Sepsis is a serious problem among the elderly population as its incidence and mortality rates dramatically increase with advanced age. More importantly, the elderly has increased vulnerability to developing sepsis due to diminished physiologic reserve, presence of comorbidities, immunosenescence and frequent instrumentation. Those who survive severe sepsis are more likely to have irreversible organ damage, cognitive impairments, and diminished overall function. Additionally, elderly patients with sepsis often present with atypical symptoms which further complicates and potentially delays diagnosis. Although sepsis is a serious life-threatening disease, recognition of this problem is very low compared to other age-associated diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to analyze the challenges facing this cohort and how to optimize their management.

Fluid overload is frequently found in patients with intravenous fluid resuscitation,and recent studies showed the potential risks of fluid overload for organ failure and mortality.To avoid volume overload and its associated complications,strategies to identify fluid responsiveness are necessary.Apart from the amount of fluid utilized for resuscitation,the type of fluid used also impacts patient outcome.In recent years,there has also been an increasing focus on comparing various resuscitation fluids with respect to both benefits and risks.In this article,through analyzing the impact of fluid overload on patient outcome,we describe the differences in static and dynamic estimates of fluid responsiveness,and review the current literature regarding choice of intravenous fluids for resuscitation in critically ill patients to help clinicians to make appropriative decision on intravenous fluids prescription and to optimize patient outcome.

Cochlear Implantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications

Background The special pathological change of diabetic retinopathy(DR)is microvascular disorder.Angiopoietin-like protein 2(Ang-2)is a new protein associated with genesis of blood vessels.Quercetin has multiple pharmacological action,including improving the microcircularion and the permeability of blood capillary.However,the action mechanism of Ang-2 on DR was unclear.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on Ang-2 and its receptor Tie2 expression in retina with diabetes mellitus.Methods Sixty clean male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups and 10 rats for each group,and 10 rats served as blank control group.Streptozotocin of 35 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in 60 rats to establish the diabetic models.Quercetins encapsulated by liposome with the doses of 50,150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)(3-5 ml)were used to gavage in different groups of models for 12 weeks,and normal saline solution and calcium dobesilate were used at the same fashion as the negative control group and positive control group,respectively.Twelve weeks later,the animals were sacrificed and retinas were isolated.Expressions of Ang-2 protein and Tie2 mRNA in retinas were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR,respectively.The usage and rearing of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Sciences and Technology Commission.Results ELISA showed that the A450 of Ang-2 in 150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)quercetin groups was 0.796±0.057 and 0.842±0.043 respectively and was lower than that negative group(1.012±0.046),showing statistically significant differences(q =2.95,2.698,P＜0.05).RT-PCR assay showed that expression of Tie2 mRNA(Tie2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA)in retinas was 0.712±0.092 and 0.821±0.087,presenting statistically significant differences in comparison with negative group(1.182±0.098)(q =3.497,2.852,P＜0.05).The expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 mRNA in retina were lowest in 150 mg/(kg · d)quercetin group.Conclusions Quercetin can improve the retinal microcirculation by downregulating the expressions of Ang-2 and its receptor in early period of diabetic rats.

Disinfectants ; analysis ; Disinfection ; Drinking Water ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods

Objective To investigate the effects of mild hypothermia ( MH ) on the expression of my- eloperoxidase(MPO) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) in rats after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (CIR). Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into four control groups (n=6 in each) and four MH groups (n=6 in each).CIR models were established by suture occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.The rats in the MH groups,but not in the control groups,were treated with MH.Rats were killed at 4 h,8 h,12 h and 16 h after CIR.MPO expression was measured,along with the expression of COX 2 as measured by Western blot- ting and immunohistochemical methods.Results Compared with the control groups,MPO activity and the COX 2 expression in the cortex and striatum were significantly lower in all the MH groups at 4 h,8 h,12 h and 16 h after CIR.Conclusion MH treatment can protect neurons by decreasing MPO activity and COX 2 expression,allevia- ting inflammation and reducing secondary injuries after CIR.

ObjectiveTo analysis the clinical features of thoracic spine and spinal cord injury (SCI) and summarize the inclusive standard of cellular transplant clinical trial for SCI.MethodsThe data of 72 cases with thoracic spine and spinal cord injury from 1990 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsMean follow-up period was 20 months (6～48 months). There was no recovery in 12 spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) patients, but improvement of urine function in 4 cases. 5 cases of 52 fracture-dislocation complete injury were improved to grade B (sense recovery), rate of recovery was 9.6%; recovery rate was 62.5% in incomplete injury. Sense recovery of all cases was better than motor recovery. Partial cases appeared spasm paralysis relief.ConclusionIncidence rate of complete injury is high and recovery is bad in thoracic spine and spinal cord injury. The inclusive standard of cellular transplant clinical trial for SCI is old complete thoracic spinal cord injury without residual compression.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the mutation of the KAL1 gene in male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).

METHODSWe analyzed the exon mutation of the KAL1 gene in 30 IHH patients using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combined with the PCR product direct sequencing technique.

RESULTSThree cases of the KAL1 gene mutation were found among the total number of patients, including 1 case of nonsense mutation (c. 1270C > T,p. R424X), and 2 cases of frameshift mutation, (c. 279_280delAG,p. G94fs) and (c. 1886_1887delTT,p. L629fs).

CONCLUSIONOf the 3 cases of the KAL1 gene mutation we detected, 2 are new and 1 already reported in the literature. The results of our study have provided valuable information on the molecular genetics of the IHH syndrome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; genetics ; Kallmann Syndrome ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Young Adult

This study was purposed to establish new method for detecting CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to evaluate its value in clinical use. All fusion types of reported CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene were defined by search of references and databank, then the primers and probes were designed on this basis, and 3 positive plasmids and negative cell line as control were established. GUSB gene was also amplified as an internal reference. The primer/probe sets were tested with 3 positive plasmids and HL-60 cDNA using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays, which were then combined as a multiplex qPCR for simultaneous detection of CBFB-MYH11 and GUSB. After optimization, the multiplex qPCR assay demonstrated both high sensitivity (10 copies for all the 3 plasmids) and high specificity. Finally, the multiplex qPCR assay was clinically evaluated with 58 AML patients, and 4 CBFB-MYH11-positive cases (6.9%) were detected, involving A type (3 cases) and J type (1 case). By comparison, the multiplex qPCR assay showed results concordant with sequencing results, and detected one case that was missed by cytogenetic analysis. It is concluded that a novel qPCR method for screening of CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene in AML is established. This method is fast, comprehensive, sensitive, specific, reliable, and should consider to be a robust tool for identification and management of AML patients with CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene.
Case-Control Studies ; Core Binding Factor beta Subunit ; analysis ; genetics ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; analysis ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; analysis ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo throw a light on the possible factors which might induce resistance of vascular targeting treatment in tumors by reviewing the recent publications in the field of tumor angiogenesis and vascular targeting treatment. Data sources The data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed for relevant English language articles published from 1971 to January 2008. The search terms were "angiogenesis", "vascular targeting treatment" and "endothelial progenitor cells". Study selection Articles involved in the possible influence factors during angiogenesis and vascular targeting treatment were selected, including angiogenic or anti-angiogenic mechanism, tumor vasculature, tumor cells, cancer stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells.

RESULTSAs a promising strategy vascular targeting treatment still has experimental and clinical setbacks which may term tumor vasculature's resistance to anti-angiogenesis agents. There are several possible explanations for such a resistance that might account for clinical and preclinical failures of anti-angiogenic treatment against tumor. Proangiogenic effect of hypoxia, normal tumor vasculature, escape of tumor cells and tumor vasculogenesis are included. This review reveals some clues which might be helpful to direct future research in order to remove obstacles to vascular targeting treatment.

CONCLUSIONSGenerally and undoubtedly vascular targeting treatment remains a promising strategy. But we still have to realize the existence of a challenging future. Further research is required to enhance our knowledge of vascular targeting treatment strategy before it could make a more substantial success.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Vessels ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Phenotype ; Stem Cells ; cytology