Clinical characteristics of acute non-varicose upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the effect of endoscopic hemostasis

BACKGROUND Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(ANVUGIB)constitutes a prevalent emergency within Gastroenterology,encompassing 80%-90%of all gastrointestinal hemorrhage incidents.This condition is distinguished by its abrupt onset,swift progression,and notably elevated mortality rate.AIM To gather clinical data from patients with ANVUGIB at our hospital in order to elucidate the clinical characteristics specific to our institution and analyze the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic hemostasis.METHODS We retrospectively retrieved the records of 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB by endoscopy at our hospital between March 2021 and March 2023,utilizing our medical record system.Data pertaining to general patient information,etiological factors,disease outcomes,and other relevant variables were meticulously collected and analyzed.RESULTS Among the 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB,the male-to-female ratio was 2.91:1,with a higher prevalence among males.Notably,43.6%of patients presented with black stool as their primary complaint,while 27.4%had hematemesis as their initial symptom.Upon admission,17%of patients exhibited both hematemesis and black stool,while most ANVUGIB patients primarily complained of overt gastrointestinal bleeding.Urgent routine blood examinations at admission revealed that 75.8%of patients had anemia,with 63.4%experiencing moderate to severe anemia,and 1.5%having extremely severe anemia(hemoglobin<30 g/L).With regard to etiology,53.2%of patients experienced bleeding without a definitive trigger,24.2%had a history of using gastric mucosa-irritating medications,24.2%developed bleeding after alcohol consumption,2.8%attributed it to improper diet,1.7%to emotional excitement,and 2.3%to fatigue preceding the bleeding episode.Drug-induced ANVUGIB was more prevalent in the elderly than middle-aged and young individuals,while bleeding due to alcohol consumption showed the opposite trend.Additionally,diet-related bleeding was more common among the young age group compared to the middle-aged group.Gastrointestinal endoscopy identified peptic ulcers as the most frequent cause of ANVUGIB(73.3%),followed by gastrointestinal malignancies(10.9%),acute gastric mucous lesions(9.8%),and androgenic upper gastrointestinal bleeding(1.5%)among inpatients with ANVUGIB.Of the 532 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding,68 underwent endoscopic hemostasis,resulting in an endoscopic treatment rate of 12.8%,with a high immediate hemostasis success rate of 94.1%.

Correlation between genotypes of Orientia tsutsugamushi and clinical characteristics of patients with scrub typhus in Guangzhou,China

Objective:To explore the correlation between genotypes of Orientia(O.)tsutsugamushi and clinical characteristics of scrub typhus patients.Methods:Clinical data of patients with scrub typhus admitted to different types of medical institutions in Guangzhou from September 2012 to December 2016 were collected using medical records.Demographic data,clinical manifestations,as well as hematological and biochemical indicators of patients infected with different genotypes were analyzed and compared.Results:A total of 192 patients were included in this study,including 121 patients with Karp genotype of O.tsutsugamushi infection(63.0%),36 patients with Gilliam genotype(19.0%),23 patients with Kato genotype(12.0%),and 12 patients with TA763 genotype(6.0%)infection.The median value of albumin in patients with Karp genotype infection was significantly lower than that of Gilliam-infected patients(P=0.032).Patients with Karp genotype infection had a significantly longer hospital stay(9 days)than those with Gilliam genotype(7 days)(P=0.009)and Kato genotype infection(6 days)(P=0.005).Karp-infected patients also represented for the largest number of patients with complicated organ involvement(88/133,66.2%).Furthermore,Karp-infected patients had higher risk of developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(18.2%)and requiring intensive care unit treatment(15.9%).Besides,patients with Gilliam genotype(8 days)and TA763 genotype infection(7.5 days)had shorter fever duration than those with Karp genotype(9 days)and Kato genotype(9 days)infection,respectively.Conclusions:Genotypes of Orientia tsutsugamushi were associated with varying clinical manifestations,organ involvement,and treatment outcomes,suggesting that genotypes ranged in virulence.

Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in North Sichuan Region, China, 2018-2023: A Descriptive Study

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) remains an important public health problem in China. Many studies on the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD have been reported, but studies in North Sichuan region have been neglected. Methods: HFMD-related enterovirus infected cases were clinically confirmed and underwent real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) from May 2018 to October 2023 in Guangyuan Central Hospital. Results: During 2018-2023, other EV (437 cases, 81.08%) was the most predominant serotype followed by CV-A16 (94 cases, 17.44%), EV-A71 (8 cases, 1.48%) was the least predominant serotype. Peak infections occurred in July and October. There were no significant differences in gender, age and serotypes. HFMD was concentrated in children under 47 months of age, with the highest incidence in children aged 12 - 23 months and the highest proportion of other EV infections in the whole age group. COVID-19 did not cause significant changes in gender, age and serotype. Overall, there was a significant increase in the proportion of children aged 12 - 23 months infected with CV-A16, and an increase in the proportion of children aged over 36 months infected with other EVs. Conclusions: The incidence of HFMD caused by EV-A71 has decreased significantly, and other EVs have become the main pathogens of HFMD in North Sichuan region in recent years. In the prevention and control of CV-A16, more attention should be paid to children aged 12 - 23 months and the dominant serotype should be closely monitored. Our study highlights the importance of developing of new diagnostic reagents and vaccines for the prevention and control of enterovirus infection. This study for the first time provides insights into district interventions to local conditions.

Severe liver injury and clinical characteristics of occupational exposure to 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide: A case series

Background:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide is a key intermediate in the synthesis of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.However,no literature currently exists on 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning in humans.This study aimed to reveal the health hazard of this chemical for humans and summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with occupational 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.Methods:This observational study included four patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning from June 2022 to July 2022.The entire course of the incidents was described in detail.Blood 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide concentrations were detected by a mass spectrometer.Hema-toxylin and eosin staining was performed to assess liver injury,and immunofluorescence was used to evaluate hepatic mitophagy.Results:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide powder(99%purity)entered the human body mainly via the skin and respiratory tract due to poor personal protective measures.The typical course of 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning was divided into latency,rash,fever,organic dam-age,and recovery phases in accordance with the clinical evolution.Rash and fever may be the important premonitory symptoms for further organ injuries.The chemical was detected in the blood of all patients and caused multiple organ injuries,predominantly liver injury,including kidney,myocardium,and micro-circulation.Three patients recovered smoothly after comprehensive treatments,including artificial liver therapy,continuous renal replacement therapy,glucocorticoids,and other symptomatic and supportive treatments.One patient survived by liver transplantation.The postoperative pathological findings of the removed liver showed acute liver failure,and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the abundance of mitophagy in residual hepatocytes.Conclusions:This study is the first to elaborate the clinical characteristics of patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.The chemical enters the body through the respiratory tract and skin during industrial production.The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning causes multiple-organ dysfunction with a predominance of liver injury.Liver transplantation may be an effective option for patients with severe liver failure.The mechanisms of liver injury induced by 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide might involve abnormal mitochondrial function and mitophagy.

Clinical characteristics of patients with early gastric prematurity cancer and analysis of complications by endoscopic resection

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer,a prevalent malignancy,poses a severe threat to the health of residents in China.Timely intervention in early stages can extend patients’survival.AIM To analyze clinical characteristics of patients with early gastric cancer and efficacy and risk of complications associated with endoscopic resection.METHODS This study included 175 patients with early gastric cancer treated at our hospital,with no restrictions on sex or age.General data,pathological information,and endoscopic biopsy results were obtained.The clinical characteristics of early gastric cancer were analyzed,and endoscopic resection was performed.Postoperative efficacy and incidence of complications were monitored.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 software.RESULTS A total of 175 patients with early gastric cancer were included,with 75.43%(n=132)males and 24.57%(n=43)females.38.29%(n=67)and 35.43%(n=62)of patients had a history of smoking and alcohol consumption,respectively.Comorbidities included diabetes(8.57%,n=15),coronary heart disease(10.29%,n=18),and hypertension(43.43%,n=76),which was highly prevalent.A history of abdominal surgery and family history of digestive system cancer accounted for 21.14%and 17.14%,respectively.The most common lesion location was the antral part of the stomach(52.00%,n=91),followed by the gastric angle,body,and fundus.The pathological types were predominantly high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(28.00%,n=49)and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma(26.86%,n=47),followed by moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma,high-moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma,and moderate-lowly differentiated adenocarcinoma.89.14%of the patients had intestinal metaplasia and 85.14%had atrophy.After endoscopic resection,re-examination revealed that 13 patients had cancer cells at the tissue margin,with a positive margin rate of 7.43%.Postoperative complications included no cases of gastrointestinal obstruction,but incisional infection(2.86%,n=5),gastric perforation(1.14%,n=2),and gastric bleeding(4%,n=7)were present,with an overall incidence of 8.00%.CONCLUSION Analysis of the clinical characteristics indicated that early gastric cancer is more prevalent in males with a history of hypertension,with lesions most commonly occurring in the antral region of the stomach.The pathological types are often high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma,with over 85%of patients having comorbid intestinal metaplasia and atrophy.Despite endoscopic resection,a positive margin rate persisted,indicating a probability of residual cancer at the margins.Postoperative complications,such as gastrointestinal obstruction,incisional infection,gastric perforation,and gastric bleeding can occur and require timely symptomatic treatment.

Proposal for a new classification of anorectal abscesses based on clinical characteristics and postoperative recurrence

BACKGROUND Current surgical procedures for anorectal abscesses,including incision and drainage alone or combined concurrent fistulotomy,remain controversial primarily due to the unpredictability of postoperative recurrence or the progression to anal fistula.AIM To evaluate factors that predict postoperative recurrence of anorectal abscesses and propose a new classification to guide surgical procedures.METHODS In this retrospective study,525 patients with anorectal abscesses treated by incision and drainage alone,at a tertiary general hospital from August 2012 to July 2022,were included.A new classification for anorectal abscesses based on their propensity to develop into fistulas,considering 18 other potential risk factors,was established.These factors,from electronic medical records,were screened for significance using theχ^(2)test and subsequently analyzed with multivariate logistic regression to evaluate their relationship with postoperative recurrence of anorectal abscesses.RESULTSOne year post-follow-up,the overall recurrence rate was 39%:81.0%and 23.5%for fistula-prone and non-fistulaproneabscesses,respectively.Univariateχ^(2)analysis showed significant differences in recurrence rates based onanatomical classifications and pus culture results(P<0.05).Fistula-prone abscess,≥7 days between symptomonset and surgery,chronic diarrhea,preoperative antibiotic use,and local anesthesia were risk factors for recurrence,while diabetes mellitus was protective(P<0.05).Moreover,fistula-prone abscess[odds ratio(OR)=7.651,95%CI:4.049–14.458,P<0.001],≥7 days from symptom onset to surgery(OR=2.137,95%CI:1.090–4.190,P=0.027),chronic diarrhea(OR=2.508,95%CI:1.216–5.173,P=0.013),and local anesthesia(OR=2.308,95%CI:1.313–4.059,P=0.004)were independent risk factors for postoperative anorectal abscess recurrence using multivariatelogistic regression.Body mass index≥28(OR=2.935,95%CI:1.203–7.165,P=0.018)was an independentrisk factor for postoperative recurrence of non-fistula-prone abscess.CONCLUSIONThe choice of surgical procedure for treating anorectal abscesses should follow this new classification.Prompt andthorough incision and drainage can significantly reduce postoperative recurrence.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of post-operative intestinal flora disorder following laparoscopic colonic surgery:A propensityscore-matching analysis

