OBJECTIVETo determine the genome structure of human telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TERF1) and its pseudogenes.

METHODSSequences were obtained from GenBank and analyzed using the BLAST program and other relevant biology program (Sequencher, DNA Strider and Autoassembler, etc) to determine the genome and pseudogenome structure of TERF1. PCR and sequencing were performed to verify the results.

RESULTTERF1 gene which mapped to 8q13 was divided into 10 exons. It had four processed pseudogenes located on chromosome 13, 18, 21 and X respectively (Psi TERF1-13 Psi TERF1-18 Psi TERF1-21 and Psi TERF1-X ). They were entire intronless TERF1 genes which lacked some exons. Three homologous fragments of at least 60 kb on the flanking region of Psi TERF1-13, Psi TERF1-18 and Psi TERF1-21, respectively were noted.

CONCLUSIONTERF1 gene has 10 exons. It has four processed pseudogenes which are located on chromosome 13, 18, 21, and X, respectively. Large homologous fragments that belong to the recently duplicated segments are transchromosomal duplications.

Chromosome Mapping ; Genetic Structures ; Humans ; Pseudogenes ; Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe Jiangu decoction is used in the treatment of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in clinical experiences, which has functions of tonifying kidney and activating blood, and invigorating spleen to remove phlegm. The decoction is mainly composed of Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Rhizoma alismatis Rhizoma Drynariae, haw, medlar, Radix Astragali, radix rehmanniae, angelica, Radix Codonopsis, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, licorice, pharmaceutical composition. This study was designed to investigate the influence of Jiangu decoction on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in the femoral head of rabbits with steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.

METHODSEighteen adult SPF healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: control group, model group, Jiangu decoction group. The rabbits of Jiangu decoction group orally received Jiangu decoction suspension with a dose of 10 ml/kg each day and the drug content was 0.719 g/ml. The rabbits in control and model groups were given saline with a dose of 10 ml/kg. The methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected intramuscularly into left leg with a dose of 40 mg/kg. Then the rabbits were fed continuously for 3 weeks. The glucocorticoid levels, PPARgamma and plasma glucocorticoid levels in the femoral head were measured before and after modeling.

RESULTSBefore model established, the plasma glucocorticoid levels had no significant difference among three groups (P=0.301). At 3 weeks after model established,the plasma glucocorticoid level of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.001); and the plasma glucocorticoid level of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.001). The glucocorticoid level in the local femoral head of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.001); and the glucocorticoid level in the local femoral head of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.001). The PPARgamma level in the local femoral head of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.018);and the PPARgamma level in the local femoral head of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.033).

CONCLUSIONThe Jiangu decoction is effective to inhibit the femoral head adipogenic differentiation by decrease the PPAR content, so as to prevent and treat steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Glucocorticoids ; blood ; toxicity ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; PPAR gamma ; analysis ; Rabbits

Mechanical power of ventilation, currently defined as the energy delivered from the ventilator to the respiratory system over a period of time, has been recognized as a promising indicator to evaluate ventilator-induced lung injury and predict the prognosis of ventilated critically ill patients. Mechanical power can be accurately measured by the geometric method, while simplified equations allow an easy estimation of mechanical power at the bedside. There may exist a safety threshold of mechanical power above which lung injury is inevitable, and the assessment of mechanical power might be helpful to determine whether the extracorporeal respiratory support is needed in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. It should be noted that relatively low mechanical power does not exclude the possibility of lung injury. Lung size and inhomogeneity should also be taken into consideration. Problems regarding the safety limits of mechanical power and contribution of each component to lung injury have not been determined yet. Whether mechanical power-directed lung-protective ventilation strategy could improve clinical outcomes also needs further investigation. Therefore, this review discusses the algorithms, clinical relevance, optimization, and future directions of mechanical power in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUNDElectrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a real-time bedside monitoring tool, which can reflect dynamic regional lung ventilation. The aim of the present study was to monitor regional gas distribution in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration using EIT.

METHODSEighteen ARDS patients under mechanical ventilation in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January to April in 2014 were included in this prospective observational study. After recruitment maneuvers (RMs), decremental PEEP titration was performed from 20 cmH 2 O to 5 cmH 2 O in steps of 3 cmH 2 O every 5-10 min. Regional over-distension and recruitment were monitored with EIT.

RESULTSAfter RMs, patient with arterial blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2) + carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO 2 ) >400 mmHg with 100% of fractional inspired oxygen concentration were defined as RM responders. Thirteen ARDS patients was diagnosed as responders whose PaO 2 + PaCO 2 were higher than nonresponders (419 ± 44 mmHg vs. 170 ± 73 mmHg, P < 0.0001). In responders, PEEP mainly increased recruited pixels in dependent regions and over-distended pixels in nondependent regions. PEEP alleviated global inhomogeneity of tidal volume and end-expiratory lung volume. PEEP levels without significant alveolar derecruitment and over-distension were identified individually.

CONCLUSIONSAfter RMs, PEEP titration significantly affected regional gas distribution in lung, which could be monitored with EIT. EIT has the potential to optimize PEEP titration.

Aged ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; diagnosis ; Tomography ; methods

Objective To investigate the status and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI)in hospitals in Chi-na,so as to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of SSI.Methods Four types of surgeries (colorectal surgery,abdominal hysterectomy,femoral neck repair surgery,and vascular surgery)in 29 hospitals were monitored prospectively,risk factors for SSI were analyzed.Results A total of 6 309 surgical procedures were investigated,incidence of SSI was 1 .60%.Incidences of SSI in patients receiving colorectal surgery,abdominal hys-terectomy,femoral neck repair surgery,and vascular surgery were 4.47%(74/1 655 ),1 .03%(22/2 139),0.21 %(5/2 372),and 0.00% (0/143 )respectively.The incidences of SSI were different among different regions (χ2 =114.213,P <0.05).The most common SSI was superficial incisional infection,the next was deep incisional infec-tion.The major pathogens causing SSI were Escherichia coli ,Enterococcus spp .,coagulase negative staphylococ-cus ,Staphylococcus aureus ,and Klebsiella pneumoniae .The independent risk factors for SSI were male patients, long duration of surgery,and high NNIS score.Conclusion The risk of SSI is varied with different types of surger-ies.Male,long duration of surgery,and high NNIS score can increase the risk of postoperative SSI.

Objective To explore the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI)and compliance to bundled interven-tion measures,and evaluate the effect of bundled interventions on controlling SSI.Methods From October 2013 to September 2014,three types of surgeries (colorectal surgery,abdominal hysterectomy,and femoral neck repair sur-gery)in 29 hospitals in China were monitored,October 2013 to March 2014 was baseline investigated stage,April 2014 to September 2014 was intervention stage.Results A total of 6 166 episodes of surgeries were monitored,the incidence of SSI was 1 .64%,incidence of SSI following colorectal surgery,abdominal hysterectomy,and femoral neck repair surgery were 4.47%,1 .03%,and 0.21 % respectively.The P 75 time of three types of surgeries were 3,2,and 2 hours respectively.Compared with the baseline stage,the compliance to most intervention measures im-proved after intervention,the largest increase in the compliance to interventions was disinfection with chlorhexidine-containing disinfectant at surgical sites of colorectal surgery (increased by 29.09%),followed by preoperative shower of femoral neck repair surgery (increased by 26.24%),preoperative shower of colorectal surgery(increased by 22.95%),and skin preparation on the day of operation (increased by 20.75%).Incidences of SSI in three types of surgeries were not significantly different before and after intervention(all P >0.05).Conclusion The incidences of SSI are different among different types of surgeries,the compliance to most bundled intervention measures has im-proved to some extent after intervention,but effectiveness of intervention measures needs to be further observed.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of tubularized incised plate (TIP) in urethroplasty for hypospadia accompanied with anatomic kak-factors.

METHODSWe retrospectively studied 191 cases of hypospadia treated by one-stage TIP urethroplasty. Taking the position of the urinary meatus, the development of the glans penis and urethral plate, and the degree of penile ventral curvature as anatomic kak-factors inducing postoperative complications and affecting the appearance, we conducted correlation analyses on the clinical effects of the procedure using SPSS 10.0 statistics.

RESULTSPostoperative complications were closely correlated with the position of the urinary meatus, the nearer its position to the coronary sulcus, the higher the incidence of complications (chi2 = 24.291, P < 0.01). And so were they with the development of the glans penis and urethral plate and the degree of penile ventral curvature. The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly higher in the hypospadia patients with small glans, maldeveloped urethral plate and severe penile ventral curvature than in those with straight penis and well-developed glans and urethral plate (chi2 = 25.419, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTubularized incised plate urethroplasty for hyper-spadias should be chosen according to the position of the meatus, the development of urethral mucous membrane, the degree of ventral curvature and surgery experience in order to achieve a high cure rate and good cosmetic effect.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Infant ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Urethra ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective The clinical diagnosis and treatment remain unstandardized , and the teaching mode of critical clinical diagnosis and treatment in remote area was investigated and summarized .Methods The Critical Care County Working Group had summarized seven protocols of critical clinical diagnosis and treatment , which have been taught in the hospital located in the remote areas .The teaching mode included the theory , case discussions , and simulated practice .The examination was used to assess the effect of the teaching mode .Results A total of 573 ICU doctors from 15 provinces participated in the teaching courses .The accuracy rate of the examination was 49%at the baseline , then raised to 61%after the teaching course .Conclusions The critical diagnostic thinkings was poor in the remote area hospital ,and the education should be further strengthened .The teaching mode of "medical theory-case discussion-simulated practice" may improve the training of critical clinical diagnosis and treatment in the ICU doctors .

BACKGROUND: The peripheral perfusion index (PI), as a real-time bedside indicator of peripheral tissue perfusion, may be useful for determining mean arterial pressure (MAP) after early resuscitation of septic shock patients. The aim of this study was to explore the response of PI to norepinephrine (NE)-induced changes in MAP. METHODS: Twenty septic shock patients with pulse-induced contour cardiac output catheter, who had usual MAP under NE infusion after early resuscitation, were enrolled in this prospective, open-label study. Three MAP levels (usual MAP -10 mmHg, usual MAP, and usual MAP +10 mmHg) were obtained by NE titration, and the corresponding global hemodynamic parameters and PI were recorded. The general linear model with repeated measures was used for analysis of variance of related parameters at three MAP levels. RESULTS: With increasing NE infusion, significant changes were found in MAP (F = 502.46, P < 0.001) and central venous pressure (F = 27.45, P < 0.001) during NE titration. However, there was not a significant and consistent change in continuous cardiac output (CO) (F = 0.41, P = 0.720) and PI (F = 0.73, P = 0.482) at different MAP levels. Of the 20 patients enrolled, seven reached the maximum PI value at usual MAP -10 mmHg, three reached the maximum PI value at usual MAP, and ten reached the maximum PI value at usual MAP +10 mmHg. The change in PI was not significantly correlated with the change in CO (r = 0.260, P = 0.269) from usual MAP -10 mmHg to usual MAP. There was also no significant correlation between the change in PI and change in CO (r = 0.084, P = 0.726) from usual MAP to usual MAP +10 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS Differing MAP levels by NE infusion induced diverse PI responses in septic shock patients, and these PI responses may be independent of the change in CO. PI may have potential applications for MAP optimization based on changes in peripheral tissue perfusion.