OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan test (BALF-GM) combined with serum GM test on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). METHODS: 190 cases of BALF-GM and 4 787 cases of serum GM specimens suspected of fungal infection in patients admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2016 to June 2018 were enrolled and analyzed. All patients were classified into clinically confirmed IPA, clinically diagnosed IPA, suspected IPA and excluded IPA according to the classification standard of Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary mycosis. The coincidence rate of BALF and serum GM test results with clinical diagnosis was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed, and the diagnostic value of BALF and serum GM test alone or in combination for IPA was evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients with normal or abnormal immune function, and the sensitivity and specificity of BALF and serum GM test were compared separately or jointly. RESULTS: The positive rate of BALF-GM was 46.8% (89/190), and 10.4% (497/4 787) on serum GM. Among them, 156 patients were both tested on BALF and serum GM. There were 44 cases with both positive in BALF and serum GM, the coincidence rate of clinical definite was 93.2% (41/44). There were 34 cases with positive BALF-GM and negative GM test in serum, and the coincidence rate of clinical definite was 64.7% (22/34). There were 56 cases positive in serum GM and negative in BALF-GM, and the coincidence rate of clinical definite was 48.2% (27/56). BALF and serum GM tests were both negative in 22 cases, and the coincidence rate of exclusion diagnosis was 90.9% (20/22). ROC curve analysis showed that the diagnostic value of BALF-GM test combined with serum GM test for IPA was better than that of BALF-GM test or serum GM test alone [area under ROC curve (AUC): 0.992 vs. 0.983, 0.976]. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 95.3%, 87.0%, 93.2% and 90.9%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that among 89 patients with positive BALF-GM test, 85 cases (95.5%) had normal immune function and 4 cases (4.5%) had unknown condition. Among 497 patients with positive serum GM test, 12 cases (2.4%) had normal immune function, 372 cases (74.9%) had abnormal immune function and 113 cases (22.7%) were uncertain. It was shown by ROC curve analysis that the sensitivity of positive BALF-GM test in diagnosis of IPA in patients with normal immune function was higher than that of positive serum GM test (95.6% vs. 88.9%), while the sensitivity of positive serum GM test in patients with abnormal immune function was higher than that of positive BALF-GM test (91.8% vs. 89.9%). CONCLUSIONS The results of BALF and serum GM tests are in good agreement with clinical diagnosis, and the combined detection of BALF and serum GM is more valuable for IPA diagnosis than single detection, especially for patients with unknown immune function.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/chemistry* ; Galactose/analogs & derivatives* ; Humans ; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/diagnosis* ; Mannans/blood* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To identify the changes of outpatients/emergency visits at Nanjing Children′s Hospital since introduction of the general pricing reform at public hospitals.Methods Fluctuations of outpatients/emergency visits at Nanjing Children′s Hospital before and after the reform in 2015 were compared,and an empirical analysis was made in view of the overall structural changes,demand price elasticity and cross-price elasticity of various outpatients/emergency visits.Results The change of total outpatients/emergency visits was minimal,yet the composition registered significant changes.Monthly average of common outpatients totaled 7 072 visits,a growth of 12.6%;that of senior specialists totaled 3 035 visits,a growth of 48.4%.The price elasticity was<1,while the demand for various outpatients/emergency visits services and cross-price elasticity appeared inelastic.Conclusions The one year reform has witnessed the hospital in smooth operations as yet.Given the sizable rise of examination prices for both outpatients/emergency visits,patient volume remains stable instead of drastic decrease,evidencing the strong demand for children′s medical services.

Anesthesia ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expressions of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) in hippocampus of epileptic rats and to investigate the pathogenesis of SphK1 and S1PR2 in epilepsy. METHODS: One hundred and eight male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (n=48) and pilocarpine (PILO) group (n=60). A robust convulsive status epilepticus (SE) was induced in PILO group rats by the application of pilocarpine. Control group rats were injected with respective of physiological saline. Pilocarpine group was randomly divided into 6 subgroups (n=8): acute group (E6 h, E1 d, E3 d), latent group (E7 d) and chronic group (E30 d, E56 d). Each subgroup has 8 control rats and 8 epileptic rats. Hippocampal tissue and brain slices were obtained from control rats and rats subjected to the Li-PILO model of epilepsy at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d,7 d,30 d and 56 d after status epilepticus (SE). Western blot technique was used to determine the expressions of SphK1 and S1PR2 in hippocampus at different point of time after pilocarpine treatment. Immunofluorescence was applied to detect the activation and proliferation of hippocampal astrocytes and the localization of SphK1 and S1PR2 in rat hippocampal astrocytes. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the levels of SphK1 in acute phase (E3 d), latent phase (E7 d) and chronic phase (E30 d, E56 d) were significantly increased while the expressions of S1PR2 were decreased in acute phase (E3 d), latent phase (E7 d) and chronic phase (E30 d, E56 d)(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Immunofluorescence results showed astrocyte activation and proliferation in hippocampus of epileptic (E7 d) rats (P＜0.05). Confocal microscopy confirmed the preferential expressions of SphK1 and S1PR2 in epileptic rat(E7 d)hippocampal astrocytes. CONCLUSION The results indicate that SphK1 and S1PR2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy by regulating the activation and proliferation of hippocampal astrocytes and altering neuronal excitability.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; enzymology ; Epilepsy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; enzymology ; Male ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; metabolism ; Pilocarpine ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo assess the specificity of P50 auditory-evoked potential in schizophrenic patients with violent and aggressive behaviors， so as to provide objective biological markers for predicting violent behaviors of schizophrenic patients. MethodsA total of135 schizophrenic patients who met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） were divided into aggressive group （n=70） and non-aggressive group （n=65） according to the assessment results of the Modified Overt Aggression Scale （MOAS）， meantime， another 60 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were set as healthy group. Then the P50 auditory-evoked potentials of all selected individuals were measured using EP/EMG system （MEB-9200， Nihon Kohden， Japan）. ResultsAmp S2 of the aggressive group was significantly higher than those of the non-aggressive group and healthy control group， with statistical differences ［（9.86±6.04）μV vs. （7.06±3.88）μV， P=0.004； （9.86±6.04）μV vs. （7.82±3.87）μV， P=0.031］. The proportion of S2/S1 ratio ≥0.5 was 72.88%， 43.86% and 30.00% in aggressive group， non-aggressive group and healthy group， which was the highest in aggressive group， with statistical differences （P<0.01）. The amplitude difference of P50 （S1-S2） of the aggressive group was lower than those of the non-aggressive group and the healthy control group， the differences were of statistical significance ［（4.35±9.39）μV vs.（9.89±8.48）μV， P=0.001； （4.35±9.39）μV vs.（13.42±9.81）μV， P<0.01］. ConclusionThe violent and aggressive behaviors in schizophrenic patients may be related to the sensory gating deficit.

BACKGROUNDAwake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) is usually performed in the management of the predicted difficult airway. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of dexmedetomidine with midazolam (DM) and sufentanil with midazolam (SM) for sedation for awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation.

METHODSFifty patients with limited mouth opening scheduled for AFOI were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 25 per group) by a computer-generated randomization schedule. All subjects received midazolam 0.02 mg/kg as premedication and airway topical anesthesia with a modified "spray-as-you-go" technique. Group DM received dexmedetomidine at a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg over 10 min followed by a continuous infusion of 0.25 μg·kg-1·h-1, whereas Group SM received sufentanil at a loading dose of 0.2 μg/kg over 10 min followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 μg·kg-1·h-1. As necessary, since the end of the administration of the loading dose of the study drug, an additional dose of midazolam 0.5 mg at 2-min intervals was given to achieve a modified Observers' Assessment of Alertness/Sedation of 2-3. The quality of intubation conditions and adverse events were observed.

RESULTSThe scores of ease of the AFOI procedure, patient's reaction during AFOI, coughing severity, tolerance after intubation, recall of the procedure and discomfort during the procedure were comparable in both groups (z = 0.572, 0.664, 1.297, 0.467, 0.895, and 0.188, respectively, P > 0.05). Hypoxic episodes similarly occurred in the two groups, but the first partial pressure of end-tidal CO2after intubation was higher in Group SM than that in Group DM (45.2 ± 4.2 mmHg vs. 42.2 ± 4.3 mmHg, t = 2.495, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth dexmedetomidine and sufentanil are effective as an adjuvant for AFOI under airway topical anesthesia combined with midazolam sedation, but respiratory depression is still a potential risk in the sufentanil regimen.

