OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of antibiotics in our Outpatient Department during 2006-2007,and to analyze and evaluate the trend and rationality.METHODS The data about consumption quantity and consumption sum of antibiotics in our Outpatient Department during 2006-2007 were retrieved by means of computer management software in the department of pharmacy for the analysis of the clinical use of antibiotics using the method of defined daily dose(DDD).RESULTS Fluoro quinolones,cephalosporins and plant antibiotics have dominated the first places among the antibiotics used in our hospital,and the consumption of cephalosporins kept increasing year by year.CONCLUSIONS The use of antibiotics in our hospital should be further standardized to ensure the drug using safe,efficient and economic in our hospital.

OBJECTIVE To promote clinical rational use of antibiotic prophylaxis through surveying it in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department (OG) by pharmacists. METHODS Data of 223 cases using of antibiotic prophylaxis in OG were retrospectively analyzed. According to unreasonable use of antibiotic prophylaxis,the clinical pharmacists put out reasonable measures and directed treatment in succedent 206 patients. RESULTS The rate of unreasonable use of antibiotic prophylaxis in 223 cases was 100% and rate of infection after operation was 9.87%. After giving intervention,the rate of unreasonable use of antibiotic prophylaxis and infection were reduced to 3.88% and 1.46%,respectively (P

AIM:To investigate the mechanism responsible for albumin microbubbles adherence to activated leukocytes. METHODS: In vitro studies were performed in which activated or nonactivated leukocytes were incubated with albumin microbubbles and observed under microscopy. The suspensions of leukocytes and microbubbles which contained or absented of integrins were analyzed with flow cytometry.RESULTS: A minimum of 50 cells were identified under transillumination. 5 min after microbubbles were incubated with leukocytes, the number of cells interacting with microbubbles was greater for activated cells than for nonactivated cells(20 30?2 67 vs 4 50?1 43, P

Objective:To carry out preoperative nutritional risk screening for inpatient to understand their nutritional risk status,and to explore the relationship between postoperative nutritional support and related clinical outcomes.Methods:A total of 378 patients in the Third Ward of Department of General Surgery,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University,completed NRS 2002 scoring within 48 h after admission.The patients with NRS scores more than 3 points were judged to have nutritional risk,and they were divided into nutrition support group (114 cases) and non-nutrition support group (60 cases) according to whether or not to accept the nutrition support.According to the doctor's advice,the data of nutrition support were obtained,the related clinical outcomes were recorded twice a week,and the relationship between them was analyzed.The influencing factors of hospitalization costs and infectious complications were analyzed.Results:Among the 378 inpatients,the nutritional risk rate was 50.53％.Of the 174 patients enrolled in the cohort study,the nutritional support rate was 65.52％ (114/174).The difference of hospitalization time between the nutrition support group and the non-nutrition support group was statistically significant (P=0.028).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the hospitalization costs.The incidence of infectious complications (P=0.034) and the total complication rate (P=0.012) in the nutrition support group were lower than those in the non-nutrition support group.Disease score and nutrition support were the influencing factors of the incidence of infectious complications (P＜0.10).Hospitalization days,disease score and nutrition score were the influencing factors of hospitalization costs (P＜0.10).Conclusions:General surgery patients have higher nutrition risks,and nutrition support can reduce infectious complications,total complications and shorten hospital stay.NRS 2002 has a superior ability of predicting clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to explore the parental experience of making a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) decision for their child who is or was cared for in a pediatric intensive care unit in Taiwan. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted following parental signing of a standard hospital DNR form on behalf of their critically ill child. Sixteen Taiwanese parents of 11 children aged 1 month to 18 years were interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, analyzed and sorted into themes by the sole interviewer plus other researchers. RESULTS: Three major themes were identified: (a) "convincing points to sign", (b) "feelings immediately after signing", and (c) "postsigning relief or regret". Feelings following signing the DNR form were mixed and included "frustration", "guilt", and "conflicting hope". Parents adjusted their attitudes to thoughts such as "I have done my best," and "the child's life is beyond my control." Some parents whose child had died before the time of the interview expressed among other things "regret not having enough time to be with and talk to my child". CONCLUSION: Open family visiting hours plus staff sensitivity and communication skills training are needed. To help parents with this difficult signing process, nurses and other professionals in the pediatric intensive care unit need education on initiating the conversation, guiding the parents in expressing their fears, and providing continuing support to parents and children throughout the child's end of life process.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; *Decision Making ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palliative Care/*psychology ; Parents/*psychology ; *Professional-Family Relations ; Qualitative Research ; Resuscitation Orders/*psychology ; Taiwan ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the development of auditory performance and speech intelligibility within the first year after hearing aid fitting in children with moderate or severe hearing loss, investigate the effects of hearing level on auditory performance and speech intelligibility and provide a clinical database for their hearing and speech habilitation. METHOD: Twenty-nine children participated in this study, ranging in age at hearing aid fitting from 3 to 8 years old with a mean of 5. 6 years old. 19 were boys and 10 were girls. According to their hearing level, they were divided into two groups. 14 children were in group of moderate hearing loss (41-60 dB HL). 15 children were in group of severe hearing loss (61-80 dB HL). The categories of auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) were used to evaluate their auditory performance and speech intelligibility. The evaluation was performed before hearing aid fitting and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after fitting. RESULT: There was significant difference in mean score of CAP between group of moderate hearing loss and severe hearing loss before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between these two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after fitting (P > 0.05). There was also significant difference in mean score of SIR between group of moderate hearing loss and severe hearing loss before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05). How ever, no significant differences were also observed between these two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after fitting (P > 0.05). The mean scores of CAP for group of moderate hearing loss at 6, 9, 12 months after fitting were significantly superior in comparison with the score before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05). The mean scores of SIR for group of moderate hearing loss at 6, 9, 12 months after fitting were significantly superior in comparison with the score before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05); the mean score at 12 months after fitting was also significantly superior in comparison with the score at 1 month after fitting (P < 0.05). The mean scores of CAP for group of severe hearing loss at 3, 6, 9, 12 months after fitting were significantly superior in comparison with the score before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05); the mean scores at 9,12 months after fitting were significantly superior in comparison with the score at 1 month after fitting (P < 0.05). The mean scores of SIR for group of severe hearing loss at 3, 6, 9, 12 months after fitting were significantly superior in comparison with the score before hearing aid fitting (P < 0.05); the mean scores at 6, 9, 12 months after fitting were also significantly superior in comparison with the score at 1 month after fitting (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Auditory performance and speech intelligibility in children with moderate or severe hearing loss improved significantly within the first year after hearing aid fitting. The development followed different trajectory.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Deafness ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Speech Perception

INTRODUCTIONTo present the characteristics and spectrum of associated anomalies in right- and left-sided isomerism in our local population and to assess the possibility of using stomach-distance ratio (SDR) of less than 0.34 as a diagnostic tool to predict right atrial isomerism.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a retrospective study of fetuses in our department over a period of 8 years with postnatally confirmed prenatal diagnosis of atrial isomerism.

RESULTSIn 22 cases, atrial isomerism was confirmed by post-mortem or postnatal echocardiography. Eighteen (81.8%) fetuses had right isomerism. Their main abnormal ultrasound findings were pulmonary stenosis or atresia (n = 9), atrioventricular septal defect (n = 10), right-sided stomach (n = 9), transposition of great arteries (n = 6), dextrocardia (n = 8), single ventricle (n = 4), juxtaposition of inferior vena cava and descending aorta (n = 5), ventricular septal defect (n = 2), interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous drainage (n = 2) and double outlet right ventricle (n = 3). Four (18.2%) fetuses had left isomerism. Their abnormal ultrasound findings were dextrocardia (n = 3), right-sided stomach (n = 3), atrioventricular septal defect (n = 2), double outlet ventricle (n = 2), ventricular septal defect (n = 1), pulmonary stenosis (n = 2) and interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous drainage (n = 1). 66.7% (12/18) of cases with right isomerism had SDR of less than 0.34 compared to 0% (0/4) of the cases with left isomerism (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests an Asian predilection towards right isomerism compared to Western populations. We postulate that there may be racial differences in the expression of these 2 forms of isomerism. The ultrasound findings of complex heart disease and abnormal arrangement of great vessels in abdominal cavity, though important, are varied and non-specific evidence for either form of fetal atrial isomerism. There is a possibility of using the SDR <0.34 (representing stomach proximity to the fetal spine) as a possible diagnostic tool to predict right-sided atrial isomerism.

Asia ; epidemiology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Heart Atria ; abnormalities ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; anatomy & histology ; Time Factors

Objective To prepare a novel root end filling material and determine its physical and chemical properties and cell compatibility.Methods Samples of the novel root end filling material were developed with hydroxyapatite,tetracalcium phosphate,polyacrylic acid,citric acid and sodium citrate.Chemical composition of the new material was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).Physical properties such as the setting time and compressive strength of the material were also investigated.The cytocompatibility was tested by MTT assay and direct contact assay.Results The novel root end filling material was primarily composed of HA,calcium carboxylate and calcium citrate.Its setting time was 8.77 ± 0.64 min and the compressive strength was ( 28.87 ± 3.88 )MPa at 1 day.The cytotoxicity scores of it in the serial dilution extract and different culture time ranked from grade 0 to Ⅰ.L 929 cells adhered on its surface and proliferated well.Conclusions With good physicalchemical properties and good cell compatibility,the novel root canal filling material presents a good clinical application prospect.

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown evidence of health-related risk behaviors among women who have sex with women (WSW), such as sex with men, multiple bisexual partners, and drug use. Women who have sex with women have also been known to avoid routine physical examinations and conceal their same-sex history from physicians, which can affect their ability to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. No previous research has targeted women who have sex with women in China. We sought to describe women who have sex with women in China and explore risk factors for their reproductive tract infections (RTI)/sexually transmitted infections (STI).

METHODSParticipants were recruited through outreach in venues and online for a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using interviews and laboratory tests.

RESULTSWe recruited 224 women who have sex with women. In the year preceding their participation in the study, 92% (206/224) of women reported sexual relations with women. The RTI rates were: gonorrhea (15.8%), chlamydia (3.5%), syphilis (0.5%), bacterial vaginosis (14.4%), hepatitis B virus (HBV) (0.9%), hepatitis C virus (HCV) (0.5%), and candidiasis (6.9%). No HIV or herpes simplex virus (HSV) positive cases were detected. Factors associated with gonorrhea infection were non-Beijing local residency (odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 - 3.8) and genital-genital contact (OR = 3.1, 95%CI: 1.3 - 7.2); factors associated with curable STI (excluding bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, HBV and HCV) were non-Beijing local residency (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.2 - 3.0) and bleeding during or after sex (OR = 18.1; 95%CI: 5.2 - 62.6); and the factor associated with RTI (including all the infections tested) was bleeding during or after sex (OR = 37.8, 95%CI: 11.2 - 127.4).

CONCLUSIONSBehaviors that may cause RTI/STI exist among Chinese women who have sex with women. Researchers should consider these behaviors when planning corresponding prevention and interventions.

Adult ; Candidiasis ; epidemiology ; China ; Female ; Gonorrhea ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Homosexuality, Female ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; epidemiology ; Syphilis ; epidemiology ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Background RhoA/ Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Inhibition of ROCK has been proposed as a treatment for PAH. But the mechanism of RhoA/ROCK pathway and its downstream signaling in proliferation of human PASMCs is unclear. We investigated the effect of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced human PASMC proliferation, and the possible association between RhoA/ROCK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK),p27KiP1.Methods Human PASMCs were cultured with the stimulation of 10 ng/ml PDGF, and different concentrations of fasudil were added before the addition of mitogen. Cell viability and cell cycle were determined with MTT and flow cytometry respectively. ROCK activity, ERK activity and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear angigen (PCNA) and p27Kip1 were measured by immunoblotting.Results By MTT assay, PDGF significantly increased the OD value that represented human PASMC proliferation, and pretreatment with fasudil significantly reversed this effect in a dose-dependent manner. After PDGF stimulation, the percentage of cells in S phase increased dramatically from 15.6％ to 24.3％, while the percentage in G0/G1 phase was reduced from 80.6％ to 59％. And pretreatment with fasudil reversed the cell cycle effect of PDGF significantly in a dose-dependent manner. PDGF markedly induced ROCK activity and ERK activity with a peak at 15 minutes, which were significantly inhibited by fasudil. In addition, fasudil significantly inhibited PDGF-induced PCNA expression and fasudil also upregulated p27Kip1 expression in human PASMCs, which decreased after PDGF stimulation.Conclusion RhoA/ROCK is vital for PDFG-induced human PASMC proliferation, and fasudil effectively inhibited PDGF-induced human PASMC proliferation by up-regulation of p27Kip1, which may be associated with inhibition of ERK activity.