Objective To investigate the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. Methods The MICs of six fluoroquinolones(norfloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) against 35 clinical isolates of E.faecium from eight hospitals in Tianjin were determined by agar dilution method in the absence or presence of multidrug resistance efflux pump inhibitor reserpine.The quinolone-resistance determining region(QRDR)of parC and gyrA were amplified and sequenced.Results No less than twofold decrease in MIC values of the six fluoroquinolones in the presence of reserpine was observed in 35,29,1,0,6 and 2 of the 35 strains of E.faecium respectively.One fluoro- quinolone-susceptible isolate and five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were selected randomly to analyze the QRDR of parC and gyrA.All five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates had single amino acid alteration in both GyrA and ParC.Ser-80 in ParC was substituted by lie(4 isolates)or Arg(1 isolates).Glu-87 in GyrA was replaced by Lys(2 isolates)or Gly(2 isolates). The other one had an Ser-83-to-Ile substitution.The one fluoroquinolone-suseeptible isolate had no alteration in the QRDR of either ParC or GyrA.Conclusions Both target alteration and active efflux are responsible for the resistance to fluoroquinolone in clinical isolates of E.faecium.

Objective To compare the different effects of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol and water as oral contrasts in PET/CT scan in gastrointestinal tract delineation and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Methods Sixty-one patients referred for PET/CT scan without gastrointestinal diseases were divided into three groups randomly ( random number method). One liter of 1% diatrizoate meglumine,2.5% mannitol,or water was orally taken by groups 1 (25 cases),2 (20 cases) and 3 ( 16 cases),respectively before scan. The scan was performed with GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner in two-dimensional (2D) mode 50 min after 18F-FDG (5.55 MBq/kg) injection. Patients with abdominal lesions were excluded from this study. The degree of gastrointestinal filling and 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated by 3 nuclear medicine physicians using visual analysis according to a 4-grade classification method:none,mild,moderate,and high. Statistically analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis,Mann-Whitney and paired t tests.Results Both the differences of serum glucose and insulin levels were not significant before and after contrast taken in group 2. Group 2 had better gastrointestinal filling than that of group 1 and also better than group 3 except in rectum. The stomach,jejunum,ascending,and transverse colon were better filled in group 1 than in group 3. The degree of 18F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly higher than that of group 2 in stomach,jejunum and ileum (z= -3. 192,-3.290,-3.290,all P＜0.05),and was also significantly higher than that of group 1 (z = - 3. 603,P ＜ 0.05) in jejunum. The degree of 18 F-FDG uptake of group 3 was significantly lower than that of group 1 in ascending colon (z = - 2. 706,P ＜ 0. 05 ) and was significantly lower than that of group 1 and 2 in transverse and descending colon (z= - 3. 503,- 2.403,- 4.225,-4. 027,all P ＜0.05),and was also significantly lower than that of group 2 in rectum (z = -4. 128,P ＜0. 01 ). The maximum CT values in stomach,jejunum,ileum and ascending colon in group 1 were ( 132 ±23),(191 ±31),(313 ±47) and (374±53) HU,respectively,whose difference was significant (t = -7.088--1.781,all P ＜0. 01 ). Conclusion Oral iso-osmotic mannitol intake has better gastrointestinal filling and less physiological 18F-FDG uptake compared to diatrizoate meglumine and water.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; GB virus C ; classification ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro method to purify human multipotent adult progenitor cells (hMAPCs) and assess their possible differentiation into hepatocytes by coculture with human hepatocyte line L02. METHODS: hMAPCs were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) depletion selection using CD45 and GlyA microbeads. After indirect or direct coculture of hMAPCs and human hepatocyte line L02, the expression of albumin (ALB), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin (CK) 18, and CK19 by hMAPCs was detected by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: With the MACS method, (5-10) x 10(4)/mL hMAPCs could be separated from 1 x 10(6)/mL bone marrow mononuclear cells. The purity of CD45-/GlyA- cells separated from bone marrow adherent cells was more than 98%, as determined by flow cytometry. In the coculture without cell-to-cell contact, hMAPCs expressed high AFP on day 1, and then tapered daily to low expression on day 7; ALB expression reached its peak on day 5, and remained high on day 7; CK18 was initially expressed on day 5 and was higher on day 7; CK19 was negative in all assays. In the coculture with cell-to-cell contact, ALB and CK18 were expressed by most cells while AFP appeared in only a few on day 5. CONCLUSION: hMAPCs were induced to differentiate into mature hepatocyte-like cells by coculture with a hepatocyte cell line, either with or without cell-to-cell contact, but the former seemed more effective.
Adult* ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques* ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatocytes* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; Microspheres ; Stem Cells*

Objective To prepare the 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA)and investigate its value as a gene imaging agent in tumor bearing mice and early diagnosis in tumor.Methods Survivin mRNA antisense PNA and mismatch PNA were synthesized.Four amino acids (Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly) and Aba (4-aminobutyric acid) were linked to the 5' end of PNA.Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly served as a chelating moiety for strong chelation of 99Tcm and Aba acted as a spacer to minimize the steric hindrance.PNAs were labeled with 99Tcm by the ligand-exchange method.The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were measured by HPLC and ITLC methods.There were five BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung carcinoma ( A549 ) in each of antisense PNA and mismatch PNA groups.Gene imaging of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense and mismatch PNAs were performed at 1,2 and 4 h post the injection,respectively,and the T/NT ratio was measured by the method of ROI.The statistical comparisons of average values were performed with the two-group t-test for independent sample by SPSS 13.0.Results The product kept stable in vitro.The labeling efficiency of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was (95.48 ±1.92)％ and more than 85％ after the incubation for24 h in serum.The radiochemical purity was ＞ 95％.The labeling efficiency of mismatch PNA was similar to the antisense PNA.99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was especially uptaken by tumor lesion,and its accumulation reached the top at 4 h post the injection.T/NT ratios at 1,2,and 4 h were 2.70 ± 0.28,3.44 ± 0.35,4.21 ± 0.63,respectively.In the comparison,the T/NT ratio of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA mismatch PNA at 4 h (3.12 ±0.50) was significantly lower (t =2.918,P =0.019).Conclusions 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA has high labeling efficiency,good stability and no need of purification.Its characteristic of especial uptake by tumor lesion provides the potential value in early diagnosis of tumor.

Objective To investigate the present prevalence state of children's Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) in Xinghai county of Qinghai province,a relative active KBD area in 2009,and to investigate their nutritional selenium level of local children and the T-2 toxin contamination level in their staple food.Methods Right hand X-ray photographs of children aged 7 - 12 in Shang,Zhong and Xia villages of Tangnaihai countryside in Xinghai county were taken.X-ray diagnosis was carried out according to the Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease (GB 16003-1995 ).Selected samples (children's hair,drinking water and their staple food) were collected according to X-ray film taken.Selenium contents in hair,drinking water and staple food samples were measured by 2,3-diaminonaphthalene fluorescence,and T-2 toxin in staple food sample was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits.ResultsTotal X-ray detection rate of children KBD was 12.20％(31/254) and KBD positive rate of children in Xia village was up to 14.97％(22/147),Shang village was up to 9.52％(6/63),and Zhong village was up to 6.82％ (3/44).The selenium level in children's body and outer environment was very low,namely,the selenium content in hair,drinking water,wheat and flour was (0.250 ± 0.136)mg/kg,(0.156 ± 0.046)μg/L,(0.0045 ± 0.0030)mg/kg,and (0.0067 ± 0.0116)mg/kg,respectively.The T-2 toxin level was relatively high in children's staple food,which was (78.91 ± 46.17)μg/kg in wheat and (47.47 ± 46.47)μg/kg in flour.Conclusions In relative active KBD areas of Xinghai county of Qinghai province,the children's selenium nutritional level is low,and the T-2 toxin contamination level in their staple food is relatively high,which is consistent with the distribution of local children's KBD.

BACKGROUNDMultiple epiphysis dysplasia (MED) is a common skeletal dysplasia with a significant locus heterogeneity. In the majority of clinically defined cases, mutations have been identified in the gene encoding cartilage algometric matrix protein (COMP).

METHODSFive patients were included in the study. Linkage analysis and mutation analysis of the COMP gene were conducted in the patients and their family members.

RESULTSWe have identified a novel mutation in axon 14 of COMP gene in the family.

CONCLUSIONSThis mutation produced a severe MED phenotype with marked short stature, early onset osteoarthritis, and remarkable radiographic changes. Our results extended the range of disease-causing mutations in COMP gene and contributed more information about relationship between mutations and phenotype.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo characterize the biologic featrues of hepatic oval cells and their protein expression profiles during induced differentiation in vitro.

