Appendectomy in patient with suspected COVID-19 with negative COVID-19 results: A case report

BACKGROUND Even at present,we are in the middle of the novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and are facing challenges in trial and error.Presently,emergency surgery for patients with suspected COVID-19 is burdensome not only for patients but also for healthcare workers.Therefore,we established a surveillance system in the emergency room and established principles for managing patients suspected of COVID-19 who require emergency surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with appendicitis in March 2020.His wife was diagnosed with COVID-1910 d earlier,and the patient was in close contact with her.The patient tested negative twice on an upper respiratory COVID-19 reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction screening test,but chest X-ray and chest computed tomography revealed patchy ground-glass opacity in both upper lobes of the patient’s lungs.The same emergency surgery procedure for patients with confirmed COVID-19 was applied to this patient suspected of having the disease to ensure that surgery was not delayed while waiting for the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction results.A few hours after surgery,the upper respiratory tract specimen taken in the emergency room was negative for COVID-19 but the lower respiratory tract specimen was found to be positive for the disease.CONCLUSION When COVID-19 is suspected,emergency surgery should be performed as for confirmed COVID-19 without delay.

In-patient suicide after telephone delivery of bad news to a suspected COVID-19 patient:What could be done to improve communication quality?

1|INTRODUCTION Breaking bad news is a critical communication competency for healthcare professionals.Any disclosure of a life-threatening event,such as a malignancy diagnosis,often causes significant stress to patients.While some patients may respond with acceptance and a determination to fight their illness,research has consistently shown that cancer patients often respond to the disclosure of their diagnosis with a range of negative emotions,such as anxiety,distress,and depression[1,2].These reactions are often accompanied by feelings of fear,uncertainty,and a sense of loss of control over their lives.Patients may also experience denial,manifesting as reluctance to accept or discuss the diagnosis[3].Avoidance is another common reaction,where patients may choose to avoid certain situations or people that remind them of their illness[4].These reactions are not uncommon and are a natural response to the stress and uncertainty of cancer diagnosis.

Primary stratification and identification of suspected corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) from clinical perspective by a simple scoring proposal

In this Commentary,we would like to comment on the article titled"A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)infected pneumonia(standard version)"as a featured article in Military Medical Research.In the guideline,except for"confirmed cases","suspected cases","close contact"and"suspicious exposure"were defined by clinical perspective based on epidemiological risk,clinical symptoms and auxiliary examination.Combined with our experience,we introduced a simple scoring proposal additionally based on not only CT imaging as strongly recommended by the guideline but also blood routine test,especially for primary screening of such patients in the out-patient department.

Updating the diagnostic criteria of COVID-19 “suspected case” and “confirmed case” is necessary

On 6 February 2020,our team had published a rapid advice guideline for diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)infection,and this guideline provided our experience and make well reference for fighting against this pandemic worldwide.However,the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a new disease,our awareness and knowledge are gradually increasing based on the ongoing research findings and clinical practice experience;hence,the strategies of diagnosis and treatment are also continually updated.In this letter,we answered one comment on our guideline and provided the newest diagnostic criteria of"suspected case"and"confirmed case"according to the latest Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for COVID-19(seventh version)that issued by the National Health Committee of the People’s Republic of China.

Efficacy and Safety of Washed Microbiota Transplantation to Treat Patients with Mild-to-Severe COVID-19 and Suspected of Having Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVTD-19)is often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms,which are related to gut microbiota dysbiosis(GMD).Whether washed microbiota transplantation(WMT)is an effective treatment for COV1D-19 patients suspected of having GMD by restoring the gut microbiota is unknown.This study is designed to explore the efficacy and safety of WMT in COVID-19 patients suspected of having GMD.Methods:This is a randomized,multicenter,single-blind prospective study.COVID-19 patients suspected of having GMD will be randomly divided to receive routine treatment only or to receive routine treatment and WMT.The frequency of WMT will be once a day for three consecutive days.Laboratory and imaging examinations will be performed at admission,1 and 2 weeks after treatment,and on the day of discharge.Then a telephone follow-up will be conducted at 1st week,2nd week,and 6th month after discharge.The clinical efficacy and safety of WMT in COVD-19 patients suspected of having GMD and the effects of WMT on the organ function,homeostasis,inflammatory response,intestinal mucosal barrier function,and immunity of the patients will be evaluated.Results:By following the proposed protocol,WMT is expected to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of COVID-19 patients suspected of having GMD,and the therapeutic effect is expected to be associated with improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier function,inflammatory response,and immunity.Conclusion:The findings from this study may offer a new approach for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients suspected of having GMD.

Emergency surgical workflow and experience of suspected cases of COVID-19: A case report

BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been confirmed to be a newly discovered zoonotic pathogen that causes highly contagious viral pneumonia,which the World Health Organization has named novel coronavirus pneumonia.Since its outbreak,it has become a global pandemic.During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),however,there is no mature experience or guidance on how to carry out emergency surgery for suspected cases requiring emergency surgical intervention and perioperative safety protection against virus.CASE SUMMARY A 41-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for emergency treatment due to"3-d abdominal pain aggravated with cessation of exhaust and defecation".After improving inspections and laboratory tests,the patient was assessed and diagnosed by the multiple discipline team as"strangulation obstruction,pulmonary infection”.His body temperature was 38.8℃,and the chest computed tomography showed pulmonary infection.Given fever and pneumonia,we could not rule out COVID-19 after consultation by fever clinicians and respiratory experts.Hence,we performed emergency surgery under three-level protection for the suspected case.After surgery,his nucleic acid test for COVID-19 was negative,meaning COVID-19 was excluded,and routine postoperative treatment and nursing was followed.The patient was treated with symptomatic support after the operation.The stomach tube and urinary tube were removed on the 1st d after the operation.The clearing diet was started on the 3rd d after the operation,and the body temperature returned to normal.Flatus and bowel movements were noted on 5th postoperative day.He was discharged after 8 d of hospitalization.The patient was followed up for 4 mo after discharge,no serious complications occurred.A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency room due to"abdominal distention,fatigue for 6 d and fever for 13 h".After the multiple discipline team evaluation,the patient was diagnosed as"intestinal obstruction,abdominal mass,peritonitis and pulmonary infection".At that time,the patient's body temperature was 39.6℃,and chest computed tomography indicated pulmonary infection.COVID-19 could not be completely excluded after consultation in the fever outpatient department and respiratory department.Therefore,the patient was treated as a suspected case,and an urgent operation was performed under three-level medical protection.Postoperative nucleic acid test was negative,COVID-19 was excluded,and routine postoperative treatment and nursing were followed.After the operation,the patient received symptomatic and supportive treatment.The gastric tube was removed on the 1st d after the operation,and the urinary tube was removed on the 3rd d after the operation.Enteral nutrition began on the 3rd d after the operation.To date,no serious complications have been found during follow-up after discharge.CONCLUSION Based on the previous treatment experience,we reviewed the procedures of two cases of suspected COVID-19 emergency surgery and extracted the perioperative protection experience.By referring to the literature and following the regulations on prevention and management of infectious diseases,we have developed a relatively mature and complete emergency surgical workflow for suspected COVID-19 cases and shared perioperative protection and management experience and measures.

Expert Consensus by Qilu Hospital of Shandong University on the diagnosis,management,and treatment of suspected COVID-19 cases(English version)

We devised a protocol to establish a standardized method of screening,diagnosing,and managing suspected cases of coronavirus disease(COVID-19)and to enhance the management of COVID-19 suspected cases.The protocol that included diagnostic criteria,preventive measures,and control measures against COVID-19 was developed based on new evidence regarding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19.A consensus document was subsequently formulated.The consensus focused on the clinical management of patients with suspected fever and reviewed the procedure for undergoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)nucleic acid testing.This consensus will contribute to the ongoing efforts worldwide for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity of Direct Microscopical Examination of Suspected Mucor Mycosis Samples by Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) during Covid-19 Pandemic Era

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a common fungal infection in India even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence of Mucor mycosis has entered public consciousness in response to an outbreak of cases in India during COVID-19 pandemic. Mortality is unacceptably high, reaching 80% in some case series. Prompt diagnosis is crucial because treatment initiation is time-critical due to the rapid progression of the infection. Direct KOH mount is a simple, rapid, inexpensive point-of-care test, which requires minimum technical aids. Interpretation of KOH smears requires some amount of experience. The present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Direct Microscopical examination by KOH preparation of suspected Mucor mycosis samples taking the fungal culture as gold standard. Material and Methods: 230 samples were received in Microbiology Department from May 2021 to August 2021 from the patients suspected of Mucor mycosis. Samples were processed for KOH preparation using different concentrations of KOH like 20% and 40% till all tissues get digested. Samples were cultured also in Sabourauds dextrose agar (SDA) medium. Results of microscopy and culture were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Result: Sensitivity of KOH preparation was 67%, specificity was 87%. Positive predictive value was 76% and negative predictive value was 81% and accuracy was 80% when compared with the fungal culture. Discussion: Direct microscopic examinations using KOH preparation are the simplest, cheapest method used for the diagnosis of mycotic infections. This study is valuable in establishing a reliable method for early information on diagnosis of Mucor mycosis that may be crucial for determining appropriate therapy for the successful treatment of Mucor mycosis patients. Conclusion: KOH examination plays an important role in the diagnosis of Mucor mycosis suspected patients during COVID-19 pandemic era when compared with fungal culture which is a gold standard test in diagnosis of Fungal infection. It is the simplest and cheapest method that can be developed easily with minimal infrastructure or human resources in resource-limited countries during the COVID-19 era.

Psychological and Mental Health among Isolated Hospitalized Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Patients, Qatif Central Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Single-Center Descriptive Study

Introduction: During COVID-19 pandemic, isolation and quarantine as preventive measures have been implemented. Isolation is often a bad experience for isolated people and it could affect the psychological and mental health. Objectives: To study the impact of isolation on the psychological and mental health of isolated hospitalized suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients. Material & Methods: A single-center cohort, descriptive survey involving isolated confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients in Qatif central hospital, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted between March 22 and April 18, 2020. Information was collected through an online Arabic-language questionnaire. Our sample included both male and female. Anxiety and depression symptoms during hospitalization were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: A total of 52 questionnaires were returned completed. The majority of the respondents were females (65.4%). Most of the participants were less than 60 years of age (90.4%). Three patients were known to have previous mental illness. About two-thirds of the participants were isolated in shared rooms. The duration of isolation was less than 10 days in 72.3% of our sample. Borderline and abnormal scores for depression and anxiety were observed in about 38.4%, and 17.3% of patients, respectively. Three patients had both abnormal depression and anxiety scores. Conclusion: Isolation for contagious infections such as COVID-19 could cause severe psychological health problems, though this was not supported by our study due to the small sample size. Further studies are needed to address this important issue which results from isolation during infectious outbreaks.

Analysis of Clinical and Imaging Characteristics of Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Patients

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and chest CT imaging characteristics of patients with confirmed COVID-19(COVID-19)and patients with suspected COVID-19.Methods:The study time span was from February 2020 to May 2020.The case samples were selected from 72 patients with confirmed covid-19 and suspected covid-19 diagnosed and treated by The First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan and Yinchuan Temporary Emergency Hospital,including 38 patients with confirmed covid-19 and 34 patients with suspected covid-19.All patients underwent laboratory examination and chest CT examination,and the specific examination results were compared and analyzed.Results:There were significant differences in number of white blood cell,percentage of lymphocytes,creatine kinase and erythrocyte sedimentation rate between confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients(P<0.05).The CT imaging characteristics of COVID-19 patients were compared with those of suspected COVID-19 patients.The lesions of COVID-19 patients were mostly characterized by mixed ground glass density and pure ground glass density.There were vascular thickening and interstitial thickness increase,and accompanied by bronchiectasis or air bronchogram.The distribution of lesions was mostly subpleural without pleural effusion.The lesion area of suspected COVID-19 patients mostly showed solid density and mixed ground glass density.The lesion was distributed along bronchovascular and pleural effusion was observed.Conclusion:There are some differences in biochemical indexes and chest CT images between confirmed and suspected covid-19 patients,which can be used for differential diagnosis.

