1.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
2.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
3.Safety of teriflunomide in Chinese adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A phase IV, 24-week multicenter study.
Chao QUAN ; Hongyu ZHOU ; Huan YANG ; Zheng JIAO ; Meini ZHANG ; Baorong ZHANG ; Guojun TAN ; Bitao BU ; Tao JIN ; Chunyang LI ; Qun XUE ; Huiqing DONG ; Fudong SHI ; Xinyue QIN ; Xinghu ZHANG ; Feng GAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiawei WANG ; Xueqiang HU ; Yueting CHEN ; Jue LIU ; Wei QIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):452-458
BACKGROUND:
Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS.
METHODS:
This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide.
RESULTS:
Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n = 42) and wild type groups ( n = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study.
CONCLUSION:
ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients.
REGISTRATION
NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans
;
Crotonates/adverse effects*
;
Toluidines/adverse effects*
;
Nitriles
;
Hydroxybutyrates
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics*
;
Prospective Studies
;
Young Adult
;
Neoplasm Proteins/genetics*
;
East Asian People
4.New trends in the development of artificial intelligence-assisted cerebrospinal fluid morphologic examination
Hui ZHAO ; Kun CHEN ; Hong LYU ; Siqi HAN ; Yunzhuan ZHAO ; Ping HAN ; Bei SONG ; Yang LIU ; Yishan HUO ; Ming GUAN ; Guojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(5):480-485
Cerebrospinal fluid morphology examination is an important method of diagnosing central nervous system diseases, but manual microscopy has shortcomings such as low efficiency, long staff training period, and poor homogeneity of test results. In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence in the medical field has developed rapidly, providing new technical means for cerebrospinal fluid morphology examination. In the future, AI-assisted morphological examination of cerebrospinal fluid will not only realize digitalization and networking, but also improve the level and efficiency of intelligent diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid morphology, which has a broad application prospect in the intelligent assisted diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid.
5.Primary malignant melanoma of penis: a case report
Zhitong CHEN ; Long HUANG ; Xiaobin CHEN ; Xiaofeng ZHOU ; Shuang CHEN ; Wenlong CHENG ; Guojun CHEN
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(8):633-634
This article reports a case data of primary malignant melanoma of the penis admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University. A 56-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital 1 month after the discovery of a penile mass. Physical examination: An irregular cauliflower-like mass about 1.5 cm×2.0 cm in size was seen below the external urethral orifice, covered with yellow necrotic tissue, and tenderness was positive. Several nodes were palpable in the left and right groin areas, tenderness positive. Laboratory examination showed no abnormality. The CT examination of head, chest, abdomen and pelvis showed no obvious abnormality. The biopsy of the penile mass showed malignant melanoma of the penis. The pathological results of biopsy of the right inguinal lymph node considered local inflammation. Combined with the patient's medical history, physical examination, imaging examination and lymph node biopsy results, a diagnosis of primary penile malignant melanoma was made. Partial penile resection was performed, and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was malignant melanin invasion of the epidermis with ulceration. There was no local recurrence and metastasis during the 9-month follow-up.
6.The combined application of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Kelin CHEN ; Junchao JIANG ; Wencan JIANG ; Lijuan WANG ; Siwen LI ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuyu GU ; Guojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1171-1176
Objective:To establish and verify a diagnostic model for distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neurological diseases with similar symptoms by usingcerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal band (CSF-OCB)combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers.Methods:Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients admitted to the Neurology Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 2014 to December 2022 were selected as the case group, while patients with similar neurological symptoms were selected as the control group. Using the case-control study design, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the detection of age, gender, oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical indicators for all study subjects. The differential diagnosis model was determined by the multiple logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the differential diagnosis model for neurological diseases with similar symptoms to MS and other conditions.Results:This study included 167 patients in the case group and 335 patients in the control group, of which 128 patients in the case group and 265 patients in the control group were used to construct the model, and 39 patients in the case group and 70 patients in the control group were used for model validation. The differential diagnostic model constructed by a multivariate logistic regression model was Y=0.871×CSF-OCB-0.051×CSFprotein-0.231×CSFchloride+1.183×gender-0.036×LDH+35.770. The model showed that the area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity were respectively 0.916, 87.3% and 87.6%. The Delong test results showed that the diagnostic efficacy of the model was significantly different from OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and OCB combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators ( P<0.05). The new model validation showed that the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the MS group was 84.6%, while the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the control group was 90.0%. Conclusion:This study combines OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and biochemical indicators to establish a diagnostic prediction model for neurological diseases with similar clinical symptoms in MS. This model may have good differential diagnostic value and can better assist clinical diagnosis in the early stages of disease progression in MS patients.
