Análisis de mortalidad debida a una infección del torrente sanguíneo por Enterococcus faecium en Taiwán central / Mortality analysis of Enterococcus faecium bloodstream infection in central Taiwan

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), particularly those due to vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), are still a therapeutic challenge. Aim: To evaluate mortality from BSI due to E. faecium and VRE in central Taiwan. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of significant E. faecium BSI in the Changhua Christian Hospital System between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Results: Of the 76 cases, 28 patients (36.8%) were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) at the onset of BSI, 10 (13.2%) cases were associated with polymicrobial bacteremia, and 29 (38.2%) cases were associated with entry via the biliary tract. VRE was observed in 18 (23.7%) cases. The 30-day mortality rate was 13.1% (10/76). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bacteremia of non-biliary tract origin (OR = 8.43, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.32-54.00, p = 0.002) and ICU admission (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.7-10.0, p = 0.002) were significant risk factors for 30-day mortality, whereas appropriate antimicrobial therapy was a protective factor for 30-day mortality (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14-0.79, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Our results underscore the need to assist patients admitted to ICUs with E. faecium BSIs with a non-biliary tract origin. We emphasize the use of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for E. faecium BSI with the aim to rescue more patients with these infections.

Antecedentes: Las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo por Enterococcus faecium, particularmente aquellas causadas por enterococos resistentes a vancomicina (ERV), representan aún un desafío para los tratamientos. Este estudio está orientado a la evaluación de la mortalidad debido a la infección del torrente sanguíneo (ITS) por E. faecium y por enterococos resistentes a vancomicina (ERV) en Taiwán central. Materiales y Métodos: Analizamos de forma retrospectiva casos de ITS causadas por E. faecium genuinas en el Sistema del Hospital Changhua Christian, entre los días 1 de enero de 2010 y 31 de diciembre de 2013. Resultados: De los 76 casos analizados, 28 pacientes fueron ingresados a las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) al comienzo de una ITS (36,8%), 10 casos fueron asociados a bacteriemia polimicrobiana (13,2%), y 29 casos tuvieron como puerta de entrada la vía biliar. En 18 casos se pudieron observar ERV (23,7%). La mortalidad a 30 días fue de 13,1% (10/76). El análisis multivariado mediante regresión logística mostró que la bacteriemia de origen no biliar (OR = 8,43, 95% intervalo de confianza (95% CI) = 1,32-54,00; p = 0,002), y el ingreso a la UCI (OR = 4,2; 95% CI = 1,7-10,0; p = 0,002), fueron factores de riesgo significativos para el rango de mortalidad de 30 días, así como un tratamiento de antimicrobiano apropiado constituye un factor protector en contra la mortalidad (OR = 0,33; 95% CI = 0,14-0,79; p = 0,013). Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados destacan la necesidad de asistir a los pacientes ingresados a la UCI con ITS por E. faecium con origen no biliar. Hacemos énfasis a la aplicación de una antibioterapia adecuada para sacar adelante a un mayor número de pacientes con este tipo de infecciones.

Effects of temperature on the kinetics and level of energy charge and oxidation-reduction state in pyruvate biosynthesis / 生物工程学报

Temperature plays an important role in pyruvate biosynthesis by Torulopsis glabrata 620. The effects of temperature on the substrate consumption, cell growth, pyruvate biosynthesis and level of energy charge and oxidation-reduction state have been investigated. During the constant temperature fermentation, higher temperature can enhance the rate of glucose consumption, cell growth and pyruvate production. However, it also leads to higher energy charge in the prophase of fermentation, too much consumption of glucose by cell and deficient throughput of pyruvate in the anaphase of fermentation, which brings on decrease of pyruvate yield. Oppositely, maintaining lower temperature during the fermentation can offer constant production capacity of pyruvate in the anaphase of fermentation. But the disadvantages are lower cell growth and higher level of NADH/NAD+ in vivo during the anaphase of fermentation, which leads to lower productivity inevitably. Disaccords above-mentioned indicate that the higher production, higher yield and higher productivity cannot be achieved at one time during a constant temperature fermentation.

Effects of baisong tablets on the behavior and levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain of stress rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of baisong tablets on the behavior and contents of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain of stress rats.@*METHODS@#Forty adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the depression model group, the baisong tablet group and the fluoxetine group. The depression model was replicated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and single house in 21 days. Ten rats as a group were treated with baisong tablets or fluoxetine hydrochloride. Changes of behaviors were observed by open-field test and the volume of sugar-solution the rat drank in 24 hours. The weight increase was also observed. The levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain in each group were detected with high-pergomance liquid chromatography.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, baisong tablets could improve the depressive behaviors significantly, and increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the rat brain.@*CONCLUSION@#Baisong tablets can improve the depressive behaviors and increase the levels of 5-hydroxytryptaimne and dopamine in the brain of stress rats.

LC-ESI/MS identification and reduction of impurities in spiramycin fermentation / 生物工程学报

There are several impurities in the spiramycin fermentation broth which leads to a lower yield and lower quality of the product. Four impurities in spiramycin broth have been simultaneously separated and identified by LC-ESI/MS. The generation of these impurities was attributed to the fluctuation of glucosylation in spiramycin biosynthesis. Nitrogen sources, ammonium in particular, were found to play an important role at the glucosylation. Aided with the information of LC-ESI/MS analysis and subsequent optimization of the culture medium, better culture medium of shake flask was designed, which leads to reduction of impurities by 22% - 88%.

5-HT2 receptor mediated the potentiation of GABA-activated current in the membrane of the dorsal root ganglion neurons of rat / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the modulation of 5-HT on GABA-activated current (I(GABA)) in the membrane of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat DRG neurons were isolated mechanically and enzymatically, on which whole-cell patch clamp recording and repatch technique for intracellular dialysis were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the majority of neurons examined (92.0%, 69/75) GABA induced a concentration-dependent inward current. In neurons sensitive to GABA preapplication of 5-HT produced potentiation effect (82.6% , 57/69) on I(GABA). Preapplication of 5-HT at concentrations of 1 x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-4) and 1 x 10(-3) mol x L(-1) potentiated I(GABA) by (35 +/- 8)% (n=8), (47 +/- 11)% (n=10), (65 +/- 17)% (n=9) and (75 +/- 18)% (n=11), respectively. This effect was mimicked by alpha-methyl-5-HT (1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)), a specific 5-HT2 receptor agonist, and reversed by cyproheptadine, a selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist. The potentiation of I(GABA) by 5-HT was irrespective to whether the I(5-HT) presents or not in a subset of neurons. The concentration-response curves for GABA before and after pretreatment with 5-HT manifested the same threshold value and similar EC50 (2.0 x 10(-5) and 1.9 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), respectively) , while the maximal value of I(GABA) for the latter was 33.6% higher than that for the former. Intracellular dialysis with GDP-beta-S or H-7 abolished the potentiation of I(GABA) by 5-HT, while H-9 did not.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>5-HT can potentiate GABA-activated current via PKC-dependent phosphorylation of GABA(A) receptor following the activation of 5-HT2 receptor.</p>