BACKGROUND Intestinal flora disorder(IFD)poses a significant challenge after laparoscopic colonic surgery,and no standard criteria exists for its diagnosis and treatment.AIM To analyze the clinical features and risk factors of IFD.METHODS Patients with colon cancer receiving laparoscopic surgery were included using propensity-score-matching(PSM)methods.Based on the occurrence of IFD,patients were categorized into IFD and non-IFD groups.The clinical characteristics and treatment approaches for patients with IFD were analyzed.Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of IFD.RESULTS The IFD incidence after laparoscopic surgery was 9.0%(97 of 1073 patients).After PSM,97 and 194 patients were identified in the IFD and non-IFD groups,respectively.The most common symptoms of IFD were diarrhea and abdominal,typically occurring on post-operative days 3 and 4.All patients were managed conservatively,including modulation of the intestinal flora(90.7%),oral/intravenous application of vancomycin(74.2%),and insertion of a gastric/ileus tube for decompression(23.7%).Multivariate regression analysis identified that preoperative intestinal obstruction[odds ratio(OR)=2.79,95%CI:1.04–7.47,P=0.041]and post-operative antibiotics(OR=8.57,95%CI:3.31–23.49,P<0.001)were independent risk factors for IFD,whereas pre-operative parenteral nutrition(OR=0.12,95%CI:0.06–0.26,P<0.001)emerged as a protective factor.CONCLUSION A stepwise approach of probiotics,vancomycin,and decompression could be an alternative treatment for IFD.Special attention is warranted post-operatively for patients with pre-operative obstruction or early use of antibiotics.

Clinical characteristics and north-south differences of inflammatory bowel disease in China: A cross-sectional study and meta-analysis

Objective:This study aimed to estimate the incidence rate and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in the Chinese population,specially comparing the North and South regions.Methods:We designed a questionnaire survey for patients diagnosed with IBD and conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed,China National Knowledge Internet,and Wanfang digital database,covering studies published between 2012 and 2022.Meta-analysis was performed to determine the overall incidence rate and prevalence of clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)in China's Mainland.Clinical phenotypes and demographic characteristics were calculated with 95%confidence intervals(CI).A comparison between the northern and southern regions was also conducted.Results:The questionnaire survey included 440 patients,and 64 publications were included for Meta-analysis.The overall incidence rates of IBD,CD,and UC were 1.36(95%CI:0.79-2.33)per 100,000 person-years,0.23(95%CI:0.09-0.58)per 100,000 person-years,and 1.12(95%CI:0.69-1.80)per 100,000 person-years,respectively.The incidence rates of IBD,CD,and UC were all higher in southern China compared to the North.Clinical characteristics of 440 IBD patients from the questionnaire and 2,821 CD patients and 12,809 UC patients from the literature were analyzed.There were more male patients compared to female patients.CD cases in the North exhibited earlier disease diagnosis(P<0.01),more upper gastrointestinal lesions(P<0.01),and higher hospitalizations rates(P<0.01)compared to the South.UC cases in the North had higher severity(P<0.01),anemia rates(P<0.01),and weight loss(P<0.01)compared to the South.Conclusions:The incidence rates of IBD,CD,and UC were higher in southern China than in the North.Northern patients exhibited more severe symptoms compared to their southern counterparts.

Comment on:Clinical Characteristics,Diagnosis,and Treatments for COVID-19

The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients have been well summarized by Xie et al.However,we should pay attention to another special manifestation of COVID-19,COVID-19-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome(IRIS).SARS-CoV-2,an infectious agent,can alscoause IRIS,similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic,increasing cases of COVID-19-related IRIS have been reported.However,the definition and detailed criteria of COVID-19-related IRIS have not been thoroughly clarified.Clinicians should pay attention to 3 essential components in a classical model of IRIS,including a primary disease that causes immunosuppression,a trigger that induces immune reconstitution.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of takotsubo syndrome patients in single center

Takotsubo syndrome(TTS)is a clinical syndr-ome that frequently occurs in postmenopausal women,mostly induced by stress factors.It is characterized by chest pain,ST-segment elevation,and/or T-wave changes in electrocardiogram,along with my-ocardial troponin elevation.[1]TTS can be easily misdia-gnosed as myocardial infarction,and improper treatme-nt may lead to serious consequences.There are few re-ports and research on this disease.[2]

Clinical characteristics and treatment compounds of obesity-related kidney injury

Disorders in energy homeostasis can lead to various metabolic diseases,particularly obesity.The obesity epidemic has led to an increased incidence of obesityrelated nephropathy(ORN),a distinct entity characterized by proteinuria,glomerulomegaly,progressive glomerulosclerosis,and renal function decline.Obesity and its associated renal damage are common in clinical practice,and their incidence is increasing and attracting great attention.There is a great need to identify safe and effective therapeutic modalities,and therapeutics using chemical compounds and natural products are receiving increasing attention.However,the summary is lacking about the specific effects and mechanisms of action of compounds in the treatment of ORN.In this review,we summarize the important clinical features and compound treatment strategies for obesity and obesityinduced kidney injury.We also summarize the pathologic and clinical features of ORN as well as its pathogenesis and potential therapeutics targeting renal inflammation,oxidative stress,insulin resistance,fibrosis,kidney lipid accumulation,and dysregulated autophagy.In addition,detailed information on natural and synthetic compounds used for the treatment of obesity-related kidney disease is summarized.The synthesis of detailed information aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the clinical treatment modalities for obesity-related kidney diseases,fostering the anticipation of novel insights in this domain.

Biological characteristics and clinical management of uveal and conjunctival melanoma

Uveal and conjunctival melanomas are relatively rare tumors;nonetheless,they pose a significant risk of mortality for a large number of affected individuals.The pathogenesis of melanoma at different sites is very similar,however,the prognosis for patients with ocular melanoma remains unfavourable,primarily due to its distinctive genetic profile and tumor microenvironment.Regardless of considerable advances in understanding the genetic characteristics and biological behaviour,the treatment of uveal and conjunctival melanoma remains a formidable challenge.To enhance the prospect of success,collaborative efforts involving medical professionals and researchers in thefields of ocular biology and oncology are essential.Current data show a lack of well-designed randomized clinical trials and limited benefits in current forms of treatment for these tumors.Despite advancements in the development of effective melanoma therapeutic strategies,all current treatments for uveal melanoma(UM)and conjunctival melanoma(CoM)remain unsatisfactory,resulting in a poor long-term prognosis.Ongoing trials offer hope for positive outcomes in advanced and metastatic tumors.A more comprehensive understanding of the genetic and molecular abnormalities involved in the development and progression of ocular melanomas opens the way for the development of personalized therapy,with various potential therapeutic targets currently under consideration.Increased comprehension of the molecular pathogenesis of UM and CoM and their specificities may aid in the development of new and more effective systemic therapeutic agents,with the hope of improving the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease.

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients Presenting with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to BPH, in a Tertiary Hospital

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the proliferation of the stromal and epithelial cells of the prostate gland, resulting in an increase in its size. This may result in obstruction of the lower urinary tract causing storage and voiding symptoms. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study from August 2020 to July 2021, to evaluate the characteristic of patients presenting to the Tamale Teaching Hospital with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH. Results: The median age at presentation with LUTS secondary to BPH is 68.88 ± 11.10 years with an average prostate volume of 70 g. The average time of presentation to the hospital is 5 months, mostly with moderate to severe symptoms. Correlation between Prostate volume (PV) and age yielded a positive relationship;however, this was not statistically significant, (r = 0.028, p-value = 0.747). There was a significant positive relationship between PV and the IPSS score, (r = 0.334, p-value Conclusion: Our patients with symptomatic BPH present at age 60 years and above, with nearly all of them presenting with moderate to severe LUTS.

