Effect of Hesperetin on Isoprenaline-induced Hypertrophy of H9C2 Cardiomyocytes.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of hesperetin on isoproterenol-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and its possible mechanism. For this aim, H9C2 cardiomyocytes were coincubated with different concentrations of hesperetin (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1µmol/L) and isoproterenol to detect the changes in the area of H9C2 cells, the expression of cardiac hypertrophy marker ß-MHC mRNA and autophagy marker LC3II; H9C2 cells were coincubated with hesperetin and isoproterenol at the optimal intervention concentration, and the intervention time was set to 6h, 12h, 24h, respectively, and the changes of H9C2 cell area, ß-MHC mRNA and LC3II expression were detected. Results showed that hesperetin could reduce isoproterenol-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte area enlargement; hesperetin can reduce ß-MHC mRNA expression in isoproterenol-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte; hesperetin can increase the expression level of LC3II in isoproterenol-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte. Conclusion Hesperetin may improve the hypertrophy of H9C2 cardiomyocytes induced by isoproterenol by activating autophagy.

Escherichia albertii isolated from the bloodstream of a patient with liver cirrhosis in China: A case report.

A rare case of bacteremia caused by Escherichia albertii, in a 50-year-old male with liver cirrhosis was reported. Clear, colorless, and circular colonies were recovered on blood agar after 24 h of aerobic incubation at 37 °C. The isolate was identified as E. albertii using MALDI-TOF/MS and confirmed by the diagnostic triplex-PCR targeting clpX, lysP, and mdh genes. The administration of piperacillin/tazobactam intravenously (4.5g every 8 hours) for 3 days was effective. This study suggested that specific strains of E. albertii have been implicated in causing extraintestinal infections in humans, similar to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). However, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms requires further exploration.

The accuracy of multidetector Computed Tomography for preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 312 patients with RCC who underwent staging MDCT before surgery. Radiographic findings were compared to the findings at surgery and pathological examination. All staging used 2009 updated TNM classification. RESULTS: The difference in tumor size between radiographic and pathological findings was 0.21 cm. In T1a group, the difference was 0.33 cm. Agreement between MDCT and histopathological findings was moderate for T staging (Kappa = 0.469), fair for N staging (Kappa = 0.322), and excellent for M staging (Kappa = 0.932). The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT in detecting perinephric fat invasion were 32.26% and 85.87%, in detecting tumor thrombosis were 84% and 100%, in detecting adrenal gland invasion were 60% and 95.79%, in detecting lymph node involvement were 50% and 96.36%, in detecting distant metastasis were 100% and 99.67%, respectively. In regard to stage grouping, 237 of 314 patients were correctly staged by MDCT, with an overall accuracy of 75.48%. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT with a dynamic contrast protocol is able to delineate RCC with high accuracy. However, a great portion of tumors were overstaged by MDCT because of overestimation of tumor size and poor visualization of infiltration of the perinephric fat. In addition, nodal metastatic lesion evaluation relies on node size only and remains a difficult task.

Distribution and Drug Resistance of Pathogenic Bacteria in Diabetic Patients with Double J-Stent Associated Infections.

Objective: To analyze the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in diabetic patients with double J-stent associated infections, and to explore the strategies for prevention and treatment of the infections. Methods: From January 2019 to December 2021, 266 diabetic patients treated with double J-stent placement in our hospital assessed for eligibility were recruited. Urine and double J-stent samples were collected for pathogenicity assay and screened for biofilm bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria distribution and drug resistance were examined. Results: A total of 97 strains (36.5%) of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from urine samples and 129 strains (48.5%) from double J-stent samples (P > 0.05). 3 strains (1.1%) of biofilm bacteria were separated from urine samples and 106 strains (39.8%) from double J-stent samples (P < 0.05). In the double J-stent samples, there were significantly higher ratios of Gram-positive bacteria separated from biofilm bacteria versus the urine-cultured pathogens (44.3%/61.3%, P < 0.05), and higher drug resistance was observed in biofilm bacteria versus urine-cultured pathogens (P < 0.05). Fosfomycin tromethamine showed remarkable susceptibility to both urinary cultured pathogens and double J-stent biofilm bacteria. Conclusion: Diabetic patients with double J-stent biofilm-positive bacteria are mainly Gram-positive bacteria, which are prone to biofilm formation and show strong drug resistance.

Effect of indwelling time of double J tube on infected ureteral calculi and the distribution of pathogenic characteristics in diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of double J tube indwelling time on infected ureteral calculi (UC) and distribution of pathogenic characteristics in diabetics. METHODS: 132 diabetics with infected UC admitted to our hospital from April 2017 to April 2020 were selected. All patients were implanted with a double J tube, followed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy or ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. According to the indwelling time, they were divided into a research group (≤ 7 d, 60 cases) and a control group (> 7 d, 72 cases). We compared the baseline data, and surgical data of the two groups, and analyzed pathogenic bacteria. RESULTS: None of the differences in the operation time, hospital stay, and stone diameter were statistically significant (P > 0.05). Before placement of the double J tube, no striking differences in urinary white blood cells and blood white blood cells were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). 7 days after the placement of the double J tube, a significant decrease of the urinary white blood cells and blood white blood cells was recorded (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Before and after placement of double J tube, no striking differences in body temperature > 38.5°C or positive blood culture were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Surgical methods, stone removal rate one month after the operation, or incidence of postoperative complications were not significantly different (P > 0.05). 49 pathogenic strains were detected, among which Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 63.27%. The main pathogens were Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: The indwelling time of the double J tube has no significant effect on the effectiveness and safety in diabetic patients with infected UC. It is necessary to reduce the indwelling time and implement targeted stone surgery.

Analysis of Bacterial Biofilm Formation in Patients with Malignancy Undergoing Double J Stent Indwelling and Its Influencing Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bacterial biofilm (BF) formation in patients with malignancy undergoing double J stent indwelling and its influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 167 patients with malignant tumors who received double J stent indwelling in the hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were included in the study. The urine and double J stent samples were collected for bacterial identification and observed for BF formation on the surface of the urinary catheter under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the influencing factors of BF. RESULTS: The BF formation rate was 34.73% (58/167). The BF formation rate of positive specimens cultured in urine and double J stent was significantly higher than that of negative ones (P<0.05). Staphylococcus was the main BF bacteria in double J stent and urine culture specimens, followed by Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Acinetobacter. Compared with the non-BF group, the number of viable bacteria in the double J stent and urine and the catheterization time in the BF group rose markedly (P<0.05). Advanced age, chemotherapy, anemia, indwelling time ≥90d, and urinary tract infection were risk factors for BF formation in patients with malignancy undergoing double J stent indwelling (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a high rate of BF formation in patients with malignancy undergoing double J stent indwelling, with Staphylococcus as the dominant species. Treatment requires enhanced urinary catheter management and nutritional status to inhibit BF formation and lower the rate of urinary catheter-related infections.

The accuracy of multidetector Computed Tomography for preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 312 patients with RCC who underwent staging MDCT before surgery. Radiographic findings were compared to the findings at surgery and pathological examination. All staging used 2009 updated TNM classification. RESULTS: The difference in tumor size between radiographic and pathological findings was 0.21cm. In T1a group, the difference was 0.33cm. Agreement between MDCT and histopathological findings was moderate for T staging (Kappa = 0.469), fair for N staging (Kappa = 0.322), and excellent for M staging (Kappa = 0.932). The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT in detecting perinephric fat invasion were 32.26% and 85.87%, in detecting tumor thrombosis were 84% and 100%, in detecting adrenal gland invasion were 60% and 95.79%, in detecting lymph node involvement were 50% and 96.36%, in detecting distant metastasis were 100% and 99.67%, respectively. In regard to stage grouping, 237 of 314 patients were correctly staged by MDCT, with an overall accuracy of 75.48%. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT with a dynamic contrast protocol is able to delineate RCC with high accuracy. However, a great portion of tumors were overstaged by MDCT because of overestimation of tumor size and poor visualization of infiltration of the perinephric fat. In addition, nodal metastatic lesion evaluation relies on node size only and remains a difficult task.