Cancer Screening Program, 2014-2019. Methods: Based on an on-going cancer screening program launched by the National Urban Cancer Screening Program, residents aged 40 to 69 were recruited from 80 streets in six districts of Beijing (Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan District) by using a cluster sampling method. Subjects who were evaluated as high-risk individuals by using the questionnaire received Low-Dose spiral Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening in designated hospitals. All participants were followed up annually using active and passive follow-up methods to obtain their health outcomes (diagnosed with lung cancer or not). The proportion of high-risk cases evaluated by using the questionnaire, clinical recall rate for receiving LDCT screening, the proportion of cases with positive pulmonary node, incidence rate, cumulative incidence rate, and the proportion of patients with stage 0 or Ⅰ were calculated. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) among individuals who experienced different screening scenarios. Results: A total of 88 044 residents with the age of (57.4±7.4) with completed high-risk assessment were included in the analysis. 23.14% of participants were evaluated as high-risk individuals by using the questionnaire. The clinical recall rate was 52.26% among the high-risk individuals. The positive rate of pulmonary node detected by LDCT was 10.99%. The incidence rate of lung cancer among males and females aged 40-69 years were 172.82/100 000 person-years and 133.52/100 000 person-years, respectively after 3 years follow-up. The incidence rates increased with age (Ptrend<0.001). The incidence rate of lung cancer among high-risk individuals was 259.22/100 000 person-years, with the HR (95%CI) about 2.27 (1.83-2.81) when compared with that among low-risk individuals. The incidence rate and cumulative incidence rate of lung cancer among individuals with positive pulmonary node detected by LDCT were 1 825.03/100 000 person-years and 4 615.38/100 000, respectively, with the HR (95%CI) about 13.80 (8.91-21.36) when compared with that among individuals with no or negative pulmonary node. The early diagnosis rate among individuals who received LDCT screening was 70.21%, which was higher than that among individuals with no LDCT screening (45.45%). Conclusion: Individuals with a high risk of lung cancer in Beijing have a better recall rate of receiving LDCT screening. Using LDCT screening among high-risk individuals is an effective strategy to detect lung cancer cases and improve the early detection rates of lung cancer in Beijing, China.

[Breast cancer screening in urban Beijing, 2014-2019].

Objective: To analyze the current status of breast cancer screening among females in Urban Beijing Cancer Screening Program, 2014-2019. Methods: Based on an on-going cancer screening program launched by the National Urban Cancer Screening Program, women residences aged 40 to 69 were recruited from 80 streets in six districts of Beijing (Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan District) using cluster sampling method. General demographic information and potential risk factors, results of clinical examination and follow-up outcomes of the target population (diagnosed breast cancer or not) were collected using epidemiological questionnaire, risk evaluation, clinical examination using ultrasound and (or) joint screening with mammography and follow-up, respectively. Proportion of high-risk cases evaluated by the questionnaire, recall rate, proportion of cases with BI-RADS grade 3 and BI-RADS grade 4/5, proportion of the cases with stage 0 or I, incidence rate and cumulative incidence rate were calculated. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) among females who experienced different screening scenario. Results: A total of 53 916 women with the age of (57.2±7.3) completed high-risk assessment were included into analysis. The proportion of overweigh and obesity were 40.90% (22 053 cases) and 15.34% (8 270 cases), respectively. A total of 17 535 cases (32.52%) were evaluated as positive case detected by the questionnaire. The clinical recall rate was 47.64% (8 353 cases) among the high-risk females. The positive rate detected by ultrasound or mammography alone was 1.84% and 4.00%, while the suspicious positive detection rates were 14.50% and 17.83%, respectively. The positive rate and suspicious positive rate detected by joint screening using ultrasound and mammography were 5.44% and 27.74% respectively. In total, 252 cases were diagnosed with breast cancer after an average of 2.68 years follow-up. The incidence rate and cumulative incidence rate of breast cancer were 174.34/100 000 person years and 470/100 000, respectively. The early detection rate was 68.6% among the residences who received clinical examination. Compared with the negative residence evaluated by the questionnaire, the positive cases has a 55% higher risk of diagnosed with breast cancer (HR=1.55, 95%CI:1.20-2.00); Cases that recognized by baseline ultrasound and mammography joint screening as BI-RADS 4/5 and BI-RADS 3 have higher risk of diagnosed with breast cancer than that of with the results of BI-RADS 1-2, with the HR of 12.60 (95%CI:6.49-24.47) and 1.89 (0.93-3.83), respectively. Conclusion: Females with high risk of breast cancer in Beijing have a better recall rate of receiving the clinical screening examination. Joint using ultrasonography and mammography in breast cancer screening can improve the positive detection rate among high risk females.

[Analysis on the consciousness of the early cancer treatment and its influencing factors among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017].

Objective: To understand the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and its demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China (CanSPUC) from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The questionnaire collected personal information, the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and relevant factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the difference between the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and relevant factors among the four groups. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors related to the consciousness of the cancer early treatment. Results: With the assumption of being diagnosed as precancer or cancer, 89.97% of community residents, 91.84% of cancer risk assessment/screening population, 93.00% of cancer patients and 91.52% of occupational population would accept active treatments (P<0.001). If the immediate family members were diagnosed as precancer or cancer, people who would encourage their family members to receive early treatment in the four groups accounted for 91.96%, 91.94%, 92.44% and 91.55%, respectively (P<0.001). The company employees, annual household income with 40 000 yuan and more and other three groups had a relatively better consciousness of the cancer early treatment (P<0.05). Male, widowed, unemployed and from the central and western regions had a relatively worse consciousness of the cancer early treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Residents in urban China participants had a good consciousness of the cancer early treatment. The marital status, occupation, annual household income and residential regions were major factors related to the consciousness of the cancer early treatment.

