Sales of antibiotics without a prescription in pharmacies, 2017 and 2021, China.

Objective: To measure sales of antibiotics without a prescription in pharmacies in China in 2017 and 2021, before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and determine the factors associated with such sales.

Methods: We conducted cross-sectional surveys using the simulated patient method in retail pharmacies in 13 provinces in eastern, central and western China in 2017 and 2021. At the pharmacies, the simulated patients (trained medical students) reported that they had mild respiratory tract symptoms and asked for treatment, using a three-stage process: (i) request some treatment; (ii) request antibiotics; (iii) request specific antibiotics.

Effectiveness of Educational Interventions for Health Workers on Antibiotic Prescribing in Outpatient Settings in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Educational interventions are considered an important component of antibiotic stewardship, but their effect has not been systematically evaluated in outpatient settings in China. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions for health workers on antibiotic prescribing rates in Chinese outpatient settings. Eight databases were searched for relevant randomized clinical trials, non-randomized trials, controlled before-after studies and interrupted time-series studies from January 2001 to July 2021.

Effect of prior receipt of antibiotics on the pathogen distribution: a retrospective observational cohort study on 27,792 patients.

Background: There have been no systematic studies of microbiological differences before and after antibiotics treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prior receipt of antibiotics on the microorganism distribution.

Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted in a 3200-bed tertiary, referral, teaching hospital in eastern China.

Curcumin attenuates staphylococcus aureus-induced acute lung injury.

Introduction: Curcumin has remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its effects on bacterium-induced acute lung injury (ALI) are not fully understood.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of curcumin on a mouse model of S.

[Type I interferon and bacterial infection].

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines playing an important role in immune responses. Interferons are classified into two distinct types according to specific interferon receptors(IFNR). Type I IFNs include IFN-α and IFN-β, whereas IFN-γ is type II IFN.

Efficacy and significance of various scores for pneumonia severity in the management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in China.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases around the world. Most severe CAP patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and receive intense treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of the pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB-65, and sepsis score in the management of hospitalized CAP patients and explore the effect of ICU treatment on prognosis of severe cases.

Curcumin inhibits transforming growth factor-beta activity via inhibition of Smad signaling in HK-2 cells.

Background: Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from rhizomes of Curcuma spp., has been shown to possess potent anti-fibrotic properties. Here, we investigate the role of curcumin in modulating the profibrotic action of TGF-beta in human proximal tubule cells (HK-2) and its underlying mechanisms.

Hyperoxygenated solution for improved oxygen supply in patients undergoing lung lavage for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Background: At present, the most effective treatment for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) remains whole-lung lavage in spite of the usually accompanying severe hypoxemia, which is expected to be prevented by hyperoxygenated solution improving oxygen supply during lavage. In this study, the efficacy and safety of the effect of hyperoxygenated solution were evaluated.

Methods: Five patients underwent whole-lung lavage over a 28-month period.

The diagnostic significance of the detection of cytokeratin 19 mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR in benign and malignant pleural effusions.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of detecting cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in benign and malignant pleural effusions.

Methods: CK19 mRNA was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and CK19 was detected by Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in 32 patients with malignant pleural effusions and 35 patients with benign pleural effusions.

Results: On the threshold of 200 copies/microl, the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in patients with malignant pleural effusions was 62.

[The observation of local immune response in the lungs from antigen-sensitized and challenged mice].

Objective: To evaluate the local immune response after allergic sensitization and challenge in the lungs of mice.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by intratracheal instillation and challenged 2 approximately 4 weeks later. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma were collected and cells from the lung-associated lymph node (LALN), the lungs and the spleen were cultured and collected.

Analysis of the GM-CSF and GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common beta chain in a patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Objective: To investigate the expression of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common beta chain (beta c receptor) in an adult patient with idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), so as to demonstrate the possible association of the GM-CSF and beta c receptor with the pathogenesis of human PAP.

Methods: The GM-CSF levels were measured with a commercial ELISA kit (sensitivity 5 pg/ml) and the beta c receptor expression on the cell surface was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was employed to detect the expression of the GM-CSF mRNA and the beta c receptor mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and alveolar macrophages.