Adult ; Conscious Sedation ; methods ; Dexmedetomidine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fiber Optic Technology ; methods ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; methods ; Male ; Midazolam ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Sufentanil ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Wakefulness

Objective: To investigate the role of CD11b agonist leukadherin-1 (LA1) in the development of intestinal inflammation and colitis disease in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: The mouse model of experimental colitis was induced by DSS. Body weight changes and survival status were monitored every day. The length of colons was measured at day 7. Colon tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and observed under an optical microscope for pathological analysis. The percentages of apoptotic cells in colon tissues were observed by TUNEL staining. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured with MPO activity detection kit. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were detected by ELISA. Macrophages and TNF-α in colon tissues were observed using immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the changes in TLR4 expression on macrophages after stimulating mice with LA1 for 0, 3, 6 and 12 h. Moreover, TLR4 expression was also measured by Western blot after treating bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) with LA1 for 0, 3, 6 and 12 h. Unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared with the DSS group, the LA1+ DSS group presented lower mortality rate, greater body weight and longer colon and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Moreover, the LA1+ DSS group showed lighter pathological damages, decreased percentage of apoptotic cells and suppressed MPO activity as compared with those of the DSS group. The number of macrophages and the relative concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in colon tissues were lower in the LA1+ DSS group than in the DSS group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the total expression of TLR4 on macrophages before and after LA1 treatment. However, the mean flourscence indensity (MFI) of TLR4 was weaker on the LA1-treated macrophages than on the untreated macrophages. Conclusions LA1 could alleviate the DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice through suppressing the activation of TLR4 pathway on macrophages. This study provided a new insight and theoretical reference for understanding the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Astragalus injection (AI) on left ventricular remodeling and left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSAMI patients were randomly divided into the AI group (54 cases) treated with AI and the control group (54 cases) treated with conventional treatment. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), anterior endocardial segmental length (ASL), posterior endocardial segmental length (PSL) were assessed by echocardiogram at the 1st and the 4th week of treatment; and the cardiac systolic and diastolic functions were detected by nuclide gating cardiac blood pool imaging on the 4th week. Besides, the plasmic levels of lipid peroxide (MDA), count of endothelial cell (CEC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSAt the 4th week, changes of LVEDVI, LVESVI and ASL in the AI group were not obvious, but increased significantly in the control group, the significant difference in comparison between the two groups was shown (P < 0.05). As compared with the control group, in the AI group, the left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular peak ejecting rate and left ventricular peak filling rate were higher, and the left ventricular time for peak filling rate was shorter, moreover, MDA and CEC were lower and SOD was higher. The difference between groups and between before and after treatment were significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAI is one of the effective drugs in reversal of left ventricular remodeling and improving left ventricular function in patients with AMI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Astragalus Plant ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the level of lipid peroxidation and biomechanical properties after chronic treating with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in thoracic aorta of hyperlipemia (HL) rats.

METHODSHL rats were given BH4 chronically. The opening angle in the zero-stress state and the relationship between pressure and diameter (P-D) of mesenteric artery were measured by computer image 8, 16, and 24 week-old respectively.

RESULTSTreating with BH4 chronically from 8 week-old in HL rats, there was a significant increase in the zero-stress state of opening angle of thoracic aorta. The P-D curve of mesenteric artery moved upward.

CONCLUSIONTreating with BH4 prevented the structure and function of artery from abnormal changing, and attenuated lipid peroxidation in HL rats.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; drug effects ; Biopterin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the potential relationship between the expressions of c-jun and c-fos oncogenes and the prognosis of medulloblastoma.

METHODSThe specimens from 70 cases of medulloblastoma of the posterior fossa and 10 cases of normal cerebellar tissues were collected to determine c-jun and c-fos expressions by immunohistochemical staining in formalin fixed paraffin-embedded sections.

RESULTS(1) It showed that c-fos and c-jun protein expression was negative in 10 normal cerebellar tissue, while positive c-fos, c-jun immunoreactivity was found in 70 medulloblastoma specimens. The positive rate of c-jun and c-fos was 80% and 77%, respectively. There was high expression of c-jun and c-fos protein in medulloblastoma tissues. (2) There were positive correlations and strong co-operativity between c-jun and c-fos expression (r = 0.493, P < 0.01). (3) Correlative analysis indicated that expression of c-jun, c-fos were significantly correlated with survival time (c-jun: r = -0.447, P < 0.01; c-fos: r = -0.590, P < 0.01). The higher the expression level of c-jun and c-fos protein was, the worse the prognosis was in medulloblastoma patients.

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of c-jun and c-fos protein could be noted in medulloblastoma tissues. The two transcription factors show positive correlation and strong co-existence between c-jun and c-fos expressions. The expression levels of c-jun as well as c-fos are negatively correlated with the mortality rate and life expectancy of patients with medulloblastoma. In addition, the co-expression of c-jun and c-fos could serve as an indicator for judging the prognosis of medulloblastoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate