Objectives In order to develop a rapid microsatellite genotyping assay for inter-strain differentiation of Candida albicans isolates and understand the transmission characteristics of the infections. Methods DNA was extracted from C. albicans isolates from genitals, anal canals and oral cavities of 39 women and 27 men with genital candidiasis. The microsatellite sequences in stabel genes(CDC3, EF3 and HIS3) were amplified by a fluorescence labeled PCR. Fluorescent signals were read with an automatic se- quencer, and the data were collected with GeneScan software followed by genotyping with Genotyper soft- ware to analyze polymorphic microsatellite loci. Results Combined analysis of the 3 microsatellite markers showed 18 gene allele associations in C. albicans from genital sites of all men and women, including 10 in women, 11 in men and 3 in both. The allele associations of dominant pathogenetic strains for both sexes were 116:124, 122:131,160:200, which covered 50% of pathogenetic infection. Three common allele associations for both sexes covered 71% of all infections. Genitals and anal canals shared strains of same allele associations in 80% of women and in only 3.8% of men. The strains of same allele associations were identified in both genitals and mouth in 2.7% of women but in none of men. In their genital sites 71% of couples shared the same allele strains, of which 80% were the dominant pathogenetic strains identified in both sexes. Conclusions The improved microsatellite genotyping assay is useful for rapid differentiation, identification of infective source, and contact tracing of C. albicans infection. There are pathogenetic C. albi- cans strains with predominant allele associations in genital infections.

Objective To explore the role of Hippo pathway in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD),and find potential targets for drug therapy.Methods By means of immunofluorescence staining,Western blotting,Real-time PCR,the differences of sublocalization,expression and phosphorylation level about Hippo pathway molecules in Han:SPRD (cy/+) and ADPKD patients compared with the control were observed.Knockdown Yes kinaseassociated protein (YAP),transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) and large tumor suppressor kinase1 (LATS1) in cystic lining epithelium cell line WT9-12 were took by siRNA interference,and then their effects on cell proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed.Results In cystic lining epithelium of Han:SPRD(cy/+),decreased expression of LATS1 and increased expression of YAP were found compared with the control,and the immunofluorescence of YAP was distributed both in cytoplasm and nucleus,while distribution and expression level of TAZ were without significant variance.Abnormal mRNA expressions of Hippo pathway components in ADPKD patients were found (P ＜ 0.05).Down-regulation of LATS1 in WT9-12 cells could prohibit phosphorylation of YAP,and prompted proliferation and cell division.Knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells could inhibited cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase,but down-regulating TAZ showed no significant differences in proliferation and cell cycle.Conclusions Altered Hippo signaling exists in ADPKD,and YAP activation may be one leading cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease onset.In vitro,knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells can inhibit cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle and depressing cell division,suggesting the expression level and activity of YAP are potential targets for ADPKD treatment.

Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin-18 in tuberculous pleurisy and its clinical significance by measuring the tuberculous pleurisy pleural effusion in patients with interleukin-18 levels.Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with primary diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and 20 patients with non-tuberculous pleurisy (including pneumonia,purulence,etc.) from December 2016 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery,Dongfang Hospital of Lianyungang City.Immunoassay was used to determine the level of interleukin-18 in pleural effusion of patients with tuberculous pleurisy and non-tuberculous pleurisy and adenosine deaminase by enzymatic method.Interleukin-18 levels and adenosine deaminase levels were compared between the two groups.Measurement data were expressed as ((x) ± s).The difference between the two groups using t test.Results The level of pleural effusion interleukin-18 in patients at admission was (520.5 ± 42.6) pg/ml and that in non-tuberculous pleurisy patients was (174.5 ± 12.7) pg/ml (P ＜ 0.05).Tuberculous pleurisy decreased pleural effusion interleukin-18 levels to (425.5 ± 27.5) pg/ml,(368.4 ± 21.7) pg/ml,(208.9 ± 15.9) pg/ml.Interleukin-18 in pleural effusion was significantly lower than that at admission (P ＜ 0.05) after 7 days of treatment.Conclusion Interleukin-18 production may be the cause of tuberculous pleurisy,may be used as an early diagnosis of inflammatory pleural effusion and observe the therapeutic effect of the immune indicators.

Objective To discuss whether it is necessary to integrate metabolic indices into diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods Taking ESHRE/ASRM diagnosis as the gold standard,51 women with PCOS and 47 women without PCOS were selected and divided into the intervention group and control group respectively from the Department of Gynecology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2013 and July 2014.Logistic regression based on principal component analysis and significant variables chosen through single factor analysis were used to establish the new diagnostic model which combined reproductive indices and metabolic indices.We evaluated the validity and reliability of the new diagnostic model by using ROC curve analysis.Finally,we analyzed the consistence and difference between the new diagnostic model and the gold standard.Results Thirteen significant variables were chosen using single factor analysis.ROC analysis showed that an area under the curve was 0.976 (P＜0.001) and the optimal cut-off point was 0.526 with a sensitivity of 96.08％,a specificity of 93.62％ and a consistency of93.88％.The new diagnostic model had superior validity and reliability.The two diagnostic methods had strong consistence (Kappa=0.877,P＜0.001) and no difference (x2=0.167,P=0.688).Conclusion Considering that the integration of metabolic indices does not change the diagnosis result,we come to a conclusion that it is unnecessary to integrate metabolic indices into diagnosis of PCOS.

To study the abnormal distribution of type Ⅳ collagen and laminin chains in glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in membranous nephropathy (MN).Methods 52 cases of MN were collected and staged according to electron microscopic morphological characteristics,and 10 cases of kidney tissues of minimal change disease were used as normal GBM control.Distribution pattern of or5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α5and β2 chains,and laminin α2 and β1 chains were detected using immunofluorescence method.Results In minimal change disease,α5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α5 and β2 chains all showed continuously linear positive expression along GBM,and laminin α2 and β1 chains were negatively expressed in GBM.In stage Ⅰ MN,α5 (Ⅳ) chain,laminin α.5 and β2 chains all showed continuous linear positive expression along GBM.In stage ⅡMN,the expression of α5 (Ⅳ) chain was increased and showed abundant spikes on the basis of continuous linear positive staining along GBM,and the expression of laminin α5 and β2chains was increased,and segmental spikes were seen on the basis of continuous linear positive staining along GBM.In stage ⅢMN,the expression of α5 (Ⅳ),laminin α5 and β2 chains was also enhanced and segmental double tracks were seen.The expression of laminin α2 chain was negative in GBM in stage ⅠMN,but granular positive expression along GBM was seen in stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ MN.No positive expression of laminin β1chain was seen in GBM in different stages in MN.Conclusion The GBM thickness in MN originates not only from intrinsic type Ⅳ collagen chains and laminin chains,but also from laminin α2chain,which only exist in glomerulus mesangium in normal condition.

