Exciting Performance of Plasma Fibrinogen in Periprosthetic Joint Infection Diagnosis

ObjectiveTo test the significance of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio (PC/MPV), plasma fibrinogen, and D‐Dimer in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 149 patients diagnosed from July 2016 to December 2019 with primary osteoarthritis (OA group, average age 63.18 years [range, 53–82 years] 18 males, 46 females), PJI (PJI group, average age 63.74 years [range, 52–81 years], 16 males, 31 females), and aseptic loosening (aseptic group, average age 63.18 years [range, 53–80 years], 12 male, 26 female) in our department. Demographic data and the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐Dimer in PJI diagnosis were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences when the demographic data of the three groups were compared. The expression level of CRP (50.67 ± 58.98 mg/L), ESR (50.55 ± 25.81 mm/h), PC/MPV (35.79 ± 18.00), and fibrinogen (4.85 ± 1.33 μg/mL) in the PJI group were higher than in the OA group (CRP: 4.09 ± 9.68 mg/L; ESR:13.44 ± 9.32 mm/1 h; PC/MPV: 24.97 ± 7.58; fibrinogen: 3.09 ± 0.55 μg/mL) and the aseptic group (CRP: 7.01 ± 11.83 mg/L; ESR: 22.47 ± 17.53 mm/1 h; PC/MPV: 25.18 ± 11.48; fibrinogen: 3.39 ± 0.80 μg/mL), respectively. The expression level of plasma D‐dimer (1.60 ± 1.29 mg/L) in the PJI group was higher than in the OA group (0.49 ± 0.42 mg/L) but similar to that in the aseptic group (1.21 ± 1.35 mg/L). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐dimer were 0.892 (95% confidence interval, 0.829–0.954), 0.888 (0.829–0.947), 0.686 (0.589–0.784), 0.873 (0.803–0.943), and 0.835 (0.772–0.899), respectively. When PC/MPV > 31.70, fibrinogen >4.01 μg/mL, and D‐dimer >1.17 mg/L were set as the threshold values for the diagnosis of PJI, the sensitivity of PC/MPV in PJI diagnosis was lower than that of ESR and plasma fibrinogen. In contrast, there was no significant difference when comparing the specificity of CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐dimer in PJI diagnosis.ConclusionPlasma fibrinogen is a good new auxiliary diagnostic marker for PJI.     

Functional paraganglioma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava,first case report

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is a rare neuroendocrine that tumor originated from the adrenal medulla that secrets catecholamines. Tumors from extra-adrenal chromaffin tissues are called extra-adrenal PHEO or paraganglioma (PGL). To our knowledge, adrenal PHEO and subclinical PGL with inferior vena cava (IVC) invasion had been sporadically reported, while functional PGL with IVC tumor thrombus has not been publicly reported yet. Perioperative management of those diseases is less well established because of their multidisciplinary nature and rarity. We herein present a case of primary malignant PGL with IVC invasion. A 16-year-old female patient with a history of severe paroxysmal hypertension was admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital on suspicion of retroperitoneal mass. In-house diagnostic work-up revealed a malignant PGL with IVC invasion, inferior mesenteric artery encasement and, aorta engagement. Multi-disciplinary discussions were held and careful preoperative preparation plans were made. After everything was ready, the functional PGL and tumor thrombus were completely resected, then a reconstruction of IVC was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14 and all her clinical symptoms disappeared afterward. No evidence of tumor residual or metastasis was found in the subsequent six months of follow-up. Gene tests were made for her and her family. Albeit its rarity, functional PGL with IVC invasion is not unresectable, a multi-disciplinary task force should be established to settle down every detail. We recommended 3-dimensional imaging reconstruction for gaining a better anatomic understanding. Literature reviews showed that complete resection is the premise of a good prognosis. In particular cases, complementary or alternative therapy like chemotherapy and ¹³¹I-metaiodobenzylguanidine might help, family hereditary genetic tests are advised as well.     

Physician trajectories of abandoning long‐course breast radiotherapy and their cost impact

ObjectiveTo examine variation in trajectories of abandoning conventionally fractionated whole‐breast irradiation (CF‐WBI) for adjuvant breast radiotherapy among physician peer groups and the associated cost implications.Data SourcesMedicare claims data were obtained from the Chronic Conditions Data Warehouse for fee‐for‐service beneficiaries with breast cancer in 2011‐2014.Study DesignWe used social network methods to identify peer groups of physicians that shared patients. For each physician peer group in each time period (T1 = 2011‐2012 and T2 = 2013‐2014), we calculated a risk‐adjusted rate of CF‐WBI use among eligible women, after adjusting for patient clinical characteristics. We applied a latent class growth analysis to these risk‐adjusted rates to identify distinct trajectories of CF‐WBI use among physician peer groups. We further estimated potential savings to the Medicare program by accelerating abandonment of CF‐WBI in T2 using a simulation model.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsUse of conventionally fractionated whole‐breast irradiation was determined from Medicare claims among women ≥ 66 years of age who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery.Principal FindingsAmong 215 physician peer groups caring for 16 988 patients, there were four distinct trajectories of abandoning CF‐WBI: (a) persistent high use (mean risk‐adjusted utilization rate: T1 = 94.3%, T2 = 90.6%); (b) decreased high use (T1 = 81.3%, T2 = 65.3%); (c) decreased medium use (T1 = 60.1%, T2 = 44.0%); and (d) decreased low use (T1 = 31.6%, T2 = 23.6%). Peer groups with a smaller proportion of patients treated at free‐standing radiation facilities and a larger proportion of physicians that were surgeons tended to follow trajectories with lower use of CF‐WBI. If all physician peer groups had practice patterns in T2 similar to those in the “decreased low use” trajectory, the Medicare program could save $83.3 million (95% confidence interval: $58.5 million‐$112.2 million).ConclusionsPhysician peer groups had distinct trajectories of abandoning CF‐WBI. Physician composition and setting of radiotherapy were associated with the different trajectories. Distinct practice patterns across the trajectories had important cost implications.     

新型冠状病毒Delta变异株引起的广州市荔湾区本土疫情流行特征分析

目的 分析新型冠状病毒（新冠病毒）B.1.617.2（Delta）变异株引起的广州市荔湾区本土疫情流行特征,为Delta变异株疫情防控工作提供参考依据。方法 资料来源于中国疾病预防控制信息系统传染病报告信息管理系统和广州市荔湾区CDC,收集2021年5月21日至6月18日广州市荔湾区新冠病毒感染者（确诊病例和无症状感染者）相关信息。采用频数（构成比）、直方图、百分比堆积面积图等对本次Delta变异株疫情的流行病学特征进行描述,并应用潜伏期、动态再生系数（R_t）估计进行分析。结果 截至6月18日广州市荔湾区累计报告新冠病毒感染者127例,年龄范围2~85岁,<18、18~59和≥60岁年龄组分别占18.9%（24/127）、43.3%（55/127）和37.8%（48/127）。男女性别比为1：1.35（54：73）;职业以离退休人员32.3%（41/127）、家务及待业18.1%（23/127）和学生16.5%（21/127）为主;主要集中在荔湾区的白鹤洞街道（70.1%,89/127）与中南街道（23.6%,30/127）;Delta变异株的中位潜伏期6（范围：1~15）d;临床分型以普通型（64.6%,82/127）为主;基本再生系数（R₀）=5.1,R_t先上升后下降,最高达7.3;传播方式以密闭空间为主,具有明显的家庭聚集性,主要传播场所为家庭（26.8%,34/127）、餐馆（29.1%,37/127）、小区（3.9%,5/127）和市场（3.1%,4/127）。密切接触者筛查（66.1%）和社区排查（33.1%）是发现感染者的主要途径。结论 本次疫情新冠病毒Delta变异株的传染性较强,广州市荔湾区本土疫情具有明显的家庭聚集性,新冠病毒感染者以18~59和≥60岁年龄组为主。     

苏州市儿童BMI-Z变化轨迹与青春晚期血压偏高的关联研究

目的 探讨年龄和性别标准化BMI-Z值（BMI-Z）轨迹与青春晚期（16~18岁）血压偏高的关系。方法 基于苏州市儿童和青少年健康监测项目（HPPCA）2012-2019年的数据,以2019年的监测数据为结局,将末次监测年龄为16~18岁且总监测次数≥4的11 812名儿童青少年纳入研究。运用潜变量生长混合模型分析不同性别儿童成长过程中的BMI动态变化（BMI-Z变化轨迹）,采用多因素logistic回归分析BMI动态变化与青春晚期血压偏高的关系。结果 在男、女生中各确定了6条BMI-Z变化轨迹,分别为较瘦组、略瘦组、标准组、下降组、超重组和肥胖组。与标准组相比,男生肥胖组在青春晚期发生血压偏高的风险增加94.0%（OR=1.94,95%CI：1.43~2.63）,而女生肥胖组则增加107.0%（OR=2.07,95%CI：1.33~3.22）。男女生中下降组与青春晚期血压偏高发病均没有显著关联。结论 儿童持续性肥胖会增加青春晚期罹患血压偏高的风险;若对肥胖儿童及时采取干预措施,使其在青春晚期恢复正常体重,或许能降低血压偏高的风险。     

