To study the relationship between endog-enous digitalis-like substance (EDLS) and ch-ronic renal insuffieiency(CRI), using radioimmu-noassay (RIA)with digoxin kit, we measured serum level of EDLS in patients with CRI, patients on hemodialysis (HD) and renal tra-nsplant patients. The results suggest that serum level of EDLS is closely related with renal function. When renal function goes down, the level of EDLS increases. This suggest that EDLS may be involved in pathogensis of CRI. HD can decrease serum level of EDLS. When the graft is functioning, the serum level of EDLS is similar to that in haalthy controls. The cor-relation between ELLS and renal hypertension is not clear.

Objective To comparie the effects of pre-dilution with post-dilution continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients with MODS. Method Thirty-two MODS patients admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit ) were randomized and treated with different modes of CRRT. The results of creatinine clearance, acid-base equilibrium, haemodynamic variables before and post therapy were recorded.The maximal pre-filter pressure, the duration of filter unworn out and mortality of patients treated with different modes of CRRT were also recorded. Results Seventeen patients were treated with pre-dilution mode of CRRT and 15 patients treated with post-dilution mode of CRRT. After 24 hours of pre- and postdilution modes of CRRT, the net increase in Ccr (namely the rate of replacement creatinine clearance) were (15.6±4.6) vs. (22.7 ±4. 1) mL/min respectively (P＜0.01); after 48-hour, they were (14.9±3.3)vs. ( 18. 9 ±2. 3) mL/min (p ＜0. 05) . Both dilution modes could improve the blood PH、 HCO3- and BE( P ＜ 0. 05 ) without significant differences between two groups after CRRT therapy ( P ＞ 0. 05 ) . The MAP of patients treated with pre-dilution modes of CRRT therapy for 24 hours and the MAP of patients before therapy were 69. 2 ± 4. 6 and 56. 7 + 9. 1 mmHg respectively ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), and dosage of dopamine used in patients before CRRT therapy and that after CRRT for 24 hours were ( 11.20 +3.45 ) vs (6. 12 +3.41 ) μg ·kg-1 min -1(P＜0.05).The maximal pre-filter pressures of pre-and post-dilution modes were (82.23+9.11) cm H2O, (110.56 +28. 14) cmH2O respectively (P＜0.05), and the durations of lasting effect of filter used in two modes of CRRT were ( 39 + 28. 12 ) vs. ( 25 + 14. 45 ) h respectively ( P ＜0. 05) . Both dilution modes could improve APACHE Scores. There were no significant differences in APACHE Scores and mortalities between two groups after CRRT therapy. Conclusions Post-dilution mode of CRRT has higher filtration rate, but have higher maximal pre-filter pressure and shorter longevity of filter.Pre-dilution mode of CRRT has better effect on improving hemodynamics, reducing usage of vasopressor.Both modes of CRRT can correct acid base equilibrium disorder rapidly. There are no differences in the results of blood gas analysis improved、 APACHE scores and mortality between the two groups.

Objective To analyze the pathogeny of acute respiration failure after kidney transplantation on early period and discuss the clinical value of mechanical ventilation.Methods A total of 16 cases of acute respiration failure after kidney transplantation on early period were studied retrospectively.Results The main causes were acute pulmonary edema caused by heart failure and serious pneumonia; patients were divided into two groups according to pathogeny: heart failure group (n=8) and non-heart failure group (n=8). It was found that the patients in heart failure group were older, preoperative blood pressure higher, dialysis duration longer, acute respiratory failure occurred earlier and mechanical ventilation time shorter than in non-heart failure group. The mechanical ventilation could raise oxygen pressure in artery blood and correct hypoxemia quickly. The mechanical ventilation could keep oxygen pressure in artery blood on the ideal level.Conclusion The pathogeny of acute respiration failure after kidney transplantation on early period included acute pulmonary edema caused by heart function failure and serious pneumonia; the mechanical ventilation was important to treat patient with acute respiration failure after kidney transplantation on early period because it could ensure oxygen pressure in artery blood in order to win time to cure heart failure and serious pneumonia. Also, the mechanical ventilation could improve prognosis of the patients.

Ojective To determine the risk factors and the clinical distribution of multiple drug resistant bacteria in stroke- associated pneumonia (SAP) patients with multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections from in-tensive care unit, providing guidance for clinical treatment of SAP. Methods A retrospective study was de-signed to analyze the clinical data of the SAP patients from January 2012 to December 2015. Univariate analysis and multivariable regression analysis were taken for risk factors of MDR infections , and investigated the distribu-tion and drug resistance of MDR. Results There were 183 SAP patients, of which 131patients (71.6%) had MDR infection. There are 193 MDR strains in the 131 patients , the first 5 MDR strains were Acinetobacter bau-mannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. MDR in-fection is highly associated with sever unconsciousness , time of stay in ICU longer than 7 days , ventilator time longer than 7 days and late-onset pneumonia and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion SAP patients with MDR bacterial infections are in association with the following risk factors: sever unconsciousness , time of stay in ICU longer than 7 days, ventilator time longer than 7 days and late-onset pneumonia. The rate of MDR bacterial infections was high , and these MDR strains were widely different degrees of resistance to many antibiotics.

Objective To observe the effects of Ulinastatin on pulmonary vascular endothelium permeability and respiratory function in patients with extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS exp). Methods The data of 39 patients with ARDS exp were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether treated with Ulinastatin or not, all patients were divided into Ulinastatin group(n = 21)and control group(n = 18); The level of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), pulmonary vascular permeability index(PVPI) and respiratory function were measured before and after the treatment. Results The mortality rate of Ulinastatin group was lower than that of control group (28.6% vs 38.9%). The time of decreasing EVLWI, PVPI and improving PaO2/FiO and respiratory function in Ulinastatin group was shorter than that of control group, and the effect was superior. Conclusion Ulinastatin could reduce EVLWI and PVPI, improve pulmonary compliance and oxygenation, and reduce mortality rate in patients with extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in human monocytes THP-1 cells in order to understand the molecular mechanisms.Methods Human monocytes THP-1 cell line were exposed to LPS after transfected with miR-29a inhibitors (100 nmol/L) or just transfected with miR-29a mimic (100 nmol/L) by lipofectamine RNAiMAX.Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cell apoptosis.Real-time RT-PCR was employed to measure expressive levels of the gene Bcl-2 and Mcl-1.The luciferase assay was performed in HEK293T cells,which were co-transfected with plasmid DNA and miRNA by using Lipofectamine 2000.Statistical analysis carried out by using SPSS 13.0 software for One-way ANOVA and Student' s t test.Results Transfection with miR-29a mimics for 48 h increased apoptosis rate and significantly reduced the expressions of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in THP-1 cells in comparsion with the control group.The apoptosis rate also raised in THP-1 cell stimulated by LPS for 24 h followed by LPS stimulation for 24 h,the apoptosis rate was decreased in comparison with the LPS group.In addition,our luciferase assay data showed that HEK293T cells cotransfected with miR-29a mimics and Bcl-2 3 ' UTR-Wt or Mcl-1 3' UTR-Wt plasmid significantly reduced the luciferase activity compared with the control group.Conclusions The miR-29a may regulate apoptosis by targeting the genes Bcl-2 and Mcl-1,and miR-29a may play a pivotal role in the process of apoptosis in immune cells.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of inhibiting ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USPl4) activity on oxidative stress induced by H2O2 of H9c2 cells.METHODS: The H9c2 cells were incubated with H2O2 at 25 μmol/L for 2 h to establish the oxidative stress injury model.The cells were divided into control group, H2O2 group, IU1 group (25 μmol/L or 50 μmol/L) and IU1+ H2O2 group.The H9c2 cells activity was measured by MTS assay.The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell survival rate were analyzed by flow cytometry assay.The changes of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family related proteins were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the cell activity and the viability rate in H2O2 group were decreased (P<0.05), while the intracellular ROS, the protein levels of Bax/Bcl-2, P53, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK and p-P38 were increased (P<0.05).Compared with H2O2 group, the cell activity and the viability rate of the H9c2 cells in IU1+H2O2 group were increased (P<0.05), while the intracellular ROS, the protein levels of Bax/Bcl-2, P53, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK and p-P38 were decreased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Inhibition of USPl4 activity reduces the oxidative stress injury of the H9c2 cells.The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the MAPK signaling and down-regulation of apoptosis related proteins.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effects of continuous blood purification (CBP) on extravascular lung water and respiratory function in patients with extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDSexp).

METHODSThe data of 31 patients with ARDSexp admitted in our department were retrospectively analyzed.Sixteen of the patients received CBP, and the other 15 patients did not (control group). The level of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI), and respiratory function were measured before and after CPB.

RESULTSThe mortality rate was significantly lower in CBP group than in the control group (12.5% vs 33.3%, P<0.05). The patients in CPB group showed markedly earlier and significantly greater improvements in EVLWI, PVPI, PaO2/FiO, and respiratory function than the control patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCBP can reduce EVLWI and PVPI, improve pulmonary compliance and oxygenation, and reduce mortality rate in patients with ARDSexp.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between 1-hour lactate (1 h Lac) and 30-day mortality in critical care patients in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:A retrospective, observational cohort study was performed with adult critical patients (age ≥ 16 years old) having lactate records within 1 hour after ICU admission from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-Ⅲ database (MIMIC-Ⅲ). According to the 1 h Lac level, the patients were divided into three groups: < 2 mmol/L, 2-4 mmol/L, and > 4 mmol/L groups. The baseline characteristics were analyzed. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between 1 h Lac and 30-day mortality. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of 1 h Lac for 30-day mortality, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed according to the best cut-off value. In addition, sensitivity analysis was carried out for each classification variable.Results:A total of 3 969 ICU patients were included, with 673 died in 30 days, and the total mortality was 16.95%. There were 1 664, 1 588, 717 patients in Lac < 2 mmol/L, 2-4 mmol/L and > 4 mmol/L group, respectively. There were significant differences in age, ICU duration, ICU type, heart rate, leukocyte count, hemoglobin, creatinine, sequential organ failure score (SOFA), ventilator application, vasoactive drug use and main diagnosis among the three groups. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that a 1 mmol/L increment in Lac was associated with 0.24 times higher risk of 30-day mortality [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.19-1.29, P < 0.000 1]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 1 h Lac for predicting 30-day mortality of severe patients was 0.694 (95% CI was 0.669-0.718). The cut-off value was 3.35 mmol/L with sensitivity of 0.499 and specificity of 0.779, whilst positive likelihood ratio was 2.260, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.643. According to the cut-off value of 1 h Lac, the patients were divided into high lactate group (≥ 3.35 mmol/L) and low lactate group (< 3.35 mmol/L). In the two subgroups, 30-day mortality was 31.58% (336/1 064) and 11.60% (337/2 905), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 30-day cumulative survival rate of high lactate group was significantly lower than that of low lactate group (Log-rank test: χ 2 = 247.72, P < 0.000 1). Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that the 30-day mortality rate of high lactate group was 2.34 times that the level of low lactate group ( OR = 2.34, 95% CI was 1.90-2.88, P < 0.000 1), after the adjustment of age, time of admission, type of ICU, hemoglobin, leukocyte count, use of vasopressor, use of ventilator and main diagnosis of patients. Stratified analysis showed that the relationship between 1 h Lac and 30-day mortality was stable. Conclusions:1 h Lac is associated with 30-day mortality in critical care patients. The risk of death was significantly increased in critically ill patients with 1 h Lac higher than 3.35 mmol/L.

Objective:To establish a nomogram prediction model for the prognosis of patients with septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) based on afterload-corrected cardiac performance (ACP), in order to identify septic patients with poor outcomes and treatment.Methods:The data of patients admitted to the department of critical medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from June 2016 to June 2019 were analyzed. All patients were monitored by pulse indication continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitor more than 24 hours and diagnosed as SCM with ACP less than 80%. The predictors of 30-day death risk of SCM patients were screened by univariate Cox regression analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to establish the prediction model for 30-day death risk of SCM patients, which was displayed by the nomogram. Finally, the discrimination and calibration of the model were analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and consistency index (C-index).Results:A total of 102 patients with SCM were included and the 30-day mortality was 60.8% (62 cases). Among 102 patients with SCM, 57 patients (55.9%) had mild impairment of cardiac function (60%≤ACP < 80%), and the 30-day mortality was 43.9% (25/57); 39 patients (38.2%) had moderate impairment of cardiac function (40%≤ACP < 60%), and the 30-day mortality was 79.5% (31/39); 6 patients (5.9%) had severe impairment of cardiac function (ACP < 40%), and the 30-day mortality was 100% (6/6). There was significantly difference in mortality among the three groups (χ 2 = 24.156, P < 0.001). The potential risk factors for 30-day death of SCM patients screened by univariate Cox regression analysis were included in multivariate Cox regression analysis. The results showed that the independent risk factors for 30-day death of SCM patients were acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ [APACHEⅡ, risk ratio ( HR) = 1.031, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.002-1.061, P = 0.039], vasoactive inotropic score (VIS, HR = 1.003, 95% CI was 1.001-1.005, P = 0.012), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT; HR = 2.106, 95% CI was 1.089-4.072, P = 0.027), and ACP ( HR = 0.952, 95% CI was 0.928-0.977, P < 0.001). The nomogram model was established based on the above independent risk factors and age, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.865 (95% CI was 0.795-0.935), P < 0.001; C-index was 0.797 (95% CI was 0.747-0.847), P > 0.05. Conclusions:The nomogram model based on age, APACHEⅡ score, VIS score, CRRT and ACP has a certain clinical reference significance for the prediction of 30-day mortality of SCM patients. The discrimination and calibration are good, however, further verification is needed.