Objective To study the non-covalent binding between the tectoridin(TE) and plasma proteins.Methods The molecular weights of TE,human serum albumin(HSA),?1-acid glycoprotein(AAG) and the protein-drug complexes were measured by the electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry(ESI-MS).The maximum stoichiometric ratios were obtained according to the molecular weight change of the complexes before and after binding reaction.The binding constants(K) of the complexes were calculated by the Scatchard equation.The main sorts of binding force of the complexes were deduced according to the relationship between the reaction temperature and the thermodynamic parameters(?H and ?S).Results The K of the complexes were 1.914?104 mol/L for TE-HSA and 5.893?104 mol/L for TE-AAG,and the number of binding sites were 7.8 and 3.3,respectively.The main sorts of binding force between TE-HSA or TE-AAG were static-electricity gravitation.Conclusion ESI-MS is a good method for studying of the TE-protein non-covalent binding with some advantages in sensitivity,high-speed,and accuracy.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of subglottic secretion drainage for preventing ventilatorassociated pneumonia.MethodsData of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT) from January 1991 to June 2010 were collected,and data were split into two groups,namely draining group and non-draining group.Meta analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia was carried out for finding the incidence and mortality in patients with mechanical ventilation using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.ResultsSeven RCTs met the inclusion criteria and 1647 patients were enrolled.Subglottic secretion drainage reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia ( OR =0.45,95％ confidence interval [CI]:0.32 - 0.63 ),primarily by reducing early-onset pneumonia.But the mortalities of ventilator associated pneumonia were not significantly different between the two groups ( OR =1.03,95％ confi dence interval [CI]:0.75 - 1.41 ).ConclusionsSubglottic secretion drainage appeared effective in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia among patients expected to require ＞48 hours of mechanical ventilation,but the mortality was unchanged.

Objective To determine whether urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipecalin (uNGAL) and urinary intedeukin-18 (uIL-18) are early markers of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. Methods Ninety-two critically ill patients were studied for one week after their enrollment into our hospital. During the study, 46 patients who met the RIFLE criteria were selected as AKI group and the remaining 46 patients without AKI taken as a control group. The two groups were matched for age, gender and illness severity. Urine samples were collected daily for one week. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the early diagnostic value of uNGAL, uIL-18 and serum creatininc (SCr). Results As compared with the levels obtained 3 days before the diagnosis of AKI, the uNGAL levels in the AKI group increased significantly (P <0. 05), while uIL-18 and SCr levels did not change 2 days prior to the diagnosis of A KI (all P > 0. 05). uNGAL and uIL-18 levels increased significantly (all P < 0. 05), while SCr levels did not change 1 day prior to the diagnosis of AKI in the AKI group (P > 0. 05). The levels of uNGAL, uIL-18 and SCr did not change significantly in the control group during the study period (all P > 0. 05). Three days before the diagnosis of AKI, concentrations of uNGAL, uIL-18 and SCr were not the predictive of AKI. Two days before the diagnosis of AKI, the area under the curve (AUC) of uNGAL was 0. 840 (95% CI 0. 672-1. 009, P < 0. 05), which indicated that uNGAL was the predictive of AKI while uIL-18 and SCr were not. One day before the diagnosis of AKI, the AUC of uNGAL and ulL-18 were 0. 830 (95 % CI 0. 711-0. 950, P < 0. 05) and 0. 818 (95 % CI 0. 697-0. 938, P < 0. 05), indicating that uNGAL and uIL-18 were the predictive of AKI while SCr was not. Conclusion uNGAL and uIL-18 may be the early predictive markers of AKI in critically ill patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of direct hemoperfusion with polymixin B-immobilized fiber (DHP-PMX) in patients with sepsis. Methods We searched Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science databases and identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT) from January 1995 to May 2010. Meta-analysis of DHP-PMX on mortality and levels of endotoxin in patients with sepsis were conducted using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Eleven RCTs were included.Eight of them included the mortality of patients (sample size: 211 DHP-PMX and 178 conventional medical therapy). In total, the mortalities of patients with sepsis in DHP-PMX group and conventional group were 37.4% (79/211) and 68.5% (122/178) respectively. Compared with the conventional medical therapy,DHP-PMX appeared to significantly reduce mortality ( OR =0.24,95% CI 0.16-0.38 ,P ＜0.000 01 ). The results were similar when two RCTs enrolling patients with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections were excluded( OR =0. 27,95% CI 0. 17-0. 45, P ＜0. 000 01 ). When the analysis was limited to the nine studies that reported 28- to 30-day mortality, results were unchanged( OR =0. 29,95% CI 0.17-0.48 ,P ＜0.000 01 ). Six RCTs had the available data of endotoxin. The level of endotoxin decreased 31 ng/L(95% CI 22.46-39.55 ) after DHP-PMX therapy, and the decreasing was statistically significant (P＜0. 000 01 ) ,while the level of endotoxin in patients of conventional group did not change (P =0.94).Conclusions This study suggests a favorable effects of DHP-PMX on mortality and endotoxin decreasing in patients with sepsis. However, lack of enough cases and blinding need to be considered. Further investigation with large sample of high quality RCTs is needed.

Objective To evaluate the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV)used after extubation on mortality and rate of reintubation in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).Method Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science databases were searched to collect data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) of the relevant subject from January 1995 to May 2010. Meta analysis of data about NPPV on mortality and rate of reintubation in patients after extubation carried out by using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Six RCTs included sample size of 381 NPPV and 379routine medical care. In total, the mortalities of patients in NPPV group and routine medical care group were 18.6% (62/334) vs. 21.6% (72/333), respectively, and the rates of reintubation of the two groups were 30.2% (115/381) vs. 33.5% (127/379), respectively. Compared with routine medical care, NPPV did not significantly reduce the mortality ( OR: 0.83, 95% CI =0.57 ～ 1.21 ,P =0.34) and rate of reintuation( OR: 0.83, 95% CI = 0.59 ～ 1.16, ( P = 0.27). When the analysis was focused to the four studies of them in which patients received NPPV as soon as extubation, the results were quite different. From these four studies, the mortalities of patients in NPPV group and routine medical care group were 12. 2% (22/181) vs.23.9% (44/184),(P=0.004), and the rate of reintubation of the two groups were 14.0% (32/228) vs.20.4% (47/230), (P =0.07). Compared with routine medical care, early application of NPPV to patients after extubation reduced the mortality. Conclusions This study suggests the favorable effects of early application of NPPV to patients after extubation on the mortality of acute respiratory failure.

Objective To evaluate the effects of sedation with propofol or dexmedetomidine on volume responsiveness in critically ill patients with acute circulatory failure. Methods Ninety?one critically ill patients with acute circulatory failure, aged 20-90 yr, weighing 40-80 kg, requiring sedation with propofol or dexmedetomidine, of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ scores 12-47, of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores 1-18, and of NYHA Ⅰ or Ⅱ, were included. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups using a random number table: propofol group ( n = 45 ) and dexmedetomidine group ( n=46) . Before and after propofol or dexmedetomidine sedation, when Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale score reached -2 or -1 ( BIS value 60-75) ( after sedation) , passive leg?raising (PLR) test was performed to evaluate volume responsiveness. An increase in cardiac index (ΔCI) ≥10% after PLR was considered to be a positive response, whereas ΔCI<10% after PLR was considered to be a negative response. The patients who presented with negative responses before sedation served as negative volume responsiveness subgroups ( N subgroups ) , that was PN subgroup and DN subgroup. Results The positive rates of volume responsiveness were 64% ( 14 cases) and 25% ( 5 cases) in PN and DN subgroups, respectively. The positive rates of volume responsiveness were significantly higher after sedation than before sedation in PN and DN subgroups. Compared with DN subgroup, the positive rates of volume responsiveness were significantly increased after sedation in PN subgroup. Conclusion For the critically ill patients with acute circulatory failure, both propofol and dexmedetomidine sedation can improve volume responsiveness, and propofol provides better efficacy than dexmedetomidine.

