Human defensin-inspired discovery of peptidomimetic antibiotics.

SignificanceWe report the development of peptidomimetic antibiotics derived from a natural antimicrobial peptide, human α-defensin 5. By engaging multiple bacterial targets, the lead compound is efficacious in vitro and in vivo against bacteria with highly inducible antibiotic resistance, promising a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

ABT-263 enhanced bacterial phagocytosis of macrophages in aged mouse through Beclin-1-dependent autophagy.

Background: Sepsis is a critical challenge for the older adults as the immune function is less responsive by aging. Although cell numbers seem preserved in the older adults, macrophages present age-related function decline, which including reduced chemokines, phagocytosis, and autophagy. ABT-263, an inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, is reported had a senolytic effect which can selectively clear the senescent cells in vivo and rejuvenate the aged tissues.

Lateral position intubation followed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided angiotherapy in acute esophageal variceal rupture: A case report.

Background: Massive esophageal variceal bleeding can be catastrophic, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Patients experiencing massive esophageal variceal bleeding are at high risk of aspiration and hemorrhagic shock in acute episodes. Intubation and bleeding control are the two essential steps for resuscitation of these patients.

Application of Chinese Medicine in the Management of Critical Conditions: A Review on Sepsis.

Critical care medicine is a medical specialty engaging the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients who have or are likely to have life-threatening organ failure. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds to infection, is currently the major cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Although progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis, many drawbacks in sepsis treatment remains unresolved.

Plasma gelsolin level predicts acute kidney injury after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and young children.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a common complication especially in pediatric population. Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) is an anti-inflammatory factor through binding with actin and pro-inflammatory cytokines in circulation. Decrease in pGSN has been reported in some pathologic conditions.

Enhancement in Tonically Active Glutamatergic Inputs to the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Contributes to Neuropathic Pain-Induced High Blood Pressure.

Neuropathic pain increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension with the characteristic of sympathetic overactivity. The enhanced tonically active glutamatergic input to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) contributes to sympathetic overactivity and blood pressure (BP) in cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesize that neuropathic pain enhances tonically active glutamatergic inputs to the RVLM, which contributes to high level of BP and sympathetic outflow.

TRIM22-Mediated Apoptosis is Associated with Bak Oligomerization in Monocytes.

Monocyte apoptosis is a key mechanism that orchestrates host immune responses during sepsis. TRIM22 is constitutively expressed at high levels in monocytes and plays important roles in the antiviral response and inflammation. Overexpression of TRIM22 interferes with the clonogenic growth of monocytic cells, suggesting that TRIM22 may regulate monocyte survival.

Effect of Organic Matter on Sorption of Zn on Soil: Elucidation by Wien Effect Measurements and EXAFS Spectroscopy.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is the major factor affecting sequestration of heavy metals in soil. The mean free binding energy and the mean free adsorption energy and speciation of Zn in soil, as affected by SOM, were determined by employing Wien effect measurements. The presence of SOM markedly decreased the Zn binding energy in soils in the following order: Top (5.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine on sepsis: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for treatment of sepsis in China, but results still remain equivocal. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCM for sepsis, we conducted this Meta-analysis.

Methods: Databases searched included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (up to December 2014).

Sphingosine 1-phosphate Receptor 2 Signaling Suppresses Macrophage Phagocytosis and Impairs Host Defense against Sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is characterized by an inappropriate systemic inflammatory response and bacteremia that promote multiorgan failure and mortality. Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) modulates endotoxin-induced inflammation in endothelium. However, as a highly expressed S1P receptor in macrophages, its role in regulating macrophage response to bacterial infection remains unclear.

Defensins and sepsis.

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the critical illness. Multiple immune inflammatory processes take part in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Defensins are endogenous antimicrobial peptides with three disulphide bonds created by six cysteine residues.

The role of plasma gelsolin in cardiopulmonary bypass induced acute lung injury in infants and young children: a pilot study.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB, CPB-ALI) is a common and serious complication after cardiac surgery. And infants and young children are more prone to CPB-ALI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perioperative changes of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) in patients below 3 years of age with cardiac surgeries and CPB, and determine whether pGSN are associated with the occurrence and severity of CPB-ALI.

Altered melatonin secretion and circadian gene expression with increased proinflammatory cytokine expression in early-stage sepsis patients.

Inflammatory and immune responses, as well as melatonin secretion, are affected by circadian regulation. Abnormal circadian rhythm of melatonin release has been reported to be associated with the later stages of sepsis; however, its role in the early stages of sepsis is unclear. We studied 11 septic and 11 non-septic patients in our intensive care unit (ICU).

Circulating nucleosomes as a predictor of sepsis and organ dysfunction in critically ill patients.

Objectives: Sepsis is a leading cause of death in critically ill patients, and apoptosis plays a major role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Elevated levels of circulating nucleosomes released by apoptotic cells have been detected in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic/prognostic value of circulating nucleosomes in sepsis.

[Early high-volume hemofiltration treatment in severe sepsis].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early application of high-volume hemofiltration treatment (HVHF) on the levels of lactic acid, pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma, as well as APACHE II score in patients suffering from severe sepsis.

Methods: Thirty patients meeting the diagnosis of severe sepsis were enrolled in the trial within 24 hours of insults. The level of lactic acid, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRP in plasma were measured before HVHF and at 24, 48 or 72 h following HVHF treatment.

Increased genomic copy number of DEFA1/DEFA3 is associated with susceptibility to severe sepsis in Chinese Han population.

Background: Human neutrophil peptides 1-3 are endogenous cationic antimicrobial peptides implicated in host defense against microbes. The genes encoding human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (DEFA1/DEFA3) exhibit copy number variations. This study was designed to determine whether DEFA1/DEFA3 copy number variations conferred susceptibility to infection-induced complications such as severe sepsis.

Survey of attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals on delirium in ICU.

Objective: To assess the medical community's awareness and practice regarding delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: One hundred and ten predesigned questionnaires were distributed to ICU practitioners in the affiliated hospitals of Zhejiang University.

Results: A total of 105 valid questionnaires were collected.

[Comparison of three different organ failure assessment score systems in predicting outcome of severe sepsis].

Objective: To compare multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and the logistic organ dysfunction score (LODS) in predicting hospital mortality in severe sepsis.

Methods: Four hundred and three patients admitted to the ICU from December 2004 to November 2007 with a diagnosis of severe sepsis were enrolled in this study. Their MODS, SOFA, LODS and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II at admission and the highest score during hospitalization were respectively recorded and collected in regard to mortality.

[Epidemiological study of severe sepsis in a newborn intensive care unit].

Objectives: To determine the incidence and outcome of severe sepsis in Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to characterize their demographics and infection pattern.

Methods: Characteristics of 243 newborns admitted to NICU from June 1st, 2006 to May 31st, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Analysis of data derived from 243 newborns admitted to NICU over an 1-year period with 48 (19.

Time course of plasma gelsolin concentrations during severe sepsis in critically ill surgical patients.

Introduction: Gelsolin is an actin-binding plasma protein that is part of an 'actin-scavenging' system. Studies suggest that plasma gelsolin may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Little is known about the course of plasma gelsolin levels over time in patients with severe sepsis.

Protein C -1641A/-1654C haplotype is associated with organ dysfunction and the fatal outcome of severe sepsis in Chinese Han population.

Activation of protein C plays an important role in modulating coagulation as well as inflammation during severe sepsis. The baseline of activated protein C level in patients with severe sepsis showed interindividual variability between survivors and nonsurvivors, and the decreased level of protein C correlated with organ dysfunction and poor outcome. However, there are limited data concerning the genetic predisposition of individuals carrying two functional polymorphisms -1641A>G and -1654C>T within protein C gene to sepsis.

Impact of invasive fungal infection on outcomes of severe sepsis: a multicenter matched cohort study in critically ill surgical patients.

Introduction: Fungal infection is increasingly common in critical illness with severe sepsis, but the influence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) on severe sepsis is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that IFI has on the outcomes of critically ill surgical patients with severe sepsis in China by means of matched cohort analysis; we also evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics of IFI in this population.

Methods: Records for all admissions to 10 university hospital surgical intensive care units (ICUs) from December 2004 to November 2005 were reviewed.

[Relationship between sepsis and 4G/5G polymorphism within the promoter region of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene].

Objective: To study the relationship between sepsis and a 4G/5G polymorphism within the promoter region of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene in the Han nationality.

Methods: Peripheral blood sample were collected from 89 patients with severe sepsis, 58 males and 31 females, aged 56, with a APHCHII score of 22.5 +/- 2.