[Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome of Pseudomonas Peritoneal Dialysis-associated Peritonitis].

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment of Pseudomonas peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis(PsP). Methods The data of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis in four tertiary hospitals in Jilin province from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the etiological classification,the patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis(PDAP)were classified into PsP group and non-PsP group.The incidence of PsP was calculated,and the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared.Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve,and Cox regression was performed to analyze the risk factors affecting the technical failure of PsP.The treatment options of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-caused PDAP and the drug sensitivity of PsP were summarized. Results A total of 1530 peritoneal dialysis patients with complete data were included in this study,among which 439 patients had 664 times of PDAP.The incidence of PsP was 0.007 episodes/patient-year.PsP group had higher proportion of refractory peritonitis(41.38% vs.19.69%,P=0.005),lower cure rate(55.17% vs.80.79%, P=0.001),and higher extubation rate(24.14% vs.7.09%,P=0.003)than non-PsP group.The technical survival rate of PsP group was lower than that of non-PsP group(P<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was an independent risk factor for technical failure in patients with PsP(HR=9.020,95%CI=1.141-71.279,P=0.037).Pseudomonas was highly sensitive to amikacin,meropenem,and piperacillin-tazobactam while highly resistant to compound sulfamethoxazole,cefazolin,and ampicillin. Conclusion The treatment outcome of PsP is worse than that of non-PsP,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an independent risk factor for technical failure of PsP.

Serotonergically dependent antidepressant-like activity on behavior and stress axis responsivity of acacetin.

Acacetin, a natural flavonoid, possesses broad spectrum of pharmacological and biochemical activities, such as neuroprotection, antinociception and inhibition of monoamine oxidase. The current work aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of acacetin in mice and explore the underlying mechanism(s). Chronic, but not acute, acacetin treatment (5, 15 or 45 mg/kg, p.o., once per day for three weeks) exerted in mice dose-dependently antidepressant-like activity, assessed by forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Although acacetin-treated mice showed normal circadian hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, their endocrine responsivity to both acute restraint stress and intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was buffered. The acacetin-triggered antidepressant-like activities are serotonergically dependent, since its impacts on behavior and stress responsivity were totally abolished by chemical depletion of brain serotonin by PCPA. Consistently, acacetin-treated mice showed escalated levels of brain monoamines especially serotonin and depressed activity of monoamine oxidase. Moreover, the acacetin-evoked anti-depression was preferentially counteracted by co-administration of 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635, but potentiated by 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT and sub-effective dose of serotonergic antidepressant fluoxetine, suggesting a pivotal engagement of 5-HT1A related serotonergic system. In vitro, acacetin (1-100 nM) increased the Emax of 8-OH-DPAT. Collectively, these findings confirm that chronic acatetin administration to mice engenders antidepressant-like efficacy on both behavior and stress axis responsivity, with serotonergic system that preferentially couples with 5-HT1A receptors being critically involved.

Dorsolateral striatal miR-134 modulates excessive methamphetamine intake in self-administering rats.

Increasing evidence indicates that excessive drug consumption is sufficient for the transition from recreational and controlled drug use to uncontrolled use and addiction. However, the underlying mechanisms are debated. Some neurobehavioral and neuroimaging evidence indicates that dorsolateral striatum (dlStr)-dependent habit learning plays a key role in excessive drug intake and the transition to addiction, but little is known about the molecular events. The present study investigated whether dlStr miR-134, an important regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity, is involved in excessive methamphetamine intake. We established excessive and uncontrolled methamphetamine self-administration model in rats by permitting animals extended access to drug (6 h/session/d, LgA group), whereas animals that were limited to access to drug (2 h/session/d, ShA group) exhibited low and controlled self-administration. miR-134 expression in dlStr was significantly increased and its target LIMK1 expression was decreased in the LgA group, but not in the ShA group, compared with the saline control group. However, passive methamphetamine exposure did not alter miR-134 and LIMK1 levels in dlStr. We also found that down-regulation of miR-134 in dlStr through local microinjection of a lentivirus carrying miR-134 sponge (LV-miR-134-Sil) significantly reduced methamphetamine infusions and excessive consumption in LgA group, rather than ShA group. These results indicated that dlStr miR-134, perhaps via its target LIMK1, contributed to excessive and uncontrolled methamphetamine intake, supporting the hypothesis that stimulus-response habit formation is an important mechanism underlying the transition from controlled drug use to uncontrolled drug use and addiction.

Microarray Analysis of Long Noncoding RNAs in Female Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Because of its controversial pathogenesis, DPN is still not diagnosed or managed properly in most patients. METHODS: In this study, human lncRNA microarrays were used to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs in DM and DPN patients, and some of the discovered lncRNAs were further validated in additional 78 samples by quantitative realtime PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The microarray analysis identified 446 and 1327 differentially expressed lncRNAs in DM and DPN, respectively. The KEGG pathway analysis further revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNA-coexpressed mRNAs between DPN and DM groups were significantly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway. The lncRNA/mRNA coexpression network indicated that BDNF and TRAF2 correlated with 6 lncRNAs. The qRT-PCR confirmed the initial microarray results. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the interplay between lncRNAs and mRNA may be involved in the pathogenesis of DPN, especially the neurotrophin-MAPK signaling pathway, thus providing relevant information for future studies.

Night Sleep Duration and Risk of Cognitive Impairment in a Chinese Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Although sleep is one of the most important health-related behavioral factors, the association between night sleep duration and cognitive impairment has not been fully understood. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 2,514 participants (⋝ 40 years of age; 46.6% women) in China to examine the association between night sleep duration and cognitive impairment. METHODS: Night sleep duration was categorized as ⋜ 5, 6, 7, 8, or ⋝ 9 h per night. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination. A multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the association of night sleep duration with cognitive impairment. A total of 122 participants were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. RESULTS: A U-shaped association between night sleep duration and cognitive impairment was found. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cognitive impairment (with 7 h of daily sleep being considered as the reference) for individuals reporting ⋜ 5, 6, 8, and ⋝ 9 h were 2.14 (1.20-3.83), 1.13 (0.67-1.89), 1.51 (0.82-2.79), and 5.37 (1.62-17.80), respectively (P ⋜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Short or long night sleep duration was an important sleep-related factor independently associated with cognitive impairment and may be a useful marker for increased risk of cognitive impairment..

[Non-Destructive Identification of Pigments Printed on the Bank Bill Issued in 1945].

Three-dimensional video microscopy, Raman spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were employed to analyze the pigments of various colors on a sample of bank bill issued in 1945. The results indicated that organic pigments including C. I. Pigment Red 146 and C. I. Pigment Red 53∶1, and inorganic pigments such as cinnabar, parareaglar, χ-phase of realgar, carbon black and Prussian blue were used in printing; the brown-black handwriting letters were speculated to be formed from the fading black-blue ink. Most areas of the bank bill were in one single color with one pigment, but two areas of orange-red seals were checked to be colored with cinnabar and two different phases of realgar, and the parareaglar, and χ-phase of realgar were found to be used as printing pigments firstly. This study shows that combining with three technologies above-mentioned is viable and it has great application potential in non-destructive identification of organic and inorganic pigments on paper-based cultural heritage.

[A Non-Destructive Study of Printing Materials of an Imperial China Green Engraved Coiling Dragon Stamp].

Non-destructive measurement methods including video microscopy (VM), Raman spectrometer (RS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were employed to analyze the printing materials of a green curled-up dragon stamp sample from the late Qing Dynasty in terms of the paper and ink. The results indicated that the plate-making process of the sample belonged to handcrafted gravure while the slender and dense paper fiber with no coating, watermark, or gumming. Elements of Al and Si were inspected in fillers of paper, therefore, it could be inferred that kaolin (Al2O3·2SiO2·2H2O) was the filler of paper. Green ink was made up of blue pigment Prussian Blue (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3·14-16H2O) and yellow pigment Lead(II) chromate(PbCrO4). According to theories of additive color and subtractive color, ink presented green color due to the effect of Prussian blue and Lead chromate mixed together. Elements of Na, Mg, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Zn and Ba were measured from fillers of the ink and it could be inferred that MgCO3, BaSO4, CaCO3 and other substances might be contained in ink fillers. This study with three techniques mentioned above is viable and it has a broad application in non-destructive analysis of printing and paper-based artwork.

[Study of Paints and Drawing Techniques of Fine Brushwork Yunlong Ripples Painting in Qing Dynasty].

In order to study the paints and techniques of decorative patterns of dragon among clouds and water waves, the materials based on a Qing Dynasty meticulous painting were measured by three-dimensional video microscopy, Raman microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the green clothes was firstly colored by Paris green, the decorative patterns of dragon among clouds and water waves were then painted by hematite, the edge was delineated by brass powder at last. The dark yellow area within the decorative patterns was presented due to the interaction of green and red paints. In addition, ultramarine blue was checked in the painting. According to the first synthesized time of ultramarine blue and Paris green, we can make sure the time limit of the painting finished.

Antinociceptive effects of fisetin against diabetic neuropathic pain in mice: Engagement of antioxidant mechanisms and spinal GABAA receptors.

Peripheral painful neuropathy is one of the most common complications in diabetes and necessitates improved treatment. Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to exert antidepressant-like effect in previous studies. As antidepressant drugs are employed clinically to treat neuropathic pain, this work aimed to investigate whether fisetin possess beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathic pain and explore the mechanism(s). We subjected mice to diabetes by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (200mg/kg), and von Frey test or Hargreaves test was used to assess mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia, respectively. Chronic treatment of diabetic mice with fisetin not only ameliorated the established symptoms of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, but also arrested the development of neuropathic pain when given at low doses. Although chronic fisetin administration did not impact on the symptom of hyperglycemia in diabetic mice, it reduced exacerbated oxidative stress in tissues of spinal cord, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and sciatic verve. Furthermore, the analgesic actions of fisetin were abolished by repetitive co-treatment with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) donor tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH), but potentiated by the ROS scavenger phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN). Finally, acute blockade of spinal GABAA receptors by bicuculline totally counteracted such fisetin analgesia. These findings indicate that chronic fisetin treatment can delay or correct neuropathic hyperalgesia and allodynia in mice with type 1 diabetes. Mechanistically, the present fisetin analgesia may be associated with its antioxidant activity, and spinal GABAA receptors are likely rendered as downstream targets.

Blockade of mGluR5 in the nucleus accumbens shell but not core attenuates heroin seeking behavior in rats.

AIM: Glutamatergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is crucial for the relapse to heroin seeking. The aim of this study was to determine whether mGluR5 in the NAc core or shell involved in heroin seeking behavior in rats. METHODS: Male SD rats were self-administered heroin under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) reinforcement schedule for 14 d, and subsequently withdrawn for 2 weeks. The selective mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-phenylethynyl-pyridine (MPEP, 5, 15 and 50 nmol per side) was then microinjected into the NAc core or shell 10 min before a heroin-seeking test induced by context, cues or heroin priming. RESULTS: Microinjection of MPEP into the NAc shell dose-dependently decreased the heroin seeking induced by context, cues or heroin priming. In contrast, microinjection of MPEP into the NAc core did not alter the heroin seeking induced by cues or heroin priming. In addition, microinjection with MPEP (15 nmol per side) in the NAc shell reversed both the percentage of open arms entries (OE%) and the percentage of time spent in open arms (OT%) after heroin withdrawal. Microinjection of MPEP (50 nmol per side) in the striatum as a control location did not affect the heroin seeking behavior. Microinjection of MPEP in the 3 locations did not change the locomotion activities. CONCLUSION: Blockade of mGluR5 in NAc shell in rats specifically suppresses the relapse to heroin-seeking and anxiety-like behavior, suggesting that mGluR5 antagonists may be a potential candidate for the therapy of heroin addiction.

Effects of particle size on the structure, cooking quality and anthocyanin diffusion of purple sweet potato noodles.

The effects of different particle sizes of purple sweet potato flour (PSPF) on the structure and quality of noodles and the diffusion kinetics of anthocyanins during cooking were studied. As the particle size of the PSPF decreased (from 269 to 66 µm), the adverse effects of the addition of PSPF on the quality of noodles were reduced. The smaller particle size of PSPF was beneficial for the secondary structure orderliness and the tighter microstructure of PSP noodles. The diffusion of anthocyanins in noodles to the soup during cooking could be fitted well with Fick's second law, and diffusion coefficients were in the range of 8.3248-14.0893 × 10-9 m2/s. The noodles with 15% 66 µm PSPF showed the best cooking properties, the highest sensory score, the highest anthocyanin retention ability and a compact and orderly microstructure. Thus, they could be considered as noodles rich in anthocyanins for commercial application.

Effect of calcium spray at flowering combined with post-harvest 1-MCP treatment on the preservation of grapes.

These tests were carried out to find out how calcium and 1-MCP treatment affected the preservation of grapes, as grapes are highly susceptible to decay during post-harvest storage. The grapes were treated with 5 g/L calcium at the flowering stage, followed by 1 µL/L 1-MCP treatment after harvesting. When grapevines were treated with a combination of calcium and 1-MCP, the marketable fruit rate (At day 56 of storage, the 1-MCP + Ca2+ treatment group was still 93%, an increase of 29.03% compared to the control group.) and quality improved (At day 28 of storage, the VC content of the 1-MCP + Ca2+ treated group was 4.35 mg/100g, an increase of 25.01% compared to the control group.), while the fruit weight loss rate decreased (At day 56 of storage, the weight loss of the control group was 6.97%, an increase of 39.43% compared to the 1-MCP + Ca2+ treated group.). According to the experimental results, there are several reasons for this. First, in the early stages of fruit storage, the concentration of soluble pectin and soluble fiber, as well as the activities of pectinase and cellulase (related gene levels) were decreased. Secondly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes was increased, while MDA content was decreased. Third, during fruit storage, the respiratory intensity and ethylene release rate were reduced, as was the activity of energy metabolism enzymes. As a result, the aging and deterioration of the fruit during storage were delayed. Principal component analysis revealed that the calcium and 1-MCP combination therapy slowed the decline in grape berry quality, followed by the calcium-treated and 1-MCP-treated fruits. In contrast, grape berry quality declined the most rapidly in the control group.

Spatial and temporal analysis of the microbial community in the tailings of a Pb-Zn mine generating acidic drainage.

Analysis of spatial and temporal variations in the microbial community in the abandoned tailings impoundment of a Pb-Zn mine revealed distinct microbial populations associated with the different oxidation stages of the tailings. Although Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum spp. were consistently present in the acidic tailings, acidophilic archaea, mostly Ferroplasma acidiphilum, were predominant in the oxidized zones and the oxidation front, indicating their importance to generation of acid mine drainage.

Differential involvement of GABAA and GABAB receptors in propofol self-administration in rats.

AIM: Propofol has shown abuse potential. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of GABA(A) antagonist and GABA(B) agonist on propofol reinforcement. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer propofol at a dose of 1.7 mg/kg per infusion under a fixed ratio (FR1) schedule of reinforcement for 14 d. In a separate set of experiments, food-maintained self-administration under a fixed ratio (FR5) schedule and locomotor activities of Sprague-Dawley rats were examined. RESULTS: GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (0.25 mg/kg, ip) significantly increased the number of injections and active responses. Pretreatment with GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (3 mg/kg, ip) significantly decreased the number of active responses and total infusions of propofol during the training session. Moreover, microinjection of baclofen (50 and 100 ng/side) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) significantly decreased the number of active responses and total infusions of propofol. Neither baclofen (1-3 mg/kg, ip) nor bicuculline (0.25-1 mg/kg, ip) affected food-maintained responses or motor activities. CONCLUSION: Propofol maintains its reward properties partially through GABA(A) receptor activation. Stimulation of GABA(B) receptors in VTA may counteract the reinforcing properties of propofol.

Evidence for 5-HT1A receptor-mediated antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of apigenin in mice suffering from mononeuropathy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropathic pain places a devastating health burden, with very few effective therapies. We investigated the potential antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of apigenin, a natural flavonoid with momoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity, against neuropathic pain and investigated the mechanism(s). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The neuropathic pain model was produced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerves in male C57BL/6J mice, with pain-related behaviours being assayed by von Frey test and Hargreaves test. In this model the role of 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptor-related mechanisms were investigated in vivo/in vitro. KEY RESULTS: Apigenin repeated treatment (p.o., once per day for 2 weeks), in a dose-related manner (3, 10 and 30 mg·kg-1 ), ameliorated the allodynia and hyperalgesia in chronic nerve constriction injury in mice. These effects seem dependent on neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine, because (i) the antihyperalgesia and antiallodynia were attenuated by depletion of 5-HT with p-chlorophenylalanine and potentiated by 5-hydroxytryptophan and (ii), apigenin-treated chronic constriction injury mice caused an increased level of spinal 5-HT, associated with diminished MAO activity. In vivo administration, spinally or systematically, of the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635 inhibited the apigenin-induced antiallodynia and antihyperalgesia. In vitro, apigenin acted as a positive allosteric modulator to increase the efficacy (stimulation of [35 S]GTPγS binding) of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT. Apigenin attenuated neuronal changes caused by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve in mice, without causing a hypertensive crisis. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Apigenin antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic actions against neuropathic pain crucially involve spinal 5-HT1A receptors and indicate it could be used to treat neuropathic pain.

Reciprocal Substitution Between Methamphetamine and Heroin in Terms of Reinforcement Effects in Rats.

Heroin and methamphetamine are both popular illicit drugs in China. Previous clinical data showed that habitual users of either heroin or methamphetamine abuse the other drug for substitution in case of unavailability of their preferred drug. The present study aimed to observe whether heroin can substitute the methamphetamine reinforcement effect in rats, and vice versa. Rats were trained to self-administer heroin or methamphetamine (both 50 µg/kg/infusion) under an FR1 reinforcing schedule for 10 days. After having extracted the dose-effect curve of the two drugs, we administered methamphetamine at different doses (12.5-200 µg/kg/infusion) to replace heroin during the period of self-administration, and vice versa. The heroin dose-effect curve showed an inverted U-shaped trend, and the total intake dose of heroin significantly increased when the training dose increased from 50 to 100 or 200 µg/kg/infusion. Following replacement with methamphetamine, the total dose-effect curve shifted leftwards and upwards. By contrast, although the dose-effect curve of methamphetamine also showed an inverted U-shaped trend, the total dose of methamphetamine significantly decreased when the training dose decreased from 50 to 25 µg/kg/infusion; conversely, when the methamphetamine training dose increased, the total dose did not change significantly. The total dose-effect curve shifted rightwards after heroin was substituted with methamphetamine. Although heroin and methamphetamine had their own independent reward effects, low doses of methamphetamine can replace the heroin reward effect, while high doses of heroin can replace the methamphetamine reward effect. These results demonstrated that heroin and methamphetamine can substitute each other in terms of reinforcement effects in rats.

Revegetation approach and plant identity unequally affect structure, ecological network and function of soil microbial community in a highly acidified mine tailings pond.

Owing to its sustainability and low cost, direct revegetation (DR) has been considered a promising alternative to capped revegetation (CR) for dealing with the serious environmental problem derived from various types of mine wastelands that are widespread in the world. However, a direct comparison of the performance of these two revegetation approaches for reclamation of extremely acidic mine wastelands and the underlying mechanisms is still lacking. To bridge this critical knowledge gap, we established 5000 m2 of vegetation on a highly acidified (pH < 3) Pb/Zn mine tailings pond employing both CR and DR schemes (2500 m2 for each scheme). We then profiled the structure, ecological network and function of soil microbial communities associated with two dominant plant species of the vegetations via high-throughput sequencing. Our results showed that CR and DR achieved a vegetation coverage of 59.7% and 90.5% within two years, respectively. This pattern was accompanied by higher concentrations of plant nutrients and lower acidification potentials in topsoils of the rhizospheres of the vegetation established by DR compared to those of CR. Revegetation approach, rather than plant identity, mostly affected the structure, ecological network and function of soil microbial community in the mine tailings pond. Rhizosphere soils of the vegetation established by DR generally had higher microbial diversity, higher relative abundances of dominant microbial phyla (e.g. Nitrospirae) that can aid plant uptake of nutrients, more complicated microbial interactive networks and more microbial genes responsible for nutrient cycling than those by CR. As the first report on a direct comparison of CR and DR schemes for reclamation of an extremely acidic mine wasteland, our study has important implications for not only the understanding of microbial ecology in revegetated mine wastelands but also the further development of sustainable revegetation schemes.

[Protective effect of tert-butylhydroquinone on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of the tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese. METHODS: Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, following the PC12 cells treatment with different concentrations of MnCl2 (300, 600, 900 µmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. PC12 cells were pretreated with 40 µmol/L tBHQ for 12 h, followed by the treatment of 600 micromol/L or 300 µmol/L MnCl2 for 72 h. Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was examined by the method of Annexin V-FITC/PI in flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 300, 600, 900 µmol/L MnCl2 was suppressed in the dose dependent pattern (P < 0.01). Proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 600 µmol/L MnCl2 was suppressed to 40% of that in control group (P < 0.01), but the proliferation rate of PC12 cell pretreated with 40 µmol/L tBHQ was 180% of that in control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of PC12 cells treated with 300 micromol/L MnCl2 was higher than the vehicle control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of 40 µmol/L tBHQ pretreatment followed by 300 µmol/L MnCl2 treatment was lower than that of MnCl2 treatment group (P < 0.01). The inhibition rate of apoptosis was 61%. CONCLUSIONS: Manganese may suppress PC12 cells proliferation and induce apoptosis. tBHQ can reduce PC12 cells proliferation suppressed by manganese and attenuate the apoptosis induced by manganese.

Venous thromboembolism in the emergency department: A survey of current best practice awareness in physicians and nurses in China.

BACKGROUND: For emergency department (ED) patients, risk assessment, prophylaxis, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are essential for preventing morbidity and mortality. This study aimes to investigate knowledge amongst emergency medical staff in the management of VTE. METHODS: We designed a questionnaire based on multiple scales. The questionnaire was distributed to the medical and nursing clinical staff in the large urban ED of a medical center in Northern China. Data was described with percentages and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare ranked data between different groups. The statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 22.0 software. RESULTS: In this survey, 180 questionnaires were distributed and 174 valid responses (response rate of 96.67%) were collected and analyzed. In scores of VTE knowledge, no significant differences were found with respect to job (doctor vs. nurse), the number of years working in clinical medicine, education level, and current position, previous hospital experience and nurses' current work location within the ED. However, in pair wise comparison, we found participants who worked in ED for more than 5 years (n=83) scored significantly higher on the questionnaire than those under 5 years (n=91) (95.75 vs. 79.97, P=0.039). There was a significant difference in some questions based on gender, age, job, and nurse work location, number of working years, education level, and different ED working lifetime. CONCLUSION: Our survey has shown deficiencies among ED medical staff in knowledge and awareness of the management of VTE. We recommend several changes be considered, such as the introduction of an interdisciplinary workshop for medical staff; the introduction of a standardized VTE protocol; a mandatory study module on VTE for new physicians and nurses; the introduction of a mandatory reporting system for adverse events (including VTE).

Effects of Niaoduqing Particles () on Delaying Progression of Renal Dysfunction: A Post-trial, Open-Label, Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: To follow up the participants of the randomized clinical trial "Efficacy and Safety of Niaoduqing Particles () for Delaying Moderate-to-Severe Renal Dysfunction", and assess the long-term effects of Niaoduqing Particles on delaying the progression of renal dysfunction. METHODS: Participants, who had previously been randomly assigned to receive Niaoduqing Particles or placebo for 24 weeks (146 cases in each group), were invited to follow-up and all were administered Niaoduqing Particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks. The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after completion of the open-label treatment period. RESULTS: After the double-blind period, the median (interquartile range) changes in Scr were 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) µmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.008), and the median changes in eGFRs were-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.21 (-5.7-0.8) mL•min-1•1.73 m-2, respectively (P=0.016). There were significant differences in the double-blind period changes in renal function between groups. After the open-label period, the median changes in Scr were 9.0 (-10.0-41.9) and 17.5 (-6.0-50.0) µmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups according to baseline grouping, respectively (P=0.214), and the median changes in eGFRs were-2.3 (-6.4-1.9) and-3.7 (-7.5-1.1) mL•min-1•1.73 m-2, respectively (P=0.134). There were no statistical differences in the open-label period changes in renal function between groups. The eGFR reduction of participants who accepted Niaoduqing Particle treatment for 48 weeks was projected to 2.5 mL•min-1•1.73 m-2 per year. CONCLUSION: Niaoduqing Particles appear to have long-term efficacy for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction. Although there was no statistical difference, the early use of Niaoduqing Paticles seems to ameliorate the worsening of renal function. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002448).