Objective To investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Haemophilus influenzae (HI) in children with acute respiratory tract infection in Suzhou. Methods Data of sputum culture of 3 167 hospitalized childhood patients with acute respiratory tract infection from January 2006 to December 2007 were collected. The incidence of positive HI and the rate of resistance to different antibiotics were calculated and beta-lactamases of the strains were detected. Results About 4.4% of total 3 167 eases were infected with HI. The infection rate was related with season and sex, more frequent between February and June, more common in boys than girls. Children younger than three years old were likely to be infected by HI, eompared with other age groups. The beta-lactamase positive rate of HI was 31.4%. The resistance rates to ampicillin, SMZ + TMP, chloramphenicol, cefaclor, ceftazidime, tetracycline and ampicillin/sulbactam were 29.6% ～ 31.9%, 66.2% -73.9%, 19.7% ～ 15.9%, 2.8% ～ 14.5%, 2.8% ～0、 28.2% ～ 2.9% and 4.2% ～ 1.4% respectively. Isolates resistance to cefuroxime、 ceftriaxone、 imipenem、azithromycin and ciprofloxacin were not found. Conclusions The infection of HI in children with actue respiratory tract infection is closely related with season and sex in Suzhou. Children younger than three years old are at high risk. The beta-lactamase positive rate of HI was high and increased rapidly. Resistance rate to azithromycin, SMZ + TMP and chloramphenicol was high, some isolates were resistant to the second, third generation of cephalosporin. Monitoring the antibiotic resistance of H! should be emphasized.

Objective To understand the status and drug resistant patterns of strains of extended spectrum ?-lactamase(ESBLs) in children with lower respiratory tract infection,and to give clinical suggestions for rational treatment.Methods Escherichia coli and klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the 2 969 nasopharyngeal secretions which collected from lower respiratory tract of children in our hospital from Jan.2006 to Dec. 2007.Dual-sheets and sheets-diffusing method (K-B method) were used to determine the ESBLs and antibiotic susceptibility was tested by K-B method which included 18 kinds of antibiotics,the results were marked by resistant,intermedial and sensitive.Chi-square test was used to analyze the data.Results Total 135 strains were detected,73 strains were escherichia coli,of which 54 strains(74.0%)produced ESBLs,62 strains were klebsiella pneumoniae,of which 33 strains(53.2%)produced ESBLs.The 2 bacterias were found more in children with 1-6 months old than those in other age groups,the ratio of which were 50 strains and 41 strains,respectively (Pa0.05).The resistant rate of ESBLs-producing strains to penicillins,cephalosporins,quinolones,aminoglycosides and sulfamido was higher than that of non ESBLs-producing strains respectively.And the resistant rates to beta-lactam antibiotics of ESBLs strains were located on a high level.Whether producing ESBLs or not,the 2 bacterias were still sensitive to amikacin,cefoxitin,cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem.Conclusions The prevalences of ESBLs-producing escherichia and klebsiella pneumonia were high.There was a multi-drug resistance to the varied antibiotics.It is very important to make sputum culture and use sensitive antibiotics in treatment according to drug sensitivity test to control the occurrence and conveying of the ESBLs.

Objective To investigate whether epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)is involved in the anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effects of curcumin on MDA-MB-2 3 1 breast cancer cell line and further analyze the underlying mechanisms.Methods MTT method was used to detect the anti-proliferative effect of curcumin on MDA-MB-2 3 1 cell line induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).The morphological changes were determined by optical and transmission electron microscopy,respectively.The expressions of Vimentin,E-cadherin,NF-κB and Snail were analyzed using RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results Curcumin could inhibit the occurrence of LPS-induced EMT of MDA-MB-2 3 1 breast cancer cell line, decrease the expression of LPS-induced EMT marker Vimentin and increase the expression of E-cadherin, resulting in the inhibition of in vitro cell motility and invasiveness.These actions were mediated by inactivating NF-κB-Snail signaling pathways.Conclusion Our data provide a new perspective of the anti-invasion mechanism of curcumin,indicating that the effect is in part due to its ability to inhibit the EMT process.

Nitrogen source is one of the important factors that affect the microalgae growth and lipid accumulation. We studied the effects of various nitrogen sources (i.e. NaNO3, CO(NH2)2, NH4Cl and CH3COONH4) and amount on the growth density, lipid yield, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content of Nannochloropsis oculata by single factor experimental method. The results show that N. oculata preferred NH4+ as nitrogen source rather than NO3- and CO(NH2)2. NH4+ could promote the growth and lipid accumulation of N. oculata. With the increase of nitrogen concentration, the biomass and the content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) increased, but the content of lipid decreased. CH3COONH4 was the most suitable for growth, accumulation of lipid and EPA of N. oculata among the four investigated nitrogen sources. The optimal concentration was 5.29 mmol/L.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; metabolism ; Lipids ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Microalgae ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; metabolism ; Stramenopiles ; growth & development ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of mouth care combined with intestinal and endoscopic working channel washing for ERCP related cholangitis.Methods A total of 573 patients diagnosed as having obstructive jaundice were randomized into three groups,190 cases in the control group,192 in the saline group and 191 in the amikacin group.Clinical and laboratory data were collected before ERCP and ERCP related cholangitis were recorded.Results There were no significant differences among the three groups in sex,age,the level of obstruction,the category of obstruction,total bilirubin or WBC counting.The incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 21.1％ (40/190),13.5％ (26/192) and 4.7％ (9/191)in control group,saline group and amikacin group respectively,which was significantly different (x2 =22.409,P =0.000 ).The incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 19.5％ ( 65/333 ) and 4.2％(10/240) in patients diagnosed as having hilar duct obstruction and low positioned biliary obstruction respectively (x2 =27.175,P =0.000).There was no significant difference in ERCP related cholangitis between benign and malignant biliary obstruction.Subgroup of hilar duct obstruction showed the incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 29.7％ (33/111 ),20.5％ (24/117)and 7.6％ (8/105)in the control group,the saline group and the amikacin group,respectively (x2 =16.905,P =0.000).Conclusion The incidence of ERCP related cholangitis is relatively higher in patients with hilar duct obstruction.Mouth care combined with intestinal and endoscopic working channel washing can effectively reduce the incidence of ERCP related cholangitis,especially in the amikacin group.

Objectives To investigate the clinical features of pneumonia in children with elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT). Methods Clinical and laboratory data of 3 979 children with pneumonia admitted to the hospital were collected and retrospectively analysed, and ALT was detected in all cases. Results In 3 979 children with pneumo-nia, elevated ALT (13.78%) was found in 548 cases, most of which had mildly elevated ALT and were infants less than 6 months. The average age in elevated ALT group was less than that in normal ALT group (P=0.000). Apart from the symp-toms of pneumonia, most of them had non-specific clinical symptoms, 169 cases (30.84%) with anorexia or feeding dif-ficulties. 22 cases (4.01%) with poor spirit or weak, 10 cases (1.82%) with crying or abdominal pain;6 cases (1.09%) with dark urine; 4 cases (0.73%) with skin and/or sclera jaundice, 2 cases (0.36%) with bleeding tendency. Children in mildly elevated ALT group recovered faster than in moderate-to-severe elevated ALT group. Conclusions Mildly elevated ALT was most common in pneumonia with elevated ALT which was more likely to occur in younger age group. Clinical mani-festations were often non-specific with good outcomes.

Objective To investigate the effect of rapamycin(RPM) on the gene expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 by inhibiting Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in rats with acute liver failure (ALF).Methods The ALF model of rats was induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) 800 mg/kg and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 8 μg.The blood and liver tissue samples were collected at 2,6,12,24 and 48 h after D-GalN/LPS injection.SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group (n=6),ALF group (n=30) and RPM treatment group (n=30).The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at each time points were tested.The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the mRNA expressions of TLR-4 in liver tissue were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The data analysis was performed using t test.Results The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased markedly 2 h after GalN/LPS iniection and peaked at 6 h.Treatment with RPM could significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and IL-6.The TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in liver tissues at 6,12,24,48 h in ALF group were 0.745±0.135,1.092±0.175,1.115±0.152 and 0.812±0.13,respectively;those in RPM group were 0.545±0.118,0.798±0.124,0.857±0.109 and 0.595±0.152,respectively.The differences between two groups at each time points were all significant (t=2.726,3.349,3.382 and 2.567,respectively,all P＜0.05).In addition,TLR-4 mRNA expression was positively correlated with ALT and AST levels(r=0.722 and 0.712,respectively,both P＜0.01).Conclusions Inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway can markedly down regulate TLR-4 gene expression in liver tissue of rats with ALF,which indicates that JAK/STAT pathway may be involved in the regulation of TLR-4 mRNA expression during ALF.

Objective To analyze the radiolngical findings of mediastinal ganglioneuroma and to improve its diagnostic accuracy. Methods Imaging data of 8 cases of pathologically proven mediastinal ganglioueuroma were restrospectively analyzed. Results These tumors could occur in the anterior mediastinum, middle mediastinum or posterior mediastinum, with a preference for the posterior mediastinum (6/8). No specific clinical symptoms and signs were observed. Well-defined enlargrment of mediastinum with homogeneous density was shown on plain X-Ray. CT scanning was performed in 7 cases, including non-contrast scan alone (n = 3 ), both non-coutrast and contrast-enhanced scans ( n = 4). Round or oval shaped, well circumscribed, homogeneous or slightly heterogeneous, hypadense masses were demonstrated on non-contrast scan. Spotty calification could be found in a few cases. Homogeneous or slightly heterogeneous enhancement was seen following the intravenous injection of contrast material. Large tumors showed a tendency of wedging into the space between adjacent organs and structures, and encasing the nearby large vessels. MR without contrast was performed in 1 case. T1 WI showed isointensity to adjacent muscle, T2WI showed homogeneous hyperintensity. Multi-planar reconstruction provided more information concerning the relationship of the mass lesions with neighboring structures. Conclusion Mediastinal ganglioneuromas have some specific characterstics on imaging studies, which could assist in pre-operative diagnosis and surgical planning.

Objective To investigate the effect of endotoxin tolerance(ETT) on the rats with acute liver failure (ALF) and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/ STAT) signal transduction pathway. Methods S-D male rats were divided randomly into three groups: control group, ALF model group anti ETT group, lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg(ETT groups) or saline(ALF groups)was administered by five consecutive intraperitoneal injections at 24 h intervals. On the sixth day all animals were treated with intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) 800 mg/kg and LPS 8 μg/rat. The blood was gathered from portal vein and livers were take out before and 2, 6,12, 24 and 48 h after the injection of D-GalN/LPS. Liver function and liver histopathology of each group were observed. The gene expressions of STAT3 and SOCS3 in the livers were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The tumor necrosing factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-6 level were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The data analysis was performed by using t test. Results The histological damage in the liver tissue was significantly milder in ETT group compared to ALF group, but still severer than that of control group (TNF-α: 6 h: t=2. 670,P<0.05,12 h: t=3. 604,24 h: t=6. 426, 48 h: t=3. 274,all P<0.01;IL-6:6 h: t=2. 333,P<0. 05,12 h: t=4. 266, 24 h: t=8. 063,48 h: t=4. 177, all P<0. 01). The gene expressions of STAT3 and SOCS3 in the liver were increased significantly in ALF group, however, in ETT group the expression of STAT3 was inhibited while the expression of SOCS3 was increased and much higher than those in ALF groups. Conclusions LPS pretreatment can induce ETT in rats, which will reduce the expression of TNF-α and IL-6. In ETT groups, the gene expression of STAT3 is lower while the gene expression of SOCS3 is higher compared to those in ALF groups. It suggests that JAK/STAT pathway may involve in mechanisms of ETT.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on posterior circulation ischemia between acupuncture at stellate ganglion and conventional acupuncture as well as the impacts on blood pressure.

METHODSEighty cases of posterior circulation ischemia were randomized into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to the bilateral stellate ganglions on the neck, stimulated with reinforcing technique by rotating the needles. In the control group, the acupuncture of reducing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the excess syndrome. The even needling or reinforcing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for the deficiency syndrome. The treatment was given once every 3 days and 4 treatments were required totally in the two groups. The changes in total syndrome score, peak Systolic blood flow velocity (Vp) of vertebral artery and basilar artery, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total syndrome score was reduced apparently after treatment compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the reducing was more obvious in the observation group as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in the observation group, higher than 67.5% (27/40, P < 0.05) in the control group. After treatment, the reduced Vp of vertebral artery was not improved apparently as compared with that before treatment in the control group, Vp in blood velocity abnormality (including vascular spasm, stenosis or reduced velocity) of vertebral artery and basilar artery was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the improvements in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the systolic and diastolic pressures were reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups, and the reduced systolic and diastolic pressures in the observation group were more apparent than those in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at stellate ganglion achieves the satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of posterior circulation ischemia and the significant efficacy of reducing blood pressure, more advanced than the conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome