Objective To investigate the clinical value of procalcitonin (PCT) levels in bacteria identification in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with bloodstream infection.Methods There were 540 cases of patients with bloodstream infection in our ICU between December 2007 and December 2013.The PCT levels and bacteria were identified.The application effectiveness of PCT levels in the bacteria identification was studied.Results The G+ bacteria infection rate was 49.63％ (268/540),G-bacteria infection rate was 38.52％ (208/540),and the fungal infection rate was 11.85％ (64/540).The patients of G-bacteria had significant difference with G + bacteria and fungal infection (P ＜ 0.05).The PCT average and positive rate of G-bacteria were significantly higher than G + bacteria and fungi group (P ＜ 0.05),respectively.G+ bacteria and fungi infection did not have significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).When PCT ＞ 2.04 ng/ml,the sensitivity and specificity that applying serum PCT level to identify the between G-and G+ bacteria were 82.18％ and 76.09％,respectively.When PCT ＞3.16 ng/ml,the sensitivity and specificity that applying serum PCT level to identify the between G-and fungus bacteria were 59.42％ and 65.73％,respectively.Conclusions The identification between G-bacteria and G + bacteria,fungi with applying PCT level in bloodstream infections had high accuracy.When the PCT levels was greater than 2.04 ng/ml,the occurrence of G-bacteria was greater risk of infection.The accuracy of PCT level identifying the G + bacteria and fungi was poor.

AIM: To study the clinical efficacy of Conbercept intravitreal injection(0.5mg/0.05mL)in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration(ARMD).

METHODS: Forty-five patients(45 eyes)with exudative age-related macular degeneration diagnosed in our hospital from July 2015 to January 2016 were retrospectively studied. A monthly intravitreal injection of conbercep was carried out. After 3-month injection, conbercep was given if necessary(3+PRN), and all patients were followed up for 2a. Before and after treatment, the intraocular pressure, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)changes were observed.

RESULTS: The BCVA at 1, 2, 3mo, 1 and 2a after treatment was better than that before treatment(t=5.208, 5.111, 4. 323, 4.701, 5.156; P<0.05). CMT was significantly lower than before treatment(t=3.807, 4.556, 2.841, 2.707, 3.145; P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Conbercept injection, as 3+PRN, can effectively improve visual acuity, reduce macular edema.

· AIM: To explore the relationship between the expression of Fas/FasL and the apoptosis in retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury of rats, as well as the therapeutic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)on the ischemic retina.injury were made by transiently elevating introcular pressure. A total of 28 rats were divided into Normal Group and Operative Group. The latter were subdivided into 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72h after reperfusion, in which the left eyes of the rats were in the ischemia/reperfusion groups and the right ones were in the treatment groups (bFGF intracameral injection). Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method, and theexpression of Fas/FasL ligand was studied by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry.mai rats' retinae, but there were a significant number of TUNEL positive cells in 6-24h after transient ischemia followed by a decrease at 48h. The number of TUNEL positive cells reached a maximum at 24h after ischemia.The expression of Fas gradually increased as early as at 6h, reached a peak at 24h, then decreased at 48h. Similarly, the expression of Fas ligand was at peak in 24-48h in GCL and INL of retina. bFGF ministered before reperfusion inhibited apoptotsis and ameliorated the tissue damage. It also diminished Fas and FasL expression in ischemic/reperfused retina.siently elevated IOP induced apoptosis of cells in the retina. Fas/FasL may have an important role in the early events of the apoptotic pathways. bFGF can rescue RGCs from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulation of Fas and Fas ligand expression and may represent an important mechanism for therapeutic neuroprotection.

