The data on nosocomial infection of 4060 patients who were stayed in intensive care unit (ICU) more than 48 h from January 1997 to August 2008 were reviewed.From Jan 2004 the target monitoring of hospital-acquired infection was implemented in ICU.The nosocomial infection rates before and after target monitoring were 35.25% (871/2471) and 30.77% (489/1589) respectively (P ＜ 0.01);however there was no significant difference in case infection rate before and after target monitor were practiced (47.67% vs.45.25%,χ~2 = 2.2836,P ＞0.05).The incidence of Acinetobacter infection was increased after target monitoring.Targeted monitoring can decrease the nosocomial infection rate in ICU,and also reduce the cost of medical care.

Objective To investigate the personality traits, anxiety and depression in patients with leukemia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in 120 patients with leukemia and 118 age and gender-matched controls. Personality was assessed using the Type A Behavior Pattern Questionnaire (TABPQ). Emotion was ascertained using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). The relationship between personality type A and anxiety and depression was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. Results The prevalence of personality type A was significantly higher in patients with leukemia than healthy controls [71.67 % (86/120) vs. 30.51 % (36/118), P< 0.01]. Patients with leukemia also had higher prevalence of anxiety and depression compared with healthy controls [36.67%(44/120) vs. 9.32%(11/118), P< 0.01; 29.17 % (35/120) vs. 5.93 % (7/118), P< 0.01]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that time-hurry (TH) and competition-hostility (CH) of personality type A correlated positively with anxiety (r=0.292, r= 0.277, respectively; both P< 0.05). Conclusion TH and CH of personality type A are associated with anxiety in leukemia patients.

By means of pharmacohistochemical regimen method and image analysis system,the age-related changes of acetylcholinesterase activity of the substantia nigra neu-rons and the number and size(section area)of the AChE positive neurons in ratswere investigated quantitatively.The results showed that the number of AChE pos-itive neurons in the substantia nigra of the old rats decreased markedly,the rateand quantity of AChE synthesis in the perikaryon remarkable declined.The size(section area)of the AChE positive neurons also reduced with aging.These changeswith aging have never been studied in human or usual experimental animals,so thatsome new parameters were provided for the research field in experimental geronto-logy.In human and animal,the degeneration of the neurons in substantia nigra cau-sed by aging would disturb the balance between dopaminergic and acetylcholinergicsystem and hence interfere with the normal coordination of movement.

Objective To develop a simple model for the noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and to testify its diagnostic value. Methods One hundred and ninety patients with chronic hepatitis B who had undergone liver biopsy were divided into 2 groups:one for developing the model(n=110) and one for validation(n=80). Histological staging of liver fibrosis,assessed blindly and independently by 2 pathologists,was determined according to Scheuer fibrosis score.Twenty markers involved in the study were analyzed initially in the estimation group to derive a predictive model to discriminate the stages of fibrosis.The model created was then assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis. It was also applied to the validation group to test its accuracy. Results Haptoglobin(HPT),γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)and platelet were identified by logistic regression analysis as independent factors of fibrosis. A model developed from the above three markers was established to predict the stage of fibrosis(S). In ROC analysis,the area under curve(AUC) for identifying S≥1,S≥2,S≥3 and S=4 was 0.832,0.835,0.820 and 0.843 respectively. The model had a similar AUC in the vatidation group without statistically significant difierence. Using a cut-off of ＜0.18, significant fibrosis (S≥2)could be excluded in 27 patients of the total patient population(negative predictive value 90%).Similarly,applying a cut-off ≥0.70,significant fibrosis could be identified correctly in 67 patients of the total patient population(positive predictive value 82.7%).The model had a high level of diagnostic value in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B as well as in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(AUC for identifying S≥2,0.857 vs 0.802). Restricting biopsy to patients with intermediate scores(≥0.70 and ＜0.18) may prevent liver biopsies in 58.4% of the patients while maintaining 84.7% accuracy. Conclusions A model including HPT,GGT and platelet is a simple and reliable index for predicting significant fibrosis in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B as well as in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE Through nosocomial infection targeted surveillance in intensive care unit(ICU),to evaluate the characteristics of nosocomical infection and their its correlation with the results of environmental monitoring at the same period.METHODS Nosocomial infection monitoring was explored on patients who were in ICU more than 48 h from Jan 1997 to Jun 2008.Correlation analysis was conducted between the rate of nosocomial infection in ICU and the same period environmental monitoring results.Data were analyzed with the SPSS10.34 software.RESULTS There was significant difference(P0.05)in the rate of infection cases before and after target monitoring was practiced.The site of infection was mainly in respiratory tract,followed by the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract;The full-time personnel in duty for nosocomial infection surveillance monitored the indoor air,object surface,medical personnel's hands in ICU,their qualified rate was 78.28%,90.94% and 95.83%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS There are many risk factors in patients in ICU,ICU should be looked as one of the important nosocomial infection monitoring department.The target monitoring of nosocomial infection is an effective method;the nosocomial infection rate in ICU and the environmental result at the same period don't show relevance,the environmental hygiene monitoring should be scientific and practical.

Objective To explore the activity of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 and the anti-leukemia effect of BBSKE (a novel inhibitor of TrxR) in vitro. Methods The activity of TrxR on K562 cell lineage and fresh bone marrow cell from healthy adult was analyzed by insulin reduction assay. The inhibition of proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The anti-leukemia effect of BBSKE was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope,agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry with Annexin V -FITC/PI staining. Results TrxR activity of K562 cell lineage was significantly higher than that of normal bone marrow mononuclear cells. The apoptosis of K562 cells could be induced at concentrations of 10 μmol/L BBSKE after treated for 24 hours. The typical DNA ladder bans were observed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The apoptotic rates of K562 cells were (10.28±2.74) %. Application of 10 μmol/L BBSKE for 48 hours could also induce apoptosis of fresh bone marrow cell from chronic myeloid leukemia patients, and the apoptotic rates were (5.70±0.48) %. Conclusion TrxR activity in chronic myeloid leukemia cells was significantly higher than that of normal cells. BBSKE inhibits the TrxR activity and the proliferation of K562 by inducing apoptosis.It might be a potential medication for chronic myeloid leukemia.

Objective To investigate the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and explore its relationship with clinical characteristics and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR).Methods The expressions of Nrf2 and TrxR genes in bone marrow cells and K562 cells were analyzed in 30 bone marrow preparations of CML patients in different phases,including 20 in chronic phase,3 in accelerated phase,7 in blastic phase by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Ten health subjects were served as normal controls.Results The relative quantitation expression of Nrf2 and TrxR mRNA were 5.601±1.069 and 9.017±2.398 in chronic phase,1.698±0.349 and 5.590±1.015 in accelerated phase,1.252±0.807 and 5.050±1.469 in blastic phase,1.377± 0.344 and 1.867±0.977 in normal controls.The expressions of both Nrf2 and TrxR mRNA in CML had significant differences from those of the normal controls (x2 =14.680,P =0.002,x2 =8.271,P =0.041).The expression of Nrf2 mRNA in accelerated phase,blastic phase group showed no significant difference (Z =0.011,P =0.496),but lower than that in chronic phase group (Z =2.155,P =0.016,Z =2.534,P =0.006).The difference between the first visit and post-treated group was significant (Z =2.015,P =0.022).The expression in K562 cells and normal controls had significant difference (Z =1.898,P =0.029).In CML patients,the expression of Nrf2 was positively correlated with that of TrxR (r =0.738,P =0.037).Conclusion The expression of Nrf2 gene is higher in the first visit group of CML than that in the other groups,and is decreased after therapy,which may be the molecular marker predicting the progress of CML.Nrf2 mRNA expression level is correlated with TrxR.

Here we tell a 20-year long story. It began with an easily overlooked DNA degradation (Dnd) phenomenon during electrophoresis and eventually led to the discovery of an unprecedented DNA sulfur modification governed by five dnd genes. This unusual DNA modification, called phosphorothioation, is the first physiological modification identified on the DNA backbone, in which the nonbridging oxygen is replaced by sulfur in a sequence selective and stereo-specific manner. Homologous dnd gene clusters have been identified in diverse and distantly related bacteria and thus have drawn immediate attention of the entire microbial scientific community. Here, we summarize the progress in chemical, genetic, enzymatic, bioinformatical and analytical aspects of this novel postreplicative DNA modification. We also discuss perspectives on the physiological functions of the DNA phosphorothioate modification in bacteria and their implications.
Bacteria ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Bacterial ; chemistry ; history ; metabolism ; Genes, Bacterial ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Multigene Family ; Streptomyces lividans ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; history ; metabolism

