Objective To make a nationwide external quality assessment for drug sensitivity testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, analyze the problems in and factors associated with the drug sensitivity testing, and to enhance the quality of drug sensitivity testing of N. gonorrhoeae at different monitoring sites. Methods Samples were uniformly delivered to monitoring sites by express mail service. Test results were analyzed in the National Center for STD Control, and the evaluation results were fed back to these monitoring sites. Results A total of 105 quality control samples were delivered from 2007 to 2009, with a response rate of 88.57% (93/105). Thirteen monitoring sites were enrolled in the external quality assessment, including 9 laboratories in 2007, 9 in 2008 and 13 in 2009. The total percentage amounted to 77.42% (24/31) for qualified laboratories during the 3 years, including 6 laboratories in 2007, 7 in 2008 and 11 in 2009. The coincidence rate increased for the detection of penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG), N. gonorrhoeae with chromosome-mediated ciprofloxacin resistance, and N. gonorrhoeae with chromosome-mediated spectinomycin resistance, and declined for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae with plasmid-mediated high level tetracycline-resistance (TRNG) and N. gonorrhoeae with chromosome-mediated ceftriaxone resistance. Conclusions The 3-year external quality assessment reveals an improvement in the overall quality of drug sensitivity testing of N. gonorrhoeae at national monitoring sites; the accuracy is improved markedly for the detection of PPNG, N. gonorrhoeae with resistance to spectinomycin and ciprofloxacin, but is needed to increase for the detection of ceftriaxone-resis- tant N. gonorrhoeae and TRNG.

Objective To observe the change of the number of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)in peripheral circulation after acute middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of VEGF through mobilizing bone marrow-derived EPCs in treatment of mouse brain infarction after acute MCAO/R.MethodsTotally 36 mice were randomized into MCAO/R+VEGF group,MCAO/R group and sham operation group.MCAO/R mice model was established according Longa's method.VEGF [3.3 ng/(g?d),for 7 d] was injected intraperitoneally to the mice of MCAO/R+VEGF group to mobilize bone marrow-derived EPCs.The other 2 group received an injection of normal saline.At days 1,4,7 during mobilization,neurological functions were evaluated and blood samples were taken from angular vein.Then the number of EPCs in peripheral circulation in MCAO/R group and MCAO/R+VEGF group was detected by flow cytometry.Mice were decapitated and brains sliced and stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)to calculate infarct volume using specific image analyzing system.Infarct volumes were calculated and compared among groups.ResultsThe number of EPCs in MCAO/R+VEGF group began to increase at day 1 after treatment,and peaked at day 4 and sustained to day 7,which was significantly larger than those in MCAO/R group and sham operation group at every time point(P

ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of a three-gene typing system in the determination of Treponema pallidum (Tp) genotypes.MethodsTo determine the genotypes of Tp,three targets were assessed,including the number of 60 base-pair repeats,restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) pattem of tprEGJ gene after MseI digestion and the sequence of tp0548 gene.The DNA extracted from the Nichols strain of Tp served as the positive control,and that from the moist ulcer of patients with genital herpes and negative RPR or TPPA test results served as the negative control.To validate the typing method,clinical specimens were collected from the moist skin lesions of patients with primary or secondary syphilis,and subjected to the amplification of polA gene by PCR.The enhanced molecular typing system was used to determine the genotypes of Tp in Tp DNA-positive specimens.ResultsThe Nichols strain harbored a genotype of 14a/a.No amplification of any of the three target genes was found in the negative control.The arp gene,tprEGJ gene and tp0548 gene were amplified from 94.1％,91.2％ and 94.1％ of the 40 clinical specimens,and the genotype was successfully determined by the three-gene typing system for 91.2％ of the clinical Tp strains.The predominant type of arp,tprEGJ and tp0548 genes was 14 repeats,d and f,respectively in these clinical Tp isolates.ConclusionThe enhanced molecular tying method for Tp exhibits high sensitivity,specificity and discrimination potential.

This study was aimed to find the fragmentation pathways of Schisandrin B using the Discovery Studio by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn). The first and multi-stage mass spectrum diagrams were obtained. The results showed that mass spectrometry fragments of Schisandrin B was analyzed under the positive mode, the cracking rings are mainly occurred, and free radicals such as H2O, -CH3 and -OCH3 were lost. It was concluded that this study enriched the mass spectral decomposition, and provided basis for the study on chemical constituents of lignan compounds.

Objective:To preliminarily explore the treatment effect of nivolumab on Chinese non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases, and further enrich the evidences of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody in the treatment of NSCLC patients with brain metastases.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 22 NSCLC patients with brain metastases treated with nivolumab were collected. The electronic imaging data were collected to confirm the treatment effect and time point of disease progression, and the survival data of the patients were obtained through follow-up.Results:Twenty-one patients were evaluated for the intracranial treatment effect. The intracerebral objective response rate (IORR) was 28.6%, the intracranial disease control rate (IDCR) was 47.6%. The median intracranial progression-free-survival (iPFS) of all the 22 patients was 5.2 months. Both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 56.7%.Conclusions:The treatment effect of PD-1 monoclonal antibody on NSCLC patients with brain metastases is similar as those without brain metastases.

Objective:To preliminarily explore the treatment effect of nivolumab on Chinese non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases, and further enrich the evidences of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody in the treatment of NSCLC patients with brain metastases.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 22 NSCLC patients with brain metastases treated with nivolumab were collected. The electronic imaging data were collected to confirm the treatment effect and time point of disease progression, and the survival data of the patients were obtained through follow-up.Results:Twenty-one patients were evaluated for the intracranial treatment effect. The intracerebral objective response rate (IORR) was 28.6%, the intracranial disease control rate (IDCR) was 47.6%. The median intracranial progression-free-survival (iPFS) of all the 22 patients was 5.2 months. Both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 56.7%.Conclusions:The treatment effect of PD-1 monoclonal antibody on NSCLC patients with brain metastases is similar as those without brain metastases.

Objective:To evaluate the incidence of deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) among patients of pelvic endometriosis confirmed by pathology and to make analysis of its clinical and pathological characteristics.Methods:From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, clinical data of 240 cases of pelvic endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy and pathology hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital were analyzed retrospectively for the characteristics of symptoms, pelvic examination and anatomic distribution of endometriosis foci.Results:(1) Among 240 cases of pelvic endometriosis, 94 were diagnosed with DIE with an incidence of 39.2% (94/240); of them the diagnosis were made preoperatively in 44 cases (46.8%, 44/94). (2) Compared with those without DIE, patients with DIE had higher rates of secondary dysmenorrhea [53.2% (50/94) versus 38.4% (56/146), P=0.033], anal pain [43.6% (41/94) versus 28.1% (41/146), P=0.013], dyspareunea [39.4% (37/94) versus 18.5% (27/146), P=0.001] and frequent bowel movement [33.0% (31/94) versus 15.8%(23/146), P=0.002]. (3) Patients with DIE had higher rates of bad movement of uterus [21.3% (20/94) versus 6.8% (10/146), P=0.001], painful nodularity on uterosacral ligaments [26.6% (25/94) versus 6.2% (9/146), P<0.01], painful nodularity of posterior fornix [19.1% (18/94) versus 4.8% (7/146), P<0.01], blue nodule in vaginal wall [6.4% (6/94) versus 0 (0/146), P=0.003] by pelvic examination compared with those without DIE. (4) Ninety-four patients with DIE had a total of 162 nodules, of those 88 (54.3%, 88/162) located in uterosacral ligaments, 14 (8.6%, 14/162) in the rectum, 7 (4.3%, 7/162) in vaginal wall, 6 (3.7%, 6/162) in ureter, 4 in bladder (2.5%, 4/162), 2 (1.2%, 2/162) in Douglas pouch. Forty-three DIE patients (45.7%, 43/94) had more than one nodules. Patients with DIE had concomitant ovarian endometriosis in 69 cases (73.4%, 69/94), with a total of 103 endometrial cysts. (5) Patients with DIE had a higher rate of obliterated Douglas pouch [76.6% (72/94) versus 19.2% (28/146), P<0.01]. Conclusions:More than one third of patients with pelvic endometriosis have concomitant DIE with a lower rate of preoperative diagnosis. Pelvic pains, bad movement of uterus and painful nodulirity around cervix suggest the presence of DIE.

Objective To study the effect of cobalt-60 gamma-ray (⁶⁰Co-γ) radiation on the structure of Nialamide, compare the anti-inflammatory activity of irradiation products, and explore the mechanism of action. Methods After ⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation of nialamide at a dose of 50 kGy, five known compounds were obtained (2-6). The viability of RAW 264.7 (mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia) cells treated with these compounds was determined by CCK-8 assay. The secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) and the content of nitric oxide (NO) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Griess method. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe. The expression levels of cell-induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), and IκB were detected using Western blot. Results The products of nialamide after irradiation did not significantly affect RAW264.7 cell viability (P > 0.05) but showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect (P < 0.01). Compared with nialamide, compounds 2, 3, 4, 6 significantly reduced NO content in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.01), and compound 4 had the most significant effect. Moreover, compound 4 significantly reduced the content of IL-6, TNF-α, PGE₂, and ROS (P < 0.05) as well as the expression of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, and IκB (P < 0.05) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion The chemical structure of nialamide is changed after irradiation with ⁶⁰Co-γ, and its product compound 4 shows strong anti-inflammatory activity, which may be related to inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the release of inflammatory factors. Radiation technology can provide new insights into the changes of molecular structures and physiological properties of natural products.

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV patients combined with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 112 COVID-19 patients with CVD admitted to the western district of Union Hospital in Wuhan, from January 20, 2020 to February 15, 2020. They were divided into critical group (ICU, n=16) and general group (n=96) according to the severity of the disease and patients were followed up to the clinical endpoint. The observation indicators included total blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), arterial blood gas analysis, myocardial injury markers, coagulation function, liver and kidney function, electrolyte, procalcitonin (PCT), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood lipid, pulmonary CT and pathogen detection. Results: Compared with the general group, the lymphocyte count (0.74×10⁹ (0.34×10⁹, 0.94×10⁹)/L vs. 0.99×10⁹ (0.71×10⁹, 1.29×10⁹)/L, P=0.03) was extremely lower in the critical group, CRP (106.98 (81.57, 135.76) mg/L vs. 34.34 (9.55,76.54) mg/L, P<0.001) and PCT (0.20 (0.15,0.48) μg/L vs. 0.11 (0.06,0.20)μg/L, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the critical group. The BMI of the critical group was significantly higher than that of the general group (25.5 (23.0, 27.5) kg/m² vs. 22.0 (20.0, 24.0) kg/m², P=0.003). Patients were further divided into non-survivor group (17, 15.18%) group and survivor group (95, 84.82%). Among the non-survivors, there were 88.24% (15/17) patients with BMI> 25 kg/m², which was significantly higher than that of survivors (18.95% (18/95), P<0.001). Compared with the survived patients, oxygenation index (130 (102, 415) vs. 434 (410, 444), P<0.001) was significantly lower and lactic acid (1.70 (1.30, 3.00) mmol/L vs. 1.20 (1.10, 1.60) mmol/L, P<0.001) was significantly higher in the non-survivors. There was no significant difference in the proportion of ACEI/ARB medication between the critical group and the general group or between non-survivors and survivors (all P>0.05). Conclusion COVID-19 patients combined with CVD are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Critical patients are characterized with lower lymphocyte counts. Higher BMI are more often seen in critical patients and non-survivor. ACEI/ARB use does not affect the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 combined with CVD. Aggravating causes of death include fulminant inflammation, lactic acid accumulation and thrombotic events.

Radiotherapy is widely used in the management of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical efficacy is limited by the safe irradiated dose. Sensitizing tumor cells to radiotherapy via interrupting DNA repair is a promising approach to conquering the limitation. The BRCA1-BARD1 complex has been demonstrated to play a critical role in homologous recombination (HR) DSB repair, and its functions may be affected by HERC2 or BAP1. Accumulated evidence illustrates that the ubiquitination-deubiquitination balance is involved in these processes; however, the precise mechanism for the cross-talk among these proteins in HR repair following radiation hasn't been defined. Through activity-based profiling, we identified PT33 as an active entity for HR repair suppression. Subsequently, we revealed that BAP1 serves as a novel molecular target of PT33 via a CRISPR-based deubiquitinase screen. Mechanistically, pharmacological covalent inhibition of BAP1 with PT33 recruits HERC2 to compete with BARD1 for BRCA1 interaction, interrupting HR repair. Consequently, PT33 treatment can substantially enhance the sensitivity of CRC cells to radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these findings provide a mechanistic basis for PT33-induced HR suppression and may guide an effective strategy to improve therapeutic gain.