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1.
Heliyon ; 8(11): e11356, 2022 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36411909

ABSTRACT

Scrub typhus is a natural foci disease caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. Symptoms of the disease range from fever to severe multiple organ dysfunction. The diagnosis is based on clinical signs and antibody serological tests, which has poor sensitivity and specificity. Scrub typhus is rarely associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). In this paper, we report a 17-year-old Asian male who was characterized with a persistent fever without eschar. He was diagnosed with scrub typhus using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of the blood after negative of routine examinations. The patient was progressed to HLH and MODS but had a good recovery following anti-rickettsial therapy, dexamethasone, and advanced life support. Besides, we present a brief overview of the literature about scrub typhus and associated complications.

2.
Oxid Med Cell Longev ; 2022: 4195699, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35847589

ABSTRACT

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) may cause gastrointestinal adverse effects by damaging the intestinal epithelial barrier, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to tight junction (TJ) proteins and apoptosis, both of which cause abnormalities in intestinal barrier function. Mitochondria, one of the main sources of ROS and abnormally high levels of ROS are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MPA induces intestinal barrier dysfunction through regulation of the mitochondrial ROS. MPA-induced intestinal injury model in Kunming mice and Caco-2 cells. The effect of MPA on Caco-2 cell viability was measured by MTT; tissue diamine oxidase and endotoxin expression were determined by ELISA; expression of total proteins of ZO-1, occludin, Bax, Bcl-2, and mitochondrial proteins of Cytochrome C and Bax was measured by Western blot; and the localization of Cytochrome C with MitoTraker was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Caco-2 cell apoptosis, ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry, while intramitochondrial ROS levels were observed by MitoSOX fluorescence staining. The results showed that MPA increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS production to promote oxidative stress and the antioxidant NAC effectively restored ZO-1 and occludin expressions, reduced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, we found that low concentrations of MPA caused mitochondrial damage, induced hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the translocation of Cytochrome C and Bax proteins from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. The mitochondrial protectant SS-31 reduces intracellular and intramitochondrial ROS, upregulates TJ, and reduces apoptosis. Our studies suggest that MPA-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in vivo and in vitro is mediated, at least in part, by impairing mitochondrial function and promoting oxidative stress.


Subject(s)
Cytochromes c , Mycophenolic Acid , Animals , Apoptosis , Caco-2 Cells , Cytochromes c/metabolism , Humans , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Mice , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mycophenolic Acid/pharmacology , Occludin/metabolism , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism
3.
Crit Care ; 26(1): 122, 2022 05 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35505432

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current sedatives have different side effects in long-term sedation. The sequential use of midazolam and dexmedetomidine for prolonged sedation may have distinct advantages. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the sequential use of midazolam and either dexmedetomidine or propofol, and the use of midazolam alone in selected critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: This single-center, randomized controlled study was conducted in medical and surgical ICUs in a tertiary, academic medical center. Patients enrolled in this study were critically ill, mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving midazolam, with anticipated mechanical ventilation for ≥ 72 h. They passed the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) safety screen, underwent a 30-min-SBT without indication for extubation and continued to require sedation. Patients were randomized into group M-D (midazolam was switched to dexmedetomidine), group M-P (midazolam was switched to propofol), and group M (sedation with midazolam alone), and sedatives were titrated to achieve the targeted sedation range (RASS - 2 to 0). RESULTS: Total 252 patients were enrolled. Patients in group M-D had an earlier recovery, faster extubation, and more percentage of time at the target sedation level than those in group M-P and group M (all P < 0.001). They also experienced less weaning time (25.0 h vs. 49.0 h; HR1.47, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.06; P = 0.025), and a lower incidence of delirium (19.5% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.002) than patients in group M. Recovery (P < 0.001), extubation (P < 0.001), and weaning time (P = 0.048) in group M-P were shorter than in group M, while the acquisition cost of sedative drug was more expensive than other groups (both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in adverse events among these groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sequential use of midazolam and dexmedetomidine was an effective and safe sedation strategy for long-term sedation and could provide clinically relevant benefits for selected critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02528513 . Registered August 19, 2015.