Objective: To explore the difference of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and to investigate the relationship between hepatic pathology and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Methods: 57 patients with chronic HCV infection and 346 patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to September 2016 were enrolled. In chronic HBV infection, including 88 cases whose ALT were more than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT≥2×ULN) and 258 cases whose ALT were less than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT < 2×ULN).All the patients were underwent liver biopsy. Chronic HBV infection (ALT≥2×ULN and ALT < 2×ULN) and chronic HCV infection were compared respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using a Univariate χ²-test and Mann–Whitney U test for comparison. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: In chronic HBV infection group, 169 cases (48.8%) had inflammation grade≥2 (G≥2), 98 cases (28.3%) had fibrosis stage≥2 (S≥2), 81 cases (23.4%) with G≥2 and S≥2.In the ALT < 2×ULN group, there were 109 cases (42.2%) with G≥2, 62 cases (24%) with S≥2, 49 cases (19%) with G≥2 and S≥2. In the ALT≥2×ULN group, 60 cases (68.2%) with G≥2, 35 cases (39.8%) with S≥2, 31 cases (35.2%) with G≥2 and S≥2. The grade of inflammation and fibrosis have significantly different between ALT≥2×ULN group and ALT < 2×ULN group (χ² = 17.66, χ² = 8.06, P < 0.01). In chronic HCV infection group, 47 cases (82.5%) with G≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with S≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with G≥2 and S≥2. ALT had no correlation with inflammation and fibrosis (P > 0.05). The grade of inflammation was significantly different between chronic HCV infection and chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN (χ² = 30.19, P < 0.01) but the fibrosis have no difference (χ² = 2.96, P > 0.05). Compared with chronic HBV infection whose ALT≥2×ULN, both inflammation and fibrosis had no significantly different (χ² = 3.65, χ² = 0.32, P > 0.05 respectively). Conclusion In chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN, about 30%-40% liver tissue with significant necroinflammation and /or fibrosis. About 80% chronic HCV infection with significant necroinflammation, and the grade of inflammation has no correlation with ALT. The grade of inflammation has significantly different between chronic HCV infection group and chronic HBV infection group whose ALT < 2×ULN.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of AKR1B10 inhibitor combined with sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft growth. Methods: HepG2 xenograft model was established in nude mice. The mice were then randomly divided into four groups: control group, epalrestat monotherapy group, sorafenib monotherapy group and combination treatment group. Tumor volume, tumor weight, T/C ratio and the change in body weight of nude mice in each group were compared to evaluate the curative effect. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissues to evaluate the proliferation status of tumor cells. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the groups. Student’s t-test was used to test means of two groups and chi-square test was used for multiple samples. Results: The differences of the grafted tumor volume before and after treatment between the control group, epalrestat group, sorafenib group and combined therapy group was 238.940 ± 39.813, 124.991 ± 84.670, -26.111 ± 11.518, and -54.072 ± 17.673(mm³), respectively, (F = 37.048, P < 0.001). The tumor mass were 0.273 ± 0.140, 0.158 ± 0.078, 0.079 ± 0.054, 0.045 ± 0.024 (g), (F = 16.594, P < 0.001); T/C ratio were 100%, 57.9%, 28.9%, 16.5%, and Ki-67 positive rate were 23.295 ± 6.218, 13.503 ± 3.392, 7.325 ± 2.257, 4.664 ± 1.189 (%), (χ² = 822.203, P < 0.001) . The tumor volume (t = -3.579, P = 0.002) and Ki-67 positive rate (t = -10.003, P < 0.001) in epalrestat monotherapy group were significantly lower than control group. The tumor volume (t = 2.056, P = 0.025), tumor mass (t = 2.101, P = 0.043), and Ki-67 positive rate (t = -2.850, P = 0.005) in combination treatment group were significantly lower than sorafenib monotherapy group. Compared with the control group, the body weight of nude mice in the treatment group decreased to a certain extent, but there was no statistically significant difference between epalrestat monotherapy group and control group (t = -1.599, P = 0.262), and combined therapy and sorafenib monotherapy group (t = -0.051, P = 0.96). Conclusion AKR1B10 inhibitor enhanced the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft.