Objective To observe the effect of Sini decoction on inflammatory response and immune function in septic rats and to discuss its possible mechanism.Methods 66 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=6),model group (n=30),and Sini decoction group (n=30).Septic model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS,5 mg/kg).After the reproduction of sepsis,rats in Sini decoction group received Sini decoction (5 g/kg) by gavage,while those in model group were given equal dose of normal saline in the same way.Rats in normal control group did not receive any treatment.Blood was collected via eye sockets at 2,12,24,48,72 hours after LPS administration,then the rats were sacrificed.The concentrations of inflammatory mediators,such as interleukin (IL-1,IL-6,IL-10),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and the expression level of monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the pathological changes in intestinal mucosa were observed under electron microscope.Results The concentration of IL-1 (ng/L) at 2 hours in model group was gradually increased and peaked at 48 hours (4.07 ± 0.10),and then gradually decreased,while the IL-1 level in Sini decoction group peaked at 12 hours (2.98 ± 0.12) followed by a gradual decrease.IL-6 (ng/L) in model and Sini decoction groups peaked twice at 12 hours (91.39 ± 1.55,73.00 ± 2.38) and 48 hours (82.51 ± 1.49,64.68 ± 1.68) respectively.IL-10 (ng/L) in model group gradually decreased after peaking at 2 hours (86.66 ± 6.12),and that in Sini decoction decreased at 12 hours (71.61 ± 2.35) followed by an increasing tendency,and approached normal level at 48 hours (109.09 ±4.77 vs.124.01 ± 7.89,P＞0.05).TNF-α (ng/L) in model group was gradually increased and peaked at 48 hours (83.37 ±3.79),and that in Sini decoction peaked at 12 hours (48.52 ± 1.21),and decreased to normal level at 72 hours (18.59 ± 1.97 vs.15.50 ± 2.68,P＞0.05).During the course of the experiment,as compared with those of the model group,level of IL-1,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly lower at all time points in Sini decoction group,and IL-10was significantly higher.The expression level of HLA-DR (μg/L) in model and Sini decoction groups peaked at 2 hours (4.86 ± 0.15,4.85 ± 0.17),and then gradually lowered.HLA-DR expression μg/L) at 48 hours and 72 hours in Sini decoction group was significantly lower than that in model group (48 hours:4.21 ± 0.12 vs.2.74 ± 0.16,72 hours:3.80 ± 0.09 vs.2.27 ± 0.12,both P＜0.01).Pathological study of intestinal mucosa showed that the intestinal mucosa were infiltrated significandy by inflammatory cells,and villi were damaged severely in both model group and Sini decoction group at 2 hours after LPS challenge.Infiltration of inflammatory cells in Sini decoction group was less intense after 12 hours,and the intestine villi repair was more obvious compared with model group.Conclusion Sini decoction could regulate systemic inflammatory response,and promote the repair of intestinal mucosa,the intestinal function and the immune status of septic rats.

Objective To observe the lung protective effect of Tongfu Xiefei method (TFXF) in rats with sepsis, and to discuss its possible mechanism.Methods Forty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n = 6), model group (n = 18) and TFXF group (n = 18). Sepsis model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats of model group and TFXF group. After the reproduction of sepsis model, rats in TFXF group received Tongfu Xiefei granules 0.01 mL/g by gavge, while those in model group were given equal dose of normal saline by the same way. The rats in blank control group received no treatment. At 3, 6, 12 hours after CLP, abdominal aorta blood was collected for blood gas analysis and inferior vena cava blood was collected for determination of the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for measurement of concentrations of total protein (TP), total phospholipid (TPL), and desaturated phosphatidyl choline (DSPC). The ratio of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D) was measured, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues were determined. The pathologic changes in their lungs were observed with light microscopy.Results Compared with those in blank control group, the levels of pH value, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), HCO3-, base excess (BE) were lowered, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide of arterial blood (PaCO2) was increased in model group. The serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were gradually increased after the reproduction of sepsis model. Compared with those in blank control group, the levels of TP, TPL, and DSPC/TPL in model group were decreased, while the levels of W/D, MDA and MPO were increased. Compared with those in model group, pH value was elevated in TFXF group at 3 hours (7.27±0.04 vs. 7.18±0.07,P < 0.05). PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) was improved at 3, 6, 12 hours (3 hours: 128.00±16.05 vs. 106.78±10.73, 6 hours: 98.46±15.97 vs. 72.80±16.33, 12 hours: 90.70±9.31 vs. 74.28±12.19, allP < 0.05). The serum concentrations of TNF-α (ng/L) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 12 hours (508.20±94.08 vs. 756.60±138.77,P < 0.05), and the serum concentrations of IL-6 (ng/L) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours: 687.80±35.00 vs. 849.40±148.28, 12 hours: 728.80±214.41 vs. 917.00±245.96, bothP < 0.05). Compared with those of model group, the levels of TP (g/L) in BALF in TFXF group were significantly decreased at 12 hours (1.01±0.23 vs. 1.60±0.47,P < 0.05), and the levels of TPL (mg/L) in TFXF group were significantly increased at 12 hours (86.40±11.33 vs. 62.40±16.33,P < 0.05). The levels of DSPC/TPL in TFXF group were significantly higher than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours: 0.58±0.13 vs. 0.38±0.10, 12 hours: 0.45±0.13 vs. 0.24±0.07, bothP < 0.05). The levels of W/D in TFXF group were significantly higher than those in model group at 3 hours (3.84±0.25 vs. 2.99±0.50,P < 0.01), but lower than those in model group at 12 hours (3.21±0.53 vs. 4.89±1.14,P < 0.05). The levels of MDA (nmol/mg) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours: 4.04±2.58 vs. 8.89±2.61, 12 hours: 11.31±3.60 vs. 20.60±8.10, bothP < 0.05), while the levels of MPO (U/g) in TFXF group were lower than those in model group at 12 hours (4.79±0.66 vs. 7.22±1.76,P < 0.05). Compared with model group, the lungs in TFXF group showed less morphological changes under light microscopy, such as pulmonary edema, congestion, effusion and fibrosis.Conclusions The method of Tongfu Xiefei may improve hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis, alleviate lung edema and ameliorate pulmonary pathological changes in rat sepsis model. Tongfu Xiefei method shows a protective effect in sepsis by the way of reducing peroxidative damage, inhibiting the release of proinflammatory factors and abating degradation of lung surfactant.

Objective To summarize the pattern and main characteristics of fatal cases related to medical disputes in Yancheng area. Methods Sixty fatal cases of medical disputes were retrospectively analyzed to elucidate the annual incidence, characters of distribution of hospitals, gender and age of the decedents, types of diseases, and cause of death. Results Among 60 fatal cases, most cases happened in health clinics of county, township and village. There were more males than females. The major medical specialties in-volved included internal medicine, surgery, gynecology and pediatrics, with the internal medicine specialty having the highest incidence. Conclusion Police institutions have advantages in investigation of these cas-es in their jurisdictions, which could enhance the ability of local medicolegal examination.

Objective To observe the influence of Qingwen Baidu decoction (QBD) on serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in septic rats and study the mechanism of heat-clearing and detoxifying method for treatment of sepsis. Methods Fifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (n=5), model group (n=25), and heat-clearing and detoxifying experimental group (experimental group, n=20). The septic model was reproduced by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg). In control group, an equal volume of normal saline was given. After modeling for 2 hours, the heat-clearing and detoxifying experimental group received QBD the first time (composition of the decoction: Gypsum Fibrosum Recens 30 g, Rehmanniae Radix 10 g, Bubali Cornu 15 g, Coptidis Rhizoma 4 g, Gardeniae Fructus 5 g, Platycodonis Radix 5 g, Scutellariae Radix 5 g, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma 5 g, Paeoniae Radix Rubra 5 g, Scrophulariae Radix 5 g, Forsythiae Fructus 5 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix 5 g, Moutan Cortex 5 g, Lophatheri Herba 5 g) by gavage (0.01 mL/g); the rest administration time was 08:00 to 09:00, once a day. The rats in model group were given an equal volume of warm water by gavage. At different time points after modeling, the blood of 5 rats in control group, model group, and experimental group was collected from the abdominal aorta. The serum PCT and CRP levels were tested by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue were observed under a light microscope. Results Compared with the control group, the PCT level of the model group after modeling for 2 hours was significantly increased (ng/L:332.32±22.85 vs. 70.46±3.18, P<0.01), this situation continued until 72 hours after modeling. CRP level in the comparison between the control and model groups did not have statistical significant difference at 2, 8, and 48 hours after modeling (all P > 0.05). The level of CRP in model group was lower than that of control group at 24 hours and 72 hours after modeling (μg/L:281.34±32.81, 237.84±41.42 vs. 350.09±56.67, P<0.05 and P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in PCT levels between model group and experimental group after modeling for 8 hours and 24 hours (both P > 0.05). The PCT level of experimental group was significantly lower than that of model group beginning from 48 hours after modeling (ng/L: 321.57±28.00 vs. 358.12±10.14, P < 0.05), and this situation continued until 72 hours after modeling (ng/L: 269.50±49.10 vs. 347.69±26.90, P <0.05). The CRP level of experimental group was significantly lower than that of model group beginning from 8 hours after modeling (μg/L:232.73±13.29 vs. 335.35±53.78, P<0.05), this statistical significant difference between the two groups persisted until 72 hours after modeling (μg/L:177.31±6.70 vs. 237.84±41.42, P<0.05). Compared to those in the model group, the lung tissue inflammatory cell infiltration, the intestinal mucosal inflammation and interstitial edema were milder in the experimental group. Conclusion Heat-clearing and detoxifying therapy can effectively reduce the serum PCT and CRP levels of septic rats induced by LPS, and it can alleviate the infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues so as to play a role in protection of tissue organ.

Objective To confirm the effects of statin therapy on mortality of patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Methods PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science andCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for articles using the terms acute lung injury, ALI,acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS, statin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin updated to November 17,2015. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) or observational cohort studies investigating the effects of statin therapy onmortality in patients with ALI or ARDS were all identified, without date or language restriction. The control group wasgiven conventional treatment, while the experimental group was treated with statins additionally. The primary outcomewas in-hospital mortality. Meanwhile, ventilator-free day, intensive care unit (ICU)-free day, ICU length of stay (LOS)and ICU mortality were also analyzed. RevMan 5.2 and STATA 13 software were used for systematic review and Metaanalysis, and funnel plot was used to analyze the publication bias. Results A total of five trials including threerandomized controlled trials and two observational studies were included. Among 1636 patients enrolled in the study,there were 739 patients in experimental group, and 897 in control group. It was shown by Meta analysis that there was nosignificant difference in in-hospital mortality between experimental group and control group [relative risk (RR) = 0.96,95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.79-1.15, P = 0.63]. The subgroup analysis based on RCT and cohort study, or thesubgroup analysis of different statins showed that there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality betweenthe experimental group and the control group (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in ventilator-freedays [mean difference (MD) = 1.41, 95%CI = -0.32-3.13, P = 0.11], ICU-free days (MD = -0.23, 95%CI = -1.61-1.15,P = 0.75), ICU length of stay (MD = -1.03, 95%CI = -6.55-4.50, P = 0.72), or ICU mortality (RR = 0.88, 95%CI =0.68-1.14, P = 0.33) between the experimental group and the control group. It was shown by funnel plot that there was nopublication bias in in-hospital mortality. Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that statin may not be associated with a significant reduction in mortality, ventilator-free day, ICU-free day and ICU length of stayin patients with ALI/ARDS.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of viral diarrhea among children under 5 years of age in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into management of viral diarrhea. Methods: The surveillance data on viral diarrhea among children under 5 years of age in Shaoxing City from 2019 to 2022 were collected, including demographics and stool testing results. The epidemiological and etiological characteristics of viral diarrhea were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 763 diarrheal children under 5 years of age were reported in Shaoxing City from 2019 to 2022, and 236 children were tested positive for virus (30.93%). The detection of virus was 49.01%, 31.61%, 20.43% and 21.89% from 2019 to 2022, which appeared an overall tendency towards a decline (P<0.05). The incidence of viral diarrhea peaked from November to March of the next year and from May to July, and the detection of virus was lower among children with diarrhea living in urban areas (Yuecheng District, Keqiao District and Shangyu District) than among those in suburb areas (Zhuji City, Shengzhou City and Xinchang County) (30.22% vs. 52.00%, P<0.05). There were 206 children tested positive for a single virus, and the detection rates of rotavirus (RV), enteric adenovirus (EAdV), norovirus (NoV), and sapovirus (SaV) were 9.57%, 8.91%, 8.39%, and 0.13%, respectively. There were 25 children with virus co-infections, and the positive rates of EAdV and NoV, RV and EAdV and RV and NoV co-infections were 1.31%, 1.18% and 0.79%, respectively. There were 5 children with triple infections of RV, EAdV and NoV (0.66%). The highest detection of EAdV was seen in April, the highest detection of RV and NoV was seen in January, while SaV was only detected in April. Conclusion The incidence of viral diarrhea among children under 5 years of age peaked in winter and spring in Shaoxing City from 2019 to 2022, and the cases predominantly occurred in urban areas. The detection of virus appeared an overall tendency towards a decline, with high detection of RV, EAdV and NoV.

AIM: To explore the protective effect of curcumin on high glucose-induced decrease in contraction of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Isometric contractions of aortic rings were measured. HO activity was also evaluated. RESULTS: (1)Four hours after incubated with 44 mmol/L of glucose (high glucose),the vascular contraction responses to phenylephrine (PE) decreased compared to control group (containing 11 mmol/L of glucose). (2)Coincubation with curcumin (3×10~(-11)-3×10~(-10) mol/L) and high glucose,the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE of arteries was partly inhibited. (3)Four hours after incubation with curcumin,the HO activity in thoracic aorta increased. ZnPP,an inhibitor of HO-1,completely abrogated the protection effect of curcumin. (4)Methylene blue,an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase (GC),partly abolished the protective effect of curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin prevents the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE in intact aortic rings. The mechanism might be mainly involved in the activation of HO-1 and GC.

Objective To observe the effect of Xijiaodihuang decoction on the release of inflammatory mediators and prognosis in elderly patients with sepsis.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Seventy-four patients with sepsis admitted to the Department of Geriatrics of Changshu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Affiliated to Nanjing University of TCM from March 2015 to February 2017, and they were divided into a TCM treatment group and a control group randomly, 37 cases in each group, there were 2 patients transferred to other department during the period of study to continue treatment, 2 patients discharged automatically and 1 case transferred to other hospital in the TCM treatment group; and there were 3 patients transferred to other hospital, 1 patient discharged automatically, 1 patient dead in 7 days after entering the control group and 1 patient transferred to other department during the period of observation to continue treatment in the control group. Finally, 32 patients were in TCM treatment group and 31 patients in the control group, completing the study. All patients in the two groups received conventional treatment of sepsis, patients in the TCM treatment group took Xijiaodihuang decoction 100 mL concentrated [rhinoceros horn (replaced with buffalo horn) 30 g, rehmannia root 24 g, peony 12 g, tree peony bark 9 g] taken orally or by nasal feeding, and patients in the control group received the same amount of normal saline, the two groups were treated 1 time a day for consecutive 7 days to complete 1 therapeutic course, then the treatment efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. The differences of serum interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), white blood cells (WBC), C-reaction protein (CRP), lactate levels between the two groups were compared before treatment and on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after treatment, the incidence of staying in intensive care unit (ICU), time of staying in ICU and 28-day mortality were also observed. The 28-day survival rate between two groups was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Results After treatment in the two groups, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α had a tendency of increase at first and then decrease. After treatment for 14 days, the IL-1β was significantly lower in the TCM treatment group than that of the control group (ng/L: 83.27±21.84 vs. 96.73±26.33), the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in TCM treatment group were obviously lower than those in the control group since 7 days after treatment [IL-6 (ng/L): 48.27±24.13 vs. 62.15±24.34, TNF-α (μg/L): 1.41±0.31 vs. 1.96±0.29]. IL-6 and TNF-α were still lower than those in the control group until 14 days after treatment [IL-6 (ng/L): 29.25±18.57 vs. 56.24±23.61, TNF-α (μg/L) 1.35±0.28 vs. 1.83±0.22, allP < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in WBC and CRP between the two groups before and after treatment (bothP > 0.05). After treatment, the lactate in the control group was gradually decreased, while in the TCM treatment group, the lactate level after treatment presented a tendency firstly decreased and then elevated, and after treatment for 3 days in TCM treatment group, the level of lactate began markedly lower than that in the control group (mmol/L: 1.26±0.43 vs. 2.01±0.59,P < 0.05). The ICU hospitalization rate and ICU length of stay in the TCM treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group [56.25% (18/32) vs. 83.87% (26/31), (10.2±5.4) days vs. (13.5±5.8) days], and the 28-day mortality was also obviously lower in TCM treatment group than that in control group [9.37% (3/32) vs. 29.03% (9/31)]. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 28-day survival rate in TCM treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P = 0.045).Conclusion Xijiaodihuang decoction can reduce the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and lactate in serum, reduce the incidence of staying in ICU, decrease the time of staying in ICU and improve the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis.

Objective To establish and apply the procedure of survey on quality indicator in clinical laboratory and to analyze the status in quo of the 15 quality indicators in Zhejiang province .Methods A network platform for the survey on quality indicator in clinical laboratory was designed and developed by our center.The online questionnaires that should be reported back within one month were assigned to 473 laboratories.The developed software and SPSS 13.0 were used for statistical analysis .13 indicators expressed in rate were further evaluated with sigma scales .The 25th percentile, 50th percentile, and 75th percentile of the distribution of each quality indicator were regarded as the minimum , appropriate and optimum quality specifications, respectively.Results Totally 444 laboratories submitted the survey results.The overall sigma levels of 10/13 indicators were all >3, of which the inappropriate CV of internal quality control and unacceptable performances in EQA were still less than 3σin 15.8%and 9.2%of the laboratories.The rates of quality indicators in different scales of laboratories and diverse disciplines were significantly different .Pre-analytical TAT in routine examination for clinical chemistry and immunology was 50 min, on average.And the time for routine examination of blood , urine and stool was 30 min.Pre-analytical TAT in emergency examination for all four disciplines were all between 10 and 15 min. Intra-analytical TAT for clinical immunology was the longest , which was 154 min for routine examination and 40 min for emergency examination, respectively.The optimum quality specifications for 8 indicators were 6σ, while the minimum quality specifications were less than 1σfor 4 indicators.Conclusions According to the results of our survey, the pre-analytical quality indicator perform better than that of Intra-analytical and post-analytical phase.The laboratory should strengthen the laboratory information system technology construction to ensure the reliable data collection and long-time monitoring.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the protective effect of Xuebijing injection against renal injury in patients with sepsis, and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in which 62 severe patients with sepsis and septic shock admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June 2013 to December 2013 were randomly divided into control group and Xuebijing group, with 31 patients in each group. The patients in both groups received basic treatment for sepsis, and the patients in Xuebijing group were additionally given intravenous injection of Xuebijing 100 mL once a day for 7 days. In both groups, the changes in acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score were observed before treatment and 1, 3, 7 days after treatment, and the changes in the levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-10), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fib), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), serum creatinine (SCr), and Cystain C (Cys C) were determined before treatment and 1 day and 3 days after treatment.Results There was no statistically significant difference in APACHEⅡ score before treatment between two groups, however, the APACHEⅡ scores were significantly decreased in both groups 3 days and 7 days after treatment compared with those before treatment, and the degree of decrease in Xuebijing group was more obvious 7 days after treatment (13.61±7.62 vs. 16.34±8.70,P< 0.05). Serum concentrations of Cys C, SCr, IL-6, IL-10, PT, APTT, and Fib showed no difference between two groups before treatment (allP> 0.05), while after treatment the degrees of improvement of above indexes in Xuebijing group were obviously superior to those in control group, especially 3 days after treatment[Cys C (mg/L):1.12±0.11 vs. 1.35±0.14, SCr (μmol/L): 115.0±31.0 vs. 135.0±24.0, IL-6 (ng/L): 54.27±28.79 vs. 73.35±31.01,PT (s): 13.50±0.11 vs. 15.71±0.11, APTT (s): 43.66±0.31 vs. 48.03±0.55, Fib (g/L): 1.91±0.51 vs. 1.51±0.52, P< 0.05 orP< 0.01].ConclusionXuebijing injection has certain renal protective effect in patients with sepsis, and its mechanism is possibly related to the regulation and improvement of uncontrolled inflammatory response and coagulation function in sepsis.