Vitamin D-supplemented yogurt drink reduces Candida infections in a paediatric intensive care unit: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of Candida infections in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) has dramatically increased as a result of resistance to conventional anti-fungal treatments. Because vitamin D has been shown to exhibit fungicidal activity against Candida infection in an in vitro antimicrobial screening, we aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D on Candida infections in the PICU.

METHODS

Four hundred sixteen eligible children aged between 12 months to 5 years old admitted to the PICU, who were on broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, participated in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two study groups, receiving a plain yogurt drink (placebo group) or supplemented with 300 IU day^-1 vitamin D (VD group). Primary outcome was defined as the incidences of Candida colonisation (Candida isolated from rectal swab) 14 days after enrollment. Secondary outcome measures were Candida growth in blood (candidaemia) and urine (candiduria).

RESULTS

The prevalence of candiduria as well as candidaemia was significantly lower in the VD-treated group (26 cases) than in the placebo group (62 cases). The mean (SD) length of PICU stay was obviously lowered in the VD group [11.8 (1.2) days] compared to the placebo group [15.2 (2.3 days)], whereas cases of patient death were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation of vitamin D effectively reduces infections of Candida in children who were critically ill and on broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.

Five-channel tunable W-band Doppler backscattering system in the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

A 5-channel Doppler backscattering system has been designed and installed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). Through an I/Q-type double sideband modulator and a frequency multiplier, an array of finely spaced (Δf = 400 MHz) frequencies that span 1.6 GHz has been created. The center of the array bandwidth is tunable within the range of 75-97.8 GHz, which covers most of the W band (75-110 GHz). The incident angle can be adjusted from -4° to 12°, and the wavenumber range is 4-15 cm^-1 with a wavenumber resolution of Δk/k ≤ 0.35. Ray tracing is used to calculate the scattering location and the scattering wavenumber. This article details the hardware design, the ray tracing, and the preliminary experimental results from EAST plasmas.

Free electrons excited SPASER

Surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASER) is discovered and used for realizing lasers at nanometer scale. The conventional gain media that are applied in SPASER are solid materials, such as organic dye or semiconductor, which limits the frequency range of SPASER. The free electrons could be considered as a kind of gain medium for emitting radiation. Here, we investigate theoretically the SPASER, which is excited by free electrons. We also demonstrate the tunable, deep-ultraviolet, and ultracompact laser numerically by having free electrons interact with surface plasmon polariton mode supported on metal surface. The output power density could reach about 30 W/μm² and the wavelength in deep ultraviolet could be widely tuned by varying the electron energy. This work offers a way of realizing integrated free electron laser in the ultraviolet frequency region.

[Interpretation of allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA)]

Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) has been the most preferred reference for national guidelines. The ARIA 2010 revision is the first evidence-based clinical guideline in the field of allergies, which has great influence in the world. The ARIA 2016 revision continues the basic framework of the 2010 revision, which focuses on six controversial clinical issues in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.It aimed to provide clear informationand systematic treatment for patients, clinicians and health policy makers. The interpretation of the ARIA 2016 revision will help domestic otolaryngologist, respiratory doctors, and allergy practitioners understand the latest guidelines for AR drug treatment in the world.

A novel, tunable, multimodal microwave system for microwave reflectometry system

Based on a new technique, a tunable, multi-channel system that covers the Q-band (33-55 GHz) is presented in this article. It has a potential use of the Doppler backscattering system diagnostic that can measure the turbulence radial correlation and the perpendicular velocity of turbulence by changing the incident angle. The system consists primarily of a double-sideband (DSB) modulation and a multiplier, which creates four probing frequencies. The probing frequency enables the simultaneous analysis of the density fluctuations and flows at four distinct radial regions in tokamak plasma. The amplitude of the probing frequency can be adjusted by the initial phase of the intermediate frequency (IF) input from the double-sideband, and the typical flatness is less than 10 dB. The system was tested in the lab with a rotating grating, and the results show that the system can operate in the frequency range of 33-55 GHz with a Q-band multitude and that the power of each channel can be adjusted by the phase of the IF input of DSB.

