"Demodicosis" Mimicking PreSeptal Cellulitis: Severe Periocular and Facial Inflammation Caused by "Normal" Skin Flora.

Due to their relatively high prevalence and commensalism, the pathogenicity of Demodex mites has been debated. Recent data, however, show Demodex to be associated with skin and ocular surface diseases such as rosacea, blepharitis, and keratitis. Here the authors report the first known case, to the best of the their knowledge, of Demodex infestation mimicking preseptal cellulitis in an adult human. A 29-year-old male bilaterally blind from advanced retinopathy of prematurity presented with a 2-month history of right-greater-than-left upper eyelid and periocular/cheek swelling, redness, and ocular discharge that did not resolve with oral antibiotics or oral steroids. Based on MRI findings, biopsies of the right lacrimal gland, right orbital fat, and right upper eyelid preseptal skin were obtained which revealed marked intrafollicular Demodex mite density and budding yeasts in the upper eyelid skin. This case serves to alert clinicians to this entity that may not otherwise be usually considered in ophthalmic clinical practice.

Compromised cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality due to regurgitation during endotracheal intubation: a randomised crossover manikin simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Regurgitation is a complication common during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This manikin study evaluated the effect of regurgitation during endotracheal intubation on CPR quality. METHODS: An airway-CPR manikin was modified to regurgitate simulated gastric contents into the oropharynx during chest compression during CPR. In total, 54 emergency medical technician-paramedics were assigned to either an oropharyngeal regurgitation or clean airway scenario and then switched to the other scenario after finishing the first. The primary outcomes were CPR quality metrics, including chest compression fraction (CCF), chest compression depth, chest compression rate, and longest interruption time. The secondary outcomes were intubation success rate and intubation time. RESULTS: During the first CPR-intubation sequence, the oropharyngeal regurgitation scenario was associated with a significantly lower CCF (79.6% vs. 85.1%, P < 0.001), compression depth (5.2 vs. 5.4 cm, P < 0.001), and first-pass success rate (35.2% vs. 79.6%, P < 0.001) and greater longest interruption duration (4.0 vs. 3.0 s, P < 0.001) than the clean airway scenario. During the second and third sequences, no significant difference was observed in the CPR quality metrics between the two scenarios. In the oropharyngeal regurgitation scenario, successful intubation was independently and significantly associated with compression depth (hazard ratio = 0.47, 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.91), whereas none of the CPR quality metrics were related to successful intubation in the clean airway scenario. CONCLUSION: Regurgitation during endotracheal intubation significantly reduces CPR quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05278923 , March 14, 2022.

[Correlation of B-type Natriuretic Peptide Level with Hemodynamic Parameters and Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Gram-negative Sepsis].

Objective To study the correlation of B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)level with hemodynamic parameters and inflammatory cytokines in patients with Gram-negative sepsis,and further determine the main factors for the significant increase of BNP level. Methods The prospective study method was applied,and septic patients infected with Gram-negative bacteria from May 2017 to October 2019 were enrolled.The patients were divided into the BNP<2400 ng/L group and the BNP≥2400 ng/L group by taking the average value of BNP as the dividing point.The independent predictors of BNP≥2400 ng/L were analyzed by Logistic regression.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between BNP and various indicators. Results A total of 106 patients with Gram-negative sepsis were included,among which 60 cases present with higher serum BNP levels than the average of(2398.45 ± 421.45)ng/L.Thus BNP≥2400 ng/L was considered as a significantly increased BNP level.Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that cardiac index(CI)[odds ratio (OR)=0.428,95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.743-0.965,P=0.011],left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) (OR=0.394,95%CI=0.182-0.549,P=0.013),lactic acid (OR=1.983,95%CI=1.264-3.420,P=0.023),endotoxin (OR=6.146,95%CI=4.091-8.226,P=0.001),procalcitonin(PCT) (OR=6.513,95%CI=4.365-8.210,P=0.005) and cardiac troponin I(cTnI) (OR=1.144,95%CI=1.001-2.150,P=0.047) were independent predictors of BNP≥2400 ng/L in patients with Gram-negative sepsis.Pearson correlation analysis showed that BNP was negatively correlated with CI(R=-0.514,P<0.001)and LVEF (R=-0.552,P<0.001),whereas positively correlated with lactic acid (R=0.265,P=0.032),cTnI (R=0.204, P=0.036),PCT(R=0.801,P<0.001),and endotoxin(R=0.765,P<0.001). Conclusions In septic patients with Gram-negative bacterial infection,LVEF,CI,lactic acid,cTnI,endotoxin and PCT are all independent risk factors for the significant increase of BNP,and endotoxin and PCT were more significantly correlated with BNP increase.Endotoxin and inflammatory reaction may be the more important stimulators of BNP increase in septic patients with Gram-negative bacterial infection.

The evaluation of a better intubation strategy when only the epiglottis is visible: a randomized, cross-over mannequin study.

BACKGROUND: The Cormack-Lehane (C-L) grade III airway is considered to be a challenging airway to intubate and is associated with a poor intubation success rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the holding position, shapes, bend angles of the endotracheal tube (ET) and the stylet-assisted lifting of the epiglottis could improve the success rate of intubation. METHODS: Thirty-two participants, 26 physicians, 2 residents, and 4 nurse practitioners, with 12.09 ± 5.38 years of work experience in the emergency department and more than 150 annual intubation events, were enrolled in this randomized, cross-over mannequin study. We investigated the effects of straight-to-cuff ET shapes with 35° and 50° bend angles, banana-shaped ET with longitudinal distances of 28 cm and 26 cm, two methods of holding the ET (either on the top or in the middle), and lifting or not the epiglottis, on the intubation duration, its success rate, and its subjective difficulty. The aim of the study is to provide optimized intubation strategies for difficult airway with C-L IIb or III grades, when the inlet of the trachea cannot be visualized. RESULTS: The two groups that lifted the epiglottis using the stylets, in bend angles of 35° and 50°, had the shortest duration of intubation (23.75 ± 14.24 s and 20.72 ± 6.90 s, hazard ratios 1.54 and 1.85 with 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] of 1.01-2.34 and 1.23-2.78, respectively) and a 100% success rate in intubations. In the survival analysis, lifting of the epiglottis was the only significant factor (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 1.34-2.11) associated with the success rate of intubation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the epiglottic lift as an adjunctive technique can facilitate the intubation and improve its success rate without increasing procedure difficulty, in C-L III airway, when only the epiglottis is seen. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials Registry ( https://clincaltrials.gov , identifier NCT03366311).

Using the Chinese herb Scutellaria barbata against extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND: No animal model studies have been conducted in which the efficacy of herbal compounds has been tested against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections. Very few antibiotics are available for the treatment of pulmonary infections caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB). To find alternative treatments, traditional Chinese herbs were screened for their antimicrobial potential. METHODS: The present study screened 30 herbs that are traditionally used in Taiwan and that are commonly prescribed for heat clearing and detoxification. The herbs with antibacterial activities were analysed by disc diffusion assays, time-kill assays and a murine lung infection model. RESULTS: Of the 30 herbs tested, only Scutellaria barbata demonstrated 100% in vitro activity against XDRAB. Furthermore, we compared the antibacterial effect of the S. barbata extract with that of colistin, and the S. barbata extract showed better antibacterial effect. In the XDRAB pneumonia murine model, we compared the antimicrobial effects of the orally administered S. barbata extract (200 mg/kg, every 24 h), the intratracheally administered colistin (75,000 U/kg, every 12 h), and the control group. The bacterial load in the lungs of the treatment group that received the oral S. barbata extract showed a significant decrease in comparison to that in the lungs of the control group. In addition, histopathological examinations also revealed better resolution of perivascular, peribronchial, and alveolar inflammation in the oral S. barbata extract-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro and in vivo data from the animal model support the use of S. barbata as an alternate drug to treat XDRAB pulmonary infections. However, detailed animal studies and clinical trials are necessary to establish the clinical utility of S. barbata in treating XDRAB pulmonary infections.

Comparison of the Hepatoprotective Effects of Four Endemic Cirsium Species Extracts from Taiwan on CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Damage in C57BL/6 Mice.

Species of Cirsium (Asteraceae family) have been used in folk hepatoprotective medicine in Taiwan. We collected four Cirsium species—including the aerial part of Cirsium arisanense (CAH), the aerial part of Cirsium kawakamii (CKH), the flower part of Cirsium japonicum DC. var. australe (CJF), and Cirsii Herba (CH)—and then made extractions from them with 70% methanol. We compared the antioxidant contents and activities of these four Cirsium species extracts by a spectrophotometric method and high-performance liquid chromatography⁻photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD). We further evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of these extracts on CCl4-induced acute liver damage in C57BL/6 mice. The present study found CAH possesses the highest antioxidant activity among the four Cirsium species, and these antioxidant activities are closely related to phenylpropanoid glycoside (PPG) contents. The extracts decreased serum ALT and AST levels elevated by injection with 0.2% CCl4. However, only CJF and CH decreased hepatic necrosis. Silibinin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and hepatic necrosis caused by CCl4. CJF and CH restored the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. CJF further restored the expression of hepatic antioxidant enzymes including Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) proteins. HPLC chromatogram indicated that CKH, CJF, and CH contained silibinin diastereomers (α and β). Only CJF contained diosmetin. Hence, the hepatoprotective mechanism of CJF against CCl4-induced acute liver damage might be involved in restoring the activities and protein expression of the hepatic antioxidant defense system and inhibiting hepatic inflammation, and these hepatoprotective effects are related to the contents of silibinin diastereomers and diosmetin.

The prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with purchasing Chinese herbal medicine among adults in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with purchasing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) without a physician's prescription among adults. METHODS: Using data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey and National Health Insurance, we identified 16,756 individuals aged 20 years and older. Socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, medical services utilization and health behaviors were compared between people with and without a history of purchasing CHM by calculating adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The one-month prevalence of purchasing CHM without a physician' prescription was 5.2% in Taiwan. People more likely to purchase CHM included people aged ≥70 years (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.03-3.99), women (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.48), non-indigenous people (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.29-5.30), and people with an illness not receiving medical care (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.19-3.31). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of purchasing CHM without a physician's prescription is high in Taiwan and is correlated with factors such as socio-demographics, disease history, and behaviors surrounding the utilization of medical care.

Lupeol and Its Role in Chronic Diseases.

Lupeol belongs to pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenes and exhibits in edible vegetables, fruits and many plants. Many researches indicated that lupeol possesses many beneficial pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-dyslipidemic and anti-mutagenic effects. From various disease-targeted animal models, these reports indicated that lupeol has anti-diabetic, anti-asthma, anti-arthritic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, neuroprotective and anticancer efficiency under various routes of administration such as topical, oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intravenous. It is worth mentioning that clinical trials of lupeol were performed to treat canine oral malignant melanoma and human moderate skin acne in Japan and Korea. The detailed mechanism of anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anticancer activities was further reviewed from published papers. These evidence indicate that lupeol is a multi-target agent to exert diverse pharmacological potency with many potential targeting proteins such as α-glucosidase, α-amylase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B) and TCA cycle enzymes and targeting pathway such as IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-mediated toll-like receptor 4 (IRAK-TLR4), Bcl-2 family, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways. This review also provides suggestion that lupeol might be a valuable and potential lead compound to develop as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anticancer drugs.

Investigated geometrical characteristics and image density of left ventricle of multi-detector computed tomography in early coronary artery disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, cardiac multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is widely used to diagnose CAD. The purpose in this study is to identify informative and useful predictors from left ventricular (LV) in the early CAD patients using cardiac MDCT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study groups comprised 42 subjects who underwent a screening health examination, including laboratory testing and cardiac angiography by 64-slice MDCT angiography. Two geometrical characteristics and one image density were defined as shape, size and stiffness on MDCT image. The t-test, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to assess and identify the significant predictors. The Kappa statistics was used to exam the agreements with physician's judgments (i.e., Golden of True, GOT). RESULTS: The proposed three characteristics of LV MDCT images are important predictors and risk factors for the early CAD patients. These predictors present over 80% of AUC and higher odds ratio. The Kappa statistics was 0.68 for the combinations of shape and stiffness into logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: The shape, size and stiffness of the left ventricular on MDCT can be used to be the effective indicators in the early CAD patients. Besides, the combinations of shape and stiffness into logistic regression could provide substantial agreement with physician's judgments.

