Xuebijing improves intestinal microcirculation dysfunction in septic rats by regulating the VEGF-A/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Background: This study aims to explore whether Xuebijing (XBJ) can improve intestinal microcirculation dysfunction in sepsis and its mechanism.

Methods: A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). A total of 30 male SD rats were divided into four groups: sham group, CLP group, XBJ + axitinib group, and XBJ group.

Dl-3-n-butylphthalide improves intestinal microcirculation disorders in septic rats by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and autophagy.

Purpose: Sepsis has complex pathophysiological mechanisms that bring new challenges in the treatment of sepsis at a time when the intestinal microcirculation in sepsis is receiving increasing attention. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), which is a drug that can improve multiorgan ischemic diseases, is also worth examining to improve the intestinal microcirculation in sepsis.

Methods: In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham group (n = 6), CLP group (n = 6), NBP group (n = 6) and NBP + LY294002 group (n = 6).

Development and evaluation of a predictive nomogram for survival in heat stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to establish an effective nomogram to predict the survival of heat stroke (HS) based on risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational multicenter cohort study. We analyzed patients diagnosed with HS, who were treated between May 1 and September 30, 2018 at 15 tertiary hospitals from 11 cities in Northern China.

Predictive performance of critical illness scores and procalcitonin in sepsis caused by different gram-stain bacteria.

Objectives: To compare the early and late predictive values of several critical illness scores (CISs) and biomarkers in sepsis-3 patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) and to identify the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) for different gram-stain bacteria infections.

Methods: Patients with at least one positive blood culture within 24h of emergency department admission and with a final diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock were enrolled. CISs were calculated based on the first parameters on the day of admission.

HDAC6 promotes sepsis development by impairing PHB1-mediated mitochondrial respiratory chain function.

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the regulation of mitochondrial function by histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and the role of HDAC6 in the development and progression of sepsis.

Results: HDAC6 downregulated PHB1 and subsequently promoted the development of CLP-induced sepsis. Inhibition of HDAC6 significantly attenuated CLP-induced sepsis through inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced oxidant production, thus protecting the rats from oxidative injury.

Role of Ultrasound Lung Comets in the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: A new technique of transthoracic lung ultrasonography (TLS) has emerged and demonstrated promising results in acute heart failure diagnosis at an early stage. However, the diagnostic value of ultrasound lung comets (ULCs) for acute heart failure (AHF) performed in busy emergency department (ED) is uncertain. The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic efficiency of ULCs in AHF.

Inhibitory Effects of Simvastatin on Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced oxidative stress and endothelial apoptosis are essential for atherosclerosis. Our previous study has shown that ox-LDL-induced apoptosis is mediated by the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α-subunit (eIF2α)/CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway in endothelial cells. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that exert pleiotropic effects including suppression of oxidative stress.

Diagnostic and predictive values of procalcitonin in bloodstream infections for nosocomial pneumonia.

Purpose: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of PCT to distinguish between gram-negative (GN) and gram-positive (GP) bloodstream infections nosocomial pneumonia (NP) patients and compared PCT levels with the pneumonia severity index (PSI) for predicting mortality.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for blood culture-positive NP patients between January 2014 and August 2016. PCT levels were compared between patients with GN versus GP infections.

Astilbin alleviates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the expression of macrophage inhibitory factor in rats.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by severe infections. Astilbin is a dihydroflavonol derivative found in many medicinal and food plants with multiple pharmacological functions. To investigate the effects of astilbin on sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI), cecal ligation and puncture was performed on rats to establish a sepsis-induced ALI model; these rats were then treated with astilbin at different concentrations.

Role of PERK/eIF2α/CHOP Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein Mediated Induction of Endothelial Apoptosis.

Objective: PERK/eIF2α/CHOP is a major signaling pathway mediating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress related with atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) also induces endothelial apoptosis and plays a vital role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The present study was conducted to explore the regulatory effect of ox-LDL on PERK/eIF2α/CHOP signaling pathway in vascular endothelial cells.

Procalcitonin levels in bloodstream infections caused by different sources and species of bacteria.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) diagnostic accuracy in discriminating gram-negative (GN) from gram-positive (GP) bloodstream infections and determining the relationship between PCT levels, infection sites, and pathogen types.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were collected from patients with blood culture (BC)-positive sepsis between January 2014 and December 2015. PCT levels at different infection sites were compared, as was the presence of GN and GP bloodstream infection.