Intestinal NF-κB pathway-mediated pyroptosis contributes to endotoxemia-induced intestinal injury.

Pyroptosis contributes to activation of the innate immunity system and defense against infection by pathogens. Endotoxemia is the host inflammatory storm occurring in response to severe and life-threatening infections caused by endotoxin from gram-negative bacilli. However, whether pyroptosis is involved in intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) or intestinal stem cell (ISC) injury induced by endotoxemia remains unclear.

Increased number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in breast cancer patients and the linear correlation with VEGF level.

The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was found to increase in patients with breast cancer, but the alteration in EPC function remains to be elusive. We conducted this study to evaluate the number and function of peripheral EPCs of breast cancer patients and its possible underlying mechanism. Besides, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VCAM-1, IL-6, and IL-34 levels were measured in blood samples and also in vitro in a medium of EPCs.

Prognostic factors for patients with multiple myeloma admitted to the intensive care unit.

This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with multiple myeloma (MM) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and identify predictors of poor short-term prognosis. Data for patients with MM admitted to the ICU were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. The risk factors leading to the ICU and hospital mortality were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

The Effect of Sex Differences on Endothelial Function and Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Hypertriglyceridemia.

Background: Men have a higher risk and earlier onset of cardiovascular diseases compared with premenopausal women. Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of ischemic heart disease. Endothelial dysfunction is related to the development of ischemic heart disease.

Flipped Classroom Approach Used in the Training of Mass Casualty Triage for Medical Undergraduate Students.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the application of the flipped classroom approach in the training of Mass Casualty Triage (MCT) to medical undergraduate students.

Methods: In this study, 103 fourth-year medical students were randomly divided into a Flipped Classroom (FC) group (n = 51) and a Traditional Lecture-based Classroom (TLC) group (n = 52). A post-class quiz, simulated field triage (SFT) and feedback questionnaires were performed to assess both groups of students for their learning of the course.

Acute pancreatitis concomitant with diabetic ketoacidosis: a cohort from South China.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis (AP) concomitant with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in a cohort from South China and identify factors associated with early detection of DKA in AP patients.

Methods: Inpatient medical records of AP concomitant with DKA were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Forty-eight patients with AP concomitant with DKA were enrolled in this study.

Prolonged versus Intermittent Infusion of Antibiotics in Acute and Severe Infections: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Acute and severe infections are an absolute indication for the use of intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, previous studies have found inconsistent clinical advantages of prolonged (extended [≥3-hour infusion] or continuous [24-hour fixed rate infusion]) over intermittent (6, or 8, or 12 interval hours infusion) infusion. The clinical superiority between prolonged and intermittent infusion in treating acute and severe infections thus continues to be elusive.

A case report of acute myocardial infarction concomitant with Standford type B aortic dissection.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) concomitant with aortic dissection (AD) is rare but a devastating situation if misdiagnosed as simply AMI, followed by anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy. In such cases, Standford type B AD was extremely infrequent.

Objectives: To present a case with apparent concordance with the patient's history, symptoms, cardiac enzymes that lead to diagnostic error.