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Background: Viral pneumonia is a common respiratory disease that leads to high mortality around the world. Tanreqing (TRQ) injection has been widely used to treat viral pneumonia in China. However, the efficiency and safety of TRQ injection for viral pneumonia have not been scientifically and methodically evaluated up to now. Thus, this protocol describes a plan of performing a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TRQ injection on patients with viral pneumonia. Methods: Only randomized controlled trials will be enrolled in our study, and we will search eligible studies in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang database, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and the Sinomed. The total effective rate of clinical efficacy will be used as primary outcome. Time to relieve symptoms, incidence of adverse reactions, and the laboratory parameters will be used as secondary outcomes. Any side effects and adverse events will be recorded and assessed as safety outcomes. Study inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed independently by 2 reviewers, and any disagreement will be resolved by a third reviewer. After that, data synthesis and subgroup analysis will be conducted with the Review Manager V.5.3.3 software. Results: This review will provide a high-quality synthesis to assess the effectiveness and safety of TRQ injection for viral pneumonia patients. Conclusion: Our study will provide comprehensive evidence to decide whether TRQ injection is effective and safe for viral pneumonia patients. Prospero registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020164164

Since December 2019, an outbreak of COVID-19 sweeping the world. Understanding the clinical and SARS-CoV-2 dynamic changes of mild and ordinary patients of COVID-19, so as to provide basis for the prevention and control of COVID-19. On February 1st, 2020, 16 SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive patients diagnosed in the same site in Beijing. The patients symptoms, signs, medication, and SARS-CoV-2 results were recorded. Of the 16 patients, 12 were female. Although they were infected at the same time in the same workplace, their clinical processes were very different and can be roughly divided into three different types: persistent sputum positive, persistent stool positive and persistent both positive. In 7 patients with mild clinical manifestations, the median days of SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion in sputum samples were significantly later than those with obvious lung injury (27 days [range: 18 to 36]; 17 days, [range 6 to 25], P = .021). The negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool was significant later than in sputum. There were various clinical manifestations after SARS-CoV-2 infection, even if they were infected by the same source of infection in the same place. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA in stool samples was longer than that in respiratory tract.

Rationale: The benefits of prolonged endotracheal intubation (ETI) in comparison to early tracheotomy is still over the controversy. Little information is available in concern to prolonged ETI more than years. We report the consequence of oral ETI in a 95-year old man for 839 days. Patient concerns: This patient was transferred to the intensive care unit due to sputum asphyxia and respiratory arrest. Timely ETI was performed. However, as a neurological insult, extubation had a high risk of failure due to the insufficient ability of sputum clearance. In addition, his family members refused further surgical interventions including tracheotomy. Diagnoses: Prolonged ETI occurred in this patient. On day 240 and 329 after ETI, 3D airway image did not reveal laryngeal stenosis or laryngeal lesions. On day 459 and 662, ET tube (ETT) exchanged was performed and the balloon became stiff and inelasticity. Interventions: Although a possible tracheoesophageal fistula was suspected by imaging findings on day 547, the gastroscopy did not reveal the fistula on the esophagus. Enteral nutrition was delivered through the gastric tube, while the mediastinal infection was not observed during subsequent follow-up of computed tomography. Outcomes: He received tracheostomy due to acute sputum obstruction within ETT and abrupt oxygen desaturation on day 839. Lessons: During prolonged ETI, more attention should focus on airway humidification, proper cuff pressure and optimal time for tube exchange in order to avoid severe complications.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is correlated with high rate of death and poor outcome. Leukocytes participate in secondary brain injury in ICH. It is still not clear that whether leukocytosis can predict outcome in ICH. This study was performed to summarize that current evidences about the association between baseline leukocytosis and outcome in ICH patients in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Published studies were searched in 5 databases. Original studies about association between baseline leukocytosis and outcome in ICH were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were achieved to evaluate the association between leukocytosis and prognosis. Results: A total of 19 eligible studies with 6417 patients were analyzed in this study. Meta-analysis showed baseline leukocyte count increase was significantly associated with worse overall (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.21, P = .001), short-term (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.05–1.38, P = .009), and long-term functional outcome (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.20, P = .004). Baseline leukocytosis defined by cut-off values had significant association with worse overall functional outcome (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.01–3.76, P = .046). Baseline leukocyte count increase was significantly associated with higher overall (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.18, P = .011) and long-term mortality (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.22, P = .007). Baseline leukocytosis defined by cut-off values was significantly associated with higher overall (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.23–2.27, P = .001) and short-term mortality (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.12–2.70, P = .014). Conclusion: Baseline leukocytosis could be helpful in predicting prognosis in ICH patients. However, its prognostic value should be verified by further studies.

Rationale: Isolated pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is rare in adults. The gold standard diagnosis requires surgical lung biopsy. However, few cases have been diagnosed with transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) sampling in the early stages of the disease, particularly in China. Presenting concerns: A 50-year-old man was referred for dry cough and exertional dyspnea of more than 1 week. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest revealed symmetric nodules and cyst lesions with upper lobe infiltrate. Further history taking indicated that he had smoked 20 cigarettes per day for more than 30 years. Therefore, PLCH was highly suspected. However, he refused surgical lung biopsy, and TBCB was attempted to complete diagnosis. Diagnosis: Emission computed tomography excluded the possibility of extrapulmonary involvements, and pathological findings supported the diagnosis of isolated PLCH. Interventions: Smoking cessation and prednisone treatment were used for patient management. Outcomes: The symptoms receded with significant improvement of chest HRCT during 2-months of follow-up. Lessons: Early diagnosis contributes to the prognosis of isolated PLCH in adults, and TBCB may be an alternative to conventional surgical lung biopsy for pathological diagnosis of PLCH.

Rationale:Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains a life-threatening disease. We previously reported a case with ultrasound findings of a homogeneous hemopericardium and evidence highly indicative of hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade complicated by AAAD. Here, we report a similar case who

Rationale Critical care ultrasound identifies the signs of free intraperitoneal air and echogenic free fluid always indicates hollow viscus perforation (HVP) and needs immediate surgical interventions. However, in rare cases, these classic signs may also mislead proper clinical decisions. We report perforated viscus associated large peritoneal effusion with initial critical care ultrasound findings, whereas computed tomography (CT) examination confirmed a giant stomach due to superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). Patient concerns A 70-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department with a complaint of recurrent vomiting with coffee ground emesis for 15 hours and worsen with hypotension for 6 hours. During gastric tube placement, the sudden cardiac arrest occurred. With 22 minutes resuscitation, sinus rhythm was restored. Diagnoses Quick ultrasound screen showed large echogenic fluid distributed in the whole abdomen. Diagnostic paracentesis collected "unclotted blood" and combined with a past history of duodenal ulcer, HVP was highly suspected. However, surgical intervention was not performed immediately as unstable vital signs and unfavorable coma states. After adequate resuscitation in intensive care unit, the patient was transferred to perform enhanced CT. Surprisingly, there was no evidence of HVP. Instead, CT showed a giant stomach possibly explained by SMAS. Interventions Continuous gastric decompression was performed and 3100 mL coffee ground content was drainage within 24 hours of admission. Outcomes Abdominal distension was significantly relieved with improved vital signs. However, as the poor neurological outcome, family members abandon further treatment, and the patient died. Lessons SMAS is a rare disorder, characterized by small bowel obstruction and severe gastric distension. Nasogastric tube insertion should be aware to protect airway against aspiration. Caution should be utilized to avoid over interpretation of ultrasonography findings on this condition.

BACKGROUND Enteral nutrition via gastric tube insertion is a routine clinical practice for critically ill patients, although complications due to blind manipulation are occasionally reported. METHODS An 8.4Fr deflection flexible ureteroscope was delivered into a 15Fr conventional gastric tube to create a gastric visual guidance system. Twenty inexperienced physicians were randomly assigned to perform 5 repeated orogastric tube placements in a manikin using both the conventional method and the deflection visual gastric tube, for a total of 10 procedures per physician. Placement time, procedure-related complications, and participants' experience with both methods were recorded. RESULTS Under real-time guidance, the visual gastric tube successfully reached the stomach. The procedure provided additional information on the anatomy of the esophagus and stomach. Placement time was significantly less in the visual group than in the conventional group (39.39 ± 2.11 seconds vs 49.82 ± 3.11 seconds; P

Rationale Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a potentially fatal clinical crisis. Hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade due to the rupture of an ascending aortic root dissection is extremely dangerous and often lacks timely clinical evidence. We report sudden death in a patient diagnosed with AAAD and in whom critical care ultrasound highly indicated hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade. Presenting concerns A 75-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department with a complaint of chest pain for 8 hours. Computed tomography angiography findings indicated AAAD with a wide range of lesions. During the preoperative preparation process, he suddenly lost consciousness with a pulseless femoral artery.Diagnoses: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated and critical care ultrasound revealed hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade, strongly indicating the rupture of an ascending aortic root dissection. Interventions However, family members refused further surgical interventions. Outcomes The etiology could not be reversed and the patient died. Lessons Critical care ultrasound is an important skill that intensivists should master for fast screening of life-threatening complications in patients with AAAD.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Minocycline, a representative tetracycline derivative, has the greatest antimicrobial activity among all tetracyclines. There are few reports about treating syphilis with minocycline because there is a lack of efficacy data from controlled trials. We compared the rates of serological cure in patients with early syphilis who were treated with minocycline or benzathine penicillin G (BPG). During the study period, a total of 40 syphilis patients received the BPG treatment, which was a single intramuscular dose of 2.4 million units of BPG, and 156 patients were treated with minocycline; 77 patients were placed in the 2-week, standard minocycline therapy group and received 100 mg of minocycline orally, twice daily for 14 days, and 79 patients were placed in the 4-week, lengthened minocycline therapy group and received 100 mg of minocycline orally, twice daily for 28 days. The outcome of interest was the rate of serological cure in these patients. At the end of the 2-year follow-up, the serological cure rate of the 4-week, lengthened minocycline therapy group (87.34%) was higher than that of both the 2-week, standard minocycline therapy group (72.73%) and the BPG treatment group (77.50%). In addition, the curative effect of the 4-week, lengthened minocycline therapy was significantly greater than that of the 2-week, standard minocycline therapy in patients who were aged >40 years; exhibited an initial rapid plasma reagin titer ≥1: 32; or exhibited secondary syphilis (P = 0.000, 0.008, 0.000

The aim of the study is to define the clinical features, risk factors, treatment and prognosis of idiopathic primary intraventricular hemorrhage (IPIVH). We retrospectively collected the data of consecutively admitted patients who were diagnosed and treated for IPIVH in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2014. The clinical information, treatment, and prognosis at the 6-month follow-up were analyzed. Among the 3798 cases of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 98 IPIVH (2.58%) patients were recruited for the study. The study population consisted of 60 males and 38 females, with an average age (± standard deviation, SD) of 51.20 ± 15.48 years. The initial symptoms were headache (75 cases) and impaired consciousness (23 cases). The surgical treatments included hematoma evacuation under a microscope or an endoscope in 8 cases (8.16%), external ventricular drainage (EVD) in 11 cases (11.22%), lumbar drainage (LD) in 10 cases (10.20%), and a combination of EVD and LD in 11 cases (11.22%). In total, 4 patients died in the hospital (4.08%). At the 6-month follow-up, 73 patients (74.49%) had an improved outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] < 3), and 21 patients (21.43%) had a poor outcome (mRS ≥ 3 points) at the end of the 6-month follow-up. IPIVH is rare in clinical practice, and hypertension is the most common risk factor. Furthermore, the treatment of IPIVH is still controversial. Hematoma evacuation under a microscope or an endoscope, EVD, LD and a combination of EVD and LD could be surgical options for the treatment of IPIVH patients. The outcomes for IPIVH patients could be relatively favorable with individualized treatment.

There are some published studies focus on the invert U-shaped relationship between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum uric acid (UA), while the threshold value and gender differences of this relationship were still obscure. We aimed to explore the dose–response relation between FPG level and serum UA concentration by conducted this epidemiological research in a large health check-up population in China. A total of 237,703 people were collected from January 2011 to July 2014 in our cross-sectional study; 100,348 subjects age 18 to 89 years and without known diabetes were included for the current analysis. One-way analysis of variance, generalized additive models, and 2-piecewise linear regression model were used. The mean concentration of UA with FPG of

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is one of the most dangerous cerebrovascular diseases, especially when in deep brain. The treatment of spontaneous deep supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage is still controversial. We conducted a retrospective case-control study using propensity score matching to compare the efficacy of surgery and conservative treatment for patients with deep surpatentorial hemorrhage. We observed the outcomes of consecutive patients with spontaneous deep supratentorial hemorrhage retrospectively from December 2008 to July 2013. Clinical outcomes of surgery and conservative treatments were compared in patients with deep sICH using propensity score matching method. The primary outcome was neurological function status at 6 months post ictus. The second outcomes included mortality at 30 days and 6 months, and the incidence of complications. Subgroup analyses of 6-month outcome were conducted. Sixty-three (22.66%) of the 278 patients who received surgery had a favorable neurological function status at 6 months, whereas in the conservative group, 66 of 278 (23.74%) had the same result (P = 0.763). The 30-day mortality in the surgical group was 19.06%, whereas 30.58% in the conservative group (P = 0.002). There was significant difference in the mortality at 6 months after ictus as well (23.38% vs 36.33%, P = 0.001). The subgroup analyses showed significantly better outcomes for the surgical group when hematoma was >40 mL (13.33% vs 0%, P = 0.005) or complicated with intraventricular hemorrhage (16.67% vs 7.27%, P = 0.034). For complications, the risk of pulmonary infection, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, urinary infection, pulmonary embolus, and need for tracheostomy/long term ventilation in the surgical group was higher than the conservative group (31.29% vs 15.47%, P

We investigated the prognostic value and gradation of the T category in N0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). A total of 749 patients were retrospectively reviewed, and a total of 181 N0 NPC patients were included in this retrospective study. All patients were restaged according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. The following endpoints were estimated: overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). The 5-year survival rates for T1 to T4 were: OS (97.3%, 100.0%, 86.1%, and 82.8%; P = 0.007), PFS (94.6%, 96.9%, 76.5%, and 76.7%; P = 0.002), LRFS (98.5%, 100.0%, 92.2%, and 86.7%; P