Objective To investigate the clinical value of peripheral serum cell-free DNA/neutrophil extracellular traps (cf-DNA/NETs) level in diagnosis and severity assessment of sepsis patients. Methods Forty patients with sepsis and 40 patients with non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (nf-SIRS) were enrolled in this study. The cf-DNA/NETs level in serum of all subjects were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of the cf-DNA/NETs, white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The sepsis patients were stratified into a survival group and a death group according to the prognosis. Sequential organ failure (SOFA) score were recorded in the sepsis patients, and the correlations between SOFA and cf-DNA/NETs, PCT, WBC, IL-6 were analyzed. Results Compared with the nf-SIRS group, cf-DNA/NETs and PCT levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group (both P<0.05). WBC and IL-6 showed no significant differences between the two groups (bothP>0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of cf-DNA/NETs was 0.884 for diagnosis of sepsis, and it was higher than the AUC of PCT (0.803). The cf-DNA/NETs showed better sensitivity (81.2% and 79.2%) and specificity (81.0% and 82.4%) than PCT. cf-DNA/NETs and PCT were significantly higher in the death group than those in the survival group. Bivariate collection analysis revealed positive correlations between SOFA score and the two biomarkers of cf-DNA/NETs and PCT (r1=0.573, r2=0.518; both P<0.01). Conclusions cf-DNA/NETs and PCT have certain value in early diagnosis of sepsis, and cf-DNA/NETs shows better diagnostic value in distinguishing sepsis from nf-SIRS than PCT. cf-DNA/NETs can be used as a routine monitoring index to help assess disease severity in sepsis.
Objective To investigate predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with liver cirrhosis ascites. Methods The clinical data of 140 patients with liver cirrhosis ascites treated in our hospital from January 2012 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the presence of SBP, these patients were divided into SBP group and non-SBP group. The clinical data were compared between these two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess their sensitivities and specificities of PCT and CRP for diagnosis of SBP. Results The PCT and CRP levels of the SBP group were significantly higher than those of the non-SBP group (P<0.05). The differences of serum ALT, AST and white cell count between the SBP group and the non-SBP were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of PCT and CRP were 0.895 and 0.926, their corresponding cut-off value 2.1 μg/L and 24.8 mg/L, the sensitivities were 86.9% and 89.5%, the specificities were 85.1% and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusion Abnormally elevated PCT and CRP levels might have an important detective value for SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis ascites.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level after conventional intravenous antibiotic treatment to predict the risk of re-exacerbation, and vertify the feasiblity of an additional course of oral antibiotics after discharge to reduce the risk of re-exacerbation. MethodsThe patients who hospitalized in West China Hospital from October 2012 to October 2013 because of infectious acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) were recruited. The concentrations of PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP), the number of white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil percentage at the end of intravenous antibiotic therapy were recorded. The information about additional course of antibiotics was collected according to the medical instruction and visit. The subjects were followed up for 1 year.The time to the first re-exacerbation and frequencies of exacerbations were recorded. The Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard rations (HR). ResultsOne hundred and thirty-eight eligible patients were included totally. The HRs in PCT≥0.11μg/L and neutrophil percentage≥70% were 1.462 (P=0.035) and 1.673 (P=0.005) respectively, suggesting higher risk of re-exacerbation. There was no relationship of CRP (P=0.330) or WBC (P=0.432) with the risk of re-exacerbation. Generally an additional course of antibiotics had no effects on re-exacerbation (P=0.231) but this therapy could reduce the risk of re-exacerbation in high PCT level group (HR=2.29, P=0.004). ConclusionsSerum PCT concentrations and neutrophil percentage after conventional intravenous antibiotic treatment can predict the risk of re-exacerbations in the future. An additional course of antibiotics in the patients with high PCT level can reduce the risk of re-exacerbation.
ObjectiveTo explore the natural changes of procalcitonin (PCT) in the early period after pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).MethodsA prospective and observational study was done on patients below 3 years of age, who underwent cardiac surgery involving CPB, with the risk adjustment of congenital heart surgery (RACHS) score of 2 to 5 and free from active preoperative infection or inflammatory disease. Blood samples for measurement of PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) were taken before surgery and daily for 7 days in postoperative period. Infections and complications within 7 days after operation were investigated. According to the presence or absence of infection and complications within 7 days after operation, the enrolled children were divided into an infection+complications group, a simple infection group, a simple complication group, and a normal group.Results Finally, 429 children with PICU stay≥ 4 days were enrolled, including 268 males and 161 females, with a median age of 8.0 (0.7, 26.0) months. There were 145 children in the simple infection group, 38 children in the simple complication group, 230 children in the normal group and 16 children in the infection+complications group. The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC were significantly higher after CPB. CRP and WBC peaked on the second postoperative day (POD) and remained higher than normal until POD7. PCT peaked on POD1 and would generally decrease to normal on POD5 if without infection and complications. Age, body weight, RACHS scores, the duration of CPB and aortic cross-clamping time were correlated with PCT level. There was a statistical difference in PCT concentration between the simple infection group and the normal group on POD 3-7 (P<0.01) and a statistical difference between the simple complication group and the normal group on POD 1-7 (P<0.01). A statistical difference was found between the simple infection group and the simple complication group in PCT on POD 1-5 (P<0.05).ConclusionWBC, CRP and PCT significantly increase after CPB in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. The factors influencing PCT concentration include age, weight, RACHS scores, CPB and aortic cross-clamping time, infection and complications.
Objective To explore the value of procalcitonin (PCT) in differential diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. Methods PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data were searched for articles published from the dates of establishment of databases to January 2021. A prospective and retrospective cohort studies and a case-control studies of PCT in differential diagnosis of invasive candidiasis were collected. RevMan 5.3 software QUADAS-2 risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Meta-Disc 1.4 software was used to determine whether the original data had threshold effect and heterogeneity. Stata 14.0 software was used to analyze meta, judge publication bias and draw Deeks diagram. Results A total of 9 articles and 943 patients were included. There were 259 cases in candida group and 684 cases in control group. The study showed that the total sensitivity was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.80, 0.91)], specificity was 0.78 [95%CI (0.70, 0.84)], positive likelihood ratio was 3.92 [95%CI (2.77, 5.55)], negative likelihood ratio was 0.18 [95%CI (0.12, 0.27)], the area under receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.90 [95%CI (0.87, 0.92)], diagnostic odds ratio was 19.75 [95%CI (10.71, 36.43)]. The results of heterogeneity test showed that there was heterogeneity caused by non-threshold effect between studies. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the heterogeneity I2 value of PCT<2 ng/mL subgroup decreased significantly, and the result was more stable, with sensitivity. The results show that sensitivity was 0.86 [95%CI (0.79, 0.91)], specificity was 0.72 [95%CI (0.63, 0.80)], the area under receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.87 [95%CI (0.83, 0.89)]. Conclusions Serum PCT in the differential diagnosis of invasive candidiasis has certain accuracy and negative predictive value. However, PCT is only an auxiliary test. The differential diagnosis of invasive candidiasis should be combined with clinical features and other diagnostic indexes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of products triggered by endotoxin including cytokines and procalcitonin for differentiating bacterial pneumonia from pulmonary tuberculosis. MethodsFifty patients diagnosed to have hospital-acquired pneumonia and another 50 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis admitted into West China Hospital between January and August 2015 were recruited in this study. The frequencies of CD4+ interferon (IFN)-γ+, CD4+ tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α+, CD4+ interleukin (IL)-2+, CD4+ IL-10+ as well as CD8+IFN-γ+, CD8+TNF-α+, CD8+IL-2+, CD8+IL-10+ populations in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry after endotoxin stimulation. Meanwhile, the levels of procalcitonin, IL-6 and C reactive protein were measured by immunofluorescence staining. ResultsThe frequencies of CD4+ IFN-γ+, CD4+ TNF-α+, CD4+ IL-2+, CD4+ IL-10+ as well as CD8+ IFN-γ+, CD8+ TNF-α+, CD8+ IL-2+, CD8+ IL-10+ populations in the pneumonia group increased significantly compared with those in the tuberculosis group (P < 0.05). The levels of procalcitonin, IL-6 and C-reactive protein in the pneumonia group increased statistically compared with the counterparts in the tuberculosis group (P < 0.05). The positive rates of procalcitonin, IL-6 and C-reactive protein in the pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in the tuberculosis group (P < 0.05). ConclusionMeasurement of products triggered by endotoxin is beneficial for differential diagnosis of pneumonia from tuberculosis.
ObjectiveTo understand the role of calcitonin testing for the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) as well as recent research progress, so as to provide assistance in the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of MTC and improve patients’ prognosis. MethodThe literatures about the role of calcitonin testing in MTC in recent years were reviewed. ResultsIn recent years, both domestic and international scholars had extensively investigated the role of calcitonin in the early detection of MTC and accurate postoperative prognosis assessment. With respect to early diagnosis, advancements had been made in the three main measurement methods: basal calcitonin, stimulated calcitonin, and calcitonin measurement in the thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration washout fluid. These developments in calcitonin levels had contributed to improved guidance in surgical treatment and prognosis evaluation. While calcitonin monitoring could inform treatment decisions and improve patients’prognosis, numerous challenges remain to be addressed. ConclusionThe study of calcitonin detection can deepen the understanding of MTC, further research on calcitonin related detection in the future will be of great significance for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation of MTC.
Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of soluble triggering receptor expression on myeloid cells-1（sTREM-1） in sepsis patients.Methods Serum concentrations of sTREM-1，procalcitonin（PCT），tumor necrosis factor alpha（TNF-α） and interleukin-10（IL-10） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay，while high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP） level was detected by immunoturbidimetry in 68 patients with sepsis，40 patients with no-infective SIRS，and 20 normal individuals. The diagnostic and prognostic value of sTREM-1 and its comparison with PCT and hsCRP were analyzed. The sequential organ failure assessment （SOFA） score system was used to evaluate the severity of sepsis. The relationship between sTREM-1, PCT , hsCRP , SOFA score，TNF-α ,and IL-10 of the sepsis patients was analyzed，respectively. Results The differences in the serum concentrations of sTREM-1，PCT，hsCRP，IL-10 and IL-10/TNF-α ratio had statistical significance among three groups（Plt;0.05）. The differences in the serum concentration of TNF-α had no statistical significance among three groups （Pgt;0.05）. However，the serum levels of sTREM-1，PCT and hsCRP in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the SIRS group （Plt;0.05）. The receiver operating characteristic curve （ROC） analysis showed the area under the curve （AUC） for sTREM-1，PCT and hsCRP were 0.772 （95%CI 0.674-0.871），0.718 （95%CI 0.601-0.835） and 0.664 （95%CI 0.532-0.797），respectively. The serum levels of sTREM-1 and PCT in the non-survivors were significantly higher than the survivors in the sepsis group （Plt;0.01），but the differences in the serum concentration of hsCRP had no statistical significance between the non-survivors and the survivors in the sepsis group （Pgt;0.05）. There were significantly positive correlations between sTREM-1 and SOFA score，IL-10 or IL-10/TNF-α ratio（r value of 0.453，0.301，0.417，Plt;0.05），but no correlation between sTREM-1 and TNF-α（Pgt;0.05）. There was significantly positive correlation between PCT and SOFA score （r=0.436，Plt;0.05），while no relationship between hsCRP and SOFA score（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusions The serum level of sTREM-1 not only be valuable in the diagnosis of sepsis，but also may be used as a prognostic marker in sepsis，as it can reflect the severity of sepsis in certain degree. Furthermore，sTREM-1 or PCT may be superior to hsCRP in diagnosis，prognostic judgment and severity assessment of sepsis.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress on the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system during bone reconstruction to provide theoretical basis for further research on the prevention and treatment of bone-related diseases.MethodsThe relevant research results at home and abroad in recent years were analyzed and summarized.ResultsCGRP and RANK/RANKL/OPG system play important regulatory roles in the bone reconstruction.ConclusionAt present, the research on the mechanism of CGRP and RANK/RANKL/OPG system in bone reconstruction is insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to study further on the process and interrelation of CGRP and RANK/RANKL/OPG system in bone reconstruction to confirm their mechanism, which will bring new ideas and methods for the treatment of bone related diseases in clinic.
Objective To explore the clinical significances of serum procalcitonin ( PCT) and Creactive protein( CRP) in diagnosis and severity assessment of sepsis. Methods A total of 72 patients with different severities of sepsis admitted to Wenzhou Second People’s Hospital from June 2005 to September 2007, including 22 cases of sepsis, 26 cases of severe sepsis, and 24 cases of sepsis shock. Meanwhile, twenty non-sepsis patients were enrolled as control group. The differences of serum PCT and CRP levels, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ ( APACHEⅡ) scores and sepsis related organ failure assessment ( SOFA) scores were compared in controls and the septic patients with different severities and different prognosis. Results The PCT levels of patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and sepsis shock were significantly higher than that in the non-sepsis group [ ( 1. 51 ±1. 57) , ( 5. 62 ±3. 78) and ( 13. 56 ±8. 16) vs ( 0. 12 ± 0. 33) μg/L, P lt;0. 05 or P lt; 0. 01, respectively] . The CRP level, APACHEⅡ and SOFA were also increased in septic patients compared to control and progressively elavated by the severities of sepsis patients ( P lt; 0. 05 or P lt; 0. 01) , however, CRP levels were not significant different ( P gt; 0. 05) . The PCT levels, APACHEⅡ and SOFA of the patients with good prognosis were lower than those with poor prognosis( all P lt; 0. 01) , but the CRP levels was not significant different( P gt;0. 05) . Conclusion The serumlevel of PCT is superior to serumlevel of CRP in severity classification and prognosis assessment.