OBJECTIVETo explore the value of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in MRI.

METHODSThe clinical data of 144 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation underwent nonsurgical or surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 91 patients in the nonsurgical group, including 55 males and 36 females, ranging in age from 20 to 68 years old with an average of (43.37±12.48) years; and there were 53 patients in the surgical group, including 28 males and 25 females, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years old with an average of (42.98±12.95) years. JOA scores (29 scores) were used to evaluate clinical manifestation (including subjective symptoms, objective findings, limitation of daily activities and bladder function) and outcomes. The parameters related to spinal canal and dural sac dimensions (including spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac cross-sectional area) in the initial axial T2-weighted MRI were measured, and odds ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, odds ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter and area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal were calculated. Then, the differences of all parameters between two groups, and the correlations with initial JOA scores were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) All patients were followed up from 1 to 3 years with an average of 2.1 years. JOA scores before treatment were 16.27±2.96 in nonsurgical group and 12.64±3.30 in surgical group, there was statistically significant difference (t=6.319, P<0.01). At final follow-up time, there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores (25.41±2.22 vs 25.76±2.29), improvement rate [(72.95±12.54)% vs (76.80±9.45)%], and the excellent and good rate (84.91% vs 78.02%) between two groups (P>0.05). But, the relapse rate of nonsurgical group was higher than surgical group (14.29% vs 5.67%). (2) Spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac area, the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter in surgical group were smaller than that of nonsurgical group, but the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal was larger, and there were statistically significant differences between two groups (P<0.01). (3) The initial JOA scores showed significantly positive correlation with spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, and canal and dural sac area (P<0.01); also presented positive correlation with the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter (P<0.05); but there was a significantly negative correlation between initial JOA scores and the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal.

CONCLUSIONBoth nonsurgical and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can obtain good effect, but the recurrence rate of non-surgical treatment is higher. Preoperative MRI measurement parameters of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions has certain value for the treatment selection of lumbar disc herniation, but further refinement and validation is still required.

Adult ; Aged ; Dura Mater ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; pathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Canal ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MRI in vertebra]metastatic tumors.Methods Forty-four vertebral metastatic tumors in thirty patients were scanned by routine MRI including SE T_1WI,SE T_2WI,STIR and enhanced T_1WI with an injection of Gd-DTPA(0.1 mmol/kg).Digital subtraction was performed between pre-contrast and enhanced T_1 weighted images.All the images of vertebral malignant tumors were evaluated by means of signal intensity ratio(SIR) and nose ratio(NR).The quality of images was also evaluated by comparing subtraction MRI with routine MRI.Results SIR and NR of subtraction MRI was 2.93,0.98 respectively.SIR of routine MRI (enhanced T_1WI,SE T_1 WI,SE T_2WI,STIR)was as follows:1.15,1.16,1.26,1.69.While NR of those was 5.25,3.44,4.56,23.32 respectively.SIR and NR of subtraction MRI images had significant statistical differences from those of routine MRI images(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology of a pedigree affected with hereditary retinitis pigmentosa.

METHODSHigh-throughput DNA sequencing was used to analyze the sequences of 173 genes associated with hereditary eye diseases in the proband. Suspected mutation was verified with PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSThe proband was found to have carried a c.570_571 ins GAAGATGCTGT insertional mutation in the RP2 gene located on the X chromosome. All female carriers of the pedigree were heterozygous, while all affected males were hemizygous for the same mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe inheritance pattern of this retinitis pigmentosa pedigree was X-linked recessive. The c.570_571 ins GAAGATGCTGT insertional mutation of the RP2 gene probably underlies the disease.

Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retinitis Pigmentosa ; genetics

Objective To investigate antimicrobial resistance among nosocomial gram-negative bacilli in 2006.Methods About 987 consecutive and non-repetitive gram-negative bacilli were isolated from 10 teaching hospitals from Sep.to Dec.in 2006 in China.All of these isolates were sent to the central laboratory for reidentification and susceptibility testing.The minimal inhibitory concentration(MICs)of meropenem and other antibacterial agents were determined by agar dilution method.Results The activity of antibacterial agents against Enterobacteriaceae was as fol lows in descending order of susceptible rate: meropenem(susceptible rate 99.8%),imipenem(99.5%),piperacillin/tazobactam(91.3%),amikacin (89.3%),cefepime(83.8%),cefoperazone/sulbactam(79.7%),ceftazidime(74.7%),cefotaxime (57.7%),ceftriaxone(56.6%),ciprofloxacin(53.6%).The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-Iactamases(ESBL)was 59.0% in Escherichia coli,33.0%in Klebsiella pneumoniae and 8.0%in Proteus mirabilis.The most active agents against E.coli and K.pneumoniae were meropenem,imipenem(99.2%. 100%),piperacillin/tazobactam(90.8%-97.0%),and amikacin(83.8%-92.4%).Cefepime Was more active against K.pneumoniae than E.coli(85.4% vs.65.2%).Against E.cloacae,E.aerogenes and Citrobacter freundii,the most active agents were as follows in desecnding order:meropenem,imipenem (99.2%-100%),amikacin(85.2%-92.6%),cefepime(81.5%-85.9%),piperacillin/tazobactam (73.4%-87.2%),cefoperazone/sutbactam(65.6%-77.7%),and ciprofloxacin(53.1%-72.3%).The most active agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were amikacin(83.5%),followed by meropenem (79.1%),piperacillin/tazobactam(74.1%),and imipenem(70.9%).The most susceptible agents against Acinetobacter baumannii were imipenem(79.1%),meropenem(73.4%) and cefoperazone/ sulbaetam(54.7%).Mutiresistant A.baumannii increased up to 53.0%.The most active agents against Burkholderia cepacia were meropenem(73.3%),eeflazidime(73.3%),and piperacillin/tazobactam (62.2%).Conclusions Carbapenems remained very high activity against Enterobacteriaceae.Increasing resistance to 10 antimicrobials agents tested from A.baumanni and P.aeruginosa brought great concern.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of artificial liver support system (ALSS) in the treatment of liver failure patients.

METHODSThis is a prospective, multi-center, controlled, large sample clinic trial. 518 patients with liver failure from 5 hospitals were studied and followed. All the patients received similar pharmacological manipulation according to one and the same protocol but were divided into an ALSS treatment group and a control group without ALSS treatment. The ALSS treatment procedures included plasma exchange, molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), plasma exchange plus hemofiltration and other combined nonbioartificial methods. The analysis of survival time was computed using the Kaplain-Maier method, and comparison among groups was done using Log-Rank, Breslow and/or the Tarone-Ware test.

RESULTSSurvival time of acute liver failure patients was prolonged from 4.0+/-0.2 days to 8.0+/-0.4 days (P=0.004). ALSS was shown to be two times more effective. ALSS increased the survival time of acute on chronic (A on C) liver failure patients from 27.0+/-1.6 days to 39.0+/-4.0 days (P less than 0.01). In addition, it increased the survival time of the patients in the middle and end stage of subacute liver failure and A on C liver failure, but had no significant effects on early stage patients. The survival time of middle stage patients was 38.0+/-17.5 days in the control group vs 66.0+/-18.6 days in the ALSS group (P less than 0.05). The survival time of end stage patients of the control group and the ALSS group was 18.0+/-4.0 days vs 26.0+/-2.5 days (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMulti ALSS treatment is more effective than the standard medicinal liver care treatment. Multi-ALSS treatment could increase survival time of patients suffering from acute liver failure or A on C liver failure, especially in their middle and end stages. It is important and necessary to treat these patients with ALSS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; mortality ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the susceptibility and resistance of clinical isolates from hospitals in several regions of China .Methods Fifteen general hospitals and two children′s hospitals were involved in this program . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby‐Bauer method or automated systems .Results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints .Results A total of 78 955 clinical isolates were collected from January to December 2014 ,of which gram negative organisms and gram positive cocci accounted for 72 .6% and 27 .4% ,respectively . Methicillin‐resistant strains in S .aureus(MRSA)and coagulase negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS)accounted for an average of 44 .6% and 83 .0 % ,respectively .The resistance rates of methicillin‐resistant strains to β‐lactams and other antimicrobial agents were much higher than those of methicillin‐susceptible strains .However ,92 .0% of MRSA strains were still susceptible to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole ,while 85 .6% of MRCNS strains were susceptible to rifampin .No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin ,teicoplanin or linezolid .In Enterococcus spp .,the resistance rates of E .f aecalis strains to most tested drugs (except chloramphenicol) were much lower than those of E . f aecium .Some strains of both species were resistant to vancomycin .Vancomycin resistant strains of E . f aecalis and E . f aecium were mainly V anA ,V anB or V anM type based on their phenotype or genotype .Regarding non‐meningitis S .pneumoniae strains ,the prevalence of penicillin‐susceptible S .pneumoniae strains isolated from both adults and children were higher than those isolated in 2013 ,but the prevalence of penicillin‐intermediate S . pneumoniae or penicillin‐resistant S . pneumoniae strains decreased . The prevalence of ESBLs producingstrainswas55.8% in E.coliand29.9% in Klebsiellaspp.(K.pneumoniaeand K.oxytoca)and24.0% in Proteus mirabilis isolates on average . ESBLs‐producing Enterobacteriaceae strains were more resistant than non‐ESBLs‐producing strains in terms of antibiotic resistance rates . The strains of Enterobacteriaceae were still highly susceptible to carbapenems .Overall less than 10 % of these strains were resistant to carbapenems . About 62 .4% and 66 .7% of Acinetobacter spp .(A .baumannii accounts for 93 .0 % ) strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem ,respectively . Compared with the data of year 2013 ,extensively‐drug resistant strains in K . pneumoniae and A .baumannii increased . Conclusions The antibiotic resistance of clinical bacterial isolates is growing .The disseminated multi‐drug or pan‐drug resistant strains in a special region poses a serious threat to clinical practice and implies the importance of strengthening infection control .

Objective To understand the changing resistance proifle ofProteus,Serratia,Citrobacter,Morganella andProvidencia in hospitals across China according to the data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program 2005-2014.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by using Kirby-Bauer method or automatic minimum inhibitory concentration determination according to a uniifed protocol.Results A total of 21 663 clinical isolates were collected from January 2005 to December 2014. The proportion ofProteus andSerratia isolates increased with time from 1.41% in 2005 to 2.09% in 2014, and from 0.99% in 2005 to 1.28% in 2014 among all the isolates. No change was found for the proportion ofCitrobacter,Morganella, orProvidencia. Less than 10% of theProteus isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 10% of theSerratia isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 20% of theCitrobacter isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 10% of theMorganella isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, amikacin and tigecycline. Less than 20% of theProvidencia isolates were resistant to cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, cefoxitin and tigecycline.Conclusions The antibiotic resistance ofProteus,Serratia, Citrobacter,Morganella andProvidencia isolates in hospitals across China is growing during the period from 2005 to 2014. Strengthening infection control and rational antibiotic use are effective to slow the growth of drug resistance.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance proifle of clinicalEnterobacter isolates using the data from CHINET during the period from 2005 through 2014.Methods A total of 20 558 clinical strains ofEnterobacter spp. were collected from 2005 to 2014 in CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed with Kirby-Bauer or minimum inhibitory concentration method. The results were analyzed according to CLSI 2014 breakpoints.ResultsEnterobacter cloacae andEnterobacter aerogenes accounted for 71.1% (14 617/20558) and 20.1% (4 129/20 558) of all theEnterobacterisolates, respectively. The proportion ofEnterobacter spp. increased with time from 3.5% in 2005 to 4.3% in 2014. The main source of the isolates was respiratory tract, accounting for 55.2% (11 358/20 558). More than 90% of theEnterobacterisolates were resistant to cefazolin and cefoxitin, but less than 30% of the strains were resistant to cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoperazone-sulbactam, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprolfoxacin, meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem. TheEnterobacterisolates showed a trend of declining resistance to most antibiotics except ertapenem and meropenem. The resistance proifle ofEnterobacterisolates varied with departments where they were isolated. The strains from ICU and Department of Surgery were relatively more resistant to antibiotics. The prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains was decreasing, but the prevalence of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacter (CRE, resistant to any of imipenem, meropenem or ertapenem) was increasing. The MDR and CRE strains were primarily isolated from ICU and Department of Surgery. At least 30% of the MDREnterobacter strains were resistant to any of the antimicrobial agents tested except meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem and at least 35% of the CRE strains were resistant to any of the antimicrobial agents tested except amikacin and ciprolfoxacin.Conclusions TheEnterobacter isolates in CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program showed decreasing resistance to most of the antimicrobial agents tested since 2011, but the prevalence of CRE strains increased progressively. Effective measures should be carried out to prevent the spread of CRE strains in hospitals.

Objective To evaluate the changing pattern of antibiotic resistance inKlebsiella strains isolated from the patients in 19 hospitals across China based on the data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program during the period from 2005 through 2014.Methods Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and automated susceptibility testing methods were used to test the susceptibility ofKlebsiella isolates to the commonly used antibiotics. The results were interpreted according to the criteria of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (CLSI-2014).Results A total of 61 406Klebsiella strains were identified between 2005 and 2014, includingK. pneumoniae (56 281 strains), K. oxytoca(4 779),Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp.Ozaenae (300) and otherKlebsiella species (46). Most (89.0%, 54 664/61 406) of theKlebsiella strains were isolated from inpatients, and 60.0% (36 835/61 406) were from respiratory tract speciems. About 16.7% (10 248/61 406) of the strains were isolated from pediatric patients aged 0-17 years and 83.3% (51 158/61 406) from adult patients. The prevalence ofKlebsiella spp. increased with time from 10.1% in 2005 to 14.3% in 2014. Based on the surveillance data during the 10-year period, we found a marked increase of resistance to imipenem (2.9% to 10.5%) and meropenem (2.8% to 13.4%) inKlebsiella spp. The prevalence of ESBLs-producing isolates inK. pneumoniae andK. oxytoca decreased from 39.0% in 2005 to 30.1% in 2014. The resistance to amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprolfoxacin, pipracillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam was on decline. The resistance rate to cefotaxime remained high about 49.5%. Carbapenem resistantance was identiifed in 5 796 (9.4%) of the isolates, including 5 492 strains ofK. pneumoniae and 280 strains ofK. oxytoca. Overall, 4 740 (7.8%) strains were identiifed as extensively-drug resistant (XDR), including 4 520 strains ofK. pneumoniae and 202 strains ofK. oxytoca. The carbapenem-resistant strains showed high (>60%) resistance rate to majority of the antimicrobial agents tested, but relatively low resistance to tigecycline (16.8%), amikacin (54.4%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (55.5%).Conclusions During the 10-year period from 2005 through 2014, carbapenem resistance amongKlebsiella isolates has increased dramatically in the hospitals across China. The level of resistance to other antibiotics remains stable.

Objective To investigate the susceptibility and resistance of clinical isolates collected from hospitals in several regions of China . Methods Fourteen general hospitals and two children ’ s hospitals were involved in this program . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated Systems .Results were analyzed according to CLSI 2013 breakpoints .Results A total of 84 572 clinical isolates were collected from January to December 2013 ,of which gram negative organisms and gram positive cocci accounted for 73 .0% and 27 .0%respectively .Methicillin-resistant strains in S .aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) accounted for an average of 45 .2% and 73 .5% respectively .The resistance rates of methicillin-resistant strains to β-lactams and other antimicrobial agents were much higher than those of methicillin-susceptible strains .However ,92 .2% of MRSA strains were still susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole while 87 .4% of MRCNS strains were susceptible to rifampin . No staphylococcal strains were found resistant to vancomycin ,teicoplanin or linezolid .In Enterococcus spp .,the resistance rates of E . f aecalis strains to most tested drugs (except chloramphenicol) were much lower than those of E . f aecium .Some strains of both species were resistant to vancomycin .Vancomycin-resistant strains of E . f aecalis and E . f aecium were mainly VanA type based on their phenotype .Regarding non-meningitis S . pneumoniae strains ,the prevalence of penicillin-susceptible S . pneumoniae and penicillin-intermediate S . pneumoniae strains isolated from both adults and children were lower than those isolated in 2012 ,but the prevalence of penicillin-resistant S .pneumoniae strains increased .The prevalence of ESBLs producing strains was 54 .0% in E .coli ,31 .8% in Klebsiella spp .(K .pneumoniae and K .oxytoca) and 16 .5% in Proteus mirabilis isolates on average . ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains were more resistant than non-ESBLs-producing strains in terms of antibiotic resistance rates .The strains of Enterobacteriaceae were still highly susceptible to carbapenems .Overall less than 7 .0% of these strains were resistant to carbapenems .About 62 .8% and 59 .4% of Acinetobacter spp .(A .baumannii accounts for 89 .2% ) strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem ,respectively .Compared with the data of year 2012 , extensively-drug resistant strains in K . pneumoniae and A . baumannii decreased .Conclusions The antibiotic resistance of clinical bacterial isolates is growing in 2013 .The disseminated multi-drug or pan-drug resistant strains in a special region poses a serious threat to clinical practice and implies the importance of strengthening infection control .