OBJECTIVE: To explore whether hydrocortisone can improve the prognosis of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) on hydrocortisone in the treatment of sCAP were extracted from the database including PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Embase, and the search time was up to April 29, 2023. The patients in the standard treatment group received standard treatment such as antibiotics and supportive care, while those in the hydrocortisone group received hydrocortisone treatment on the basis of standard treatment. Meta-analysis was used to compare the mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation rate and incidence of adverse reactions (hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, secondary infection) between the two groups. The risk of literature bias was assessed. The studies that might have publication bias were corrected by the subtraction and complementation method. At the same time, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 5 RCTs involving 1 031 patients were finally enrolled, including 494 patients in the standard treatment group and 537 patients in the hydrocortisone group. Among the 5 studies, the research site of 2 studies was in the mixed ward. Considering the inclusion characteristics of the study population, there was doubt whether its research object was sCAP patients, which might have a certain impact on the results and introduce potential bias. Meta-analysis showed that the mortality in the hydrocortisone group was significantly lower than that in the standard treatment group [6.0% vs. 14.0%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.25-0.59, P < 0.01; I² = 9%]. The studies that were asymmetric were corrected by the reduction and supplementation method. Even after filling the missing studies, hydrocortisone could still reduce the death risk of the patient (OR = 0.49, 95%CI was 0.32-0.73, P < 0.01; I² = 31%). TSA showed that the average mortality of the standard treatment group was about 14.0%, and that of the hydrocortisone group was about 6.0%, with a relative risk reduction (RRR) = 57%. The calculated sample size was 699 cases, and the actual sample size was 1 031 cases. The actual sample size exceeded the required sample size, and the Z-curve crossed the O'Brien-Fleming boundary and the curve corresponding to P = 0.05, it meant that hydrocortisone could effectively reduce the mortality of sCAP. Compared with the standard treatment group, no statistical difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation was found in the hydrocortisone group [mean difference (MD) = -3.26, 95%CI was -6.72-0.21, P = 0.07; I² = 0%], but the 8-day mechanical ventilation rate was significantly lowered (19.5% vs. 55.4%; OR = 0.24, 95%CI was 0.12-0.45, P < 0.01; I² = 0%), and also no significantly difference was found in the incidence of hyperglycemia (54.3% vs. 44.6%, OR = 1.26, 95%CI was 0.56-2.84, P = 0.58; I² = 61%), gastrointestinal bleeding (2.5% vs. 3.6%; OR = 0.70, 95%CI was 0.34-1.46, P = 0.34; I² = 0%) and secondary infection (9.2% vs. 11.5%; OR = 0.46, 95%CI was 0.06-3.35, P = 0.45; I² = 53%). CONCLUSION Hydrocortisone can reduce the mortality rate of sCAP patients, decrease their need for mechanical ventilation, and does not increase the risk of hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, or secondary infections.
Humans ; Hydrocortisone/therapeutic use* ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy* ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Respiration, Artificial ; Community-Acquired Pneumonia

OBJECTIVES: Through the investigation of the microhardness and microstructure of permanent tooth enamel at various eruption stages during childhood, this research offers references for the early prevention of childhood dental caries. METHODS: Forty-five premolars extracted due to orthodontic reasons were collected and screened. These premolars were divided into three experimental groups according to the time since eruption: Group A (erupted for 0-1 year), Group B (erupted for 1-3 years), and Group C (erupted for 3-5 years). Additionally, the third molars that were extracted due to impaction and had not erupted were selected as the control group, with 15 teeth in each group. Samples were prepared, and the surface microhardness, microstructure, and elemental composition of the enamel were measured using Vickers microhardness tester, scanning electron microscope, and electron probe, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with that in the control group, the microhardness of enamel in groups A, B, and C increased with prolonged eruption time, the surface porosity structure decreased considerably, the contents of Na and Mg on the surface decreased, and that of F increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The microhardness and microstructure of enamel in permanent teeth at different stages vary. Permanent teeth are at a substantially higher risk of caries within one year after eruption, and early prevention should be emphasized.
Dental Enamel/ultrastructure* ; Humans ; Hardness ; Dental Caries/prevention & control* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Tooth Eruption ; Bicuspid/chemistry* ; Dentition, Permanent ; Child ; Child, Preschool

Objectives:Fluid resuscitation is an important treatment for sepsis. However, the optimal choice of fluid is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Ringer’s Solution on the outcome of patients with sepsis.Methods:This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study, From July 2021 to June 2023, adult patients with Sepsis who met the diagnostic criteria of Sepsis 3.0 admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Jiangdu People's Hospital of Yangzhou were randomly assigned to the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group or the normal saline group according to the random number table. Patients received either sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution or normal saline as fluid for resuscitation and maintenance therapy. Clinicians determined the amount and rate of infusion based on volume assessment. The 30-day mortality, the degradation of endothelial glycocalyx degradation products at multiple time points, the mortality in intensive care unit (ICU), the incidence of major adverse renal events (MAKE30) within 30 days, and other clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentration of endothelial glycocalyx coating degradation products in peripheral blood. The count data were analyzed by χ 2 test, and the measurement data were analyzed by independent sample t test. Results:A total of 67 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled during the study (32 patients in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group and 35 patients in the normal saline group). There were no significant differences in baseline data such as age, gender, underlying diseases, and SOFA score at enrollment between the two groups ( P>0.05).The 30-day mortality (28.1% vs. 40.0%), ICU mortality (15.6% vs. 20.0%) and MAKE30 (31.2% vs. 42.9%) in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group were lower than those in the normal saline group, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The levels of SCD-1(1317.3±206.9) pg/mL, HA (75.1±24.9) ng/mL and HS (75.6±13.8) ng/mL in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group were significantly lower than those in the normal saline group [(1514.6±264.9) pg/mL, (96.5±25.4) ng/mL, (85.8±15.8) ng/mL] on the third day (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Although the use of sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution for resuscitation in sepsis patients cannot significantly reduce the 30-day mortality rate, but significantly reduce the degradation of polysaccharide coating, decrease the occurrence of hyperchloremia and acidosis.

Objective To investigate the nature of the suprachoroidal fluid by detecting the concentration of total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (CHOL), total bilirubin (TBIL) in suprachoroidal liquid of patients who have rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with choroid detachment (RRDCD). Methods Eighteen RRDCD patients (18 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy were enrolled in this study. There were 10 males (10 eyes) and 8 females (8 eyes), 8 right eyes and 10 left eyes. There were 8 patients with age of ≤55 years, 10 patients with age of >55 years. There were 7 patients with duration of≤30 days, 11 patients with duration of >30 days. There were 7 eyes with diopters of ≥-6.0 D, 11 eyes with diopters of <-6.0 D. There were 11 eyes with class C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), 7 eyes with class D PVR. Suprachoroidal fluid samples were collected from all the patients, and took preoperative serum samples as RRDCD group. Ten serum samples of normal people were set as control group. The concentration of TP, LDH, ALB, CHOL, TBIL in all the subjects were measured. The properties of the suprachoroidal fluid were identified by Light standard and concentration standard of ALB, CHOL, TBIL. Results There was no difference on the concentration of TP, LDH, ALB, CHOL, TBIL from suprachoroidal fluid samples in the patients with different age, sex, eyes, diopter, PVR grade (P>0.05). There was no difference on the concentration of TP, LDH, ALB, CHOL, TBIL from preoperative serum samples in the patients between RRDCD group and control group (P>0.05). There was no difference on the concentration of ALB and CHOL from suprachoroidal fluid samples and preoperative serum samples in the RRDCD patients (P>0.05), but there were significant differences on the concentration of TP, LDH, TBIL (P<0.05). According to the Light standard, there were 17 cases of exudates and 1 case of transudate. According to the concentration standard of ALB, CHOL and TBIL, there were 14, 18, and 16 cases of exudates, and 4, 0, and 2 cases of transudate, respectively. There was no difference on the identification result of Light standard and concentration standard of ALB, CHOL, TBIL (χ2=2.090, 1.029, 0.364;P>0.05). Conclusion The suprachoroidal fluid of RRDCD patients composed of TP, LDH, CHOL and TBIL. The suprachoroidal fluid is more likely to be exudate.

Objective To observe the effect of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in epiretinal membrane of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods A total of 35 patients (35 eyes) with PDR and underwent plana vitrectomy were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into non-PRP group (19 patients,19 eyes) and PRP group (16 patients,16 eyes) depends on if they had received PRP before surgery.The epiretinal membranes stripped during operation were collected for pathological examination.The histopathological features was observed by haematoxylin and eosin stain.The expression of CD34,COX-2 and VEGF,and microvessel density (MVD) were measured by immunohistochemistry method.Results Many new dispersed capillary blood vessels were found in the thick epiretinal membranes of nonPRP group,while scattered small blood vessels were found in the relatively thin epiretinal membranes of PRP group.MVD value was (7.42± 1.39) in the non-PRP group and (4.56± 1.22) in the PRP group,which was lower than the non-PRP group (t=6.41,P＜0.01).The expression of CD34,COX-2 and VEGF in the tissues of epiretinal membrane in PRP group were obviously lower than the non-PRP group (t=6.147,5.944,7.445;P＜0.01).Conclusion PRP can effectively inhibit the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in epiretinal membrane of PRP patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the intestinal mucosal injury in the patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Forty patients of both sexes with rheumatic heart disease,aged 32-64 yr,weighing 40-75 kg,of ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ (NYHA class Ⅱ or Ⅲ),scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement with CPB,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).After induction of anesthesia,the patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with 0.8％-2.0％ sevoflurane inhalation and intermittent iv boluses of sufentanil 0.5-1.0 μg/kg and vecuronium 0.04-0.06 mg/kg.Before routine induction of anesthesia,a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was injected intravenously over 10 min,followed by continuous infusion at 0.3 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until the end of surgery in group D,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Before CPB,at 30 min after aortic clamping,at the termination of CPB,at the end of surgery and at 6 and 24 h after surgery,central venous blood samples were taken for determination of concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 and intestinal fatty acid binding protein in plasma (by ELISA),and the plasma concentration of endotoxin (using turbidimetry).The time of postoperative mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU stay were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,IL-6,IL-10 and endotoxin and intestinal fatty acid binding protein in plasma were significantly decreased,and the time of postoperative mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU stay were shortened in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine infused continuously at 0.3 μg · kg-1 · h-1 (until the end of surgery) after a loading dose of 1 μg/kg before routine induction of anesthesia can reduce intestinal mucosal injury in the patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with CPB.

Objective To compare the efficacy and cost of surgical clipping and endovascular embolization in the treatment of anterior and posterior communicating artery aneurysm and to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods The data of treatment outcomes and costs in patients with anterior or posterior communicating artery aneurysms admitted to Huashan hospital from 2002 to 2006 were analyzed using a retrospective cohort study. Results A total of 302 patients were included in the study. They were divided into surgical clipping group (n = 150; 65 males, age [48. 11 ±9. 94] years), interventional treatment group (n = 152;75 males, age [52. 56 ± 11. 09] year). The age of the former was lower than that of the latter (t = -3. 670, P =0. 000). There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical conditions (such as location of aneurysms and Hunt-Hess grade) between the two groups. The good outcome rate in the interventional treatment group was significantly higher than that in the surgical clipping group (84. 87% vs. 74. 67%, χ2 = 4. 875, P = 0. 027). There was no significant difference in hospital mortality (5. 33% vs. 3. 94%,χ2 =0. 328, P =0. 567) and complication rate (26.67% vs. 19. 74% , χ2 =2.036, P =0.154) between the surgical clipping group and the interventional treatment group, but the intraoperative aneurysm rupture (10. 67% vs. 3. 95%, χ2 =5.047, P =0.028) and the incidence of postoperative intracranial infection (6/144 vs. 0/152, χ2 = 6.203, P =0.014) in the surgical clipping group were higher than those in the interventional treatment group. The length of hospital stay in the interventional treatment group was significantly shorter than that in the surgical clipping group ([10. 0 ± 7. 0] dvs. [23.0 ± 11. 0] d, Z = -10. 35, P ＜0.001). The median cost of treatment was 95 327.63 %,yuan in the interventional treatment group, and the interquartile range (IQR) was 26 312. 98 yuan; it was significantly higher than the surgical clipping group (median 30 072. 01 yuan, IQR 11 178. 54 yuan) (Z = -14.449, P＜0.001). Compared with the surgical clipping group, while the mRS score improved in the interventional treatment group 0. 10, the cost was about 66 438 yuan, so that the surgical clipping was more cost-effective. Conclusions The efficacy of the intervention treatment of anterior and posterior communicating artery aneurysms is better than that of the surgical clipping The mortality and total complication rate are almost the same with the surgical clipping Thehospital stay is shorter, but the cost of treatment is higher. From an economic point of view, the surgical clipping is more cost-effective.

Objective To investigate the levels of IL-2,IL-6and their receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)before and after treatment.Methods The levels of IL-2,IL-6and their receptors were detected by ELISA,immunofluorescence labelling technique and flow cytometry analysis,respectively,in peripheral blood taken from SLE patients before and after treatment and normal controls.Results①IL-2was significantly decreased(P

Objective To compare the effects of point contact-dynamic compression plates (PC-DCP) and dynamic compression plates (DCP) on cortical bone blood flow in an intact sheep tibia model. Methods Fifteen mature goats were used in this experiment. After the bilateral tibia of goats were fixed with DCP and PC-DCP respectively, the regional cortical bone blood flow was measured at four time intervals (1 day, 2, 6 and 12 weeks after operation) using radiolabelled microsphere technique. Results After operation, the cortical bone blood flow was acutely decreased at the first day, kept lower than normal level until six weeks and recovered at the 12th week. The blood supply under PC-DCP recovered to normal, even over normal level two weeks after operation and remained at a high level until 12 weeks. Conclusions PC-DCP can markedly protect cortical bone blood flow.

Objective To compare the effects of point contact-dynamic compression plates (PC-DCP) and dynamic compression plates (DCP) on bone structure and mechanical properties of the plated bone in the intact goat tibia model. Methods Ten matured goats were used. The bilateral intact tibia of goats were fixed with DCP and PC-DCP respectively. The goats were sacrificed at 12 and 24 weeks after operation, and the tibiae were harvested. The structure of bone under plate was studied both by CT scan and histomorphology. The mechanical properties of the plated bone were examined by torsional test. Results At 12 weeks after internal fixation, there was obvious osteoporosis in the cortical bone underneath the plate in the DCP group compared with that of the PC-DCP group. Both of the cortical bone thickness underneath the plate and the torsion strength of the plated tibiae were significantly higher in the PC-DCP group than that in DCP group (P0.05). Conclusion The underlying bone resorption after rigid plate fixation is induced by both the disturbance of the bone blood supply and stress shielding. However, the former is the main cause in the early stage of fixation. PC-DCP is able to prevent bone resorption in the early stage of fixation.