Clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of candidemia in non-neutropenic patients: a retrospective cohort study.

This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and the prognostic risk factors in non-neutropenic patients with candidemia. Data were retrospectively collected through the medical record information system. Non-neutropenic patients with candidemia were relatively aged, with a more than one-third rate of in-hospitalization mortality. In multivariate analysis, APACHE II score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.138; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067-1.213), septic shock (aOR, 5.704; 95% CI, 2.639-12.326) and RRT (aOR, 16.152; 95% CI, 2.628-99.275) (all P < 0.01) were independent related with non-survivors. In conclusion, non-neutropenic patients with candidemia have a high in-hospitalization mortality, and APACHE II, septic shock, and RRT are independently factors.

Algicidal characteristics of novel algicidal compounds, cyclic lipopeptide surfactins from Bacillus tequilensis strain D8, in eliminating Heterosigma akashiwo blooms.

Heterosigma akashiwo blooms have caused severe damage to marine ecosystems, the aquaculture industry and human health worldwide. In this study, Bacillus tequilensis D8 isolated from an H. akashiwo bloom area was found to exert high algicidal activity via extracellular metabolite production. This activity remained stable after exposure to different temperatures and light intensities. Scanning electron microscopy observation and fluorescein diacetate staining indicated that the algicidal substances rapidly destroyed algal plasma membranes and decreased esterase activity. Significant decreases in the maximum photochemical quantum yield and relative electron transfer rate were observed, which indicated photosynthetic membrane destruction. Subsequently, the algicidal compounds were separated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified as three surfactin homologues by interpreting high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data. Among these, surfactin-C13 and surfactin-C14 exhibited strong algicidal activity against three HAB-causing species, namely, H. akashiwo, Skeletonema costatum, and Prorocentrum donghaiense, with 24 h-LC50 values of 1.2-5.31 µg/ml. Surfactin-C15 showed strong algicidal activity against S. costatum and weak algicidal activity against H. akashiwo but little activity against P. donghaiense. The present study illuminates the algicidal characteristics and mechanisms of action of surfactins on H. akashiwo and their potential applicability in controlling harmful algal blooms.

Ascorbate uptake enables tubular mitophagy to prevent septic AKI by PINK1-PARK2 axis.

Ascorbate (Vitamin C) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic agent against sepsis in clinical trials, but there is little experimental evidence on its anti-septic efficacy. We report that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation by LPS stimuli augments ascorbate uptake in murine and human tubular cells through upregulation of two ascorbate transporters SVCT-1 and -2 mediated by Fn14/SCFFbxw7α cascade. Ascorbate restriction, or knockout of SVCT-1 and -2, the circumstance reminiscent to blockade of ascorbate uptake, endows tubular cells more vulnerable to the LPS-inducible apoptosis, whereas exogenous administration of ascorbate overrides the ruin execution, for which the PINK1-PARK2, rather than BNIP3-NIX axis is required. Ascorbate increases, while SVCT-1 and -2 knockout or ascorbate restriction dampens tubular mitophagy upon LPS stimuli. Treatment of endotoxemic mice with high-dose ascorbate confers mitophagy and substantial protection against mortality and septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Our work provides a rationale for clinical management of septic AKI with high doses of ascorbate.

Flocculating properties and potential of Halobacillus sp. strain H9 for the mitigation of Microcystis aeruginosa blooms.

Microcystis aeruginosa can cause harmful algal blooms in freshwaters worldwide. It has already seriously affected human lives and prevented the use of water resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop ecofriendly and effective methods to control and eliminate M. aeruginosa in aquatic environments. In this study, Halobacillus sp. strain H9, a bacterium that showed high M. aeruginosa flocculation activity, was isolated and selected to assess its potential for the removal of M. aeruginosa. The analyses of flocculation activity and mode indicated that the strain H9 induced M. aeruginosa flocculation by secreting active flocculating substance rather than by directly contacting algal cells. A 5% concentration of the H9 supernatant could efficiently flocculate M. aeruginosa cells with a density of up to 5 × 107 cells/mL. Dramatic increases in the zeta potential indicated that charge neutralization could be the mechanism of the flocculation process. The strain H9 flocculated M. aeruginosa with no damage to the algal cell membrane, and did not result in microcystin being released into the surrounding environment. The flocculated algal culture was less toxic to zebrafish larvae, suggesting an environmentally friendly benefit of the H9 supernatant. In addition to M. aeruginosa, the H9 strain was also able to flocculate two other species causing harmful algal blooms, Phaeocystis globose and Heterosigma akashiwo. Furthermore, the flocculation activity of the H9 supernatant was stable at different temperatures and over a wide pH range. These characteristics give the H9 strain great potential for mitigating the influences of harmful algal blooms.

Algicidal Activity of Novel Marine Bacterium Paracoccus sp. Strain Y42 against a Harmful Algal-Bloom-Causing Dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum donghaiense.

Prorocentrum donghaiense blooms occur frequently in the Yangtze River estuary and the adjacent East China Sea. These blooms have damaged marine ecosystems and caused enormous economic losses over the past 2 decades. Thus, highly efficient, low-cost, ecofriendly approaches must be developed to control P. donghaiense blooms. In this study, a bacterial strain (strain Y42) was identified as Paracoccus sp. and was used to lyse P. donghaiense The supernatant of the strain Y42 culture was able to lyse P. donghaiense, and the algicidal activity of this Y42 supernatant was stable with different temperatures and durations of light exposure and over a wide pH range. In addition to P. donghaiense, Y42 showed high algicidal activity against Alexandrium minutum, Scrippsiella trochoidea, and Skeletonema costatum, suggesting that it targets primarily Pyrrophyta. To clarify the algicidal effects of Y42, we assessed algal lysis and determined the chlorophyll a contents, photosynthetic activity, and malondialdehyde contents of P. donghaiense after exposure to the Y42 supernatant. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed that the Y42 supernatant disrupted membrane integrity and caused algal cell breakage at the megacytic zone. Photosynthetic pigment loss and significant declines in both photosynthetic efficiency and the electron transport rate indicated that the Y42 supernatant damaged the photosynthetic system of P. donghaiense Malondialdehyde overproduction indicated that the Y42 supernatant caused lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to membrane systems in the algal cell, ultimately leading to death. The findings of this study reveal the potential of Y42 to remove algal cells from P. donghaiense blooms.IMPORTANCEP. donghaiense is one of the most common dinoflagellate species that form harmful algal blooms, which frequently cause serious ecological pollution and pose health hazards to humans and other animals. Screening for bacteria with high algicidal activity against P. donghaiense and studying their algicidal processes and characteristics will contribute to an understanding of their algicidal effects and provide a theoretical basis for preventing algal blooms and reducing their harm to the environment. This study reports the algicidal activity and characteristics of Paracoccus against P. donghaiense The stability of the algicidal activity of Paracoccus in different environments (including different temperature, pH, and sunlight conditions) indicates its potential for use in the control of P. donghaiense blooms.

Correlation between nitric oxide content in exhaled breath condensate and the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Nitric oxide (NO) can induce necrosis and detachment of branchial epithelium, aggregate inflammation and induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The detection of NO in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has not been widely applied in evaluating ARDS condition. This study thus tested NO in EBC of ARDS patients, in order to provide non-invasive method to monitor disease condition of ARDS. ARDS patients in ICU of our hospital were recruited in parallel with healthy controls. NO contents in EBC and serum were measured in both control group and ARDS patients before/after treatment, and between survived and dead patients. APACHE II score, PaO2/FiO2, and PaO2 were also quantified and analyzed for their correlation with NO contents. Correlation between EBC and serum NO contest was also analyzed. ARDS patients had significantly higher EBC/serum NO contents before treatment compared to control. NO levels were remarkably decreased after treatment (P<0.05). Survival patients had decreased APACHEII score, and EBC/serum NO, plus elevated PaO2/FiO2, and PaO2 after treatment. Dead patients had elevated APACHEII score, EBC/serum NO with prolonged treatment, plus decreased PaO2/FiO2, and PaO2 (P<0.05). EBC/serum NO in ARDS patients were positively correlated with APACHE II score, and negatively correlated with PaO2/FiO2, and PaO2 (P<0.05). NO level in EBC was positively correlated with serum level in ARDS patients (P<0.05). The detection of EBC NO content can reflect hypoxia and disease condition of ARDS patients, and benefits treatment efficacy evaluation and prognostic judgement. EBC NO can replace serum NO due to satisfactory correlation.

[Operative treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation with modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical methods and clinical results of modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation for the treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Clinical data of 32 cases of upper lumbar disc herniation in our department from June 2005 to June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 11 females, the age from 24 to 59 years with an average of 38.5 years. All the cases were treated by the use of nucleus pulposus removed, modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and internal fixation with pedicle screw system. All patients were followed up with an average of 9 months (from 3 to 18 months), according to Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and visual analogue scores (VAS) to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All the cases were followed up from 3 to 18 months with an average of 9 months and the fusion rate was 100%. The JOA sores before and after operation were 10.5 +/- 2.1, 26.2 +/- 2.4 respectively, and the improvement rate was 84.9%. The VAS before and after operation was 7.2 +/- 1.3 and 1.4 +/- 1.1 respectively, and the rate of catabatic pain was 80.6%. Lumbar rigidity and unwell had 4 cases, obviously leg pain had 2 cases after operation, but the systems vanished gradually at 1-8 weeks after non-operative treatment. CONCLUSION: Modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion has the advantages of simple, safe operation and thoroughly decompression, and it is a therapeutic method for upper lumbar disc herniation.