OBJECTIVE To investigate the reasons of pediatric nosocomial infection,analyze the possible risk factors,and provide the effective control and prevention strategies. METHODS A total of 18002 patients were investigated in 2007 by prospective study. The data were analyzed via SPSS 11.5 statistical analysis software using mainly descriptive and contrast analysis. RESULTS The nosocomial infection rate was 2.44%. The children were relatively highly infected on both of age from 1-month-old to 1-year-old (3.67%) and stay in hospital over 10 days (7.85%) ,the season in third and fourth quarters (3.13% and 2.64%). The nosocomial infection occurred mainly in respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract,and more respiratory infections occurred in winter and spring,but more gastrointestinal tract infections occurred in summer and autumn. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric patients are more easy infected of the baby age or the longer stay in the hospital. Pediatric nosocomial infection more occurrs in the summer and autumn. Hospitals should focus on preventing and controlling the respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Objective To observe the inhibitory effects of sub-MIC matrine alone and in combination with erythromycin on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms and their influences on morphological changes of the biofilms.Methods Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of matrine and erythromycin against Staphylococcus epidermidis were determined by the serial dilution method,antibacterial activity of matrine combined with erythromycin against planktonic S.epidermidis was evaluated by the checkerboard method.S.epidermidis biofilms were constructed in vitro,XTT reduction assay was used to evaluate influences of sub-MIC matrine alone and in combination with erythromycin on metabolism and adhesion of S.epidermidis biofilms,and scanning electronic microscope(SEM) was applied to observe the morphological and the structural changes of the biofilms.Results The MIC of erythromycin to S.epidermidis was 7.8125 μg/ml,while the MIC of matrine was greater than 1000 μg/ml,besides,a synergistic effect between erythronmycin and matrine on planktonic S.epidermidis was shown (FIC＜0.5).The sub-MIC matrine had no significant inhibitory effect on adhesion of S.epidermidis,and also the combination of the two agents was better than was used alone.However,the sub-MIC matrine had inhibitory effects on metabolism and morphology of S.epidermidis biofilms,and the combination of the two agents was weaker than was used alone.Conclusion Both the sub-MIC matrine and erythromycin had a significant inhibitory effect on S.epidermidis biofilm formation.Combination of the two agents showed synergistic effects on plankton and adhesion of S.epidermidis,but showed no synergistic effect on metabolism and morphology of the biofilms.

Objective To investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene on calcium homeostasis and calcium channels of PC12 cells induced by ischemic and hypoxia and its mechanisms. Methods PC12 cells at logarithmic phase were collected, and they were divided into recombined lentiviral infection group [infected by lentivirus containing HSP70 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescin gene], lentivirus control group (infected by lentivirus containing GFP without HSP70 gene) and non-infection group. PC12 cells were subjected ischemia/hypoxia for 4, 8, 12, 24 hours, and the cell activity was determined by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay test inorder to determine the best time for ischemia/hypoxia. The mRNA expressions of HSP70, muscle/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATP isoforms (SERCA2a, SERCA2b), ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1) were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the protein expressions of HSP70, SERCA, and IP3R were determined by Western Blot at 8 hours after ischemic/hypoxia. Flow cytometry was used to determine the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen (ROS) and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Results With the prolongation of time of ischemia/hypoxia, the cell viability in all groups showed an increase followed by a weakening, and peaked at 8 hours. The cell viability at 8 hours in lentiviral infection group was significantly higher than that of the non-infection group and lentivirus control group [A value (×10-2): 20.3±2.2 vs. 14.1±2.1, 15.0±1.6, both P < 0.01], the mRNA and protein expressions of HSP70 and SERCA in lentiviral infection group were significantly increased [HSP70 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt ): 0.785±0.018 vs. 0.428±0.019, 0.423±0.023; HSP70 protein (gray value): 2.72±0.20 vs. 1.56±0.36, 1.63±0.41; SERCA2a mRNA (2-ΔΔCt ): 0.971±0.037 vs. 0.367±0.014, 0.347±0.012; SERCA2b mRNA (2-ΔΔCt ): 8.869±0.162 vs. 3.015±0.091, 2.941±0.091; SERCA protein (gray value): 2.84±0.18 vs. 1.48±0.26, 1.52±0.29], and IP3R2 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly declined [IP3R2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt ): 0.183±0.020 vs. 0.439±0.020, 0.433±0.040; IP3R2 protein (gray value): 1.15±0.12 vs. 1.91±0.20, 1.83±0.19], with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.01); no significant difference in RyR mRNA was found [2-ΔΔCt (×10-3): 1.97±0.63 vs. 2.02±0.22, 2.01±0.09, both P > 0.05]; the relative fluorescence intensity of ROS and [Ca2+]i in lentiviral infection group was significantly reduced (ROS: 30.54±1.23 vs. 58.03±1.97, 57.72±2.35; [Ca2+]i: 34.50±2.05 vs. 48.20±3.02, 46.80±2.75, all P < 0.01]. Conclusion Exogenous HSP70 can maintain calcium homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum of PC12 cells, affect the Ca2+ channel protein regulated by calcium channel IP3R and calcium pump SERCA, which may cause hypoxia/ischemia intracellular injury.

This study aims to investigate the genetic characteristics of BZLF1 gene and its promoter Zp of the epidemic strains in children with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases. Total DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 134 children with EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) and 32 children with EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from 2006 to 2011. The EBNA3C, BZLF1, and Zp genes were amplified by PCR assay. Typing of EBV was performed according to the size of the amplification product of EBNA3C gene; the amplification products of BZLF1 and Zp genes were subjected to direct sequencing, and sequence analysis was performed using BioEdit 7. 0. 9. The results were as follows: (1) EBV-1 was present in 140 samples (97.2%, 140/144) and EBV-II in 4 samples (2.8%, 4/144). (2) Three BZLF1 genotypes and their 12 subtypes (including 6 newly found subtypes) were detected in this study; there were no significant differences in the frequencies of BZLF1-A and BZLF1-B between the children with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH (P = 0.083); BZLF1-A1 was the dominant genotype in children with EBV-associated diseases; t BZLF1-A mostly had three 29-bp repeats in the first intron of BZLF1 gene, and BZLF1-B mostly had 30-bp repeats (P = 0.000), with the number of repeats varying from 1 to 13. (3) Four Zp genotypes were detected in this study, including Zp-P, Zp-V3, Zp-V4, and Zp-V1; there were no significant differences in the frequencies of these Zp genotypes between children with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH (P = 0.272, 0.252, 1.0, and 1.0, respectively). (4) The linkage analysis of BZLF1 gene and its promoter Zp showed that BZLF1-A1 was highly associated with Zp-V3 (P = 0.000), while BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P (P = 0.000); EBV-I + BZLF1 A1 was highly associated with Zp-V3 (P = 0.000), while EBV-I+BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P (P = 0.000). The conclusions are as follows: (1) BZLF1-A1 is the dominant genotype in children with EBV-associated diseases; there are mostly 29-bp repeats in the first intron of BZLF1 gene for BZLF1-A genotype and 30-bp repeats for BZLF1-B genotype. (2) Zp-P and Zp-V3 are dominant Zp genotypes of EBV in children, which shared similar detection rates. (3) BZLF1-A1 is highly associated with Zp-V3, while BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P; EBV-I+BZLF1-A1 is highly associated with Zp-V3, while EBV-I+BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

This project aimed to investigate the effect of taurine on cell cycle regulatory protein p27, Cyclin D1 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 in the proliferation of cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast (CFb) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and to explore the effect of taurine on the signal transduction pathway in CFb proliferation. The cultured neonatal rat CFbs were isolated by trypsin digestion method. The proliferation of CFb was induced by Ang II and detected with thiazole blue (MTT) colorimetric assay. The protein expression of p-PKCalpha in cells was determined with Western blotting technology. The expression of p27 was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Cyclin D1 was determined with the combination of immunocytochemical staining and image analysis software. The nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 was determined with immunofluorescence staining. Among the concentrations ranged from 40 to 160 mmol L(-1), taurine significantly inhibited p-PKCalpha expression. Taurine increased p27 expression and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 in CFb (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) by inhibition of p-PKCalpha expression. And PKC inhibitor (Che) could improve the inhibitory action of taurine on CFb proliferation. The effects of taurine on CFb proliferation might be due to inhibition of p-PKCalpha expression and p27 expression increase and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 inhibition followed.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

This study investigated the effect of arctigenin (Arc) on the cell activation, cytokines expression, proliferation, and cell-cycle distribution of mouse T lymphocytes. Mouse lymphocytes were prepared from lymph node and treated with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)/Ionimycin (Ion) and/or Arc. CD69, CD25, cytokines, proliferation and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that, at concentrations of less than 1.00 micromol x L(-1), Arc expressed non-obvious cell damage to cultured lymphocytes, however, it could significantly down-regulate the expression of CD69 and CD25, as well as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 on PMA/Ion stimulated lymphocytes. At the same time, Arc could also inhibit the proliferation of PMA/Ion-activated lymphocytes and exhibited lymphocyte G 0/G1 phase cycle arrest. These results suggest that Arc possesses significant anti-inflammatory effects that may be mediated through the regulation of cell activation, cytokines expression and cell proliferation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; metabolism ; Arctium ; chemistry ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Furans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Ionomycin ; pharmacology ; Lectins, C-Type ; metabolism ; Lignans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo discuss the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the hospitalized children with hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Yantai area.

METHODSEpidemiological and clinical data of HFMD children from 2009 to 2010 were summarized and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSMost of the infected (94.6%) were under 5 years old and the ratio between male and female was 1.5: 1. Oral mucosal pox or ulcer as well as hand and foot rashes were observed in all 931 patients. Fever and neurological disorders occurred in 840 (90.2%) and 121 (13.0%) patients respectively. The incidence was positively correlated with air temperature (r = 0.887, P < 0.001), with a peak in April to September (88.9%). The ratio of children from countryside, total duration of fever, serum concentration of c-reacting protein (CRP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were significantly higher in severe cases than in those mild ones. Multivariate analysis showed longer mean duration of fever( Odds ratio [OR], 1.491; 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.170-1.901; P = 0.001) and hyperglycemia (OR, 1.124; 95% CI 1.016-1.245; P = 0.024) were independent risk factors of severity.

CONCLUSIONChildren younger than 5 years old are susceptible to HFMD and most cases occur in April to September. The monthly incidence is positively correlated with temperature of that month. Longer duration of fever and hyperglycemia are independent risk factors for severity. Most cases could have a favorable prognosis after timely diagnosis and proper intervention.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the combination of sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

METHODThe serial dilution method was adopted to determine MIC of the combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on S. epidermidis; the checkerboard method was used to evaluate the combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on suspended bacteria of S. epidermidis; S. epidermidis biofilm was built in vitro, and XTT reduction assay was used to evaluate the effect of the combination of sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on the adhesion of S. epidermidis and bacterial metabolism inside the biofilm. Microscope was applied to observe the impact the single administration and combination of the two medicines under sub-MIC on biofilm morphology of S. epidermidis.

RESULTThe MIC of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin were 62.5, 7.812 5 mg x L(-1), respectively. The combination of 1/8MIC sodium houttuyfonate and 1/2MIC erythronmycin showed a synergistic effect on S. epidermidis. Sodium houttuyfonate, erythromycin and their combination had an inhibitory effect on the adhesion and metabolism of S. epidermidis biofilm bacteria, and made impact on the morphology of S. epidermidis biofilm.

CONCLUSIONThe sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin have an inhibitory effect on S. epidermidis biofilm. The combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin shows a synergistic effect in inhibiting suspended bacteria and biofilm of S. epidermidis, particularly in inhibiting the metabolism of S. epidermidis biofilm bacteria and impacting the morphology of biofilm.

Alkanes ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Interactions ; Erythromycin ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sulfites ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEThe structure-activity relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds and antibacterial activity was studied by chemoinformatics approach.

METHODCytoscape and its plug-in ChemViz were applied to compute the 2D chemical structure similarity and topological parameter TPSA (topological molecular polar surface area), which measures cell permeability of chemicals, between TCM compounds and clinical antibacterials. The overall degree of structure similarity was then calculated and represented by E-value for the eight categories of TCM compounds and the known antibacterials.

RESULTOur results indicated that flavonoids showed good structural similarity with antibacterials and appropriate cell permeability, compared with those of the TCM compounds of the other categories. As flavonoids were featured by good drug safety, it suggested that they can be regarded as the preferred lead compounds skeleton structure source for further antibacterials synthesis.

CONCLUSIONThe application of chemoinformatics helps explore the structure-activity relationship between TCM compounds and the antibacterial activity and search for suitable antibacterial lead compounds skeleton structure source.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Informatics ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Software ; Statistics as Topic ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical status and natural course of premature thelarche (PT) in infants under 2 years of age and to analyze the predictive factors for regression of thelarche.

METHODSThe clinical and laboratory data of 863 infants under 2 years of age, who visited the department of endocrinology in our hospital due to PT between October 2009 and September 2010, were analyzed. A a longitudinal follow-up study was performed.

RESULTSOf the infants under 2 years of age with isolated PT, 89.3% showed a regression before the age of 3 years (mean 17±5.6 months), 10.7% had recurrent or persistent thelarche, with no regression after the age of 3 years, and some even developed into central precocious puberty. The independent predictive factors for regression of thelarche were Tanner stage at the first visit and whether baseline estradiol level had increased.

CONCLUSIONSPT in infants under 2 years of age is not rare in the clinical setting, and it usually runs a self-limited course, subsiding before the age of 3 years. However, regular follow-ups should be performed for infants aged over 2 years with persistent thelarche.

Breast ; growth & development ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Puberty, Precocious ; physiopathology