Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Phosphorus Metabolism Disorders ; blood ; diagnosis ; Risk Factors

Objective To analyze the antimicrobial resistance profile and homology of the Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from Rushan People's Hospital in a three-year period for better control of hospital infections.Methods A.baumannii strains were isolated from clinical specimens during the period from 2013 to 2015.Homology analysis were conducted by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for 60 randomly selected isolates.Results A total of 567 A.baumannii isolates were isolated,85 isolates in 2013,156 in 2014,and 326 in 2015.These isolates were mainly from Department of Respiratory Diseases (47.4％) and ICU (23.8 ％).Overall,62.1％ of the isolates were from sputum specimens followed by secretions (15.2％).All isolates were sensitive to polymyxin B,but all resistant to sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin.The A.baumannii isolates showed increasing resistance rate to imipenem,meropenem,ceftriaxone,and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole over the 3-year period,but decreasing resistance rate to gentamicin.The 60 selected isolates were grouped into 4 types by PFGE.A-type was the main pattern.Conclusions A.baumannii strains were mainly isolated from inpatients with respiratory tract infections.The A.baumannii strains showed serious antimicrobial resistance associated with possible clonal spread in this hospital.

Objective To observe the effect of modified Qinghao Biejia Decoction ( QBD) on Th17 cells and renal pathology of MRL/lpr mice with spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods Thirty-two female MRL/lpr mice aged 8 to 10 weeks were divided into 4 groups: model group, Chinese medicine group, prednisone group, and combination group, 8 mice in each group. Eight female C57BL/6 mice aged 8 to 10 weeks served as normal control. Mice in Chinese medicine group were given concentrated solution of modified QBD (19.25 g·kg-1·d-1), mice in the prednisone group were given water solution of prednisone acetate (8.75 mg·kg-1·d-1) , mice in the combination group were given the above two kinds of medicine, and mice in the model group and normal control group were given physiological saline. After medication for 7 weeks, spleens and kidneys in all of the groups were taken out for the experiment. Th17 cells in splenic mononuclear cell suspension were detected by flow cytometry, the pathological changes of renal tissue were observed under light microscope, and activity index (AI) of renal tissue in lupus nephritis mice was scored. Results The proportion of Th17 cells in the model group was significantly higher than that of normal control group ( P<0.05) . The proportion of Th17 cells in Chinese medicine group and combination group was lower than that of the model group ( P<0.05) , and prednisone group had higher proportion of Th17 cells than Chinese medicine group ( P<0.05) . Compared with the model group, pathological changes of renal tissue were relieved, and AI scores were decreased in Chinese medicine group, the prednisone group and the combination group ( P<0.05) . Except for the normal control group , AI scores in all groups were positively correlated with the proportion of Th17 cells ( r=0.77, P<0.01) . Conclusion Modified QBD can inhibit the expression of Th17 cells and improve the pathological changes of MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Daunorubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitoxantrone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish a model of Candida biofilm and to explore its characteristics, ultrastructure, influences by saliva and serum, and sensitivity to antifungal agents.

METHODSEvaluations of the in vitro growth kinetics, influences by saliva and serum, and sensitivity to antifungal agents of Candida biofilm were performed with the abated tetrazolium salt XTT method on a 96-well microtire petri dish. The ultrastructure of Candida biofilm was observed under Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM).

RESULTSThe bioactivity of Candida biofilm increased with culturing time and serum could obviously increase the action of biofilm. The Candida biofilm was significantly resistant to routine antifungal agents.

CONCLUSIONThe Candida cells adhered in biofilms are significantly different in morphology from those in suspension and are resistant to routine antifungal agents such as Amphotericine B, Fluconazole and Itraconazole.