7.Application value of liver,renal function and autoantibody-related indexes in the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Yanan LIU ; Wencan JIANG ; Kelin CHEN ; Chunqing SHAO ; Xuesong LIU ; Guojun ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(18):2189-2196
Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics and application value of liver,renal func-tion indexes and autoantibody-related indexes of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods The liver,renal function and autoantibody-related indexes data of patients diagnosed with NMOSD and multiple sclerosis(MS)in Beijing Tiantan Hospita,Capital Medical University from June 2015 to June 2023,as well as gender and age-matched controls underwent routine physical examination were retrospectively collected.A total of 95 patients with NMOSD(NMOSD group),230 patients with MS(MS group),and 244 healthy controls(routine physical examination group)were selected to evaluate the diagnostic value of each index for NMOSD.Results Compared with MS group,the levels of alanine aminotransferase,as well as the positive rates of α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase,y-glutamyltransferase,anti-SS-A antibody,anti-SS-B anti-body,anti-ribosomal P protein antibody and Ro-52 antibody were significantly increased in NMOSD group,while the levels of albumin,indirect bilirubin and total bilirubin were significantly decreased,and the differ-ences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The difference index between NMOSD and conventional physi-cal examination group was similar to that of MS group.The seven indexes,a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase,albumin,globulin,direct bilirubin,indirect bilirubin,total bile acid and uric acid alkalinity could be used for the diagnosis of NMOSD.The area under the curve of combined diagnosis of NMOSD was 0.969,and the sensitiv-ity and specificity were 92.6%and 92.9%.Conclusion Multiple indexes of liver and kidney function in NMOSD patients are different from those in MS patients and healthy subjects underwent routine physical ex-amination,and the positive rate of some autoantibody indexes in NMOSD patients is higher than that in MS patients.Liver,renal function and autoantibody-related indexes can be used clinically to assist diagnosis,and the combined application of multiple indexes can further enhance its diagnostic value.
8.The combined application of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Kelin CHEN ; Junchao JIANG ; Wencan JIANG ; Lijuan WANG ; Siwen LI ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuyu GU ; Guojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1171-1176
Objective:To establish and verify a diagnostic model for distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neurological diseases with similar symptoms by usingcerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal band (CSF-OCB)combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical markers.Methods:Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients admitted to the Neurology Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 2014 to December 2022 were selected as the case group, while patients with similar neurological symptoms were selected as the control group. Using the case-control study design, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the detection of age, gender, oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators and biochemical indicators for all study subjects. The differential diagnosis model was determined by the multiple logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the differential diagnosis model for neurological diseases with similar symptoms to MS and other conditions.Results:This study included 167 patients in the case group and 335 patients in the control group, of which 128 patients in the case group and 265 patients in the control group were used to construct the model, and 39 patients in the case group and 70 patients in the control group were used for model validation. The differential diagnostic model constructed by a multivariate logistic regression model was Y=0.871×CSF-OCB-0.051×CSFprotein-0.231×CSFchloride+1.183×gender-0.036×LDH+35.770. The model showed that the area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity were respectively 0.916, 87.3% and 87.6%. The Delong test results showed that the diagnostic efficacy of the model was significantly different from OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and OCB combined with IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators ( P<0.05). The new model validation showed that the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the MS group was 84.6%, while the actual diagnostic consistency rate for the control group was 90.0%. Conclusion:This study combines OCB, IgG intrathecal synthesis indicators, and biochemical indicators to establish a diagnostic prediction model for neurological diseases with similar clinical symptoms in MS. This model may have good differential diagnostic value and can better assist clinical diagnosis in the early stages of disease progression in MS patients.
9.Three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo for evaluation on the corpus callosum morphological alterations in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Jieqiong LIN ; Xin ZHAO ; Wen ZHAO ; Xinxin QI ; Songyu TENG ; Tong MO ; Turong CHEN ; Guojun YUN ; Hongwu ZENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(4):621-624,645
Objective To analyze the morphological alterations of corpus callosum in children with spastic cerebral palsy(SCP)using three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo(3D-MPRAGE)technology and to investigate the correlation between morphological indexes and gross motor function.Methods Sagittal T1WI 3D-MPRAGE data was collected from 136 children with SCP(SCP group)and 132 age-and gender-matched healthy controls(HC)(HC group),and the gross motor function measure-88(GMFM-88)was applied to assess the gross motor function.Independent sample t-test was used to compare the corpus callosum surface area,volume,maximum anterior-posterior diameter,median sagittal area(total area and area of Ⅰ-Ⅴ zone)between the two groups.Partial correlation analysis was performed to calculate the correlation between morphological indexes of the corpus callosum and GMFM-88 with age as a covariate.Results Children under 3 years old,the corpus callosum surface area of the SCP group(3 914.51 mm2±1 207.97 mm2)was lower than that of the HC group(5 725.51 mm2±1 412.66 mm2).The volume of the corpus callosum(6 108.46 mm3±2 803.97 mm3)in the SCP group was lower than that of the HC group(11 297.96 mm3±4 109.02 mm3).Also,the maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the corpus callosum in the SCP group(53.40 mm±6.31 mm)was lower than that of the HC group(57.74 mm±6.04 mm)(all P<0.05).Children over 3 years old,the corpus callosum surface area of the SCP group(4 970.06 mm2±1 191.31 mm2)was lower than that of the HC group(6 372.55 mm2±1 445.59 mm2).The volume of the corpus callosum(8 330.20 mm3±2 888.20 mm3)in the SCP group was lower than that of the HC group(13 599.82 mm3±3 429.81 mm3)(all P<0.05).Partial correlation analysis showed significant correlation between corpus callosum volume,median sagittal area and gross motor score(P<0.01)with age as a covari-ate.Conclusion The 3D-MPRAGE technology can be useful for the comprehensive assessment of morphological alterations of the corpus callosum in SCP.The corpus callosum volume,and median sagittal area may become neuroimaging references for the assess-ment of motor development in cerebral palsy(CP).
10.Effect of Qishao Huoxue Prescription on Hemorheological Parameters and Serum Levels of Inflammatory Mediators in Lumbar Disc Herniation Due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Guojun WANG ; Shimin ZHANG ; Jiao JIN ; Ning LIU ; Hai LIN ; Fudong SHI ; Chun CHEN ; Yadi FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):159-166
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effects of Qishao Huoxue prescription on patients with lumbar disc herniation due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis and the effects of this prescription on hemorheological parameters and serum levels of inflammatory mediators. MethodA total of 86 patients with lumbar disc herniation due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis treated in the Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2023 to February 2024 were selected and assigned according to the random number table into observation and control groups (n=43). Patients in both groups received lumbar traction treatment. In addition, the observation group was orally treated with Qishao Huoxue prescription and the control group with celebrex for 3 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disabilitiy index (ODI) score, 12-item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) score, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, hemorheological parameters [whole blood high shear viscosity, middle shear viscosity, low shear viscosity, plasma viscosity (PV), and fibrinogen (FIB)], and the serum levels of inflammatory mediators [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)] were determined before and after treatment. In addition, the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. ResultAfter treatment, both groups showed declined VAS, ODI, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.05), increased SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores (P<0.05). After treatment, the whole blood high shear viscosity, middle shear viscosity, low shear viscosity, PV, and FIB decreased in the observation group (P<0.05), while they did not show significant variations in the control group. After treatment, both groups of patients showed reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels and an elevation in the TGF-β1 level (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group showed decreases in VAS, ODI, TCM symptom scores and main symptom scores (P<0.05), no significant differences in the secondary symptom scores, increased PCS and MCS scores (P<0.05). The observation group outperformed the control group in terms of recovering whole blood high shear viscosity, middle shear viscosity, low shear viscosity, PV, FIB, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and TGF-β1 (P<0.05). The total response rate in the observation group was 97.5% (40/41), which was higher than that (88.1%, 37/42) in the control group (P<0.05). No serious adverse reaction was observed in the two groups during the observation period. One case in the observation group showed subcutaneous bruising on the lower limbs, which gradually disappeared after withdrawal. ConclusionQishao Huoxue prescription demonstrated definite effect in treating lumbar disc herniation due to qi stagnation and blood stasis by recovering hemorheological parameters and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory mediators in the serum without inducing adverse reactions. It is worth applying in clinical practice.

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