The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in yaks, Bos grunniens, from 3 counties of Gansu Province in China. A total of 1,584 serum samples, including 974 samples from white yaks from Tianzhu, 464 from black yaks from Maqu, and 146 from black yaks from Luqu County, were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against Fasciola hepatica. The overall F. hepatica seroprevalence was 28.7% (454/1,584), with 29.2% in white yaks (284/974) and 27.9% in black yaks (170/610). The seroprevalence of F. hepatica in yaks from Tianzhu, Luqu, and Maqu was 29.2%, 22.6%, and 29.5%, respectively. Female yaks (30.9%) had higher F. hepatica seroprevalence than male yaks (23.4%). Also, F. hepatica seroprevalence varied by different age group from 24.1% to 33.8%. Further, the seroprevalence ranged from 21.8% to 39.1% over different seasons. Interestingly, the season and age of yaks were associated with F. hepatica infection in yaks in the investigated areas. These findings provided a basis for further studies on this disease in yaks from 3 counties of Gansu Province in northwestern China, which may ultimately support the development of effective control strategies of fascioliasis in these areas.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; China* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Ranunculaceae ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of admission blood urea and creatinine levels on mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture.

METHODSForm January 2013 to December 2014, 767 elder patients with hip fracture were treated in our hospital including 253 males and 514 females, aged from 65 to 96 years old with an average of(75.67±6.81) years old. According blood urea and creatinine levels, the 767 hip fracture patients were divided into four groups as follow: group A(blood urea>=5 mmol/L, creatinine>=70 μmol/L); group B (blood urea>=5 mmol/L, creatinine<70 μmol/L); group C (blood urea<5 mmol/L, creatinine>=70 μmol/L); group D(blood urea<5 mmol/L, creatinine<70 μmol/L). In group A, there were 211 patients including 70 males and 141 females, aged from 65 to 95 years old with an average of(80.24±6.51) years old; in group B, there were 355 patients including 125 males and 230 females, aged from 65 to 93 years old with an average of(78.46±7.09) years old; in group C, there were 36 patients including 11 males and 25 females, aged from 65 to 95 years old with an average of (77.83±6.78) years old; in group D, there were 165 patients including 47 males and 118 females, aged from 65 to 96 years old with an average of (76.71±8.35) years old. The survivals and dead patients in four groups were collected and in-hospital mortality rate, 3-month, 12-month and 18-month mortality rate of patients were calculated. COX regression analysis was performed on these data, and clinical significance of serum urea and creatinine at admission in the elderly patients was researched.

RESULTSAll 767 hip fracture patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of (21.33±1.25) months, 159 patients were died in follow up period. The in-hospital mortality rate in 3-month, 12-month and 18-month mortality rate of the patients with high blood urea and high blood creatinine (urea>=5 mmol/L, creatinine>=70 μmol/L) were 2.37%, 9.95%, 16.11% and 26.07%, and were higher than other three groups respectively. COX regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors effecting the mortality rate included age [=0.000, OR=1.375, 95%CI(1.155, 1.637)], blood urea at admission [=0.000, OR=1.375, 95%CI(1.155, 1.637)], and blood creatinine at admission[=0.037, OR=1.213, 95%CI(1.121, 1.484)].

CONCLUSIONSElderly hip fracture patients with high serum urea and high serum creatinine at admission indicate higher fatality rate. Age, serum urea and serum creatinine at admission were independent predictors of fatality rate of elderly hip fracture patients.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of choline in ameliorating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced central nervous system inflammation and cognitive deficits in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-two mice were randomized into saline control group, LPS group, choline intervention group and choline control group. In the latter two groups, the mice received pretreatment with intraperitoneal injections of choline (40 mg/kg, 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days) prior to microinjection of LPS into the lateral cerebral ventricle to induce central nervous system inflammation; in saline and LPS groups, the mice were pretreated with saline in the same manner before intraventicular injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Choline treatment was administered in the mice till the end of the experiment. The locomotor activity and spatial learning and memory capacity of the mice were examined. The expressions of Iba1 protein and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-β) I the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and the expressions of α 7nAchR, p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 MAPK in the hippocampus of the mice were detected.

RESULTSWater maze test showed that compared with the saline control group, the mice in LPS group exhibited significantly reduced platform crossings (P<0.05), which was significantly increased by choline pretreatment (P<0.05). The mice pretreated with LPS expressed obviously increased levels of IBA-1 protein, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and choline pretreatment significantly lowered the expressions of IBA-1 protein and IL-1β (P<0.05). The phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK increased significantly after LPS pretreatment (P<0.05), and was reduced by choline pretreatment (P<0.05); α 7nAchR expression increased significantly in choline intervention group as compared with that in the other 3 groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCholine can probably antagonize LPS-induced hippocampal p38 MAPK phosphorylation in mice via the α 7nAchR signaling pathway to protective against LPS-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in mice.

The inflammatory cytokines of IL-1β and TNF-α participate in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration is focused by the spine surgeons. Inflammatory cytokines represented by IL-1β and TNF-α act as the key factors in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration resulting in low back pain and radicular symptoms. Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus can secrete TNF-α and IL-1β under the stimulation of mechanical injury, overstressed, genetic susceptibility and infection. The mechanism of inflammatory cytokines in intervertebral disc degeneration needs further investigation. The emphasis of researches will be on the inflammatory cytokines in the regulation of mechanism in the intervertebral disc degeneration, molecular targeted therapy, cell signaling pathways and the best time of anti-inflammatory therapy providing more evidence in the clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical outcome of kyphoplasty on costal pain which develops following thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures and evaluate the factors related to costal pain.

METHODSFrom May 2014 to May 2016, a total of 188 patients with thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures undergoing kyphoplasty were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: the costal pain group included patients who had costal pain after a vertebral fracture and the no costal pain group included patients without costalgia. Visual analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)of all patients were measured preoperatively and 3 days, 1 month, 6 months postoperatively respectively. Gender, age, the fracture level, bone mineral density, vertebral body fracture type, and fracture severity were compared between two groups, and the causes of costal pain were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong 188 patients, 38 patients (20.2%) complained of costal pain with back pain. The mean follow-up time was 8.3 months (ranged from 6 to 15 months). The VAS and ODI score of two groups decreased after operation, and there was significant difference between pre-operation and post-operation(<0.05). There was significant difference in VAS score and ODI score between two groups at 3 days and 1 month postoperatively (<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI score between two groups at 6 months postoperatively (<0.05). The incidence of applanation-type deformity and severe fracture in the costal group were higher. The fracture type and fracture severity showed significantly difference between two groups(<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe fracture type and fracture severity had significant relation to costal pain of thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures. The kyphoplasty effect on costal pain may not be effective, especially during early post-operation period.

BACKGROUNDStudy of lung function in survivor from cardiac arrest (CA) caused by pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the variations of postresuscitation lung function after thrombolysis treatment in a CA porcine model caused by PTE.

METHODSAfter 2 min of untreated CA, pigs of 10-12 weeks with a weight of 30 ± 2 kg (n = 24) were treated with recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (50 mg). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ventilation were initiated after drug administration. Pulmonary function and arterial blood gas parameters were measured at baseline, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) immediately, and 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after ROSC.

RESULTSThe dynamic lung compliance decreased significantly at ROSC immediately and 1 h after ROSC compared to baseline (21.86 ± 2.00 vs. 26.72 ± 2.20 ml/mmHg and 20.38 ± 1.31 vs. 26.72 ± 2.20 ml/mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05; 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). Compared with baseline, airway resistance increased significantly at ROSC immediately and 1 h after ROSC (P < 0.05). Respiratory index also increased after ROSC and showed significant differences among baseline, ROSC immediately, and 2 h after ROSC (P < 0.05). Oxygen delivery decreased at ROSC immediately compared to baseline (P < 0.05). The oxygenation index decreased significantly at any time after ROSC compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Extravascular lung water index and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) showed significant differences at ROSC immediately compared to baseline and 1 h after ROSC (P < 0.05); PVPI at ROSC immediately was also different from 6 h after ROSC (P < 0.05). Ventilation/perfusion ratios increased after ROSC (P < 0.05). Histopathology showed fibrin effusion, bleeding in alveoli, and hemagglutination in pulmonary artery.

CONCLUSIONSLung function remains abnormal even after CPR with thrombolysis therapy; it is essential to continue anticoagulation and symptomatic treatment after ROSC.

BACKGROUNDThe emergency department (ED) has a pivotal influence on the management of acute heart failure (AHF), but data concerning current ED management are scarce. This Beijing AHF Registry Study investigated the characteristics, ED management, and short- and long-term clinical outcomes of AHF.

METHODSThis prospective, multicenter, observational study consecutively enrolled 3335 AHF patients who visited 14 EDs in Beijing from January 1, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Baseline data on characteristics and management were collected in the EDs. Follow-up data on death and readmissions were collected until November 31, 2013, with a response rate of 92.80%. The data were reported as median (interquartile range) for the continuous variables, or as number (percentage) for the categorical variables.

RESULTSThe median age of the enrolled patients was 71 (58-79) years, and 46.84% were women. In patients with AHF, coronary heart disease (43.27%) was the most common etiology, and myocardium ischemia (30.22%) was the main precipitant. Most of the patients in the ED received intravenous treatments, including diuretics (79.28%) and vasodilators (74.90%). Fewer patients in the ED received neurohormonal antagonists, and 25.94%, 31.12%, and 33.73% of patients received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and spironolactone, respectively. The proportions of patients who were admitted, discharged, left against medical advice, and died were 55.53%, 33.58%, 7.08%, and 3.81%, respectively. All-cause mortalities at 30 days and 1 year were 15.30% and 32.27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSubstantial details on characteristics and ED management of AHF were investigated. The clinical outcomes of AHF patients were dismal. Thus, further investigations of ED-based therapeutic approaches for AHF are needed.

The severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pulmonary bacterial infection varies widely. We investigated the significance of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in evaluating the severity of pulmonary infection in SLE patients. This retrospective study contained a total of 117 patients (107 women and 10 men) with SLE from January 2010 to June 2011. Serum levels of PCT and CRP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of pulmonary bacterial infection (PBI) was evaluated using the pneumonia severity index (PSI). SLE patients with PBI, particularly those with bacterial isolates, had significantly higher levels of serum PCT and CRP than those without PBI. Serum PCT and CRP were not associated with SLE disease activity, but positively with the values of PSI in active SLE patients with PBI. Serum levels of PCT and CRP may be additional biomarkers in evaluating the severity of PBI in lupus patients.
Aged ; Bacterial Infections ; blood ; microbiology ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; microbiology ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index

BACKGROUNDThe success rate of resuscitation in cardiac arrest (CA) caused by pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is low. Furthermore, there are no large animal models that simulate clinical CA. The aim of this study was to establish a porcine CA model caused by PTE and to investigate the pathophysiology of CA and postresuscitation.

METHODSThis model was induced in castrated male pigs (30 ± 2 kg; n = 21) by injecting thrombi (10-15 ml) via the left external jugular vein. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was performed at baseline, CA, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). After CTPA during CA, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with thrombolysis (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator 50 mg) was initiated. Hemodynamic, respiratory, and blood gas data were monitored. Cardiac troponins T, cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase-MB, myoglobin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were compared between baseline and CA with paired-sample t-test and compared among different time points for survival animals with repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTSSeventeen animals achieved CA after emboli injection, while four achieved CA after 5-8 ml more thrombi. Nine animals survived 6 h after CPR. CTPA showed obstruction of the pulmonary arteries. Mean aortic pressure data showed occurrence of CA caused by PTE (Z = -2.803, P = 0.002). The maximal rate of mean increase of left ventricular pressure (dp/dtmax) was statistically decreased (t = 6.315, P = 0.000, variation coefficient = 0.25), and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2) decreased to the lowest value (t = 27.240, P = 0.000). After ROSC (n = 9), heart rate (HR) and mean right ventricular pressure (MRVP) remained different versus baseline until 2 h after ROSC (HR, P = 0.036; MRVP, P = 0.027). Myoglobin was statistically increased from CA to 1 h after ROSC (P = 0.036, 0.026, 0.009, respectively), and BNP was increased from 2 h to 6 h after ROSC (P = 0.012, 0.014, 0.039, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSWe established a porcine model of CA caused by PTE. The dp/dtmaxand PetCO2may be important for the occurrence of CA, while MRVP may be more important in postresuscitation.

Animals ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Heart Arrest ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Pulmonary Embolism ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Swine

Accumulative evidences have underpinned the nature candidates from Chinese medicine (CM), particularly CM served as blood activating and stasis resolving (BASR, Huoxue Huayu in Chinese) by targeting tumor-associated angiogenesis. However, recent experiment research on the therapeutic angiogenesis by BASR-CM attracts wide attention and discussion. This opinion review focused on the underlying link between two indications and anticipated that (1) BASR-CM might emphasize on a balanced multi-cytokines network interaction; (2) BASR-CM might address on the nature of diseases prior to differently affecting physiological and pathological angiogenesis; (3) BASR-CM might mainly act on perivascular cells, either promotes arteriogenesis by increasing arteriogenic factors in ischemic diseases, or simultaneously keep a quiescent vasculature to impede angiogenesis in tumor context.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; blood ; drug therapy