Metabolic Risk Factors Are Associated with the Disease Severity and Prognosis of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Background/AimsMetabolic risk factors could accelerate hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related mortality; however, their impacts on disease severity in HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) patients remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed the effects of metabolic risk factors on the outcome of HBV-ACLF patients.MethodsThis study retrospectively enrolled antiviral therapy naïve HBV-ACLF patients from a single center in China. Patients were evaluated according to Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, 30-day, 90-day mortality and survival rate to estimate the prognosis of HBV-ACLF. The impacts of different metabolic risk factors were further analyzed.ResultsA total of 233 patients, including 158 (67.8%) with metabolic risk factors and 75 (32.2%) without metabolic risk factors, were finally analyzed. Patients with metabolic risk factors had significantly higher MELD score (22.6±6.1 vs 19.8±3.8, p<0.001), 90-day mortality rate (56.3% vs 38.7%, p=0.017), and shorter median survival time (58 days vs 75 days hazard ratio, 1.553; 95% confidence interval, 1.061 to 2.274; p=0.036) than patients without them. Moreover, metabolic risk factors were independently associated with patients’ 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.621; 95% confidence interval, 1.016 to 2.585; p=0.043). Prediabetes/diabetes and hypertension were related to higher rates of infection and worse renal function in HBV-ACLF patients.ConclusionsHBV-ACLF patients with metabolic risk factors, especially prediabetes/diabetes or hypertension, could have more severe disease and lower survival rates. In addition, the existence of metabolic disorder is an independent risk factor for HBV-ACLF patients’ 90-day mortality.     

Aldosterone biosynthesis in extraadrenal tissues

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低分子肝素与分次给予普通肝素治疗进展型脑梗死临床疗效对比

目的观察普通肝素钠与低分子量肝素钠治疗进展型脑梗死临床疗效及其安全性。方法将72例急性进展性脑梗死患者随机分为治疗组(36例)与对照组(36例),两组除常规治疗外,治疗组加用肝素钠50mg,2/d静脉滴注,连用5d。对照组给予低分于肝素钠5000U皮下注射,2/d,连用5d,于治疗前和治疗后14d比较两组神经功能缺缺损程度评分。结果治疗组神经功能缺损积分较对照组明显减少(P>0.05)。结论普通肝素分次静点较低分子量肝素钠治疗进展型脑梗死疗效好且相对安全。     

卵巢病变的MRI诊断(附100例分析)

目的：探讨卵巢病变的MRI特征以提高MRI在卵巢病变诊断中的作用。方法：分析100例经手术病理证实的卵巢病变患者MRI征象,其中卵巢囊肿5例,巧克力囊肿16例,囊腺瘤17例,卵巢癌35例,转移性肿瘤4例,畸胎瘤21例,其它2例。结果：卵巢囊肿、巧克力囊肿、囊腺瘤及畸胎瘤MRI的诊断符合率为96．67％。MRI对卵巢良恶性病变的鉴别诊断价值大,但较难区分卵巢原发肿瘤与转移性肿瘤。MRI可提供卵巢癌分期所需的信息,增强扫描进一步提高了MRI对卵巢癌的诊断及分期的准确性。结论：MRI能准确判断卵巢病变的性质．评估卵巢癌分期及手术可行性,应列为术前常规检查。     

Syphilitic uveitis in HIV-positive patients: report of a case series, treatment outcomes, and comprehensive review of the literature

AIM: To report the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of active syphilitic uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients and compare them with the previously published data. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the case series from an infectious disease center in southern China was conducted. Comprehensive review of previously published cases of HIV positive syphilitic uveitis was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases and the references listed in the identified articles. RESULTS: Twelve HIV positive patients with active syphilitic uveitis were collected. All were male, with age of 36.3y (range 27 to 53y). Five (41.7%) had a history of syphilis, and three of them had received anti-syphilis treatment. Ocular manifestations included corneal epithelial defect (13%), complicated cataract (17.4%), vitreous opacity (82.6%), optic disc edema (26.1%), macular edema (30.4%), neuro-retinitis (43.5%), and retinal hemorrhage (26.1%). After standardized syphilitic treatment, intraocular inflammation was reduced and vision improved in all cases. The literature review summarizes 105 previously reported cases of HIV positive syphilitic uveitis. High serum rapid plasma regain (RPR) titers may be associated with severe uveitis and poor vision. Treatment with penicillin, ceftriaxone sodium, or penicillin plus benzylpenicillin instead of using benzylpenicillin alone can significantly improve best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in HIV positive ocular syphilis patients. CONCLUSION: For HIV positive syphilitic uveitis patients, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment and follow-up are paramount. In our series, the clinical manifestations are diverse. Syphilis patients treated by penicillin G or long-acting penicillin before may still develop syphilitic uveitis. Patients who relapse after long-term penicillin treatment can still benefit from penicillin G.     

Relationship between Ulcerative Colitis and Lung Injuries

Objective To explore the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and lung injuries by assessing their clinical manifestations and characteristics.
Methods From July 2009 to April 2012, 91 UC patients presenting to Longhua Hospital who met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this retrospective study. According to the scores of disease activity index, the patients were divided into the mild, moderate, and severe groups. Meanwhile, the records of pulmonary symptoms, chest X-ray image, and pulmonary function were reviewed.
Results Sixty-eight (74.7%) patients had at least 1 pulmonary symptom, such as cough (38.5%), shortness of breath (27.5%), and expectoration (17.6%). And 77 (84.6%) had at least 1 ventilation abnormality. Vital capacity value was significantly lower in the severe group than that in the mild group (91.82%±10.38%vs. 98.92%±12.12%, P<0.05).
Conclusions Lung injury is a common extraintestinal complication of UC. According to the theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine that the lung and large intestine are related, both the lungs and large intestine should be treated simultaneously.