Objective To explore the significance of the plasma procalcitonin (PCT) level for directing antibiotic therapy in elderly patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods The 50 elderly patients with VAP were randomly separated into the regular therapy group and the PCT-directed therapy group. The regular therapy group was given regular antibiotic therapy, while the antibiotic therapy was decided according to the plasma level of PCT in the PCT-directed therapy group. The used time and utilization rate of antibiotics, as well as inflammatory indicators including white blood cells, neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, there were no significant differences in white blood cells, neutrophils and CRP between the PCT-directed therapy group and regular therapy group [(8.9 ± 3.5 ) × 109/L vs. (9.4 ± 3.7) × 109/L, 0.62 ± 0.04 vs.0.60±0.04, (18.7±8.5) mg/Lvs. (21.6±6.0) mg/L, t=0.47, 1.84 and 1.37, allP＞0.05],but the CPIS was markedly lower in PCT-directed therapy group than in regular therapy group [(4.0± 1.4) scores vs. (4.7± 1.0) scores, t= 2. 18, P＜0.05]. The neutrophils, CRP and CPIS were significantly lower after treatment than before in the both groups. The concentration of PCT was decreased after treatment than before [(0.5 ± 0.9) mg/L vs. (1.7 ± 0.7) mg/L]. Meanwhile, the time using antibiotics was longer in regular treatment group than in PCT-directed therapy group [(8.72±1.32) d vs. (5.17±0.72) d, t=11.96, P＜0.01], the utilization rate of antibiotics was higher (95.2 % vs. 55.2 %, χ2 = 12.41, P＜0.01) in regular treatment group. Conclusions Using PCT levels for directing treatment in elderly patients with VAP can achieve better curative effect and reduce the use of antibiotics.

Objective To explore the difference in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) between different seasons.Methods The present retrospective study examined 2 363 patients undergoing TKA or THA from August 2008 to February 2016.There were 653 male and 1 710 female with the average age of 64.44±13.03 years old (17-91 years old),including 954 patients in TKA and 1 409 in THA.All of the patients received anticoagulant drugs and were compressed with a pressure pump starting on the first postoperative night.Routine venography of the bilateral lower limbs was performed at 3-5 days after the operation.The incidence of DVT in different seasons and different age groups (≥65 years old and ＜65 years old) were counted.Results The present study suggested that the probabilities of DVT after arthroplasty in spring,summer,fall and winter were 15.85％ (116/732),14.92％ (71/476),17.88％ (108/604),22.50％ (124/551) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The incidence of DVT in winter was higher than that in spring and summer (P＜ 0.017).The probabilities of DVT after TKA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 19.09％ (59/309),15.67％ (37/236),18.11％ (44/243),27.71％ (46/166) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The incidence of DVT in winter was higher than that in summer (P＜0.017).The probabilities of DVT after THA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 13.48％ (57/423),14.17％ (34/240),17.73％ (64/361),20.26％ (78/385) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05),and that in winter was higher than in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after arthroplasty in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.55％ (26/732),3.78％ (18/476),4.97％ (30/604),6.90％ (38/551) with significantly difference in different seasons (P＜0.05),and that in winter was higher than in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after TKA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.88％ (12/309),4.24％ (10/236),4.94％ (12/243),9.64％ (16/166) with significantly difference in different seasons (P＜0.05).The symptomatic DVT in winter was higher than that in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after THA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.31％ (14/423),3.33％ (8/240),4.99％ (18/361),5.71％ (22/385) respectively (P＞0.05).The probability of DVT following arthroplasty in older patients (age≥65 years old) in spring,summer,fall and winter were 18.49％ (76/411),16.61％ (45/271),22.07％ (81/367),28.05％ (99/353) with significantly difference among the groups (P＜0.05),while symptomatic DVT in older patients (≥65 years old) in spring,summer,fall and winter were 4.38％ (18/411),4.43％ (12/271),5.72％ (21/367),8.78％ (31/353) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The probability of DVT in four seasons were 12.46％ (40/321),12.68％ (26/205),11.39％ (27/237),12.63％ (25/198) in younger patients (＜65 years old).However,the difference was not detected among different seasons (P＞0.05).The probability of symptomatic DVT in four seasons were 2.49％ (8/321),2.93％ (6/205),3.80％ (9/237),3.54％ (7/198) in younger patients (＜65 years old) without significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusion Seasonal variations could place an important effect on the incidence of DVT following TKA or THA,especially for the old patients with age ≥65 years.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total joint arthroplasty.Methods 40 cases of proximal DVT were collected from May 2007 to October 2016 which were all diagnosed by lower limb venography or sonography.There were 9 males and 31 females aged from 38 to 86 years,average 67 years,and body mass index was from 16.94 to 31.25kg/m2,with an average of 24.3 kg/m2.29 cases of THA patients and 11 cases of TKA patients.The anatomical distribution,size,radiological performance,local physical findings were recorded and multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between distribution of proximal DVT and related parameters including age,gender (male/female),side of leg(left/right),surgery type(knee and hip),preoperative diagnosis(femoral neck fracture/other disease),time of diagnosis with DVT (during hospitalization/after discharge).Results Among 40 proximal DVT cases,31 cases diagnosed by phlebography and 9 cases were diagnosed by ultrasound.2 cases were isolated proximal DVT while 38 cases connected with distal DVTs.9 cases of blood clots in the proximal and distal thrombosis connected discontinuously.There was no isolated proximal DVT in TKA group and 10 cases (90.9％) of blood clots in the proximal and distal thrombosis connected continuously while there were 2 cases (6.9％) isolated proximal DVTs in THA group and 21 (77.8％) of blood clots in the proximal and distal thrombosis connected discontinuously,and there was no statistic significant difference between the two groups.The average length of proximal was 8.85±9.3 1cm (range from 2-35cm) with 5.0±2.05 cm in TKA group and 10.31 ± 10.55 cmin THA group.A significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P=0.014).13 cases located in femoral veins and upper venous region which were all from THA group.There was a significant difference in the distribution between surgery type and preoperative diagnosis.However,there was no significant difference between other potential factors and distribution of proximal DVT.25 cases accepted the evaluation of symptom of DVT before scanning.However,no significant difference were found in edema,VAS score,Homans sign,Neuof sign between 9 TKA and 16 THA cases.Conclusion Proximal DVTs after knee and hip arthroplasty are more preferred to connect with distal DVT continuously.Surgery type and preoperative diagnosis have a significant effect on the distribution of proximal DVT.Proximal DVTs in THA and patients with preoperative femoral neck fracture could be more easily involving femoral veins and upper parts.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of stroke volume variation (SVV) in patients with severe sepsis after early goal-directed therapy (EGDT). Method Thirty-eight mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis underwent EGTD were divided into high SVV (≥10%) group and low SW (< 10%) group according to the data obtained from pulse contour continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) analysis device. The differ-enees in the rate of 28-day survival, length of ICU stay, duration of meehanical ventilation and eomplieation of in-fection between two groups of patients were compared. The rate of 28-day survival of patients was analyzed by using Kaplain-Meier survival analysis, and the relationship between SVV and mortality within 28 days was analyzed by using logistic regression model. Results In comparison with low SVV group, the rate of 28-day survival of high SVV group was signifieantly increased (87.5 % vs. 57.1%, P = 0.032), the length of ICU stay was significantly shortened (27.1±9.2) vs. (41.6±10.0) (P = 0. 004) and duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly more brief (20.4±7.3) vs. (28.5±8.3) (P = 0.038). The rate of cumulative survival of patients in high SVV group was higher than that in low SVV group. In addition, logistie analysis showed SW < 10% increased the risk of 28-day mortality (OR = 3.97; 95% CI 1.63 - 9.21, P = 0. 014). Conclusions The SVV can be served as a prognostic indicator in patients with severe sepsis after EGDT.

A bacterial strain which could grow well on the substrate of PAEs as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from contaminated sludge in the river of WeiFang in ShangDong province and it was designated as JDC-3. Based on the morphology,biophysical and biochemical properties as well as molecular characteristics,this isolate was preliminarily identified as Delftia sp.. A fragment of phthalate dioxygenase gene was successfully amplified from the genus of Delftia for the first time using a set of degenerate primers. Meanwhile,the degradation capability of JDC-3 was determined by HPLC using DMP as test substrate. The results showed that the optimal pH and temperature were at 7.0～8.0 and 30?C～35?C respectively. The degradation kinetics of JDC-3 was studied in different initial DMP concentration under optimal conditions. The results indicated that the degradation dynamic equation was ln C =-0.06837 t + A when DMP concentration was lower than 300 mg/L,with half life of 12.48 h. The degradation rate decreased and half life of JDC-3 prolonged as the initial concentration kept on increasing.

The technique conditions of decolonization of fermentation broth were successively optimized using single factor assay and orthogonal layout method in Cordyceps jiangxiensis. The optimal condition of decolorization was investigated to be 3g/100mL active carbon, 5 min absorption time, pH5 of fermented broth and 25℃absorption temperature. Under the optimal condition, the maximum decolorization rate of fermented broth reached 89. 6% , simultaneously 10. 7% consuming rate of exopolysaccahride was minimum. Subsequently, the extract condition of exopolysaccharide of C. jiangxiensis was further optimized by orthogonal layout design. The maximum exopolysaccharide production was 0. 38 g/L under the optimal condition, i. e. firstly fermented filtrate decolorized and deproteined was concentrated to 1/7 of its total volume, secondly concentration broth was mixed with four times its volume of absolute ethanol and stirred vigorously, lastly precipitation of exopolysaccharide proceeded at 4℃for 16 hrs and the exopolysaccharide collected by centrifugal ion and dryness.

0.05).Conclusion MK mRNA overexpresses in the breast cancer tissues.It might be considered to be a reference indicator for deter- mining the angiogenesis and invasion of breast carcinoma.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of epileptic children at early stage,and to explore the high risk factors for children′s refractory epilepsy(RE)in order to provide evidence for the early and timely treatment of RE.Methods A total of 147 epileptic patients with correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment were enrolled.Forty-nine patients were classified as drug non-responsive epilepsy(DNR-EP group).The remaining 98 patients were classified as drug-responsive epilepsy(DR-EP group).With multiple conditional Logistic regression,the clinical characte-ristics between the 2 groups were compared to identify the early predictors for RE.Results Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the initial age of onset <1 year,more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,focal seizures,more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,changes in seizure type in the course of disease,neurological impairment,early intellectual disability,abnormal cranial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fixed focal abnormalities on video electroencephalogram(VEEG) after seizure-free interval,diffused anomaly of non-epileptic wave in VEEG before treatment,poor response to initial antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) therapy,compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage significantly increased in DNR-EP group.Then multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week(OR=2.679,P=0.043),more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures(OR=4.364,P=0.013),fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free interval(OR=3.898,P=0.008),poor response to initial AEDs therapy(OR=2.611,P=0.036),and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage(OR=6.022,P=0.002) were the risk factors for developing into RE.Conclusions Children are likely to develop into RE if they have more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,with more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free intervals,poor response to initial AEDs therapy,and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage.

Objective To investigate the clinical values of central venous pressure (CVP) versus stroke volume variation (SVV) in patients with severe sepsis after early goal-directed therapy (EGDT).Methods Totally 30 mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis who underwent goal-achieved EGDT were enrolled and randomly divided into CVP group (study group) and SVV group (control group) according to the data detected by pulse contour continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) analysis device.The differences in 28-day survival,3-day APACHE Ⅱ score,time of ICU stay,duration of mechanical ventilation,number that need CRRT,entral venous pressure (CVP),heart end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI),intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI),extravascular lung water index (EVLWI),cardiac index (CI),central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2),lactate clearance rate and APACHE Ⅱ score were compared between the 2 groups.Results The death rate had no difference between the 2 groups(x2=0.240,P=0.624).Among survival patients in the CVP group,the time of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were shorter in study group than in control group(t=2.166,P=0.041;t=2.104,P=0.046),APACHE Ⅱ score at 3th day was decreased(t=2.20,P =0.038).The values of ITBVI,GEDVI,CI,lactate clearance rate were higher in study group than in control group (t=2.759,2.146,2.199,2.654,3.362,P=0.011,0.043,0.038,0.014,0.003).EVLWI and APACHE Ⅱ score were not different (P＞0.05) between the two groups.Conclusions SVV as a recovery target for fluid resuscitation can reach a better recovery results and improvement of prognosis than CVP goal-achieved EGDT.

Objective To investigate the role of circulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in the postoperative formation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Circulating NET levels were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 in 30 patients diagnosed with DVT by venography after TKA and 30 controls from May 2014 to July 2015. Results In patients with DVT, the mean circulating NET levels were significantly higher on postoperative days 1 and 3 compared with those in the non?DVT group (postoperative day 1, 1.598 ± 0.067 vs. 1.212 ± 0.037, t=7.514, P=0.000;postoperative day 3, 1.305±0.044 vs. 1.167±0.032, t=2.675, P=0.015). ROC curve analysis revealed the inferior sensitivity and specificity of NET levels on postoperative day 3 compared with postoperative day 1. Area under the curve (AUC) postoperative day 1 was 0.828 (95%CI:0.722, 0.933, P=0.000);AUC postoperative day 3 was 0.677 (95%CI:0.541, 0.814, P=0.018). The cutoff point for NET levels on postoperative day 1 was 1.294, with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 80%, a posi?tive predictive value of 80%, and a negative predictive value of 80%. After Logistic regression, the NET level on postoperative day 1 was considered an independent predictor of DVT (OR:24.08, 95%CI:4.94, 117.28, P=0.000). Conclusion High circulating NET levels are associated with DVT in patients who undergo TKA. NETs may serve as a potential biological marker to delineate patients undergoing TKA who are most at risk for DVT.