Journal of Science and Applications: Biomedicine

Piperacillin/tazobactam, Imipenem/cilastatin, Pneumonia

Authors: Guoming Su 1, 2, Zuguo Zhao 3, Weiqing Yang 2*

Piperacillin/tazobactam with its broad spectrum of antibacterial activity was used widely for the treatment of polymicrobial infections. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam with imipenem/cilastatin for pneumonia. We performed a literature search to identify studies that investigated the effects of randomized controlled trials on piperacillin/tazobactam versus imipenem/cilastatin. The primary study end-points were clinical and microbiological treatment success and treatment-related adverse events. Data analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.2 software. Four randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of clinical treatment success based on clinically evaluable population for patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam compared with that of imipenem/cilastatin was 1.44 (0.96–2.16); odds ratio (95% CI) of microbiological treatment success based on microbiologically evaluable population for patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam compared to that of imipenem/cilastatin was 1.58 (0.45–5.56); odds ratio (95% CI) of clinical and microbiological treatment success based on intention to treat population for patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam compared with imipenem/cilastatin was respectively 1.03 (0.77–1.38) and 0.67 (0.42–1.09); odds ratio (95% CI) of treatment-related adverse events for pneumonia patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam compared to that of imipenem/cilastatin was 1.10 (0.77–1.59). This meta-analysis provides that piperacillin/tazobactam can be used as safe and efficacious as imipenem/cilastatin in treating hospitalized patients with pneumonia. It is an appealing option for the treatment of severe pneumonia, especially nosocomially acquired pneumonia.

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Authors: Liren Zhang

β-cell is responsible for secreting insulin to decrease blood glucose, which is one of the most important cell type for both human and other mammals. Under condition of either peripheral insulin resistance or β-cell failure, β-cells are unable to release enough insulin, either by expansion of cell numbers or enhancement of insulin production, to fully compensate, resulting in hyperglycemia, which can lead to diabetes. Excessive nutrients intake and obesity are the major risk factors for β-cell mal-development and dysfunction. In this review, the intra-cellular signaling pathways that associated with pancreatic β-cells mass and insulin secretion has been reviewed. Furthermore, these pathways and potential mechanisms associated with the nutrients level, obesity and pancreatic cancer are also reviewed. The research will offer the means for potential early intervention and drug treatment in the future.