Objective To explore the role of procalcitonin(PCT)in antibiotics therapy of elder patients with community acquired pneumonia(CAP). Methods Sixty-two elderly patients with CAP who hospitalized in Linxi Hospital of Kailuan General Hospital from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2013 were selected as study subjects,and their age span were 54. 0 - 87. 0 years old. All the patients were randomly divided into conventional therapy group(n= 33)and PCT group(n = 29). The use of nntibiotics in conventional treatment group was based on clinical symptoms of patients and the standard of antibiotics application in clinic,while in PCT group was based on PCT serum levels. The main observation indexes including days of antibiotics use,cost of antibiotics use,hospital stay, total cost of hospital stay,clinical efficacy,aggravating cases and death cases. Results The days of antibiotics use,cost of antibiotics use,hospital stay,total cost of hospital stay in PCT group were((12. 2 ± 1. 4)d, (3 341. 9 ± 52. 73)yuan,(12. 1 ± 1. 8)d,(5 346. 2 ± 1 274. 5)yuan)lower than that in conventional therapy group((16. 9 ± 3. 5)d,(3 816. 28 ± 84. 27)yuan,(14. 7 ± 2. 9)d,(6 653. 2 ± 1 132. 8)yuan),and the differences were significant(t = 6. 77,26. 14,4. 17,4. 28;P < 0. 001). There were no significant difference in terms of clinical prognosis( clinical efficacy,aggravating cases and death cases)( P > 0. 05). Conclusion Procalcitonin can guide antibiotics application in the elderly patients,and then prevent the abuse of antibiotics.

Objective To investigate the association between global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) score,N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart function in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS).Methods One hundred and seventy-four ACS patients and 60 healthy persons were enrolled our study.Of ACS patients,96 cases were with unstable angina pectoris(UP) and 78 cases with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).The level of NT-proBNP,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and GRACE score were measured.Results The NT-pro BPN of patients with UP or AMI were 87.00(38.25,245.75) ng/L and 686.00 (169.00,1 852.75) ng/L,and GRACE score were (87.51 ± 17.69) and (134.74 ± 23.56),which were higher than that in the control group (31.50 (13.00,54.75) ng/L,(81.10 ± 15.75)).LVEF in patients with AMI (57.72 ± 9.04) ％,lower than that of the control group ((64.45 ± 6.31) ％),and there were statistically significant difference among the three groups (Z =44.111,P ＜ 0.001 ; F =172.366,18.176,P ＜0.01).There was positive correlation between serum NT-pro BNP levels and GRACE score(r =0.451,P ＜ 0.001),and negative correlation was seen between serum NT-pro BNP and LVEF (r =-0.294,P ＜ 0.001)Conclusion NT-pro BNP level increases and LVEP decreases in patients with ACS and they are related to GRACE score as well as associated with the degree of risk in patients with ACS.

Objective: To explore the IL\|5 values in the tissue and secretion of nasal polyp. Methods: The concentrations of IL\|5, either in tissue homogenate or in nasal secretion, were measured by ELISA. The values of total protein in tissue homogenate were measured by Bradford colorimetry. In this study, 31 cases with nasal polyp, 8 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), 11 cases with chronic sinusitis (CS) and 6 control cases were chosen. Results: ① In tissue homogenate, the IL\|5 concentrations of nasal polyp were higher than that in CS or control group (P＜0.001). ② In nasal secretion, IL\|5 values of both nasal polyp and PAR group were significantly higher than that in CS or control group (P＜0.05). ③ When all cases or only patients with nasal polyp were taken as the subjects, the Pearson correlation coefficient were 0.70, 0.66 respectively. Conclusions: IL\|5 values, both in tissue homogenate and nasal secretion, are significantly higher, which suggested that there were a close relationship between IL\|5 and nasal polyp, and IL\|5 play a key role in the formation of nasal polyp.