Amphotericin B ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Itraconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Microscopy, Confocal

Objective:To investigate the effects of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice and crisscross bristle manual tooth-brush in the management of dental plaque and gingivitis.Methods:249 cases with gingivitis were enrolled in an office-based study. The study was unsupervised and single-centered with open-label and self-control.At baseline,gingival health and plaque coverage were assessed by dentists using categorical scales.Participants were given stannous containing sodium fluoride dentifrice and crisscross bristle design manual brush,and were instructed to use the products by manufacturer's usage instructions twice daily for 30 days.At the end of 30 days,plaque and gingivitis were reassessed using the same categorical scales.Results:232 participants(1 78 females and 54 males) completed the study.Gingivitis data of 5 cases and dental plaque data of 3 cases were not judgable.After 30 days of product use,226 cases(99%)showed noticeable improvement in their gingival health;227(96%)cases showed improvement in overnight plaque cover-age.Conclusion:Stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice in combination with crisscross bristle toothbrush is effective in the management of gingivitis and dental plaque.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by extensive fibrosis, vasculopathy, and activation of the immune system. Its pathogenesis and mechanisms have not been identified. Studies have shown that environmental and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis and development of SSc. Although the concordance for the disease among identical twins is low, concordance for antoantibodies associated with SSc and for fibroblast gene expression profiles is higher. However, the candidate-gene approach has not established clear associations between polymorphisms and SSc. Based on the involvement of SSc, the candidate gene can be screened from three groups: fibrosis, immune response, and vascular disease. This article summarizes the recent advances in these three aspects.
Fibrillins ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Microfilament Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; genetics ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics of juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS).

METHODSThe clinical data of 100 outpatients with JLS who were admitted to PUMC Hospital from 2000 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOf a total of 100 cases, 51 (51%) were confirmed as linear scleroderma, 26 (26%) as plaque morphea, 26 (26%) as deep morphea, 12 (12%) as generalized morphea, and 15 (15%) as a mixed subtype. Nine patients (9%) had family histories of rheumatic or autoimmune diseases, while 16 (16%) might be triggered by unknown factors. Totally 84 patients underwent antinuclear antibody tests and 38 patients (45.2%) had positive results.

CONCLUSIONSLinear scleroderma are the most frequent subtype of JLS. Localized scleroderma may be associated with some autoimmune-related causes.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; blood ; Autoimmune Diseases ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleroderma, Localized ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with scleredema.

METHODThe clinical and pathologic data of 67 outpatients with scleredema who were admitted to PUMC Hospital from 1982 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSNeck and upper back lesions were detected in all patients, but no hand or foot involvement was noted. Among 54 patients who received serum immunoglobulin examination, 19 (35.2%) showed abnormal serum immunoglobulin results. Among 67 patients, 22 (32.8%) had concomitant diabetes mellitus. Alcian blue staining was performed in 35 patients, among whom 23 (65.7%) had positive results and 12 (34.3%) had negative results.

CONCLUSIONSScleredema may have systemic involvements in addition to skin lesions. Patients with scleredema also tends to have concomitant diabetes mellitus. Alcian blue staining is not sufficient to differentiate scleredema and scleroderma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Neck ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleredema Adultorum ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Skin ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To express a recombinant protein TFPR1 ( the functional region of the snake venom proteins from Trimeresurus flavoviridis) in Pichia pastoris expression system. Methods The target gene was codon-optimized and synthesized according to the sequence of the conserved structural do-main of triflin and then cloned into the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPICZαA to construct the recombi-nant expression plasmid pPICZαA-TFPR1. The recombinant plasmid pPICZαA-TFPR1 was electroporated into the yeast strain X33. The transformed strains carrying expression plasmid were screened out with Zeocin and then induced by methanol to express the recombinant protein TFPR1. ELISA was performed for the screening of positive clones. SDS-PAGE and Western blot were used for further identification of the ex-pressed products. Results The recombinant plasmid pPICZαA-TFPR1 was successfully constructed. The recombinant protein TFPR1 was expressed in a secreted form at a molecular weight of 16×103. Conclusion The recombinant protein TFPR1 was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris expression system, which laid a foundation for further researches on its biological function and application as an adjuvant.