Objective To investigate the effects of taurine on the expression of stem cell factor mRNA of the focal cerebral ischemia in rat.Methods 63 adult male rats were randomly divided into taurine-treated group (Taurine, 80 mg/kg, began at the day of MCAO and continuously intravenous injection for 10 min, daily for 7 days) and controlled group (0.9% normal saline, 1 ml, continuously intravenous injection for 10 min daily for 7 days). The rats received right middle cerebral artery occlusion at 2h and different hours of reperfusion. Expression of SCF was detected by in situ hybridization in the rats subjected to2h,24h,3d,7d, 14 d of reperfusion and sham-operated group (n=3). Results Low level SCF mRNA expressions were found in cortex, striatum and extraventricular zone in sham-operated group. The expression of SCF mRNA in ischemic hemisphere of controlled group increased markedly compared with sham-operated group (t=2.16~25.19, P＜ 0.05), besides that of 2 h in cortex, 2 h in striatum, 2h and 14d in extraventricular zone. SCF mRNA expression in the treatment group increased markedly in cortex,striatum and extraventricular zone at 3d and 7d(t=5.19~ 26.17,P＜0.05). Conclusion Taurine increased the SCF mRNA expression in MCAO rats, therefore it might promote the creation of neural stem cell.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the stems of Zanthoxylum dissitum.

METHODColumn chromatography on macroporous resin and silica gel, and spectral analysis were used to isolate and elucidate the constituents.

RESULTSeven compounds were isolated and identified as 5,8-dimethoxyethane-3,4-epoxy-furanocoumarin (1), isoimpinellin (2), beta-sitosterol (3), lupeol (4), neohesperidin (5), beta-daucosterol (6), ursolic acid (7).

CONCLUSIONAll above the compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time and the compound 1 is a new compound.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To explore the impacts of clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) on duration and defined daily doses (DDDs) of antibiotics in patients with bacterial severe pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods Patients with severe pneumonia, whose antibiotic usage was prescribed with the guide of CPIS, and admitted to ICU severe respiratory and infectious disease ward of Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital from May 2017 to October 2017 were enrolled as CPIS group. Patients with the first CPIS score > 5 were given antimicrobial therapy, and the score was dynamically evaluated every 2-3 days. If the CPIS score < 5, the score was evaluated again after 2 days. If the score was still < 5, the antimicrobial drugs were discontinued. Patients admitted to the same ward from November 2016 to April 2017 were regarded as controls, of whom the antibiotic usage was completely conducted by the clinical experience of the chief physician. The duration and DDDs of antibiotics were compared between patients in two groups. At the same time, the usage of ventilator and prognostic indicators (the length of ICU stay, ICU mortality) were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and the cumulative survival rates of 28 days, 90 days and 12 months were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results In our department, 177 and 182 patients were admitted to ICU from November 2016 to April 2017 and from May 2017 to October 2017, respectively, of whom 101 and 65 patients with severe pneumonia were collected respectively during the two stages. There was no significant difference in gender composition, age, underlying diseases, vital signs, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, or peripheral blood routine at admission between the two groups, indicating that the baseline data of the two groups were equally comparable. During the treatment process, there was no significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation [hours: 126.0 (69.0, 228.8) vs. 120.0 (72.0, 192.0)], the length of ICU stay [days: 7.0 (5.0, 11.0) vs. 8.0 (5.0, 14.0)], or ICU mortality [18.8% (19/101) vs. 26.2% (17/65)] between the control group and CPIS group (all P >0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate of 28 days (log-rank test: χ2 = 0.540, P = 0.462), 90 days (log-rank test: χ2 = 0.332, P = 0.564) or 12 months (log-rank test: χ2 = 0.833, P = 0.362). Patients from CPIS guided group, however, had a shorter duration of antibiotics usage (days: 7.54±4.81 vs. 9.88±4.96, P < 0.01), and had a lower DDDs of antibiotics (17.58±13.09 vs. 22.73±18.31, P < 0.05) as compared with those in the control group. Conclusion CPIS-guided therapeutic regimen shortens antibiotic duration and decreases antibiotic DDDs in patients with severe pneumonia in ICU, indicating the values of CPIS in guiding antibiotics usage in these patients.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and identify the underlying risk factors among drug users in Taizhou City of Zhejiang Province during 2009‒2020. MethodsA consecutive cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 400 drug users in correctional settings were randomly selected from April to August. The drug users were interviewed with a questionnaire to collect demographic characteristics， AIDS-related knowledge， detoxification service， drug use， and sexual behavior. Blood samples were then collected for anti-HCV antibody testing. Chi-square test and multivariate conditional logistic regression were used. ResultsA total of 5 042 drug users were included in this study. Seroprevalence of HCV was determined to be 22.7%. From 2009 to 2019， the seroprevalence showed a significant downward trend， from 34.9% to 8.8% （χ²=221.025， P<0.001）. However， in 2020， the seroprevalence was 12.7%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that senior age （≥25 years old）， cohabitation， taking traditional or mixed drugs， injection drug use， and needle sharing were risk factors associated with HCV seroprevalence. ConclusionSince 2009， HCV seroprevalence among drug users in Taizhou City has shown a downward trend， however， it has increased slightly in 2020. It warrants strengthening prevention and treatment measures in response to risk factors related to HCV infection among drug users.