0.05).There was a significant difference in the percentage of malignant calcified nodules between the patients of 45 years and older with those younger than 45 years(39.2% and 69.3%,respectively;P

AIM: To study the inhibitory and scavenging effects of ambroxol combined with levofloxacin on the bacterial biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and to provide a new strategy to treat and antagonize the formation of the biofilm. METHODS: We collected Klebsiella pneumoniae of different resistance and divided them into sensitive group (wild bacteria group), ESBLs group and CRKP group with 15 strains in each group and performed biological semi-quantitative detection of its biofilm by crystalline violet staining method. After selecting 3 strains with similar membrane yields from each group, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ambroxol and levofloxacin against Klebsiella pneumoniae by micro broth dilution method.In addition, we determined the effects of ambroxol in different concentrations on the MIC of levfloxacin by the micrdilution checkerboard techniques and calculated the partial inhibitory concentration index (FIC) to determine the joint effect and select the best synergistic concentration. Finally, the effects of ambroxol and levofloxacin in different concentrations on the inhibition formation test and removal test of Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm were observed by crystal violet method combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: We found that all three groups of bacterial biofilms became mature on the 5th day, and the sensitive group was easier to form and produce biofilm more than the ESBLs and CRKP groups (F=3.725, P=0.032). It was showed that the geometric average of levofloxacin MIC value in the three groups decreased significantly. And the selected strains all showed a synergistic effect on the two-drug combination.In the biofilm test, as the concentration of ambroxol increased, its inhibition rate reached more than 75%, but its biofilm removal rate did not reach 70%. CONCLUSION: Our study support that ambroxol combined with levofloxacin can inhibit the bacterial biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae early, and its optimal synergistic concentration is 0.49 mg/mL (ambroxol) + 4 μg/mL (levofloxacin).

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of concomitant BRAFV600E mutation with central lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 126 PTC patients who underwent surgical treatment within a period of 2 years were retrospectively analyzed. The BRAF V600E gene mutation was detected by quantitative fluorescence PCR.

RESULTSThe BRAF mutation rate was 69.0% (87/126). The univariate analysis showed that BRAF mutation status was significantly associated with central lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), while the gender, multiple lesions, tumor size, extra-thyroidal invasion, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and tumor stage were not significantly associated with the BRAF mutation (P>0.05 for all). The multivariate analysis showed that only central lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with BRAF mutation (P<0.05). When the diameter of tumor was ≤10 mm, BRAF mutation was statistically not significantly correlated to central lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). When the diameter of tumor was >10 mm, the central lymph node metastasis rate was significantly higher in patients with positive BRAF mutation than that in patients with a negative BRAF mutation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe presence of BRAF mutation is an independent predictive factor for central lymph node metastasis. When PTC is with preoperative positive BRAF mutation, the cervical dissection should be routinely performed. The larger the tumor diameter is, the more important is the central lymph node dissection. There should be re-evaluated the necessity of preventative central lymph node dissection when the tumor diameter was ≤5 mm in patients with negative BRAF mutation.

Carcinoma ; epidemiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy between the Mycob.T scanner system and manual microscopy for detecting acid-fast bacilli in sputum specimens. MethodsBetween January and November 2020， a total of 1 519 sputum samples from suspected primary tuberculosis patients from 5 designated tuberculosis hospitals in Shanghai were examined by Smear and BACTEC MGIT 960 liquid culture （liquid culture） methods. Each specimen was subiected to 2 direct smear slides. One slide was stained by Z-N method and examined with manual microscopic method. Another slide was stained and scanned by the Mycob.T system. The efficacy of manual microscopy and the Mycob.T scanner system for detecting acid-fast bacilli in sputum specimens was compared based on the result of liquid culture. Results of the repetitive scanning by the Mycob.T scanner system and the recheck of the manual microscopy were analyzed. ResultsThe average positive rate by the Mycob.T scanner system was 14.4% （219/1 519） while the average positive rate by manual microscopy was 16.3% （248/1 519）. No significant difference was observed （χ²=2.13， P=0.145）. Based on liquid culture confirmation results， the sensitivity of manual microscopy （60.36%） was higher than that of the Mycob.T scanner system （52.94%）， and the difference is statistically significant （χ²=4.38， P=0.036）. Both methods had high specificity （98.94%）. The concordance of the Mycob.T scanner system and manual microscopy was 95.46%， with the kappa value of 0.826. The results of repeatability test of the Mycob.T scanner system and the recheck results of the manual microscopy showed that the coincidence rate of scanning by the Mycob.T scanner system was 99.5% （436/438）， and the recheck coincidence rate by the manual microscopy was 98.6% （432/438）. ConclusionThe Mycob.T scanner system have high specificity for detecting acid-fast bacilli in sputum samples and good consistency with the results of manual microscopy. Compared with manual microscopic examination， the Mycob.T scanner system can greatly alleviate the work intensity.