OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and related risk factors of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Patients with diarrhea admitted to the ICU of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from May 1 to August 30, 2023 were selected. Patients were divided into CDI group and non-CDI group based on the presence or absence of CDI. Clinical data from two groups of patients meeting the criteria were collected and compared, including gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), length of hospital stay, serum lactic acid, parenteral nutrition time, white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), coagulation indicators, albumin, antibiotic exposure, etc. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for CDI in ICU diarrhea patients. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predictive value of each index for CDI in diarrhea patients. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with diarrhea were enrolled, including 9 patients in the CDI group and 15 patients in the non-CDI group. The time of parenteral nutrition in the CDI group was significantly longer than that in the non-CDI group [days: 18.0 (13.5, 19.5) vs. 10.0 (4.0, 18.0)], the serum lactic acid level [mmol/L: 4.40 (3.00, 15.25) vs. 2.50 (1.90, 3.20)] and the ratio of serum lactic acid > 3.9 mmol/L [66.67% (6/9) vs. 6.67% (1/15)] were significantly higher than those in the non-CDI group, with statistical significance (all P < 0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the serum lactic acid level of the patients was an independent risk factor for CDI [odds ratio (OR) = 3.193, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.011-10.080, P = 0.048]. ROC curve showed that serum lactic acid level had a high predictive value for CDI in ICU patients with diarrhea, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.815, respectively. When the cut-off value of serum lactic acid was 3.9 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 66.7% and the specificity was 93.3%. CONCLUSION Patients with diarrhea who have higher serum lactate levels (> 3.9 mmol/L) on admission are at increased risk of developing CDI.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Intensive Care Units ; Clostridium Infections ; Clostridioides difficile ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Diarrhea/microbiology* ; Logistic Models ; ROC Curve ; Adult

BackgroundWomen may develop severe symptoms of stress disorder following childbirth， which may be exposed to a risk of developing mental health problems， and even lead to the recurrence of the illness in female patients with schizophrenia， while comparatively limited research has been undertaken concerning the clinical characteristics and treatment of puerperal schizophrenia in China. ObjectiveTo explore the clinical characteristics of puerperal schizophrenia， so as to provide references for the clinical treatment. MethodsA total of 24 patients with puerperal schizophrenia who were hospitalized in the female ward of adult psychiatry department of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from 2012 to 2020 and met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia were included as puerperal group. Another 48 non-puerperal women with schizophrenia were concurrently enrolled as control group. Then the basic data， scores on Positive and Negative Symptom Scale （PANSS） and the discharge medication were recorded. ResultsThe percentages of newly onset and positive family history of psychosis in puerperal group were larger than those in control group， with statistical significance （χ²=9.321， 5.240， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Puerperal group scored higher on PANSS excitement factor （t=-2.220， P<0.05） and lower on negative factor （t=3.377， P<0.01） compared with control group. In terms of discharge medication， puerperal group reported a higher dosage of antipsychotic drugs （t=-2.095， P<0.05）， and a larger proportion of combined use of benzodiazepines or antidepressants （χ²=21.316， 5.114， P<0.05 or 0.01） compared with control group， with statistical significance. ConclusionPatients with puerperal schizophrenia display increased ratings of excitement symptoms and decreased ratings of negative symptoms， which necessitates the use of high doses of antipsychotic drugs， and combined use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

Critical care medicine-related treatment is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional process,often leading to secondary or concomitant mental disorders in clinical practice.Currently,there is no consensus on the pharmacological treatment of related mental illnesses in China.The Chinese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine collaborated with the Critical Care Medicine expert group to form a consensus writing expert group.After a systematic review of relevant literature,summarizing published domestic and foreign literature,and extensive discussions,the consensus was developed.The consensus elaborates on the principles and processes of the standardized use of psychotropic drugs in critical care medicine,as well as the clinical indications,precautions,and specific drug selection of various psychiatric medications,providing feasible suggestions and guidance for the clinical application of psychiatric medications in the intensive care unit.

Objective:To analyze the predictive value of echocardiography combined with diaphragmatic ultrasound on the outcome of removing machine for patients who underwent cardiac valve replacement for mechanical ventilation.Methods:Retrospectively,a total of 57 patients who adopt mechanical ventilation after underwent cardiac valve replacement in the First People's Hospital of Yibin from January 2022 to March 2023 were selected as the study subjects.According to the results of removing machine,the patients were divided into failed group(11 cases)and successful group(46 cases).All patients underwent echocardiography combined with diaphragmatic ultrasound examination.The indicators of echocardiography,included left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF),right ventricular fractional area change(RVFAC)and systolic myocardial velocity(Sa),between different groups were compared.The early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity(e')was recorded to calculate the ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity(E)to e'(E/e'),and the indicators of echocardiography and diaphragmatic ultrasound.Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting the failure of removing machine.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive values of echocardiography and diaphragmatic ultrasound indicators for the failure of removing machine in mechanical ventilation.Results:The differences of the differences of LVEF,RVFAC and Sa between failed group and successful group were no significant(P>0.05).The E/e'value of the successful group was 10.06±1.30,which was significantly lower than 12.69±2.96 of the failed group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.084,P＜0.05).The diaphragm thickening fraction(DTF)and diaphragm excursion(DE)values of the successful group were respectively 41.34±10.74 and 13.04±1.18,which were significantly higher than 19.67±5.37 and 11.27±0.94 of the failed group,respectively,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(t=2.148,2.776,P＜0.05).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that low expression of DTF and DE,as well as high expression of E/e',were all influence factors for the failure of removing machine for patients adopted mechanical ventilation after underwent cardiac valve replacement.The ROC results showed that the best cut-off value of the prediction model was 0.0893,and the area under curve(AUC)values were 0.713(95%CI:0.646～0.758),0.710(95%CI:0.651～0.779),0.752(95%CI:0.657～0.805)and 0.886(95%CI:0.782～0.991).Conclusion:The combination of echocardiography and diaphragm ultrasound has better prediction for the outcome of removing machine,which high higher clinical application value.

[Purpose]To analyze the compliance and influencing factors of endoscopic screening in high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer(UGC)in Chongqing Municipality.[Methods]Risk assessment of UGC was conducted among residents aged 40～74 years old in the areas covered by the Chongqing Urban Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Program from 2012 to 2019.The residents with high risk of UGC were advised to receive free endoscopic screening in designated hospitals.The compliance and influencing factors of endoscopic screening among high-risk sub-jects were analyzed.[Results]There were 266 611 residents who completed the questionnaires and UGC risk assessment,among whom 48 000(18.00％)were assessed as high risk.A total of 9 162 high-risk individuals received the following endoscopic screening with a compliance rate of 19.09％.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that residents aged 45～64 years old,with high school or above education,divorced or widowed status,occupational exposure to haza-rdous substances,hot food preference,high fat diet,frequent consumption of pickled and dried food,exposure to kitchen fume,psychic trauma or depression,upper gastrointestinal disease his-tory and family history of UGC were likely to accept endoscopic screening;while those aged 70 years old and above,current smokers,and having regular physical exercise were likely to have low compliance.[Conclusion]Among high-risk residents of UGC in Chongqing,the compliance to endoscopic screening needs be improved,health education and management should be targeted to those likely to have low compliance.

Objective:To evaluate the mid-term results of fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair (f/b EVAR) for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. M ethods The clinical data of 105 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm patients treated with f/b EVAR at the Department of Vascular Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results:There were 43 cases of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and 62 cases of thoracoabdominal aortic aissection.A total of 336 branch arteries were reconstructed,and technical success rate was 94.3%. 100 cases (95.2%) were followed-up, 6 cases (5.7%) received reoperation interventions, and 11 cases (10.5%) died. During the follow-up period, 69 cases had complete imaging data. Based on the recent CT date of the thoracoabdominal aorta, 58 patients hael positive aortic remodeling and 11 patients hael negative and indeterminate remodeling; there were 31 cases (29.5%) of endoleaks, including 7 cases (6.7%) of type Ⅰb endoleaks, 8 cases (7.6%) of type Ⅱ, 1 case (0.95%) of type Ⅲa, 13 cases (12.4%) of type Ⅲc endoleaks and 2 cases (1.9%) of type Ⅳ. Conclusions:The mid-term follow-up results were satisfactory for TAAA treated with f/b EVAR. Internal leakage remains key point for f/b EVAR.

This article reported the comprehensive management and short-term follow-up of a neonate diagnosed with Donohue syndrome. The affected male neonate presented with obvious insulin resistance (uncontrollable hyperglycemia) and unusual facies (more hair and dense, wide eye distance, large ears, etc.). Whole exome sequencing revealed a compound heterozygous variant in the insulin receptor gene [c.3258+4A>G in intron 17 and c.1321T>A (p.W441R) in exon 6], and Sanger sequencing confirmed that the mutation was inherited from both parents, which is likely pathogenic mutation. Based on the genetic test results and clinical manifestation, the neonate had a high probability of being diagnosed with Donohue syndrome. During a follow-up of nine months, the baby showed growth and development retardation, intermittent low-grade fever, and the fasting glucose was around 18 mmol/L.

Objective:To study the expression and significance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in neonatal sepsis.Methods:Prospective research were used in this study. Term infants with neonatal sepsis hospitalized for the first time in the Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University from June 2020 to November 2020 were selected as the sepsis group. According to a ratio of about 1∶1, term infants with mild hyperbilirubinemia who were admitted in the same period, with gestational age difference less than 1 week from those in the sepsis group, and whose parents agreed to participate in the study were selected as the control group. On admission, clinical data as well as blood samples of the two groups were collected. Levels of NETs marker citrulline histone H3-DNA (CitH3-DNA) were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was tested by the fluorescence microplate reader. General data, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil count (NE), platelet (PLT), C- reactive protein (CRP), blood culture, CitH3-DNA and cfDNA were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic value of CITH3-DNA and cfDNA in neonatal septicemia was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 74 infants were included in the study, including 39 cases in the sepsis group and 35 cases in the control group. CitH3-DNA and cfDNA in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the control group [CitH3-DNA (optical density): 0.85±0.05 vs. 0.48±0.03, cfDNA (mg/L): 0.90±0.05 vs. 0.56±0.03] ( P<0.01). There was no significant correlation between CitH3-DNA and cfDNA. The level of CitH3-DNA had no correlation with gender, gestational age, age, birth weight, WBC, NE, PLT and CRP ( P>0.05). cfDNA was positively correlated with age and NE ( P<0.05), and negatively correlated with PLT ( P<0.05). Combined with CRP, the area under the ROC curve of CitH3-DNA+CRP, cfDNA+CRP, and CitH3-DNA+cfDNA+CRP were 0.947, 0.947 and 0.970 respectively, and the sensitivity to predict neonatal sepsis were 92.3%, 84.6% and 94.9% respectively, the specificity were 94.3%, 97.1% and 100% respectively, all higher than the predictive value of each index alone. Conclusions:The plasma NETs levels increase significantly in neonatal sepsis patients, especially CitH3-DNA with a strong specificity, and can be considered as a biomarker for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. NETs together with CRP, could drastically improve the predictive value of neonatal sepsis.

ObjectiveTo explore the component factors of anhedonia in first-episode schizophrenia patients and the relationship with clinical symptoms， cognitive and social functioning. MethodsA total of 31 patients with first-episode schizophrenia who met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） and another 33 healthy controls were enrolled. Then， the anhedonia level， mental symptoms， cognitive and social functioning were assessed using Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale （TEPS）， Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale （PANSS）， Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status （RBANS） and Personal and Social Performance Scale （PSP）. Thereafter， Pearson correlation was used to discuss the correlation of anhedonia level with clinical symptoms， cognitive and social functioning. ResultsThe consummatory anhedonia score in TEPS of first-episode schizophrenia patients was lower than that of healthy controls， with statistical difference ［（27.71±5.48） vs. （31.58±5.92）， t=2.705， P=0.009］. Correlation analysis showed that consummatory anhedonia had no correlation with PANSS， RBANS and PSP scores in first-episode schizophrenia patients（P>0.05）. ConclusionFirst-episode schizophrenia patients have consummatory anhedonia， and the consummatory anhedonia may be independent of clinical symptoms， cognitive and social functioning.

Objective: To compare the general biological characteristics and the expressions of proteins involved in secretion in stem cells from the pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). Methods: SHED and DPSC were cultured and collected at passage 4 (P4) and P7. The submandibular gland epithelial and interstitial cells were cultured with tissue culture method. The cell morphology was observed using a phase contrast microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect stem cell surface markers. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and IncuCyte ZOOM were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to examine the mRNA expressions of proteins involved in fluid and protein secretion. Results: P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC were spindle-shaped. There was no difference in cell morphology among the 4 group cells. P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, and CD90, the mesenchymal stem cell markers, while, CD49f and CD117, the epithelium markers were undetected. There was no difference in cell proliferation among the 4 group cells. Compared with P4 SHED, the expressions of muscarinic cholinergic receptor 1 (MR1), MR3, aquaporin 5 (AQP5), β1-adrenoceptor (β1-AR), α-amylase, and mucin 5B in SHED were not different, while β2-AR expression was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with P4 DPSC, the expressions of MR3, β2-AR, and α-amylase in P7 DPSC were not different, while, the expressions of MR1, AQP5, β1-AR, and mucin 5B were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with primary cultured submandibular gland epithelial cells and gland tissues from a child, the expressions of proteins involved in secretion were all decreased. Compared with submandibular epithelial cells from adults, the expression of AQP5 in P4 DPSC was decreased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. The expressions of AQP5, β1-AR, α-amylase and mucin 5B in P7 DPSC were increased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. In P4 and P7 DPSC, all the protein expression levels were decreased, compared with those in submandibular gland tissues (P<0.01). Conclusions Compared with DPSC, SHED have stable growth and the expressions of protein involved fluid and protein secretion are low. Based on its extensive sources and easy separation, SHED can be used as the ideal seed cell for salivary gland tissue engineering and the treatment of salivary gland hypofunction, and the P4 to P7 SHED can be used for experimental study.