METHODSRat hepatic oval cells were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitro, followed by morphological and molecular marker assessment by electromicroscopy, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and protein expression chip technology.

RESULTSTen weeks after induction, the levels of GST-P mRNA and M2-PK mRNA were significantly reduced, whereas those of ALB and CK18 were elevated. Significant variations of expression was seen in 8 protein species during the course of the induced differentiation.

CONCLUSIONCombined EGF and HGF treatment in vitro induces cell differentiation of hepatic oval cells, a process in which 8 protein species may play some regulatory roles.

Albumins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Protein Array Analysis ; Pyruvate Kinase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To evaluate the situation of musculoskeletal imaging research at home and abroad and the disparity and consistency between them.Methods Statistic analysis was done with the musculoskeletal articles published in those journals during the last decade,including Chinese Journal of Radiology,Journal of Clinical Radiology,Radiology,American Journal of Roentgenology(AJR)and the British Journal of Radiology(BJR).Results The development of museuloskeletal imaging research was very imbalaneed among different areas and hospitals in China.The rate of clinical research treatise and imaging technique articles at home was 76.3%(357/468)and 10.0%(47/468),respectively,while that was 75.7%(731/966)and 10.8%(105/966),respectively abroad.The rate of MR image technique articles in China was lower than that abroad.The rate of articles on basic research at home and abroad was 5.3%(25/468)and 7.9%(76/966),respectively.The rate of articles about museuloskeletal imaging simply using CT or MR at home was 20.1%(94/468)and 29.7%(139/468),respectively,while that was 5.1%(49/966)and 60.4%(548/966),respectively abroad.The rate of articles about interventional therapy and synthetic imaging at home was 9.2%(43/468)and 29.3%(137/468),respectively,while that was 4.7%(45/966)and 22.5%(217/966),respectively abroad.With regard to the diseases category,the research focused on the bone tumors and the tumor-like disease in China,while in other countries,the research focus had been diverted to the trauma of bone and joint,and the anatomy and disease of muscle and ligament,which was unsatisfactory in China.More focus had been put on imaging anatomy, cartilage disease and osteoporosis in other countries than in China.The research on the radiation dosage the subject received in the examination,the apphcation of Micro-CT and Micro-MR to musculoskeletal imaging was developed in other countries,but it had not been reported in China.Conclusion Although great success has been achieved in the research of musculoskeletal imaging in the last decade,there is still much disparity comparing with other countries,and the research is very imbalanced among different areas and hospitals in China.We should emphasize the application of MRI to musculoskeletal system and pay more attention to the basic research and imaging anatomy research,especially the research on ligament,muscle and cartilage.

Objective To study the correlation between fractional anisotropy(FA)and tumor microarchitecture(MVD,VEGF and celluarity).Methods Fouteen gliomas(5 grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ,4 grade Ⅲ, 5 grade Ⅳ)confirmed histo-pathologically were performed on diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)using a GE Signa Excite Ⅱ 3.0 T MR scanner(8-channel head coil,SE echo planner imaging(EPI),thickness:5 mm, spacing:0,directions:25,B values:0 and 1000 s/mm~2,TR 6000 ms,TE minimum,FOV:240 mm? 240 mm,image matrix 128?128,NEX 2).Postprocessing was done using a DTI specific software to gain FA image.ROIs were drqwn in tumor parenchyma and the value of FA was recorded.The positive expression of VEGF and CD34 was shown using immuno-histochemistry method.The VEGF,MVD,and cellularity of every slices were recorded.Pearson correlation analysis was used.Results FA(which is 0.102?0.080 in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ,0.171?0.037 in grade Ⅲ,0.200?0.021 in grade Ⅳ)has the trend to raise with the increasing grade of astrocytomas.FA has significant positive correlation to MVD(40/HP in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, 86/HP in grade Ⅲ,101/HP in grade Ⅳ),VEGF(8% in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ,47% in grade Ⅲ,55% in grade Ⅳ),and cellularity(104/HP in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ,160/HP in grade Ⅲ,265/HP in grade Ⅳ).The correlation coefficients between FA and VEGF,MVD,and cellularity were 0.748,0.668,0.625 respectively.Conclusion As a new imaging method,DTI can reveal the microarchitecture in gliomas and be value of distinguishing gliomas of different grade.DTI provides a new method of precise diagnosis to glioma preoperatively.