Efferocytosis in dendritic cells: an overlooked immunoregulatory process.

Efferocytosis, the process of engulfing and removing apoptotic cells, plays an essential role in preserving tissue health and averting undue inflammation. While macrophages are primarily known for this task, dendritic cells (DCs) also play a significant role. This review delves into the unique contributions of various DC subsets to efferocytosis, highlighting the distinctions in how DCs and macrophages recognize and handle apoptotic cells.

COMPARISON AMONG PRESEPSIN, PROCALCITONIN, AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PREDICTING BLOOD CULTURE POSITIVITY AND PATHOGEN IN SEPSIS PATIENTS.

Background: Sepsis is caused by the invasion of the bloodstream by microorganisms from local sites of infection, leading to high mortality. This study aimed to compare the predictive ability of the biomarkers presepsin, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein for bacteraemia. Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre study, a dataset of patients with sepsis who were prospectively enrolled between November 2017 and June 2021 was analyzed.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PREDICTORS OF MORTALITY DIFFER BETWEEN PULMONARY AND ABDOMINAL SEPSIS.

Background: Pulmonary sepsis and abdominal sepsis have pathophysiologically distinct phenotypes. This study aimed to compare their clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective trial, 1,359 adult patients who fulfilled the Sepsis-3 criteria were enrolled and classified into the pulmonary sepsis or abdominal sepsis groups.

Predictive value of presepsin and acylcarnitines for severity and biliary drainage in acute cholangitis.

Background: Bacteremia, which is a major cause of mortality in patients with acute cholangitis, induces hyperactive immune response and mitochondrial dysfunction. Presepsin is responsible for pathogen recognition by innate immunity. Acylcarnitines are established mitochondrial biomarkers.

Over-expression of programmed death-ligand 1 and programmed death-1 on antigen-presenting cells as a predictor of organ dysfunction and mortality during early sepsis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to explore the changes of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and evaluate their association with organ failure and mortality during early sepsis.

Methods: In total, 40 healthy controls and 198 patients with sepsis were included in this study. Peripheral blood was collected within the first 24 h after the diagnosis of sepsis.

Management strategy of a carotid-esophageal fistula with a right common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm due to chicken bone ingestion: A case report and literature review.

Common carotid artery (CCA) pseudoaneurysm is a rare clinical disorder. CCA pseudoaneurysm that occurs with a carotid-esophageal fistula and causes massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding is especially uncommon but can be life-threatening. Accurate diagnosis and prompt managements are essential to save lives.

Glucocorticoid receptor expression in patients with cardiac arrest in the early period after the return of spontaneous circulation: a prospective observational single-centre study.

Objectives: Rapid changes in glucocorticoid (GC) levels and adrenal insufficiency are related to the development of post-cardiac arrest (CA) syndrome. However, GC receptor (GR) expression changes have not been studied. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association of early changes in GR expression and prognosis and immune response in patients who experienced CA.

Dynamic blood presepsin levels are associated with severity and outcome of acute pancreatitis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas with an unpredictable course of illness. A major challenge of AP is the early identification of patients at high-risk for organ failure and death. However, scoring systems are complicated and time consuming, and the predictive values for the clinical course are vague.

Increasing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2/ACE axes ratio alleviates early pulmonary vascular remodeling in a porcine model of acute pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) with cardiac arrest (CA) is characterized by high mortality in emergency due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study aims to determine whether early pulmonary artery remodeling occurs in PAH caused by massive APE with CA and the protective effects of increasing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2-angiotensin (Ang) (1-7)-Mas receptor axis and ACE-Ang II-Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1) axis (ACE2/ACE axes) ratio on pulmonary artery lesion after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Methods: To establish a porcine massive APE with CA model, autologous thrombus was injected into the external jugular vein until mean arterial pressure dropped below 30 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity and the Mechanism of Berberine Against Methicillin-Resistant Isolated from Bloodstream Infection Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of berberine and the mechanism by which it combats methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains isolated from patients with bloodstream infections.

Methods: Fifteen clinical MRSA isolates were collected, and their Multi-locus Sequence Types (MLST) were examined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and combined antibacterial activity of berberine alone, and when combined with clindamycin and rifampicin separately, were determined.

Presepsin as a biomarker for risk stratification for acute cholangitis in emergency department: A single-center study.

Background: Acute cholangitis is caused by bacterial infection and has high morbidity and mortality risk. The grade of cholangitis can guide clinical treatment from single antibiotic treatment to biliary drainage. With the introduction of white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total bilirubin (T-Bil) into the diagnostic criteria and severity grading for acute cholangitis, the diagnosis rate and grading have significantly improved.

Case Report: Disseminated Cysticercosis due to Intentional Ingestion of Parasitic Worm Eggs for Weight Loss.

A 20-year-old female resident of Beijing intended to consume the eggs of the parasitic worm, Taenia saginata, for weight loss; however, she apparently inadvertently ingested Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) eggs, which resulted in disseminated cysticercosis. Cysticerci developed in the brain, tongue, muscles, liver, peritoneum, and subcutaneous tissues. She was administered oral albendazole and praziquantel.

Leukocyte glucocorticoid receptor expression and related transcriptomic gene signatures during early sepsis.

Purpose: The study aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms that might lead to differences in the glucocorticoid response during sepsis.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with sepsis (n = 198) and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in circulating leukocytes and plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol on days 1 and 7 were measured in all participants.

Association between elevation of plasma biomarkers and monocyte dysfunction and their combination in predicting sepsis: An observational single-centre cohort study.

This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the two biomarkers presepsin and procalcitonin (PCT) and monocyte immune function, and to explore their combination in mortality prediction in the early stage of sepsis. A total of 198 patients with bacterial infection and diagnosed with sepsis and 40 healthy control subjects were included. Blood samples were collected on admission within 24 h.

[Great role and position of emergency department in the prevention and control of infectious diseases].

The emergency department is not only the place of treating emergency and critically ill patients, but also the frontline of identification and treatment of infectious disease. To ensure the treatment of the acute and critical diseases and the safety of the hospital, the emergency department should be included in the prevention and control system of infectious diseases. Therefore, we should attach great importance to the role of emergency department in the prevention and control system of infectious diseases, by establishing standardized protocols of ward layout, treatment procedure, management and training.

Imbalance of angiotensin-converting enzymes affects myocardial apoptosis during cardiac arrest induced by acute pulmonary embolism in a porcine model.

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) with cardiac arrest (CA) is associated with a high mortality rate. Even upon return of the spontaneous circulation (ROSC), APE‑CA survivors are prone to myocardial cell apoptosis, a key cellular mechanism that induces heart failure. A recent study by our group discovered a post‑resuscitation imbalance in the serum angiotensin‑converting enzyme (ACE)2/ACE axis of the renin‑angiotensin system (RAS), as well as regressive cardiac function in a porcine model of APE‑CA.

Association between ACE2/ACE balance and pneumocyte apoptosis in a porcine model of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with cardiac arrest.

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is frequently reported in patients with cardiac arrest (CA) in emergency care. Pneumocyte apoptosis is commonly observed in the lungs following an APE. An important pathological mechanism evoking apoptosis during a lipopolysaccharide‑induced acute lung injury is the angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/ACE imbalance.

[A survey on knowledge of recommended heart failure guidelines among Chinese physicians].

Objective: To obtain the knowledge status on recommended heart failure (HF) guidelines among Chinese physicians.

Methods: Questionnaire on heart failure including 20 multiple choice questions and 10 fill in the blank questions was designed based on the Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure in 2007 and the Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure in 2010. The rate of correct answer for each item was calculated and compared among physicians specialized for cardiovascular diseases and not.

Analysis of traumatic occupational fatalities in China.

Background: A descriptive epidemiologic analysis of the characteristics of workplace-based multiple fatality incidents in China can contribute to a scientific basis for the prevention and control of such fatal incidents as well for as the facilitation of medical assistance during these episodes.

Methods: We used data on workplace-based multiple fatality incidents spanning January 1, 2001-December 31, 2008 as collected by the National Work Safety Administration of China to analyze event frequency, type, number of deaths, mortality rate (per million persons), and regional distribution.

Results: A total of 17,277 workplace-based multiple fatality incidents were reported between 2001 and 2008, which were associated with 62,850 deaths and 30,418 injuries.