Objective To investigate the type distribution of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct)among STD clinic outpatients in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and to estimate the prevalence of Ct infection among the patients during posttreatment follow?up. Methods Urethral and cervical swabs were collected from male and female outpatients with confirmed urogenital Ct infection, respectively, in Institute of Dermatology of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The patients with positive results in preliminary screening tests were followed up after treatment, and specimens were collected at follow?up visits. General and clinical information was also obtained from these patients. DNA was extracted from these samples by using the QIAxtractor instrument. Nested PCR was performed to amplify the major outer membrane protein A(ompA)gene for ompA typing, and to amplify CT046(hctB), CT058, CT144, CT172 and CT682 (pbpB) genes for high?resolution multilocus sequence typing (hr?MLST). Then, PCR products were sequenced, and ompA and MLST types of Ct were determined by sequence alignment and MLST analysis, respectively. The obtained MLST sequence types (STs) were compared with those from an Italian population by using the BioNumerics7 software, and a minimum spanning tree(MST)was generated. Results Totally, 44 and 6 Ct?positive specimens were collected at first visits and follow?up visits respectively. Among the 50 specimens, 42 underwent successful ompA typing and hr?MLST, and 7 ompA genotypes and 15 hr?MLST STs were identified, including 3 first reported STs. The distribution of STs of Ct isolates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was significantly different from that from the Italian population. Among the 6 followed patients with posttreatment Ct infection, 3 were confirmed to be reinfected with Ct, and the other 3 failed to be diagnosed because of unsuccessful genotyping. Conclusion The genotypes of Ct strains isolated from STD clinic outpatients in Guangxi Autonomous Region were characteristic, and Ct reinfection occurred in some patients during follow?up.

Objective To compare the effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and compound norethisterone enanthate (CNE) on the susceptibility of BABL/c mice to lower reproductive tract infection with chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Methods A total of 60 BALB/c mice were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups:MPA-pretreated control group and CNE-pretreated control group inoculated with MyCoy cell suspensions in the vagina on the 5th day after single treatment with MPA and CNE respectively, blank control group receiving no treatment, MPA-pretreated infected group and CNE-pretreated infected group inoculated with 1 × 107 inclusion-forming units(IFU)of Ct serovar E in the vagina on the 5th day after single treatment with MPA and CNE respectively, control infected group inoculated with the same quantity of IFU of Ct serovar E in the vagina but receiving no pretreatment. On day 4, 7 and 14 after inoculation, vaginal irrigation fluid was obtained from all the mice for cell culture of Ct. Three mice were randomly selected from each of these groups at the above three time points and sacrificed, and vaginal and uterine tissue specimens were obtained for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and microscopic examination. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were conducted to compare infection rate among different groups. Results No growth of Ct was observed in the three control groups at the above time points. The culture-positive rate of Ct was 1/10 on day 4 but 0 on day 7 and 14 in both the CNE-pretreated infected group and control infected group, 7/10 on day 4, 2/7 on day 7 but 0 on day 14 in the MPA-pretreated infected group. Fisher's exact test revealed that the culture-positive rate of Ct was significantly higher in the MPA-pretreated infected group than in the control infected group and CNE-pretreated infected group on day 4 (both P =0.03), but similar among the three infected groups on day 7 (P = 0.23). Both the MPA-pretreated control group and infected group showed an increase in endovaginal mucus, thinning of vaginal stratified squamous epithelium, mucification of vaginal epithelium, presence of secretions in vaginal lumen and submucosal infiltration of a few inflammatory cells on day 4, 7 and 14, as well as appearance of pathological changes (including the presence of large quantities of purulent secretions in lumen, mild tissue edema and submucosal infiltration of a few inflammatory cells) in the vagina on day 4. Vaginal tissues were normal in both the CNE-pretreated infected group and control group at the above three time points, but mild tissue edema, lumen expansion, secretion retention and infiltration of scattered inflammatory cells were observed in the uterus on day 4 after inoculation. Conclusions MPA can arrest the estrous cycle of mice at diestrus with the mucification of vaginal epithelium, which may increase the susceptibility to Ct vaginal infection in mice. In contrast, CNE has no obvious effect on the estrous cycle and susceptibility to Ct vaginal infection despite of the appearance of pathological changes in the uterus.

Objective To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.Methods Totally,11 553 blood plasma samples were collected from STD clinic attendees in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and subjected to HIV-1 antibody screening and confirmatory testing.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect anti-HCV antibodies in 140 anti-HIV-1 antibody-positive samples and 282 anti-HIV-1 antibody-negative samples from age-and marital status-matched attendees.Chi-square test was performed to assess the differences in the prevalence rate of HCV infection between anti-HIV-1-negative and-positive samples,and Logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for HCV and HIV co-infection.Results The positivity rate of anti-HCV antibodies was 33.57％ (47/140)among anti-HIV-1-positive samples,significantly higher than that in anti-HIV-1-negative samples (1.06％ (3/282),x2 =94.66,P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed a statistical increase in the prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection in individuals reporting more than one sexual partners compared with those reporting only one sexual partner (OR =2.4,95％ CI (1.0-5.6),P =0.05),and in intravenous drug users compared with non-intravenous drug users (OR =20.8,95％ CI(5.7-76.5),P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HCV infection appears to be associated with HIV-1 infection,and comprehensive intervention on HIV-1-infected patients may slow down HCV transmission.

Objective To make a nationwide external quality assessment of serologic tests for syphilis in China,in hope to increase the quality of syphilis serology in laboratories at different levels.Methods From 2006 to 2008,a nationwide external quality assessment scheme was conducted for serologic tests for syphilis in laboratories of some medical and healthcare facilities each year by the Reference Laboratory,National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control,China Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Five quality control samples and corresponding questionnaires were sent to the participating laboratories.Tests were conducted and test results were reported within stipulated time.Subsequently,the test results were statistically analyzed by the Reference Laboratory,and the final results were fed back to all of these participants.Results From 2006 to 2008,the number of participating provinces increased from 17 to 31,and the number of participating laboratories from 23 to 145.Laboratories achieving a full score amounted to 79.9％,36.8％ and 57.6％,and those gaining a score of 80 or greater amounted to 95.7％,88.2％ and 89.7％,respectively,in 2006,2007 and 2008.Conclusion The external quality assessment scheme has enhanced the capacity of participating laboratories for syphilis serology to a certain extent from 2006 to 2008.

Objective To perform a nationwide external quality assessment for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, and to improve the performance of laboratories in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Methods Totally, 419 quality control samples were sent to tested laboratories, including 76 samples in 2007, 168 samples in 2008 and 175 samples in 2009. The laboratories were required to test the samples and report test results, within stipulated time, to the reference laboratory in National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The reported results were statistically analyzed by the National Center for STD Control, who finally fed back the statistical results to all of the participants. Results The percentage increased from 84.93% in 2007 to 92.14% in 2009 for laboratories showing an 80% or more consistency with the reference laboratory in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from quality control samples (qualified), from 47.95% in 2007 to 70% in 2009 for those showing a 100% consistency (excellent), and dereased from 5.48% in 2007 to 0.71% in 2009 for those showing a consistency of lower than 60% (unqualified). The centralabs of provincial CDC and volunteer laboratories exhibited a satisfactory performance for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, while the performance of a small number of national STD surveillance sites needed to be increase. Conclusion The external quality assessment reveals a continuous improvement in the capability of detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in STD laboratories at different levels in China.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-pro-BNP) levels in critically ill infants. Methods Eighty-one critically ill infants were enrolled from January 2013 to January 2014 in pediatric intensive care unit. The minimum of pediatric critical illness score ( PCIS) and the number of dysfunction organs were calculated within 24 hour after admission. According to PCIS,the critically ill infants were divided into extremely critical group(PCIS≤70,n=25),critical group (PCIS 71-80,n=30)and non-critical group(PCIS>80,n=26). According to the prognosis,the critically ill infants were divided into survival group (n=68)and death group(n=13). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels were determined on the first day,third day and convalescent phase. The relationships of serum NT-pro-BNP levels with PCIS and the number of dysfunction organs and prognosis were observed. Results The study showed statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among the extremely critical group, critical group and non-critical group,whether on the first day,or on the third day and convalescent phase(P<0. 01). There were statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among different stages of the disease in each group(P<0. 01). Compared with survival group,PCIS was significantly lower and the serum NT-pro-BNP levels and the number of dysfunction organs were significantly higher in death group. The serum NT-pro-BNP level on the third day was higher than that on the first day in death group ( P<0. 01 ) , while no significant difference was found in survival group. The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and PCIS were negatively correlated(r= -0. 59,P<0. 01;r= -0. 66,P<0. 01). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and the number of dysfunction organs were positively correlated(r=0. 40,P<0. 05;r=0. 57,P<0. 01). Conclusion The serum NT-pro-BNP levels of the critically ill infants are correlated with disease severity,and can be useful for assessing the severity of critical illness.

