Objective To evaluate the roles of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in predicting the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by studying the correlation between them.Methods A total of 202 patients with CAP admitted from December 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study.All these patients were checked with laboratory tests for BNP level,C-reactive protein (CRP),white blood cell count (WBC) as well as other markers needed for obtaining pneumonia severity index (PSI).The differences in BNP levels,CRP levels,and WBC were compared among different degrees of pneumonia severity,and the correlation between BNP levels and PSI was investigated by a linear correlation analysis.The patients enrolled were divided into a high-risk group (defined as Ⅳ-Ⅴ grade of PSI) and a low-risk group (defined as Ⅰ-Ⅲgrade of PSI).Meanwhile,they were also divided into a survivor group and a non-survivor group according to outcomes.BNP levels between the two groups were compared,and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed on the BNP levels versus PSI.Results BNP levels increased with CAP severity (r =0.782,P ＜0.01).The mean level of BNP (263.2 ± 119.6) pg/mLof patients in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that of patients (71.5 ± 54.3) pg/mL in the low-risk group (P ＜ 0.01).The patients in the non-survivor group had significantly higher BNP levels compared to the survivor group [(343.86 ± 125.49) vs.(183.00 ±121.71) pg/mL,P ＜ 0.01].In addition,there were positive correlations between BNP levels and PSI (r =0.782,P＜0.001),between BNP levels and CRP levels (r =0.560,P＜0.01),and between BNP levels and WBC (r =0.513,P＜0.001).The BNP level had a high accuracy in predicting the severity of CAP (AUC =0.952).The optimal cut-off point of BNP level for distinguishing high-risk from low-risk patients was 125.0 pg/mL,with a semitivity of 0.891 and a specificity of 0.946.Moreover,BNP level had a definite accuracy in predicting mortality (AUC =0.823).Its optimal cut-off point for predicting death was 299.0 pg/mL,with a sensitivity of 0.675 and a specificity of 0.816; its negative predictive cut-off value was 0.926,and positive predictive value was 0.426.Conclusions BNP level is positively correlated with the severity of CAP.The patient with BNP level above 125.0 pg/mL should be hospitalized immediately and patients with BNP level higher than 299.0 pg/mL are at the high risk of death.Therefore,BNP is a useful biomarker for evaluating the severity of patients with CAP.

Objective To investigate the relationship between dyslipidemia and distant metastases in pa-tients with hormone receptor( HR) negative breast cancer,and to explore the impact of blood lipid change during chemotherapy on clinical response.Methods We collected the complete clinicopathological data and fasting blood lipid in 154 patients with HR negative breast cancer.The secondary blood lipid level were measured on day14 after two cycles of chemotherapy in patients with distant metastases.Single factor chi -square test was choosen to analyze the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics,including baseline lipid level,and distant metastases,then independent risk factor for distant metastases were evaluated by logistic regression model. Data about altered blood lipid and clinical response analysis were performed using paired t-test pre-or post-chemotherapy.Results Our results from single chi-square test showed that distant metastasis from breast canc-er was significantly associated with tumor size,local lymph node metastases,grade,higher total cholesterol( TC) , higher triglycerides(TG)and higher low-density lipoprotein(LDL)(P<0.05).For distant metastases,inde-pendent risk factors were tumor size(OR=1.563),local lymph node metastases(OR=1.983),higher TC(OR=1.502),higher TG(OR=1.877).Decreased trend of TC,TG and LDL and increased trend of HDL were showed in disease control( PR+SD) group,and TG had significantly tend in objective response( PR) group.Conclusion Hyperlipidmia is significantly associated with distant metastases in patients with HR negative breast cancer,andblood lipid levels decrease with effective anti -tumor chemotherapy.Dynamic monitoring of blood lipid levelscould be a candidate surrogate biomarker for outcome prediction and distant metastases in patients with HR negativebreast cancer.

From June 1997 to June 2001 intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)was used in 493 patients undergoing different cardiovascular operations including correction of congenital heart defect, coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG),cardiac valve replacement and major vascular surgery.The clinical data of these cases were complete and detailed enough for retrospective review.Their cardiac functions were graded to be classⅡ-Ⅳaccording to New York Heart Association(NYHA)classification.The patients ranged in age between 1.6-74 yrs and weighed between 8.5-92 kg.The probe of TEE was inserted in esophagus after tracheal intubation.Preoperative diagnosis was found to be wrong by TEE in 20 cases(4.1%).Additional defect was found in 51 cases(10.3%).The type of operation planned before operation was altered in 52 cases(10.5%). During the operation real time TEE revealed that the operation performed failed to achieve the goal and revision surgery was needed in 24 cases(4.9%).Abnormal hemodynamics and cardiac function were found by TEE after the heart resumed spontaneous beat in 17 cases(3.5%)and appropriate treatment was instituted.Oral and pharyngeal mucous membrane bleeding occurred in 7 cases.There were no serious complications attributable to TEE.Intraoperative TEE is a very useful tool in formulating the surgery,monitoring hemodynamics and assessing immediate results of surgery and is safe and reliable in the hands of trained anesthesiologists.

BACKGROUND: Although pneumonia severity index (PSI) is widely used to evaluate the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the calculation of PSI is very complicated. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in predicting the severity of CAP. METHODS: For 202 patients with CAP admitted to the emergency department, BNP levels, cardiac load indexes, inflammatory indexes including C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and PSI were detected. The correlation between the indexes and PSI was investigated. BNP levels for survivor and non-survivor groups were compared, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed on the BNP levels versus PSI. RESULTS: The BNP levels increased with CAP severity (r=0.782, P<0.001). The BNP levels of the high-risk group (PSI classes Ⅳ and Ⅴ) were significantly higher than those of the low-risk group (PSI classes Ⅰ–Ⅲ) (P<0.001). The BNP levels were significantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (P<0.001). In addition, there were positive correlations between BNP levels and PSI scores (r=0.782, P<0.001). The BNP level was highly accurate in predicting the severity of CAP (AUC=0.952). The optimal cut-off point of BNP level for distinguishing high-risk patients from low-risk ones was 125.0 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 0.891 and a specificity of 0.946. Moreover, BNP level was accurate in predicting mortality (AUC=0.823). Its optimal cut-off point for predicting death was 299.0 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 0.675 and a specificity of 0.816. Its negative predictive cut-off value was 0.926, and the positive predictive cut-off value was 0.426. CONCLUSION: BNP level is positively correlated with the severity of CAP, and may be used as a biomarker for evaluating the severity of CAP.

Objective To explore risk factors of different locational leukoaraiosis in elderly patients with cerebral infarction.Methods Patients were collected who aged 60 to 85 with cerebral infarctions came to the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and took cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T1, and T2].The patients were divided into periventricular white matter changes (PVWMCs) and deep white matter changes (DWMCs), and scored by Fazekas scale, respectively.We registered past medical history, medical systems and neurological examination, blood lipids, regular blood test, and resting blood pressure measurements in the morning.Univariate analysis was used to choose risk factors which ~fected white matter changes.After that, rank multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test risk factors of PVWMCs and DWMCs, respectively.Results There were significant age differences in both PVWMCs and DWMCs, the degree of risk was associated with age.Conclusions PVWMCs and DWMCs risk factors vary, and we should take control of risk factors actively for the elderly in order to reduce the harm arising from WMC.

As one of the major geriatric syndromes,frailty exerts adverse effects on life expectancy and quality of life of the elderly.Because of its importance,a number of methods and tools have been introduced for the assessment of frailty.Malnutrition,as an independent risk factor,interacts with frailty and is involved in its progression.This article reviews recent studies on frailty and malnutrition.

Objective To explore the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into dopaminergic neuron.Methods The mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from bone marrow. They were induced to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons by freated with bFGF, VitC and EGF at the third generation. Dopamine-associated protein and genes in the treated cells were examined by immumofluorescence and RT-PCR. Dopamine in the supernatant and endoplasm from culture system was determined by ELISA kit. Results The results showed that tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter and nerve neucleoprotein and Nestin,Nurr-1 genes were found. And the dopamine existed in the supernatant and cytoplasm from inducing culture system. Conclusion The rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity of differenting into dopaminergic nurons.

Objective To study the clinical features of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH).Methods The clinical data,imaging and electroencephalography (EEG) of 10 patients with PSH was analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 10 patients with PSH,9 were males and 1 was a female.The overall age of all the patients was (37.6 ± 19.1) years,ranging from 15 to 78 years.The primary diseases included traumatic brain injury 5 cases,intracranial hemorrhage 1 case,cerebral infarction 1 case,hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy 1 case,arachnoid cyst 1 case and cryptococcal meningoencephalitis 1 case.All patients developed at least 5 of 7 features which contained paroxysmal agitation,hyperthemia,diaphoresis,tachypnea,tachycardia,hypertension and dystonia.PSH occurred within 24 hours after brain injury in 3 patients; 24 hours to 3 weeks in 5 patients ; 5 months in 1 patient; 9 years in 1 patient.The frequency varied from one time in several days to several times in one day.The duration varied from 1 minute to 3 hours.The episodes in 4 patients occurred more often at night,1 around palinesthesia and the frequency of other 5 patients showed no differences between day and night.There were 2 cases appeared sober-minded,and the states of consciousness of the other 8 cases were hard to judge during PSH.The Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 8 cases were 3 to 8 points and the other 2 cases were 15 points.No epileptic-form activity was detected by EEG and no particular lesions were responsible.Neuro-imaging examinations suggested frontal lobe,temporal lobe,parietal lobe,occipital lobe,basal ganglion,pons and lateral ventricle were damaged.And 9 patients received an ineffective antiepileptic drug treatment.The efficacy in the management of PSH with dopamine agonists combining with β-blockers was observed.Two patients achieved complete remission,6 patients had a reduction in episode frequency,1 patient showed no response to the therapy and 1 patient discharged and could not be connected.Conclusions PSH can occur after various types and different degrees of brain injury.PSH is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy,and anticonvulsant therapies are useless.PSH receives good responses to β-blockers and dopamine agonists.

Studies of biological feedback (BF) for the treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) are occasionally reported have exhibited some related problems. This article presents an evaluation of the published literature on the BF treatment of CP at home and abroad in the aspects of instrument, method, application, effect, function, and mechanism. UROSTYMTM and MyoTrac are often employed and their operating paths are basically the same. NIH prostate symptom scores, urinary function, pain, sexual function, immune function, prostate fluid, and other indicators are generally used for the analysis of the effects of BF alone or in combination with other therapies on CP and its related symptoms. Either BF alone or BF combined with other therapies can promote urination, reduce pain, improve the quality of life, attenuate inflammation, improve sexual function, adjust immunity, and lessen physical and chemical stimulation. However, the relevant literature is of low quantity and quality, the reported studies are not standardized, and exploration of the action mechanisms is neglected.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Quality of Life