基于CiteSpace及VOSviewer的COVID-19相关心律失常的文献计量学分析

目的:分析新型冠状病毒感染(COVID-19)相关心律失常的文献,探索该领域的研究现状、热点并预测未来的趋势,为后来的研究者提供借鉴。方法:选择Web of Science的核心合集数据库,每项研究都进行了文献计量和视觉分析,使用CiteSpace和VOSviewer软件生成知识图谱。结果:共鉴定出768篇文章,发文涉及美国、意大利和中国为首的319个国家/地区和4 366个机构,领先的研究机构是梅奥诊所和哈佛医学院。New England Journal of Medicine是该领域最常被引用的期刊。在6 687位作者中,Arbelo Elena撰写的研究最多,Guo T被共同引用的次数最多,心房纤颤是最常见的关键词。结论:随着COVID-19的暴发,对COVID-19所致新发/进行性心律失常事件的研究蓬勃发展,未来的研究者可能会对COVID-19感染后新发或遗留的快速性心律失常/缓慢性心律失常的发生机制进行进一步的探索。

麻杏石甘汤干预COVID-19肺炎的网络药理学研究及分子对接分析

目的:运用网络药理学与分子对接研究方法探讨麻杏石甘汤干预COVID-19肺炎的作用机制。方法:经TCMSP、HTDocking数据库检索麻杏石甘汤所有药物的成分并进行ADME筛选得到活性成分,在Uniport数据库检索其发挥治疗作用可能的基因靶点;借助GeneCards、PharmGKB等数据库检索COVID-19肺炎相关基因靶点,利用Cytoscape软件构建药物-活性成分-靶基因-疾病网络;借助String系统构建PPI网络,并进行拓扑学特征分析,筛选核心基因;利用R语言的clusterProfiler包对核心基因进行GO、KEGG富集分析;利用AutoDock Vina软件对疾病靶蛋白及药物活性成分进行分子对接验证。结果:共筛选出麻杏石甘汤与COVID-19肺炎交集基因靶点67个。PPI网络分析显示,其发挥治疗作用的核心基因靶点有MAPK1、MAPK3、STAT1、JUN等8个。GO富集分析显示,相关生物过程1863个,分子功能95个,细胞成分36个;KEGG富集分析显示,相关作用通路167条。分子对接结果显示,麻杏石甘汤活性成分槲皮素、山奈酚、熊果酸等与核心基因靶点JUN、MAK1、IL2等有较好的结合活性。结论:麻杏石甘汤可能以槲皮素、山奈酚等为物质基础,多成分、多靶点、多通路、相互协同发挥抑制病毒活性,降低炎症反应,保护肺部组织,从而对COVID-19肺炎起到积极的干预作用。

COVID-19诊疗信息、中医证型分布及组方用药规律的文献研究

目的利用数据挖掘技术深入探究新型冠状病毒感染(COVID-19,简称新冠感染)患者的诊断、中医证型分布以及药物使用规律,以期为中医药治疗新冠感染提供有效的参考依据。方法通过搜索,可以获取来自国家卫生健康委员会和全国各地的《新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案》内涉及的中医证型和中医药防治方案,以及中国生物医学文献服务系统、知网、维普、万方数据库收录的治疗新冠感染相关文献共249份。对文献通过筛选、整理和去重并建立中药复方数据库、诊疗信息数据库、证型数据库,运用频数分析、频率分析进行探究。结果新冠感染患者常见的症状频数较高的为咳嗽、咽干咽痛、发热、纳差、乏力;大多数患者呈淡红舌、红舌,脉象为滑脉、滑数脉;中医证型频数较高的有湿毒郁肺证、湿热蕴肺证、肺脾气虚证、寒湿郁肺证、气阴两伤证、兼夹瘀血证。此外,共纳入491首治疗新冠感染中药复方,涉及中药227味,得到高频中药共64个,药物类别以清热药、补益药、解表药、化痰止咳平喘药、化湿药为主;药性以温、平、寒为主,药味以甘、辛、苦为主,归经中归肺、脾、胃经中药居多;聚类分析结果根据中药性能将治疗新冠感染的高频药物聚为8类较好。结论中医药治疗新型冠状病毒感染用药具有以下特点:补益药用药次数较多体现攻邪不忘扶正;解表、清热、攻下、化湿、利湿、渗湿药物俱全体现多种逐邪之法;药类以清热药、补益药、化湿药、化痰止咳平喘药、解表药为主,彰显新冠感染基本治法为清热化湿、止咳平喘、补养气阴。可为指导临床用药及研发新药提供一定的参考与借鉴。