Clinical and pathological characteristics and expression of related molecules in patients with airway disseminated lung adenocarcinoma

Objective:Lung adenocarcinoma exhibits diverse genetic and morphological backgrounds,in addition to considerable differences in clinical pathology and molecular biological characteristics.Among these,the phenomenon of spread through air space(STAS),a distinct mode of lung cancer infiltration,has rarely been reported.Therefore,this study aimed to explore the relationship between STAS tumor cells and the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with lung adenocarcinoma,as well as their impact on prognosis.Methods:This study included 147 patients who were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma at the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Cancer Institute between January 2014 and December 2017.Surgical resection specimens were retrospectively analyzed.Using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses,we assessed the association between STAS and the clinicopathological features and molecular characteristics of patients with lung adenocarcinoma.Furthermore,we investigated the effects on patient prognosis.In addition,we developed a column–line plot prediction model and performed internal validation.Results:Patients with positive STAS had a significantly higher proportion of tumors with a diameter≥2 cm,with infiltration around the pleura,blood vessels,and nerves,and a pathological stage>IIB than in STAS-negative patients(P<0.05).Cox multivariate survival analysis revealed that clinical stage,STAS status,tumor size,and visceral pleural invasion were independent prognostic factors influencing the 5-year progression-free survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.The predictive values and P values from the Hosmer-Lemeshow test were 0.8 and 0.2,respectively,indicating no statistical difference.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated areas under the curve of 0.884 and 0.872 for the training and validation groups,respectively.The nomogram model exhibited the best fit with a value of 192.09.Conclusions:Clinical stage,pleural invasion,vascular invasion,peripheral nerve invasion,tumor size,and necrosis are independent prognostic factors for patients with STAS-positive lung adenocarcinoma.The nomogrambased on the clinical stage,pleural invasion,vascular invasion,peripheral nerve invasion,tumor size,and necrosis showed good accuracy,differentiation,and clinical practicality.

Comparison and Analysis of Clinical Characteristics of Common COVID-19 and NSIP Patients

Objective:To investigate the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and non-specific interstitial pneumonia(NSIP),with a focus on the clinical features of COVID-19 and NSIP,and the key points of differential diagnosis.Methods:The clinical data of 20 patients with common-type COVID-19 and NSIP admitted to Linyi People’s Hospital from January 21,2020,to June 21,2022,were retrospectively analyzed.Gender,age,history of residence in Hubei province,underlying diseases,clinical manifestations,laboratory test results(including blood routine indexes,inflammatory markers,liver function indexes,and coagulation indexes),and computed tomography(CT)scan images were compared between the two groups.Results:COVID-19 patients were younger than NSIP patients(P<0.05).Nine COVID-19 patients had a travel history to Hubei province,while none of the NSIP patients did(P<0.05).Eight COVID-19 patients had underlying chronic conditions,fewer than the NSIP group(12 patients;P<0.05).Both groups experienced symptoms such as shortness of breath,expectoration,fatigue,and runny nose,but fever and cough were more severe and more frequent in the COVID-19 group.Compared to normal reference ranges,both groups exhibited normal white blood cell counts(WBC)and liver function indexes,but elevated lymphocyte counts(LYMP),inflammatory markers,and coagulation indexes,with reduced neutrophil counts(NE).WBC and LYMP were higher in the COVID-19 group compared to the NSIP group.Male patients in the COVID-19 group had higher erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein values than those in the NSIP group,while procalcitonin levels were lower in the COVID-19 group,although the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05).The NE count in the COVID-19 group was significantly lower than in the NSIP group(P<0.05).Alanine aminotransferase,total bilirubin,and indirect bilirubin were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group compared to the NSIP group(P<0.05).Chest CT scans of both groups showed bilateral patchy ground-glass opacities,but the lesions in COVID-19 patients were scattered.NSIP patients’chest CTs showed diffuse lesions centered around the hilum or multiple lesions in both lungs,with pleural involvement being rare.Conclusion:While there are certain specific clinical,laboratory,and imaging findings in both COVID-19 and NSIP,the specificity of these features is not high.Differentiating the two requires careful consideration of epidemiological history,nucleic acid testing,and antigen-antibody levels.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of autoimmune pancreatitis based on serum immunoglobulin G4 level:A single-center,retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)has been linked with elevated immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 levels.The characteristics and outcomes of AIP based on serum markers have not been fully evaluated.AIM To compare clinical features,treatment efficacy,and outcome of AIP based on serum IgG4 levels and analyze predictors of relapse.METHODS A total of 213 patients with AIP were consecutively reviewed in our hospital from 2006 to 2021.According to the serum IgG4 level,all patients were divided into two groups,the abnormal group(n=148)with a high level of IgG4[>2×upper limit of normal(ULN)]and the normal group(n=65).The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables.Categorical parameters were compared by theχ^(2) test or Fisher’s exact test.Kaplan-Meier curves Zhou GZ et al.Clinical characteristics and outcome of AIP WJG https://www.wjgnet.com 5126 September 21,2023 Volume 29 Issue 35 and log-rank tests were established to assess the cumulative relapse rates.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate potential risk factors of AIP relapse.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the abnormal group had a higher average male age(60.3±10.4 vs 56.5±12.9 years,P=0.047);higher level of serum total protein(72.5±7.9 g/L vs 67.2±7.5 g/L,P<0.001),IgG4(1420.5±1110.9 mg/dL vs 252.7±106.6 mg/dL,P<0.001),and IgE(635.6±958.1 IU/mL vs 231.7±352.5 IU/mL,P=0.002);and a lower level of serum complement C3(100.6±36.2 mg/dL vs 119.0±45.7 mg/dL,P=0.050).In addition,a lower number of cases with abnormal pancreatic duct and pancreatic atrophy(23.6%vs 37.9%,P=0.045;1.6%vs 8.6%,P=0.020,respectively)and a higher rate of relapse(17.6%vs 6.2%,P=0.030)were seen in the abnormal group.Multivariate analyses revealed that serum IgG4[(>2×ULN),hazard ratio(HR):3.583;95%confidence interval(CI):1.218–10.545;P=0.020]and IgA(>1×ULN;HR:5.908;95%CI:1.199–29.120;P=0.029)and age>55 years(HR:2.383;95%CI:1.056–5.378;P=0.036)were independent risk factors of relapse.CONCLUSION AIP patients with high IgG4 levels have clinical features including a more active immune system and higher relapse rate.Several factors,such as IgG4 and IgA,are associated with relapse.

Alzheimer's disease with sleep insufficiency:a cross-sectional study on correlations among clinical characteristics,orexin,its receptors,and the bloodbrain barrier

Previous studies have shown that reduced sleep duration,sleep fragmentation,and decreased sleep quality in patients with Alzheimer's disease are related to dysfunction in orexin signaling.At the same time,blood-brain barrier disruption is considered an early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease.However,currently no report has examined how changes in orexin signaling relate to changes in the blood-brain barrier of patients who have Alzheimer's disease with sleep insufficiency.This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with Alzheimer's disease who received treatment in 2019 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.Patients were divided into two groups:those with insufficient sleep(sleep duration≤6 hours,n=19,age 61.58±8.54 years,10 men)and those with normal sleep durations(sleep duration>6 hours,n=31,age 63.19±10.09 years,18 men).Demographic variables were collected to evaluate cognitive function,neuropsychiatric symptoms,and activities of daily living.The levels of orexin,its receptor proteins,and several blood-brain barrier factors were measured in cerebrospinal fluid.Sleep insufficiency was associated with impaired overall cognitive function that spanned multiple cognitive domains.Furthermore,levels of orexin and its receptors were upregulated in the cerebrospinal fluid,and the blood–brain barrier was destroyed.Both these events precipitated each other and accelerated the progression of Alzheimer's disease.These findings describe the clinical characteristics and potential mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease accompanied by sleep deprivation.Inhibiting the upregulation of elements within the orexin system or preventing the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier could thus be targets for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Development and application of hepatocellular carcinoma risk prediction model based on clinical characteristics and liver related indexes

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is difficult to diagnose with poor therapeutic effect,high recurrence rate and has a low survival rate.The survival of patients with HCC is closely related to the stage of diagnosis.At present,no specific serolo-gical indicator or method to predict HCC,early diagnosis of HCC remains a challenge,especially in China,where the situation is more severe.AIM To identify risk factors associated with HCC and establish a risk prediction model based on clinical characteristics and liver-related indicators.METHODS The clinical data of patients in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from 2016 to 2020 were collected,using a retrospective study method.The results of needle biopsy or surgical pathology were used as the grouping criteria for the experimental group and the control group in this study.Based on the time of admission,the cases were divided into training cohort(n=1739)and validation cohort(n=467).Using HCC as a dependent variable,the research indicators were incorporated into logistic univariate and multivariate analysis.An HCC risk prediction model,which was called NSMC-HCC model,was then established in training cohort and verified in validation cohort.RESULTS Logistic univariate analysis showed that,gender,age,alpha-fetoprotein,and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II,gamma-glutamyl transferase,aspartate aminotransferase and hepatitis B surface antigen were risk factors for HCC,alanine aminotransferase,total bilirubin and total bile acid were protective factors for HCC.When the cut-off value of the NSMC-HCC model joint prediction was 0.22,the area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of NSMC-HCC model in HCC diagnosis was 0.960,with sensitivity 94.40%and specificity 95.35%in training cohort,and AUC was 0.966,with sensitivity 90.00%and specificity 94.20%in validation cohort.In early-stage HCC diagnosis,the AUC of NSMC-HCC model was 0.946,with sensitivity 85.93%and specificity 93.62%in training cohort,and AUC was 0.947,with sensitivity 89.10%and specificity 98.49%in validation cohort.CONCLUSION The newly NSMC-HCC model was an effective risk prediction model in HCC and early-stage HCC diagnosis.

Different clinical characteristics and outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with and without hypertension:seeking the truth

OBJECTIVE To determine the different clinical characteristics and outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)patients with and without hypertension(HT).METHODS A total of 696 HCM patients were included in this study and all HCM diagnoses were confirmed by the genetic test.Patients were analyzed separately in the septal reduction therapy(SRT)cohort and the non-SRT cohort.The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death and the secondary endpoint was all-cause death.Outcome analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between HT and outcomes in HCM.Medications before enrollment and at discharge were collected in the post-hoc analyses.RESULTS HCM patients without HT were younger,had a lower body mass index,were more likely to have a family history of HCM,and had a smaller left ventricular(LV)end-diastolic diameter than those with HT in both cohorts.A thicker LV wall,a higher level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide,and a higher extent of LV late gadolinium enhancement were additionally observed in patients without HT in the non-SRT cohort.The presence of HT did not alter the distribution pattern of late gadolinium enhancement,as well as the constituent ratio of eight disease-causing sarcomeric gene variants in both cohorts.Outcome analyses showed that in the non-SRT cohort,patients without HT had higher risks of cardiovascular death(HR=2.537,P=0.032)and all-cause death(HR=3.309,P=0.032).While such prognostic divergence was not observed in the SRT cohort.Further post-hoc analyses in the non-SRT cohort found that patients without HT received fewer non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers before enrollment and at discharge.CONCLUSIONS HCM patients without HT had worse clinical conditions and higher mortality than patients with HT overall,which may result from active medical therapy in HT patients.Active SRT may have a substantial de-risking effect on patients meeting the indications.

Clinical Characteristics,Diagnosis,and Therapeutics of COVID-19:A Review

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)that suddenly emerged at the end of December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)continues to afflict humanity,not only seriously affecting healthcare systems but also leading to global social and economic imbalances.As of August 2022,there were approximately 580 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and approximately 6.4 million confirmed deaths due to this disease.The data are sufficient to highlight the seriousness of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Although most patients with COVID-19 present primarily with respiratory symptoms,an increasing number of extrapulmonary systemic symptoms and manifestations have been associated with COVID-19.Since the outbreak of COVID-19,much has been learned about the disease and its causative agent.Therefore,great effort has been aimed at developing treatments and drug interventions to treat and reduce the incidence of COVID-19.In this narrative review,we provide a brief overview of the epidemiology,mechanisms,clinical manifestations,diagnosis,and therapeutics of COVID-19.