儿童青少年身体脂肪分布与维生素D营养状况的关联研究

目的探讨儿童身体脂肪分布与维生素D营养状况的关系。方法研究对象来自“儿童青少年心血管与骨健康促进项目”2017年北京基线调查。采用多重线性回归和无序多分类logistic回归分析BMI、全身体脂肪质量指数(FMI)、躯干脂肪质量指数(TFMI)、四肢脂肪质量指数(AFMI)和内脏脂肪面积(VFA)与维生素D水平及营养状况的关系。结果共纳入11960名儿童[年龄(11.0±3.3)岁,男童占49.7%]进行分析,血清25(OH)D水平为(35.0±11.9)nmol/L,维生素D缺乏率为37.2%。BMI、FMI、TFMI和AFMI与维生素D的关联性具有性别差异(交互P<0.05),在男童中呈负相关(BMI:β=-0.56;FMI:β=-0.59;TFMI:β=-0.60;AFMI:β=-0.59;均P<0.05),在女童中关联无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。VFA与维生素D缺乏和不足风险在男女童中均呈正相关,VFA每增加1个标准差,维生素D缺乏和不足的患病风险均增加17%(95%CI:9%~25%)。结论儿童内脏脂肪水平越高维生素D水平越低,腹型肥胖儿童和体脂肪过多的男童是维生素D缺乏防控的重点人群。     

Two immunogenic recombinant protein vaccine candidates showed disparate protective efficacy against Zika virus infection in rhesus macaques

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has caused major public health problems recently. To develop subunit vaccines for ZIKV, we have previously constructed recombinant ZIKV envelope protein domain III (EDIII), and the entire ectodomain (E80, which comprises EDI, EDII and EDIII), as vaccine candidates and showed both of them being immunogenic and protective in murine models. In this follow-up study, we compared these vaccine candidates in non-human primates. Both of them elicited neutralizing antibody responses, but only E80 immunization inhibited ZIKV infection in both peripheral blood and monkey tissues, whereas EDIII increased blood ZIKV RNA through possibly antibody-dependent enhancement. Further investigations revealed that the virion-binding antibody response in E80 immunized monkeys persisted longer and stronger than in EDIII immunized monkeys. These results demonstrate that E80 is superior to EDIII as a vaccine candidate, and that the magnitude, quality and durability of virion-binding neutralizing antibodies are correlates of protection.     

突发声嘶诊断性治疗1例

本文报道了1例以声嘶为唯一表现的声门闭合不全病例,该病例经非甾体类抗炎药、消炎治疗及推压嗓音训练等诊断性治疗,声嘶逐渐痊愈,最终诊断为双侧环杓关节炎。声门闭合不全以对因治疗为主,在病因尚无法确定时,可通过诊断性治疗间接确定病因。     

我国空中医疗急救发展现状与体系构建建议

目的 探讨我国空中医疗急救发展现状及体系构建策略。方法 基于现有资料分析我国空中医疗急救发展现状、模式、问题与挑战。结果 近年来我国通航企业及飞行器数量发展迅速,但是存在总体不足、多数通航企业规模较小等问题。空中急救网络主要有航空公司主导、医院或急救中心主导、通航企业-医院联合和政府主导4种发展模式;各模式均为自由发展,距离国家规划的目标尚远;现有体系内要素分散、结构不完整,大范围的空中急救网络尚未形成。结论 我国地形复杂,建成覆盖面广、运行模式统一的空中医疗急救网络困难较大,建议全国范围内构建多个主体共同参与的多元化区域性空中急救体系,而在青藏高原及周边区域优先构建公益性空中医疗急救体系。     

妊娠期甲减患者孕晚期鸢尾素水平与机体代谢指标及母婴妊娠结局的相关性分析

目的 分析妊娠期甲减患者孕晚期体内血清鸢尾素水平与机体代谢指标及母婴不良妊娠结局之间的关系。方法 研究纳入2017年5月—2018年12月共120例孕晚期甲减患者,将其分为高鸢尾素组（60例）与低鸢尾素组（60例）,同时选取100例同孕期甲状腺功能正常的孕妇作为对照。记录相关血液代谢指标和妊娠结局及胎儿或新生儿相关并发症。结果 高鸢尾素妊娠期甲减患者体重指数大于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）;促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPO - Ab）高于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）;游离甲状腺素（FT4）低于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）;低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL - C)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)高于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）;高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL - C)低于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）。妊娠期甲减患者血清鸢尾素水平与TSH正相关（r = 0.329,P＜0.05）,而与FT4负相关（r = - 0.286,P＜0.05）。高鸢尾素妊娠期甲减患者产后出血发生率高于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）。同样,新生儿低体重、新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征的发生率也高于低鸢尾素组（P＜0.05）。结论 血清鸢尾素水平可反映妊娠期甲减患者病情严重程度。母婴妊娠相关并发症发生率在高鸢尾素妊娠甲减患者中较高。