OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia(NP) caused by imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(IRAB) and its antimicrobial susceptibility in vitro. METHODS The data of 34 cases of IRAB-NP were analyzed and 68 cases of NP caused by imipenem-susceptible A.baumannii(ISAB) were randomized as control.Antimicrobial susceptibility(MIC) was determined with the method of agar dilution. RESULTS The two independent factors associated with the development of IRAB-NP: previous fluoroquinolone(OR=5.738) and imipenem/meropenem(OR=7.129) use.The drug sensitivity test in vitro showed that these strains were multiresistant to commonly used antibiotics,and only ampicillin/sulbactam and cefoperazone/sulbactam whose resistance rate was less than 30%. CONCLUSIONS Previous imipenem/meropenem and fluoroquinolone use is independent risk factors for IRAB-NP.These strains are high drug resistant.

OBJECTIVETo measure the plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), the protein expression of alpha-SMA in hepatic stellate cells and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and study on the relationships between the plasma levels of TGFbeta1, the protein expression and the serum hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with different grades of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThirty seven cases with hepatic fibrosis of different grades were classified according to HE and VG staining categories from 0 to 4, in which there were 8 cases in grade 1, 9 cases in grade 2, 7 cases in grade 3, 13 cases in grade 4. The plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the serum levels of HA were detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSWith the progression of hepatic fibrosis, the plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the protein expression of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were increased. In grade 3 and 4, the plasma levels of TGFbeta and the protein expression of a-SMA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were significantly increased, but the protein expression of uPA in cirrhosis liver tissue did not increased.

CONCLUSIONTGFbeta1, a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 play an important role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Inhibiting the early activation of latent TGFbeta1 or increasing uPA and inhibiting PAI-1 over express may contribute to matrix degradation and retard the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Actins ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health.

METHODSTwenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states.

RESULTSNo significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased.

CONCLUSIONForest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

Baths ; China ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Life Style ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Nature ; Recreation ; Stress, Physiological ; Testosterone ; blood ; Trees ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the academic level of randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery between 2003 and 2009.

METHODSPublished RCTs in the 42 issues of the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery was searched for relevant articles published between 2003 and 2009. Data extracted for analysis included the time at manuscript received, publication time, total number of citations, number of citations in Chinese, number of citations in English, author's affiliations, single- or multi- center study, positive conclusions from RCTs, number of patients recruited in RCTs, research funding source, the start time, the finish time and the number of authors in RCTs.

RESULTSDuring the past seven years, a total of 80 clinical RCTs were published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, accounting for 12% of all the clinical studies published in the journal, and the average number of RCTs in each issue was 1.6. The average delay time before publication was 208 days. The total number of citations and the total number of patients in RCTs were 685 and 9402. The average number of citations, the average number of patients recruited in each RCT, and the average research period in RCTs were 8.6, 118 and 29.2. There were 7 multi-center studies, and the number of single-center study was 73. All the RCT studies had significant conclusions, and 17 (21.3%) RCT studies were funded. Nanjing general hospital of Nanjing military command had the largest number of RCTs (n=6).

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery puts emphasis on clinical studies of high evidence level such as RCT, which provide evidence for making the clinical guidelines in the specialty of gastrointestinal surgery.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Periodicals as Topic ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast, an exceedingly rare and aggressive tumor, is often characterized by rapid progression and poor prognosis. We report a case of primary SCC of the breast that was diagnosed through pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations. Computed tomography (CT) scans failed to reveal a non-mammary primary site. Due to the scant number of relevant case summaries, this type of tumor is proved to be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Therefore, we also reviewed relevant literature to share expertise in diagnosis, clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of this type of tumor. Future studies with more cases are required to define more appropriate treatment indications for this disease.
Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mammography ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal implantation strategy of tissue-engineered liver (TEL) constructed based on decellularized spleen matrix (DSM) in rats.

METHODSDSM was prepared by freeze-thawing and perfusion with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) of the spleen of healthy SD rats. Primary rat hepatocytes isolated using modified Seglen 2-step perfusion method were implanted into the DSM to construct the TEL. The advantages and disadvantages were evaluated of 4 transplant strategies of the TEL, namely ectopic vascular anastomosis, liver cross-section suture transplantation, intrahepatic insertion and mesenteric transplantation.

RESULTSThe planting rate of hepatocytes in the DSM was (74.5∓7.7)%. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy showed satisfactory cell status, and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the normal expression of ALB and G6Pc in the cells. For TEL implantation, ectopic vascular anastomosis was difficult and resulted in a mortality rate of 33.3% perioperatively and massive thrombus formation in the matrix within 6 h. Hepatic cross-section suture failed to rapidly establish sufficient blood supply, and no viable graft was observed 3 days after the operation. With intrahepatic insertion method, the hepatocytes in the DSM could survive as long as 14 days. Mesenteric transplantation resulted in a hepatocyte survival rate of (38.3+7.1)% at 14 days after implantation.