AIM: To understand the relation between the penetrating keratoplasty rejection and the methods of cornea preservation.
METHODS: The 30 Wistar rats as donator and 60 SD rats as receptor were used to establish the animal models of penetrating keratoplasty rejection. And 60 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Donor cornea of Wistar rats preserved in different methods were used separately in 3 groups. The penetrating keratoplasty rejection index ( RI ) , means survival time ( MST ) of corneal grafts and pathological changes in post -operation were analyzed.
RESULTS: The MST was ( 10. 4±1. 70 ) d in moist-chamber- preserved group (Ⅰ), ( 12. 9 ± 1. 81 ) d in medium-term-preserved group (II) and (16. 1±2. 57) d in cryopreserved group ( Ⅲ) . The MST in the cryopreserved group was evidently prolonged, showing a significant correlation compared with other two groups (P<0. 01). The sections with HE staining revealed that the severity of inflammation in Ⅲ group was reduced compared with that of Ⅰ, II group after 10d of keratoplasty.
CONCLUSION: The postoperative rejection of penetrating keratoplasty in rats is decreased and rejection time is delayed in cryopreserved cornea.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of fluid balance and model of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on renal function and prognosis of patients suffering from septic acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of 117 septic AKI patients who had undergone RRT between January 2009 and December 2014 was performed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The patients were divided into positive fluid balance group (n = 52) and negative fluid balance group (n = 65) according to the total amount of fluid calculated from the difference between fluid administered and fluid lost during the first 1 week of RRT. The incidence of renal recovery and death of the patients by 60 days as the endpoint events were taken to judge the prognosis of two groups. RRT strategies included continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and intermittent renal replacement therapy (IRRT). Multiple factors including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, RRT model, the accumulation of fluid before initiation of RRT, and negative fluid balance during RRT were analyzed for outcome predictors by Cox proportional hazards model.Results There were no differences between two groups regarding clinical characteristics. The percentage of receiving CRRT in the negative fluid balance group was slightly higher than that of the positive fluid balance group (52.31% vs. 36.54%,χ2 = 2.899,P = 0.089). With Kaplan-Meier survival curves, it was shown that the patients of negative fluid balance group had a higher rate of recovery of renal function (χ2 = 4.803,P = 0.028) and significantly lower mortality rate (χ2 = 9.505, P = 0.002). The rate of recovery of renal function by 60 days was higher in the negative fluid balance group than that in the positive fluid balance group (47.69% vs. 28.85%,χ2 = 3.991,P = 0.046), while the mortality rate was significantly lowered in the negative fluid balance group compared with that of the positive fluid balance group (40.00% vs. 67.31%,χ2 = 4.378,P = 0.036). Cox multivariate regression was used for excluding confounding factors. After adjusting for the clinically relevant variables, RRT negative fluid balance was significantly associated with recovery of renal function [hazard ratios (HR) = 2.440, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) = 1.089-5.464,P = 0.030] and mortality (HR = 0.443, 95%CI = 0.238-0.822,P = 0.010]. Higher eGFR before RRT and CRRT were independent favorable factors for recovery of renal function (HR= 1.014, 95%CI = 1.003-1.026,P = 0.012;HR = 3.138, 95%CI = 1.765-7.461,P = 0.002), and higher SOFA score was associated with a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 1.115, 95%CI = 1.057-1.177, P< 0.001).ConclusionsOnce the patients with septic AKI showed the signs of fluid overload, timely RRT and effective removal of excessive liquid may reverse the adverse prognosis. RRT with negative fluid balance is beneficial for the recovery of renal function, and reduce the mortality in patients with septic AKI, and CRRT model is a good choice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia (HH)on the cognitive function of mice and the phosphorylation of tau protein in mice brain.

METHODSForty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): static control (control) group, 8 hours (8 h) group, 7 days(7 d) group and 28 days(28 d) group, which were exposed to simulated HH equivalent to 5 500 m in an animal decompression chamber for 0 hour, 8 hours, 7 days and 28 days, respectively. Cognitive performances were examined by open field and passive avoidance test, tan phosphorylation was assayed by Western blot.

RESULTSIn open field test,the group exposed in hypobaric hypoxia for 28 d showed lower mean velocity (P < 0.05), time in central zone (P < 0.05) was longer than control group. In passive avoidance test 28 d group presented worse performance in both latency time and number of mistakes (P < 0.05) compared with control group. Western blot showed that phosphorylated tau was increased significantly following exposure to HH for 7 d in cortex and 28 d in hippocampus (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTau hyperphosphorylation in brain of mice may play a role in chronic HH-induced cognitive function impairment.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; physiology ; Memory ; physiology ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

The medicinal plant resource reserve refers to the natural resources of medicinal plants in a certain time and a certain region within the scope of the volume. In recent years, with the demand of medicinal plant resources surging and the change of the environment and human intervention factors, the medicinal plant resources reserve had accelerated pace of change. It is the prerequisite and basis for the development and utilization of medical plants that how to quickly and accurately attain reserve of some medicinal plants resources, the selection of suitable and accurate estimating method is reliable basis and can guarantee medicinal plant reserve survey, and also is one of the key reserve investigation of success. This paper systematically summarized the estimation method of medicinal plants in recent 30 years, and discussed the basic principle, the estimation model of development and evolution, advantages and disadvantages and applicability, and it aimed to improve the accuracy about reserves survey of medicinal plant resources, and provide scientific and reliable support data to medicinal plants resources for sustainable development and utilization of resources.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Models, Statistical ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of learning and memory dysfuction in the transgenic mouse expressing human tau 40 isoform with P301L mutation (F10).

METHODSThe human tau protein expression and phosphor-tau protein levels were detected with Western blot method. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed with Bielshowsky silver stain. The behavior changes of learning and memory were observed by open field test and passive avoidance test. Acetyleholine level, activities of acetycholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase of whole brain was detected by colorimetry method. The nitric oxide level of whole brain was detected by nitrate enzyme reduction method.

RESULTSExogenous human tau gene was expressed and an elevation of phosphor-tau protein level in 7 and 3-month transgenic mice's hippocampus andcerebrocortex was observed. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed in cerebrocortex of 7-month transgenic mice; the 7-month transgenic mice also presented an evident reduction of learning and memory ability and nitric oxide level of the whole brain, but not changes in acetylcholine level, acetycholinesterase activity, choline acetyltransferase activity and expression in whole brain.

CONCLUSIONTau transgenic mice (F10) can still inherit their parents' biologiccal characters, and develop learning and memory dysfunction awnodh san obvious decrease in nitric oxide level of whole brain in the 7-month old mice, suggesting a decrease of nitric oxide level of whole brain would be involved in the mechanism of learning and memory dysfunction in these transgenic mice.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Memory Disorders ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mutation ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

AIM: To investigate the effects of chronic hy poxia and antagonistic effects of aminophylline on airway inflammation and oxida tive lung damage in rats. METHODS: Thirty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (n=10); hypoxia group (n=12); aminop hlline-treated group (n=12). The last two groups were both exposed to hypoxi a 7 hours per day for 21 days. The third group was treated with aminophlline (1 00 mg?kg -1?d -1) before exposed to hypoxia. The level of tumor ne c rosis factor (TNF) -?, interleukin (IL)-10, lipid peroxide (LPO) and the activi ty of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in blood and homogenates of lung tissue. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the levels of TNF-?, IL -10 and LPO were significantly increased (P

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between two exonic polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XPC and the susceptibility to lung cancer.

METHODSGenotypes were determined by the primer introduced restriction analysis-PCR(PIRA-PCR) and the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) approaches, respectively, in 320 histologically-confirmed lung cancer cases and 322 age and sex frequency-matched cancer-free controls.

RESULTSMultivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals carrying at least one 499Val variant allele (Ala/Val + Val/Val genotypes) had a significantly increased risk for lung cancer (adjusted OR=1.54; 95%CI: 1.11-2.14), compared with the wild-type genotype (499Ala/Ala). Furthermore, individuals with both putative risk genotypes had a significantly higher risk (adjusted OR=2.55; 95%CI: 1.45-4.52), compared with those with both wild-genotypes. In addition, a potential super multiplicative gene-environment interaction between Ala499Val genotypes and smoking on lung cancer risk was unveiled. The odds ratios of lung cancer for individuals with both putative risk genotypes were 2.63 (95%CI=1.23-5.62) in nonsmokers and 7.36 (95%CI=3.19-17.0) in smokers, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese findings support the hypothesis that these two XPC variants may contribute to the risk of developing lung cancer.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors