BackgroundThe duration of viral shedding is central to the guidance of decisions about isolation precautions and antiviral treatment. However, studies regarding the risk factors associated with prolonged shedding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the impact of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) treatment on viral shedding remain scarce.MethodsData were collected from all SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who were admitted to isolation wards and had reverse transcription PCR conversion at the No. 3 People's Hospital of Hubei province, China, between 31 January and 9 March 2020. We compared clinical characteristics and SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding between patients initiated with LPV/r treatment and those without. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the risk factors associated with prolonged viral shedding.ResultsOf 120 patients, the median age was 52 years, 54 (45%) were male and 78 (65%) received LPV/r treatment. The median duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection from symptom onset was 23 days (interquartile range 18–32 days). Older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p=0.03) and the lack of LPV/r treatment (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.10–5.36; p=0.029) were independent risk factors for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding. Patients who initiated LPV/r treatment within 10 days from symptom onset, but not initiated from day 11 onwards, had significantly shorter viral shedding duration compared with those without LPV/r treatment (median 19 days versus 28.5 days; log-rank p<0.001).ConclusionOlder age and the lack of LPV/r treatment were independently associated with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Earlier administration of LPV/r treatment could shorten viral shedding duration.

Background: The duration of viral shedding is central to guide decisions around isolation precautions and antiviral treatment. However, studies about risk factors associated with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding and the potential impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/r) treatment remain scarce. Methods: In this retrospective study, data were collected from all SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who were admitted to isolation wards and had RT-PCR conversion at the NO.3 People's hospital of Hubei province between 31 January and 09 March 2020. We compared clinical features and SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding between patients with LPV/r treatment and those without. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate risk factors associated with prolonged viral shedding. Results: Of 120 patients, the median age was 52 years, 54 (45%) were male and 78 (65%) received LPV/r treatment. The median duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection from symptom onset was 23 days (IQR, 18-32 days). Older age (odd ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.05, p=0.03) and lack of LPV/r treatment (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.10-5.36, p=0.029) were independent risk factors for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The median duration of viral shedding was shorter in the LPV/r treatment group (n=78) than that in no LPV/r treatment group (n=42) (median, 22 days vs. 28.5 days, p=0.02). Only earlier administration of LPV/r treatment (≤10 days from symptom onset) could shorten the duration of viral shedding. Conclusions: Older age and lack of LPV/r treatment were independently associated with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in patients with COVID-19. Earlier administration of LPV/r treatment could shorten viral shedding.

Stroke victims often exhibit clopidogrel resistance (CR). This prospective study was undertaken to observe changes that influence CR in the secondary prevention of cerebral infarction (CI). The study included 56 cases at high risk of stroke (HRS), 147 cases of CI and 68 control subjects. The CI and HRS groups were divided into CR and NCR (none clopidogrel resistance) subgroups using standard criteria. The NCR group was subdivided into DCR (dynamic CR) and CNCR (continuous NCR) groups. Platelet aggregation rate (PAR) was assessed at baseline and after 2 weeks treatment with clopidogrel 75 mg/day in the CI and HRS groups. In the NCR group, PAR was evaluated after 3 and 6 months of clopidogrel (75 mg/day) treatment. Baseline PAR was higher in the CI group than in the HRS or control groups (P < 0.01). The incidence of CR was 28.6 % in the CI and 13.6 % in the HRS group (P = 0.018). Diabetes mellitus, (OR 16.627; 95 % CI 4.691-58.934) and history of TIA (OR 13.711; 95 % CI 1.667-112.784) (both P < 0.05) were both associated with CR. Other independent risk factors included high total cholesterol, calcium antagonist or ACEI/ARB use. A total of 36 CR and 85 NCR cases completed 6 months follow-up. High total cholesterol was an independent risk factor for DCR (OR 0.415; 95 % CI 0.213-0.808; P = 0.01) which developed in 15 subjects at 6 months. PAR decreased by >10 % after 2 weeks in 71.4 % of patients with CR who subsequently changed drugs or received combination therapy. Dynamic CR may occur after CI. Many factors including DM\TIA\HCT\P2Y12 εC coexistence CYP2Y19 εA\combination drug, associate CR or DCR. Our results highlight the need for PAR monitoring.

Accurate detection of markers in human serum is important in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Aortopulmonary septal defect, also known as the aortopulmonary window, is a rare congenital macrovascular malformation. This case involves a 9-year-old boy with aortopulmonary septal defect (type I combined with type IV). Before surgery, milrinone and alprostadil were used to counteract high lung pressure. Surgery was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, following which the pulmonary pressure decreased. The aorta was cut, and the right pulmonary artery opening was connected with the main pulmonary artery septal defect using polyester patch. An internal tunnel was made, and the deformity correction was completed. The child exhibited normal postoperative recovery with no discomfort. A complex aortopulmonary window is a rare condition that can be treated successfully with appropriate preoperative and surgical management.