Immune-metabolic marker of albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio based prognostic nomogram for patients following peritoneal dialysis.

Background: The nutritional status and coagulation function of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are closely associated with their prognosis. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of the albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) on mortality in PD patients and to establish a prognostic prediction model based on AFR.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 148 PD patients treated at our hospital between Oct.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio based prognostic nomogram for patients following allogeneic vascular replacement pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Preoperative immune-inflammatory condition influencing the metabolism of malignancies. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of a novel immune-inflammatory metabolic marker, the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 118 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and obstructive jaundice who underwent allogeneic vascular replacement pancreaticoduodenectomy in our hospital from Apr.

Optimizing the Morphology and Solidification Behavior of Fe-Rich Phases in Eutectic Al-Si-Based Alloys with Different Fe Contents by Adding Mn Elements.

A high Fe content easily produces Fe-rich phases with a harmful morphology, resulting in a huge detrimental effect on the properties and recycling ability of Al-Si alloys. Therefore, finding ways to effectively transform Fe-rich phases to form a beneficial phase or shape is of great significance. Accordingly, Al-Si-based alloys with Fe contents ranging from 0.

Assessing Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries: A Comparison of Exoanal and Endoanal Ultrasound.

Objectives: To explore the differences in assessing obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) between transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and test relationships between ultrasound findings and anal incontinence (AI) symptoms.

Methods: A group of 196 women with a history of vaginal delivery was recruited. OASI was detected in a set of 5 slices by EAUS and 8 slices by TPUS.

Ntrk1 promotes mesangial cell proliferation and inflammation in rat glomerulonephritis model by activating the STAT3 and p38/ERK MAPK signaling pathways.

Background: Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) accounts for a main cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic renal failure and uremia. This paper aimed to examine the effect of Ntrk1 on MsPGN development, so as to identify a novel therapeutic target for MsPGN.

Methods: The MsPGN rat model was constructed by single injection of Thy1.

Morphological differences in the female anal sphincter complex between endoanal and exoanal ultrasound.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This study was aimed at describing the morphological characteristics of the normal female anal sphincter complex (ASC) by high-resolution transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and endoanal ultrasound (EAUS).

Methods: Thirty volunteers, including 19 nulliparous and 11 women who had only given birth by Cesarean section, were recruited. The ASC was shown in a set of five slices by EAUS and 8 slices by TPUS.

Hypoxia Enhances Activity and Malignant Behaviors of Colorectal Cancer Cells through the STAT3/MicroRNA-19a/PTEN/PI3K/AKT Axis.

Hypoxia is a typical microenvironment feature in almost all solid tumors and is frequently associated with growth of cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). This study focuses on the influence of hypoxic microenvironment on the activity of CRC cells and the molecules involved. CRC cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions for 48 h, after which the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition activities of cells were increased.

Effect of individualized diabetes education for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a single-center randomized clinical trial.

Background: To evaluate the effect of individualized education for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 280 patients (158 males, mean age 63 ± 10 years) with T2DM were randomly divided into study and control group. Eysenck Personality questionnaire was used to assess the personality of the patients in the study group, which was provided us one-on-one counseling and individualized management plan.

[Comparison of anorectal pressure after procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids versus Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation for grade III hemorrhoids].

Objective: To compare the long-term anorectal manometry of patients with grade III hemorrhoids treated by procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) or Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL).

Methods: A total of 114 patients with grade III hemorrhoids in our department in 2010 were prospectively enrolled, and divided into PPH group (63 cases) and DGHAL group (51 cases) according to patient preference. Patients received anorectal pressure examination 2, 6, 12, 18 months after operation, including rectal resting pressure, anal resting pressure, maximal anal contractive pressure and length of high-pressure band.

Polymorphisms in TP53 and MDM2 contribute to higher risk of colorectal cancer in Chinese population: a hospital-based, case-control study.

The murine double minute 2 protein (MDM2) and TP53 interact in regulating cell cycle, DNA repair and apoptosis process, which is crucial in carcinogenesis. Since functional variations in these two genes were shown to change gene expression and function, we hypothesized that potentially functional polymorphisms in these genes may contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. A hospital-based case-control study consisting of 444 patients and 569 controls was conducted to explore the associations between TP53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 T309G and CRC risk in Chinese.

Causative agent distribution and antibiotic therapy assessment among adult patients with community acquired pneumonia in Chinese urban population.

Background: Knowledge of predominant microbial patterns in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) constitutes the basis for initial decisions about empirical antimicrobial treatment, so a prospective study was performed during 2003-2004 among CAP of adult Chinese urban populations.

Methods: Qualified patients were enrolled and screened for bacterial, atypical, and viral pathogens by sputum and/or blood culturing, and by antibody seroconversion test. Antibiotic treatment and patient outcome were also assessed.

[The action of active efflux system on multi-drug resistance in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus].

Objective: To study the active efflux gene qacB, qacJ and smr in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and to investigate their effect on the multi-drug resistance (MDR) of MRSA.

Methods: The three pairs of ideal primers of active efflux gene qacB, qacJ and smr were designed by computer with Primer Premier 5.0 software.

[A retrospective cohort study of the influence of time of hospital-acquired pneumonia onset on pathogen constitution].

Objective: To study the influence of duration of hospitalization on etiologic agent and antibiotic-resistance of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).

Methods: Cases of HAP were patients hospitalized in Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Ruijin Hospital, Beijing Hospital, Zhongshan University Affiliated Third Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College Affiliated Hospital and Guangdong People's Hospital. These patients were hospitalized from January 2001 to December 2003, and the diagnosis of HAP was made based on positive respiratory specimen cultures.

[An experimental study of the therapeutic effect of interleukin-2 and interleukin-12 with and without amphotericin B on pulmonary fungal infection].

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) with and without amphotericin B on pulmonary fungal infection of mice.

Methods: A mouse model of pulmonary invasive aspergillus fumigatus (IPA) infection was established and the mice were divided into different groups, treated with IL-2 and IL-12 with and without amphotericin B. The survival number of mice in 15 days and the colony count of lung tissue in the different groups were observed.

[Study of susceptibility and genotype characterization of plasmid-mediated class I cephalosporinase in gram-negative bacteria].

Objective: To investigate the susceptibility and genotype characteristics of gram-negative bacteria producing plasmid-mediated class I cephalosporinase (AmpC beta lactamase) epidemic in Southern China.

Methods: A total of 1,187 clinical isolates of nonrepetive gram-negative bacteria were collected from different cities in Southern China. AmpC beta lactamase producing isolates were identified by cefoxitin three-dimensional test, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was identified by Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion test; plasmid conjugation, plasmid extraction, universal PCR for gene amplication of corresponding group was done, and the PCR products were sequenced subsequently.

[Study on the molecular mechanism of transferable multiple-antibiotic resistance in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing clinical isolates].

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of transferable multiple-antibiotic resistance in extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing isolates.

Methods: Antibiotics susceptibility was tested by E-test method, and multi-resistance plasmids were screened and isolated by extracting transformant plasmids. Inserted gene Cassettes of class 1 integron were amplified and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.

Combined therapy of interleukin-12 and interleukin-18 against Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a murine model.

Objective: To explore adverse effects of combined treatment of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) against cryptococcosis in a murine model.

Methods: Infected mice were treated with a combination of IL-12 and IL-18. Their body weight and intake of water and food were observed and recorded.

Staphylococcus heterogeneously resistant to vancomycin in China and antimicrobial activities of imipenem and vancomycin in combination against it.

Of 115 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus strains collected from sputum specimens, 34 strains reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, 9 of which emerged as heterogeneous vancomycin-resistant strains (hetero-VRS), with various degrees of vancomycin resistance at a frequency of 10(-6) or higher. Seventy-six percent (19 of 25) of non-hetero-VRS and 100% (9 of 9) of hetero-VRS were susceptible to synergistic treatment with vancomycin and imipenem. Clinical clearance between 9 hetero-VRS and 25 non-hetero-VRS had an obvious statistical significance (P = 0.