Objective To investigate the antibiotic resistance, virulence genes, and sequence types of Enterococcus faecium ( E. faecium) strains isolated from children under 3 years old in Sui county, Henan province. Methods Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing was performed to analyze the antibiotic sensitivi-ties of E. faecium strains to 15 common antibiotics. PCR analysis was used to detect the virulence genes car-ried by the E. faecium strains. Multilocus sequence typing ( MLST) was performed for the typing of E. faeci-um strains. Results Forty-seven E. faecium strains were isolated from 120 stool samples collected from chil-dren under 3 years old in Sui county, Henan province, of which 95. 7% were antibiotic-resistant strains. Most of the isolated E. faecium strains were resistant to rifampicin, accounting for 91. 5% (43/47) of all isolates, followed by those resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline, which accounted for 68. 1% (32/47). Moreover, high resistance rates to those antibiotics commonly used in clinical treatments of E. faecium infec-tion including β-lactam and aminoglycosides antibiotics were observed. Those strains resistant to more than three kinds of antibiotics belonged to the same clonal complex including 12 strains of clonal complex 17 ( CC17) harboring the virulence gene of hyl. All of the isolated E. faecium strains were susceptible to vanco-mycin, linezolid, chloromycetin and nitrofurantoin. Conclusion The E. faecium strains isolated from chil-dren under 3 years old in Sui county, Henan province were multi-antibiotic resistant. There were drug-resist-ance strains belonging to the CC17 and carrying the virulence gene of hyl.

Neuron is the basic unit of the biological neural system. The Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model is one of the most realistic neuron models on the electrophysiological characteristic description of neuron. Hardware implementation of neuron could provide new research ideas to clinical treatment of spinal cord injury, bionics and artificial intelligence. Based on the HH model neuron and the DSP Builder technology, in the present study, a single HH model neuron hardware implementation was completed in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The neuron implemented in FPGA was stimulated by different types of current, the action potential response characteristics were analyzed, and the correlation coefficient between numerical simulation result and hardware implementation result were calculated. The results showed that neuronal action potential response of FPGA was highly consistent with numerical simulation result. This work lays the foundation for hardware implementation of neural network.
Action Potentials ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Models, Neurological ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Neurons ; cytology ; Synaptic Transmission

OBJECTIVE To discuss the best scheme for fungemia detection by analyzing and comparing the ability and performance characteristics of the BACTEC 9120 automated blood culture system and 4 kinds of blood culture bottles in the detection of simulated fungemia.METHODS Simulated blood culture was produced using 65 fungi isolates from clinical specimens and BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F,Plus Anaerobic/F,Peds Plus/F and Myco/F Lytic blood culture bottles and detected by BACTEC 9120 automated blood culture system.The final inoculum densities were 1-5 CFU/ml blood.The(time to detection TTD) of simulated blood culture with different concentrations of suspension produced using 2 kinds of standard strains and 4 kinds of blood culture bottles was compared.RESULTS From the 260 bottles in this study 216 had growth detected by the BACTEC 9120 blood culture system.The positive rates of BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F and Anaerobic/F,which were 90.77%and 41.54%,respectively,were significantly(P

Objective To evaluate the ability of Vitek 2 Compact YST identification cards and pyrosequencing analysis for identifying the clinical isolates of yeast-like fungi.Methods Vitek 2 Compact YST identification cams and ITS1 region pyrosequencing analysis were used to identify the clinical isolates of yeast-like fungi at Jinan Military General Hospital in 2011.The strains which could not be identified to species by pyrosequencing analysis were identified again by the method of ITS1 region Sanger sequencing.The strains with inconsistent identified results by YST and pyrosequencing were identified again using API 20C.Results A total of 282 srtains were isolated from various clinical specimens for culturing in 2011.In addition to the three which could only be identified to similar species,other strains could be clearly identified to species by the method of ITS1 reverse pyrosequencing.Three strains which failed identified to species by pyrosequencing couldn't be distinguished fully by the method of Sanger sequencing.There were 7 strains unidentified,14 strains low discrimination(％ id ＜ 80％),and 6 strains misidentification using YST cams.The identification coincidence rate was 90.4％.The identification coincidence rates were various in different species of yeast-like fungi using YST cards.Conclusions The vast majority of clinical isolates of yeast-like fungi could be identified by ITS1 reverse pyrosequencing analysis.Vitek 2 Compact YST caRD basically meets the needs.But attention should be paid to the standard operating and regular internal quality control.For some rare species it is also needed to combine the source of specimen,colonies and characteristics to determine the identification results for the rare stains.

Objective: To investigate the core information about tuberculosis prevention and control knowledge among residents in Jiangxi Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of health education strategy for tuberculosis prevention and control. Methods: Permanent residents at ages of 15 years and older were sampled from Jiangxi Province using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method from January to June 2021. Participants' demographic features and access to health education for tuberculosis prevention and control were collected through questionnaires, and the awareness of core information about tuberculosis prevention and control was investigated according to Key Points for Core Information and Knowledge about Tuberculosis Prevention and Control (2016 version). Results: A total of 1 280 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 217 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.08%. The respondents included 605 men (49.71%) and 612 women (50.29%), and had a mean age of (50.05±15.78) years. The overall awareness of core information of tuberculosis prevention and control was 80.46%, and the awareness rates of “Pulmonary tuberculosis is suspected and timely healthcare-seeking is required if you have cough or expectoration for more than 2 weeks”, “Pulmonary tuberculosis is mainly transmitted via respiratory tract, and everyone is likely to be infected”, “No spit anywhere, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wearing a mouth mask may reduce the transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis”, “Pulmonary tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that poses a long-term damage to health” and “Most patients may be cured and others are avoided to be infected following standard whole-process treatment” were 90.22%, 86.52%, 85.95%, 80.03% and 59.57%, respectively. There were 491 respondents that were aware of all core information about tuberculosis prevention and control (40.35%), and network was the predominant route for acquiring health education about tuberculosis prevention and control (62.08%, 586/944). Conclusions The overall awareness of core information about tuberculosis prevention and control did not achieve the target set in the 13th Five-year Plan for Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, and the awareness of tuberculosis treatment-related knowledge was low.

Objective To investigate the distribution and resistant pattern of Enterobacter cloacae to antimicrobial agents for reasonable use of antibiotics .Methods E .cloacae strains were isolated from patients from January 2009 to December 2013 .The strains were identified by VITEK‐2 Compact System of BioMerieux and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method .The results were analyzed .Results A total of 397 nonduplicate E .cloacae strains were isolated during 5 years ,accounting for 5 % of the total gram‐negative isolates . The strains were mainly isolated from sputum (48 .9% ) , followed by secretions (30 .5% )and urine (7 .3% ) .The percentage of E .cloacae strains resistant to all the antibiotics tested was on decline except carbapenems ,cefoxitin and amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid .Carbapenems were relatively more active against E .cloacae strains .The E .cloacae strains showed higher resistance rate toβ‐lactams .Conclusions It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of clinical isolates to guide rational use of antimicrobial agents .

Objective: To explore the factors affecting carotid plaque formation among high-risk populations for stroke, so as to provide the reference for early intervention for carotid atherosclerosis among the populations. Methods: Permanent residents were selected from Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality using the multi-staged cluster random sampling method from April to September 2021. Basic information, family history of stroke and past medical history were collected by the Community and Township Population Screening Scale for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Risk Factors. High-risk populations for stroke were identified according to the Technical Specifications for Stroke Screening and Prevention. Carotid plaque status was assessed using carotid ultrasonography. Factors affecting carotid plaque formation were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among the 25 666 permanent residents surveyed, 8 459 were identified as high-risk populations for stroke, including 3 362 males and 5 097 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.66︰1. The median age was 66.00 (quartile range, 11.00) years. Carotid plaque were detected in 4 305 cases among high-risk population for stroke, accounting for 50.89%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (OR=1.052, 95%CI: 1.043-1.061), family history of stroke (OR=1.297, 95%CI: 1.103-1.526), hypertension (OR=1.245, 95%CI: 1.025-1.512) and diabetes (OR=1.439, 95%CI: 1.241-1.669) were associated with a higher risk of carotid plaque formation in male high-risk population for stroke, advanced age (OR=1.058, 95%CI: 1.051-1.066), lack of exercise (OR=1.138, 95%CI: 1.001-1.294), family history of stroke (OR=1.201, 95%CI: 1.062-1.357), significant overweight or obesity (OR=1.269, 95%CI: 1.127-1.430) and hypertension (OR=1.169, 95%CI: 1.003-1.362) were associated with a higher risk of carotid plaque formation in female high-risk population for stroke. Conclusion The main influencing factors for carotid plaque formation among high-risk populations for stroke include age, family history of stroke, exercise, significant overweight or obesity, hypertension and diabetes, with gender differences observed.

Objective:To study the difference in anti-hepatic fiborsis components between pre-and post-processed Trionyx Sinensis Carapace to guide the clinical application of Trionyx Sinensis Carapace. Methods:SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis was used to compare the constituents in pre-and post-processed Trionyx Sinensis Carapace, and the inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HSC-T6 was deter-mined by MTT. Results:The processed Trionyx Sinensis Carapace had much more components than the crude Trionyx Sinensis Cara-pace,and the relative molecular mass in the first-level band decreased resulting in the generation of micromolecular polypeptides. Both pre-and post-processed Trionyx Sinensis Carapace had anti-hepatic fibrosis, while the vinegar-processed Trionyx Sinensis was more ef-fective. Conclusion:The difference in the active components in pre- and post-processed Trionyx Sinensis Carapace is obvious, which provides foundation for the clinical application and further researches.

BACKGROUND:Magnetic bone cements have been used to treat bone metastasis in Japan, which are made by adding Fe3O4 nanoparticles to bone cements. Magnetic bone cements containing micron carbonyl iron powder have not been reported.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare polymethylmethacrylate-based cements containing carbonyl iron powder, and to test the magnetic characterizations and the heat-generating abilities of al samples according to ISO 5833 standard in vitro. METHODS:The carbonyl iron powder was mixed with polymethylmethacrylate-based bone cement power to prepare magnetic bone cements containing 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%carbonyl iron powder, respectively. The setting time, polymerization temperature, compressive strength, magnetic property and in vitro heat-generating ability were tested.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The setting time and polymerization temperature were increased with the increased content of carbonyl iron powder. The highest polymerization temperature of each sample was 65-70 ℃. The increased content of carbonyl iron power could not change the highest polymerization temperature but delay its appearance. The compressive strength of each sample was higher than 60 MPa, and moreover, the compressive strength of the pure polymethylmethacrylate-based bone cement was higher than 60 MPa, which met the ISO 5833 standard. The saturation magnetic intensity was increased with the increasing of carbonyl iron power content. The heat-generating ability of magnetic bone cements had a positive correlation with the magnetic field strength and the content of carbonyl iron powder.

Objective To investigate the levels of Th1 and Th2 cell in the peripheral and the cytokines (IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-12,IL-10,IL-4) in the culture medium at different time in the porcine model with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) after continuous blood purification(CBP). Methods Twenty-four young porcines were given intravenous infusion of endotoxin to induce MODS, then were randomly divided into 2 groups:CBP group(n = 12) and MODS group without CBP(n = 12). Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) was the main mode for CBP. At baseline, onset of MODS, and 2 h,4 h,6 h after treatment of CVVHDF,we picked the blood respectively to separate the T helper cell using the beads,detected the Th1 and Th2 cell by FACS and detected the cytokines (IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-12,IL-10,IL-4) in the culture medium by ELISA. Results The MODS group showed a obvious rise in TNF-α,the drop tendency in IL-12,IFN-γ,IL-10,Th1/Th2 ratio, and no significant change in IL-4. After the treatment, the CBP group showed the drop in TNF-α and IL-4;and increase in IL-12,IFN-γ,IL-10 and Th1/Th2 ratio. Conclusion CBP helps to dear immune function,and restore the balance of Th1/Th2 in porcine MODS model.