Objective To study the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) level in the outcome of patients with paraquat poisoning (PQ).Methods The clinical data of 128 patients with acute PQ admitted to emergency department were collected from March 2013 through March 2014.The patients were divided into two groups:the death group and the survival group (survival of 28 days).Poisoning doses,urine concentration of PQ,time elapsed from poisoning to admission,and time elapsed from poisoning to gastrolavage were documented.And on the 1 st day,the 3rd day and the 7th day after poisoning,serum PCT were detected.The level of PCT was used to investigate the prognostic values in patients with acute PQ in the death group and survival group.Results Of 128 cases,72 (56.3％) survived and 56 died in 28 days.Among them,the level of PCT increased to some extent in the first day in 90 cases,and 48 patients died.According to trend analysis,the levels of PCT in death group on the 1st day,the 3rd day and the 7th day after PQ were significantly higher than those in survival group [ld:(0.96 ±0.13) vs.(0.08 ±0.01),3d:(1.12 ±0.14) vs.(0.28 ±0.05),7d:(1.22 ±0.14) vs.(0.20 ±0.03),P ＜0.01].There was a trend of escalating PCT levels in death group,whereas the PCT level reached the peak on the 3st day and decreased gradually in the following days in survival group.The early PCT level was obviously related to poisoning doses,urine concentration,CRP,WBC,ALT,CR (the coefficient of association were 0.794,0.723,0.724,0.332,0.700,0.414,respectively,P＜0.01).Conclusions The serum level of PCT increased in patients with acute PQ was significantly positively correlated with the oral dose and urine concentration of paraquat,and it can be used as an indicator for PQ severity.There is important clinical significance in detecting the change of serum level of PCT for estimating the condition of patients and evaluating the prognosis.

Objective To detect the nucleation-promoting potency of retinol binding protein (RBP) in the simulated bile system,and observe the process of cholesterol nucleation and crystallization.Methods Small and synthetic bile systems were synthesized.RBP (RBP group),α1-acid glycoprotein (AAG,AAG group) and albumin ( Alb,Alb group) were added into the Small bile respectively.The derived indices of nucleation time,crystal growth rate and final concentration of crystal were studied by Busch method.Alb ( control group) and RBP (experimental group) were added into the Small and synthetic bile systems respectively.The nucleation time was detected by polarizing microscopy according to the Holan method and the nucleation-promoting potency was calculated according to the Holzbach method. The morphological dynamics of cholesterol nucleation and crystallization were observed under a light microscope.All data were analyzed by using the analysis of variance or the t test.Results The derived indices of nucleation time,crystal growth rate and final concentration of crystal were 0.66,1.29 and 1.01 in the AAG group,and 0.73,1.02,0.95 in the RBP group,respectively.In the Small bile system,the average nucleation time of cholesterol monohydrate crrystals were ( 12.2 ± 1.2 )days in the control group and (8.2 ± 1.5)days in the experimental group,respectively,with a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =2.97,P ＜ 0.05 ).The nucleation activity of RBP was 0.67 in the Small bile system.In the synthetic bile system,the average nucleation time of cholesterol monohydrate crystals were (9.5 ± 1.1 ) days in the control group and (7.5 ± 1.1 )days in the experimental group,respectively,with a significant difference between the 2 groups ( t =2.35,P ＜ 0.05 ).The nucleation activity of RBP was 0.79 in the synthetic bile system.The process of cholesterol nucleation and crystallization was divided into 4 stages,and the split phenomenon appeared in the bile system at day 21.Conclusion RBP is a pro-nucleation factor in simulated bile system.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of olmesartan (OLM) on acute lung injury induced by paraquat (PQ) in rats in order to study its action mechanism.Methods A total of 70 Wister rats wererandomly (random number) divided into 5 groups,namely control group (C group,n =10),poisoning group (PQ group,n =15),rats treated by OLM with low dose (LD group,n =15),moderate dose (MD group,n=15) and high dose (HD group,n =15).PQ (80 mg/kg) was administered by gavage route in PQ group and in OLM groups for paraquat poisoning modelling,while in C group,equivalent normal saline was given instead.The OLM was administered by gastric instillation in OLM treatment groups (LD group:5 mg/kg; MD group:10 ng/kg; HD group:15 mg/kg) 6 hours after paraquat gavage and once a day for 7 days,while in C group and PQ group,normal saline was used instead.All rats were sacrificed 12 hours after the last dose treatment.The levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px,energy units),superoxide dismutase (SOD,U/mg pro),malondialdehyde (MDA,nmol/mg pro) in lung tissue,and the levels of serum transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1,pg/mL) and pH,oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and bicarbonate ions concentration (HCO3-) were determined.Further,the lung coefficient and lung fibrous tissue hyperplasia grading were calculated.Correlation analysis was carried out to explore the correlation among GSH-Px,SOD,MDA,lung coefficient,lung hyperplasia of fibrous tissue and TGF-β1.The lung tissue were prepared for microscopy observation after Hematoxylin-eosin staining method (HE staining) as well.The difference between groups was compared by one-way analysis of variance,and correlation analysis carried out by using Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.Results The levels of GSH-Px and SOD in lung tissue of PQ and OLM treatment groups were significantly lower than those in C group,while in OLM treatment groups,those were higher than those of PQ group,and the HD group showed most obvious (all P ＜ 0.05).The level of MDA in lung tissue in PQ and OLM treatment groups were significantly highcr than that in C group while in OLM treatment groups,that was lower than that in PQ group,and the HD group showed most obvious (all P ＜ 0.05),and there were no differences between the LD group and MD group (all P ＞ 0.05).The lung coefficient and lung fibrous tissue hyperplasia grading in PQ and OLM treatment groups were significantly higher than those in C group,while in OLM treatment groups,those were lower than those in PQ group,and the HD group showed most obvious (all P ＜ 0.05).The level of serum TGF-β1 in PQ and OLM treatment groups were significantly higher than that inC group,while in OLM treatment groups,that was lower than that in PQ group,and the HD group showed most evident (all P ＜ 0.05),and there were no differences between the LD group and MD group (all P ＞0.05).The pH,PaO2 and HCO3-in PQ and OLM treatment groups were significantly lower than those in C group,while difference between LD and HD groups was also statistical significance (all P ＜ 0.05),while there were no differences between the PQ group and LD group as well as the LD group and MD group (all P ＞ 0.05).The correlation analysis showed GSH-Px and SOD had negative correlation with TGF-β1 [the correlation coefficient (r) were respectively-0.860 and-0.856,all P＜0.05],while MDA,lung coefficient and lung fibrous tissue hyperplasia grading had positive correlation with TGF-β1 (r were respectively 0.800,0.830 and 0.656,all P ＜ 0.05).Lung tissue section showed the degree of alveolar septa widened,alveolar collapse and inflammatory cells infiltration in OLM treatment groups were milder than those in PQ group,and the mildest in HD group.Conclusions OLM can attenuate the pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis caused by paraquat poisoning and maybe it is associated with reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and inhibiting oxidative stress reaction.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and the indication and the management of perioperative complications in treatment of infra- kidney abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by using endovascular graft exclusion (EVGE). Methods From April 2006 to September 2008, 24 patients with infra- kidney abdominal aortic aneurysms were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI scan. Vascular access was obtained through the bilateral femoral artery after arteriotomy and stent-graft was deployed into AAA of below the renal artery to occlude the left over cavity of AAA. The stent- graft was extended and anchored to the both side wall of AAA, the blood flow enter into the arteria iliaca communis through the sten't.Results Stent-graft deployment was successfully performed in all the patients. Immediate aortography after the procedure showed no leakage in 20 patients and the type Ⅰ minor leakage in 4 patients. No stent movement or organ and both lower extremities ischemia was found at the early post operative stage in all the patients. Six months after the operation, in all the 24 patients, contrast-enhanced CT scan showed the disappearance of the aneurysm and thrombosis at the level of the stent. Conclusions EVGE is simple,minimally invasive,less complication and quick recovery after operation. Thus it becomes first choice for the treatment of AAA for the elder patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis misdiagnosed as mental disorder, improve the early diagnosis rate and reduce misdiagnosis.Methods:The clinical data of patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2012 to 2018 were collected. Patients misdiagnosed as mental disorders were screened out. Their psychiatric symptom characteristics, disease course characteristics, imaging and laboratory findings, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 121 cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis were collected, and 43 cases of mental disorders were screened out. Sixteen of the 43 patients (37.2%) had prodromal symptoms, and all the patients had psychiatric behavioral abnormalities (100%), including 32 cases (74.4%) of seizures, 13 cases (30.2%) of decreased level of consciousness, 21 cases (48.8%) of involuntary movements, 15 cases (34.9%) of decreased memory, 8 cases (18.6%) of speech dysfunction, and 8 cases (18.6%) of other neurological symptoms (central hyperventilation, autonomic dysfunction). Memory loss was observed in 15 cases (34.9%), speech dysfunction in 8 cases (18.6%), other neurological symptoms (central hypoventilation, autonomic dysfunction) in 8 cases (18.6%), and various symptoms may appear simultaneously or successively in the same patient. Thirty-eight cases had complete resolution of symptoms or only minor physical impairment, and 5 cases had recurrent admissions with mental abnormalities and seizures. The recurrence rate accounted for 11.6% (5/43).Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis are complex and varied. Most of them have mental behavior abnormalities as the first symptom, which is easily misdiagnosed as mental disorder and delayed treatment will lead to prolonged disease course and poor prognosis.

Objective:To investigate therole of serum amylase elevation in the evaluation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) patients and the related factors affecting serum amylase (AMS) levels in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.Methods:A total of 249 patients with DKA who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2011 to August 2018 were selected for this retrospective study. The patients were divided into the normal group ( n=176) and the elevated group ( n=73) according to the AMS level measured by fasting venous blood samples. The enumeration data such as sex, type of DM, diabetic vascular complications, number of deaths, number of ICU monitoring, and number of acute pancreatitis (AP) after discharge were analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher test, and the measurement data such as age, pH, HbA1c, CO 2CP, Ca 2+, BUN, and Scr were analyzed by independent sample t test to compare the difference between the two groups. Results:The intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring rate was 50.7%, the median length of stay in ICU was 4 days, the median length of hospital stay was 14 days, and the median treatment cost was 28 000 yuan, which were higher in the elevated group than those in the normal group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mortality, AP during hospitalization, and the probability of AP after discharge between the elevated group and the normal group ( P>0.05). The duration of diabetes, the number of previous DKA, the incidence of diabetic vascular complications, HbA1c, pH, BUN, and Scr in the elevated group were all higher than those in the normal group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions:DKA patients with elevated AMS are more likely to be admitted to ICU, and the length of stay in ICU, total length of hospital stay and total cost of treatment are all increased. Where as the overall mortality rate during hospitalization and the likelihood of AP after discharge are not increased.

Objective:To investigate the recovery of patients with acute thallium poisoning after 9 years.Methods:A group of 14 patients with familial thallium poisoning who were admitted to our hospital in 2010 were followed up for 9 years.Results:Among the 14 patients with acute thallium poisoning, one patient died on the 14th day after poisoning, and all the other survivors were followed up 9 years later. The general condition of all the patients was significantly better than that of poisoning 9 years ago. The alopecia of all cases disappeared, the newborn hair grew normally, without gastrointestinal symptoms, numbness, pain in the limbs and mental symptoms. All the patients returned to normal intelligence and physical strength and had a normal life. One patient (No. 5) gave birth to 2 children successively after discharge. The first child was 6 years old and the second child was 2 years old. Both growth and intelligence were not different from those of the same age. Currently, the third pregnancy was more than 7 months. No.6 and No.10 patients were poisoned in their teenage and were currently all studying in university. No.6 patient suffered from Hashimoto's thyroiditis 7 years after poisoning, and he has been taking thiamazole tablets for two years. Poisoned infants, No.7, 8 ,11 and 12, were school-age children with normal growth, mental development and excellent academic performance. Among the 13 surviving patients, blood and urine samples from No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 patients were collected, and no thallium concentration was detected, and biochemical examina-tion and neurological examination were all normal.Conclusions:Patients with acute thallium poisoning have a favorable prognosis according to the follow-up after 9 years. All patients have no obvious sequelae and have normal labor ability. Young women have normal fertility, and children have normal growth and mental development.

To explore the threshold effect of body mass index (BMI) on bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese women living in the fluorosis area, we conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited 722 women in rural areas in Henan Province, China. After detection and analyses, we found that compared with the normal BMI group, the risk of osteoporosis in the overweight and obese groups were reduced by 32% and 69%, respectively. Threshold effect analysis showed that BMD was positively correlated with BMI when BMI was 16.8-31.2 kg/m 2; while when BMI was greater than 31.2 kg/m 2, the correlation reached saturation. The correlation observed between low-to-moderate fluoride exposure and BMD in rural women was not significant.

To explore the threshold effect of body mass index (BMI) on bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese women living in the fluorosis area, we conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited 722 women in rural areas in Henan Province, China. After detection and analyses, we found that compared with the normal BMI group, the risk of osteoporosis in the overweight and obese groups were reduced by 32% and 69%, respectively. Threshold effect analysis showed that BMD was positively correlated with BMI when BMI was 16.8-31.2 kg/m 2; while when BMI was greater than 31.2 kg/m 2, the correlation reached saturation. The correlation observed between low-to-moderate fluoride exposure and BMD in rural women was not significant.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning and the differences in the severity of poisoning.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2020. The general information, exposure time, poisoning dose, poisoning cause, poisoning route, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results during hospitalization, treatment measures, hospital stays and prognosis of the patients were collected. The patients were graded according to the poisoning severity scoring standard of Chinese Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Poisoning in 2016. The highest severity score during hospitalization was used as the final grade. According to the final grade, asymptomatic and mild patients were included in the mild group, and moderate, severe and death patients were included in the severe group. The independent sample T test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for measurement data, and χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used for counting data. The differences of general data and clinical data between the two groups were compared. Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 83 patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning were selected as the study subjects. All patients survived, mainly mild poisoning (56.6%), with a male to female ratio of 33∶50, and an average age of 39 years. The number of poisoning cases increased yearly (the highest in 2019), and most cases occurred in spring and summer. The main cause of poisoning was suicide (71.1%), direct oral administration (83.1%) was the primary route of poisoning, and the dominating clinical manifestations were digestive symptoms (71.1%). Laboratory tests showed increased white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil percentage (NEUT %) and D-dimer, and decreased hemoglobin and potassium. Compared with the mild group, patients in the severe group were older [(51±17) years vs. (35±19) years], had a higher proportion of suicide and direct oral administration, a longer hospital stay [8.0 (4.8, 12.0) d vs. 3.0 (2.0, 5.5) d], a higher dose of poisoning [200.0 (50.0, 200.0) mL vs. 30.0 (11.3, 57.5) mL], and higher NEUT % within 24 h of admission [(83.4±10.4) vs. (73.2±12.8)]. The increase of WBC, NEUT %, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time, D-dimer and the decrease of serum potassium were more common in the severe group than the mild group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The number of patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning is increasing yearly. Generally, the condition is mild and the prognosis is satisfying. The severity is more serious in the middle-aged and elderly patients andthose with direct oral administration, high toxic dose, and high NEUT % within 24 h of admission. Severe poisoning is more likely to cause changes in laboratory indicators.