[Progress in the diagnose and treatment of pulmonary arterial thrombosis in situ]

In situ pulmonary arterial thrombosis (ISPAT) refers to the formation of new blood clots in the pulmonary arterial system in the absence of pre-existing clots in the peripheral venous system. With the emergence and prevalence of COVID-19, ISPAT has become an increasingly important cause of pulmonary arterial thrombosis (PAT) alongside thromboembolism. Several factors such as hypoxia, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulable state can lead to ISPAT, which is associated with a number of conditions such as thoracic trauma, partial lung resection, pulmonary infectious disease, pulmonary vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, severe pulmonary hypertension, radiation pneumonitis, and acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease. It is important to differentiate between pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and ISPAT for proper disease management and prognosis. In this review, we summarized the characteristics of ISPAT under different disease conditions, the methods to distinguish ISPAT from PTE, and the best treatment strategies. We hoped that this review could improve clinicians' understanding of this independent disease and provide guidance for the refined treatment of patients with PAT.

[Progress in clinical diagnosis and treatment of multiple primary lung cancer]

With the application of high-resolution chest imaging system and lung cancer screening program, patients with multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) are becoming a growing population in clinical practice. However, the diagnostic criteria of MPLC and its differentiation from intrapulmonary metastasis of lung cancer (IM) are still controversial, especially in cases with similar histology. On the basis of reviewing the existing literature, this paper discusses the changes of the diagnostic criteria of MPLC and the differential diagnosis methods of imaging, histology and molecular genetics of MPLC and IM, and briefly introduces the application of multidisciplinary diagnosis, algorithm, predictive model and artificial intelligence in the differential diagnosis of MPLC. In addition, we also discuss the latest progress in the treatment of MPLC. Radical surgery is the main method for the treatment of MPLC. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is safe and feasible for inoperable MPLC patients, and targeted therapy and immunotherapy can also be used in MPLC after appropriate patient selection.

Potential involvement of S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway in cardiac valve damage due to rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a public health burden in developing countries. Th17 cell-associated cytokines might play a role in the pathogenesis and development of RHD, but the specific molecular mechanism is not completely understood. We investigated the potential role of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in cardiac valve damage in a rat model of RHD. We used 20 Lewis rats divided randomly into control and RHD groups. The RHD model was constructed by injecting inactivated group A Streptococci and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats in the control group were injected with normal saline and CFA. Th17 cell-related cytokines were measured by ELISA. Fibrosis was assessed by histological examination. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of S1PR1 and STAT3/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3). The S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway was activated in the RHD model. Compared to the control group, serum levels of IL-17 and IL-21 cytokines associated with Th17 cells were increased significantly in the RHD group; the collagen volume fraction also was substantially increased. The S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway might be involved in RHD induced cardiac valve damage by regulating Th17 cells.

Sequential intravenous/oral moxifloxacin monotherapy for complicated skin and skin structure infections: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

The presumed superiority of moxifloxacin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs) is based on laboratory data, but has not yet been established on clinical grounds. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sequential intravenous (i.v.)/oral (p.o.) moxifloxacin monotherapy for the treatment of cSSSIs.

METHODS

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published prior to November 2012 were systematically retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Finally, a meta-analysis of all RCTs eligible for inclusion criteria was performed.

RESULTS

Three studies that enrolled 2255 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between patients given moxifloxacin and those given other antibiotics with regard to clinical success rate [1667 patients, odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63 to 1.09, p = 0.18], bacteriological success rate (bacteriological success rates: 1502 patients, OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.68-1.18, p = 0.45) or mortality (2207 patients, OR = 1.96, 95% CI 0.79-4.88, p = 0.15). Significantly, more overall adverse events (AEs) were associated with the use of moxifloxacin than with other antibiotics (2207 patients, OR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.00-1.45, p = 0.04). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of drug-related AEs, serious AEs or serious drug-related AEs between patients given moxifloxacin and those given other antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Sequential i.v./p.o. moxifloxacin monotherapy is an effective and relatively safe option for the treatment of cSSSIs. Other benefits of moxifloxacin may make it a more viable option compared with the currently used regimens.

1H NMR-based metabolomic study of metabolic profiling for systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by multi-system involvement, diverse clinical presentation, and alterations in circulating metabolites. In this study, a 1H NMR spectroscopy-based metabolomics approach was applied to establish a human SLE serum metabolic profile. Serum samples were obtained from patients with SLE ( n = 64), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ( n = 30) and healthy controls ( n = 35). The NOESYPR1D spectrum combined with multi-variate pattern recognition analysis was used to cluster the groups and establish a disease-specific metabolites phenotype. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were capable of distinguishing SLE or RA patients from healthy subjects. The OPLS-DA model was able to predict diagnosis of SLE with a sensitivity rate of 60.9% and a specificity rate of 97.1%. For diagnosing RA, the model has much higher sensitivity (96.7%) and specificity (91.4%). The SLE serum samples were characterized by reduced concentrations of valine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, isoleucine, histidine, glutamine, alanine, citrate, creatinine, creatine, pyruvate, high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, glycerol, formate and increased concentrations of N-acetyl glycoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein in comparison with the control population. Theresults not only indicated that serum NMR-based metabolomic methods had sufficient sensitivity and specificity to distinguish SLE and RA from healthy controls, but also have the potential to be developed into a clinically useful diagnostic tool, and could also contribute to a further understanding of disease mechanisms.

Fractional and structural characterization of lignins isolated by alkali and alkaline peroxide from barley straw

A sequential treatment of dewaxed barley straw with sodium hydroxide, different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, and potassium hydroxide/sodium borate degraded various proportions of the original lignin and solubilized different amounts of the original hemicelluloses. The isolated lignin fractions were subjected to comprehensive structural characterization by UV, FT-IR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and their chemical compositions were analyzed by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation. All of the lignin fractions were typical of grass lignins and had weight-average molecular weights between 1750 and 2190. It was found that the peroxide treatment at low concentrations (< or =2.0%) resulted in a slight increase in the amount of carboxyl groups, whereas the treatment at a relatively high concentration of alkaline peroxide, such as at 3.0% H(2)O(2), led to a noticeable oxidation of the lignins, as shown by an increase of carboxyl groups. Moreover, the results obtained indicated that the successive treatments with alkali and alkaline peroxide under the conditions used did not significantly affect the beta-O-4 structures of lignins. Substantial amounts of etherified ferulic acids were cleaved by the sequential treatments with alkaline peroxide, as shown in the (13)C NMR spectra. The results underscore the structural differences between alkali- and alkaline peroxide-soluble lignins from barley straw.