Inhibitory effects of Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoid on the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum triterpenoids) on the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) both and .

Methods: In experiments, the inhibitory effects of G.

Domicile-related carbon monoxide poisoning in cold months and its relation with climatic factors.

Background: Many studies have identified strong correlations between winter months and acute, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence pattern of acute domicile-related CO poisoning in Beijing and its relation with climatic factors.

Methods: Data on CO poisoning were collected from the emergency medical service system during August 1, 2005, to July 31, 2007, in Beijing.

The seasonality of acute coronary syndrome and its relations with climatic parameters.

Background: Most research on the seasonality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been were reported from hospital-based data. We aimed to investigate the seasonal distribution of ACS in Beijing and to elucidate the relations between ACS occurrence and climatic parameters in a prehospital setting.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic prehospital medical records from the Beijing's emergency medical service system spanning August 1, 2005, to July 31, 2007.

Circadian, day-of-week, and age patterns of the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome in Beijing's emergency medical services system.

Background: Previous in-hospital studies suggest that there are significant circadian rhythms associated with the incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). No study to date has examined the presentation of ACS in the prehospital setting. Our goal was to examine circadian, day-of-week, and age patterns of occurrence in ACS in a large, urban emergency medical services (EMS) system.

Circadian and seasonal rhythms of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Beijing.

Objective: To investigate the circadian and seasonal patterns in the presentation of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) in Beijing, China.

Methods: Medical records of the Beijing Emergency Medical Service System (EMSS) for 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2007 were reviewed; all patients diagnosed with AUGIB were included in the study.

Results: 2580 patients were recorded in the EMSS system with a diagnosis of AUGIB during the study period.

[Circadian variation of the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and its relationship with climatic factors].

Objective: To study the circadian patterns of the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and its relationship with climatic factors in Beijing.

Methods: We searched all UGIB records from August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2007 from Beijing Emergency Center and tracked the meteorological data during the same period. The variation of the incidence of UGIB was compared based on day, month, and season.

Early recognition of myxedematous respiratory failure in the elderly.

Objective: To report the clinical characteristics of myxedematous respiratory failure in the elderly and to facilitate early recognition of hypothyroidism in critically ill old patients.

Methods: Clinical characteristics of our reported 4 patients and that of 17 patients with myxedematous respiratory failure reported previously were reviewed. Demographic information, vital signs, basic laboratory studies, and blood gas analysis were compared.

Future possibilities for the treatment of septic shock with herbal components.

The treatment of septic shock remains challenging even with the armamentarium of modern antibiotics and intensive care technologies. Reliance on antibiotics and other methods targeting modulation of the systemic inflammatory response such as steroids, hemofiltration, and cytokine antagonists has not led to reliable successful treatment for inflammation and infection-related shock. In part, this is attributable to the continuous evolution of antibacterial drug resistance.

Ethanol poisoning together with organophosphate exposure: a difficult clinical diagnosis because of physician anchoring.

Aims: Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning occurs frequently in China and can be diagnosed easily based on the history of ingestion and the cholinergic toxic syndrome. Yet, when combined with other toxins, organophosphorus poisoning may appear different.

Methods: Here, we present a case of acute ethanol poisoning together with a dermal organophosphorus exposure.

The cytokine storm and factors determining the sequence and severity of organ dysfunction in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. It is being encountered frequently in critically ill patients owing to advancements in organ-specific supportive technologies to survive the acute phase of severe sepsis and shock. It is now believed that MODS is the result of an inappropriate generalized inflammatory response of the host to a variety of acute insults.

[Gastrointestinal dysfunction/failure and critical care medicine].

This article reviews the recent advances in gastrointestinal function research, especially the gastrointestinal dysfunction/failure in critical care medicine.

[Functional hemodynamic monitoring].

Hemodynamic monitoring is important for critically ill patients in emergency medicine. While the conventional static hemodynamic monitoring may not accurately reflect the hemodynamic status, functional hemodynamic monitoring can dynamicly and individually monitor the hemodynamic status, and thus becomes a valuable supplementation for conventional static hemodynamic monitoring. This article reviews the limitations of conventional hemodynamic monitoring and introduces the methodology of functional hemodynamic monitoring.

[Clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism].

Objective: To explore the clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 4 patients with respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.

Results: Respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism usually happened in the aged patients, presenting as myxedema, disturbance of consciousness, anemia, and hyponatrium.

[Apoptosis of gastric mucosa and gastric barrier dysfunction in acute ischemic stroke].

Objective: To evaluate the role of gastric mucosa apoptosis in the stress of ischemic stroke, and to discuss the relationship between gastric mucosa apoptosis and gastric barrier.

Methods: Ten dogs were artificially made ischemic stroke by operation (IS group), and another 10 shamly-operated dogs were served as control group. Sucrose permeability were measured after the operation.

[Effects of methylene blue on refractory hemorrhagic shock].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of methylene blue (MB) on refractory hemorrhagic shock.

Methods: Totally 24 rabbits subjected to prolonged hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation were randomly divided into hemorrhagic shock group (12 rabbits) and MB group (12 rabbits; MB was administered immediately after resuscitation was performed). The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) , interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, nitric oxide (NO), lactic acid (LA) , and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were detected before shock, immediately after resuscitation, and 0.

[An analysis of the early diagnostic criteria for tuberculosis meningitis].

Objective: To find a method for the early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TM).

Methods: Cases with the discharge diagnosis of TM during 1995 - 2004 ten years in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. History of tuberculosis other sites of tuberculous infection, the findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF culture result were studied.

The epidemiology of non-traumatic prehospital sudden death in Macau.

Objective: To understand the epidemiology of non-traumatic prehospital sudden death (NPSD) in Macau, and to discuss potential diseases related to NPSD.

Methods: We analysed the epidemiological characteristics of 605 NPSD cases occurred between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 in Macau. Four hundred NPSD victims' medical records were reviewed to collect information regarding associated diseases.

Gastric lavage in acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (GLAOP)--a randomised controlled trial of multiple vs. single gastric lavage in unselected acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.

Background: Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide poisoning is the most common form of pesticide poisoning in many Asian countries. Guidelines in western countries for management of poisoning indicate that gastric lavage should be performed only if two criteria are met: within one hour of poison ingestion and substantial ingested amount. But the evidence on which these guidelines are based is from medicine overdoses in developed countries and may be irrelevant to OP poisoning in Asia.