Objective:To understand the status of sedation and analgesia treatment and management in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU) in Shandong Province, and to provide the basis for the improvement of sedation and analgesia treatment plan.Methods:This study was a multi-center retrospective study.The PICUs of 6 tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province participated in this study.The data of 1 340 children admitted to these 6 PICUs from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected.The age, gender, the pediatric risk of mortality score Ⅲ at 24 hours after admission, whether they received mechanical ventilation, whether they received sedation and(or) analgesia, whether they were monitored sedation and(or) analgesia, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed.The children were divided into the simple sedation group( n=798), the sedation + analgesia group( n=120) and the non-sedation analgesia group( n=422) according to whether they received sedation and(or) analgesia.The diseases, proportion of mechanical ventilation, incidence of hypotension, average length of stay in PICU and in-hospital mortality were compared among the three groups. Results:The median age of the 1 340 children was (13.3±6.4) months, including 786 males(58.7%). Sedation therapy had been carried out in 6 PICUs, of which 5 PICUs had routine sedation assessment; 4 PICUs had carried out analgesic therapy, of which only 2 had routine pain assessment.A total of 918 children(68.5%)received sedation and(or) analgesia, midazolam was the most commonly used sedative drug, followed by dexmedetomidine, and 526 children(57.3%)were monitored for sedation assessment, the most commonly used assessment method was the Richmond agitation sedation score.One hundred and twenty(9.0%)cases received sedation combined with analgesia, fentanyl was the most commonly used analgesic, and 38 children(31.7%) underwent routine pain assessment.There was no significant difference in age and sex among the three groups.The proportion of surgical diseases and patients received mechanical ventilation(100.0%, 120/120) were the highest in the sedation + analgesia group.The proportion of mechanically ventilated patients was the lowest in the non-sedation analgesia group(11.4%, 48/422). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation in the sedation + analgesia group was slightly shorter than that in the simple sedation group( P>0.05). The incidence of hypotension was highest in the sedation + analgesia group, and lowest in the non-sedation analgesia group[21.7%(26/120) vs.2.1%(9/422), P<0.01]. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality and mean PICU stay among three groups. Conclusion:Benzodiazepines are still the main sedative drugs used in PICUs in Shandong Province.In recent years, the usage of dexmedetomidine has gradually increased, but the proportion of analgesic use is very low.At present, analgesic and sedative therapy is mainly used for children after surgery and receiving mechanical ventilation.Although analgesic and sedative therapy does not increase the in-hospital mortality and average length of stay in PICU, it increases the incidence of hypotension.The sedative and analgesic treatment and assessment in the PICU of Shandong Province are still not standardized, mainly reflected in infrequently analgesic treatment and the assessment of sedation and pain, which need to be further improved.

Objective To evaluate the application effect of mind map in health education among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . Methods Seventy patients with COPD were equally divided into control group and intervention group according to their admission orders. Patients in the control group received health education in the form of traditional oral communication, whereas patients in the intervention group received mind-map-based health education. COPD related knowledge assessment questionnaire and COPD assessmenttest ( CAT) questionnaire ( Chinese version) were assessed at base line and after health education while quality of life, FEV1% predication and FEV1/FVC were assessed at base line and 6 months after health education. Results COPD related knowledge assessment questionnaire score was (96. 7 ± 4. 9),CAT questionnaire score(16. 39 ± 3. 52),FEV1%predicted(69. 18 ± 13. 05), FEV1/FVC(74. 83 ± 3. 29)of the intervention group all improved better than [(82. 8 ± 8. 4),(19. 72 ± 5. 32),(53. 81 ± 17. 63), (63. 71 ± 7. 63)] in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant ( t =8. 05, -2. 96, 4. 00,7. 59;P<0. 05). Conclusions Application of mind-map in health education among COPD patients can improve patients′COPD related knowledge level and rehabilitation skills, as well as quality of life and pulmonary function level.

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 4(FGD4) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase(NNT) gene. The article presented clinical data, laboratory results, and genetic mutation findings of a child with FGD4. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of FGD4 patients reported domestically and internationally was conducted, summarizing the types of gene mutations and clinical characteristics. This case identifies novel mutation sites in the NNT gene, providing a basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of FGD4 patients.