Objective To explore the prevalence and influencing factors of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome(OSAS)among hypertensive patients. Methods Two hundred and ninety-eight hypertensive patients who used a portable OSAS monitoring device were selected as our subjects. Of which,197 patients who completed their OSAS monitoring were divided into OSAS group( 165 cases) and non-OSAS group. Stepwise linear regression and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relevant factors correlated to AHI and OSAS with hypertension. Results The average age of the 197 patients(122 were males)were 59. 93 ± 10. 18 years old. The prevalence of OSAS was 83. 8% in hypertension patients. Body mass index( BMI),systolic pressure (SBP),diastolic pressure(DBP),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and waist circumference in OSAS groups were(26. 37 ± 2. 77)kg/ m2 ,(159. 59 ± 14. 42)mmHg,(98. 71 ± 9. 40)mmHg,(2. 85 ± 0. 82)mmol/L,(90. 56 ± 8. 62)cm,higher than those in non-OSAS group((22. 43 ± 2. 04)kg/ m2 ,(146. 83 ± 4. 60) mmHg,(85. 51 ± 7. 52)mmHg,(2. 22 ± 0. 60)mmol/ l. ,(81. 84 ± 8. 00)cm). There were statistical differences between the two groups(t = - 7. 654,- 4. 945,- 7. 490,- 4. 110 and - 5. 289;P < 0. 001). BMI,SBP and DBP were positively associated with AHI,and they were in depended risk factors of OSAS(OR(95% CI)=2. 554(1. 408 - 4. 632),1. 432(1. 154 - 1. 777),1. 286(1. 058 - 1. 562);P < 0. 05). Conclusion The prevalence of OSAS is high in hypertension patients. Higher BMI,SBP,DBP are associated with OSAS in hypertension pateints.

Objective:To explore the expression of IL-5 and its role in the formation and development ofnasal polyp. Method: 31 patients with nasal polyp, 11 patients with chronic sinusitis (CS) and 6 control cases werechosen . Their IL-5 concentration in tissue homogenate were measured by ELISA. All patients with chronic si-nusitis,control cases and 15 patients with nasal polyp were chosen to be counted eosinophils in their HE slice.Result :①The values of IL-5(pg/ml) in nasal polyp,CS and control group separately were .. 23.44± 6.68,16.41±3.09,12.86±4.17. IL-5 concentration in nasal polyp group was higher than that in the other two groups( P ＜0. 001). ②The numbers of eosinophils in nasal polyp ,CS and control group were 7.42±2.33,1.30± 0. 59,1.07±0.70 separately,the numbers of eosinophils in nasal polyp group were higher than that in CR or control group(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: Nasal polyp is a disease characterized by eosinophilia, and IL-5 which activateseosinophil plays part role in the formation of nasal polyp.

Objective To explore the relationship between snoring and hypertension in the elderly.Methods A total of 375 subjects who were ≥40 years without stroke and myocardial infarction accepted questionnaire survey on snoring.Non conditional Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors of hypertension.Results In 375 subjects,non-snore was in 169 subjects,occasionally snore was in 86 subjects and regular snore was in 120 subjects,the prevalence of hypertension in them were 33.7％(57/169),39.5％(34/86) and 49.2％ (59/120),respectively,there was significant difference among them.Non conditional Logistic regression analysis showed:after correcting other factors,regular snore was still risk factor of hypertension,the OR value was 2.124 (95％ CI 1.189-3.796).According to gender stratification,regular snore was still risk factor of hypertension in female,the OR value was 3.993 (95％ CI 1.259-12.663),rather than risk factor in male.Condusion Regular snore is relevant to the increased prevalence of hypertension,and it is a risk factor of hypertension.

Objective To study the correlation between lactate/albumin ratio level and incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) as well as mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.Methods In January 2012-September 2013, 54 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU) of a hospital developed severe sepsis and septic shock on the first day of admission, clinical data of patients were analyzed.Results On the first and second days of admission, 30(55.56%)and 26(53.06%)patients developed MODS;lactate/albumin ratio between MODS group and non-MODS group on the first and second days of admission were both significantly different (both P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lactate/albumin ratio, oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), as well as acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE Ⅱ) were independent risk factors for predicting MODS in patients with severe sepsis.Lactate/albumin ratios between MODS group and non-MODS group, death group and non-death group were both significantly different (both P<0.05);lactate/albumin ratio was correlated with APACHE Ⅱand PaO2/FiO2, the higher the APACHE Ⅱ score and the lower the PaO2/FiO2, the higher of lactate/albumin ratio.The area under the receiver operating curve (ROC curve) analysis showed that incidence and mortality of MODS on the first day of admission predicted by lactate /albumin ratio were 0.85 and 0.84 respectively;sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of occurrence of MODS predicted by lactate /albumin ratio>1.735 were 80.00%, 79.17%, 82.67%, and 75.92% respectively, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of mortality were 100.00%, 51.02%, 17.23%, and 100.00% respectively.Conclusion Lactate/albumin ratio level is closely correlated with incidence and mortality of MODS in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between snoring and carotid artery plaques in the elderly population. METHOD: Sixty-seven patients with snoring and 61 healthy volunteers accepted questionnaire on sleep apnea were analyzed in the survey. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting carotid artery plaques. RESULT: Among the non-snorers (n = 61), mild snorer (n = 18), moderate snorers (n = 24) and severe snorers (n = 25) groups, the prevalence of carotid artery plaques in four groups were 19.7%, 44.4%, 62.5%, 84.0% respectively. There was statistically significant differences between groups. After multivariable adjustment, the moderate and severe snorers were still risk factors affecting carotid artery plaques, the OR (95% CI) values were 4.378 (1.181-16.225), and 19.572 (3.316-115.528) respectively. CONCLUSION The moderate and severe snoring in the elderly population were relevant to the increased prevalence of carotid artery plaques, and was a risk factor on carotid artery plaques.
Aged ; Carotid Stenosis ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Snoring ; epidemiology

A new electrochemical sensor for organophosphate pesticide(methyl-paraoxon)detection based on bifunctional cerium oxide(CeO2)nanozyme is here reported for the first time.Methyl-paraoxon was degraded into p-nitrophenol by using CeO2 with phosphatase mimicking activity.The CeO2 nanozyme-modified electrode was then synthesized to detect p-nitrophenol.Cyclic voltammetry was applied to investigate the electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode,which indicates that the signal enhancement effect may attribute to the coating of CeO2 nanozyme.The current research also studied and discussed the main parameters affecting the analytical signal,including accumulation potential,accumulation time,and pH.Under the optimum conditions,the present method provided a wider linear range from 0.1 to 100 μmol/L for methyl-paraoxon with a detection limit of 0.06 μmol/L.To validate the proof of concept,the electrochemical sensor was then successfully applied for the determination of methyl-paraoxon in three herb samples,i.e.,Coix lacryma-jobi,Adenophora stricta and Semen nelum-binis.Our findings may provide new insights into the application of bifunctional nanozyme in electro-chemical detection of organophosphorus pesticide.

Objective    To investigate the effects of telmisartan on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer A549 and the mechanism of regulating Wnt signaling pathway. Methods    Non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 was cultured in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of telmisartan at different concentrations on the proliferative activity of A549 cells. The survival fraction of A549 treated with different concentrations of telmisartan was determined by colony-formation assay. The effect of telmisartan at different concentrations on the migration ability of A549 cells was examined in the wounding healing assay. Hoechst staining was used to detect the effects of telmisartan at different concentrations on the apoptosis of A549. Western bloting was used to detect the expressions of β-actin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt-3a, Beta-catenin (β-catenin), serine protein kinase 3β (p-GSK-3β), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and c-myc. Results    Different concentrations of telmisartan treatment inhibited the proliferation activity, colony-formation rate and migration of A549 cells, and reduced the expression of PCNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Telmisartan treatment promoted the apoptosis of A549 cells, significantly increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The expression levels of Wnt-3a, β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, and c-myc in A549 cells increased after treatment with telmisartan, while the expression levels of GSK-3β decreased. Conclusion    Telmisartan may play a role in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and  inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms.