Progress in the Study of Laboratory Indicators Related to Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the more common gastrointestinal diseases in clinics and is characterized by rapid progression, many complications, and high mortality. When it develops into severe pancreatitis, its prognosis is poor. Therefore, early assessment of the degree of inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the treatment plan and prognosis of patients. More and more studies have shown that the levels of D-dimer (D-D), angiotensin-2 (Ang-2), phosphate, heparin-binding protein (HBP), retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), and osteoblastic protein (OPN) are closely related to the severity of acute pan-creatitis and can be used as effective indicators for early assessment of AP. In this paper, the research progress of the above indicators in assessing the severity of AP is summarized.

The Influence of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment on the Quality of Life and Laboratory Indicators of Patients with Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

Objective: To investigate the influence of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment on the quality of life and laboratory indicators of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). Methods: A prospective, self-controlled study was conducted to analyze the changes in corresponding laboratory indicators and quality of life in 75 confirmed COVID-19 patients treated with integrated Chinese and Western medicine in our hospital during the early stage, middle stage, recovery period, and two weeks after discharge. The effectiveness and safety of the treatment regimen were evaluated in conjunction with the time for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid conversion, disease progression, and adverse reactions. Results: The PLT levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period in 75 patients. The CRP levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those after discharge for 2 weeks. The TBIL, IBTL, and DHIL levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the middle stage. The K+ levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The LYMGH levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The TP and ALB levels in the initial stage were higher than those in the middle stage and the recovery period. The LDH levels, scores of daily activity limitation, scores of respiratory distress symptoms, scores of psychological emotions, CT imaging scores, and positive rate of nucleic acid were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The AG, CK, CK-MB, and α-HBDH levels in the initial stage were significantly higher than those in the recovery period. However, the AMY level in the initial stage was significantly lower than that in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks (p Conclusion: Integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment has a significant impact on laboratory indicators such as PLT, LYMGH, CRP, TBIL, IBTL, DHIL, TP, ALB, K+, AG, LDH, CK, CK-MB, α-HBDH, AMY, CT imaging, and 2019-nCoV nucleic acid in COVID-19 patients. It has good clinical efficacy and safety, and can improve the quality of life of patients.

Effects of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction on Laboratory Indicators and Immune Functions of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Objectives]To explore the effects of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction on laboratory indicators and immune functions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.[Methods]A total of 110 patients with rheumatoid arthritis admitted to the Second Department of Orthopedics,the Affiliated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Nanjing,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2014 to December 2016 were selected as the research objects and divided into a control group and an observation group using the random number table method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for one month.The clinical effects,improvement of clinical symptoms,laboratory indicators and immune function indicator levels between the two groups were compared;the incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups was counted.[Results]The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.73%,higher than that of the control group(78.18%)(P<0.05).Compared with that before treatment,after one month of treatment,the grip strength of the two groups increased,and the observation group was greater than the control group(P<0.05);the morning stiffness time and 20 m walking time of both groups were shortened,and the observation group was shorter than the control group(P<0.05);the number of joint tenderness,joint swelling,ESR,MPV,PDW,serum CRP,plasma IgA,IgG,IgM,RF levels in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than the control group(P<0.05);the serum C3 levels in both groups increased,and the observation group was higher than the control group(P<0.05).During the treatment,the incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 0.00%,which was lower than that in the control group(10.91%,P<0.05).[Conclusions]Using Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction to treat rheumatoid arthritis can improve the laboratory indicators of patients,and enhance their immune functions,improve the curative effect,and the safety is high.

Distinctive clinical and laboratory features of COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections among hospitalized pediatric patients

Background It had been documented in many studies that pediatric coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is characterized by low infectivity rates,low mortalities,and benign disease course.On the other hand,influenza type A viruses are recognized to cause severe and fatal infections in children populations worldwide.This study is aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections.Methods A retrospective study comprising 107 children hospitalized at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital,Southern region of Saudi Arabia,with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections was carried out.A complete follow-up for all patients from the hospital admission until discharge or death was made.The clinical data and laboratory parameters for these patients were collected from the medical records of the hospital.Results Out of the total enrolled patients,73(68.2%)were diagnosed with COVID-19,and 34(31.8%)were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza.The median age is 12 months for COVID-19 patients and 36 months for influenza patients.A relatively higher number of patients with influenza had a fever and respiratory symptoms than COVID-19 patients.In contrast,gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in a higher number of COVID-19 patients than in influenza patients.A statistically significant increase in white cell counts is noted in COVID-19 but not in influenza patients(P<0.05).There are no obvious variations in the mean period of duration of hospitalization between COVID-19 and influenza patients.However,the total intensive care unit length of stay was longer for influenza compared to COVID-19 patients.Conclusions A considerable number of children infected with COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza were noted and reported in this study.There were no significant variations in the severity of the symptomatology and laboratory findings between the two groups of patients.Significant differences between these patients in some hospitalization factors and diagnosis upon admission also were not observed.However,more severe clinical manifestations and serious consequences were observed among pediatric patients hospitalized with influenza infections than among those with COVID-19.

Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema of the hand/forearm: A case report

Subcutaneous emphysema is commonly associated with infection caused by gas-producing organisms.In this case report,we describe a rare instance of traumatic subcutaneous emphysema of the hand and forearm caused by a puncture injury to the first web space of the hand.Our objective is to increase awareness of the potential for seemingly minor trauma to cause entrapment of significant air in subcutaneous tissues,thereby decreasing the likelihood that a clinically benign-appearing patient will be started down an unnecessarily aggressive treatment pathway.A 16-year-old,otherwise healthy white female,presented to the pediatric emergency room with an impressive amount of subcutaneous emphysema that developed over a 12-h period after sustaining an accidental laceration to the first web space of her right hand.She appeared nontoxic and had a clinically benign presentation.A comprehensive work-up was performed.She was splinted by the orthopedic surgery resident on call,and was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for overnight monitoring.She received tetanus vaccination and broad-spectrum antibiotics.The patient was discharged 2 days after admittance,with a splint applied to her right hand and forearm.She undertook home-based physical and occupational therapy.She had a pain-free range-of-motion in the right wrist,elbow and shoulder.The swelling in the right hand subsided completely.Although initially alarming,traumatic subcutaneous emphysema in an otherwise healthy patient from minor wounds(as featured in this case)does not necessarily mean one ought to proceed down an aggressive treatment algorithm.Careful evaluation of the patient's history,clinical examination findings,and determination of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score can help guide physicians in the management of traumatic subcutaneous emphysema and potentially avoid unnecessary and costly interventions.