Influencing factors of hospital-acquired COVID-19 prevention and control status among emergency support frontline healthcare workers under closed-loop management: a cross-sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to understand the hospital-acquired COVID-19 infection rate and infection prevention and control status of emergency support frontline healthcare workers (ESFHCWs) under closed-loop management, and to explore the related factors affecting hospital-acquired COVID-19 prevention and control status. Methods: The study site was a provincial-level tertiary hospital in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region specializing in treating COVID-19 patients. ESFHCWs were assigned from different hospitals in Zhejiang Province to provide emergency medical support in this specialized hospital. All ESFHCWs were managed using a closed loop. A self-designed questionnaire was used to estimate basic information, work experience, and the status of infection prevention and control (SIPC). A total of 269 ESFHCWs responded to the questionnaire. A generalized linear regression model was used to estimate the factors influencing SIPC. Results: There were six hospital-acquired COVID-19 cases, with an infection rate of 2.23%. The independent risk factors influencing COVID-19 prevention and control status were work seniority, anxiety disorder, and consumption of gastrointestinal, anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic, and hypnotic sedative drugs. Compared with ESFHCWs with more than 10 years of work seniority, ESFHCWs with less than 5 years of work seniority and 5-10 years of work seniority had lower COVID-19 SIPC scores. Among ESFHCWs with anxiety disorder, the SIPC score was significantly lower than that of ESFHCWs without anxiety disorder. The SIPC scores of ESFHCWs taking other medications (gastrointestinal, anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic, and hypnotic sedative drugs) were lower than those of ESFHCWs who did not. Conclusion: The closed-loop management method may be effective in reducing the infection rate of hospital-acquired COVID-19 among ESFHCWs. HCWs with less than 10 years of work seniority, anxiety disorder, and other medications (gastrointestinal, anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic, and hypnotic sedative drugs) were probably not suitable for participating in emergency assistant actions because of their poor SIPC scores. Further studies are needed to develop the selection criteria for ESFHCWs.

Limits of Cardiovascular Adaptation During an Extreme Ultramarathon: Insights From Serial Multidimensional, Multiparametric CMR.

Extreme endurance athletic challenges provide unique opportunities to study the cardiovascular system's capacity for structural, functional, and hemodynamic adaptation. The authors present a case of a male subject who ran 2,469 km, with serial multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging used to demonstrate adaptive and maladaptive alterations in cardiac remodeling and myocardial tissue health. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Synergistic inhibitory effect of berberine and icotinib on non-small cell lung cancer cells via inducing autophagic cell death and apoptosis.

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosin kinase inhibitors (TKIs, e.g. icotinib) remains a major clinical challenge. Non-small cell lung cancer patients with wild-type EGFR and/or K-RAS mutation are primary resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Berberine has been found to have potent anticancer activities via distinct molecular mechanism. In this study, we sought to investigate the therapeutic utility of BBR in combination with icotinib to overcome icotinib resistance in NSCLC cells, and explore the molecular mechanism of synergism of icotinib and BBR to EGFR-resistant NSCLC cells. We used the two EGFR-resistant NSCLC cell lines H460 and H1299 for testing the inhibitory effect of icotinib and/or BBR on them. Moreover, xenograft mouse model was applied for assessing the anti-tumor activities of BBR and icotinib in combination. Results showed that BBR and icotinib have a synergistic inhibitory effect on H460 and H1299 cells through induction of autophagic cell death and apoptosis. Accordingly, the anti-cancer effect of BBR plus icotinib was further confirmed in the NSCLC xenograft mouse models. Combination of BBR and icotinib significantly inhibited the protein expression and the activity of EGFR by inducing autophagic EGFR degradation. BBR plus icotinib resulted in intracellular ROS accumulation, which could mediated autophagy and apoptosis and involved in the suppression of cell migration and invasion. In conclusions, combination application of BBR and icotinib could be an effective strategy to overcome icotinib resistance in the treatment of NSCLC.

Enteral nutrition modulation with n-3 PUFAs directs microbiome and lipid metabolism in mice.

Nutritional support using exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been studied as primary therapy for the management of liver diseases, Crohn's disease, and cancers. EEN can also increase the number of beneficial microbiotas in the gut, improve bile acid and lipid metabolism, and decrease the number of harmful dietary micro-particles, possibly by influencing disease occurrence and increasing immunity. This study investigated the effects of EEN-n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (3PUFAs) (EEN-3PUFAs) on the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier, and lipid or bile acid metabolism in mice. Metagenomic sequencing technology was used to analyze the effects of EEN-3PUFAs on the composition of gut microbiome signatures. The contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids in the feces and liver of the mice were assayed by gas chromatography and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography/high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-lactic acid in the blood were used to assess intestinal permeability. The results indicated that EEN-3PUFAs could improve the composition of gut microbiome signatures and increase the abundance of Barnesiella and Lactobacillus (genus), Porphyromonadaceae, and Bacteroidia (species), and Bacteroidetes (phylum) after EEN-3PUFAs initiation. In addition, EEN-3PUFAs induced the formation of SCFAs (mainly including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) and increased the intestinal wall compared to the control group. In conclusion, EEN-3PUFAs modulate the alterations in gut microbiome signatures, enhanced intestinal barrier, and regulated the fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism shifts and the putative mechanisms underlying these effects.

Magnolol protects against acute gastrointestinal injury in sepsis by down-regulating regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major medical challenge. Magnolol is an active constituent of Houpu that improves tissue function and exerts strong anti-endotoxin and anti-inflammatory effects, but the mechanism by which it reduces intestinal inflammation in sepsis is yet unclear. AIM: To assess the protective effect of magnolol on intestinal mucosal epithelial cells in sepsis and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) levels in serum and ileal tissue in animal studies. The histopathological changes of the ileal mucosa in different groups were observed under a microscope. Cell Counting Kit-8 and cell permeability assays were used to determine the concentration of drug-containing serum that did not affect the activity of Caco2 cells but inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced decrease in permeability. Immunofluorescence and Western blot assays were used to detect the levels of RANTES, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase ß (IKKß), phosphorylated IKKß (p-IKKß), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α (IκBα), p65, and p-p65 proteins in different groups in vitro. RESULTS: In rats treated with LPS by intravenous tail injection in the presence or absence of magnolol, magnolol inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, magnolol suppressed the production of RANTES in LPS-stimulated sepsis rats. Moreover, in vitro studies suggested that magnolol inhibited the increase of p65 nucleation, thereby markedly downregulating the production of the phosphorylated form of IKKß in LPS-treated Caco2 cells. Specifically, magnolol inhibited the translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from the cytosol into the nucleus and down-regulated the expression level of the chemokine RANTES in LPS-stimulated Caco2 cells. CONCLUSION: Magnolol down-regulates RANTES levels by inhibiting the LPS/NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby suppressing IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expression to alleviate the mucosal barrier dysfunction in sepsis.

Synchronous diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma in a patient: A case report.

RATIONALE: Synchronous development of both anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and multiple myeloma (MM) in a patient is rare. To our knowledge, until now only one case has been reported. Treatment needs to cover both and is a challenge. Here we reported another case and discussed the diagnosis and treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: This is a 63-year old woman who presented with a mass in upper abdominal skin. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) showed the high metabolism in left abdominal skin and left axillary lymph nodes. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation identified the cutaneous mass as an ALK-negative ALCL. Bone marrow smear showed increased plasma cells which expressed CD38, CD138, and cLambda concomitantly. The increased monoclonal immunoglobulin IgD λ was detected by immunofixation electrophoresis. DIAGNOSES: Diagnosis of both ALCL and MM was confirmed. INTERVENTIONS: The patient successively received 6 cycles of B-CHOD regimen, one cycle of ID regimen, 2 cycles of DHAX regimen, one cycle of L-DA-EPOCH and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Then lenalidomide was performed as a maintenance therapy. OUTCOMES: Both ALCL and MM achieved complete remission. LESSONS: We reported a very rare case with synchronous development of ALCL and MM, in whom a good therapeutic response to chemotherapies followed by ASCT has been observed.

The prophylactic effects of BIFICO on the antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prophylactic effects of probiotic mixture BIFICO on antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis (AIGD) and the influence on the change of the gut microbiota. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study and divided 196 patients who required intravenous beta-lactam antibiotics into three groups: a control group (no probiotics), a regular group (840 mg of BIFICO), and a double-dosage group (1680 mg of BIFICO). The symptoms of antibiotic-related diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain and the incidence of AIGD were evaluated 7 days and 8-14 days after antibiotic use, with 10 patients in each group. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to detect changes of the gut microbiota. RESULTS: Within 7 days of the initiation of antibiotic treatment, the incidences of AIGD in the control group, regular group (840 mg of BIFICO), and double-dosage group (1680 mg of BIFICO) were 21.88%, 14.93%, and 6.15% respectively. On days of 8-14th, the incidences of AIGD in the control group, regular group, and double-dosage group were 25%, 14.93%, and 4.62%, respectively. The incidence of AIGD in the double-dosage group within 7 days and 14 days were both significantly lower than that in relevant control group (P < 0.05). On day 14, the incidence of AIGD in the double-dosage group was lower than that in the regular group (P < 0.05). The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the control group after antibiotic treatment was significantly reduced compared to that prior to treatment, while those of the regular and double-dosage groups were stable. The species abundance, especially Parabacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium and Roseburia, of the double-dosage group was greater than that of the regular group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: BIFICO may reduce the occurrence of AIGD in a dose-dependent manner and can stabilize the gut microbiota balance.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin Enhances the Sensitivity of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to Icotinib via Dual Induction of Autophagy and Apoptosis.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type is intrinsic resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this study, we assessed whether the combination of bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) and icotinib could surmount primary EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC cells and investigated its molecular mechanism. Results showed that the combination of BDMC and icotinib produced potently synergistic growth inhibitory effect on primary EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cell lines H460 (EGFR wild-type and K-ras mutation) and H1781 (EGFR wild-type and Her2 mutation). Compared with BDMC or icotinib alone, the two drug combination induced more significant apoptosis and autophagy via suppressing EGFR activity and interaction of Sp1 and HDCA1/HDCA2, which was accompanied by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of DNA damage, and inhibition of cell migration and invasion. ROS inhibitor (NAC) and autophagy inhibitors (CQ or 3-MA) partially reversed BDMC plus icotinib-induced growth inhibitory effect on the NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, co-treatment with NAC attenuated the two drug combination-induced autophagy, apoptosis, DNA damage and decrease of cell migration and invasion ability. Also, 3-MA or CQ can abate the combination treatment-induced apoptosis and DNA damage, suggesting that there is crosstalk between different signaling pathways in the effect produced by the combination treatment. Our data indicate that BMDC has the potential to improve the treatment of primary EGFR-TKI resistant NISCLC that cannot be controlled with single-target agent, such as icotinib.

Lymphadenopathy in POEMS syndrome: a correlation between clinical features and imaging findings.

Lymphadenopathy is an important characteristic of POEMS syndrome, and a Castleman disease (CD)-like pathologic change in the lymph nodes is one of the major diagnostic criteria. However, the characteristics of lymphadenopathy in POEMS still have not been completely elucidated. The lymph node biopsies are available only for a small proportion of patients. A simple and safe way is needed to rule CD in or out. This study aimed to analyse the features of lymphadenopathy and estimate the role of imaging methods, including computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT (PET/CT), in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in patients with POEMS syndrome. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 23 patients with confirmed POEMS syndrome. All of the patients received chest and abdominal CT scan and/or superficial ultrasound examinations. Four patients underwent PET/CT examinations, and 6 patients received lymph node biopsies. Enlarged lymph nodes (short diameter ≥ 1 cm) were found in 48% (11/23) of patients, but only 1 patient had an enlarged lymph node with a diameter ≥ 2 cm. Lymph nodes with CD-like pathologic changes from 2 patients showed increased maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) of 18F-deoxyglucose (18FDG) on PET/CT, while lymph nodes with reactive pathologic changes from 2 other patients showed a normal metabolic PET/CT profile. The extent of lymph node enlargement in patients with POEMS was less than that in patients with CD per se. We draw the conclusion that most of the enlarged lymph nodes had diameters ≤ 2 cm, which is less than that in cases of CD per se and PET/CT may be helpful in determining whether enlarged lymph nodes are characterized by CD-like changes or not.

Traditional Chinese medicine bundle therapy for septic acute gastrointestinal injury: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Current conventional treatments for sepsis associated with acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) have limited efficacy. This study aimed to study traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bundle therapy (based on TCM syndrome differentiation) as add-on to conventional treatments on the incidence of AGI and on the prognosis of patients with sepsis. DESIGN: This was a prospective multicenter randomized single-blind controlled trial. SETTING: Intensive care units (ICUs) of five university teaching hospitals in Zhejiang Province (China) from December 2012 to December 2014. INTERVENTIONS: The control group received conventional treatment for sepsis and AGI. The intervention group received the conventional treatment combined with TCM bundle therapy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The secondary outcomes included the clinical indicators of sepsis. The 28-day mortality (35.3% vs. 48.3%, P = 0.01) and AGI-attributable mortality (15.1% vs. 36.2%, P = 0.02) in the intervention group were significantly lower than in controls. Duration of mechanical ventilation (17.4 ±â€¯10.4 vs. 19.9 ±â€¯11.1 days, P = 0.049) and duration of ICU stay (17.3 ±â€¯10.2 vs. 20.1 ±â€¯11.5 days) were significantly shorter in the intervention group compared with controls. On days 7 and 14, D-lactate, diamine oxidase, lipopolysaccharides, tumor necrosis factor-α, intra-abdominal pressure, and abdominal circumference in the intervention group were significantly lower than in controls, and serum MTL levels and bowel sounds were significantly higher (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCM bundle therapy in the early stage of sepsis can improve survival and the markers of gastrointestinal function in patients with sepsis associated with AGI.

Epidemiological risk factors for nosocomial bloodstream infections: A four-year retrospective study in China.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively research the clinical characteristics, pathogen distribution, prognosis of nosocomial bloodstream infection (nBSI), and the associated risk factors for nBSI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and microbiological data of patients with nBSI were retrospectively studied. Patients were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Hangzhou, China) between January 2013 and December 2016. RESULTS: Our study spanned a four-year period and included 704 episodes of nBSI. The incidence rate was 4.11 per 1000 admissions. Of these cases, 96.7% were monomicrobial: gram-negative bacteria (56.4%), gram-positive bacteria (33.4%), and fungal (7%). Of all the Escherichia coli isolates, 41.5% were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing (ESBL)-positive. Of the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, 50.9% were resistant to imipenem. Of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 42.1% were methicillin-resistant. The overall 28-day mortality rate in all patients with nBSI was 24.4%. Parenteral nutrition (PN) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (≥5) were closely related to the 28-day mortality rate of nBSI, while removal of venous catheters and appropriate empirical therapy were protective factors of 28-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-negative bacteria predominantly developed in nBSI. Timely removal of venous catheters (catheter retention time ≥ 7 days) and implementation of appropriate empirical therapy improved the nBSI outcomes.

YM155 sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors through the mechanism of autophagy induction.

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as erlotinib and gefitinib, is a major clinical problem in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). YM155 is a survivin small molecule inhibitor and has been demonstrated to induce cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy. EGFR-TKIs have been known to induce cancer cell autophagy. In this study, we showed that YM155 markedly enhanced the sensitivity of erlotinib to EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC cell lines H1650 (EGFR exon 19 deletion and PTEN loss) and A549 (EGFR wild type and KRAS mutation) through inducing autophagy-dependent apoptosis and autophagic cell death. The effects of YM155 combined with erlotinib on apoptosis and autophagy inductions were more obvious than those of YM155 in combination with survivin knockdown by siRNA transfection, suggesting that YM155 induced autophagy and apoptosis in the NSCLC cells partially depend on survivin downregulation. Meanwhile, we found that the AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in modulation of survivin downregulation and autophagy induction caused by YM155. In addition, YM155 can induce DNA damage in H1650 and A549 cell lines. Moreover, combining erlotinib further augmented DNA damage by YM155, which were retarded by autophagy inhibitor 3MA, or knockdown of autophagy-related protein Beclin 1, revealing that YM155 induced DNA damage is autophagy-dependent. Similar results were also observed in vivo xenograft experiments. Therefore, combination of YM155 and erlotinib offers a promising therapeutic strategy in NSCLC with EGFR-TKI resistant phenotype.

Gemcitabine resistance mediated by ribonucleotide reductase M2 in lung squamous cell carcinoma is reversed by GW8510 through autophagy induction.

Although chemotherapeutic regimen containing gemcitabine is the first-line therapy for advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), gemcitabine resistance remains an important clinical problem. Some studies suggest that overexpressions of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) subunit M2 (RRM2) may be involved in gemcitabine resistance. We used a novel RRM2 inhibitor, GW8510, as a gemcitabine sensitization agent to investigate the therapeutic utility in reversing gemcitabine resistance in LSCC. Results showed that the expressions of RRM2 were increased in gemcitabine intrinsic resistant LSCC cells upon gemcitabine treatment. GW8510 not only suppressed LSCC cell survival, but also sensitized gemcitabine-resistant cells to gemcitabine through autophagy induction mediated by RRM2 down-regulation along with decrease in dNTP levels. The combination of GW8510 and gemcitabine produced a synergistic effect on killing LSCC cells. The synergism of the two agents was impeded by addition of autophagy inhibitors chloroquine (CQ) or bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1), or knockdown of the autophagy gene, Bcl-2-interacting protein 1 (BECN1). Moreover, GW8510-caused LSCC cell sensitization to gemcitabine through autophagy induction was parallel with impairment of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and marked increase in cell apoptosis, revealing a cross-talk between autophagy and DNA damage repair, and an interplay between autophagy and apoptosis. Finally, gemcitabine sensitization mediated by autophagy induction through GW8510-caused RRM2 down-regulation was demonstrated in vivo in gemcitabine-resistant LSCC tumor xenograft, further indicating that the sensitization is dependent on autophagy activation. In conclusion, GW8510 can reverse gemcitabine resistance in LSCC cells through RRM2 downregulation-mediated autophagy induction, and GW850 may be a promising therapeutic agent against LSCC as it combined with gemcitabine.

Assessment of the association between serum uric acid levels and the incidence of hypertension in nonmetabolic syndrome subjects: A prospective observational study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between serum uric acid (sUA) and the incidence of hypertension in nonmetabolic syndrome (non-MetS) subjects.This was a prospective observational study including 23,525 subjects who had been followed up for at least 5 years. A logistic regression model was used to assess independent risk factors associated with hypertension. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (auROC) was generated, and a nomogram was developed to assess diagnostic ability of sUA and the sUA-based score.We enrolled 11,642 subjects, and 763 (6.55%) were diagnosed with hypertension at the 5-year follow-up. Subjects were classified into 4 groups based on the sUA quarter. Using Q1 as the reference group, Q2, Q3, and Q4 were found to show a higher risk for the development of hypertension with odds ratio of 1.51 (1.15, 1.98), 1.72 (1.30, 2.27), and 2.27 (1.68, 3.06), respectively (P < .001) after adjusting for other known confounding variables. Interaction analysis showed that there was no significant difference between subgroups stratified on the basis of sex, age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol except triglycerides (P = .006). The auROCs for sUA and the sUA-based score were 0.627 (0.607, 0.647) and 0.760 (0.742, 0.777), respectively. A nomogram comprising independent risk factors was developed to predict the 5-year risk of hypertension for each subject.High sUA was significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension in non-MetS subjects adjusting for confounders.

[Advances in risk factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection or colonization and its treatment strategies].

OBJECTIVE: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) has caused a global public health crisis, and the severity of its infection is associated with high mortality in hospitalized patients. Therefore, the KPC-Kp prevention methods and the corresponding treatment strategy exploration are imminent. The risk factors and the treatment progress of KPC-Kp colonization or infection are reviewed in this paper to explore corresponding preventive measures and treatment strategies for clinical prevention and treatment.

Electroacupuncture improves acute bowel injury recovery in rat models.

Electroacupuncture (EA) accelerates intestinal functional recovery in sepsis. The present study investigated ghrelin and ghrelin receptor (GSH-R) levels during EA in rats with acute bowel injury (ABI). Rats were grouped into four groups: Sham, ABI, ABI+EA and ABI+GHRA+EA (n=12 per group). ABI was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). EA on bilateral Zusanli acupoints was performed following CLP. GSH-R blocker (GHRA) was used following CLP but prior to EA for ABI+GHRA+EA rats. Rats were sacrificed 12 h following CLP. Serum ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels, as well as ghrelin and GSH-R protein expression, water content, pathological changes and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activities in the bowel tissues, were measured. ABI rats, compared with the sham rats, had significantly lower levels of ghrelin and GSH-R in the serum and bowel tissue, and higher Chiu's score (all P<0.05). The ABI+EA rats, compared with the ABI rats, had significantly reduced serum TNF-α and HMGB1 levels, bowel water content, MPO activity and Chiu's score (all P<0.05), and significantly higher serum ghrelin (121.2±10.7 vs. 86.7±6.4 pg/ml), bowel ghrelin (0.12±0.02 vs. 0.08±0.01), GSH-R (0.05±0.04 vs. 0.03±0.01) and DAO activity (18.74±4.18 vs. 13.52±2.33 U/ml; all P<0.05), indicating an improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier. GHRA reversed the protective effects of EA. Therefore, EA improved ABI recovery by promoting ghrelin secretion and upregulating GSH-R expression.

Sequential enhanced cleaning eliminates multidrug-resistant organisms in general intensive care unit of a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.

PURPOSE: Effective cleaning of surfaces within hospital wards is necessary to reduce pathogen transmission. We investigated the roles of sequential enhanced cleaning by culturing pathogens from high-touch surfaces in a general intensive care unit. METHODS: A before-after controlled study was conducted during a 17-month period in the 25-bed general intensive care unit. The study comprised a baseline period (period 1) and 4 sequential tiered interventions: each patient zone was wiped with a single clean microfiber cloth daily (period 2), fluorescent markers and adenosine triphosphate assay were used to monitor and provide feedback on the effectiveness of cleaning (period 3), wiping a single patient zone with 3 clean microfiber cloths daily (period 4), and withdrawal of the feedback (period 5). RESULTS: Compared with period 1, the cultures of multidrug-resistant organisms from high-touch surfaces were reduced by 41.0% (prevalence ratio [OR] = 0.59, P < .001), 70.8% (OR = 0.29, P < .001), 82.6% (OR = 0.17, P < .001), and 70.8% (OR = 0.29, P < .0001) in the subsequent sequential interventions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adoption of fluorescent markers and adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence reduced environmental contamination. Use of 3 cleaning cloths for 1 patient zone was more effective compared with a single cloth.

Aspirin Inhibits LPS-Induced Expression of PI3K/Akt, ERK, NF-κB, CX3CL1, and MMPs in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

This study focused on the effects of aspirin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), CX3CL1, and MMPs in human bronchial epithelial cells. Human bronchial epithelial cells were seeded in six-well plates. After 24 h, the cells were classified into six groups: control blank (CK) group; LPS group; PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) (PD) group, treated with LPS + ERK inhibitor; LY294002(PI3K/Akt inhibitor) (LY) group, treated with LPS + PI3K/Akt inhibitor; Aspirin (Asp) group, treated with LPS + aspirin; and Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid (PDTC) group, treated with LPS + NF-κB inhibitor. After 4-h treatment, the cells were harvested. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of PI3K/Akt, ERK, NF-κB, and CX3CL1. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the gene expression of MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-12. Compared to the CK group, expression of PI3K/Akt, ERK, NF-κB, and CX3CL1 was significantly increased in the LPS group (P < 0.05). When compared to the LPS group, expression of PI3K/Akt, ERK, NF-κB, and CX3CL1 was significantly decreased in the PD group, PDTC group, and Asp group (P < 0.05). In addition, expression of NF-κB in the LY group was significantly reduced by comparison with the LPS group (P < 0.05). RT-qPCR: When compared to the LPS group, expression of MMP-7 and MMP-12 was significantly decreased in Asp group (P < 0.05). Expression of MMP-12 was significantly reduced in LY group (P < 0.05). LPS-ERK, NF-κB-PI3K/Akt, and CX3CL1 signal pathways exist in human bronchial epithelial cells. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor repressed expression of MMP-12. Aspirin inhibited LPS-induced expression of PI3K, Akt, ERK, NF-κB, CX3CL1, MMP-7, and MMP-12 in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Electroacupuncture at Bilateral Zusanli Points (ST36) Protects Intestinal Mucosal Immune Barrier in Sepsis.

Sepsis results in high morbidity and mortality. Immunomodulation strategies could be an adjunctive therapy to treat sepsis. Acupuncture has also been used widely for many years in China to treat sepsis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well-defined. We demonstrated here that EA preconditioning at ST36 obviously ameliorated CLP-induced intestinal injury and high permeability and reduced the mortality of CLP-induced sepsis rats. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment exerted protective effects on intestinal mucosal immune barrier by increasing the concentration of sIgA and the percentage of CD3+, γ/δ, and CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. Although EA at ST36 treatments immediately after closing the abdomen in the CLP procedure with low-frequency or high-frequency could not reduce the mortality of CLP-induced sepsis in rats, these EA treatments could also significantly improve intestinal injury index in rats with sepsis and obviously protected intestinal mucosal immune barrier. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that EA at ST36 could improve intestinal mucosal immune barrier in sepsis induced by CLP, while the precise mechanism underlying the effects needs to be further elucidated.

Effect of Shenfu injection on intestinal mucosal barrier in a rat model of sepsis.

PURPOSE: The effects of Shenfu injection on protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier were investigated in rats with sepsis. METHODS: Severe sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 30 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve rats that received sham surgery received 10 mL/kg of normal saline. Rats with CLP were randomized to receive 10 mL/kg of normal saline (n = 12) and 5 mL/kg Shenfu (n = 12), and 10 received 10 mL/kg Shenfu injection (n = 12) by tail intravenous injection. Rats were killed after 8 hours. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-10, and ileal malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ileum tissue structures and pathological score were observed by microscopy. Ileal mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis index was calculated by TUNEL assay. Ileal proapoptotic protein Bax, antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, and tight junction transmembrane protein occludin were measured by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot. RESULTS: The level of tumor necrosis factor α, the ileal malondialdehyde level, ileum pathological score, apoptosis index of ileal mucosal epithelial cells, and Bax protein level were significantly higher, and serum level of interleukin-10, the ileal superoxide dismutase activity, Bcl-2 protein level, Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and occludin protein level were significantly lower in the CLP group than in the sham group (P < .01 or P < .05). Both low- and high-dose Shenfu significantly ameliorated these changes (P < .01 or P < .05), but high-dose injection achieved more significant improvements than did the low-dose injection (P < .01 or P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Shenfu injection might ameliorate the mucosal barrier function in a model of sepsis in rats in a dose-dependent manner.