BACKGROUNDCandida albicans is the most frequently seen opportunistic human fungal pathogen. Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal agent that has been proven to have high clinical efficacy in the therapy of fungal infections, the mechanism of action of terbinafine involves the specific inhibition of fungal squalene epoxidase, resulting in ergosterol deficiency and accumulation of intracellular squalene. We used cDNA microarray analysis technology to monitor global expression profile changes of Candida albicans genes in response to terbinafine treatment, and we anticipated a panoramic view of the responses of Candida albicans cells to the representatives of allylamine antifungal agents at the molecular level in an effort to identify drug class-specific and mechanism-independent changes in gene expression.

METHODSCandida albicans strain ATCC 90028 was exposed to either medium alone or terbinafine at a concentration equivalent to the 1/2 minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs, 4 mg/L) for 90 minutes. RNA was isolated and gene expression profiles were compared to identify the changes in the gene expression profile using a cDNA microarray analysis. Differential expression of 10 select genes detected by cDNA microarray analysis was confirmed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSA total of 222 genes were found to be responsive to terbinafine, including 121 up-regulated genes and 101 down-regulated genes. These included genes encoding membrane transport proteins belonging to the members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) or major facilitator superfamily (MFS; CDR1, AGP2, GAP6, PHO84, HOL3, FCY23, VCX1), genes involved in stress response and detoxification (CDR1, AGP2, HOL3), and gene involved in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway (ERG12). The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR were consistent with that of the cDNA microarray analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe up-regulation of the gene encoding the multidrug resistance efflux pump CDR1 may contribute to the terbinafine resistance in Candida albicans. However, the precise roles of other affected genes remain unclear, further studies of these genes and their respective products that play roles in the context of antifungal resistance are warranted.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome, Fungal ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Naphthalenes ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

Objective To observe the advantages and disadvantages the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in community health service centers through cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis.Methods Take community common diseases as an example, Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), Cervical Spondylosis (CS) and Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) were used. A total of 200 cases were selected for each disease, and 100 cases in each one group.In the treatment group, the rehabilitation mode was used.In the control group, comprehensive treatment of traditional Chinese medicine was adopted. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility, with VAS as the effect indicator and QALYs as the utility indicator. Results The VAS values of the knee osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group after 14 days, 30 days and 6 months (P<0.05) . The QALYs values of them in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group after 14 days, 30 days and 6 months (P<0.05) . The treatment group has a higher increase cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) . Each get a unit effect can pay 222.56, 297.13 and 1178.59 Yuan less . The treatment group has a higher increase cost-utility ratio (ICUR) . Each get a unit effect can pay 741.86, 3178.60 and 2862.29 Yuan less . Conclusion Community application in rehabilitation mode of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine can improve the treatment effect, and can reduce the cost of treatment and the loss of QALYs.

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with retrieved epididymal and testicular sperm for obstructive azoospermia and with ejaculated sperm for severe oligozoospermia and asthenospermia.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 431 ICSI cycles, which were divided according to sperm sources into Groups A (n=287 in patients with severe oligozoospermia or asthenospermia using ejaculated sperm), B (n=109 in obstructive azoospermia patients with sperm retrieved by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, PESA) and C (n=35 in obstructive azoospermia patients with sperm retrieved by testicular sperm extraction, TESE). Comparisons were made among the three groups in the rates of embryo implantation, fertilization, pregnancy, cleavage, and miscarriage.

RESULTSGroup A showed statistically significant differences from Groups B and C in the rates of embryo implantation and pregnancy (18.46% vs. 25.23% and 28.76%, 31.23% vs. 42.16% and 39.39%, P < 0.05). But no significant differences were seen in the rates of fertilization, cleavage and miscarriage among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy are higher in patients with obstructive azoospermia than in those with severe oligozoospermia or asthenospermia after ICSI with ejaculated sperm.

Azoospermia ; therapy ; Epididymis ; cytology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; cytology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical effects of thyroid-stimulating hormone pituitary adenomas (TSH-omas).

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 patients (14 female and 5 male) with TSH-omas were analyzed retrospectively in this study from January 2001 to December 2008. The patients ranged from 20 to 70 years old (average 40.5 years old) and had disease histories from 1 to 228 months (average 55 months). Among these patients, 15 of them complained of thyrotoxicosis symptoms, while the other 4 patients' symptoms were associated with headache and/or visual disturbance caused by the tumor mass effect. Initially, 12 of the 15 patients with thyrotoxicosis symptoms were misdiagnosed with Grave's disease. As a result 2 of them received (131) Iodine, and one received subtotal thyroidectomy. All of these patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery.

RESULTSAverage follow-up period was 3.6 years (6 months-7 years). Pathological analysis of the surgical specimen showed pituitary adenoma in all patients, immunohistochemistry were positive for TSH in 17 cases, negative for TSH in 2, positive for growth hormone in 2, positive for prolactin in 1, and positive for adrenocorticotrophic hormone in 1. Postoperative MRI revealed that the tumors in 15 patients were removed totally, though 4 patients still had residual tumors. The thyroid hormone level tests suggested that 13 patients could be considered normal 3 months after their tumors were removed, though 2 of patients with normal postoperative MRI and thyroid hormones showed increased levels of TSH. For these 2 patients, tumors did not recur and their thyroid hormone levels returned to normal after pituitary radiotherapy. The cure rate was 11/19 after surgery and 13/19 after surgery plus pituitary radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe screening test for hyperthyroidism patients with high TSH levels is a key point to improve the accuracy rate in early diagnoses of TSH-omas. The transsphenoidal microsurgery is first choice to treat TSH-omas, while pituitary radiotherapy and somatostatin analogs are beneficially adjunctive therapies.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyrotropin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo sum up the experience in administering oral tadalafil on alternate days for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) that fails to respond to on-demand medication.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 15 cases of ED treated with oral tadalafil on alternate days from September 2010 to March 2012. All the patients had failed to respond to on-demand medication of sildenafil previously.

RESULTSAfter 4 weeks of tadalafil treatment, 11 (73.3%) of the cases were remarkably improved, with significant difference in IIEF-5 scores before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Transient adverse reactions were observed in the other 4 cases, including mild headache in 2, slight backache in 1, and facial flush in 1.

CONCLUSIONOral tadalafil on alternate days is safe and effective in the treatment of ED that fails to respond to on-demand medication of sildenafil.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Purines ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; therapeutic use ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of uric acid on coronary artery calcification in the natural population in Beijing.

METHODSFrom April to July 2012, 903 subjects from the natural population(aged 37-76 years for men, aged 42-76 years for women)in Xishan community, Beijing, were selected to accept a survey on the risk factors of cardiovascular. Blood tests and CT coronary artery calcium scans were carried out.

RESULTSAt the 1 Quartile(1 Q), 2 to 3 Quartile(2-3 Q)and 4 Quartile(4 Q)of uric acid levels, the prevalence rates of coronary artery calcium were 37.2% , 45.5% , 60.6% (P<0.001) and the coronary artery calcium scores were (109.7±333.1)AU, (133.9±356.9)AU, (200.8±459.4) AU (P < 0.001)respectively. Data from the univariate logistic regression analysis showed that with the increase of uric acid, the prevalence rates of coronary artery calcium also increased(OR2-3Q = 1.41, 95% CI:1.02-1.95, P = 0.040; OR4Q = 2.60, 95% CI:1.78-3.80, P < 0.001). However, the relationship between uric acid and coronary artery calcium disappeared when using the multivariate logistic regression analysis(OR2-3Q = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.60-1.43, P = 0.713;OR4Q = 1.38, 95% CI:0.80-2.39, P = 0.247).

CONCLUSIONUric acid did not seem to be an independent risk factor for coronary artery calcium, although the prevalence and extent of coronary artery calcium increased along with the increasing trend of uric acid.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid ; blood ; Vascular Calcification ; epidemiology

Objective To study the feasibility of neck circumference on the prediction of obesity by analyzing the relationship between the neck circumference and the obesity, and to provide the reference for the early prevention of obesity and related diseases. Methods A total of 1859 adults (911 males and 948 females) were selected from the four ethnic groups of Lingao, Li, Qiang and Baima as the subject of the study. The correlation between the neck circumference and body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, visceral fat index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio and body adiposity index were analyzed by correlation analysis, u test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kappa consistency test. Results Neck circumference has significant positive correlations with several other obesity indicators. It has the least correlation with body adiposity index and waist hip ratio, and has greater correlation with waist circumference, visceral fat index, and percent body fat, and has the largest correlation with BMI. The average values of the neck circumference of the obesity group judged by different obesity indicators are larger than the normal group, and the difference is statistically significant. ROC curve analysis and Kappa consistency test show that the area under curve (AUC) of neck circumference and various obesity indicators are greater than 0.7, and the consistency of neck circumference, BMI and waist circumference is the best when judging obesity. Conclusion If the value of male neck circumference is greater than the critical cut point value 364.5, the female neck circumference value is greater than 319.5, which can be predicted that the BMI value is overweight or obese. When the neck circumference of male is greater than 370.5 and the neck circumference of female is greater than 319.5, it can be predicted that the waist circumference exceeds the standard, and the risk of central obesity increases.

Brain Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Craniotomy ; Earthquakes ; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

This study was purposed to observe the influence of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) on the peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)regulatory T cells (Treg), Th17 cells and neutrophils in rats with collagen type II-induced arthritis(CIA), and to explore the regulating effect of UC-MSC transplantation on immunocyte subgroup. The rats wee divided into 3 groups: CIA group (model group), UC-MSC treated group and blank control group. The CIA rats were injected with UC-MSC via tail vein. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in peripheral blood and the expression of NCD11b on neutrophil surface in CIA rates was detected by flow cytometry (FCM), and the serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) was observed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) of NCD11b and the level of IL-17 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group, and the ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The MIF of NCD11b and the level of IL-17 in the UC-MSC treated group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05), while the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg increased (P < 0.05). Since the fifth week, the above indicators in the UC-MSC group have almostly approached the control group. It is concluded that the UC-MSC can increase peripheral blood Treg proportion in CIA rat, inhibit the secretion of Th17 and the activity of neutrophils, reduce the immune inflammation reaction, decrease the release of proinflammatory factor, and induce immune reconstruction.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; immunology ; therapy ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neutrophils ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications