Abdominal Pain ; Cough ; Humans

Pregnancy and the puerperium have been recognized to increase the risk of stroke, particularly from late pregnancy and through the puerperium. The reported incidences of stroke during pregnancy and the puerperium varied widely, but when it occurs, there may be implications for management of the patient and delivery of the child. Important causes of stroke during pregnancy and the puerperium include preeclampsia and eclampsia, cardioembolism, rapture of cerebral vascular anomaly, cerebral aneurysm rupture and antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Management of patients with pregnancy-related stroke is largely the same as that of nonpregnant patients, including thrombolysis, atntiplatelets and anticoagulants, with more consideration on maternal and fetal risks.

Objective To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine Louxie mixture on vascular reactivity in atherosclerosis rats. Methods Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (A group, n＝10) was fed with normal diet; the model group (B group, n＝10), atorvastatin treated group (C group, n＝10 and Louxie mixture group (D group, n＝10) were fed with high fat/cholesterol diet. Atorvastatin 10 mg/kg·d-1 was administered to C group and Louxie mixture to D group for 10 weeks by gavages. Serum endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide syntheses (NOS) were observed in different groups before and after the treatment. Vascular reactivity of aortic rings was measured by both the sodium nitroprusside(SNP)-induced endothelium-independent relaxation (NEDR) and the acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in different groups. Results After treatment, the (19.03±1.72)μmol/l; NOS (24.78±0.25)U/ml vs (15.36±0.24U/ml), P＜0.01], while the level of ET-1in B levels of NO and NOS in B group were significantly lower than those in A group [NO(35.73±3.72)μmol/l vs group was higher than that in A group [(34.58±4.00) pg/ml vs (117.58±5.34)pg/ml,P＜0.01]. The levels of NO and NOS were significantly increased and the level of ET-1 was decreased in C and D groups after the treatment [NO(C: 31.30±1.96 umol/l;D: 32.85±3.70 umol/l); NOS (C: 21.96±1.07 U/ml ; D: 19.78± 1.20U/ml ); ET (C:58.26±5.14 pg/ml; D:59.30±5.73 pg/ml), P＜0.01]. The activities of NEDR were similar in four groups[SNP Emax (A: 97.33±1.31; B: 98.24±1.04;C: 97.52±1.09; D: 97.91±1.59)%, P＞0.05], but the level of EDR in the B group (P＜0.01) was the lowest among four groups [Ach Emax (A: 72.65±3.31; B: 32.68±2.39;C: 61.63±2.07; D: 57.58±2.43)%, P＜0.01]. Conclusion Chinese medicine Louxie mixture can protect vascular function in atherosclerosis rats.

Venous thromboembolism includes deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. It is a more common and preventable complication in neurology. The prevention of venous thromboembolism is an important component in the treatment of the patients with cerebral hemorrhage. The measures include mechanical prevention and drug prevention. The mechanical prevention measures include intermittent pneumatic compression devices and pressure gradient elastic stockings. Studies have suggested that anticoagulants also plays an important role in the prevention of venous thromboembolism. The comprehensive and systematic understanding of the prevention of venous thromboembolism wil help to guide the clinical therapy and improve the outcomes of patients after primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective To analyze the isolation rates and antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) from intensive care unit (ICU)between 2010 and 2013,and provide evidence for clinical anti-infective therapy. Methods The isolation and antimicrobial resistance of AB from ICU between 2010 and 2013 were analyzed retro-spectively.Results A total of 1 413 pathogenic strains were isolated,556(39.35%)of which were AB,isolation rates in each year were 39.45%,41 .35%,29.44%,and 40.53% respectively.AB were mainly isolated from lower respiratory tract (75.72%).Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results showed that AB had low resistance rates to cefoperazone/sulbactam(5.85%)and amikacin (17.45%);detection rates of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant AB increased from 9.63% and 3.70% to 42.50% and 31 .88%,respectively (both P < 0.001 ). Conclusion AB is the common pathogen in ICU,antimicrobial resistance is serious,isolation of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant AB increased year by year;intensifying the monitoring of drug resistance is helpful for the treat-ment and prevention of AB infection.

To clone overexpressed gene from human gastric carcinoma cell SGC-7901, DDRT-PCR technique is used with human gastric epithelial cell GES-1 as control. After cloned into pGEM -T vector, YA61, one of the overexpressed genes, was analyzed by dot blot and was sequenced then. The sequence gotten was then compared to GenBank data and analyzed by NCBI ORF Finder. Dot blot results showed that the gene YA61 was overexpressed in human gastric carcinoma cell SGC-7901. NCBI's sequence similarity search indicated that the gene YA61 was a new gene sequence. Open reading frame analysis demonstrated that the gene YA61 had one complete open reading frame. In conclusion, the gene YA61 was a new gene sequence that was overexpressed in human gastric carcinoma cell SGC-7901.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of tube-sealing with norvancomycin and heparin saline mixture for prevention of central venous catheter-related infection (CRI).Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed.120 patients who were admitted to department of critical care medicine from January 2012 to January 2014 were included,with their subclavian vein catheterization installation time longer than 48 hours,age over 18 years and younger than 80 years,and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score reaching 10-29.The patients were divided into two groups using a random number table,and finally 116 patients were enrolled.Norvancomycin and heparin saline mixture were used for tube sealing in the intervention group (n=56),while only heparin saline was used in the control group (n=60).The incidence of CRI,catheter correlated spectrum of pathogens,adverse events,mortality,hospital day,catheter retention time,and hospital costs were compared between two groups.Results ① There was no significant difference in the incidence of CRI between intervention group and control group [7.14％ (4/56) vs.8.33％ (5/60),x2=0.058,P=1.000].There was no catheter pathogenic colonization in the intervention group,but there were 2 cases of catheter pathogenic colonization in control group.② A total of 7 pathogens were found in two groups.Three cases with pathogenic bacteria was found in the intervention group,with 1 case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,1 case Acinetobacter baumannii,and 1 case fungi.Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis,fungi,and Acinetobacter baumannii was found in the control group,with 1 case of each.There was no significantly statistical difference between two groups (all P＞0.05),but there was a decreasing trend of Gram-positive cocci infection in the intervention group.③ There was no significant difference in the catheter thrombosis,local bleeding or hematoma,catheter dislocation and other adverse events between intervention group and control group [21.43％(12/56) vs.23.33％ (14/60),x2=0.060,P=0.806].④ There were no significant differences in mortality [7.14％(4/56) vs.8.33％ (5/60),x2=0.058,P=1.000],hospital day (days:35.9 ± 15.2 vs.34.1 ± 16.3,t=16.330,P=0.620),catheter retention time (days:25.0 ± 4.5 vs.24.5 ± 5.1,t=26.427,P=2.560) and cost of hospitalization (10 thousand Yuan:3.42 ± 1.22 vs.3.72 ± 1.30,t=13.215,P=1.560) between intervention group and control group.Conclusions For patients with central venous catheter,application norvancomycin with heparin saline mixture for tube sealing did not reduce the incidence of CRI,the incidence of adverse events and mortality,does not reduce hospitalization time,catheter retention time and hospital costs,but may reduce the catheter colonization and infection of Gram-positive bacteria.

Objective To investigate the effects of early tracheotomy on the prognosis of patients with severe brain lesions .Methods The clinical data of 68 patients with severe brain lesions were retrospectively analyzed . According to the time of tracheotomy ,we assigned 68 patients to receive either early tracheotomy or late tracheotomy . 34 patients who were given tracheotomy within 72 hours in Intensive Care Unit were selected as the early tracheotomy group (ET group).34 patients who were given tracheotomy after 14 days in Intensive Care Unit were selected as the late tracheotomy group(LT group).The time of mechanical ventilation,length of hospital stay,and the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia ( VAP ) , sedative drug use time , antibiotic use time , in-hospital mortality were compared between the two groups.Results In ET group,the hospitalization time,mechanical ventilation time, incidence of VAP,sedative drug use time,antibiotic use time were (4.2 ±2.4)d,(3.5 ±0.6)d,(14.5 ±3.2)%, (1.5 ±0.5)d,(3.3 ±0.3)d,those in LT group were (12.5 ±4.8)d,(8.5 ±5.6)d,(28.6 ±8.6)%,(6.3 ±1.2)d, (13.2 ±1.1) d respectively,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t =3.14,2.96, 3.28,3.46,2.57,all P<0.05).The hospitalization mortality rates of ET group ,LT group were (23.8 ±4.38)%, (24.5 ±4.16)%,respectively no significant difference between the two groups ( t=1.49,P<0.05).Conclusion The use of early tracheotomy can reduce the hospitalization time ,shorten the time of mechanical ventilation ,reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia ,and reduce the time of using sedative drugs and antibiotics ,but the mor-tality has no significant effect in the severe craniocerebral injury patients .

Objective:To investigate the levels of periphreal blood free carnitine and amino acids in healthy pregnant women in the third trimester and their association with maternal, fetal, and neonatal cardiac function and structure.Methods:This prospective descriptive study included healthy singleton pregnancies who underwent routine obstetric examination and delivered in two district maternal and child health hospitals (one in the urban and one in the suburb an area) in Beijing from June 2017 to February 2018. All recruiters had serology Down's syndrome screening test at (18±1) gestational weeks. Besides measurement of amino acids and free carnitine levels in whole blood and urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, all cases underwent maternal and fetal echocardiography at (35±1) weeks of gestation. And neonatal echocardiography was performed after delivery to assess the heart function and structure. Antenatal factors were also collected, including maternal education background, age at first marriage and conception, gravidity, and folic acid supplement in early pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Kappa test. Results:A total of 493 mother-neonate dyads were enrolled in this study. Blood free carnitine levels in the healthy pregnant women in the third trimester ranged from 5.09 to 59.17 μmol/L (reference value: 10.00-50.00 μmol/L) with an average value of (13.03±3.87) μmol/L. None was found with structural abnormalities by cardiac ultrasound, showing an average left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and end systolic diameter (LVESD) of (45.70±3.08) mm and (29.17±3.12) mm, respectively, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of all cases were over 55%. No cardiac malformation was detected by the third-trimester fetal echocardiography. The average birth weight of the 493 newborns was (3 340±313) g. Those whose birth weight <2 500 g and >4 000 g were accounted for 1.0% (5 cases) and 3.0% (15 cases) with the average maternal blood free carnitine level of (13.25±2.17) μmol/L (10.46-19.21 μmol/L) and (12.64±2.50) μmol/L (8.78-17.73 μmol/L) ( t=0.42, P>0.05). The average LVEDD and LVESD of the 493 newborns were (17.21±1.27) mm and (11.03±1.30) mm, respectively. For the 64 newborns (13.0%) whose LVEF<60%, the maternal blood free carnitine level was (12.93±2.78) μmol/L (7.34-22.13 μmol/L), showing no statistical difference ( t=-0.29, P>0.05) with those 59 neonates (12.0%) whose LVEF over 75% and maternal carnitine level of (13.09±3.24) μmol/L (8.66-27.49 μmol/L). All cases were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of maternal blood free carnitine level and no significant difference in maternal or neonatal LVEDD or LVEF was observed among these groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Blood free carnitine concentration in healthy pregnant women in the third trimester is at the lower limit of normal range, and no significant effect on maternal cardiac function and fetal cardiac structure is seen. However, the effect of low maternal carnitine level in the third trimester on children's myocardial function and whether carnitine should be supplemented in the third trimester are worthy of further investigation with larger sample size.

Objective To investigate the mortality risk factors of nosocomial infection patients in intensive care unit (ICU), and to guide clinicians to take effective control measures. Methods A retrospectively cohort study was conducted. The relevant information of patients with nosocomial infection treated in ICU of Hengshui Harrison International Peace Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University from June 2009 to December 2015 was analyzed. The patients who admitted to ICU again, with length of ICU stay less than 48 hours, without first etiology of screening within 48 hours of ICU admission, or without complete pathogenic information were excluded. The gender, age, diagnosis, length of ICU stay, invasive operation, nutritional status, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, distribution and drug resistance of the pathogens, and procalcitonin (PCT) levels at 7 days after nosocomial infection were recorded. The risk factors leading to death in patients with nosocomial infection were analyzed by logistic regression, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of all risk factors on the outcome of patients with nosocomial infection. Results In 864 enrolled patients with male of 54.75% and mean age of (63.50±15.80) years, 732 (84.72%) patients survived and 132 (15.28%) died. Compared with survivors, the non-survivors had higher age (years: 65.47±15.32 vs. 58.15±13.27), incidence of urgent trachea intubation (32.58% vs. 22.81%), deep venous catheterization (83.33% vs. 63.25%), and multiple drug-resistant infection (65.91% vs. 33.20%), longer length of ICU stay (days: 13.56±4.29 vs. 10.29±4.32) and duration of coma (days: 7.36±2.46 vs. 5.48±2.14), lower albumin (g/L: 23.64±8.47 vs. 26.36±12.84), higher APACHEⅡ score (19.28±5.16 vs. 17.56±5.62), SOFA score (8.55±1.34 vs. 6.43±2.65), and PCT (μg/L: 3.06±1.36 vs. 2.53±0.87, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in gender and urinary tract catheterization between survivors and non-survivors (both P > 0.05). The low respiratory tract was the most common site of infection followed by urinary tract and bloodstream in both groups. It was shown by logistic regression analysis that prolonged ICU stay [odds ratio (OR) = 2.039, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.231-3.473, P = 0.002], APACHEⅡ score (OR = 1.683, 95%CI= 1.002-9.376, P = 0.000), SOFA score (OR = 2.060, 95%CI = 1.208 -14.309, P = 0.041), PCT (OR = 2.090, 95%CI = 1.706-13.098, P = 0.004), and multi-drug resistant pathogens infection (OR = 5.245, 95%CI = 2.213-35.098, P = 0.027) were independent risk factors for ICU mortality in patients with nosocomial infection. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of length of ICU stay, APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score, and PCT level for predicting death of nosocomial infection patients was 0.854, 0.738, 0.786, and 0.849, respectively, the best cut-off value was 16.50 days, 22.45, 6.37 and 3.38 μg/L, respectively, the sensitivity was 83.6%, 90.0%, 81.1%, and 89.6%, and the specificity was 70.3%, 75.6%, 71.3%, and 85.4%, respectively. Conclusions Prol onged ICU stay, nosocomial infection with secondary sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome were the leading causes of death for nosocomial infection patients in ICU. Prolonged ICU stay, APACHE Ⅱ score, SOFA score, and PCT level could effectively predict death risks for nosocomial infection patients.