Increased number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in breast cancer patients and the linear correlation with VEGF level.

The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was found to increase in patients with breast cancer, but the alteration in EPC function remains to be elusive. We conducted this study to evaluate the number and function of peripheral EPCs of breast cancer patients and its possible underlying mechanism. Besides, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VCAM-1, IL-6, and IL-34 levels were measured in blood samples and also in vitro in a medium of EPCs. We found that the number of circulating EPCs in breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that in normal control and remarkably augmented in a stage-dependent manner. Meanwhile, a similar enhancement was observed in the migratory, proliferative, and adhesive activity of circulating EPCs originating from breast cancer patients. More importantly, the VEGF level in blood samples was dramatically elevated in comparison to the control, which was correlated positively with the number and activity of circulating EPCs from breast cancer patients. Moreover, in vitro medium of EPCs from breast cancer patients highly expressed VEGF compared with that from the control, which also had a positive correlation with the number and activity of circulating EPCs from breast cancer patients. This is the first time to demonstrate that the number and function of circulating EPCs are promoted in breast cancer patients, which are positively related to an enhanced VEGF production. These may provide a novel target for improving the outcome of breast cancer.

Flipped Classroom Approach Used in the Training of Mass Casualty Triage for Medical Undergraduate Students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the application of the flipped classroom approach in the training of Mass Casualty Triage (MCT) to medical undergraduate students. METHODS: In this study, 103 fourth-year medical students were randomly divided into a Flipped Classroom (FC) group (n = 51) and a Traditional Lecture-based Classroom (TLC) group (n = 52). A post-class quiz, simulated field triage (SFT) and feedback questionnaires were performed to assess both groups of students for their learning of the course. RESULTS: In the post-quiz, the median (IQR) scores achieved by students from the FC and TLC groups were 42(5) and 39(5.5), respectively. Significant differences were found between the two groups. In the SFT, overall triage accuracy was 67.06% for FC, and 64.23% for TLC students. Over-triage and under-triage errors occurred in 18.43% and 14.50% of the FC group, respectively. The TLC group had a similar pattern of 20.77% over-triage and 15.0% under-triage errors. No significant differences were found regarding overall triage accuracy or triage errors between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The FC approach could enhance course grades reflected in the post-quiz and improve students' satisfaction with the class. However, there was no significant difference of competency between the two groups demonstrated in the SFT exercise.

Prognostic factors for patients with multiple myeloma admitted to the intensive care unit.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with multiple myeloma (MM) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and identify predictors of poor short-term prognosis. Methods: Data for patients with MM admitted to the ICU were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. The risk factors leading to the ICU and hospital mortality were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 126 patients identified, 17 (13.5%) and 37 (29.4%) died in the ICU and hospital, respectively. Patients with ICU mortality showed higher median blood urea nitrogen (57.0 vs. 29.0) and poorer Acute Physiology Scores (APS, 70.0 vs. 46.0) than did surviving patients on the day of ICU admission. In-ICU deceased patients had higher proportion of mechanical ventilation (64.7% vs. 26.6%) and vasopressor use (64.7% vs. 17.4%) at admission and positive pathogenic culture during ICU stay (58.8% vs. 19.3%). The APS and positive pathogenic culture were independent prognostic factors for ICU mortality, while risk factors for hospital mortality included higher APS and relapsed/refractory disease. Conclusion: The short-term prognoses for patients with MM admitted to the ICU were mainly determined by the severity of organ failure, infection, and disease status.

The Effect of Sex Differences on Endothelial Function and Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND: Men have a higher risk and earlier onset of cardiovascular diseases compared with premenopausal women. Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of ischemic heart disease. Endothelial dysfunction is related to the development of ischemic heart disease. Whether sex differences will affect the circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial function in hypertriglyceridemia patients or not is not clear. METHODS: Forty premenopausal women and forty age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched men without cardiovascular and metabolic disease were recruited and then divided into four groups: normotriglyceridemic women (women with serum triglycerides level <150 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemic women (women with serum triglycerides level ≥150 mg/dl), normotriglyceridemic men (men with serum triglycerides level <150 mg/dl), and hypertriglyceridemic men (men with serum triglycerides level ≥150 mg/dl). Peripheral blood was obtained and evaluated. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), the number and activity of circulating EPCs, and the levels of nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in plasma and culture medium were measured. RESULTS: The number and activity of circulating EPCs, as well as the level of NO in plasma or culture medium, were remarkably increased in premenopausal females compared with those in males both in the hypertriglyceridemic group and the normotriglyceridemic group. The EPC counts and activity, as well as the production of NO, were restored in hypertriglyceridemic premenopausal women compared with those in normal women. However, in hypertriglyceridemic men, the EPC counts and activity, as well as levels of NO, were significantly reduced. The values of VEGF and GM-CSF were without statistical change. CONCLUSIONS: The present study firstly demonstrated that there were sex differences in the number and activity of circulating EPCs in hyperglyceridemia patients. Hypertriglyceridemic premenopausal women displayed restored endothelial functions, with elevated NO production, probably mediated by estradiol. We provided a new insight to explore the clinical biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for hypertriglyceridemia-related vascular damage.

Prolonged versus Intermittent Infusion of Antibiotics in Acute and Severe Infections: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute and severe infections are an absolute indication for the use of intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, previous studies have found inconsistent clinical advantages of prolonged (extended [≥3-hour infusion] or continuous [24-hour fixed rate infusion]) over intermittent (6, or 8, or 12 interval hours infusion) infusion. The clinical superiority between prolonged and intermittent infusion in treating acute and severe infections thus continues to be elusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective observational studies to determine whether prolonged infusion, compared to intermittent infusion, is correlated with lower mortality and better clinical outcome. METHODS: We performed a literature search using MEDLINE (source PubMed, January 1, 1966 to August 31, 2018) and EMBASE (January 1, 1980 to August 31, 2018) with no restrictions to collect RCTs and observational studies comparing prolonged infusion with intermittent infusion of the same intravenous administered antibiotics among adult hospitalized patients. A total of 43 studies including 30 RCTs, 5 prospective observational studies and 8 retrospective observational studies were identified. RESULTS: In comparison with intermittent infusion, prolonged infusion of antibiotics was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (pooled relative risk [RR] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-0.89) and improvement in clinical cure (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.19), which was also observed in subgroups such as non-RCTs (mortality, RR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.48-0.81; clinical cure RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.13-1.57) or studies with patients and APACHE II scores 15 (mortality, RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.89; clinical cure RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.07-1.32). Moreover, in RCTs, mortality (RR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.72-1.03) between the two dosing strategies was not remarkably changed but clinical cure (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.13) showed a significant advantage for prolonged infusion. Additionally, no significant differences in mortality between the two dosing strategies was found (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.70-1.09) but a distinct improvement in clinical cure was observed (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02-1.28) in the prolonged infusion group for septic patients. Among two infusion modes, statistically significant severe adverse events were not reported (RR=0.83, 95% CI = 0.62-1.13). CONCLUSION: Better outcomes in hospitalized patients, especially in those who were critical ill, were reported in prolonged infusion of intravenous antibiotics compared with traditional intermittent infusion.

A case report of acute myocardial infarction concomitant with Standford type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) concomitant with aortic dissection (AD) is rare but a devastating situation if misdiagnosed as simply AMI, followed by anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy. In such cases, Standford type B AD was extremely infrequent. OBJECTIVES: To present a case with apparent concordance with the patient's history, symptoms, cardiac enzymes that lead to diagnostic error. CASE REPORT: An 85-year-old man with chronic hypertension and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease presented in our emergency department with squeezing retrosternal chest pain and dyspnea. Elevated cardiac enzymes and electrocardiography result suggested acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Emergency coronary angiography demonstrated a 50-90% diffuse stenosis of the proximal and mid right coronary artery also confirmed the diagnosis. Stents were deployed thereafter. However, the patient was found to be concomitant with Standford type B AD by computed tomography angiography due to unrelieved chest pain and new onset of abdominal pain after the operation. The patient refused to have endovascular operation and died of hemorrhagic shock one week later. CONCLUSIONS: AD may cause AMI due to some indirect mechanisms, and it is of utmost importance to search for the existence of AD before reperfusion therapy in AMI patients. Aortic dissection detection risk score, transthoracic echocardiography and D-dimer help early identification of AD.