低频脉冲磁场诱导TRPC1改善COVID-19患者康复期下肢的肌肉无力症状

背景:肌肉无力是新型冠状病毒(COVID-19)感染后的常见症状,影响康复期人体日常活动能力。在强度1.5 mT,频率3300 Hz的低频脉冲磁场刺激下可通过诱导和激活经典瞬时感受器电位通1(classical transient receptor potential channel 1,TRPC1),提升人体骨骼肌的最大自主收缩力与力量耐力,对肌肉组织产生一系列生理支持效应,该手段是否会改善新型冠状病毒肺炎患者康复期的肌无力症状尚无研究。目的:选用低频脉冲磁场对新型冠状病毒肺炎患者下肢肌群进行磁刺激,以观察该刺激对新型冠状病毒肺炎患者康复期下肢肌群肌无力改善的影响。方法:招募胶体金法抗原检测试剂(COVID-19)为阳性并伴有肌肉无力症状的新型冠状病毒(奥密克戎毒株)感染患者14例,将所有受试者随机分成2组,分别为接受磁场刺激的试验组和接受假治疗的对照组。试验总时长3周,试验组每隔48 h对腿部进行低频脉冲磁刺激,对照组与试验组干预流程一致但给予假刺激,两组患者均不被告知磁刺激仪器是否运行,两组患者共进行9次操作,随后观察两组患者下肢局部肌群最大自主收缩力、腿部爆发力与力量耐力的变化情况。结果与结论:①在采集的8个局部肌群中,试验组患者7个局部肌群在经过3周的低频脉冲磁场刺激,最大自主收缩力值均增长。对照组除3个肌群最大自主收缩力自行增长改善以外,其他肌群肌力无提升。②试验组的左腿前群与双腿后群提升率显著高于对照组。③两组的纵跳摸高高度与膝关节峰值角速度相比试验前测均提升,试验组摸高高度提升率高于对照组。④在疲劳状态下,试验组膝关节峰值角速度下降率显著下降,对照组膝关节峰值角速度下降率无显著性变化;试验组摸高高度下降率显著下降,而对照组摸高高度下降率无显著性变化。⑤上述数据证实,在强度1.5 mT,频率3300 Hz的低频脉冲磁场刺激方案下,新型冠状病毒肺炎患者在康复期经过3周的低频脉冲磁场刺激相比人体自愈过程可使更多的下肢局部肌群肌力获得提升,对基于腿部爆发力的全身协调发力能力及功能状态明显改善。因此,低频脉冲磁场刺激可作为一种改善新冠感染患者下肢肌肉无力症状的有效、非运动的康复手段。

COVID-19疫情前后28个国家生育率变化及影响因素研究:线性模型和中断时间序列分析

目的分析COVID-19疫情暴发前后不同国家经季节和日历调整后的生育率(seasonally and calendar adjusted fertility rate,SAFR)趋势的变化及其影响因素。方法使用国际人类生育力数据库(Human Fertility Database,HFD)中28个国家自2012年1月至2022年12月的月度SAFR数据,以2020年12月(2020年3月疫情暴发起点加9个月妊娠过程)为节点划分为疫情前(2012.1-2020.11)和疫情后(2020.12-2022.12)进行比较,使用中断时间序列方法分析各国疫情前后的SAFR趋势(短期波动和长期趋势)是否发生变化,使用秩和检验分析疫情前SAFR、人均GDP、公共卫生和社会措施(public health and social measures,PHSM)和失业率是否与SAFR趋势变化有关。结果疫情后28个国家中19个国家的SAFR出现短期下降,随后反弹。对于长期趋势,2个国家由下降趋势转为上升趋势,8个国家由上升趋势转为下降趋势,6个国家的SAFR保持不变。SAFR变化率下降主要集中在部分中欧国家以及地中海西岸的国家,而SAFR变化率增加的国家主要分布在北欧以及西欧地区。SAFR无短期波动的国家疫情前的SAFR低于有短期波动的国家(P=0.041),SAFR变化率下降国家的疫情前SAFR(P=0.005)与人均GDP(P=0.027)均低于SAFR变化率上升国家。未发现SAFR短期波动或长期趋势与PHSM严重程度指数或失业率存在关联。结论COVID-19疫情对28个国家的SAFR造成了不同的短期和长期影响,特别是经济水平和疫情前SAFR相对较低的国家可能更易遭到进一步打击。COVID-19疫情对各国人口的更长期影响值得进一步关注。

