Objective To study the value of serum albumin ( ALB ) level for the prognosis of late-preterm infants infection. Methods Late-preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU) from July 2012 to July 2013 were recruited and their clinical data retrospectively reviewed, including the laboratory examination results, neonatal critical illness scores ( NCIS ) , perinatal complications and prognosis. The infants were assigned into three groups based on ALB levels (＞30 g/L, 25-30 g/L, ＜25 g/L). Results A total of 257 cases were recruited and 122 cases (47. 4％) had ALB levels ＜25 g/L. 32 had neonatal sepsis ( sepsis group) , 190 neonatal infection ( infection group) and 35 without infection ( no-infection group ) . The incidences of hypoalbuminemia among these groups were 84. 4％, 50. 0％ and 28. 6％, with the mortality rate 15. 6％, 0. 5％ and 0％. The incidence of hypoalbuminemia and mortality rate in sepsis group were significantly higher than the other groups ( P＜0. 05 ) , and no statistically significant differences between infection group and no-infection group ( P＜0. 05). The ALB level in survived infants [(29. 6±7. 5)g/L] was statistically higher than the deceased ones [(20. 4±6. 9)g/L](P＜0. 05). The incidence of critically ill newborns was 65. 5％ in ALB ＜25 g/L group, significantly higher than the other groups (P＜0. 05). 26. 2％ in ALB ＜25 g/L group had more than 4 organs injuries, significantly higher than ALB ＞30 g/L group ( P＜0. 05 ) . Conclusions Hypoalbuminemia is common among neonates with sepsis. The ALB level had predictive value for the prognosis of neonatal infection.

Objective To investigate the effect of stress-related hyperglycemia on myocardial function of patients with cardiac disorder after non-cardiac surgery.Methods The clinical data of 211 patients having undergone thoracic or abdominal operations in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively analyzed. According to the postoperative average blood glucose level in the following 3 days after surgery and the patients' history of cardiac disorder, they were divided into four groups: without hyperglycemia (blood glucose ≤ 10 mmol/L) and cardiac disorder group (HG0CV0 group), without hyperglycemia but with cardiac disorder group (HG0CV1 group), with hyperglycemia (blood glucose > 10 mmol/L) but without cardiac disorder group (HG1CV0 group) and with hyperglycemia and cardiac disorder group (HG1CV1 group). The correlations between the blood glucose and each level of the following items: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), myocardial zymogram aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme (LDH-1), myoglobin (MYO), α- hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) in each group were analyzed.Results The postoperative blood glucose levels of all 211 patients were significantly higher than those before operation (mmol/L: 8.7±0.2 vs. 5.7±0.2,P < 0.05), and the blood glucose level more than 6.1 mmol/L in postoperative 179 patients accounted for 84.8% of the total. In HG0CV0 group, the postoperative blood glucose level was positively correlated with MYO and AST [r values were 0.193, 0.307; 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were 0.010 - 0.362, 0.096 - 0.479;P values were 0.038, 0.003]. There were no correlations between postoperative blood glucose level and hs-cTnI, BNP, LDH, LDH-1, HBDH, CK and CK-MB (allP > 0.05). In HG0CV1 group, the postoperative blood glucose level was negatively correlated with hs-cTnI level (r = -0.609, 95%CI = -0.810 to -0.264,P = 0.001). There were no correlations between postoperative blood glucose level and the levels of BNP, MYO, AST, LDH, LDH-1, HBDH, CK and CK-MB (allP > 0.05). In HG1CV0 group, there were no correlations between postoperative blood glucoselevel and hs-cTnI, BNP, MYO, AST, LDH, LDH-1, HBDH, CK and CK-MB (allP > 0.05). In HG1CV1 group, the postoperative blood glucose level was positively correlated with hs-TnI level (r = 0.837, 95%CI = 0.476 - 0.984,P = 0.001). There were no correlations between postoperative blood glucose level and the levels of BNP, MYO, AST, LDH, LDH-1, HBDH, CK and CK-MB (allP > 0.05).Conclusion The early stress-related hyperglycemia after non-cardiac surgery may have a protective effect on myocardial function of patients with cardiac disorder.

Objective: To evaluate the consistency of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) method in monitoring cardiac volume load and cardiac hemodynamic indexes.Methods: A total of 45 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital were selected.The right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were monitored during surgery by TEE and PAC respectively.Consistency of monitored data was compared between two methods.Results: Both TEE and PAC indicated that compared with baseline level, after loading, there were significant rise in RVEDV [TEE: (38±6)ml vs.(51±9ml), PAC: (153±17)ml vs.(188±19)ml], RVESV [TEE: (19±4)ml vs.(33±5)ml, PAC: (92±16)ml vs.(110±23)ml], P<0.01 all, but there was no significant change in RVEF, P>0.05.Before therapy, RVEDV, RVESV and RVEF monitored by PAC and TEE showed significant positive correlation, and all relevant coefficients were >0.8 (r=0.844, 0.862, 0.916, P<0.01 all);after therapy, correlation of RVEDV and RVESV significantly reduced to <0.6 (r=0.552, 0.579, P<0.05 both), but RVEF correlation remained >0.8 (r=0.892, P<0.01).Conclusion: In clinical monitor, the consistency of TEE and PAC is high,the former is non-traumatic,and is more convenient for clinical use.

AIM　To investigate the poteintation of vincristine-induecd apoptosis by tetrandrine, neferine and dauricine isolated from Chinese medicinal plants in the human mammary MCF-7 multidrug resistant cells. METHODS　The apoptotic cells were detected by fluorescent staining of a combination of Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (PI), flow cytometry and agarose electrophoresis. RESULTS　The apoptotic cells induced by vincristine alone accounted for about 10% of all the cancer cells, while the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by a combination of vincristine with tetrandrine, neferine, or dauricine was found to be significantly higher than that by vincristine alone, and their reversal effects were positively correlated with the drug concentration and the exposure time. In addition, tetrandrine was shown to be the most potent in the reversal efficacy among the three compounds to be tested for apoptosis in vitro. CONCLUSION　Tetrandrine, neferine and dauricine showed obvious potenitiation of vincristine-induced apoptosis in the human mammary MCF-7 multidrug-resistant cells.

BACKGROUND:The umbilical cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cel s that have strong proliferation and differentiation ability as wel as ability to form colonies, and exert important roles in stimulating bone marrow function, improving blood cel viability and quantity, promoting immune cel maturation, and maintaining immune balance.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effects of autologous umbilical cord blood mononuclear cel transplantation on the immunologic function and prognosis for premature infants.
METHODS:Sixty-two preterm infants who entered into NICU immediately after birth, weighing ≤ 1 500 g, were divided into treatment group and control group according to parent’s wil ingness. In the treatment group, the umbilical cord blood was extracted from the umbilical vein and re-infused into the preterm infants after density gradient centrifugation within 4 hours. The cel ular immunity levels, humoral immunity levels and clinical parameters were monitored before and after treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 1 week of treatment, the CD4, CD4/CD8 levels were significantly increased compared with the control group (P=0.01, 0.03), but CD8 level had no changes. At 1 week after treatment, IgM levels were both increased in the two groups, especial y in the control group (P=0.00);IgA levels had no changes;IgG levels were decreased, especial y in the control group (P=0.02). The incidence of severe infection during hospitalization was 13%in the treatment group, which was lower than the control group (16%), but there was no difference between the two groups. The proportion of infants undergoing mechanical ventilation and average length of stay had significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). After 12 months, the incidence of recurrent respiratory tract infections was zero in the treatment group and one case in the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups. These findings indicate that autologous umbilical cord blood mononuclear cel transplantation can improve the immunologic function, slower the reduction of IgG levels, reduce the usage of breathing machine, shorten the length of stay, and reduce the incidence of recurrent respiratory tract infections in preterm infants.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment and the causes of death in severe infectious disease complicated with capillary leak syndrome(CLS)in neonates.Methods The clinical data,laboratory finding,treatmand clinical outcome of 11 neonates who had severe infectious disease complicated with CLS in our NICU from Jan 2009 to Jul 2010 were collected and analysed retrospectively.Results Among the 11neonates,five had pneumonia and the other six had sepsis.All the 11 cases appeared progressive edema on skin and mucosa,dyspnoea,infective shock,oliguria and hypoalbuminemia(10～20 g/L).We treated the 11cases with hydroxyethyl starch(10～15 ml/kg,every 8 to 12 h)at early stage on the basis of infection control,anti-shock treatment,mechanical ventilation,symptomatic treatment and a stable internal environment.At last,6 cases were rescued,in whom 4 cases were well-developed,had normal intelligence and athletic ability,the other two cases had hydrocephalus or muscle tone high of both lower extremities.Five cases died.Conelusion CLS is a severe complication of neonatal severe infection,and had high mortality.Treating with hydroxvethvl starch at an early stage can increase the survival rate.

Objective To observe the diagnostic value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (hs-CRP/ALB) in early-onset infection in premature and its clinical significance. Methods Clinical data of premature patients with high risk factors of intrauterine infection admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Liaocheng People's Hospital in Shandong Province from July 2013 to July 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into infection and non-infection groups, as well as survival and death groups according to the outcome of the premature babies. The pre-albumin (PA), ALB, white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), and hs-CRP at the moment of NICU admission (0 hour) and 24, 48 and 72 hours after NICU admission were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for evaluation of the predictive value of serum hs-CRP/ALB ratio for the babies during hospitalization. Results A total of 214 cases of premature infants were enrolled, with 102 cases in infection group, and 112 in non-infection group. In infection neonates, 97 of them survived, and 5 died. ① The level of hs-CRP after NICU admission was increased in infection and non-infection groups, and it was significantly higher at 48 hours in infection group than that of the non-infection group [mg/L: 22.0 (7.6, 40.4) vs. 18.3 (12.9, 23.4),Z = 5.257, P = 0.038]. Then hs-CRP was decreased in non-infection, but it was persistently increased in infection group, and it was significantly higher at 72 hours in infection group than that of the non-infection group [mg/L: 25.5 (9.8, 43.5) vs. 12.2 (1.9, 22.1), Z = 5.879, P = 0.042]. The levels of ALB and WBC in infection group was significantly lower than those of the non-infection group [ALB (g/L): 27.9±2.7 vs. 29.1±2.9, t = 5.178, P = 0.026; WBC (×109/L): 13.7±7.1 vs. 16.1±7.9, t = 4.368, P = 0.037], and at 48 hours hs-CRP/ALB in infection group was significantly higher than that of non-infection group [0.16 (0.08, 0.57) vs. 0.07 (0.00, 0.23), Z = 3.436, P = 0.042]. There was no significant difference in PA and PLT between infection and non-infection groups. ② In premature patients with infection, ALB in non-survival group was decreased (g/L: 20.4±6.9 vs. 29.6±7.5, t = 7.859, P = 0.003), and 48-hour hs-CRP and hs-CRP/ALB ratio was significantly increased when compared with that of survival group [hs-CRP (mg/L): 25.8 (15.6, 54.8) vs. 18.2 (12.9, 36.2), Z = 4.067, P = 0.043; hs-CRP/ALB: 0.31 (0.28, 0.76) vs. 0.06 (0.00, 0.21), Z = 6.102, P = 0.011].③ It was shown by ROC curve analysis that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 48-hour hs-CRP/ALB ratio for evaluating infection was 0.765, when the cut-off of 48-hour hs-CRP/ALB ratio was 0.08, the sensitivity was 84.2%, and the specificity was 76.3%. Conclusions The values of hs-CRP and ALB can be used as effective indexes in early diagnosis of intrauterine bacterial infection, and increase in 48-hour hs-CRP/ALB can improve the sensitivity of the diagnosis. Hs-CRP/ALB can be combined to guide rational use of antibiotics.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Cinnabaris on mouse embryos after pregnant mice were treated by Cinnabaris in different periods of pregnancy.

METHODTwo separate experiments were performed: First, Cinnabaris was orally given into pregnant mice at the doses of 0.08, 0.4, 4.0 g x kg(-1) from D6 to D19 after pregnancy; Second, Cinnabaris was orally given into mice at the same doses mentioned above from D14 prior to pregnancy until D19 after pregnancy. All animals were sacrificed on D 20 of pregnancy by caesarean section. The numbers of survival, dead and absorbed fetuses were calculated and the survival fetus weight was measured. The survival fetuses were treated by two methods: One third survival fetuses were fixed and stained by Bouin solution for organ examination and the remaining two thirds fetuses were stained for skeleton examination.

RESULTNo obvious embryo toxicity was observed in the first experiment at Cinnabaris dose levels of 0.08, 0.4, or 4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1). There was no significant effect on embryonic development and the numbers of the survival, dead and absorbed fetus. No obvious malformations on appearance, organ, and skeleton examination of fetuses were found. The second experiment showed that the rates of abortion and absorbed fetus in 0.4, 4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) Cinnabaris group were higher but without statistical significance compared with control group. Appearance and organ examination of Cinnabaris groups fetus showed no obvious malformation, but skeleton malformation was found in 0.4, 4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) groups (the rates of skeleton malformation were 46.7% and 77.8%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONNo obvious embryonic development toxicity was observed when Cinnabaris was orally given in intermediate and late pregnant period, but the embryos in the early stage of pregnancy was more sensitive to Cinnabaris. When Cinnabaris was given prior to pregnancy until the whole period of pregnancy, it may be harmful for the fetuses at above the dose level 0.08 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) (equivalent to 5 times clinical intake dose), both in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Embryonic Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Fetal Development ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Models, Animal ; Pregnancy

Objective To study the clinical features,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of neonatal fulminant myocarditis.Method From January 2016 to August 2016,clinical data of neonates with fulminant myocarditis admitted to the neonatal intense care unit (NICU) were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Result A total of 11 neonates were enrolled,including 6 males and 5 females,and 5 preterms and 6 full term infants.The average gestation age was (37.7 ± 1.6) weeks and their weight on hospital admission was (3 382 ± 675) g.Among the infants,9 got ill in summer and 2 in spring and winter.The onset of illness was within 3 ～ 5 d after birth in 8 cases and 2 ～ 3 weeks in the other 3 cases.The main clinical presentations included fever,anorexia,shortness of breath and lethargy.Various degrees of cardiac dysfunction appeared in all 11 cases,including cardiogenic shock in 10 cases,severe arrhythmias with multiple organ dysfunction in 7 cases,and viral meningitis in 7 cases.10 infants had significantly elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin Ⅰ,and those with troponin Ⅰ above 20 μg/L had poor prognosis.A comprehensive treatment of limiting liquid volume,high-dose adrenocortical steroids,and IVIG were carried out.Meanwhile,therapy to prevent shock,improve cardiac function,reverse arrhythmia,and mechanical ventilation were used in children with dyspnea.7 cases were cured and 6 patients were followedup for 6 to 12 months.Among the 6 followed-up patients,within 1 ～3 months after discharge,4 cases had normal echocardiogram,and persistently abnormal echocardiogram were found in the other 2 cases and eventually confirmed as dilated cardiomyopathy.4 patients were dead.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of neonatal fulminant myocarditis are unspecific.It's difficult to recognize the early symptoms,missed and delayed diagnosis are common,resulting in high mortality rate.Timely diagnosis and effective treatment can improve the survival rate.

OBJECTIVETo explore arsenic accumulation and toxicity mechanism following long-term use of realgar and provide scientific basis for safety use of realgar in clinic.

METHODThe realgar which was used in the study contains 90% insoluble asenic sulfide (As2S2) and 1.696 mg x kg(-1) soluble arsenic. Two separate experiments were performed: 1) Twenty-eight fasting SD rats were orally given a single dose of realgar at the dose of 0.8 g x kg(-1) and the other four rats were given ultra-filtrated water served as control group. Blood, hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs and brains of four rats were taken out at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 36 h respectively after treatment. Asenic quantity of each organ or blood sample was measured. 2) Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group and realgar 0.02, 0.08, 0.16 g x kg(-1) groups, each group containing 5 females and 5 males. The rats were intra-gastrically treated with realgar once a day for successively 90 days, while the control group was given ultra-filtrated water. Asenic amount in blood, liver, kidney and brain of each rat was measured in fasting rats at 16 h after last dosing.

RESULTAsenic amount of blood, liver, kidney, heart, lung and brain increased after single dosing of realgar at dose of 0.16 g x kg(-1), with the order from high to low blood > kidney > lung > liver > heart > brain. Asenic amount was much higher in blood than that in other organs. The feature of asenic distribution in blood following realgar administration may be the basis for its use for leukemia Ninety-day oral treatment of realgar led to significant accumulation of asenic in blood, kidney, liver and brain. The highest asenic accumulation times was found in kidney followed by liver, which was assumed to be associated with nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of realgar. The highest amount of asenic was observed in blood after 90 day's administration of realgar, and the amount of asenic in organs was in the order of blood > kidney > liver > brain.

CONCLUSIONAsenic can be absorbed and extensively distributed in various organs or tissesses after realgar administration in rats. Long-term use of realgar caused high asenic accumulation in various tissueses, including blood, kidney, liver, and brain. The nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of realgar could be associated with the asenic accumulation in relative organs. Blood is the target of the most highest distribution and accamulation of asenic after realgar treatment, that could be associated with the efficacy of realgar on the treatment of leakemia.

Animals ; Arsenic ; analysis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Arsenicals ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility ; Sulfides ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Time Factors