[Study on microwave processing technology of achyranthis bidentatae radix by orthogonal design].

OBJECTIVE: To study the microwave processing method of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix processed with wine. METHODS: The content of total saponins, oleanolic acid and ß-ecdysterone were determined as the indices to get the optimal microwave processing technology by orthogonal design. RESULTS: The best technology of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix processed with wine were:the amount of vinegar was 20%, moistening time was 60 min, with 60% microwave heating for 3 min. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, practical, scientific and easy to control.

Ultrasound phantoms made of gelatin covered with hydrocolloid skin dressing.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided invasive procedures, such as central venous catheter insertion, soft-tissue abscess drainage, and foreign-body removal are essential competencies for Emergency Physicians. Such competencies can be trained using ultrasound phantoms. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to describe ultrasound phantoms that are easily made, inexpensive, reusable, and can withstand multiple punctures. METHODS: Previously recommended gelatin-only ultrasound phantoms have inadequate surface tension resulting in surface disruption, and cannot tolerate multiple punctures when simulating cyst drainage. RESULTS: By covering the gelatin phantom with a hydrocolloid skin dressing, we are able to minimize physical surface disruption (by transducer or needles) and might reduce biological breakdown due to bacterial propagation. CONCLUSIONS: The elements required to construct homemade reusable ultrasound phantoms are inexpensive and can be easily obtained.

Impacts of environmental uncertainty on investment stocks perception under the holiday effect.

This study explored how the holiday effect impacts the fluctuations in various scale indexes. Using differential and double-difference methods, the researchers of this study analyzed the impact of the lockdown in Wuhan, China on the holiday effect during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research objects used in this study include CSI All Share, CNI1000, CNI 2000, CNI Large Cap., CNI Mid-Cap., and CNI Small Cap. This study found that on behalf of the Chinese market index and the large, medium, and small-scale index, stock volatility is evident on the next day following successive holidays. Meanwhile, greater volatility is observed in small stocks' 4-day vacation (May 1, 11) than in a two-day vacation. The researchers discovered that the sealing effect causes investors to feel uncertain about the increased stock volatility. In terms of size, the net impact of the pandemic on the stock holiday effect is also greater for small stocks than for large stocks. This study's main contribution is the GARCH+DID hybrid method.

The moderating influence of perceived government information transparency on COVID-19 pandemic information adoption on social media systems.

Introduction: Social media systems are instrumental in the dissemination of timely COVID-19 pandemic information to the general population and contribute to the fight against the pandemic and waves of disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses the information adoption model (IAM) as the theoretical framework to examine the moderating influence of perceived government information transparency on the adoption of COVID-19 pandemic information on social media systems from the Ghanaian perspective. Government information transparency regarding the pandemic is crucial since any lack of transparency can negatively affect the global response to the pandemic by destroying trust (in government and public health authorities/institutions), intensifying fears, and causing destructive behaviors. Methods: It applies a convenient sampling technique to collect the responses from 516 participants by using self-administrated questionnaires. The data analysis was computed and analyzed with SPSS-22. The following statistical tests were conducted to test the hypotheses: descriptive statistics, scale reliability test, Pearson bivariate correlation, multiple linear regressions, hierarchical regression, and slope analysis. Results: The results indicate that information quality, information credibility, and information usefulness are significant drivers of COVID-19 pandemic information adoption on social media systems. Furthermore, the perceived government information transparency positively moderates the influence of information quality, information credibility, and information usefulness on the adoption of COVID-19 pandemic information on social media systems. Conclusion: The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings suggest the utilization of social media systems as an effective tool to support the continued fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic and its future role in national and global public health emergencies.

Quantifying liver cirrhosis by extracting significant features from MRI T2 image.

Most patients with liver cirrhosis must undergo a series of clinical examinations, including ultrasound imaging, liver biopsy, and blood tests. However, the quantification of liver cirrhosis by extracting significant features from a T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) provides useful diagnostic information in clinical tests. Sixty-two subjects were randomly selected to participate in this retrospective analysis with assigned to experimental and control groups. The T2-weighted MRI was obtained and to them dynamic adjusted gray levels. The extracted features of the image were standard deviation (SD), mean, and entropy of pixel intensity in the region of interest (ROI). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, 95% confidence intervals, and kappa statistics were used to test the significance and agreement. The analysis of area under ROC shows that SD, mean, and entropy in the ROI were significant between the experimental group and the control group. Smaller values of SD, mean, and entropy were associated with a higher probability of liver cirrhosis. The agreements between the extracted features and diagnostic results were shown significantly (P < 0.001). In this investigation, quantitative features of SD, mean, and entropy in the ROI were successfully computed by the dynamic gray level scaling of T2-weighted MRI with high accuracy.

Schizandrin protects primary rat cortical cell cultures from glutamate-induced apoptosis by inhibiting activation of the MAPK family and the mitochondria dependent pathway.

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity has been implicated in a variety of neuronal degenerative disorders. In the present study, we investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of schizandrin against apoptosis of primary cultured rat cortical cells induced by glutamate. Glutamate (10 µM) administered for 24 h decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) protein, whereas increased the expression of Bax, Bak, apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), endonuclease G (Nodo G) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of caspase-12. Pretreatment with schizandrin (100 µM) before glutamate treatment increased the Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax, Bak, AIF, Nodo G and caspase-12 compared with those only treated with glutamate. Furthermore, glutamate-induced phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and these effects were attenuated by schizandrin (100 µM) treatment. These results suggest that schizandrin possesses the neuroprotective effects. The molecular mechanisms of schizandrin against glutamate-induced apoptosis may involve the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins expression, and ER stress through blocking the activation of JNK, ERK and p38 MAPK.

The impact of the internationalization of China's new retail industry on corporate performance-A moderating effect based on proprietary assets.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing China's new retail industry on corporate performance. We mainly design the adjustment effect of the internationalization of its new retail industry on corporate performance and proprietary assets. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The framework is based on dynamic panel data of 590 listed companies in China's new retail industry from 2007 to 2019. FINDINGS: We apply the concept of big data for the analysis and investigation, including the DOI explanatory variable for the degree of internationalization, Tobin's Q explained variable, and adjusted variable of proprietary assets (R&D intensity RDI, marketing intensity MI, and capital intensity CI). We found that the degree of internationalization of the new retail industry has a positive impact on corporate performance. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The resultant findings only reflect the setting of China's new retail marketplace. With the research model developed here in, future research can target cross-country studies of various forms of online and offline market sites to determine regional differences in the development of new retail activities. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The results show that the major new retail industry is a multi-channel concept that affects overall corporate performance. The authors focus on corporate performance, which is a moderating effect based on proprietary assets.

Reparative Efficacy of Liposome-Encapsulated Oleanolic Acid against Liver Inflammation Induced by Fine Ambient Particulate Matter and Alcohol in Mice.

Airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a severe problem and is associated with health issues including liver diseases. Workers performing manual labor tend to be alcohol consumers during work, where they are also exposed to PM2.5. Long-term PM2.5 exposure can increase oxidative stress, leading to inflammation. Whether long-term exposure to air pollution and alcohol synergistically increases liver fibrosis risk warrants investigation. Oleanolic acid (OA)-a triterpenoid-has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but its low water solubility and cytotoxicity impair its potential applications. In this study, we fabricated liposomal OA nanoparticles (Lipo-OAs); then, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect on exposed cells and the ameliorative effect of Lipo-OAs on PM2.5 and alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in mice. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of PM2.5 for hepatic stellate cells was 900 µg/mL; at a concentration of ≥600 µg/mL, PM2.5 significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production. OA encapsulation in Lipo-OAs, 353 ± 140 nm in diameter with 79% encapsulation efficiency, significantly reduced OA cytotoxicity. Lipo-OAs treatment significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase levels; histologically, it alleviated steatosis and improved Ishak's modified HAI score. In conclusion, Lipo-OAs have potential anti-inflammatory and reparative effects for PM2.5 and alcohol-induced liver injury treatment.