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Correlation between blood inflammatory parameters and acute appendicitis (AA) remains controversial. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether platelet (PLT) indices including mean platelet volume (MPV), PLT count, and platelet distribution width (PDW) are associated with AA. Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for observational studies published from inception through April 2020 by two independent investigators. Studies reporting associations between platelet indices and AA were selected for inclusion. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for continuous outcomes using a DerSimonian–Laird random-effects model. Of 842 records identified, 17 studies with a total of 6793 subjects met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis indicated that compared with those in healthy controls, significant decrease in MPV levels was observed in subjects with AA (SMD − 0.34; 95% CI − 0.56 to − 0.12; P= 0.003). Subgroup analyses represented a significant reduction of MPV levels in patients aged ≥ 30 years and non-complicated/non-perforated AA. Due to the small number of studies and patients included in each subgroup, these subgroup analyses need to be interpreted with caution. However, none of the levels of PLT (SMD − 0.13; 95% CI − 0.28–0.012; P= 0.071) or PDW (SMD 0.30; 95% CI − 0.22–0.83; P= 0.257) was seen decrease or increase in subjects with AA. This meta-analysis indicates a significant decrease in MPV levels in patients with AA, which makes MPV have the potential of serving as a biomarker for AA. The associations of other PLT indices with AA need to be further examined.

Carbapenemase-producing E. coliis a grave public health concern as the potential emergence of resistant strains and their transmission. Isoorientin belongs to a potential antimicrobial flavonoid compound existing in several plants, while the research on the antimicrobial activity of isoorientin is limited thus far. We evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of isoorientin against biofilm-forming carbapenem non-sensitive Escherichia coli(E. coli) from raw milk of goats, and explored its molecular mechanisms. Isoorientin showed obvious antimicrobial ability with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and it exhibited synergistic activity with traditional antimicrobials against the carbapenem non-sensitive E. coli. Isoorientin could also significantly inhibit the carbapenem non-sensitive E. colibiofilm formation and destroy the established biofilms, with the percentage of inhibition ranging from 27.8% to 75% at MIC, and the corresponding percentage of eradication ranging from 15.3% to 61.6%, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the E. colibiofilm reduced in thickness with increasing concentrations of isoorientin. Dose-dependent decrease in eDNA revealed that isoorientin interacted with the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the biofilm. qRT-PCR assay for the biofilm-forming associated genes further confirmed the above results. Overall, these results concluded that the isoorientin has significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against carbapenem non-sensitive E. coli, and has potential application in prevention of food contamination and spoilage.This result concluded that isoorientin is a promising biofilm inhibitor for curtailing drug resistant foodborne pathogens, and this study could provide a scientific basis for its practical application of isoorientin.Escherichia coli(E. coli) has been the major foodborne bacteria that can cause diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and some complications, and also used as fecal bacteria pollution indicator in food. Carbapenems are considered as the last resort to life-threatening E. coliinfections. We evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of isoorientin against biofilm-forming carbapenem non-sensitive E. colifrom raw milk of goats, and explored its molecular mechanisms. This study firstly demonstrated the potential antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of isoorientin against the carbapenem non-sensitive E. colifor the first time, and it has the properties of inhibiting the biofilm formation and destroying the preformed biofilms. Therefore, isoorientin is a promising biofilm inhibitor for curtailing drug resistant foodborne pathogens, and this study could provide a scientific basis for its practical application of isoorientin.

Cellulose based ZnO nanocomposite (RCZ) films were prepared from cellulose carbamate–NaOH/ZnO solutions through one-step coagulation in Na2SO4aqueous solutions. The structure and properties of RCZ films were characterized using XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM, TG, tensile testing, and antibacterial activity tests. The content of ZnO in RCZ films was obtained in the range of 2.7–15.1 wt %. ZnO nanoparticles with a hexagonal wurtzite structure agglomerated into large particles, which firmly embedded in the cellulose matrix. RCZ films displayed good mechanical properties and high thermal stability. Moreover, the films exhibited excellent UV-blocking properties and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureusand Escherichia coli.A dramatic reduction in viable bacteria was observed within 3 h of exposure, while all of the bacteria were killed within 6 h. This work provided a novel and simple pathway for the preparation of regenerated cellulose films with ZnO nanoparticles for application as functional biomaterials.

Colonoscopic perforation (CP) has a low incidence rate. However, with the extensive use of colonoscopy, even low incidence rates should be evaluated to identify and address risks. Information on CP is quite limited in China. Our study aimed to determine the frequency of CP in colonoscopies performed by surgeons at a large teaching hospital in China over a 12-year period. A retrospective review of medical records was performed for all patients who had CPs from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2012. Iatrogenic perforations were identified mainly by abdominal X-ray or computed tomography scan. Follow-up information of adverse events post-colonoscopy was identified from the colorectal surgery database of our hospital. Patients’ demographic data, colonoscopy procedure information, location of perforation, treatment, and outcome were recorded. A total of 110,785 diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy procedures were performed (86,800 diagnostic cases and 23,985 therapeutic cases) within the 12-year study period. A total of 14 incidents (0.012 %) of CP were reported (seven males and seven females), of which nine cases occurred during diagnostic colonoscopy (0.01 %) and five after therapeutic colonoscopy (three polypectomy cases, one endoscopic mucosal resection, and one endoscopic mucosal dissection). Mean patient age was 67.14 years. One case of CP (7.14 %) after colonoscopy polypectomy was treated using curative colonoscopy endoclips. Other patients underwent operations: six cases (46.15 %) of primary repair, four cases (28.57 %) of resection with anastomosis, and two cases (15.38 %) of resection without anastomosis. No obvious perforation was found in one patient (7.69 %). Surgeons attempted to treat one case laparoscopically but eventually resorted to open surgery. The postoperative course was uncomplicated in eight cases (57.14 %) and complicated in six cases (42.86 %) but without mortality. CP is a serious but rare complication of colonoscopy. A perforation risk of 0.012 % was found in our study. The optimal management of CP remains controversial. Treatment for CP should be individualized according to the patient’s condition, related devices, and surgical skills of endoscopists or surgeons. Selective measures such as colonoscopy without intravenous sedation and decrease of loop formation can effectively reduce rates of perforation.

The original article can be found online.

Lagotis brachystachyaMaxim (L. brachystachya) is an herb widely used in traditional Tibetan medicine. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of L. brachystachyaextract to extended-spectrum-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing E. coliwas determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) methods as well as time-kill curve assay. Meanwhile, the biofilm inhibition and eradication effects of L. brachystachyaextract on the ESBLs-producing E. coliwere evaluated by crystal violet staining, and further confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that L. brachystachyaextract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, with diameter of inhibition zones varying from 15.4 to 20.3 mm, and the MIC and MBC values were 6.25-25 mg/ml and 12.5-100 mg/ml, respectively. Time-kill curve showed that 4 × MIC level of L. brachystachyaextract concentration of was able to kill 99.9% of ESBLs-producing E. coliafter 16 h treatment. The biofilm inhibition rate and eradication rate for the ESBLs-producing E. coliwere 35.66%-79.91% and 22.18%-56.21% at MIC level of extract concentration, respectively. CLSM images showed that the biofilm became thinner as the ESBLs-producing E. coliisolate exposed to L. brachystachyaextract with a concentration-dependent manner from 1/4 × MIC to MIC compared with the control isolate. SEM images indicated that L. brachystachyaextract at 1/2 × MIC and MIC levels could evidently inhibit the biofilm formation or eradicate the mature biofilms. The effect of L. brachystachyahighlights its potential of antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities against the ESBLs-producing E. coli.

On the preliminary designing of a wide flat box girder with the slenderness ratio 12, vertical and torsional vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) are observed in wind tunnel tests. More than one lock-in region, which are defined as “multi-lock-in regions,” are recorded. Therefore, suspicions should be aroused regarding the viewpoint that wide box girders are aerodynamic friendly. As the three nascent vortexes originating at the pedestrian guardrails and inspection rails shed to near-wake through different pathways with different frequencies, the mechanisms of VIVs and multi-lock-in regions are analyzed to be determined by the inappropriate subsidiary structures. A hybrid method combining Large Eddy Simulation (LES) with experimental results is introduced to study the flow-structure interactions (FSI) when undergoing VIVs; the vortex mode of torsional VIV on wide flat box girders is defined as “4/2S,” which is different from any other known ones. Based on the mechanism of VIV, a new approach by increasing ventilation rate of the pedestrian guardrails is proved to be effective in suppressing vertical and torsional VIVs, and it is more feasible than other control schemes. Then, the control mechanisms are deeper investigated by analyzing the evolution of vortex mode and FSI using Hybrid-LES method.