[Comparison of severity classification of Chinese protocol, pneumonia severity index and CURB-65 in risk stratification and prognostic assessment of coronavirus disease 2019].

Objective: To investigate the application of severity classification according to the protocol on the Diagnosis and Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)by the National Health Commission of China, pneumonia severity index(PSI) and CURB-65　in risk stratification and prognostic assessment of COVID-19. Methods: Clinical data of 234 in-hospital patients with COVID-19 were collected and retrospectively reviewed in Wuhan Tongji Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups (common, severe, and critical type) at admission according to the sixth version of the protocol issued by the National Health Commission of China on Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19. At the same time, the severity of pneumonia was calculated by PSI and CURB-65, and the patients were stratified into 3 risk groups, namely mild, moderate, and severe groups. The hospital mortality rate was evaluated in each group. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve(AUC) for predicting hospital mortality in each rule were assessed. Results: According to the severity classification of Chinese protocol, the proportion of patients with common type, severe type, and the critical type was 15.8%, 75.6%, and 8.5%, respectively. No in-hospital death occurred in the common type. As for PSI and CURB-65, greater proportions of patients were classified as low risk(79.1% and 75.6%, respectively), while smaller proportions of patients were classified as moderate and high risk(16.2%, 15.0%; 4.7%, 9.4%, respectively). In-hospital death occurred in low and moderate risk patients identified by these 2 scoring systems. The mortality of the critical group of the Chinese protocol was 65%, and the sensitivity and specificity of predicting in-hospital mortality were 36.4% and 97.0%, respectively. The mortality in the high risk group of PSI and CURB-65 was 100% and 77.3%. The risk class V of PSI and CURB-65 score 3-5 had high specificity(100% and 97.4%, respectively)but low sensitivity(33.3% and 51.5%, respectively)in predicting in-hospital mortality. The AUC of the Chinese protocol severity classification, PSI, and CURB-65 was 0.735, 0.951, and 0.912. The optimal cut-off point of PSI was risk class Ⅳ, and the sensitivity and specificity for predicting mortality were 90.9% and 90.5%. The optimal cut-off point of CURB-65 was score 2, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 84.8% and 85.6%. Conclusions: PSI and CURB-65 can be used for risk stratification and prognostic assessment in patients with COVID-19.

[Thoughts and practice on the treatment of severe and critical new coronavirus pneumonia].

Severe and critical coronavirus pneumonia 2019 (COVID-19) often occurs in elder patients with multiple comorbidities, and severe hypoxemia events constitute a key factor for the deterioration of some cases. The critical type of COVID-19 could progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction, which are the major causes of death. Early non-invasive ventilation (NIV) treatment of possible pathophysiological abnormalities is helpful to improve prognosis. Close monitoring of oxygenation, reducing patients' oxygen consumption, active psychological intervention, and rapid handling of severe hypoxemia events are the key factors for successful NIV treatment. In addition, active adjuvant therapies such as correcting coagulation dysfunction, providing proper nutritional support, accurate volume control, and safe individualized blood glucose monitoring are of great significance.

Sperm cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator expression level is relevant to fecundity of healthy couples.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is relevant to sperm quality, sperm capacitation and male fertility. However, it is still unknown whether CFTR can be a potential parameter for fecundity prediction in healthy couples. In this study, 135 healthy couples were divided into groups according to their fertility. We demonstrated that the sperm CFTR expression level of healthy males who never impregnated their partners (49 cases, 38.68 ± 2.71%) was significantly lower than that of fertile men (86 cases, 46.35 ± 2.32%). Sperm CFTR expression level accurately corresponded with fertility through the logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of sperm CFTR expression level for fecundity prediction was 43.75%. Furthermore, cumulative pregnancy rates (CPRs) of CFTR > 43.75% group and CFTR ≤ 43.75% group during the follow-up periods were 80.6% and 49.3% respectively. Meanwhile, the mean time to pregnancy (TTP) of CFTR ≤ 43.75% group (26.79 ± 2.35) was significantly longer than that of CFTR > 43.75% group (16.46 ± 2.42). Therefore, sperm CFTR expression level is relevant to fecundity of healthy couples and shows potential predictive capacity of fecundity.

[Analyses on the difference and trend of lung cancer incidence in Beijing, 2000-2012].

Objective: To analyze the temporal trends of lung cancer incidence between age, gender (male and female) and areas (urban and rural) in Beijing during 2000-2012. Methods: The lung cancer cases were collected by Beijing cancer registry between 2000 and 2012. We calculated the incidence and world age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) which standardized by World Segi's population. Also, the average age and median age of lung cancer incidence were calculated. The annual percent changes (APC) for the whole period, for the gender ratio and for the area ratio were evaluated with Joinpoint analysis. Result: Totally, 81 378 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 2000-2012 with the average incidence rate of 52.67/100 000. The incidence rate increased by 4.84% per year from 38.99/100 000 to 65.33/100 000, but the APC of ASR was 1.69% (P<0.001) . The ASR increased 0.54% (P=0.029) per year in urban from 29.71/100 000 to 30.55/100 000 and 3.93% (P<0.001) in rural areas from 24.02/100 000 to 35.79/100 000. The incidence ratio of urban to rural decreased from 1.24 to 0.85 (APC=-3.29%, P<0.001). The incidence ratio of male to female decreased from 1.84 to 1.69 (APC=-0.45%, P=0.019).The average age of lung cancer incidence of male and female increased from 66.27 and 66.00 to 68.97 and 69.11 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The incidence rate of lung cancer increased slightly in urban areas but increased significantly in rural areas during 2000-2012, the area ratio trend was declined. The average age of lung cancer occurrence gradually increased, but the temporal trends varied with age group. The gender ratio decreased from 2000 to 2012.