Objective To investigate the prevalence, accessory gene regulator (agr) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec, only for methicillin resistantS. aureus, MRSA) types of theS. aureus strains carrying toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tst) and/or panton-valentine leukocidin (pvl) genes.Methods Nine hundred and sixteen isolates ofS. aureus were collected from seven hospitals in Shanghai and Zhejiang Province and subjected to detection oftst,pvl,mecA andmecC genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Theagr and SCCmec (only for MRSA) types were determined in thetst orpvl gene positive isolates.Results Of the 916 isolates, 208 carriedtst gene (22.7%), 35 harboredpvl gene (3.8%), and 665 weremecA positive (MRSA). No isolate was mecC positive. Out of the 665 MRSA isolates, 198 hosted thetst gene (29.8%). The most commonagr and SCCmec types were agr 2 (97.0%) and SCCmec II (94.4%), respectively. For thepvl gene, only 14 isolates were positive (2.1%). Theagr 1 (85.7%), SCCmecIII (42.9%) and SCCmec IVa (28.6%) were the most commonagr type and SCCmec type. In the 251 methicillin-sensitiveS. aureus (MSSA) isolates, 10 carriedtst gene (4.0%) and 21 carriedpvl gene (8.4%). The prevalence oftst gene in MRSA was higher than that in MSSA, while the prevalence ofpvlgene was just the opposite. However, the prevalence ofpvlgene in MRSA isolates from Zhejiang Province was higher than that in the MRSA isolates from Shanghai (P<0.05).Conclusions The prevalence oftst gene in MRSA is signiifcantly higher than that in MSSA. The prevalence ofpvlgene is low in theS. aureus isolates studied. However, clinicians should pay close attention to these strains due to the implication of PVL toxin in some
severeS. aureus infections.

Background Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic,and it is frequently used in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of doxycycline on the inhibition of cell proliferation in bovine corneal myofibroblasts in vitro and assess its contribution to ocular surface repairing mechanism.Methods Six fresh bovine corneas were collected.The corneal stromal layer was isolated by two-step method of 1.0 g/L and 2.0 g/L collegenase-1.Isolated cells were plated at mantaryay culture flask in 10％ FBS of RPMI-1640.Vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) organization were evaluated by immunocytochemistry,and the cells with influoresccence staining for vimentin and α-SMA were identified as the corneal myofibroblasts.Doxycycline at the concentrations of 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L was added to the medium,respectively,in different concentrations of doxycycline groups.Dexamethasone (120 mg/L)was used in the same way in the positive control group,and no drug was used in the negative control group.Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and the cell cycle was analyzed by BD FACScan flow cytometer assay 24 hours and 48 hours after addition of any drug.Results The cells grew well and showed the positive response for vimentin and α-SMA.MTT assay showed that the A570values of bovine corneal myofibroblasts were gradually declined with the increase of the concentration of doxycycline and lapse of active time,showing statistically significant difference (Fconcentration =1233.778,P＜0.001 ; Ftime =227.564,P ＜ 0.001).And the difference between the two factors was also statistically significant (Ftime*concentration =51.656,P＜0.001).Flow cytometry cell cycle analysis showed that 24 hours after 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L doxycycline treated,the perentage of of corneal myofibroblast cell in G0-G1 phase was 82.85％,84.36％,85.18％,87.12 ％ and 89.31％,showing significant increase in comparison with 63.89％ of the negative control group (all P＜0.05),and that of 40 mg/L doxycycline group was near the positive control group.Forty-eight hours after 10,20,40,60,80 mg/L doxycycline treated,the perentage of of corneal myofibroblast cell in G0-G1 phase was 82.78％,86.15％,88.23％,89.57％,93.00％,with significant increase in comparison with 70.17％ of the negative control group (all P ＜ 0.01),and that of 40 mg/L doxycycline group was near the positive control group.Conclusions The growth of the bovine corneal myofibroblasts is inhibited by doxycycline in time-and dosedependent manner in the range from 10 mg/L to 80 mg/L,and 40 mg/L of doxycycline has an obviously inhibitory action as 120 mg/L dexamethasone.

Objective To understand the situations of home establishments and the related domestic behaviors that causing injuries. Methods A total of 9760 families with regular residents in a community in Shanghai were investigated. Questionnaire was designed bascd on the Guidelines for Conducting Community Surveys on Injuries and Violence and International Classification of External Causes of Injuries. Results Inside the home settings, relative factors were found on issues as fire protection and using of electricity. In terms of household settings, 14.85% of the families had smoke alarm systems in the kitchen; 40.75% had no windows set for emergence. 50% to 70% of the residents had the idea of safe behaviors, including 35.93% of the families stored cleaning products,other chemicals or medical substances in alternative containers, such as used drinking bottle. Only 1.81% of the people being investigated thought that home was also a high risk place where injury might occur and it was placed number 9 in a multiple choice questionnaire. Data from the multiple level model analysis showed that factors as number of family members, space, education, profession etc. were closely related to the situation of home settings and their resident's behaviors. Conclusion Many injury related factors were found related to home establishments and people' s daily behaviors at home which called for interventions to be taken.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence and distribution of Tourette syndrome (TS).

METHODSNine thousand, seven hundred and forty-two children and juveniles aged 7 - 16 years in Wenzhou were studied, using cluster random sampling method.

RESULTSThe prevalence of TS among school-age children was estimated to be 0.43% (0.74% for males and 0.07% for females). The prevalence of male children and juveniles was higher than that of female children and juveniles (chi(2) = 25.09, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 10.95, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.38 - 35.46). The highest prevalence of TS was between 9 - 10 years old. The mean age at onset of TS was 7.7 +/- 2.7 years, with 45.2% of them among 6 - 7 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis and rates of misdiagnosis and misclassification of the syndromes were 78.6%, 42.9% and 23.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONTourette syndrome had been a common disease of children and juveniles in Wenzhou area. The disease was correlated with age and sex, often misdiagnosed and misclassified. Physicians and as well as general publics should be trained to identify the cases.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tourette Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological features of tic disorders (TD) among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area.

METHODSStratified cluster sampling was carried out to investigate TD in 9742 schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years old in Wenzhou.

RESULTSThe average prevalence rate of TD among school-age children was 104/10 000 (166/10 000 for males, 29/10 000 for females). There was a significantly higher prevalence rate for males than that for females (chi(2) = 43.96, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 5.7, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.20 - 10.30). The prevalence rates of clinical subtypes in males was significantly higher than that of females while pupils was significantly higher than that in high school students (chi(2) = 11.33, P < 0.01, prevalence ratio = 2.2, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 1.37 - 3.43). Prevalence rate of transient tic disorders (TTD), chronic motor vocal tic disorder (CMVTD), tourette syndrome (TS) were 34/10 000, 27/10 000 and 43/10 000 respectively with the highest among 9-10 years old group. The mean onset age of TD was 8.5 +/- 2.8 years. The peak of onset was among 6-10 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis of the disorders was 69.3% and the median in delayed diagnosis was 1.0 year.

CONCLUSIONTD is a common disease with high rate of misdiagnoses among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area. Physicians and population should be trained to identify the syndromes and to practice correct diagnosis and effective treatment as early as possible.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tic Disorders ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Tourette Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the relation of the mRNA and protein expression of Cyclin A and p21cip1 in different stages hypertrophic scar fibroblast (FB) with its cell cycle, so as to provide theoretical evidence for intervention therapy of cell cycle gene being used in hypertrophic scar.

METHODSThe hypertrophic scar samples at different stages (the third month, the sixth month, the twelfth month, the twenty-fourth month) in 32 cases and the normal skin samples in 8 cases were used in this study. The expression of Cyclin A, p21cip1 mRNA and protein was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot. And at the same time, the flow cytometer was used to detect the fibroblastic cell life cycle.

RESULTS1) The expression of Cyclin A mRNA and protein in the third month group, the sixth month group, the twelfth month group, the twenty-fourth month group were 19.34 +/- 2.41, 0.99 +/- 0.11; 19.30 +/- 1.42, 0.96 +/- 0.09; 10.73 +/- 2.93, 0.66 +/- 0.58; 9.29 +/- 0.97, 0.65 +/- 0.14, respectively. And in corresponding stages, the expression of p21cip1 mRNA and protein were 2.80 +/- 0.69, 0.35 +/- 0.07; 4.95 +/- 1.82, 0.44 +/- 0.07; 9.98 +/- 1.19, 0.56 +/- 0.06; 10.25 +/- 1.46, 0.59 +/- 0.06, respectively. The expression intensity of Cyclin A mRNA and protein was no significantly different between the third month group and the sixth month group (P > 0. 05), but it was higher respectively than that in the twelfth month group, the twenty-fourth month group and normal group (P < 0.05). And the expression intensity was no different between the above three groups (P > 0.05). The expression intensity of P21cip1 mRNA and protein in the third month group was lower than that in the sixth month group, but that in the above two groups was lower respectively than that in the twelfth month group, the twenty-fourth month group and normal group (P < 0.05). And the expression intensity had no difference between the three later stage groups (P > 0.05). 2) Most FB were in S and G2/M stage (cycle) in 3rd month, 6th month group. And most FB were in G0/G1 stage (cycle) in 12th month, 24th month group and normal group.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of mRNA and protein of Cyclin A in hypertrophic scar changes from high level to low level as the hypertrophic scar develops, while the expression of P21cip1 changes from low level to high level. The mRNA and protein expression of Cyclin A and p21cip1 respectively are basically corresponded to different stages of hypertrophic scar. The distribution of cell life cycle of fibroblastic are also corresponded to the expression intensity of Cyclin A and p21cip1 in different stages hypertrophic scar. An early stage intervention to the two gene can be effective to prevent from the genesis and development of hypertrophic scar.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Cycle ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin A ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vitamin D3 upregulated protein-1 (VDUP1) in peripheral eosinophils at different stages of asthma and its correlation with clinical manifestations of asthma.

METHODSFourteen normal volunteers and 51 mild to moderate asthma patients, including 16 untreated patients with asthma attack and 35 with asthma remission by continuously corticosterone inhalation. The symptom severity and pulmonary function indices were evaluated and induced sputum eosinophil counts and blood eosinophil count measured. VDUP1 and beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR from the total RNA of peripheral eosinophils, and 10 microl of the RT-PCR product underwent agarose gel electrophoresis and the VDUP1/beta-actin ratio was obtained by Gel-Pro software.

RESULTSVDUP1/beta-actin ratio significantly decreased in untreated patients with asthma attacks in comparison with normal volunteers (0.314+/-0.242 vs 0.532 +/-0.279) but not in patients with asthma remission (0.612+/-0.381). In the former patients, a positive correlation of VDUP1/beta-actin ratio was found with FEV1.0% (r=0.587, P=0.046) and %PEF (r=0.563, P=0.033), whereas an inverse one observed with sputum eosinophil count (r=-0.436, P=0.049).

CONCLUSIONVDUP1 expression in the eosinophils correlates to eosinophil activation and may influence the disease severity of asthma patients.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Asthma ; blood ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Humans ; Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thioredoxins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between thresholds in the chirp-ABR and behavior audiogram in order to find out if it is possible to be used as an clinical application of the chirp-ABR in estimating hearing sensitivity.

METHODSTwenty-two cases with hearing loss or normal hearing were enrolled in the study. The behavior audiogram and the response thresholds of chirp ABR (including chirp ABR, L-chirp ABR and U-chirp ABR) were obtained from 35 ears.

RESULTSTwenty-two cases were of both genders. The age was between 3.3- 6.5-years-old with the average age of 4.8-years-old. Divided by the degree of hearing loss, in the 35 ears, there were 6 with normal hearing, 2 with slightly hearing loss, 4 with moderate hearing loss, 10 with severe hearing loss and 13 with profound hearing loss. The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.939, 0.900 and 0.930, respectively, which got from the data between the average of 0.5 - 4 kHz and chirp ABR respond threshold, 0.5 kHz and L-chirp ABR, and the average of 1 - 4 kHz and U-chirp ABR.

CONCLUSIONAs an objective test, the response threshold of chirp-ABR and the behavior audiogram were a highly correlated with each other, but more application in more subjects is needed.

Acoustic Stimulation ; Audiometry, Evoked Response ; Auditory Threshold ; physiology ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Child, Preschool ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Female ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Slingshot-1L (SSH-1L) in peripheral blood eosinophils of asthmatic patients.

METHODSPeripheral vein blood sample of 30 ml was collected from 15 healthy volunteers, 15 asthmatic patients with glucocorticoid treatment and 15 asthmatic patients without the treatment. The eosinophils were isolated, purified and counted for each sample, and SSH-1L/beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR for the total RNA. SSH-1L protein was detected by Western blotting from the total protein of the peripheral eosinophils. The expressions of SSH-1L at both mRNA and protein levels are compared between different groups.

RESULTSSSH-1L/beta-actin ratio significantly increased in untreated patients with asthma attacks in comparison with healthy volunteers (P<0.05), which did not occur in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05). The optical density of SSH-1L protein significantly increased in untreated asthmatic patients (P<0.05), but not in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05), as compared with the healthy volunteers.

CONCLUSIONSignificantly increased SSH-1L expression in peripheral eosinophils may play an important role in the activation and migration of eosinophils.

Actin Depolymerizing Factors ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Asthma ; blood ; Blotting, Western ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Anal Canal/surgery* ; Humans ; Rectal Fistula/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome