Objective To explore the association between aspartate aminotransferase(AST)/alanine aminotransferase(ALT)ratio and metabolic syndrome(MS)in elderly hypertensive patients,and to provide reference for early detection and prevention of MS in elderly hypertensive patients.Methods A questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among 616 elderly hypertensive patients at community health service centers.Participants were divided into two groups based on MS status:MS group(n=334)and non-MS group(n=282).According to AST/ALT levels,participants were divided into four groups:q1 group(AST/ALT ≤0.88,n=156),q2 group(0.88＜AST/ALT ≤ 1.10,n=155),q3 group(1.10＜AST/ALT ≤ 1.37,n=154),and q4 group(AST/ALT＞1.37,n=151).Blood biochemical parameters including triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),AST,ALT,and blood glucose were measured.The impact of AST/ALT levels on MS was analyzed using a Logistic regression model,while the risk prediction for MS occurrence was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results MS group showed higher body mass index(BMI),TG,ALT levels,abnormal glucose levels,female proportion,and abdominal obesity rate compared to non-MS group.HDL-C and AST/ALT values of MS group were lower than those in non-MS patients(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for BMI,smoking,alcohol consumption,physical activity,education level,marital status,TG,HDL-C,and glucose levels,both q3 and q4 groups demonstrated reduced MS risk compared to group q1 group(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve for AST/ALT in MS was 0.638(P＜0.05).Conclusion The level of AST/ALT was negatively correlated with MS in elderly hypertensive patients,and AST/ALT has certain predictive value for the risk of MS in elderly hypertensive patients.

Objective To explore the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea L.(POHA)on ulcerative colitis(UC)and bone loss in mice.Methods The C57BL/6 mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)to establish UC model.A total of 50 mice were randomly assigned to including control group,DSS group,mesalazine(MS)group,low dose of POHA(POHAL)group,or high dose of POHA(POHAH)group.The control group freely drank drinking water,while the DSS,MS,POHAL and POHAH groups drank drinking water containing DSS for 8 weeks.Since the 2nd week,the control group and DSS group were given normal saline by gavage.The MS group was given MS(100 mg/kg)by gavage.The POHAL group and POHAH group were given POHA(1 000 mg/kg and 2 000 mg/kg)by gavage,respectively.Body weight and disease activity index(DAI)were recorded and calculated every 2 d.On the 56th day,the colon weight index,liver index,and spleen index were calculated,and the histological changes of colon were observed.Serum levels of bone metabolism markers and microstructure parameters of femur were detected.Results Compared with the control group,the DSS group showed significantly increased DAI score,colon weight index,liver index,and spleen index(all P＜0.01).The DSS group exhibited significant pathological damage in colon tissues and significantly increased serum levels of osteocalcin,C-terminal peptide of collagen type Ⅰ,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(P＜0.01).The bone loss was significant in the DSS group,manifested by markedly decreased bone mineral density(BMD),bone tissue volume to tissue volume ratio(BV/TV),trabecular bone number(Tb.N),and trabecular bone thickness(Tb.Th),and markedly increased bone surface to bone volume ratio(BS/BV)and trabecular bone separation(Tb.Sp)(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the DSS group,the BMD,BV/TV,Tb.N and Tb.Th of the femur in the MS group and POHAH group of mice were all increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the BS/BV all decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the Tb.Sp all decreased without significant differences(all P＞0.05).The above bone microstructure parameters in the POHAL group showed no significant differences compared with those in the DSS group(all P＞0.05).Conclusion POHA has protective effect on DSS-induced UC and bone loss,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of hyperactive bone metabolism.

Objective To explore the association between aspartate aminotransferase(AST)/alanine aminotransferase(ALT)ratio and metabolic syndrome(MS)in elderly hypertensive patients,and to provide reference for early detection and prevention of MS in elderly hypertensive patients.Methods A questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among 616 elderly hypertensive patients at community health service centers.Participants were divided into two groups based on MS status:MS group(n=334)and non-MS group(n=282).According to AST/ALT levels,participants were divided into four groups:q1 group(AST/ALT ≤0.88,n=156),q2 group(0.88＜AST/ALT ≤ 1.10,n=155),q3 group(1.10＜AST/ALT ≤ 1.37,n=154),and q4 group(AST/ALT＞1.37,n=151).Blood biochemical parameters including triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),AST,ALT,and blood glucose were measured.The impact of AST/ALT levels on MS was analyzed using a Logistic regression model,while the risk prediction for MS occurrence was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results MS group showed higher body mass index(BMI),TG,ALT levels,abnormal glucose levels,female proportion,and abdominal obesity rate compared to non-MS group.HDL-C and AST/ALT values of MS group were lower than those in non-MS patients(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for BMI,smoking,alcohol consumption,physical activity,education level,marital status,TG,HDL-C,and glucose levels,both q3 and q4 groups demonstrated reduced MS risk compared to group q1 group(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve for AST/ALT in MS was 0.638(P＜0.05).Conclusion The level of AST/ALT was negatively correlated with MS in elderly hypertensive patients,and AST/ALT has certain predictive value for the risk of MS in elderly hypertensive patients.

Objective To clarify whether the use of dynamic coronary artery roadmap(DCR)technology in a low-dose mode with 7.5 frames per second during coronary intervention can further reduce the total radiation dose,fluoroscopy time,and contrast agent usage.Methods A total of 94 patients,who received coronary angiography at the Shanghai Tongji Hospital of China between July 2022 and December 2022,were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into DCR group(n=53)and control group(n=41).DCR technology was used in the DCR group to guide the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),while low-dose mode coronary angiography was adopted in the control group.The total air kerma(AK),dose-area product(DAP),intraoperative fluoroscopy time,and contrast agent usage were compared between the two groups.Results In the DCR group AK was(597.9±222.8)mGy,which was significantly lower than(717.0±326.8)mGy in the control group(P=0.039);DAP was(33.2±13.3)Gycm2/s,which was also remarkably lower than(41.3±21.5)Gycm2/s in the control group(P=0.027).In the DCR group and the control group,the intraoperative fluoroscopy time was(9.8± 3.3)min and(12.1±4.3)min respectively(P＜0.01),and the contrast agent usage was(122.3±19.0)mL and(130.5± 28.5)mL respectively(P=0.116).Conclusion In a low-dose mode during coronary intervention,the use of DCR technology can further reduce radiation dose,fluoroscopy time,and contrast agent usage.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:236-239)

Objective To screen the pharmacodynamic material basic components of Artemisiae Annuae Herba and study its antioxidant activity in vitro by investigating the spectrum-effect relationship between the HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of Artemisiae Annuae Herba(dried aerial part of Artemisia annua L.).Methods The determination was performed on Aglient C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)with mobile phase consisted of 0.2%phosphoric acid solution-Methanol(gradient elution)at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min.The column temperature was indoor temperature,and detection wavelength was 220 nm,with sample size of 10 μl.Using isochlorogenic acid A as reference,HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of samples were determined.The common peaks of 11 batches of samples were identified and recorded through TCM chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation system(2012 edition).Using scavenging rate of DPPH and ABTS free radical as pharmacodynamic indicators of antioxidant effects,SIMCA 14.1 analysis software was used for PLSR to establish the spectra-effect relationship.Results There were 48 common peaks on 11 batches of sample,11 components were identified as scopoletin,scoparone,isochlorogenic acid B,A,C,luteolin,apigenin,chrysosplenetin,artemisinin,artemisetin and artemisinic acid.The scavenging activity of 11 batches of samples to DPPH and ABTS free radicals was detected.The spectrum-effect relationship showed that isochlorogenic acid A,B,C and scoparone were positively associated with its antioxidant capacity,and variable projection value was greater than 1.It was suggested that these components were the material basis of antioxidant effect in Artemisiae Annuae Herba.Conclusion This study investigates the antioxidant capacity of different substances in Artemisiae Annuae Herba in vitro,and proves that isochlorogenic acid A,B,C and scoparone play a major role for the antioxidant capacity.

The abdominoperineal excision (APE) is still one of the standard operations for low rectal cancer. The exralevator APE can reduce the positive rate of circumferential margin and perforation rate of rectal cancer, but the incidence of postoperative complications is relatively high. With the continuous development of minimally invasive surgery, the transperineal minimally invasive Abdominoperineal excision (Tpm-APE) is proposed. Compared with traditional APE, the Tpm-APE has potential technical advantages, but there is a lack of large sample and multicenter clinical research evidence. The authors share the design and results of an international multicenter clinical study to investigate the clinical practice of Tpm-APE in the treatment of low rectal cancer.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of patients with severe abdominal infection and the epidemiological characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in a hospital, to provide a basis for rational use of antibiotics and reduce the drug resistance rate of pathogens.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 237 patients with abdominal disease as the primary disease admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2019. They were divided into two groups according to whether abdominal infection occurred or not. The clinical features of patients in both groups were analyzed, including gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, chronic underlying diseases, primary abdominal site, abdominal trauma or bleeding, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) involving organs and surgical treatment. At the same time, the bacterial origin, bacterial distribution and antibiotics sensitivity test results of patients with abdominal infection were recorded.Results:Abdominal infection occurred in 141 of the 237 patients and did not occur in the remaining 96 patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the abdominal infection group and the non-abdominal infection group in terms of gender, age, chronic underlying diseases, etiology and trauma. The APACHE Ⅱ score in the abdominal infection group was obviously higher than that of the non-abdominal infection group (24.0±8.1 vs. 17.1±5.8, P < 0.01). Incidences of abdominal bleeding, MODS involving four or more organs, surgery and the times of surgery ≥ 3 in the abdominal infection group were significantly higher than those in the non-abdominal infection group (36.2% vs. 17.7%, 20.6% vs. 1.0%, 84.4% vs. 21.9%, 9.3% vs. 0%, all P < 0.05). Among the 141 patients with abdominal infection, 107 obtained positive microbial culture results, and a total of 133 pathogenic strains were detected, including 115 strains of bacteria (86.5%) and 18 strains of fungi (13.5%). The main source of bacteria was abdominal drainage (46.1% of non-bloody specimens and 13.9% of bloody specimens). Among the 115 bacteria, Gram-negative (G -) bacteria were the most common (72.2%) and Gram-positive (G +) bacteria accounted for 27.8%. Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii were the top two G - bacteria (40.9% and 13.9%, respectively), and enterococcus faecalis accounted for the largest proportion of G + bacteria (7.8%). The pathogenic bacteria of abdominal infection were sensitive to tigacycline. Conclusions:The patients with abdominal infection in our hospital had high APACHE Ⅱ score, more organs failure and were easily complicated with intraperitoneal hemorrhage and required surgical intervention and even repeated surgery. The pathogenic bacteria in patients with abdominal infection in ICU were mainly G - bacteria, and the rate of multi-drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii was high. Empirical anti-infective treatment should be started as soon as possible according to the microbial spectrum of the region until the pathogenic bacteria results are obtained. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy and combined antimicrobial therapy are recommended for the healthcare acquired abdominal infection in hospital.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on the incidence of post-stroke infection and explore the relationship between mild hypothermia and outcome of stroke patients by using propensity score matching. Methods: Patients hospitalized in department of intensive care unit (ICU), neurology and neurosurgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University due to stroke from March 2012 to April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether or not mild hypothermia was provided, they were divided into the normal thermic group (NT group) and mild hypothermia treatment group (MHT group). The MHT group patients were matched with the NT group patients by the propensity score matching method at a ratio of 1∶1. The observation period was within the first 7 days after admission. Baseline characteristics including age, gender, type of stroke, comorbidities, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) score and Glasgow coma score (GCS) on admission, surgical operation, dysphagia, invasive procedures and outcomes of these patients had been analyzed. The primary outcome was incidence of post-stroke infection, and the secondary outcomes included the time of initial infection (TII, the duration from stroke to initial infection), hospital mortality, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) at discharge, incidence of complications such as arrhythmia, coagulation dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Results: 201 stroke patients were enrolled, 41.8% (84/201) of whom underwent mild hypothermia. Comparison with NT group before matching, there were more males in MHT group (71.4% vs. 56.4%), the proportion of surgical operation, mechanical ventilation, deep vein catheterization and gastric catheterization were higher (78.6% vs. 54.7%, 84.5% vs. 39.3%, 90.5% vs. 37.6%, 98.8% vs. 70.9%), and so as incidence of infection (90.5% vs. 72.6%), in-hospital mortality (27.4% vs. 12.8%) and TII [hours: 62.00 (35.25, 93.00) vs. 42.00 (28.50, 69.50)]. All the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Fifty-three patients in the MHT group were matched with 53 patients in the NT group. After matching, there was no significant difference in 15 baseline characteristics between two groups. Significant differences in infection and hospital mortality between the MHT group and NT groups disappeared (92.5% vs. 88.7%, 22.6% vs. 26.4%, both P > 0.05), while TII of MHT group was longer than that of the NT group [hours: 62.00 (40.75, 92.25) vs. 40.00 (28.00, 63.00), P = 0.000]. There were no statistically significant differences in SOFA score or complications between the two groups either before or after matching. Conclusion Mild hypothermia had no significant effect on the incidence of post-stroke infection and hospital mortality, it could delay the occurrence of infection and provide longer duration of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on the incidence of post-stroke infection and explore the relationship between mild hypothermia and outcome of stroke patients by using propensity score matching. METHODS: Patients hospitalized in department of intensive care unit (ICU), neurology and neurosurgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University due to stroke from March 2012 to April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether or not mild hypothermia was provided, they were divided into the normal thermic group (NT group) and mild hypothermia treatment group (MHT group). The MHT group patients were matched with the NT group patients by the propensity score matching method at a ratio of 1:1. The observation period was within the first 7 days after admission. Baseline characteristics including age, gender, type of stroke, comorbidities, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and Glasgow coma score (GCS) on admission, surgical operation, dysphagia, invasive procedures and outcomes of these patients had been analyzed. The primary outcome was incidence of post-stroke infection, and the secondary outcomes included the time of initial infection (TII, the duration from stroke to initial infection), hospital mortality, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) at discharge, incidence of complications such as arrhythmia, coagulation dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). RESULTS: 201 stroke patients were enrolled, 41.8% (84/201) of whom underwent mild hypothermia. Comparison with NT group before matching, there were more males in MHT group (71.4% vs. 56.4%), the proportion of surgical operation, mechanical ventilation, deep vein catheterization and gastric catheterization were higher (78.6% vs. 54.7%, 84.5% vs. 39.3%, 90.5% vs. 37.6%, 98.8% vs. 70.9%), and so as incidence of infection (90.5% vs. 72.6%), in-hospital mortality (27.4% vs. 12.8%) and TII [hours: 62.00 (35.25, 93.00) vs. 42.00 (28.50, 69.50)]. All the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Fifty-three patients in the MHT group were matched with 53 patients in the NT group. After matching, there was no significant difference in 15 baseline characteristics between two groups. Significant differences in infection and hospital mortality between the MHT group and NT groups disappeared (92.5% vs. 88.7%, 22.6% vs. 26.4%, both P > 0.05), while TII of MHT group was longer than that of the NT group [hours: 62.00 (40.75, 92.25) vs. 40.00 (28.00, 63.00), P = 0.000]. There were no statistically significant differences in SOFA score or complications between the two groups either before or after matching. CONCLUSIONS Mild hypothermia had no significant effect on the incidence of post-stroke infection and hospital mortality, it could delay the occurrence of infection and provide longer duration of treatment.
China ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Infections ; Intensive Care Units ; Prognosis ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke/complications*

Objective To study the influence of mild hypothermia on pulmonary vascular permeability in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by infection.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted.Patients with ARDS induced by infection satisfied criteria including age 18-70 years,endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV),and without severe coagulation disorder admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May 2012 to November 2015 were enrolled,excluding tumor,burn,cardiac disease,vascular disease,and endovascular surgery within 3 months.The patients enrolled were randomly divided into non-temperature controlled group and mild hypothermia group.The primary diseases in all patients were treated according to the treating principles,including respiratory support,integrated treatment of organ support and symptomatic treatment.Besides,the patients in the mild hypothermia group were administered with systemic hypothermia,and the patients' core body temperature (nasopharyngeal temperature) was rapidly decreased to 34-35 ℃ within 1 hour.Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score,oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2),extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) in two groups at 1,24,48,and 72 hours after treatment or core temperature up to standards were monitored respectively.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in venous blood as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),and circulating endothelial cell (CEC) was counted.The duration of mechanical ventilation and 7-day survival rate were recorded.Results Fifty-six patients were enrolled,with 32 in non-temperature controlled group and 24 in mild hypothermia group.There was no difference in baseline variables including gender,age,APACHE Ⅱ score,PaO2/FiO2 between two groups.APACHE Ⅱ score,EVLWI,PVPI,VEGF,CEC,and TNF-α in both groups were gradually increased with treatment time prolongation,and PaO2/FiO2 and SP-A were gradually decreased.Compared with non-temperature controlled group,APACHE Ⅱ score (16.34±4.27 vs.19.24 ± 5.95),EVLWI (mL/kg:12.17 ± 2.26 vs.12.39 ± 4.71),PVPI (15.40 ± 10.95 vs.16.08 ± 10.24),VEGF (ng/L:127.92 ± 31.49 vs.159.12 ± 40.67),CEC (cells/μL:4.15 ± 1.79 vs.5.70 ± 2.38),and TNF-α (ng/L:147.18 ± 48.85 vs.257.17 ±40.84) in mild hypothermia group were significantly decreased from 24 hours (all P ＜ 0.05),and PaO2/FiO2 [mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa):175.03± 12.64 vs.162.53 ± 14.15] and SP-A (μg/L:80.85 ± 16.18 vs.62.06 ± 17.28) were significantly increased (both P ＜ 0.05),the duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly shortened (days:10.38 ± 1.50 vs.15.74 ± 3.06,P ＜ 0.01),and 7-day survival rate was significantly increased (75.0％ vs.46.9％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mild hypothermia can reduce the pulmonary vascular permeability,and improve pulmonary function in early phase in patients with ARDS,as well as shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation,and decrease short-term mortality.