Elevated venous lactate level as an early predictive marker of organ failure in acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between venous lactate levels and the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The comparative assessment encompassed baseline characteristics, laboratory data, illness severity, local consequences, and organ failure instances. This comparison was performed between patients exhibiting normal serum lactic acid levels (HL) and those displaying elevated HL levels. The association between serum HL levels and other pertinent clinical markers was investigated using linear regression. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the utility of elevated serum lactate levels in identifying high-risk groups. RESULTS: Significantly elevated serum HL levels were observed in patients with moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in contrast to those with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) (p<0.01). Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that higher lactate levels independently predicted organ failure (95% CI 0.738-0.902, p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the lactate (LAC) cut-off value of 2.45 mmol/L yielded sensitivity and specificity values of 76.5% and 79.1%, respectively, for predicting AP-associated organ failure. The corresponding area under the curve (AUC) was 0.820. CONCLUSIONS: In AP patients, elevated serum HL levels signify disease severity and hold predictive potential for assessing the risk of organ failure.

[Phacoemulsification combined with goniosynechialysis under a gonioscope in the treatment of angle-closure glaucoma: the effect of reopening the synechial anterior chamber angle].

A total of 170 consecutive patients (181 eyes) who were diagnosed with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (PEI) combined with goniosynechialysis (GSL) with an instrument under a gonioscope in the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were observed. Anterior chamber angle synechiae of 0 (0, 2) clock hour were released after PEI, while after combined goniosynechialysis, synechiae of 6 (3, 8) clock hours were further released. No matter in chronic PACG and acute PACG with cornea edema, the extent of anterior chamber angle synechiae was different before surgery and after PEI, and so was it in post-PEI and PEI-GSL prospectively (all P<0.01). Phacoemulsification alone can reopen the synechial anterior chamber angle in both chronic PACG and acute PACG in part, but not sufficiently. Combined goniosynechialysis under a gonioscope with an instrument is essential and effective.

Evaluation of the ileal digestibility and excreta retention of phosphorus for feed phosphates in broiler chickens and in Pekin ducks.

The study aimed to determine the ileal phosphorus (P) digestibility (iPD) and the excreta P retention (ePR) of 5 monodicalcium phosphate (MCP) samples and 3 dicalcium phosphate (DCP) samples in broiler chickens and in Pekin ducks using the substitution method. A total of 720, 21-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens in experiment 1 and 720, 15-d-old Pekin ducks in experiment 2 were randomly allocated to 9 dietary treatments with 8 replicate cages (10 birds/cage) based on the similar mean body weight, respectively. The collection of excreta (for 72 h after a 3-d acclimation) and ileal digesta (after 6 d of feeding experimental diets) was done. The results showed the average iPD/ePR of MCP and DCP for broilers were 83.11%/74.52% and 75.34%/69.46% and for ducks were 79.37%/80.02% and 75.74%/76.44%, respectively. The iPD/ePR of MCP in broilers and the ePR of MCP in ducks were markedly higher (P < 0.05) than those of DCP. Our data suggest that using the substitution method to evaluate the bioavailability of feed phosphates has its own advantages; MCP has higher biological availability than DCP for broilers and ducks.

Clinical efficacy of targeted therapy, immunotherapy combined with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (FOLFOX), and lipiodol embolization in the treatment of unresectable hepatocarcinoma.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of targeted therapy and immunotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of FOLFOX and lipiodol embolization in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients included in the study were those who received targeted therapy and immunotherapy combined with HAIC of FOLFOX and lipiodol embolization in Zhongshan People's Hospital from December 2020 to June 2021 for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Evaluation indicators included objective response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), median duration of response (mDOR), 1-year overall survival rate (OS), surgical conversion rate, and adverse events. Treatment response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST and RECIST v1.1). A total of 35 patients were included in this study, 30 of whom completed treatment evaluation. According to mRECIST evaluation criteria, the objective response rate (ORR) was 83.3% (25/30); the complete response (CR) was 60% (18/30); the partial response (PR) was 23.3% (7/30), and stable disease (SD) was 16.7% (5/30). The mDOR was 10.3 months (95% Cl: 8.27-NE), and the mPFS was 13.2 months (95% CI: 10.3-NE); the surgical conversion rate was 30.0% (9/30). The 1-year OS was 96.7%. There were no serious surgical complications and grade 4 or 5 adverse events of targeted therapy, immunotherapy and HAIC. Some patients had grade 3 adverse reactions in gastrointestinal toxicity or hepatotoxicity, and the adverse reactions were improved after corresponding symptomatic treatment. We concluded that HAIC of FOLFOX and lipiodol embolization combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy had a significant curative effect in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, with no serious adverse reactions and a high rate of surgical conversion rate.

[The distribution of peripheral anterior synechiae in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma].

Objective: To describe the distribution and characteristics of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods: Retrospective case study. A total of 285 PACG patients (406 eyes) diagnosed in the Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to August 2019 were included. They were 102 males and 183 females, with a median age of 67 years old (range, 21 to 95 years old). The PAS range was detected by gonioscopy examination, and the frequency distribution of PAS at 12 clock points was counted by clockwise. The PAS distribution at the middle point of PAS with continuous distribution and ≤6 clock points was assessed. Results: In all cases, PAS of the right eye was concentrated at 11:00 to 4:00 regions [range, 62.0% (129/208) to 78.8% (164/208)]. PAS of the left eye was concentrated at 7:00 to 1:00 regions [range, 50.0% (99/198) to 75.8% (150/198)]. When the PAS range of the atrial angle was ≤6 clock regions, it was mainly at 12:00 to 3:00 [range, 58.3% (74/127) to 67.7% (86/127)] in the right eye and at 10:00 to 12:00 [range, 54.8% (68/124) to 66.1% (82/124)] in the left eye. Among 121 cases (242 eyes) with both eyes involved, the PAS region was at 11:00 to 5:00 [range, 52.1% (63/121) to 79.3% (96/121)] in the right eye and at 8:00 to 1:00 [range, 50.4% (61/121) to 76.9% (93/121)] in the left eye. When the PAS range of the atrial angle was ≤6 clock regions, it was mainly at 12:00 to 4:00 [range, 53.2% (41/77) to 71.4% (55/77)] in the right eye and at 10:00 to 12:00 [range, 50.6% (39/77) to 64.9% (50/77)] in the left eye. In all cases, there were 171 cases of right eyes and 175 cases of left eyes with continuous angle PAS. The central PAS clock position of the right eye was mainly at 11:00 to 3:00 [range, 15.2% (26/171) to 24.0% (41/171)], and that of the left eye was mainly at 8:00 to 12:00 [range, 15.4% (27/175) to 20.6% (36/175)]. Among cases with both eyes involved, there were 98 cases of right eyes and 104 cases of left eyes with continuous angle PAS. The clock distribution of the middle position of the right eye angle PAS was concentrated at 11:00 to 3:00 [range, 17.3% (17/98) to 26.5% (26/98)], and that of the left eye was concentrated at 8:00 to 12:00 [range, 13.5% (14/104) to 20.2% (21/104)]. Conclusions: The PAS of PACG patients is mainly located in the upper and nasal sides, and the closer to the temporal side, the smaller the PAS frequency, showing a gradual downward trend. The PAS distribution of binocular angles is of obvious mirror symmetry. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 666-671).

[An investigation and analysis of an acute occupational methyl acetate poisoning].

This article investigated an occupational chemical poisoning incident that occurred in a certain place in Guangdong Province in September 2020, detected the air at the scene, and analyzed the clinical data of the poisoned patients. The peripheral blood methanol concentrations of the three patients were 307.76 mg/L, 354.80 mg/L and 454.14 mg/L when they were admitted to the hospital. The raw and auxiliary materials were analyzed for volatile organic components. Methyl acetate was detected in the finished glue, synthetic resin and compound machine post glue in the glue room, and the relative percentages were 23.05%, 32.79% and 31.68%, respectively. Through comprehensive analysis, it was judged that this incident was an acute occupational methyl acetate poisoning incident, and 3 workers were poisoned.

[Application of two risk assessment methods in ceramic manufacturing enterprises].

Objective: To explore the applicability of Singapore semi-quantitative assessment method and international committee on mining and metals occupational health risk assessment method in occupational health risk assessment of ceramic enterprises. Methods: From March 2017 to May 2018, A ceramic enterprise was selected for the investigation and testing of occupational health, and the risk assessment of the occupational-disease-inductive factors in the workplace was conducted by the semi-quantitative assessment method of Singapore and the occupational health risk assessment method of the international committee on mining and metals. Results: The occupational-disease-inductive factors in the production process of this ceramic enterprise mainly include silicon dust, noise, high temperature, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and so on. The two risk assessment methods were applied to assess the risk of occupational-disease-inductive factors in the workplace, and the results showed that the high risk level was 16.67%, the medium risk level was 63.33%, and the low risk level was 20.00%. The risk level of silicon dust is from low risk to high risk. Conclusion: The semi-quantitative assessment method and the occupational health risk assessment method of the International Commission on Mining and Metals are simple to operate and practical, and are suitable for the assessment of occupational hazards in ceramic enterprises.

[Application of semi-quantitative risk assessment method in occupational health risk assessment of wooden furniture manufacturing enterprises].

Objective: To explore the applicability of semi-quantitative risk assessment methods in wood furniture manufacturing companies. Methods: Two medium-sized wooden furniture manufactures were randomly selected as research objects, namely A company and B company. Used the Semi-Quantitative risk assessment method (the ratio method, the index method and the comprehensive method) in the "Guidelines for occupational health risk assessment of chemicals in the workplace" (GBZ/T 298-2017) to conduct occupational hygiene survey, occupational hazard factor testing and occupational health risk assessments for two wood furniture manufacturers from January to October 2018, and compared and analyzed the applicability of these three semi-quantitative risk assessment methods in wooden furniture manufacturing enterprises. Results: The occupational health status of A enterprises was worse than that of B enterprises, and the occupational health risk level was higher than that of B enterprises, and the risk level of A enterprise is 3~4, and the risk level of B enterprise is 2~3. The occupational health risk level obtained by the index method was consistent with the comprehensive method, while the risk level of some occupational disease hazards used the ratio method was inconsistent with the results of the index method and the comprehensive method. Compared with the index method and the comprehensive method, when E/OEL<0.5 or E/OEL≥2, there might be a certain fluctuation in the occupational health risk level obtained by the ratio method. Conclusion: The semi-quantitative risk assessment is more objective, comprehensive and flexible in the application of occupational health risk assessment, and can assess the occupational health risk level of chemical poisons in wood furniture manufacturing enterprises.

Effect of pressure on the self-hole-doped superconductor RbGd2Fe4As4O2.

RbGd2Fe4As4O2 is a newly discovered self-hole-doped stoichiometric superconductor, which has a hybrid structure with separated double FeAs layers and exhibits a high superconducting transition temperature T c = 35 K. Here, we report the effect of pressure (P) on its T c and normal-state transport properties by measuring the temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) under various pressures up to 14 GPa with a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We found that the T c is suppressed monotonically to ca. 12.5 K upon increasing pressure to 14 GPa with a slope change of T c(P) at around 4 GPa. In addition, the low-temperature normal-state ρ(T), which is proportional to T n , also evolves gradually from a non-Fermi-liquid with n = 1 at ambient pressure to a Fermi liquid with n = 2 at P ⩾ 4 GPa. Accompanying with the non-Fermi-liquid to Fermi-liquid crossover, the quadratic temperature coefficient of resistivity, which reflects the effective mass of charge carriers, also experiences a significant reduction as commonly observed in the vicinity of a magnetic quantum critical point (QCP). Our results indicate that the stoichiometric RbGd2Fe4As4O2 at ambient pressure might be located near a QCP such that the enhanced critical spin fluctuations lead to high-T c superconductivity. The application of pressure should broaden the electronic bandwidth and weaken the spin fluctuations, and then restore a Fermi-liquid ground state with lower T c.

[The genetic factors of non-response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy].

The response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment is variable. It is generally measured in terms of changes in correlated functional and/or anatomical outcomes, and patients are then classified as optimal response, poor response and non-response. The precise cause of non-response remains undetermined. A variety of factors could account for poor or non-response to anti-VEGF therapy, such as age, baseline vision, disease course, lesion characteristics and genomic polymorphism. At the present time, many studies on the genetic factors of non-response or poor response to anti-VEGF treatment mainly focus on VEGF genes (VEGF-A, VEGFR-2), complement factor H (CFH), age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (LOC387715/ARMS2), high temperature factor A-1 (HTRA1), interleukin-related gene (IL-8 rs4073) and so forth. It is still worthy of further investigations that how to assess genetic reasons for non-response or poor response, so that we can provide individualized treatment sequences and predict the response to anti-VEGF therapy. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54:873-878).

[Study on determination of ethylal in workplace air by gas chromatography].

Objective: A solvent desorption-gas chromatography method for determination of ethylal in workplace air has been established. Methods: Ethylal in workplace air was collected by activated carbon tube and desorbed with carbon disulfide, and the desorption solutions were analysed by capillary column GC with FID detector. Results: The method presented a good linearity in the range of 0.87~34 800.00 mg/L of ethylal in the standard solution, with the correlation coefficient being r=0.999 7. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification of this method were respectively 0.20 mg/L and 0.80 mg/L, and the minimum detectable concentration and the minimum quantification concentration of this method were respectively 0.17 mg/m(3) and 0.60 mg/m(3) per 1.50 L of air.The within-run precision of the method was 2.93%-6.20%, and the between-run precision 3.67%-6.44%. The desorption efficiency between 94.22%-97.27%. Ethylal in activated carbon tube could be kept at least 7 days at room temperature without significant loss. Conclusion: The method could be used for determination of ethylal in workplace air.

Effect of long-term organic fertilization on the soil pore characteristics of greenhouse vegetable fields converted from rice-wheat rotation fields.

The shift from rice-wheat rotation (RWR) to greenhouse vegetable soils has been widely practiced in China. Several studies have discussed the changes in soil properties with land-use changes, but few studies have sought to address the differences in soil pore properties, especially for fields based on long-term organic fertilization under greenhouse vegetable system from RWR fields. This study uses the X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and statistical analysis to compare the long-term effects of the conversion of organic greenhouse vegetable fields (over one year, nine years, and fourteen years) from RWR fields on the soil macropore structure as well as the influencing factors from samples obtained in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, using the surface soil layer and triplicate samples. The results demonstrated that the macropore structure became more complex and stable, with a higher connectivity, fractal dimension (FD) and a lower degree of anisotropy (DA), as the greenhouse vegetable planting time increased. The total topsoil macroporosity increased considerably, but the rate of increase gradually decelerated with time. The transmission pores (round pores ranging from 50 to 500µm) increased with time, but the biopores (>2000µm) clearly decreased after nine years of use as greenhouse vegetable fields. Soil organic matter (OM) has a significant relationship with the soil pore structure characteristics, especially for the transmission pores. In addition, organic fertilization on the topsoil had a short-term effect on the pores, but the effect stabilized and had a weak influence on the pores over longer periods. These results suggested that organic fertilization was conducive for controlling soil degradation regarding it physical quality for water and oxygen availability in the short term.

[Genetic Polymorphisms of 17 Y-STR Loci in Nantong Han Population].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the genetic phenotypes of Nantong Han population and evaluate the application value of 17 Y-STR loci in Nantong population. METHODS: The peripheral blood samples were collected from 343 unrelated Nantong Han males and the genomic DNA were extracted by Chelex-100 method. Genotyping was performed using the AmpFℓSTR Yfiler™ Kit. The results were compared with other 12 Han populations, including Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Shanghai, Zhejiang （1）, Lanzhou, Nanyang, Luzhou, Mudanjiang, Shanxi and Zhejiang （2）, and 9 minority populations （Mongol, Xibe, Tibetan in Lhasa, Tibetan in Qinghai, Kazak, Uighur, Manchu, Paiwan in Taiwan and Tujia）. RESULTS: A total of 327 different haplotypes were found in 17 Y-STR loci in Nantong Han population. The haplotype diversity （HD） was 0.999 7. The Rst value between Nantong Han and other Chinese populations ranged from -0.000 6 to 0.263 5. The multidimensional scaling results showed that Nantong Han population had no significant differences between most of the Han populations, but had significant differences between most of Chinese minority populations. CONCLUSIONS: Seventeen Y-STR loci can be a powerful tool for forensic application because of its high polymorphism in Nantong Han population.

[Diagnostic values of BRAF(V600E) mutation analysis and Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology in thyroid nodules with TIRADS 4 and 5].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of BRAF(V600E) testing and Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) in thyroid nodules with thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) category 4 and 5. Methods: A total of 187 thyroid nodules in 187 patients underwent the examinations of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and BRAF(V600E) mutation were analyzed retrospectively. Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the diagnostic values of both methods and the clinical application of BRAF(V600E) combined with BSRTC was evaluated. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 187 thyroid nodules, 123 were malignant nodules confirmed with histopathological examination and 64 benign nodules determined by FNAC, histopathological examination, or long-term follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of BRAF(V600E) test were better than those of BSRTC [69.1%, 98.4%, 98.8%, 62.4%(χ(2)=77.3, P=0.000) vs 62.6%, 93.8%, 95.1%, 56.6%(χ(2)=54.4, P=0.000)]. While the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the combined test of BRAF(V600E) and BSRTC for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules were 87.8%, 92.2%, 95.6%, 79.7%(χ(2)=112.6, P=0.000), respectively. The area under the ROC curve for the combined test was higher than that for each of tests (0.900 vs 0.858 or 0.838). Conclusions: The combined test of BRAF(V600E) mutation and BSRTC has a higher diagnostic efficacy for malignant thyroid nodules compared with BRAF(V600E) mutation or BSRTC alone.

[HIV antibody detection results in patients seeking medical care in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 2003-2014].

Objective: To better understand the infection status of HIV in the patients seeking medical care in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods: The HIV detection data of the patients in the hospital from 2003-2014 were collected for a statistical analysis with software SPSS 19.0. Results: A total of 715 421 patients were screened, and 1 012 (0.14%) patients were HIV positive, and HIV infection were confirmed in 776 (0.11%) patients by Western Blot testing. The detection rate of HIV infection increased from 0.05% in 2003 to 0.17% in 2014 (trend χ(2)=66.83 , P=0.000), and the increase during 2012-2014 was obvious. Of the 776 newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals, 631 (81.31%) were men and 145 (18.69%) were women. The percentage of the males infected with HIV increased from 50.00% to 90.26% (trend χ(2)=58.41, P=0.000). The median age was 36 years (interquartile range: 27-43), and the age group 18-50 years were mostly affected. In the 776 patients infected with HIV, 634 (81.70% ) were infected through sexual contacts, and the proportion of sexual transmissions increased with year (trend χ(2)=126.38, P=0.000). The proportion of infected men who have sex with men (MSM) increased from 0% in 2003 to 53.90% in 2014 (trend χ(2)=11.96, P=0.001), similar to the trend in western countries. The proportion of infected patients who were not married increased from 18.75% to 42.21% (trend χ(2)=43.74, P=0.000). The top three source departments of HIV/AIDS cases were internal medicine (51.03%), emergency room (18.30%) and dermatology (13.53%). The proportion of the HIV/AIDS patients from department of gynecology and obstetrics declined from 18.75% in 2003 to 2.60% in 2014. No HIV/AIDS patients were detected in department of surgery, department of otorhinolaryngology, department of ophthalmology, department of stomatology and health examination center in 2003, but 14 cases (9.10%), 11 cases (7.14%) and 4 cases (2.60%) were detected in these departments respectively in 2014. Conclusion: The HIV detection rate increased with year in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, suggesting the necessity of strengthened HIV test in general hospitals. MSM are the population at high risk, to whom more attention should be paid.

Newer antifungal agents micafungin and voriconazole for fungal infection prevention during hematopoietic cell transplantation: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The new antifungal agents provide further opportunities for effective prophylaxis for fungal infections during stem cell transplantation for patients with hematologic malignancies; however, the efficacy of these antifungal prophylactic drugs has not yet been established. This study was to compare the newer antifungal agents micafungin and voriconazole for prophylaxis effects on the clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We electronically searched the database of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Pubmed, EMbase, and relevant database articles (1996.01-2013.12). Comparative studies were carried out on proved fungal infections, mortality, and adverse effects. Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.1.6 software and the funnel plot regression was adopted to assess the publication bias. RESULTS: We found 1508 records and 13 studies totaling 3767 patients included in analyses. Pooled comparisons of studies found that antifungal prophylaxis with the new agents does reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infections than fluconazole or itraconazole. The reduction in invasive fungal infections was achieved by using micafungin, voriconazole for antifungal prophylaxis. Using voriconazole prophylaxis can decrease the transplant mortality compared with fluconazole or itraconazole prophylaxis. Voriconazole had higher rates of liver dysfunction, lower gastrointestinal side effects over fluconazole, and lower rates of nephrotoxic effects than amphotericin B. Both micafungin and voriconazole had a significant decrease in adverse events requiring drug discontinuation compared with itraconazole. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis indicated the 2 agents appear to be well tolerated with manageable side effects and beneficial in the prophylaxis of IFI. Further work is needed with a large scale of random controlled trials on the effect of these drugs.

An acidic pectin lyase from Aspergillus niger with favourable efficiency in fruit juice clarification.

The pectin lyase gene pnl-zj5a from Aspergillus niger ZJ5 was identified and expressed in Pichia pastoris. PNL-ZJ5A was purified by ultrafiltration, anion exchange and gel chromatography. The Km and Vmax values determined using citrus pectin were 0.66 mg ml(-1) and 32.6 µmol min(-1) mg(-1) , respectively. PNL-ZJ5A exhibited optimal activity at 43°C and retained activity over 25-50°C. PNL-ZJ5A was optimally active at pH 5 and effective in apple juice clarification. Compared with controls, PNL-ZJ5A increased the fruit juice yield significantly. Furthermore, PNL-ZJ5A reduced the viscosity of apple juice by 38.8% and increased its transmittance by 86.3%. PNL-ZJ5A combined with a commercial pectin esterase resulted in higher juice volume.

T helper type 2-polarized invariant natural killer T cells reduce disease severity in acute intra-abdominal sepsis.

Sepsis is characterized by a severe systemic inflammatory response to infection that is associated with high morbidity and mortality despite optimal care. Invariant natural killer T (iNK T) cells are potent regulatory lymphocytes that can produce pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus shaping the course and nature of immune responses; however, little is known about their role in sepsis. We demonstrate here that patients with sepsis/severe sepsis have significantly elevated proportions of iNK T cells in their peripheral blood (as a percentage of their circulating T cells) compared to non-septic patients. We therefore investigated the role of iNK T cells in a mouse model of intra-abdominal sepsis (IAS). Our data show that iNK T cells are pathogenic in IAS, and that T helper type 2 (Th2) polarization of iNK T cells using the synthetic glycolipid OCH significantly reduces mortality from IAS. This reduction in mortality is associated with the systemic elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-13 and reduction of several proinflammatory cytokines within the spleen, notably interleukin (IL)-17. Finally, we show that treatment of sepsis with OCH in mice is accompanied by significantly reduced apoptosis of splenic T and B lymphocytes and macrophages, but not natural killer cells. We propose that modulation of iNK T cell responses towards a Th2 phenotype may be an effective therapeutic strategy in early sepsis.