Objective To investigate the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in Peking University Third Hospital Methods The clinical, microbiological and epidemiological data of bloodstream infections in Peking University Third Hospital from January lst,2005 to December 31st, 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Differences in proportions were compared using X2 test. Results Six thousand four hundred and eighty-eight blood culture tests for 5 138 episode of bloodstream infections of 3 795 patients were performed. The positive rate was 9.9%. The average incidence rate of nosocomial infection was 40.8 cases per 10 000 hospital admissions. In the 593 pathogens, 483 (81.5%) were pathogens causing nosocomial. The ratio of Gram-positive microbs, Gram-negative ones and fungi (all were Candida spp.) were 38.5%, 54.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. The corresponding ratio of nosocomial pathogens were 42.0%, 49.9% and 8.1%, respectively. The most frequently isolated strain was Escherichia coli (25.3 %). The coagulase negative staphylococcus was the second one (18.8%). The corresponding ratio of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus spp. , Pseudornonas aeruginosa , Acinetobacter baumannii and anaerobs were 7.1%, 7.4%, 8.3%, 3.2%, 2.2% and 0.7%, respectively. Ten patients (1.7%) had experienced polymicrobial infection. In hospital setting, Streptococcus spp. And Escherichia coli infections were more frequently in non-intensive care unit (ICU) than ICU (X2= 9.240, P= 0.002; X2= 23.609, P,<0.01; respectively). But the infection rate of Candida spp. Was significantly higher in the ICU (X2= 5.498, P= 0.019). The time interval between hospital admission and onset of infection for the most frequently isolated pathogens ranged from 15.1 days (Escherichia coli) to 29.7 days (Acinetobacter baumannii). The degree of resistance to the common antimicrobal agents had no change in the three years. Conclusions The average incidence rate of nosocomial bloodstream infection is 40.8 cases per 10 000 hospital admissions. The main pathogens are the Gram-negative microbs.

Objective To study the mechanism of insulin resistance in obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes. Methods Insulin sensitivity index (SI), glucose effectiveness (S G) and insulin secretory function of ? islet cells were assessed by the reduced sample number of Bergman's minimal model method with frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test in patients with obesity, IGT and type 2 diabetes as well as in the controls. Body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were determined in four groups. Results SI and S G were significantly higher in the controls than those in the IGT and type 2 diabetes patients. The S G in obesity group was nearly the same as that in the controls, but its SI was significantly lower. The area under curve 1 (AUC 1) of insulin in the controls was smaller than that in obesity and IGT (P

Child ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; HIV ; drug effects ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; virology ; Humans

[Summary] A 61-year-old female patient was diagnosed as ACTH independent Cushing′ syndrome, right adrenal adenoma, right facial infection. The situation was well controlled with antibacterial agents, abscess incision drainage and ketoconazole therapy. The patient received partial adrenolectomy of her right adrenal gland 16 months later. This case indicated that anti-adrenal agents could be a reasonable choice when the Cushing′syndrome patients were acompanied with severe infection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the deleted azoospermia (DAZ) gene copy related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with male spermatogenic impairment.

METHODSThis study included 121 infertile men with different de- grees of spermatogenic impairment and 95 healthy donors from the sperm bank. Using PCR, PCR-RFLP, and Y chromosome specific sequence tagged sites (STS) , we analyzed the association of DAZ gene copy deletions related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with spermatogenic impairment.

RESULTSThere were 15 cases of gr/gr deletion (12. 40% ) and 6 cases of b2/b3 deletion (4.96%) in the infertility group as compared with 13 cases of gr/gr deletion (13.68%) and 1 case of b2/b3 deletion (1.05%) in the control. Analysis of the DAZ-specific single nucleotide variant (SNV) loci revealed 11 gr/gr-DAZI/DAZ2 deletions (9.09%), 4 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (3.31%), and 6 b2/b3-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (4.96%) in the infertile men in comparison with 3 gr/ gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (3.16%), 10 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (10.53%), and 1 b2/b3- DAZ3/DAZ4 deletion (1.05%) in the control.

