Objective To investigate the prognostic value of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with sepsis.Methods A total of 162 patients was enrolled with consecutive pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions during the study period of Jan 1st,2013 to June 30th,2013 at Hunan Children's Hospital.The 162 septic patients were divided into sepsis group and severe sepsis group,sepsis group and septic shock group,and survival group and death group.NT-proBNP was tested in the first and third day after 162 septic patients in hospital.Pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) score was assessed in all patients.NT-proBNP was compared between groups.The change of NT-proBNP was summarized between groups.The relationship between NT-proBNP and PCIS was analyzed.Results (1) The plasma NT-proBNP level of the first day after admission in the severe sepsis group and septic shock group was higher than sepsis group,the PCIS in the sepsis group was higher than severe sepsis group and septic shock group,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The plasma NT-proBNP level of the first day after admission in the death group was higher than the survival group,the PCIS in the death was lower than the survivor group,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).In the death group,the plasma NT-proBNP level of the third day after admission was higher than the NT-proBNP of the first day after admission (P =0.037) ; contrarily,the plasma NT-proBNP level of the third day after admission was lower than the NT-proBNP of the first day after admission in the survival group (P =0.023).Conclusions NT-proBNP could be used to assess the condition of septic patients,and dynamic test NT-proBNP can help to predict septic patient’s prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in septic children with myocardial damage.Methods From Jan 1 to Jun 30,2013,162 children confirmed with sepsis in PICU of Hu'nan Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study.Patients were divided into myocardical injury and non-myocardical injury group according to whether accompanied with myocardial injury.NT-proBNP,lactate dehydrogenase,creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB),troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ),myoglobin(MB) of patients were measured within 24 h after admission.The NT-proBNP level between two groups was compared.The correlations between NT-proBNP and cTnⅠ,CK-MB were studied respectively.Results The NT-proBNP level[M(Q)] in myocardial injury group[3 632 (668.5,15 453.5) pg/ml] was higher than that in non-myocardial injury group[349 (169,1 500) pg/ml],which was significantly different(Z =91.881,P =0.000).The levels of NT-proBNP,CK-MB,cTnⅠ,MB were abnormal distributions.There were positive correlations between logNT-proBNP and logCK-MB (r =0.367,P =0.000),logcTnⅠ(r =0.304,P =0.001) and logMB (r=0.302,P =0.000).NT-proBNP value of 1 163 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 76％ and a specificity of 74％ to diagnose myocardial injury.Conclusion NT-proBNP could help to diagnose sepsis with myocardial damage.

Objective To comment the severity of severe hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD)by pediatric risk of mortality score(PRISM),and assess the performance of PRISM in predicting mortality or complication probability in HFMD.Methods Four hundred and twenty-four severe HFMD pediatric patients were recruited in the study from 1th Jan 2010 to 31th June 2013.Information on the outcome and the varia-bles required to calculate PRISM score were collected.The logistic regression model developed in the learning sample was evaluated in the test sample by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve to assess discrimination pneumorrhagia and death.Calibration across deciles of risk was evalua-ted using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit χ2 test.Results The area under the ROC curve were 0.87 (95%CI 0.80~0.94 )for PRISM in predicting pneumorrhagia probability.The area under the ROC curve were 0.87(95%CI 0.80~0.95)for PRISM in predicting mortality probability.The PRISM in observed and expected pneumorrhagia did not demonstrate good calibration at ten mortality risk intervals (χ2 =36.66, P<0.001 ).The PRISM in observed and expected mortality did not demonstrate good calibration at ten mortali-ty risk intervals(χ2 =41.11,P<0.001).Conclusion The PRISM score is demonstrated good discrimination of pneumorrhagia and death in HFMD pediatric patients,but the performance of calibration is not good.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method for the quality control of Xuefuzhuyu granule.

METHODThe content of Semen Armeniacae Amarum PE, Hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid in Xuefuzhuyu granule were determined by HPLC under multi-wavelength of 210, 403, 230, 316 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curve of Semen Armeniacae Amarum PE. hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were linear within 0.1154-0.9232 (r = 0.9998), 0.0219-0.1754 (r = 0.9994), 0.3952-3.1616 (r = 0.9995), and 0.0426-0.3408 microg (r = 0.9998), respectively. The average recoveries were 101.78% (RSD was 1.7%), 99.60% (RSD was 2.9%), 98.90% (RSD was 2.0%), and 100.31% (RSD was 1.8%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method of quantification is accurate, rapid and reliable for the quality control of Xuefuzhuyu granule.

Benzoates ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Quinones ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in biological behaviors of meningitis E. coli K1 strain E44 after deletion of polyphosphate kinase 1 (ppk1) gene and explore the role of ppk1 in the pathogenesis of E. coli K1-induced meningitis.

METHODSThe wild-type strain E. coli K1 and ppk1 deletion mutant were exposed to heat at 56 degrees celsius; for 6 min, and their survival rates were determined. The adhesion and invasion of the bacteria to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were observed using electron microscopy and quantitative tests. HBMECs were co-incubated with wild-type strain or ppk1 deletion mutant, and the cytoskeleton rearrangement was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSThe survival rate of the ppk1 deletion mutant was significantly lower than that of the wild-type strain after heat exposure. The ppk1 deletion mutant also showed lowered cell adhesion and invasion abilities and weakened ability to induce cytoskeleton rearrangement in HBMECs.

CONCLUSIONSppk1 gene is important for E.coli K1 for heat resistance, cell adhesion and invasion, and for inducing cytoskeletal rearrangement in HBMECs.

Brain ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeleton ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; microbiology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; physiology ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Phosphotransferases (Phosphate Group Acceptor) ; genetics

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising material for wound dressing due to its predominant water binding capacity, mechanical property, biodegradability, and histocompatibility. Whereas BC itself exhibits no antimicrobial activity. To gain antimicrobial activity, several kinds of antibacterial agents have been introduced into BC. However, all of the antibacterial composite dressings are still in the stage of experimental research. In this paper, the types, antibacterial mechanism, and shortcomings of antibacterial composite dressings based on BC are summarized, in order to make prospects of the research trends of antibacterial composite dressings based on BC in future.

Objective: To understand the present situation of the emergency ability of the pediatrics in township hospital of Hunan province, and to provide the basis for improving the treatment of critical diseases and strengthening the medical quality in basic hospital. Methods: Status survey, expert consultation, on-spot examination, and questionnaire were conducted.One representative of the 1 217 township hospitals participating in the appropriate health technologies for pediatric emergency was sent to a face-to-face survey by investigators. Results: In 1 217 township hospitals, only 965 pediatricians had been certified.Among them, 58 township hospitals did not purchase the first aid equipment in the scope of the survey, and 211 township hospitals were not equipped with first aid drug.Less than 30% of township hospitals had tracheotomy kits, cardiac defibrillator and first aid equipment such as neonatal incubator, newborn radiation table and infusion pump.Among the trained 1 095 general practitioners, only 305(27.85%) understood the basic first-aid knowledge of this training in pediatrics; 258(258/1 217, 21.20%) township hospitals could not carry out 7 pediatric emergency projects of this survey.The proportion of the capable of carrying out rescue treatment including acute respiratory failure (191/1 217, 15.69%), heart failure (201/1 217, 16.52%) and shock(227/1 217, 18.65%) in township hospitals were less than 30%. Conclusion The primary hospital is the basis for the treatment of critical diseases in pediatrics, but the level of diagnosis and treatment and basic equipment need to be further strengthened.The urgent task is to strengthen the training of medical and nursing staff in the treatment of critical diseases in pediatrics.

Objective:To investigate the value of the ratio of heparin binding protein (HBP) to albumin (ALB) in diagnosis and predict the severity of Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS).Methods:This study was a retrospective study. Pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) admitted to the Children's Intensive Care Unit and department of Pediatric Emergency Center of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to May 2022 were enrolled. The HBP/ALB ratio was calculated according to HBP and serum ALB. The children were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high ratio groups) according to the median and upper and lower quartiles of the HBP/ALB ratio. The differences of each index among the three groups were compared. The receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to evaluate the clinical value of the HBP/ALB ratio in diagnosis of KDSS and the severity of the disease.Results:A total of 111 cases were included in this study, including 28 cases in the low ratio group, 56 cases in the medium ratio group, and 27 cases in the high ratio group. There were 24 cases with coronary artery damage, 87 cases without coronary artery damage, 27 cases with abnormal ECG findings, and 17 children with KDSS (including 5 cases in the medium ratio group, and 12 cases in the high ratio group). The incidence of KDSS, coronary involvement, and abnormal electrocardiogram proportions in the high ratio group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups. Compared with low and medium ratio groups, the levels of cardiac troponin I, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, lactate, stroke output variation, trends in thoracic fluid content, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and D-dimer levels were higher in the high ratio group, while ALB and blood sodium levels were lower in the high ratio group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in above indicators between the low and medium ratio groups (all P>0.05). The HBP/ALB ratio had a higher area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity (0.942, 0.882, and 0.883, respectively) in predicting KDSS compared to HBP alone (0.776, 0.842, and 0.670, respectively). Conclusion:The HBP/ALB ratio could reflect the severity of children with KD and has certain clinical value for prognostic evaluation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of direct current electric fields on directional migration and arrangement of dermal fibroblasts in neonatal BALB/c mice and the related mechanisms.

METHODSTwelve neonatal BALB/c mice were divided into 4 batches. The skin on the back of 3 neonatal mice in each batch was obtained to culture fibroblasts. Fibroblasts of the second passage were inoculated in 27 square cover slips with the concentration of 5 × 10(4) cells per mL. (1) Experiment 1. Six square cover slips inoculated with fibroblasts of the second passage were divided into electric field group (EF) and sham electric field group (SEF), with 3 cover slips in each group. The cover slips were put in live cell imaging workstation. The cells in group EF was treated with electric power with EF intensity of 200 mV/mm, while simulating process without actual power was given to SEF group (the same below) for 6 h. Cell proliferation rate was subsequently counted. (2) Experiment 2. Six cover slips were divided and underwent the same processes as in experiment 1. Cell movement locus within EF hour (EFH) 6, direction change of cell migration at EFH 0 (immediately), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 which was denoted as cos(α), cell migration velocity within EFH 6, direction change of long axis of cell within EFH 6, and direction change of cell arrangement at EFH 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 which was denoted as polarity value cos[2(θ-90)] were observed under live cell imaging workstation. After EFH 6, the morphological changes in microtubules and microfilaments were observed with immunofluorescent staining. (3) Experiment 3. Six cover slips were divided into cytochalasin D group (treated with 1 μmol/L cytochalasin D for 10 min) and colchicine group (treated with 5 μmol/L colchicine for 10 min), with 3 cover slips in each group. The morphological changes in microfilaments and microtubules were observed with the same method as in experiment 2. (4) Experiment 4. Nine cover slips were divided into control group (no reagent was added), cytochalasin D group and colchicine group (added with the same reagents as in experiment 3), with 3 cover slips in each group. Cells in the 3 groups were exposed to an EF of 200 mV/mm for 6 h. Cell movement locus within EFH 6, cell migration velocity within EFH 6, cell polarity values at EFH 0, 3, and 6, and morphological changes of cells at EFH 0 and 6 were observed. Data were processed with independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and LSD test.

RESULTS(1) There was no statistically significant difference in cell proliferation rate in group EF and group SEF (t=-0.24, P﹥0.05). (2) Within EFH 6, cells in group EF migrated towards the anode of EF, while cells in group SEF moved randomly. At EFH 0, the values of cos(α) of cells in the 2 groups were both 0. The absolute value of cos(α) of cells in group EF (-0.57 ± 0.06) was significantly higher than that in group SEF (0.13 ± 0.09, t=6.68, P<0.01) at EFH 1, and it was still higher than that in group SEF from EFH 2 to 6 (with t values from 5.33 to 6.83, P values below 0.01). Within EFH 6, migration velocity of cells in group EF was (0.308 ± 0.019) μm/min, which was significantly higher than that in group SEF [(0.228 ± 0.021) μm/min, t=-2.76, P<0.01]. Within EFH 6, long axis of cells in group EF was perpendicular to the direction of EF, while arrangement of cells in group SEF was irregular. Cell polarity values in group EF were significantly higher than that in group SEF from EFH 2 to 6 (with t values from -7.52 to -0.90, P values below 0.01). At EFH 6, the morphology of microfilaments and microtubules of cells in EF group was similar to that in SEF group. (3) The fluorescent intensity of microfilaments of cells in cytochalasin D group became weakened, and the filamentary structure became fuzzy. The microtubules of cells in colchicine group became fuzzy with low fluorescent intensity. (4) Within EFH 6, cells in control group migrated towards the anode of EF, while cells in cytochalasin D group and colchicine group moved randomly. Within EFH 6, there was statistically significant difference in migration velocity of cells in the 3 groups (F=6.36, P<0.01). Migration velocity of cells in cytochalasin D group and colchicine group was significantly slower than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). At EFH 0, 3, and 6, cell polarity values in the 3 groups were close (with F values from 0.99 to 1.51, P values above 0.05). At EFH 0, cells in control group were spindle; cells in cytochalasin D group were polygonal or in irregular shapes; cells in colchicine group were serrated circle or oval. At EFH 6, no morphological change was observed in cells in control group; cells in cytochalasin D group were spindle with split ends on both ends; cells in colchicine group were serrated oval.

CONCLUSIONSThe physiologic strength of exogenous direct current EF can induce directional migration and alignment of dermal fibroblasts in neonatal BALB/c mice. Microfilaments and microtubules are necessary skeleton structure for cell directional migration induced by EF, while they are not necessary for cell directional arrangement induced by EF.

Animals ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Electricity ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microtubules ; Skin ; cytology

Hypothyroidism is a common adverse reaction in clinical multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and may be used as a predictor of efficacy of TKI drugs.Studies show that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with good prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with multi-target TKI,which may be related to inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway,potential off-target effects and inhibition of cell proliferation.Whereas in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received multi-target TKI therapy,hypothyroidism is an indicator of poor prognosis,which is related to the T3/TR pathway regulating liver cancer growth and invasion.The predictive function and mechanism of thyroid hormone levels in different tumor patients receiving multi-target TKI drugs are different,and further research is still needed.