Face ; pathology ; Humans ; Infection ; pathology ; Neck ; pathology

Objective To study risk factors associated with predisposition to Lm -ABM in adult patients and to evaluate the clinical features,management and out in this cohort of patients because Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is the third most common cause of acute community acquired bacterial meningitis (Ac-ABM),after Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitides aetiologies.Methods A descriptive,prospective study carried out in a tertiary grade medical center emergency department in Beijing over a 10 -year period.During the study period,15 patients of Lm- ABM were included.Comparison of episodes of Lm - ABM versus other aetiologies was made.Results Fifteen episodes of Lm - ABM were identified in327 adult Ac - ABM patients.Three cohorts of individuals were vulnerable to Lm - ABM:the elderly ( RR=3.14; 95％ CI 1.84-5.35),the immunocompromised (RR =3.34; 95％ CI2.08-5.38),and pregnant women ( RR 12.48 ; 95％ CI 3.29 ～ 47.39 ).The classic triad of fever,neck stiffness,and altered mental status was present in 40％ (6 of 15) Lm - ABM patients.Similarly,40％ patients had at least one of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples with features met the criteria of typical bacterial meningitis.The coverage of empirical antimicrobial therapy was microbiologically inadequate for 13 ( 86.7％ ) patients.The mortality rate was 33.3％ (5 of 15),and 7 (46.7％ ) of 15 patients led to an unfavorable outcome ( GOS ＜ 4),both of which were significantly higher than those in other aetiologies of Ac - ABM ( P =0.015P =0.009 respectively). Conclusions Our study showed the elderly,the immunocompromised patients,and pregnant women predisposed to Ac - ABM most likely to be Listeria monocytogenes aetiology.In contrast with similar previous reports, the current study showed that patients with meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes did not present with atypical clinical features.A high proportion of patients received empirical antimicrobial therapy that did not cover Listeria monocytogenes.Lm - ABM is still a serious disease that leads to high morbidity and mortality rates.With these important caveats in mind,our findings have implications for clinical practice and food safety policy makers.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of modified early warning score (MEWS) in predicting mortality of critically ill patients admitted to emergency department.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of emergency patients admitted to resuscitation room of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Feburary 13rd, 2014 to April 20th, 2014 were collected, and their MEWS were calculated based on medical records and their clinical outcomes was followed. Incidence of primary outcome (3-day mortality) and secondary outcome [all deaths and composite outcome of intensive care unit (ICU) transfer, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, and death] were compared between MEWS positive (MEWS≥5) or negative (MEWS 0-4) patients, and multi-regression logistic analysis was done to look for the impact factors of primary outcome in these patients.Results 176 patients, among them 98 (55.68%) were male, were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was (56.86±21.46) years old. Mean MEWS was 4.30±2.74. There was 74 cases in MEWS positive group, and 102 in negative group. Primary endpoint occurred in 41 patients, and the 3-days mortality in MEWS positive group was significantly higher than that in MEWS negative group [37.84 (28/74) vs. 12.74% (13/102), odds ratio (OR) = 4.167, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.973-8.804,P< 0.001]. At the meantime, incidence of all death [54.05% (40/74) vs. 17.65% (18/102),OR = 5.490, 95%CI = 2.770-10.883,P< 0.001] and the incidence of ICU transfer, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and death [64.86% (48/74) vs. 25.49% (26/102),OR = 5.396, 95%CI = 2.809-10.366,P< 0.001] were also significantly higher in MEWS positive group as compared with negative group. Multi-regression logistic showed abnormal mental status (OR = 3.606, 95%CI = 1.541-8.436,P = 0.003) but not MEWS≥5 (OR = 1.672, 95%CI = 0.622-4.494,P = 0.308)was the predictor of 3-day mortality in emergency admitted critically ill patients.Conclusions Although the incidence of severe adverse events is significantly increased in patients with MEWS≥5 compared with those with MEWS 0-4, MEWS≥5 cannot be an efficient predictor for 3-day mortality. Abnormal mental status shows some predictive value for early mortality in critically ill patients seen in emergency department.

Objective:To study the inter-fraction setup errors, intra-fraction movement of patients and its influence on dosimetry, position repeatability of the supraclavicular area, and the plastic stability of the vacuum cushion and styrofoam when one of the three fixation method are applied in the clinical radiotherapy of breast cancer. The three fixation method include acuum negative pressure pad (VP), acuum negative pressure pad combined with a breast bracket (VB), and polyurethane styrofoam combined with a breast bracket (PB).Methods:A total of 96 breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy at Jiangsu Cancer Hospital during 2019-2021 were collected prospectively for study. They were randomly divided into three groups (VP, VB, and PB). Cone-Beam CT and a planning system were used to obtain inter-fraction setup errors, intra-fraction movement of patients and its influence on dosimetry, position repeatability of supraclavicular area, and the plastic stability of vacuum pad and polyurethane tyrofoam.Results:In the left-right (LR) direction, there were no statistical differences in the inter-fraction setup errors among the three groups. In the superior-inferior (SI) direction, inter-fraction setup errors of the PB group were smaller than those of the VB group (3.02 ± 2.04, 3.65 ± 2.64, t=2.35, P=0.031). In the anterior-posterior (AP) direction, the inter-fraction setup errors of both the VB and PB groups were smaller than those of the VP group (3.36 ± 2.93, 3.14 ± 0.98, 4.03 ± 2.55, t=2.29, 3.11, P< 0.05). In the AP direction, the intra-fraction movement of patients of the VP and PB groups were less than that of the VB group (1.31 ± 0.95, 1.24 ± 0.89, 1.88 ± 1.33, t=-2.04, -2.31, P< 0.05). Moreover, the intra-fraction movement of patients had no statistical effect on the dosimetric distribution ( P> 0.05), and the breast bracket did not improve the position repeatability of the supraclavicular region ( P>0.05). In addition, the plastic stability of polyurethane styrofoam was significantly better than that of the acuum negative pressure pad ( t=2.43-5.63, P< 0.05). Conclusions:The inter-fraction setup errors and intra-fraction movement of patients with breast cancer can be reduced by using PB. Compared to an acuum negative pressure pad, polyurethane styrofoam can keep plastic stability throughout the treatment of the patients.

Objective Image-guided radiation therapy(IGRT)was performed to investigate the intrafractional body motion and identify the relevant influencing factors during hypofractionated radiotherapy for malignant pulmonary tumors. Methods A total of ninety-six patients with malignant pulmonary tumors receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital were enrolled in this clinical trial. The kilo-voltage cone beam CT(kV-CBCT)was acquired prior to each fraction and matched to the planning CT images to correct the set-up errors. CBCT was performed immediately after the end of treatment to evaluate the intrafractional variation in the mediolateral,anteroposterior and craniocaudal dimensions.The relationship between relevant influencing factors and intrafractional variation was analyzed using multivariate linear regression. Results In the anteroposterior and craniocaudal directions,the intrafractional positioning errors were reduced along with the increase of ordinal number of fraction(P= 0.000). In the mediolateral direction, the intrafractional positioning errors were increased along with the longer duration of hypofractionated radiotherapy(P=0.010).The intrafractional positioning errors were decreased over larger body weight(P=0.003).The intrafractional positioning errors were significantly increased when vacuum bag and thermoplastic film were utilized for fixation(P= 0.009). Conclusions Certain intrafractional positioning errors occur during hypofractionated radiotherapy. Relevant influencing factors differ in different directions. Relevant influencing factors should be modified to reduce intrafractional positioning variation and improve the treatment accuracy.

Objective To prepare Compound Nanxing Pain Relief Gel(CNPRG)and evaluate its quality and sensitization.Methods CNPRG uses Carbopol 980 NF as the matrix;Appearance,viscosity,coating,centrifugal stability,cold stability,thermal stability as comprehensive indicators,single test and Box-Behnken effector method to optimize the prescription;The quality evaluation methods of appearance,pH,viscosity,stability,vapor phase identification of volatile components,and determination of diaconitine and eugenol content of CNPRG were preliminarily established;CNPRG sensitization was assessed by Active Cutaneous Anaphylaxis.Results The best prescription for CNPRG was Carbopol 980 NF 0.35 g,drug 1.02 g,glycerol 5.00 g,and pH 6.20.CNPRG ′s appearance likes jelly,is smooth,uniform and delicate;pH=6.20±0.03;viscosity 68.43±1.14 Pa·s;Centrifugation,high,low temperature stability,no stratification and precipitation;Identify camphor,(±)-Borneol and(±)-Isoborneol,Cinnamaldehyde,eugenol,phenol;Hypaconitine content 0.2983±0.0073 μg·g-1;Eugenol content 155.66±0.97 μg·g-1;CNPRG confirmed no sensitization.Conclusion CNPRG has good appearance,stable quality and no sensitization,and it can provide a choice for the development of new dosage forms of compound Nanxing pain relief cream to alleviate sensitization.

Objective To assess and compare the incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of acute heart failure patients from different grades hospitals in Beijing.Methods In this prospective internet prognosis registered study (Beijing AHF Registry),a total of 3 335 consecutive patients admitted to 14 emergency departments in Beijing from January 1st 2011 to September 23rd 2012 were enrolled.According to hospital grade,these patients were divided into two groups,349 patients were from secondary hospitals,and 2 956 patients were from tertiary hospitals.Results Among the 3 335 patients,the medium age was 71 (58,79) years,and male accounted for 53.16％.The most common underlying disease were coronary disease (43.27％),hypertension (17.73％),cardiomyopathy (16.07％) etc.The average treatment time in Emergency Department was 66.82 h.The emergency department mortality rate was 3.81％ (127 cases).The 30-day and 1-year cumulative all-cause mortality were 15.3％ and 32.27％,respectively.The 30-day and 1-year cumulative all-cause readmission were 15.64％ and 46.89％,respectively.Compared with patients in tertiary hospitals,patients in secondary hospitals had more onset acute heart failure patients (63.64％ vs.49.93％),shorter emergency department treatment time (12 h vs.41 h),lower discharge rate (3.43％ vs.37.45％) and emergency department mortality(1.58％ vs.4.09％).Compared with those in tertiary hospitals,1-year cumulative all-cause mortality (25.6％ vs.33.2％),cardiovascular disease mortality (20.2％ vs.26.0％),aggravated heart failure mortality (22.4％ vs.28.8％) were lower in secondary hospitals.Following propensity score matching,compared to tertiary hospitals,patients in secondary hospitals showed lower utilization rate of beta-blockers and ACEFARB (4.51％ vs.28.17％,1.41％ vs.9.58％),except the pironolactone.Conclusion Acute heart failure in emergency department is associated with a high mortality rate and readmission rate.There is still a big gap between guidelines recommend medication current treatments for acute heart failure.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic characteristics of population with gout achieving treat-to-target (T2T) indicators through real-world research and evaluate their safety.Methods:A total of 3 287 patients diagnosed with gout by rheumatologists in 21 first-class tertiary hospitals in 10 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China from January 2015 to December 2021 were included in this polycentric cross-sectional study. The database included patients′ general information, disease characteristics, and clinical application of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment measures. SPSS and Excel software were used for data analysis. Frequency analysis, cluster analysis, and factor analysis were used to summarize the characteristics and rules of treatment measures for patients with gout who achieved the target after treatment. The occurrence of adverse events (AE) was recorded during treatment.Results:After treatment, 691 visits (7%) achieved the serum urate (SUA) target, and the most frequent use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) was febuxostat, followed by benzbromarone. The most common treatment options were following: GroupⅠ: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise-proprietary Chinese medicine; GroupⅡ: ferulic acid-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Group Ⅲ: allopurinol-sodium bicarbonate-benzbromarone; Group Ⅳ: glucocorticoid-colchicine; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 5 898 visits (60%) chieved manifestations of joint pain VAS scores target, and the most frequently used drug to control joint symptoms was NSAIDs. The frequency of use of drugs to control joint symptoms were 2 118 times (usage rate reached 35.9%), while the frequency of ULT were 2 504 times (usage rate reached 42.5%), which was higher than the joint symptom control drug. The most common treatment options were following: Group Ⅰ: proprietary Chinese medicine-TCM decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise; Group Ⅱ: NSAIDs-colchicine hormones; Group Ⅲ: allopurinol, Group Ⅳ: benzbromarone; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 59 adverse events occurred during treatment.Conclusion:The proportions of gout patients who reach target serum urate level & good control of joint symptoms are both very low, and ULT and anti-inflammatory prescription patterns are very different from international guidelines, so it is necessary to strengthen the standardized management of gout patients. At the same time, life intervention measures account for a certain proportion of the treatment plans for the T2T population, and further exploration is needed.

Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; East Asian People ; Hypertension ; Cerebral Hemorrhage

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as the third leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by its high incidence, mortality rate, high incurred disability rate, and frequent reoccurrence. The neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against several cerebral diseases have been reported in previous studies, but the underlying mechanisms of action are still unclear. Using a novel in vitro rat cortical capillary endothelial cell-astrocyte-neuron network model, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of GBE and one of its important constituents, Ginkgolide B (GB), against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and glucose (OGD/R) injury. In this model, rat cortical capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons were cocultured so that they could be synchronously observed in the same system. Pretreatment with GBE or GB increased the neuron cell viability, ameliorated cell injury, and inhibited the cell apoptotic rate through Bax and Bcl-2 expression regulation after OGD/R injury. Furthermore, GBE or GB pretreatment enhanced the transendothelial electrical resistance of capillary endothelial monolayers, reduced the endothelial permeability coefficients for sodium fluorescein (Na-F), and increased the expression levels of tight junction proteins, namely, ZO-1 and occludin, in endothelial cells. Results demonstrated the preventive effects of GBE on neuronal cell death and enhancement of the function of brain capillary endothelial monolayers after OGD/R injury in vitro; thus, GBE could be used as an effective neuroprotective agent for AIS/reperfusion, with GB as one of its significant constituents.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Ginkgolides ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Stroke ; drug therapy