Objective To evaluate the usefulness of serum galactemannan(GM) for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients. Methods Study was conducted between February 2007 and July 2008. Included patients on admission ICU who suffer from suspected IPA. GM test and culture were collected 2 weekly. Chnical feature, mycological evidence and optical density index (ODI) were noted. Clinically invasive fungal infection(IFI) were defined proven, probable and possible. The patients were classified into neutropenia, non-neutropenia and treated with immunosuppressive agents, non-neutropenia and non-immunosuppressive agents. To compared of the sensitivity and specificity of GM in different patients. Results 94 patients were included, 4 patients were proven, 29 patients were probable, 34 patients were possible IFI, 27 patients were non-IPA. The positive rate of the GM was 31.9% (30/94). The sensitivity and specificity of GM in proven cases and probable cases are 66.7% and 92.6%. GM assay tended to become positive earlier than the culture 2-10(5.33±2.17)d. We found that differences in patient diagnosis and selection might account for the disparities seen for positive rate for the GM test. There was positive in three of the four patients with proven, the positive rate of GM was 65.5% for probable cases, for possible cases was 17.6%, for non-IPA cases was 7.4% (P=0.001). For patient with neutropenia , treated with immunosuppressive agents and without immunosuppressive agents, the positive rate of GM was 52.9%vs 41.7% vs 34. 6% (P=0.015) ;the sensitivity was 80.0% vs 70. 0% vs 53.8% (P=0.011), the ODI was 1.365 (0.582-6.736) vs 1. 123 (0. 623-6.868) vs 0.554 (0.522-0.823), P=0. 005, respectively. Conclusion These results show that GM test is useful for early diagnosis IPA in critically ill patients. Differences in patient selection and diagnosis might account for the disparities seen for positive rate and sensitivity for the GM test. It has been higher sensitivity and ODI in the patient treated by immunosuppressive agents.

The traditional fermentation engineering experiment requires a reform on the experimental con-tents and teaching pattern. According to the production process of industrial enzymes, we set up a two-week comprehensive experiment. The students designed and prepared the experiment by themselves. Moreover, the pattern of self-management was used in the process and the experiment scores included the self-assess-ment and objective assessment. It was proved that the new teaching pattern increased the study interesting of students, inspired their initiative and trained their spirits of team cooperation. The teaching effect was im-proved markedly and good ideas are also put forward to solve the possible problem.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in rats with insulin resistance. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group(positive drug control group)(n=10).Models of insulin resistance were established by high glucose and high fat diet in model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group.After treatment for 12 weeks,serum glucose,serum lipids,and parameters of insulin resistance,liver function and anti-oxidation capability were detected in each group,and histologic observations of liver tissues were conducted with adipose staining. Results The serum glucose,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),insulin action index(IAI),serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),liver malondialdehyde(MDA) and serum transaminase activity in total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group were significantly lower than those in model group(P

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of glucose on growth and collagen synthesis of rat skin fibroblast cells cultured in vitro. Methods Rat skin fibroblast cells cultured in vitro were treated with glucose of different concentrations (30,35 and 40mmol/L) for 48 h (high glucose group 1,2 and 3). Cell proliferation was detected by MTT method,the hydroxyproline contents in culture media were determined by the commercial kit,and the mRNA expression of typeⅠand Ⅲ procollagen,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2)were detected by RT-PCR. Cells cultured with 25mmol/L glucose were served as controls. Results With the increase of glucose concentration in culture media,the growth of skin fibroblast cells was significantly inhibited,and the hydroxyproline contents were significantly decreased (P

Coronary Sinus ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Vein ; Vena Cava, Superior

Objective To establish an animal model of calpastatin ( CAST) transgenic mice by inserting the full hu-man CAST into the genome of C57BL/6J mice.Methods Recombinant transgenic vector pRP .EX3d-EF1A-CAST-IRES-eGFP was constructed by Gateway technology .It was injected into the fertilized eggs from C 57BL/6J mice.The injected eggs were transplanted into the oviduct of pseudopregnant mice .Tail DNA PCR screening was performed to identify the positive founder mice.The expressions of CAST mRNA and protein in tissues of the transgenic mice were detected by RT -PCR and Western blotting.Results Ninty eggs were transplanted into the oviducts of 3 recipients.The transplantation success rate was 100%.23 viable offsprings were born from the recipients .Tail DNA PCR screening showed that two of the offsprings were positive transgenic mice .The positive rate of transgenic mice was 9%.RT-PCR assay revealed that CAST mRNA ex-pressions were present in the heart , liver, kidney, lung, spleen, brain and skeletal muscle of the transgenic mice .Addition-ally, the CAST protein expression was significantly increased in the transgenic mice .Conclusion CAST transgenic mice have been successfully established and provide a good animal model support for further studies on the CAST function .

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles, which range in size from 30 to 150 nm, and are released under physiological and pathological conditions. The content of exosomes reflects the origin and function of cells. As a form of intercellular vesicular transport, exosome-mediated intercellular communication participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The information transmission mediated by exosomes is associated with pathophysiological status and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. This review summarizes the research progress of exosomes, including the origin and biological functions, the detection methods, the diagnosis and treatment of tumor.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 491-495)

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin (Uti) and low-molecular-weight heparin (Lmwh) on coagulation function and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing hip joint replacement.

METHODSFrom March to December 2010 150 ASAI-II patients with average age of 72.5 (65 - 85) years undergoing hip joint replacement were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 50 each): normal saline (NS) control group (Group C), Uti group (Group U) and Lmwh group (Group L). Group U received intravenous infusion of ulinastatin (10 000 U/kg) at preoperative, perioperative and after operation 1, 2 and 3 d, respectively. Group C received the same volume of NS instead of Uti. Group L were injected Lmwh subcutaneously (3200 U/d) at preoperative, after operation 1, 2 and 3 d. Blood samples were taken before operation (T(0)), at the end of surgery (T(1)), 1 d (T(2)), 2 d (T(3)) and 3 d (T(4)) after operation for determination the values of R, K, α angle, MA and CI, using thromboelastography, and the DVT were also examined through color Doppler ultrasonography at 3 d after operation.

RESULTSCompared with T(0), R, K were shorter, α angle, MA and CI were larger in group C, the values at T(2) were up to the peak then declined at T(4). Compared with group C, the value of R, K were larger, the value of α angle, MA and CI were shorter in group U and group L. The DVT checked by ultrasonography were found in 20 cases in group C, 1 case in group U, and zero case in group L. The differences were no statistically significant between group U and group L.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of Uti during the period of operation can correct the hypercoagulability of blood and decrease the incidence of DVT after operation.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Blood Coagulation ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of glucose concentration fluctuation on function of cultured bovine arterial endothelial cells and underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe thoracic aorta of newborn calf was used for primary endothelial cells culture. Cells were divided into 3 groups and cultured for 48 h: control group (C, 5.5 mmol/L), constant high glucose group (HG, 30 mmol/L) and glucose fluctuation (GF, three circles of 2 h 30 mmol/L followed by 3 h 5.5 mmol/L, 30 mmol/L overnight, repeat the whole procedure on the following day) groups. The membranes fluidity of endothelial cells was detected by fluorescence polarization method. The contents of sorbierite, aldose reductase (AR), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were measured. RAGE, eNOS and ET-1 mRNA expressions were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe membranes fluidity of endothelial cells in HG or GF group were significantly decreased compared with the control group (all P < 0.01) and significantly lower in GF group than those in HG group (all P < 0.01). Sorbierite, AR and AGEs concentrations were significantly higher in HG and GF groups than those in control group (all P < 0.01) and AR and AGEs concentrations were significantly higher in GF group than that in HG group (all P < 0.01). SDH of endothelial cells in HG or GF group were decreased compared with the control group and lower in GF group than in HG group (all P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA levels of RAGE, eNOS and ET-1 were significantly upregulated compared with the control group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGlucose concentration fluctuation can result in more severe bovine arterial endothelial cells dysfunction than high glucose via activating polyols metabolic pathways, upregulating the expression of AGEs, eNOS and ET-1. Therefore, glucose concentration fluctuation might play a crucial role on macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Aldehyde Reductase ; analysis ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; analysis ; L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase ; analysis ; Membrane Fluidity ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; drug effects