Objective To observe the influence of nocturnal prolonged hemodialysis (INHD) on patients＇ nutrition status. Methods Thirty-two maintenance hemodialysis patients received INHD (3 times per week and 7.5 hours each session) and thirty-five maintenance hemodialysis patients received conventional hemodialysis (3 times per week and 4 hours each session) as control were observed for 6 months.The nutrition status of these patients on various aspects which concluded physical measurements,laboratory tests,and dietary record at baseline(0month) and exit (6 months) were recorded. Results (1)There were no differences in age,sex,body weight,and primary diseases between two groups.(2)The body weight,triceps skinfold thickness (TSF),and hand grip strength increased at exit point,but no statistical difference compared with the control group.Mid-upper arm circumference (MAC) increased signicantly from (27.1±4.2) to (30.5±6.1) cm (P＜0.05).Compared with the control group (26.9±3.4) cm,there was a significant difference (P＜0.05).(3)Serum phosphate decreased significantly from (0.5±0.5) to (0.1±0.6) μ mol/L (P=0.001) in INHD group.(4)The nutrition status were improved in INHD group evaluated by subjective global assessment (SGA)(P=0.03).(5) Dietary intake was recorded by a 3-day food record.Dietary intake of energy,protein,lipid,calcium,potassium,and phosphate increased in INHD group.None of the differences achieved statistical significance between two groups. Conclusion As compared with conventional hemodialysis,INHD can increase the dietary intake,decrease serum phosphate level,and improve patients nutrition status.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and outcome of renal cyst infection in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Methods Clinical data of 40 ADPKD patients with 43 episodes of renal cyst infection admitted in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital from 1st January 1991 to 31st December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.Differences of microbiological data and treatments between 1st January 1991 to 31st December 2000 and 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2010 were compared. Results Among 473 identified patients with ADPKD and 662 episodes of hospitalization,40 patients had 43 episodes of renal cyst infection,including 8 definite and 35 likely cases.Microbiological documentation was available for 34 episodes (79.0％),Escherichia coli accounting for 82.4％ of all retrieved bacterial strains.Resistant Escherichia coli to quinolone and certain β-lactamine increased in recent decade.Clinical efficacy of initial antibiotic treatment was noted in 69.8％ of episodes. Antibiotic treatment modification was more frequently required for patients receiving initial monotherapy compared with those receiving combination therapy.In the first ten-year group,initial combination therapy and clinical efficacy were noted in 30.0％ and 60.0％ of episodes respectively,and hospital stay was (20.2±6.7) d.In the second ten-year group,initial combination therapy and clinical efficacy were noted in 61.9％ and 78.2％ of episodes respectively,and hospital stay was (16.3±3.2) d.Large infected cysts (diameter ＞5 cm) frequently required drainage. Conclusions In renal cyst infection,the source of the organisms is often a gram negative enteric organism.Empiric therapy is often initiated with two antibiotics.The drainage of large infected cysts remains the main treatment for cyst infection.

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of spectinomycin?minocycline?azithromycin and sparfloxacin to mycoplasma(Uu and Mh)and therapeutic effect of spectinomycin to my-coplasma infection in genitourinary tract.Methods①The susceptibility test:each of the4drugs was divided into two concentrations.One was at1?g/mL(sensitive concentration)and the other was at4?g/mL(resistant concentration).If mycoplasma does not grow in both concentrations,it means the drug tested is sensitive.If it grows in both concentrations,the drug tested is resistant.If mycoplasma grows in lower concentration and does not in higher concentration,it means moderate sensitive.②Treatment regimen:Spectinomycin was injected,2g/d IM,for7-10days as a course of treatmeant.Patients were followed-up7days later and2~4weeks after treatment.Results①Among1658specimens,519were found Uu positive,and61Mh positive.The resis-tance rates of Uu to4different drugs were:7.7%for minocycline,21.4%for sparfloxacin,13.9%for azithromycin and7.3%for spectinomycin.Whereas,those of Mh were:18.0%,45.9%,54.1%,and29.5%re-spectively.②The clinical effect of spectinomycin was:out of43treated patients,37(86.0%)cured,4(9.3%)markedly improved,2(4.7%)failed.Total effective rate was95.3%and so was the elimination rate of my-coplasma.Conclusion The resistant rate of mycoplasma to spectinomycin is lower than that to minocycline?azithromycin and sparfloxacin,and the former is widely used in the treatment of mycoplasma(especially Uu)infection,with a satisfactory clinical effect.

Objective To analyze the causes of 652 hospitalizations in the patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).Methods The medical records of all ADPKD inpatients in our hospital from January 1,1990 to December 31,2010 were collected.The differences of hospitalization causes in different age,gender and period were analyzed.Results (1)In 652 hospitalizations,the most common cause was lumbar pain (15.2％),followed by cystic bleeding (14.6％),aggravating renal failure (10.1％),dialysis-related problems (9.4％),renal transplant related issues (8.3％),renal replacement therapy for ESRD (8.0％),urinary tract infection (6.4％),end stage renal failure (5.8％),hypertension (4.1％),renal cyst volume enlargement (3.7％),finding polycystic kidney disease (2.1％),urinary lithiasis (1.8％) and others (10.4％).(2)Younger patients were admitted into hospital because of polycystic kidney bleeding and finding PKD.With the increase of patients age,hospitalization due to dialysis-related problems increased,while many middle-aged patients were hospitalized because of back pain.(3)Male patients were admitted into hospital for aggravating renal failure,ESRD,kidney transplantation-related problems and urinary lithiasis,while female patients mainly for lumbar pain,dialysis-related problems and urinary tract infection.(4)The proportion was significantly reduced with time of finding PKD,renal failure and polycystic kidney bleeding,the proportion of renal cysts increasing and aggravating renal failure increased,there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with hypertension,while a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with uncontrolled hypertension,and the average SBP was also significantly reduced.Conclusions The highest rate of hospitalization of ADPKD patients is in 40 to 60 age group.Cause of admission varies with age and gender,and changes with the change of time.Over the past decade,the proportion of hospitalization due to renal cysts enlargement and renal failure aggravation increased significantly.The incidence of hypertension is higher than that in the first 10 years,but hypertension control rate increases compared with the previous.Prevention should focus on finding the suppression measures of renal cysts enlargement.

Background The influencing factors of noise hazards in the automotive manufacturing industry are complex, diverse, and mutually correlated, resulting in significant health impacts on workers. Objective To explore the application of generalized estimating equations (GEE) to analyze the factors affecting high-frequency hearing loss among noise-exposed workers in an automotive manufacturing company, guiding enterprises to scientifically carry out employee hearing protection programs. Methods The data of occupational health field evaluation and occupational health surveillance of an automobile manufacturing company for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022 were collected, and 806 noise-exposed workers with pure tone hearing test results for all five consecutive years were selected as study participants. The retrieved indicators were gender, physical examination year, noise intensity, blood pressure, white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, platelet counts, concentrations of hemoglobin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, smoking, drinking, etc. Gender, noise intensity, blood pressure, white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, concentrations of hemoglobin, platelet counts, glutamate aminotransferase, glutamate aminotransferase, smoking, and drinking were set as independent variables, and occurrence of high-frequency hearing loss was set as a dependent variable, and GEE were constructed by using the statistical software of SPSS 20.0 to analyze the influencing factors of high-frequency hearing loss. Results Of the 806 workers, 698 were male (86.6%) and 108 were female (13.4%). The detection rates of high-frequency hearing loss in each year from 2018 to 2022 were 66.4% (535/806), 69.8% (563/806), 70.0% (564/806), 68.9% (555/806), and 68.2% (550/806), respectively. The detection rate of high-frequency hearing loss in the company was varied significantly by gender, lowered white blood cell counts, lowered red blood cell counts, lowered platelet counts, smoking, and drinking (P<0.05). The results of GEE analysis showed that after adjusting for selected confounding factors and excluding interaction effects, the risk of high-frequency hearing loss was higher in men than in women (P=0.001; OR=1.907, 95%CI: 1.286, 2.829); it was higher in workplace with disqualified noise intensity than in those without (P=0.043; OR=1.289, 95%CI: 1.009, 1.648); it was also higher in smokers than in non-smokers (P=0.004; OR=1.507, 95%CI: 1.137, 1.999). Conclusion Gender, noise intensity, and smoking are the main influencing factors of high-frequency hearing loss in noise-exposed workers in this automobile manufacturing company. Controlling smoking and reducing noise exposure intensity may reduce the occurrence of high-frequency hearing loss in workers.