The X-ray computed tomography (CT) appearance of 4 cases with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) diagnosed by pathological examination in our hospital was retrospectively analyzed. The appearances of PC on CT were various: solitary lesion in 1 case, multiple lesions in single lobe in 2, and multiple lesions in multiple lobes in 1. There were total 52 lesions in 4 cases; the diameter of nodules or masses was 3 - 75 mm. Cavitations were found in 1 case; lesions appeared obviously enhanced and one lesion showed central necrosis. Two cases underwent pulmonary lobectomy; and 2 cases received core cutting needle biopsies, after antifungal therapy for 3 months to 1 year the lesions showed being absorbed. In summary, the CT appearance of PC is non-specific with various modes and forms. PC should be considered when multiple nodules or masses scattered in subpleural zone, accompanied with ground-glass opacity and obviously enhanced. The examination of pathogen and pathology at the beginning is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy.

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been regarded as a hot topic in health care recently. Many medicalresearchers currently deem CER as a potential powerful instrument for improving the quality of healthcare and cut medical cost. However, in the past, classic efficacy studies are always focusing on comparing one new intervention with placebo under complete controlled environment. Now CER turns to comparing different interventions directly in real world of routine practice. This article reviewed a series of literature about the design, implementation and analysis of CER in order to give a clue for Chinese medicine researchers in future.
Comparative Effectiveness Research ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic

Objective To investigate the effect of scan table on size-specific dose estimate ( size-specific dose estimate, SSDE) in children's CT scan. Methods CT imaging data and CTDIvol of 44 children ( 15 heads, 13 chests, 16 abdomen-pelvis) who underwent Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS+ 64 row 128-slice CT scan were retrospectively collected. CTDIvol of each patient was recored, WED ( water equivalent diameter) was calculated by two different methods ( with or without table) , donated as WED-T and WED-NT, then the corresponding SSDEWED ( SSDEWED-T and SSDEWED-NT ) was calculated. And the SSDEWED-NT was used as reference to evaluate the difference between WED and SSDEWED obtained by two different methods. Results Including part of table will lead to the overestimate for WED, with mean differences of 0. 10％, 2. 82％ and 2. 54％ for head, chest and abdomen-pelvis, respectively, while SSDEWED will be underestimated by 0. 06％ ( head ) , 2. 70％ ( chest ) and 1. 59％ ( abdomen-pelvis ) . Conclusions Including par of the patient table has a certain effect on SSDEWED for children, more attention should be paid for the application of SSDEWED.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic utility of Warthin-Starry silver stain, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy in the detection of human Bartonella henselae infection and pathologic diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD).

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues of 77 histologically-defined cases of cat scratch disease collected during the period from January, 1998 to December, 2008 were retrieved and studied using Warthin-Starry silver stain (WS stain) and mouse monoclonal antibody against Bartonella henselae (BhmAB stain). Five cases rich in bacteria were selected for transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSUnder electron microscope, the organisms Bartonella henselae appeared polymorphic, round, elliptical, short rod or bacilliform shapes, ranged from 0.489 to 1.110 microm by 0.333 to 0.534 microm and often clustered together. Black short rod-shaped bacilli arranged in chains or clumps were demonstrated in 61.0% (47/77) of CSD by WS stain. The organisms were located outside the cells and lie mainly in the necrotic debris, especially near the nodal capsule. In 72.7% (56/77) of the cases, dot-like, granular as well as few linear positive signals were observed using BhmAB immunostain and showed similar localization. Positive results for both stains were identified in 59.7% (46/77) of the cases. When applying both stains together, Bartonella henselae was observed in 74.0% (57/77) of the case. The difference between the results obtained by WS stain and BhmAB immunostain was of statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBartonella henselae is the causative pathogen of cat scratch disease. WS stain, BhmAB immunostain and transmission electron microscopy are helpful in confirming the histologic diagnosis. Immunostaining using BhmAB can be a better alternative than WS stain in demonstrating the organisms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Bartonella henselae ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Cat-Scratch Disease ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Young Adult

According to the pathological characteristics of symptomatic chronic thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture (SCOVF), the different clinical treatment methods are selected, including vertebral augmentation, anterior-posterior fixation and fusion, posterior decompression fixation and fusion, and posterior correction osteotomy. However, there is still a lack of a unified understanding on how to choose appropriate treatment method for SCOVF. In order to reflect the new treatment concept and the evidence-based medicine progress of SCOVF in a timely manner and standardize its treatment, the clinical guideline for surgical treatment of SCOVF is formulated in compliance with the principle of scientificity, practicability and advancement and based on the level of evidence-based medicine.

【Objective】 To investigate the population data of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou between 2012 and 2022, and analyze its characteristics and trends, so as to provide valuable data for formulating targeted prevention and ensuring blood safety. 【Methods】 Voluntary blood donors samples from 2012 to 2022 were screened for p24 antigen and anti-HIV by two ELISA diagnostic kits and HIV RNA by nucleic acid test(NAT). The reactive blood samples were sent to the Disease Control and Prevention Center of Guangzhou for anti-HIV confirmatory test by Western blot. The population characteristics of blood donors with confirmed-positive HIV were subsequently analyzed. 【Results】 There were a total of 3 351 596 blood samples from voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou from 2012 to 2022, of which 708 samples were confirmed-positive of anti-HIV, with a total positive rate of 21.12/100 000, showing a decreasing trend (P<0.05). 1) The positive rates of age groups from high to low were 25-34 year old group, 35-44 year old group, 18-24 year old group, and≥45 year old group. The differences among various groups are statistically significant; 2) The anti-HIV positive rate of first-time blood donors (39.23/100 000) was significantly higher than that of repeat blood donors (10.78/100 000) (P<0.05); 3) The anti-HIV positive rate of male blood donors was 30.45/100 000, which was significantly higher than that of female blood donors (3.46/100 000); 4) The anti-HIV positive rate of individual blood donors (32.18/100 000) was higher than that of group blood donors (9.10/100 000) (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 From 2012 to 2022, the confirmed-positive rate of anti-HIV among voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou showed a downward trend, which was significantly correlated with the implementation of voluntary blood donation and AIDS prevention policies. Young blood donors are of high risk of HIV, and it is necessary to enhance publicity and education on AIDS prevention through multiple channels among young population. Given that the anti-HIV positive rate of first-time blood donors is much higher than that of repeat blood donors, it is recommended to further optimize the health consultation and physical examination process before blood donation, and take multiple measures to screen high-risk behavior groups. Besides, more efforts should be made to promote publicity and education on AIDS prevention among regular blood donors. It is also important to recruit blood donors from low-risk groups and inform the donors about confidential unit exclusion.

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play vital roles in liver regeneration. Previous studies mainly focused on the functions of intracellular miRNAs, while the functions of circulating exosomal miRNAs in liver regeneration remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the key exosomal miRNA that played vital roles in liver regeneration.

MethodsThe Sprague-Dawley male rats were assigned to 70% partially hepatectomized group (n = 6) and sham surgery group (n = 6). The peripheral blood of both groups was collected 24 h after surgery. The exosomal miRNAs were extracted, and microarray was used to find out the key miRNA implicated in liver regeneration. Adenovirus was used to overexpress the key miRNA in rats, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was applied to study the effect of key miRNA overexpression on liver regeneration. Western blotting was used to validate the predicted target of the key miRNA.

ResultsExosomal miR-10a was upregulated more than nine times in hepatectomized rats. The level of miR-10a was increased in the early phase of liver regeneration, reached the top at 72 h postsurgery, and decreased to perioperative level 168 h after surgery. Moreover, enforced expression of miR-10a by adenovirus facilitated the process of liver regeneration as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining of PCNA. Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A4 (EphA4) has been predicted to be a target of miR-10a. The protein level of EphA4 was decreased in the early phase of liver regeneration, reached the bottom at 72 h postsurgery, and rose to perioperative level 168 h after surgery, which was negatively correlated with miR-10a, confirming that EphA4 served as a downstream target of miR-10a. Moreover, inhibition of EphA4 by rhynchophylline could promote the proliferation of hepatocytes by regulating the cell cycle.

ConclusionExosomal miR-10a might accelerate liver regeneration through downregulation of EphA4.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the application effect of microwave digestion - vacuum filtration - automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM) method and plankton gene multiplex PCR system in the diagnosis of drowning. METHODS: Lung, liver and kidney tissue of 10 non-drowning cases and 50 drowning cases were prepared for further MD-VF-Auto SEM method analysis and plankton gene multiplex PCR system analysis. The positive detection rate of the two methods in each tissue was calculated. RESULTS: The positive rate of the MD-VF-Auto SEM method detecting diatoms in drowning cases was 100%, and few diatoms were detected in the liver and kidney tissues of 6 non-drowning cases. By using the plankton gene multiplex PCR system, the diatom positive rate of drowning cases was 84%, and all the non-drowning cases were negative. There were significant differences in the positive rate of the liver, kidney tissues between MD-VF-Auto SEM method and plankton gene multiplex PCR system (P<0.05), as well as the total positive rate of cases. However, no significant differences were found in the positive rates of lung tissues (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS MD-VF-Auto SEM method is more sensitive than plankton gene multiplex PCR system in diatom test. But the plankton gene multiplex PCR system can also detect plankton other than diatoms. Combination of the two methods can provide a more reliable basis for the diagnosis of drowning.
Diatoms/genetics* ; Drowning/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Plankton/genetics*

Adulterants and counterfeits were found in some of the commercial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions in Hongjin Xiaojie Jiaonang, Hongjin Xiaojie Pian, and Chaihuang Keli during the national drug sampling inspection. However, it was difficult to determine the species of the adulterants and counterfeits by conventional testing methods. Therefore, a total of 184 samples of the TCM decoctions and raw materials belong to the prescriptions of above mentioned traditional Chinese patent medicines, including Bupleuri Radix, Bajiaolian, Heimayi, and Shufuchong, were collected and authenticated by DNA barcoding technology. 111 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 115 commercial TCM decoctions and raw materials of Bupleuri Radix, among which 71 were Bupleurum chinense, three were B. scorzonerifolium, and 31 were closely related species in the same genus. In addition, counterfeits derived from different genera, such as Ailanthus altissima (one sample), Saposhnikovia divaricate (two samples), and Solidago decurrens (three samples), were also detected. 21 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 22 commercial TCM raw materials of Bajiaolian, among which 15 were Diphylleia sinensis and six were Dysosma versipellis and other species in genus Dysosma. For 22 Heimayi samples, PCR amplification of COI sequence was failed due to genomic DNA degradation. Among 38 Shufuchong samples, 24 COI sequences were obtained and only nine of them were the genuine species (Armadillidium vulgare) recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 11 were Porcellio laevis, two were Mongoloniscus sinensis, and two samples could not be identified due to the limitation of database. This study demonstrates that DNA barcoding technology is suitable for the species authentication of the decoctions of traditional Chinese patent medicine prescription. It is a conductive way for the establishment of traceability system for the whole TCM industrial chain.