Procalcitonin (PCT) has been widely investigated for its prognostic value in septic patients. However, studies have produced conflicting results. The purpose of the present meta-analysis is to explore the diagnostic accuracy of a single PCT concentration and PCT non-clearance in predicting all-cause sepsis mortality. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane Library. Articles written in English were included. A 2 × 2 contingency table was constructed based on all-cause mortality and PCT level or PCT non-clearance in septic patients. Two authors independently evaluated study eligibility and extracted data. The diagnostic value of PCT in predicting prognosis was determined using a bivariate meta-analysis model. We used the Q-test and I 2 index to test heterogeneity. Twenty-three studies with 3,994 patients were included. An elevated PCT level was associated with a higher risk of death. The pooled relative risk (RR) was 2.60 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.05–3.30) using a random-effects model (I 2 = 63.5%). The overall area under the summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.73–0.80), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67–0.82) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.52–0.74), respectively. There was significant evidence of heterogeneity for the PCT testing time (P = 0.020). Initial PCT values were of limited prognostic value in patients with sepsis. PCT non-clearance was a prognostic factor of death in patients with sepsis. The pooled RR was 3.05 (95% CI, 2.35–3.95) using a fixed-effects model (I 2 = 37.9%). The overall area under the SROC curve was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75–0.83), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.58–0.82) and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.55–0.90), respectively. Elevated PCT concentrations and PCT non-clearance are strongly associated with all-cause mortality in septic patients. Further studies are needed to define the optimal cut-off point and the optimal definition of PCT non-clearance for accurate risk assessment.

Organic photodetectors with UV‐sensitivity are of great potential for various optoelectronic applications. Integration of high charge carrier mobility, long exciton diffusion length as well as unique UV‐sensitivity for active materials is crucial for construction of UV‐sensitive devices with high performance, however, very few organic semiconductors can integrate these properties simultaneously. Herein, two novel organic semiconductors containing large steric hindrance triphenylamine groups, 1,6‐distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (1,6‐DTEP) and 2,7‐distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (2,7‐DTEP) are designed and synthesized. It demonstrates that the single crystals of both 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP exhibit superior integrated optoelectronic properties of high charge carrier mobility, unique UV absorption, high photoluminescence quantum yields as well as small exciton binding energies. Organic phototransistors constructed using 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP single crystals show ultrasensitive performance with ultra‐high photoresponsivity of 2.86 × 106 and 1.04 × 105 A W−1, detectivity (D*) of above 1.49 × 1018 and 5.28 × 1016 Jones under 370 nm light illumination, respectively. It indicates the great potential of 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP‐based phototransistors for organic UV‐photodetector applications and also provides a new design strategy to develop series of better performance UV photoelectric organic materials for related research in organic optoelectronics.

Objective To understand the bacterial profile and antibiotic resistance patterns in diabetic foot infection (DFI) in different Wagner's grades, IDSA/IWGDF grades, and different ulcer types in Guangzhou, in order to provide more detailed suggestion to the clinician about the empirical antibiotic choice. Methods 207 bacteria were collected from 117 DFIs in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from Jan.1, 2010, to Dec.31, 2015. The clinical data and microbial information were analyzed. Results The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) was higher than Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) (54.1% versus 45.9%), in which Enterobacteriaceae (73.2%) and Staphylococcus (65.2%) were predominant, respectively. With an increasing of Wagner's grades and IDSA/IWGDF grades, the proportion of GNB bacterial infection, especially Pseudomonas, was increased. Neuro-ischemic ulcer (N-IFU) was more susceptible to GNB infection. Furthermore, with the aggravation of the wound and infection, the antibiotic resistance rates were obviously increased. GPB isolated in ischemic foot ulcer (IFU) showed more resistance than the N-IFU, while GNB isolates were on the opposite. Conclusions Different bacterial profiles and antibiotic sensitivity were found in different DFU grades and types. Clinician should try to stay updated in antibiotic resistance pattern of common pathogens in their area. This paper provided them the detailed information in this region.

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is inexpensive, safe, and efficient in ameliorating hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Epidemiological and clinical observation studies have shown that metformin use reduces risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves prognosis and survival rate of the cancer patients. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials of metformin in cancer therapy are extending to nondiabetic population. Thus, metformin is emerging as an attractive candidate for cancer prevention and treatment. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of metformin use in cancer and discusses the possibility to enhance its efficacy and to prevent cancer metastasis.