CONCLUSIONPartial deletions of gr/gr and b2/b3 exist in both healthy men and male patients with different degrees of spermatogenic impairment and cannot be considered as a risk factor for spermatogenesis impairment. However, deletions of different DAZ duplicons in gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions have different effects on spermatogenesis. DAZ1/DAZ2 instead of DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions might be associated with spermatogenesis impairment.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors as well as a frequent cause of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide. The test of serum markers has dramatically improved the early diagnosis of PCa, but its underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet completely identified. Long noncoding RNA (IncRNA) is emerging as a new player in the PCa paradigm demonstrating its potential roles in both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. LncRNA is frequently aberrantly expressed in the majority of PCa cases. This review highlights recent findings of the aberrant expression of lncRNA in PCa and discusses its novel roles in the diagnosis, prediction, prognosis, metastasis, and potential clinical treatment of PCa.
Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a patient with 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) 3 deficiency, regarding its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed in a pedigree of 17β-HSD3 deficiency. Blood samples from the patient and his parents were collected. HSD17B3 gene was screened for mutations by PCR and subclone sequencing. Results The patient presented with pubertal virilization and gynecomastia. The physical examination showed female external genitalia and testes in inguinal canals. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY. Serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone levels were raised, whereas plasma testosterone was lowered. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 nucleotide deletion (172-175del) of HSD17B3 gene. Conclusion Virilization and gynecomastia in puberty suggest the probability of 17β-HSD deficiency. It may be verified clinically by hCG-stimulating test and confirmed by gene diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a male patient with 21hydroxylase deficiency combined with adrenal and testicular tumors.Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from the patient.Testicular biopsy was performed.The CYP21 gene was sequenced for mutations.Results The patient presented left adrenal and testicular enlargements.The laboratory examinations showed that plasma ACTH,androstenedione,testosterone,progesterone,and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were markedly elevated.CT scan revealed that the right adrenal gland being resected and the left adrenal with nodular enlargement.Furthermore,testicular biopsy showed a prominent peritubular fibrosis with increased number of peritubular fibroblasts,tubular hyalinisation,and calcification.Sequencing analysis showed a A>G homozygous mutation at intron 2.Conclusion Patients with untreated 21-hydroxylage deficiency may.have adrenal adenomas and(or)testicular adrenal rest tumor simultaneously.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of adrenal androgen excess in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ACTH stimulation test was conducted and the polymorphisms in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 gene were screened to verify the variations related to the responsiveness to ACTH stimulation. Methods 30 healthy women and 101 PCOS patients, matched for age, were recruited from Ruijin hospital. Blood biochemical examinations were taken and sex hormone profiles obtained at baseline. 17 hydroxyprogesterone( 17OHP)was measured at 0 and 60 min in an ACTH stimulation test. The -710 bp -1 bp of the promoter region of CYP21A2 was sequenced in 87 PCOS patients and 30 control subjects. Results According to the post-stimulation 17 OHP levels obtained from 30 healthy women,PCOS patients were allocated into one group with high responsiveness to ACTH ( HR-PCOS, n = 21) and the other with normal responsiveness to ACTH ( NR-PCOS, n = 80). Compared with NR-PCOS subjects, HR-PCOS patients had higher testosterone( P<0.05), basal and post-stimulation 17OHP (both P<0.01)and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) .whereas serum cortisol and androstenedione levels were not significantly different before and after ACTH stimulation test. The genotypes of locus -535 were well correlated with post-stimulation 17OHP levels (r = 0. 20,P = 0. 03) in PCOS patients and the control subjects. The genotype T/T or allele T was significantly more frequent in subjects with a higher fertile of post-stimulation 17OHP (P<0.05 or P<0. 01). The odds ratio(OR)for higher responsiveness to ACTH in women with allele T at -535 was 3. 69 (95% CI 1. 69-8. 06,P = 0. 000 7). Conclusions The PCOS patients with higher responsiveness to ACTH are characterized by severe hyperandrogenemia and adrenal androgenexcess,suggesting that adrenal androgen excess in some PCOS patients may be due to higher responsiveness to ACTH. The polymorphism of -535C>T in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 may play a role in regulating 21 hydroxylase gene expression and further influencing 17OHP responsiveness to ACTH.

y screen and prevent CAD in these people before diabetes sets in.