CONCLUSIONTEL constructed based on DSM can perform liver-specific functions with a good cytological bioactivity. Mesenteric transplantation of the TEL, which is simple, safe and effective, is currently the optimal transplantation strategy.

Bioactivity of Danggui is linked to the content of ligustilide, but the relationship between ligustilide with herb shape, cultivating areas and plant species is still unknown. The relationship was investigated by quantifying on the amounts of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide by HPLC-DAD-MS method, and then comparing the content of ligustilides (the sum of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide) among forty-four various "Danggui" samples containing thirty Chinese Danggui (CDG), six Japanese Danggui (JDG), four Korea Danggui (KDG) and four European Danggui (EDG). Results showed that the content of ligustilides in CDG samples (Angelica sinensis) was in the range of 5.63-24.53 mg x g(-1) with the mean of 11.02 mg x g(-1) (n = 30). Ligustilides amounts were varied among samples cultivated in different areas in China, i. e. 13.90 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Yannan, 12.51 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Sichuan and 10.04 mg x g(-1) (n = 13) in Gansu. It was also found that ligustilides content was related to the shape, color and fragrance of herb, e. g. the relative larger amount of ligustilides was in the small main root, long rootlet and perfumed sample. Further, ligustilides contents were estimated to be 1.00 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in JDG samples (A. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae) and 2.78 mg x g(-1) (n = 2) in EDG samples (lovage root, Levisticum officinale). However, ligustilides could not be detected in the four KDG samples (A. gigas) and two EDG samples (angelica root, A. archangelica). It has been concluded that ligustilide is significant variant among plant species, which may result in the variety of bioactivity and therapeutic effect.
4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Geography ; Quality Control

The relevant provisions of bloodletting for expelling pathogens are collected from the works of the medical representative scholars in Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties respectively to construct the databases of bloodletting for expelling pathogens of Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties. Using frequency analysis, the bloodletting device, bloodletting location, bloodletting volume, the related pathogens and indications are compared between these two times so that the evidences could be provided for the inheritance and development of the academic thought of bloodletting for expelling pathogens. It is found that the three-edge needle is the most commonly used device for bloodletting in Jin-Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties and
Acupuncture Points ; Bloodletting ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Needles

Insulin resistance is the pathophysiological basis of many diseases. Overcoming early insulin resistance highly significant in prevention diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and atherosclerosis. The present study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effects of baicalin on insulin resistance and skeletal muscle ectopic fat storage in high fat diet-induced mice, and exploring the potential molecular mechanisms. Insulin resistance in mice was induced with a high fat diet for 16 weeks. Animals were then treated with three different doses of baicalin (100, 200, and 400 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 14 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), and skeletal muscle lipid deposition were measured. Additionally, the AMP-activated protein kinase/acetyl-CoA carboxylase and protein kinase B/Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta pathways in skeletal muscle were further evaluated. Baicalin significantly reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose and fasting serum insulin and attenuated high fat diet induced glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance. Moreover, insulin resistance was significantly reversed. Pathological analysis revealed baicalin dose-dependently decreased the degree of the ectopic fat storage in skeletal muscle. The properties of baicalin were mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of the AMPK/ACC pathway, a key regulator of de novo lipogenesis and activation of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway, a key regulator of Glycogen synthesis. These data suggest that baicalin, at dose up to 400 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), is safe and able to attenuate insulin resistance and skeletal muscle ectopic fat storage, through modulating the skeletal muscle AMPK/ACC pathway and Akt/GSK-3β pathway.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; metabolism ; Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; physiology ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) deletion is among the most common mutations in prostate cancer (PCa), but its role remains unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing was conducted in PCa cells after clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based CHD1 knockout. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated upregulation of hypoxia-related pathways. A subsequent study confirmed that CHD1 deletion significantly upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression. Mechanistic investigation revealed that CHD1 deletion upregulated HIF1α by transcriptionally downregulating prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2), a prolyl hydroxylase catalyzing the hydroxylation of HIF1α and thus promoting its degradation by the E3 ligase von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL). Functional analysis showed that CHD1 deletion promoted angiogenesis and glycolysis, possibly through HIF1α target genes. Taken together, these findings indicate that CHD1 deletion enhances HIF1α expression through PHD2 downregulation and therefore promotes angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Hypoxia ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Glycolysis ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Helicases/metabolism*