显微镜下多血管炎相关间质性肺病合并COVID-19患者疫苗保护作用初探

目的分析显微镜下多血管炎(MPA)相关间质性肺病(ILD)患者合并新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的临床特征,初步探究新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)疫苗的保护作用。方法纳入确诊的MPA-ILD患者,同时符合《新型冠状病毒感染诊疗方案(第十版)》制定的COVID-19诊断标准,且均有明确SARS-CoV-2抗原或核酸检测阳性证据。收集并分析患者临床资料,ILD影像学分型,SARS-CoV-2疫苗接种情况、临床分型及预后。结果共纳入37例MPA-ILD患者,女14例,男23例。32例在并发COVID-19时MPA病情处于缓解期,31例同时维持免疫抑制剂或生物制剂治疗。ILD的影像学类型以寻常型间质性肺炎(15例)和非特异性间质性肺炎(14例)为主,剩余8例分型不确定。COVID-19分型中,27例为轻症,5例因COVID-19死亡。11例未接种疫苗,26例接种SARS-CoV-2灭活疫苗,其中11例完成3剂次加强免疫。接种疫苗患者COVID-19轻症比例高于未接种疫苗组(P=0.038)。多因素分析显示接种疫苗为MPA-ILD患者合并COVID-19住院(OR=0.045,95%CI:0.004~0.472,P=0.010)及非轻症感染(OR=0.049,95%CI:0.005~0.517,P=0.012)的独立保护因素。同时MPA处于缓解期为COVID-19非轻症感染的保护因素(OR=0.021,95%CI:0.001~0.459,P=0.014)。结论接种SARS-CoV-2疫苗及MPA病情处于缓解期有可能减轻MPA患者合并COVID-19的严重程度。

全球COVID-19疫情主要预测模型比较分析

目的新冠感染病死率预测对于深入理解新冠病毒严重性、合理配置医疗资源及开展针对性防疫策略有重大意义。方法本研究依据新冠病毒变异优势株,将疫情发展划分四个时期,选取美国、印度、巴西、墨西哥、秘鲁、中国六个国家以及全球平均水平的病死率为研究对象。运用灰色模型、指数平滑模型、ARIMA模型、支持向量机、Prophet和LSTM模型六个模型进行拟合预测,探讨各模型的优缺点和适用性,选取效果最优的模型对全球和重点国家的病死率进行预测。结果模型比较显示多种模型各有优缺点,经预测,多数国家的累计确诊人数和累计死亡人数增长速度减缓,发展趋势逐渐平稳。结论传统时间序列模型适于发展趋势平稳、有限样本的预测;而机器学习模型更适用于波动型变化数据,可进行大样本预测,进一步外推,运用到其他卫生领域的研究。

系统性红斑狼疮合并COVID-19住院患者的临床特征分析

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)合并新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)感染住院患者的临床特点。方法选取2022年12月—2023年2月于南昌大学第一附属医院风湿免疫科就诊且确诊为COVID-19的SLE患者为研究对象,根据是否住院治疗将其分为未住院组和住院组,比较两组患者的人口学数据、临床症状和实验室检查结果。评估淋巴细胞/单核细胞(LMR)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞(NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞(PLR)、系统性免疫炎症指数(SⅡ)、SⅡ/白蛋白、红细胞沉降率/淋巴细胞(ELR)和C反应蛋白/淋巴细胞(CLR)等指标对SLE合并COVID-19患者住院的影响。结果两组患者在年龄、糖皮质激素剂量、SLEDAI评分、红细胞沉降率、C反应蛋白、血小板、淋巴细胞、白蛋白、NLR、PLR、LMR、CLR、ELR、SⅡ和SⅡ/ALB等方面存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,CLR(OR=1.16)、糖皮质激素剂量(OR=1.11)及SLEDAI评分(OR=1.23)为SLE合并COVID-19住院患者的临床特点。ROC曲线分析显示,CLR曲线下面积(AUC)为0.751,其灵敏度为50.0%,特异度为94.0%;糖皮质激素剂量的AUC为0.778,其灵敏度为76.9%,特异度为75.9%;SLEDAI的AUC为0.754,其灵敏度为50.0%,特异度为91.6%。结论对于SLE合并COVID-19住院患者而言,较高的CLR、糖皮质激素剂量及SLEDAI评分为其临床特点。

Mental health status among COVID-19 patients survivors of critical illness in Saudi Arabia:A 6-month follow-up questionnaire study

BACKGROUND Psychological assessment after intensive care unit(ICU)discharge is increasingly used to assess patients'cognitive and psychological well-being.However,few studies have examined those who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).There is a paucity of data from the Middle East assessing the post-ICU discharge mental health status of patients who had COVID-19.AIM To evaluate anxiety and depression among patients who had severe COVID-19.METHODS This is a prospective single-center follow-up questionnaire-based study of adults who were admitted to the ICU or under ICU consultation for>24 h for COVID-19.Eligible patients were contacted via telephone.The patient’s anxiety and depression six months after ICU discharge were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS).The primary outcome was the mean HADS score.The secondary outcomes were risk factors of anxiety and/or depression.RESULTS Patients who were admitted to the ICU because of COVID-19 were screened(n=518).Of these,48 completed the questionnaires.The mean age was 56.3±17.2 years.Thirty patients(62.5%)were male.The main comorbidities were endocrine(n=24,50%)and cardiovascular(n=21,43.8%)diseases.The mean overall HADS score for anxiety and depression at 6 months post-ICU discharge was 11.4(SD±8.5).A HADS score of>7 for anxiety and depression was detected in 15 patients(30%)and 18 patients(36%),respectively.Results from the multivariable ordered logistic regression demonstrated that vasopressor use was associated with the development of anxiety and depression[odds ratio(OR)39.06,95% confidence interval:1.309-1165.8;P<0.05].CONCLUSION Six months after ICU discharge,30% of patients who had COVID-19 demonstrated a HADS score that confirmed anxiety and depression.To compare the psychological status of patients following an ICU admission(with vs without COVID-19),further studies are warranted.

Hepatic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and in patients with fatal COVID-19

BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),characterised by hepatic lipid accumulation,causes inflammation and oxidative stress accompanied by cell damage and fibrosis.Liver injury(LI)is also frequently reported in patients hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),while preexisting MASLD increases the risk of LI and the development of COVID-19-associated cholangiopathy.Mechanisms of injury at the cellular level remain unclear,but it may be significant that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)which causes COVID-19,uses angiotensin-converting expression enzyme 2(ACE2),a key regulator of the‘anti-inflammatory’arm of the renin-angiotensin system,for viral attachment and host cell invasion.AIM To determine if hepatic ACE2 levels are altered during progression of MASLD and in patients who died with severe COVID-19.METHODS ACE2 protein levels and localisation,and histological fibrosis and lipid droplet accumulation as markers of MASLD were determined in formalin-fixed liver tissue sections across the MASLD pathological spectrum(isolated hepatocellular steatosis,metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH)+/-fibrosis,end-stage cirrhosis)and in post-mortem tissues from patients who had died with severe COVID-19,using ACE2 immunohistochemistry and haematoxylin and eosin and picrosirius red staining of total collagen and lipid droplet areas,followed by quantification using machine learning-based image pixel classifiers.RESULTS ACE2 staining is primarily intracellular and concentrated in the cytoplasm of centrilobular hepatocytes and apical membranes of bile duct cholangiocytes.Strikingly,ACE2 protein levels are elevated in non-fibrotic MASH compared to healthy controls but not in the progression to MASH with fibrosis and in cirrhosis.ACE2 protein levels and histological fibrosis are not associated,but ACE2 and liver lipid droplet content are significantly correlated across the MASLD spectrum.Hepatic ACE2 levels are also increased in COVID-19 patients,especially those showing evidence of LI,but are not correlated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the liver.However,there is a clear association between the hepatic lipid droplet content and the presence of the virus,suggesting a possible functional link.CONCLUSION Hepatic ACE2 levels were elevated in nonfibrotic MASH and COVID-19 patients with LI,while lipid accumulation may promote intra-hepatic SARS-CoV-2 replication,accelerating MASLD progression and COVID-19-mediated liver damage.