Objective To assess the value of central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference [ P( cv-a) CO2 ] in evaluation of disease severity and prognosis in patients with septic shock.Methods There were 45 consecutive resuscitated septic shock patients from April 2009 to October 2010 included immediately after their admission into our ICU.The patients were divided into low P(cv-a) CO2 group and high P(cv-a) CO2 group according to a threshold of 6 mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).All patients were treated by early goal directed therapy (EGDT).The parameters of hemodynamics,lactate clearance rate,the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ ) score,the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA)score,6 h rate of EGDT achievement,the ICU mortality and 28 days in-hospital mortality were recorded for all patients.Results There were 30 patients in the low P(cv-a) CO2 group,and 15 in the high P(cv-a)CO2group.There were no significant differences between low P(cv-a) CO2 and high P(cv-a) CO2 patients in age,APACHE Ⅱ score and SOFA score (all P ＞ 0.05 ).Compared with the high P(cv-a)CO2 group,the low P(cv-a) CO2 group had higher cardiac index ( CI ) and 24 h CI,higher delivery O2 ( DO2 ) and 24 h DO2,higher central venous oxygen saturation ( ScvO2 ) [ (74 ± 9) ％ vs (67 ± 8) ％ ],lower lactate [ ( 3.4 ± 2.1 )mmol/L vs (5.7 ± 4.5 ) mmol/L] and higher △SOFA score [ (0.7 ± 1.8 ) vs ( - 0.4 ± 1.1 ) ],lower 24 h SOFA score [ (7.8 ± 2.0) vs (9.8 ± 2.0 ) ],higher 6 h rate of EGDT achievement ( 83.3％ vs 53.3 ％ )(P ＜ 0.05 ),however,there were no differences in 28 days mortality and ICU mortality between the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion P(cv-a) CO2 might be an indicator for predicting the severity of patients with septic shock and evaluating tissue perfusion.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of dead space fraction (VD/VT) guided positive end expiratory pressure ( PEEP ) in acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS ).Methods Twenty-three intubated and mechanically ventilated patients with early ARDS were enrolled in the study.PEEP was titrated by lowest VD/VT.Parameters of oxygenation and respiratory mechanics were observed.Results PEEP titrated by lowest VD/VT and highest static lung compliance ( CLst ) ( P ＞ 0.05 ) respectively,were lower than PEEP titrated by optimal oxygenation ( P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between lowest VD/VT and highest Ctst method.The VD/VT that ventilated on PEEP titrated by the lowest VD/VT decreased than its basal level.There was no difference significantly between the VD/VT that ventilated on PEEP elected by the other two methods with basal level ( P ＞ 0.05 ).The the ratio of arterial PO2 to the inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2)ratios improved significantly than the baseline values in three ventilation strategies,and that ventilated on PEEP targeting the lowest VD/VT was lower than PEEP targeting optimal oxygenation.The plateau airway pressure that ventilated on PEEP targeting optimal oxygenation was higher than the other two methods.The functional residual capacity (FRC) of patients ventilated by PEEP targeting optimal oxygenation was increased than the lowest VD/VT and maximum CLst.Conclusions VD/VT could be one of the methods to titrate the optimal PEEP in patients with early ARDS.Optimal PEEP targeting the highest compliance in conjunction with the lowest dead space fraction indicated a maximumamount of effectively expanded alveoli.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between alveolar dead space fraction and the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory syndrome in the early phase ( ＜ 3 days).MethodsTwentythree patients with ARDS were enrolled in this study.The VD/VT was measured by the single breath test of CO2 (SBT-CO2).The age,heart rate,mean arterial pressure,APACHE Ⅱ,Murray lung injury score,functional residual capacity ( FRC ),PaO2/FiO2,tidal volume,airway plateau pressure ( Pplat ),static pulmonary compliance (Cst),28-day mortality were recorded.ResultsThe alveolar dead-space fraction was markedly elevated (0.59 ±0.06) and the mean FRC was markedly decreased (1643 ±409) ml in the early phase of ARDS.The mortality of 28 days was 52.2％.The mean dead-space fraction was significantly higher in non-survived patients than that in survival [(0.64 ± 0.08 ) vs.(0.53 ±0.04 )].VD/VT was correlated significantly with Murray lung injury score ( r=0.464,P =0.026).The area under the ROC curve for dead space fraction was 0.867,with sensitivity of 83％,and specificity of 82％.Conclusions Increased alveolar dead-space fraction of patients in the early phases of ARDS is associated with greater risk of death.

Objective: Analyze the ecological adaptable regions for the resource reservation and the expanding cultiva-tion of Quisqualis indica L. Methods: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Geographic Information System (TCMGIS) was used to analyze the ecological adaptable region. Results: The 17 provinces (city, municipalities) were the ecolog-ical adaptable region for Q. indica L. The 100% ecology similarity regions are mainly in 16 provinces (city, munici-palities), including Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian etc., which area accounts for 1 012 895.98 km2. Among these, the area in Guangxi province is the largest (195 313.64 km2), the second is Guangdong (150 276.36 km2), the following order is Hunan(128 925.29 km2), Fujian (101 471.16 km2) and Y unnan (100 660.83 km2). The 95%~100%ecology similarity regions is located in 16 provinces (city, municipalities), including Y unnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei province etc., which area accounts for 362 366.25 km2. The largest area is in Y unnan province (92 399.04 km2), followed by Sichuan(76 122.32 km2), Guizhou (43 902.38 km2), Hubei (31 760.32 km2) and Jiangxi (29 770.09 km2). Conclusion: The results are consistent with the survey results and the previous reports. To promote the develop-ment of Q. indica L. cultivation, the planting scientifically and quality evalution should be further conducted on the basis of the results by system analysis.