Subject(s)
Dexmedetomidine , Propofol , Adult , Critical Illness/therapy , Dexmedetomidine/adverse effects , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/pharmacology , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Midazolam/adverse effects , Propofol/adverse effects , Respiration, Artificial
5.
Toxicol Mech Methods ; 32(8): 580-587, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35321622

ABSTRACT

The gastrointestinal side effects of mycophenolic acid affect its efficacy in kidney transplant patients, which may be due to its toxicity to the intestinal epithelial mechanical barrier, including intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and destruction of tight junctions. The toxicity mechanism of mycophenolic acid is related to oxidative stress-mediated, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Schisandrin A (Sch A), one of the main active components of the Schisandra chinensis, can protect intestinal epithelial cells from deoxynivalenol-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage by antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of Sch A on mycophenolic acid-induced damage in intestinal epithelial cell. The results showed that Sch A significantly reversed the mycophenolic acid-induced cell viability reduction, restored the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1, occludin, and reduced cell apoptosis. In addition, Sch A inhibited mycophenolic acid-mediated MAPK activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase. Collectively, our study showed that Sch A protected intestinal epithelial cells from mycophenolic acid intestinal toxicity, at least in part, by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway.


Subject(s)
Cyclooctanes , Mycophenolic Acid , Apoptosis , Cyclooctanes/metabolism , Cyclooctanes/pharmacology , Humans , Intestinal Mucosa , Lignans , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Mycophenolic Acid/metabolism , Mycophenolic Acid/toxicity , Oxidative Stress , Polycyclic Compounds , Tight Junctions/metabolism
6.
J Ethnopharmacol ; 288: 114987, 2022 Apr 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35032581

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E.H. Wilson (S. sphenanthera) is a botanical medicine included in the 2020 edition of the ChP that has a variety of medicinal activities, including hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Wuzhi capsule (WZ) is a proprietary Chinese medicine made from an ethanolic extract of S. sphenanthera that is commonly used to treat drug-induced liver injury. However, there are no research reports exploring the effects of WZ on the prevention of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-induced intestinal injury and its underlying mechanisms. AIM OF THE STUDY: This experiment aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of WZ on MMF-induced intestinal injury in mice and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mouse model of MMF-induced intestinal injury was established and treated with WZ during the 21-day experimental period. The pathological characteristics of the mouse ileum were observed. Tight junction (TJ) protein changes were observed after immunofluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy, and ROS levels were measured by using DHE fluorescent dye and the TUNEL assay for apoptosis. The expression of p65, p-p65, IκBα, p-IκBα, the TJ proteins occludin and ZO-1 and the apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3 were analysed by Western blot. Levels of DAO, ET, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IFN-γ, MDA and SOD were analysed by using kits. RESULTS: MMF activated the NF-κB signaling pathway to cause intestinal inflammation, increased intestinal permeability, changed the expression of TJ protein in the intestinal epithelium, and increased oxidative stress and apoptosis levels. WZ significantly downregulated the expression of p-p65 and p-IκBα to relieve the inflammatory response, reduced intestinal permeability, maintained intestinal TJ protein expression, and reduced intestinal oxidative stress and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our research suggested that MMF can cause intestinal injury; by contrast, WZ may exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and apoptosis-reducing effects to alleviate MMF-induced intestinal injury.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Mycophenolic Acid/toxicity , Animals , Animals, Outbred Strains , Apoptosis/drug effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/toxicity , Inflammation/chemically induced , Inflammation/drug therapy , Intestinal Diseases/chemically induced , Intestinal Diseases/drug therapy , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Intestines/drug effects , Intestines/pathology , Male , Mice , Oxidative Stress/drug effects
7.
Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue ; 33(2): 131-138, 2021 Feb.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33729128

ABSTRACT

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts higher demands on critical care medicine. Lots of studies have been conducted to solve COVID-19-related problems. Therefore, we reviewed the annual progress for COVID-19-related issues including antivirals threapies, respiratory support and immunomodulatory therapies and other critical issues, including the effect of antibiotic on mitochondrial damage and its relationship with sepsis, the goal and direction of antimicrobial de-escalation, drug prophylaxis of constipation, bleeding in gastrointestinal disorders and management of critical illness in the informalization era and so on. We hope to provide reference for clinical and scientific research work of the intensivists.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Critical Care , Critical Illness , Humans , SARS-CoV-2
8.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 94: 107443, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33581579

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) is an immunosuppressive molecule expressed on T cells, and its ligand (PD-L1) which expressed on tumor cells play pivotal roles in regulating host immune responses. However, little is known whether PD-1/PD-L1 axis could directly activates intracellular oncogenic signaling pathways in tumor cells, leading to tumor resistance. METHODS: In the present study, the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the tissues of gastric cancer was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. The effect of PD-L1-Fc and cisplatin on resistant gastric cancer cells was examined by MTT assay and Flow Cytometry. In addition. The effect of PD-L1-Fc on the expression of P-gp in gastric cancer cells and resistant gastric cancer cells was detected by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The molecular mechanisms of the regulation of cisplatin and PD-L1-Fc treatment were evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: We found that the level of PD-1 was significantly increased in human gastric cancer tissues and drug-resistant gastric cancer cells and P-gp was the same result. The PD-L1 could reduce the level of cell damage caused by cisplatin. In addition, we found PD-L1 can also up-regulate the expression of P-gp. Mechanistically, PD-L1 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in which PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition attenuated the upregulation of P-gp. CONCLUSION: PD-1/PD-L1 enhanced cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer through PI3K/AKT mediated P-gp expression.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism , Cell Line , Humans , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
9.
Front Genet ; 11: 655, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32849764

ABSTRACT

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a closed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) formed by covalently closed loops through back-splicing. Emerging evidence indicates that circRNA can influence cellular physiology through various molecular mechanisms. Thus, accurate circRNA identification and prediction of its regulatory information are critical for understanding its biogenesis. Although several computational tools based on machine learning have been proposed for circRNA identification, the prediction accuracy remains to be improved. Here, first we present circLGB, a machine learning-based framework to discriminate circRNA from other lncRNAs. circLGB integrates commonly used sequence-derived features and three new features containing adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) deamination, A-to-I density and the internal ribosome entry site. circLGB categorizes circRNAs by utilizing a LightGBM classifier with feature selection. Second, we introduce circMRT, an ensemble machine learning framework to systematically predict the regulatory information for circRNA, including their interactions with microRNA, the RNA binding protein, and transcriptional regulation. Feature sets including sequence-based features, graph features, genome context, and regulatory information features were modeled in circMRT. Experiments on public and our constructed datasets show that the proposed algorithms outperform the available state-of-the-art methods. circLGB is available at http://www.circlgb.com. Source codes are available at https://github.com/Peppags/circLGB-circMRT.

10.
Database (Oxford) ; 20192019 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31219565

ABSTRACT

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed in human cells and tissues and can form a covalently closed exon circularization, which have stable patterns and play important regulatory roles in physiological or pathological process. There is still lack of a comprehensively disease-related knowledge base for in-depth analysis of circRNAs. In this paper, a cancer circRNAs-related database (CCRDB) was established. The CCRDB's initial circRNAs data were collected by sequencing experimental data of 10 samples from 5 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where a total of 11 501 circRNAs were found and can easily be expanded by collecting and analyzing external data sources such as circBASE (1). Using CCRDB, we have further studied the relationships between circRNAs and HCC and found that circRNAs (hsa_circ_ 0002130, hsa_circ_0084615, hsa_circ_0001445, hsa_circ_0001727 and hsa_circ_0001361) and the corresponding genes ID [C3 (2, 3), ASPH (4), SMARCA5 (5), ZKSCAN1 (6) and FNDC3B (7)], respectively, might be the potential biomarker targets for HCC. Furthermore, our experiment also found that some new circRNAs chromosome sites chr12:23998917 24048958 and chr16:72090429 72093087 and the corresponding genes ID (SOX5 (8) and HP (9), respectively), might be the potential biomarker targets for HCC. These results indicate that CCRDB can effectively reveal the relationships between circRNAs and HCC. As the first circRNAs database to provide analysis and comparison functions, it is of great significance for researchers to further study the rules of circRNAs, to understand the causes of circRNAs in disease discovery and to find target genes for therapeutic approaches.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Databases, Nucleic Acid , Liver Neoplasms , RNA, Circular , RNA, Neoplasm , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , RNA, Circular/genetics , RNA, Circular/metabolism , RNA, Neoplasm/genetics , RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
11.
Crit Care Med ; 46(7): 1114-1124, 2018 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29629982

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare physicians' perceptions and practice of end-of-life care in the ICU in three East Asian countries cultures similarly rooted in Confucianism. DESIGN: A structured and scenario-based survey of physicians who managed ICU patients from May 2012 to December 2012. SETTING: ICUs in China, Korea, and Japan. SUBJECTS: Specialists who are either intensivists or nonintensivist primary attending physicians in charge of patients (195 in China, 186 in Korea, 224 in Japan). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Country was independently associated with differences in the practice of limiting multiple forms of life-sustaining treatments on multivariable generalized linear model analysis. Chinese respondents were least likely to apply do-not-resuscitate orders, even if they existed (p < 0.001). Japanese respondents were most likely to practice do not resuscitate for terminally ill patients during cardiac arrest, even when no such prior order existed (p < 0.001). Korean respondents' attitudes were in between those of Chinese and Japanese respondents as far as withdrawing total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, dialysis, and suctioning was concerned. Chinese respondents were most uncomfortable discussing end-of-life care issues with patients, while Japanese respondents were least uncomfortable (p < 0.001). Chinese respondents were more likely to consider financial burden when deciding on limiting life-sustaining treatment (p < 0.001). Japanese respondents felt least exposed to personal legal risks when limiting life-sustaining treatment (p < 0.001), and the Korean respondents most wanted legislation to guide this issue (p < 0.001). The respondents' gender, religion, clinical experience, and primary specialty were also independently associated with the different perceptions of end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similarities in cultures and a common emphasis on the role of family, differences exist in physician perceptions and practices of end-of-life ICU care in China, Korea, and Japan. These findings may be due to differences in the degree of Westernization, national healthcare systems, economic status, and legal climate.


Subject(s)
Intensive Care Units , Terminal Care , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , China , Female , Humans , Japan , Male , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Republic of Korea , Resuscitation Orders , Surveys and Questionnaires , Terminal Care/methods , Withholding Treatment
12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27244959

ABSTRACT

A previously healthy Chinese male working in Malaysia returned to China with high fever. A blood culture showed Burkholderia pseudomallei strain WCBP1. This isolate was sequenced, showing type, ST881, which appears to be present in Malaysia. WCP1 had unusual susceptibility to aminoglycosides and habored the Yersinia-like fimbrial gene cluster for virulence. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly but he recovered after receiving meropenem and intensive care support. Melioidosis is a potential problem among Chinese imigrant workers with strains new to China being identified.


Subject(s)
Melioidosis/diagnosis , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Burkholderia pseudomallei/classification , Burkholderia pseudomallei/genetics , Burkholderia pseudomallei/pathogenicity , China , Fimbriae, Bacterial/genetics , Humans , Malaysia , Male , Melioidosis/drug therapy , Melioidosis/microbiology , Meropenem , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis , Sequence Analysis, RNA , Thienamycins/therapeutic use , Virulence
14.
Intensive Care Med ; 42(7): 1118-27, 2016 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27071388

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the attitudes of physicians towards withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in intensive care units (ICUs) in low-middle-income Asian countries and regions with those in high-income ones, and to explore differences in the role of families and surrogates, legal risks, and financial considerations between these countries and regions. METHODS: Questionnaire study conducted in May-December 2012 on 847 physicians from 255 ICUs in 10 low-middle-income countries and regions according to the World Bank's classification, and 618 physicians from 211 ICUs in six high-income countries and regions. RESULTS: After we accounted for personal, ICU, and hospital characteristics on multivariable analyses using generalised linear mixed models, physicians from low-middle-income countries and regions were less likely to limit cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors and inotropes, tracheostomy and haemodialysis than those from high-income countries and regions. They were more likely to involve families in end-of-life care discussions and to perceive legal risks with limitation of life-sustaining treatments and do-not-resuscitate orders. Nonetheless, they were also more likely to accede to families' requests to withdraw life-sustaining treatments in a patient with an otherwise reasonable chance of survival on financial grounds in a case scenario (adjusted odds ratio 5.05, 95 % confidence interval 2.69-9.51, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in ICU physicians' self-reported practice of limiting life-sustaining treatments, the role of families and surrogates, perception of legal risks and financial considerations exist between low-middle-income and high-income Asian countries and regions.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Income , Life Support Systems , Physicians/psychology , Asia , Humans , Intensive Care Units
15.
Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi ; 32(2): 412-7, 2015 Apr.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26211263

ABSTRACT

This paper is to explore changes of intestinal mucosal barrier, intestinal flora, and bacterial translocation in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Twenty four male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group (n = 10) and the experimental group (n = 14). The model of severe acute pancreatitis of rats was induced by the method of injecting adversely 5% sodium taurocholate into the common biliary-pancreatic duct. All of the rats were killed after 24 hours and the level of the serum amylase and the plasma endotoxin was determined after that. The pathological changes of pancreas and small intestine were observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining) and the abdominal viscera bacterial translocation rates were tested. With the method of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) the quantity of the intestinal flora was analyzed. In the control group, the level of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were 2.08 ± 1.29, 11.04 ± 7.55 and 12.21 ± 4.95, respectively. On the contrast, the level of Escherichia coli in the cecum contents was much higher (9.72 ± 3.58, P < 0.01), while the Lactobacillus number was decreased significantly (0.67 ± 0.34, P < 0.01), and the Bifidobacterium number was also decreased (4.59 ± 3.42, P < 0.05) in the experimental group, so the ratio of Bifidobacterium/Escherichia coli was reversed. Besides, in the experimental group, the plasma endotoxin positive rates and the bacterial translocation rates were much higher (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the pathology scores of pancreas and small intestines were also significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those in the control group. These results indicated that in severe acute pancreatitis rats, the intestinal mucosal barrier was severely damaged and the dysbacteriosis occurs in the intestinal canal. And these might relate to the occurrence and development of multiple organ infection.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Translocation , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Intestines/microbiology , Pancreatitis/microbiology , Pancreatitis/pathology , Animals , Endotoxins , Male , Pancreas/pathology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
16.
Pancreas ; 44(5): 799-804, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25931256

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of rhubarb on intestinal flora and toll-like receptors (TLRs) of intestinal mucosa in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into sham-operated surgical model of SAP without or with postoperative rhubarb treatment groups (7 in each group). Rats in with rhubarb group received 10% rhubarb decoction (1 mL/200 g) through tube feeding at every 8 hours during postoperative 24 hours. Serum amylase, amount of intestinal flora, and TLR2/TLR4 messenger RNA expression in intestinal mucosa were tested among 3 groups at postoperative 24 hours. RESULTS: TLR2 and TLR4 messenger RNA expression levels in intestinal mucosa in SAP without rhubarb group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated or SAP with rhubarb groups (P < 0.05). The amount of intestinal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in SAP without rhubarb group were significantly fewer than in those sham-operated group (P < 0.05) but not significantly different from those in SAP with rhubarb group (P > 0.05). The amount of intestinal Escherichia coli was relatively higher in SAP group than in sham-operated group (P > 0.05) but lesser in rhubarb treatment group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rhubarb might maintain the intestinal mucosal barrier through regulating intestinal flora and inhibiting intestinal inflammatory response in rats with SAP.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Cecum/drug effects , Ileum/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Pancreatitis/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rheum , Toll-Like Receptor 2/drug effects , Toll-Like Receptor 4/drug effects , Acute Disease , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Cecum/microbiology , Disease Models, Animal , Ileum/metabolism , Ileum/pathology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Male , Pancreas/drug effects , Pancreas/metabolism , Pancreas/pathology , Pancreatitis/genetics , Pancreatitis/metabolism , Pancreatitis/microbiology , Pancreatitis/pathology , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plants, Medicinal , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Rheum/chemistry , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Toll-Like Receptor 2/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism
17.
JAMA Intern Med ; 175(3): 363-71, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25581712

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Little data exist on end-of-life care practices in intensive care units (ICUs) in Asia. OBJECTIVE: To describe physicians' attitudes toward withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in end-of-life care and to evaluate factors associated with observed attitudes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Self-administered structured and scenario-based survey conducted among 1465 physicians (response rate, 59.6%) who manage patients in ICUs (May-December 2012) at 466 ICUs (response rate, 59.4%) in 16 Asian countries and regions. RESULTS: For patients with no real chance of recovering a meaningful life, 1029 respondents (70.2%) reported almost always or often withholding whereas 303 (20.7%) reported almost always or often withdrawing life-sustaining treatments; 1092 respondents (74.5%) deemed withholding and withdrawal ethically different. The majority of respondents reported that vasopressors, hemodialysis, and antibiotics could usually be withheld or withdrawn in end-of-life care, but not enteral feeding, intravenous fluids, and oral suctioning. For severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after cardiac arrest, 1201 respondents (82.0% [range between countries, 48.4%-100%]) would implement do-not-resuscitate orders, but 788 (53.8% [range, 6.1%-87.2%]) would maintain mechanical ventilation and start antibiotics and vasopressors if indicated. On multivariable analysis, refusal to implement do-not-resuscitate orders was more likely with physicians who did not value families' or surrogates' requests (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.67 [95% CI, 1.16-2.40]; P = .006), who were uncomfortable discussing end-of-life care (AOR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.62-3.51]; P < .001), who perceived greater legal risk (AOR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.26-2.94]; P = .002), and in low- to middle-income economies (AOR, 2.73 [95% CI, 1.56-4.76]; P < .001). Nonimplementation was less likely with physicians of Protestant (AOR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.16-0.80]; P = .01) and Catholic (AOR, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.09-0.58]; P = .002) faiths, and when out-of-pocket health care expenditure increased (AOR, 0.98 per percentage of total health care expenditure [95% CI, 0.97-0.99]; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Whereas physicians in ICUs in Asia reported that they often withheld but seldom withdrew life-sustaining treatments at the end of life, attitudes and practice varied widely across countries and regions. Multiple factors related to country or region, including economic, cultural, religious, and legal differences, as well as personal attitudes, were associated with these variations. Initiatives to improve end-of-life care in Asia must begin with a thorough understanding of these factors.


Subject(s)
Intensive Care Units , Life Support Care , Adult , Asia , Attitude of Health Personnel , Decision Making , Ethics, Medical , Family/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Physicians , Resuscitation Orders , Terminal Care , Withholding Treatment
18.
World J Gastroenterol ; 20(41): 15327-34, 2014 Nov 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25386081

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate inflammatory injury in the intestinal mucosa after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) with Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated innate immunity. METHODS: Ten macaques were randomized into control and IIR groups. The distribution and expression level of TLR2, TLR4, MD2, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and interferon (IFN)-γ were measured by immunohistochemical stain and western blotting. The mRNA expression of TLR4, TLR2, MD2, interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The cytokine levels in blood and intestinal tissues were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Obvious hemorrhage and erosion of mucosae were seen in the IIR group. Expression of TLR2, TLR4, MD2, NF-κB p65 and IFN-γ was significantly higher in the IIR group than in the control group (0.13 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.04, 0.16 ± 0.06, 0.65 ± 0.12, 0.38 ± 0.10 vs 0.07 ± 0.04, 0.08 ± 0.03, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.19 ± 0.06, 0.14 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MD2, IL-1ß and TNF-α mRNA in the IIR group were significantly higher than those of control group(1.52 ± 0.15, 1.39 ± 0.06, 1.94 ± 0.12, 1.48 ± 0.15, 0.66 ± 0.08 vs 0.31 ± 0.05, 0.5 ± 0.04, 0.77 ± 0.05, 0.35 ± 0.08, 0.18 ± 0.04, P < 0.05). Furthermore, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the macaques ileum and plasma were significantly higher than in the control group (plasma: 86.3 ± 15.2, 1129 ± 248.3, 77.8 ± 16.2 vs 29.5 ± 7.3, 19.8 ± 8.2, 5.6 ± 1.7; ileum: 273.4. ± 44.7, 1636 ± 168.0, 205.5 ± 30.7 vs 76.8 ± 20.5, 663.4 ± 186.9, 49.0 ± 9.4; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: After IIR, general inflammatory injury in the intestinal mucosa is correlated with a strong innate immune response, mediated by activation of the TLR-NF-κB-cytokine pathway.


Subject(s)
Immunity, Innate , Intestinal Mucosa/blood supply , Intestinal Mucosa/immunology , Mesenteric Ischemia/immunology , Reperfusion Injury/immunology , Animals , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Macaca mulatta , Male , Mesenteric Ischemia/genetics , Mesenteric Ischemia/metabolism , Multiple Organ Failure/immunology , NF-kappa B/genetics , NF-kappa B/immunology , NF-kappa B/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Reperfusion Injury/genetics , Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Toll-Like Receptors/genetics , Toll-Like Receptors/immunology , Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism
19.
Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban ; 44(4): 629-31, 645, 2013 Jul.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24059123

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors and therapy strategies of acute pulmonary edema (APE) in critically ill patients with multiple trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis with the clinical date of all the critically ill patients with multiple trauma treated in General ICU from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2012. We compared the clinical characteristics of the patients with or without onset of APE. The patients with APE were divided into young group (< or = 55 yr.) or elderly group (> 55 yr.), then the clinical data were analyzed between the two groups, including the level of hemoglobin (Hb), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), serum albumin (A1b), as well as complications, liquid balance during 1 week, 3 d, 1 d before the onset of APE. RESULTS: Among the 284 patients with multiple trauma, APE was detected in 47 patients (16.5%) for 68 times, 29 (61.7%) in young group and 18 (38.3%) in elderly group. The ratio of acute renal failure (ARF) and systematic infection were significantly higher in the patients with APE (P < 0.05). Hb, MAP, CVP, A1b and the ratio of ARF, severe infection, extremity lost were not statistically different (P > 0.05) between young and elderly group, while the ratio of primary heart disease was significantly higher in elderly group (P < 0.05). The net balance of liquid during 1 week, 3 d and 1 d before the onset of APE was significantly higher in young group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mutiple Trauma patients with ARF are prone to encounter APE on the exist of infection and overburden of liquid; young patients tend to develop APE followed by liquid overburden,while elderly patients tend to develop APE because of poor primary heart condition even with more cautious fluid infusion.


Subject(s)
Multiple Trauma/complications , Pulmonary Edema/etiology , Acute Kidney Injury/complications , Age Factors , China/epidemiology , Critical Illness , Female , Fluid Therapy/adverse effects , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Edema/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
20.
J Med Microbiol ; 61(Pt 10): 1483-1484, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22820689

ABSTRACT

A previously healthy Chinese male returned from working in the Malaysian jungle with a fever. A blood culture grew Gram-negative bacilli that were initially identified as Burkholderia cepacia by the VITEK 2 system but were subsequently found to be Burkholderia pseudomallei by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The identification of B. pseudomallei using commercially available automated systems is problematic and clinicians in non-endemic areas should be aware of the possibility of melioidosis in patients with a relevant travel history and blood cultures growing Burkholderia spp.


Subject(s)
Bacteriological Techniques , Burkholderia cepacia/classification , Burkholderia pseudomallei/classification , Melioidosis/microbiology , Adult , Burkholderia Infections/diagnosis , Burkholderia Infections/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/classification , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Humans , Male , Melioidosis/diagnosis , RNA, Bacterial/classification , RNA, Bacterial/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/classification , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Sensitivity and Specificity
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