Peking Union Medical College Hospital

About: Peking Union Medical College Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Beijing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Medicine & Population. The organization has 15996 authors who have published 16018 publications receiving 226505 citations.

Iodine Status and Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders After Introduction of Mandatory Universal Salt Iodization for 16 Years in China: A Cross-Sectional Study in 10 Cities.

Abstract: Background: The goal of eliminating iodine deficiency worldwide was successfully achieved in China after the implementation of a mandatory universal salt iodization program for the last 16 years. Thus, China has been assessed as a country with more than adequate iodine levels. This survey aimed to investigate the current iodine status in China and the effects of an increased iodine intake on the spectrum and prevalence of thyroid disorders. Methods: A total of 15,008 adult subjects from 10 cities in eastern and central China were investigated. Serum thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and urine iodine concentration (UIC) were measured, and an ultrasonography of the thyroid was performed in all subjects. Free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were only measured if the serum TSH was outside the normal range. Results: The median UIC values were 197 μg/L in school-age children (SAC) and 205 μg/L in a cohort population. Six cities were...

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection: risk factors and clinical outcome.

Abstract: Objectives. To study the risk factor for nosocomial bacteremia caused by Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and the influence on patient outcome. Design. Retrospective, single-center study of consecutive bacteremic patients. Settings. A university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients. A total of 85 patients with nosocomial bacteremia due to E. coli or K. pneumoniae were enrolled. Intervention. None. Measurements and main results. The demographic characteristics and clinical information including treatment were recorded upon review of patients' records. The primary end point was hospital mortality. Twenty-seven percent of isolates produced ESBLs. Previous treatment with 3rd-generation cephalosporins was the only independent risk factor for bacteremia due to ESBL-producing pathogens [odds ratio (OR) 4.146, P=0.008]. Antibiotic treatment was considered appropriate in 71 cases (83%), and failed in 23 patients (27%). Twenty-one patients (25%) died in the hospital. Antibiotic treatment failure was the only independent risk factor for hospital mortality (OR 15.376, P=0.001). Inappropriate antibiotic treatment might lead to significantly higher mortality rate (7/14 vs 14/71, P=0.016). Patients treated with imipenem were more likely to survive while those receiving cephalosporin treatment tended to have a poorer outcome (1/19 vs 14/40, P=0.023). Conclusions. More judicious use of cephalosporins, especially 3rd-generation cephalosporins, may decrease ESBL-producing E. coli or K. pneumoniae bacteremia, and also improve patient outcome.

Antimicrobial susceptibility among organisms from the Asia/Pacific Rim, Europe and Latin and North America collected as part of TEST and the in vitro activity of tigecycline

Abstract: OBJECTIVES To describe antimicrobial susceptibility among bacterial isolates associated with hospital infections collected from 266 centres in Asia/Pacific Rim (n = 1,947), North America (n = 24,283), Latin America (n = 1,957) and Europe (n = 8,796) METHODS Isolates were collected from blood, respiratory tract, urine, skin, wound, body fluids and other defined sources between January 2004 and August 2006 Only one isolate per patient was accepted In vitro MICs for the isolates were determined according to the CLSI (formerly NCCLS) guidelines RESULTS Key organisms collected were Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 2,902), Enterobacter spp (n = 5,731), Escherichia coli (n = 6,504), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4,916), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 5,128), Serratia marcescens (n = 2,313), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 2,701), Enterococcus faecium (n = 1,035) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5,753) Rates of methicillin resistance among S aureus and of vancomycin resistance among enterococci were highest in North America (2,016/3,809, 529% and 571/2,544, 224%, respectively) and lowest in Europe (337/1,340, 251% and 36/916, 39%, respectively) Tigecycline was the only antimicrobial to maintain activity against all Gram-positive isolates (MIC(90) values of 93% susceptibility in all regions) antimicrobials against the Gram-negative species, except for A baumannii and P aeruginosa Piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin were the most active against P aeruginosa Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers among K pneumoniae occurred most frequently in Latin America (124/282, 440%) CONCLUSIONS Tigecycline is a novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial that is active against the common organisms associated with infections

The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis.

Abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins that play important roles in metal homeostasis and protection against heavy metal toxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. In humans, MTs have four main isoforms (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) that are encoded by genes located on chromosome 16q13. MT1 comprises eight known functional (sub)isoforms (MT1A, MT1B, MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1M, and MT1X). Emerging evidence shows that MTs play a pivotal role in tumor formation, progression, and drug resistance. However, the expression of MTs is not universal in all human tumors and may depend on the type and differentiation status of tumors, as well as other environmental stimuli or gene mutations. More importantly, the differential expression of particular MT isoforms can be utilized for tumor diagnosis and therapy. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of MTs in carcinogenesis and describes the differential expression and regulation of MT isoforms in various malignant tumors. The roles of MTs in tumor growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, microenvironment remodeling, immune escape, and drug resistance are also discussed. Finally, this review highlights the potential of MTs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and introduces some current applications of targeting MT isoforms in cancer therapy. The knowledge on the MTs may provide new insights for treating cancer and bring hope for the elimination of cancer.