[Efficacy analysis of the endovascular treatment for 175 unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, clinical effect and follow-up outcome of the different endovascular treatment techniques in the treatment of unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs). Methods: The clinical data of 160 consecutive patients (175VBDAs) from January 2012 to December 2016 in Beijing Tiantan hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All of the 175 aneurysms were treated with endovascular embolization, including 115 stent-assisted coils, 27 simple stents, 21 blood flow diverting devices, and 12 parent arteries occlusion.The imaging and clinical follow-up were performed after the operation. Results: Headache including cervical-occipital pain(43.1%)was the most common clinical manifestation.The incidence of perioperative complications was 3.75%, no intraoperative bleeding and no deaths.The imaging findings of 113 aneurysms were followed up for (9.9±7.3) months.Of the 71 stent-assisted coils, 62 recovered well and 9 relapsed; of the 19 aneurysms treated with simple stent, 4 recovered well, 11 improved, 2 stable and 2 relapsed; of the 15 aneurysms treated by the blood flow diverting devices, 4 recovered and 11 improved; all of the 8 aneurysms with parent arteries occlusion recovered well.A total of 144 patients were follow-up (17.3±16.6) months by the Modified Rankin Scale(mRS) score: 140 patients were 0-2 score and 4 patients were 3-6 score. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of the unruptured VBDAs are complex, and the headache is the most common clinical symptom.Endovascular treatment for the treatment of unruptured VBDAs is safe and feasible.The principle of individualization should be followed during embolization.

Association between bedtime and self-reported illness among college students: a representative nationwide study of China

OBJECTIVE

This study was to examine the association between bedtime and self-reported illness among Chinese college students.

METHODS

Participants were 11,942 students, who were identified through a multistage survey sampling process. Sleep and illness status were obtained by self report. Both unadjusted and adjusted methods were considered in the analyses.

RESULTS

The logistic regression model found that late bedtime was positively associated with self reported short and long-term illness (OR: 3.70 and 1, 79) after adjusting for demographic characteristics, short sleep duration, and mental disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to find a positive relationship between late bedtime and self reported illnesses in China or elsewhere. The findings underscore the importance of educating college students about the importance of sleep.

Chemically linked metal-matrix nanocomposites of boron nitride nanosheets and silver as thermal interface materials

Herein, novel hybrid nanocomposite thermal interface materials (TIMs) relying on the chemical linkage of silver, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), and organic ligands are reported. These TIMs were prepared using a co-electrodeposition/chemisorption approach where the electrolytic reduction of silver ions into silver nano-/micro-crystals was coupled with the conjugation of ligand-coated nanosheets onto silver crystals. Furthermore, the influence of the bond strength of silver/nanosheet links on the thermal, mechanical, and structural properties is investigated using a combination of techniques including laser flash analysis, phase-sensitive transient thermoreflectance, nanoindentation, and electron microscopy. The internal nanostructure was found to be strongly dependent on the linker chemistry. While the chemical grafting of 4-cyano-benzoyl chloride (CBC) and 2-mercapto-5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid (MBCA) on BNNSs led to the uniform distribution of functionalized-nanosheets in the silver crystal matrix, the physical binding of 4-bromo-benzoyl chloride linkers on nanosheets caused the aggregation and phase separation. The thermal conductivity was 236-258 W m^-1 K and 306-321 W m^-1 K for physically and chemically conjugated TIMs, respectively, while their hardness varied from 400-495 MPa and from 240 to 360 MPa, respectively. The corresponding ratio of thermal conductivity to hardness, which is a critical parameter controlling the performance of TIMs, was ultrahigh for the chemically conjugated TIMs: 1.3 × 10^-6 m² K^-1 s for MBCA-BNNS and 8.5 × 10^-7 m² K^-1 s for CBC-BNNS. We anticipate that these materials can satisfy some of the emerging thermal management needs arising from the improved performance and efficiency, miniaturization, and/or high throughput of electronic devices, energy storage devices, energy conversion systems, light-emitting diodes, and telecommunication components.

Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics in swine of a florfenicol enteric formulation prepared using hot-melt extrusion technology

The objective of this work was to manufacture an enteric formulation of florfenicol (FF) using hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology and to evaluate its in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetics. For the HME process, hypromellose acetate succinate LG (HPMCAS-LG) was the enteric polymer mixed with FF, and the two components were extruded with a standard screw configuration at a speed of 50 rpm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were performed to characterize the HME extrudate. The release percentage of the enteric formulation in the acidic stage was <10% of the loaded FF, whereas that in the phosphate buffer stage was >80%. Pharmacokinetic evaluations in swine revealed that the enteric formulation had a longer t_1/2λ and MRT than commercially available FF powder (FULAIKA^® ), indicating that the novel formulation exhibited enteric and sustained release properties. Compared with the commercial product, the relative bioavailability of the enteric formulation reached up to 117.2%. This study suggests that this formulation may have potential for future commercialization.

The viable circulating tumor cells with cancer stem cells feature, where is the way out?

With cancer stem cells (CSCs) became the research hotspot, emerging studies attempt to reveal the functions of these special subsets in tumorigenesis. Although various approaches have been used in CSCs researches, only a few could really reflect or simulate the microenvironment in vivo. At present, CSCs theories are still difficult to apply for clinical remedy because CSCs subpopulations are always hard to identify and trace. Thus an ideal approach for clinicians and researchers is urgently needed. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as the method of noninvasive-liquid biopsy, could be detected in the peripheral blood (PB) from many tumors and even could be treated as procurators for CSCs deeper researches from patient-derived sample. However, CTCs, as a diagnostic marker, also raise much controversy over theirs clinical value. Mechanisms causing CTCs to shed from the tumor have not been fully characterized, thus it is unclear whether CTCs represent the entire makeup of cancer cells in the tumor or only a subset. The heterogeneity of CTCs also caused different clinical outcomes. To overcome these unsolved problems, recently, CTC researches are not just depend on enumerations, whereas those CTC subsets that could expand in vitro may play a pivotal role in the metastatic cascade. Here, we retrospect the CTC developmental history and discourse upon the enrichment of viable CTCs in functional assays, probe the further avenue at the crossroad.

Interleukin-6 is both necessary and sufficient to produce perioperative neurocognitive disorder in mice

BACKGROUND

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) result in long-term morbidity and mortality with no effective interventions available. Because interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is consistently up-regulated by trauma, including after surgery, we determined whether IL-6 is a putative therapeutic target for PND in a mouse model.

METHODS

Following institutional approval, adult (12-14 weeks) male C57/Bl6 mice were pretreated with the IL-6 receptor (IL6R) blocking antibody tocilizumab prior to open tibia fracture with internal fixation under isoflurane anaesthesia. Inflammatory and behavioural responses in a trace fear conditioning (TFC) paradigm were assessed postoperatively. Separately, the effects of IL-6 administration or of depletion of bone marrow-derived monocytes (BM-DMs) with clodrolip on the inflammatory and behavioural responses were assessed. Blood brain barrier disruption, hippocampal microglial activation, and infiltration of BM-DMs were each assessed following IL-6 administration.

RESULTS

The surgery-induced decrement in freezing time in the TFC assay, indicative of cognitive decline, was attenuated by tocilizumab (P<0.01). The surgery-induced increase in pro-inflammatory mediators was significantly reduced by tocilizumab. Exogenously administered IL-6 significantly impaired freezing behaviour (P<0.05) and up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines; both responses were prevented by depletion of BM-DMs. IL-6 disrupted the blood brain barrier, and increased hippocampal activation of microglia and infiltration of BM-DMs.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 is both necessary and sufficient to produce cognitive decline. Following further preclinical testing of its perioperative safety, the IL6R blocker tocilizumab is a candidate for prevention and/or treatment of PND.

High Expression of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells in Chinese Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tissues

Purpose

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) has been reported to be involved in the development of various types of cancer including adenocarcinoma of the breast. This research was the first to investigate NFAT protein expression in primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues from Chinese patients.

Methods

NFAT protein expression was determined in 130 surgically resected primary NSCLC and matched normal tissues by immunohistochemical analysis. The association between NFAT expression and clinical categorical variables was further analyzed with the SPSS software.

Results

We found that NFAT expression was much higher in 85 tumor tissues (65.4%) and lower in 45 tumor tissues (34.6%) compared with the matched normal tissues. Further statistical analysis by the chi-square test showed that high expression of NFAT proteins was significantly associated with tumor differentiation (p=0.045), invasion (p=0.031), histology (p<0.0001), tumor size (p=0.038) and cigarette smoking history (p=0.024). However, there was no correlation between the expression of NFAT proteins and pTNM classification, and no difference in 5-year survival rate between patients with high or low expression of NFAT proteins. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for the correlation between NFAT protein expression levels and various characteristics showed a significant association with histology (p=0.008, OR=0.273).

Conclusion

Our results revealed that high NFAT expression was present in Chinese NSCLCs and that NFAT expression might be involved in the process of human lung cancer development.