Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is one of the most important pathogen and can cause infection ranging from superficial skin infections to life-threatening disease. The prevalence of CA-MRSA is rising in children in these years. Therefore, the review will cover the research progress in the CA-MRSA prevalence, risk factors, clinical manifestation, treatment and preventions in children. The risk factors and disease patterns and antimicrobial resistant rates in different parts of China in the recent decade will be also discussed.

Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and Smad signaling in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to explore their roles in the pathogenesis. Methods Fiftythree patients with AS were included in the study. In these 53 cases, 30 patients were performed computed tomography-guided needle biopsy in sacroiliac joint. Serum TGF-β_1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistological studies were performed with the streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated methods to assess the expression of TGF-β_1, p-smad3 and Smad7 in sacroiliac joint tissue sample.One-way ANOVA, two independent samples t test and kolmogoorov-Simimov test were used to do statistical analysis. Results In 53 cases patients with AS, 20 cases were with high level Erythro-cyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while those of the other 33 cases were normal. Serum average TGF-β_1level [ (15.9±5.6) ng/ml ], in patients with high level ESR/CRP [(5.4±5.8) ng/ml ] was significantly increased as compared to the controls and patients with normal ESR/CRP [(4.1±3.6) ng/ml] (P<0.05). There was no expression of TGF-β_1 could be detected in the pannus and bone marrow in SI joints tissue of 30 cases with AS, while decreased level of smad7 expression was detected. In addition, p-smad3 expression was found in the nuclear. Conclusion TGF-β_1 signaling may play an important role in the inflammatory erosion and cartilage fibrosis of sacrojlitis in AS.

Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF),coll agen I and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac joint(SIJ)of patients with spondyloarthropathy(SpA).Methods Thirty patients with SpA,including 17 patients with grade Ⅱ saeroiliitis and 13 patients with grade Ⅰ sacroiliitis,were performed on CT guided needie biopsy of SIJ.After sacroiliitis were confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin in sacroiliac joint tissue sample,immunohistochemical assay was performed to determine the expression of CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac ioint tissue.Univariate Chi-square test was used for data comparison between multiple groups and t-test was used for two group data comparison.Results Contrast to healthy controls,CTGF were found upexpressed on the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells in pannus and bone marrow of sacroiliac tissue samples of patients with SpA,while collagen I and collagen Ⅲ were found up-expressed in bone,cartilage and ligament tissue[(57.9±42.4)/HP vs(2.7±2.5)/HP P<0.05,0.298±0.080 vs 0.044±0.024 and 28.254±41.165 vs 0.105±0.054.P<0.05 respectively].Conclusion CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ are up-expressed in SIJ of SpA patients.CTGF may play an important role in articular cartilage fibrosis and ossification of SpA.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of high dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) and autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with CD34+ cell selection in patients with severe, refractory autoimmune diseases.

METHODSTwenty-six patients with persistent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), or systemic sclerosis (SSc) who had been treated unsuccessfully with conventional treatment were enrolled in the trial in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 1999 to June 2004. The patients received HDIT with 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide followed by an infusion of autologous stem cells that were CD34 selected. Disease activity, adverse effect, hemopoietic and immune reconstitution, and time to recurrence of disease were monitored.

RESULTSOverall treatment related mortality was 7.7% (2/26) with 1 patient died of cytomegalovirus infection and another of severe pneumonia. Relapse occurred in 3 SLE patients (17.6%) in 37, 26, and 19 months posttransplantation respectively, and 1 RA patient in 15 months posttransplantation. SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores of SLE survivors decreased significantly (P < 0.01). RA patients recorded a drop of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28). The pSS patient remained symptoms free up to now, more than 50 months after the transplantation.

CONCLUSIONHSCT can be performed relative safely in patients with severe autoimmune disease. Short-term effect of HSCT is promising. However treatment related mortality and relapse were observed in a subset of patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; immunology ; therapy ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; immunology ; therapy ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Recurrence ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; immunology ; therapy ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to investigate the ways of spousal notification and its associated factors among HIV discordant couples.

METHODSA face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in Henan, Yunnan, Sichuan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. Information including democratic characteristics, knowledge and behaviors correlated with HIV infections and ways of HIV infectious status notification was collected. 'Data information system' on AIDS prevention and control was used to collect information on the transmission route.

RESULTSA total of 770 pairs of HIV discordant couples were studied, among which 414 (53.77%) HIV positive respondents reported as self-notification, with another 44.68% were notified by medical staff. Factors associated with ways of notification included gender, nation, transmission route, and education level. HIV positive respondents who were female, under Han nationality, being paid blood donors, having had higher education level, were more likely to inform their HIV negative spouse by themselves.

CONCLUSIONNationality and HIV transmission route of the HIV positive individuals were found as significant factors associated with ways of spousal notification. Therefore, HIV discordant couples notification should be strengthened, especially in the Minority-living areas and areas where HIV transmission was predomint through sexual contact and/or via injected drug use.

China ; Female ; HIV Infections ; psychology ; transmission ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Minority Groups ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Sexual Behavior ; Spouses ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Truth Disclosure