Objective To investigate the role of PDR1 gene in azole-resistant Candida glabrata (C.glabrata).Methods Thirty-eight clinical isolates of C.glabrata were collected from five different hospitals.The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of azole antifungals including fluconazole,itraconazole and voriconazole against C.glabrata were determined by broth microdilution.Sequencing and amplification of PDR1 gene was achieved by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The mutation was cloned into an expression plasmid and then transferred into C.glabrata.The efflux of rhodamine 6G and drug sensitivity test were performed,and expressions of CDR1 and CDR2 were examined to verify function of mutation.Results Among these 38 isolates of C.glabrata,17 were resistant to at least one of azole antifungals.Moreover,mutations of PDR1 gene existed in every resistant isolates.Results of phenotyping test showed that in the isolate that expressed PDR1P927S,the expression of CDR1 and CDR2 were increased by 20.53 and 4.03 fold,respectively.And the fluorescence intensity of rhodamine 6G was decreased to 0.62 in efflux experiment.Conclusion P927S mutation of PDR1 gene could induce azole resistance of C.glabrata by increasing the expressions of CDR1 and CDR2,which results in drug resistance due to enhanced effect of efflux pump.

Objective In order to standardize plantation and get bumper crops cultivation technique of Abrus cantoniensis Hance (a general term: "Herba Abri"). Methods To cultivate A. cantonients guiding by the instructive rules of productive quality and standard of management of Chinese medicinal materials, productive A. cantoniensis under good agriculture practice (GAP) promulgated by State Administration of Food and Drug. Results Comparing to production under non-GAP, the content of extract and flavones was higher, while the content of pesticide residue and heavy metal was lower under GAP. Conclusion Plantation of A. cantoniensis under GAP through choosing soil strictly, selecting seeds, optimizing pollution-free environment and friendly fertilizer and agriculture chemical, the harmful heavy metal and residues of pesticides amount in crude medicinal materials could be controled effectively so that the quality and output of A. cantoniensis could be improved.

Objective To evaluate the expression of miR-196b in newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its clinical signiifcance. Methods Fifty-two AML children were enrolled in this study and 30 non-leukemia com-pared children were selected as controls. The expressions of miR-196b were detected in bone marrow samples by real-time quan-titative PCR (q-RT-PCR) and the results were expressed in 2-??Ct. Results miR-196b expressions were signiifcantly higher in M4-5 and lower in non-M4-5 of AML children than those in control (P<0.01), with a lowest level in t (15;17) and a highest level in MLL subtypes (P<0.01). The miR-196b expressions were signiifcantly different among different prognosis groups (P<0.01) and the level in the favorable prognostic group was lower than in poor prognosis group. It was also found that miR-196b expres-sion was lower in remission group than that in no-remission group after the ifrst induction remission therapy (P<0.05). Mean-while, the expression of miR-196b in the children with WBC≥100×109/L were statistically higher than that in the children with WBC<100×109/L (P<0.01), and miR-196b level was positively correlated with the platelet counts (r=0.302, P=0.030). Conclu-sions miR-196b expression is increased in poor prognosis group of AML children, and high expression of miR-196b is related with low response rate and poor prognosis. miR-1966 is expected to become a new target for the treatment of AML.

Objective To investigate the differential expression of miR-155 in newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia(AML) and its clinical significances.Methods Fifty-two AML children and 30 non-malignant disease matched children were recruited as the controls.The preliminary AML children were divided into favorable group,moderate group and poor group according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network(NCCN) 2013.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to validate the expressions of miR-155 in bone marrow samples (the data presented by 2-△△Ct).Results By comparing expressions of miR-155 between AML patients and controls,the miR-155 expressions were significantly higher in the AML children than those in the controls (Z =-5.391,P ＜ 0.001).There were significant differences among different prognostic groups,with a significantly lower level in the favorable group compared with others (x2 =12.586,P =0.002).It was also found that differential expressions existed not only in kinds of mutation cohort,with the highest level in FLT3-ITD and the lowest one in FLT3-TKD mutation group (x2 =11.216,P =0.024),but also among fusion gene subgroups (x2 =12.254,P =0.016),with the highest level in AML-ETO group and the lowest level in PML-RARa group:meanwhile,the expressions of miR-155 were statistic different according to French-America-British (FAB) subtypes (x2 =17.814,P =0.013),which was lower in M3 patients than non-M3 patients (Z =-3.291,P =0.001).Conclusions It indicates that the expressions of miR-155 may increase sharply in preliminary AML children,and the lower expression of miR-155 is closely related to favorable prognosis.

BACKGROUNDOver the last decade, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as a significant nosocomial infection, yet little has been reported from China. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and microbiological features of CDI from a hospital in Shanghai.

METHODSPatients with CDI seen between December 2010 and March 2013 were included in this study, of which clinical data were retrospectively collected. The microbiological features of corresponding isolates were analyzed including genotype by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial susceptibility, toxin production, sporulation capacity, biofilm formation, and motility.

RESULTSNinety-four cases of CDI were included during this study period, 12 of whom were severe cases. By reviewing the clinical data, all patients were treated empirically with proton pump inhibitor or antibiotics or both, and they were distributed widely across various wards, most frequently to the digestive ward (28/94, 29.79%). Comparing the severe with mild cases, no significant differences were found in the basic epidemiological data or the microbiological features. Among the 94 isolates, 31 were toxin A-negative toxin B-positive all genotyped as ST37. They generated fewer toxins and spores, as well as similar amounts of biofilm and motility percentages, but exhibited highest drug resistance to cephalosporins, quinolones, macrolide-lincosamide and streptogramin (MLSB), and tetracycline.

CONCLUSIONSNo specific clinical genotype or microbiological features were found in severe cases; antimicrobial resistance could be the primary reason for epidemic strains leading to the dissemination and persistence of CDI.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Cephalosporins ; pharmacology ; China ; Clostridium difficile ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; methods ; Quinolones ; pharmacology ; Tertiary Healthcare ; statistics & numerical data ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology