1.Case analysis of brain abscesses caused by Nocardia asiatica: A case report
WU Hai-feng ; WU Qiu-ping ; ZHOU Gui-zhong ; HUANG Mao-yi ; LI Wen-ting
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(6):667-
Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis key points of brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica, and provide a clinical basis for diagnosing and treating intracranial infection caused by Nocardia. Methods A case of pulmonary Nocardia asiatica complicated with brain abscess diagnosed at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University was selected to analyze the clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, pulmonary and cranial imaging features, and treatment plan, and to summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience. Results The patient was an elderly woman with a history of diabetes, dry cough was the first symptom without fever or headache. At the beginning of the course, it was diagnosed as pulmonary infection and tuberculosis in the local hospital, and received conventional antimicrobial and anti-tuberculosis therapies, but showed no improvement. The patient developed progressive limb weakness, followed by consciousness disorders, and coma. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were not abnormal, CSF pressure, protein and white blood cells were high, mainly with multiple nuclear cells. CSF glucose and chloride were normal in the early stage of the disease, but decreased significantly in the later stage. Metagenomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid indicated Nocardia asiatica with a specific sequence number of 537. Lung CT showed exudation, abscess, and cavity in the right lung. Skull MRI scan + enhancement suggested multiple scattered abscesses in both cerebral hemispheres. The abscesses were of different sizes and showed ring enhancement, with extensive surrounding edema, and ventricular compression. After treatment with meropenem, linezolid, and compound sulfamethoxazole tablets, the cerebrospinal fluid recovered, and the lesions in the lungs and intracranial structures improved. Conclusions Brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica is similar to the tuberculous brain in clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid examination, craniocerebral imaging, so we should be alert to the possibility of Nocardia infection in patients with diabetes. At the same time, metagenomic testing of the cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis. The mortality and disability rates of brain abscess caused by Nocardia are high. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis.
2.Emergency response of infectious snails detected after interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in Hannan District, Wuhan
ZOU Yu-ting ; XU Ming-xing ; LUO Hua-tang ; SONG Xiu-lan ; CHEN Qiu-qin ; WANG Hao ; ZHOU Shui-mao
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(2):131-
Abstract: Objective To analyze the emergency response and long-term intervention effects after the detection of infectious snails epidemic by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays in Hannan District, Wuhan City, and to explore the application of LAMP in early surveillance and early-warning of schistosomiasis transmission. Methods Snails picked up by the risk monitoring system in Hannan District were examined by anatomical microscopy and LAMP technology to identify the schistosomiasis infection. Emergency response and intensive intervention were initiated in the environment where positive snails appeared, and the long-term effects were evaluated. Results In May 2018, the infectious snails were detected by LAMP technology in Hannan District, and the positive snails were located in Zhujiacha, Dongzhuang Village, Obstacles and weeds were removed and buried by machine in Zhujiacha. 12 700 m2 of snails were killed by drugs, and the mortality rate of snails was more than 80%; no new seropositive persons were found in the emergency examination within 500 m of the positive snail sites. 506 people were examined in Dong Zhuang Village at the end of the year, and 30 positive IHA cases were detected with a blood positive rate of 5.93%, no positive fecal test was found, and all positive blood test patients took preventive medication. The monitoring results of sentinel rats and wild feces were all negative. Health education was carried out, 7 warning signs were deployed and refreshed, and 500 publicity brochures were distributed. After nearly three years of intensified intervention and monitoring in the villages where the positive environment is located, and the density of snails on the stubborn snail has dropped from 0.094/frame to 0.027/frame, and the positive rate of blood test in Dongzhuang Village has steadily dropped from 5.93% to 3.74%. Conclusions The infected snails missed by microscopy were detected by LAMP in Hannan District, which created conditions for the rapid emergency treatment of environment and elimination of positive snail and improved the sensitivity of the surveillance and early warning system in transmission-interrupted areas.
3.Influencing factors and the status of knowledge, attitude and practice on the evidence-based nursing among college degree and above nursing students
Tie-Ying ZENG ; Qiu-Ting MAO ; Qi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2012;18(19):2233-2236
Objective To study the knowledge,attitude and practice on the evidence-based nursing (EBN) and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 180 nursing students with the high education were recruited and investigated with a self-designed questionnaire,which included fundamentals of knowledge (8 items),evidence-based attitude and belief( 14 items),evidence-based practice ( 8 items),and adopted 3 rating scale,every natural endowments 1-3 points.The Cronbach's α of the questionnaire was 0.910,and its Cronbach's α of items respectively was 0.850,0.897,0.893.Results The mean score of knowledge,attitude and belief,and behavior was ( 10.85 ± 2.83 ),( 34.34 ± 4.94 ),( 10.84 ± 3.24 ),respectively.The study mode,evidence-based nursing training,evidence - based nursing practice were the main influencing factors of the overall level(P <0.05).Conclusions The clinical nursing students show a positive attitude toward EBN,but they lack of basic EBN knowledge and practice.So the evidence-based nursing training should be strengthened and the sooner the better.
4.Analysis of T cell subsets and CD3zeta chain expression in myelodysplastic syndrome patients.
Fang XU ; Ting LIU ; Huan-Ling ZHU ; Xu CUI ; Cai-Gang XU ; Yong-Qiu MAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2004;12(6):779-782
Immune mediated suppression of hematopoiesis has been considered as one of the most important mechanisms leading to pancytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes. This research was aimed at evaluating immune state of the MDS patients, analyzing the peripheral blood T cell subsets and CD3zeta chain expression and searching the possible reasons of hematopoietic disorders in 11 cases of MDS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 11 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed according to the new WHO diagnostic criteria. Flow cytometry was used for the counts of IFNgamma(+)CD4(+) cell (Th1), IL4(+)CD4(+) cell (Th2), IFNgamma(+)CD8(+) cell (Tc1), and IL4(+)CD8(+) cell (Tc2), and for the analysis of expression of CD3zeta chain in T cell subsets. The results showed that CD8(+) cells increased significantly in MDS patients; there was no significant difference between Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 ratios of T cell subsets and normal control; CD3zeta chain, the functional protein in the signal transduction pathway of T cell, was over expressed in the CD8(+) cell. In conclusion, research indicates that abnormal changes of T cell subgroups exist in peripheral blood of MDS patients. Enhancement of CD8(+) cells and over-expression of CD3zeta chain are important features, which suggest that CD8(+) cells play the most critical role in the pathologic process as compared with other T cell subsets. The over active immunity mediated by T cell subset may be one of the major mechanisms resulting in cytopenia in MDS.
Aged
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
CD3 Complex
;
biosynthesis
;
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
;
immunology
;
metabolism
;
pathology
;
Female
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Humans
;
Lymphocyte Count
;
Male
;
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
;
immunology
;
metabolism
;
pathology
;
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
;
immunology
;
metabolism
;
pathology
5.Effects of different psychotropic drugs on the QTc interval in the elderly population
Jixin LIN ; Yanping MAO ; Ting LI ; Yan CHEN ; Yaju QIU ; Zhengluan LIAO ; Enyan YU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2022;41(10):1249-1253
Medications are the main means for the treatment of mental illness, and it is of great significance to be familiar with the adverse reactions of psychotropic drugs for the formulation and optimization of treatment plans.The prolongation of the QT interval corrected by heart rate(QTc interval)is one of the most common cardiotoxic reactions after taking psychotropic drugs and may lead to torsade de pointes and increase the risk of sudden cardiac death.The elderly population is more prone to QTc interval prolongation.In this review, we focus on the relationship between common psychotropic drugs and QTc interval prolongation and influencing factors in the elderly population, so as to help clinicians avoid risk in drug selection.
6.Efficacy of compound Dendrobium on PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway in hypertensive rats induced by "dietary disorders".
Chao YIN ; Yu-Yue XU ; Guo-Yang CHEN ; Bo LI ; Mao HE ; Qiu-Qiu SHI ; Ting WANG ; Gui-Yuan LYU ; Su-Hong CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2018;43(11):2345-2351
To observe the efficacy of compound Dendrobium on Sprague Dawley rats (SD) hypertension model induced by "dietary disorders" and its relevant mechanism, totally 50 SD rats were fed with high-sugar, high-fat diet and alcohol for four weeks. According to the blood pressure after modeling, the rats were divided into model group, valsartan group (8 mg·kg⁻¹), low, medium and high-dose Dendrobium candidum compound groups (1.65, 3.30, 5.00 g·kg⁻¹), with 10 rats in each group, and the other 10 SD rats were also taken as the normal group. After four weeks of treatment, blood pressure was measured. Orbital blood was collected for the determination of serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), calculation of atherosclerosis index (AI). Nitric acid reductase method was used to detect serum nitric oxide (NO); the levels of serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured by ELISA. The rats were put to death after the last administration, and the protein expressions of PI3K/AKT/eNOS in thoracic aorta of rats in each group were detected by Western blot. The aorta was separated and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to observe the changes in the endothelium and blood vessels in the thoracic aorta. Masson staining was used to observe the formation of aortic collagen. The expressions of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ICAM-1 in aortic endothelial cells were observed by immunohistochemistry. In contrast, the results show D. candidum compound can significantly reduce the blood pressure in hypertensive rats, increase HDL-c, and reduce AI, while increasing serum NO content, decreasing ET-1 and ICAM-1 levels and promoting PI3K/AKT/NOS protein expressions. The lesion degree of the D. candidum compound group was reduced, and the collagen deposition was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, D. candidum compound can significantly increase the expression of eNOS, and reduce the formation of ICAM-1.Therefore, D. candidum compound has an obvious antihypertensive effect on hypertensive rats, which may be related to the increase in PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathways and NO generation, the inhibition of the secretion of ICAM-1 and ET-1, the protection of the vascular endothelium and the improvement of aortic disease.
7.Physical Fitness for Children from Special Education Schools Based on ICF
Chuan-ping HAO ; Wei ZHENG ; Zhuo-ying QIU ; An-qiao LI ; Shao-pu WANG ; Ting ZHU ; Mei WANG ; Rong-jian MAO ; Yue LI ; Xiao HAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2021;27(12):1393-1401
Objective To explore the functional status and influencing factors of physical fitness of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in special education, and to establish framework of physical fitness for analysis of physical fitness and exercise intervention using International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods Based on the ICF apporach, we analyzed the functional status and physical fitness characteristics and influencing factors of students in special education schools, and developed a function-based physical fitness intervention program for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities with reference to the requirements of WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (2020). Results A systematic analysis of the overall functional status of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on ICF, especially intellectual functions, activities and environmental factors related to intellectual disability, was conducted and discussed in the context of related motor functions and physical fitness. A physical activity program was developed based on the ICF and with reference to WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (Children and Adolescents), and related adaptive support strategies were proposed. Conclusion The overall functional status of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been analyzed in body functioning (both intellectual and motor), activity and participation, and environmental factors. Based on WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior and the ICF framework, a physical activity program for physical fitness with adaptive and supportive teaching and training methods, has been developed for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
8.Prognostic power of abnormal cytogenetics for multiple myeloma: a multicenter study in China.
Yue-Yun LAI ; Xiao-Jun HUANG ; Zhen CAI ; Xiang-Shan CAO ; Fang-Ping CHEN ; Xie-Qun CHEN ; Bao-An CHEN ; Mei-Yun FANG ; Jia-Fu FENG ; Wei-Ling FU ; Hai-Ying GUO ; Ming HOU ; Jian HOU ; Yu HU ; Xiao-Tong HU ; Xiao-Mei HU ; Li-Qiang HUANG ; Jie JIN ; Jian-Yong LI ; Juan LI ; Wei LI ; Ying-Min LIANG ; Ting LIU ; Qi-Fa LIU ; Yan-Hui LIU ; Ping MAO ; Jian OUYANG ; Lu-Gui QIU ; Lin QIU ; Chun-Kui SHAO ; Bin SHI ; Yong-Ping SONG ; Zi-Min SUN ; Qi-Shan WANG ; Chun WANG ; Jian-Ming WANG ; Yun-Shan WANG ; Zhao WANG ; Jian-Bo WU ; Yin-Xia WU ; Rui-Xiang XIA ; Yong-Quan XUE ; Bao-Zhen YANG ; Guang YANG ; Zheng-Lin YANG ; Li YU ; Zhong YUAN ; Sheng ZHANG ; Yin ZHANG ; Hong-Guo ZHAO ; Li ZHAO ; Dao-Bin ZHOU ; Shan-Hua ZOU ; Yun-Feng ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2012;125(15):2663-2670
BACKGROUNDChromosomal abnormalities have been shown to play an important prognostic role in multiple myeloma (MM). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) has been much more effective to identify cytogenetic aberrations in MM than conventional cytogenetic technique (CC). To clearly determine the cytogenetic features of Chinese MM patients and identify their prognostic implications, we designed a multicenter study based on i-FISH including 672 patients from 52 hospitals in China.
METHODSAll 672 patients were systematically screened for the following genomic aberrations: del(13q), IgH rearrangement, del(p53) and 1q21 amplifications.
RESULTSThe analysis showed that the chromosomal changes were detected in 22.1% patients by CC and in 82.3% patients by i-FISH. The most common abnormalities by CC were chromosome 1 aberrations (48.4%), -13/13q- (37.6%), hyperdiploidy (36.6%), hypodiploidy (30.1%) and IgH rearrangements (23.7%). The most frequent abnormalities by FISH was del(13q), which was found in 60.4% patients, whereas IgH rearrangement, 1q21 amplification and p53 deletions were detected in 57.6%, 49.0% and 34.7% cases, respectively. By statistical analysis, -13/13q- by CC was associated with low level of platelet (P = 0.015), hyperdiploidy was associated with low level of serum albumin (P = 0.028), and IgH rearrangement by FISH was associated with high level of β2 microglobulin (P = 0.019). Moreover, 1q21 amplification and del(p53) by FISH conferred a high incidence of progressive disease (PD) after initial therapy. Metaphase detection of IgH rearrangements and chromosome 1 aberrations concurrently was associated with a short progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.036). No significant prognostic implications of other cytogenetic abnormalities were found associated with overall survival and PFS.
CONCLUSIONSChinese MM patients had similar cytogenetic abnormalities compared with the previous reported studies. However, the prognostic significance of FISH aberrations were not clearly determined and further study is required.
Adult ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology
9.Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for COVID-19: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Han-Ting WU ; Cong-Hua JI ; Rong-Chen DAI ; Pei-Jie HEI ; Juan LIANG ; Xia-Qiu WU ; Qiu-Shuang LI ; Jun-Chao YANG ; Wei MAO ; Qing GUO
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2022;20(5):416-426
BACKGROUND:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading disease that has caused an extensive burden to the world. Consequently, a large number of clinical trials have examined the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating and preventing COVID-19, with coinciding proliferation of reviews summarizing these studies.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to evaluate the methodological quality and evidence quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy of TCM.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
Seven electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP, Wanfang Data and SinoMed, were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses in October 2021. Search terms such as "Chinese medicine," "Lianhua Qingwen" and "COVID-19" were used.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of TCM treatment of COVID-19 were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS:
A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews Version 2.0 (AMSTAR 2) was used to evaluate the methodological quality. The quality of evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Data extraction and analysis were performed by two reviewers independently.
RESULTS:
There were 17 meta-analyses included in our overview. The intervention group was defined as TCM combined with Western medicine, while the control group was Western medicine alone. The methodological quality of all the included studies was moderate to poor. A total of 89 outcome indicators were evaluated, of which, 8 were rated as moderate quality, 39 as low quality, and 41 as very low quality. Only one outcome measure was graded as being of high quality. The moderate quality of evidence indicated that, for the treatment of COVID-19, the clinical efficacy of TCM in combination with Western medicine was better, in terms of lung recovery, rate of conversion to severe/critical cases, symptom scores, duration of symptoms, mortality, and length of hospital stay.
CONCLUSION
Evidence from the included studies shows that, compared with conventional Western medical therapy alone, the addition of TCM to COVID-19 treatment may improve clinical outcomes. Overall, the quality of evidence of TCM for COVID-19 was moderate to poor. Meta-analyses of the use of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 can be used for clinical decision making by accounting for the experiences of clinical experts, medical policies, and other factors.
COVID-19/drug therapy*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Meta-Analysis as Topic
;
Systematic Reviews as Topic
;
Treatment Outcome
10.Baimai Ointment relieves chronic pain induced by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion in rats by regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and HIF-1 signaling pathway.
Fang-Ting ZHOU ; Ying ZONG ; Wu-Qiong HOU ; Sen-Sen LI ; Fei YANG ; Li-Ting XU ; Xia MAO ; Yu-Dong LIU ; Xiao-Hui SU ; Hong-Ye WAN ; Jing-Feng OUYANG ; Qiu-Yan GUO ; Wei-Jie LI ; Zhen WANG ; Chao WANG ; Na LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(23):6457-6474
The Baimai Ointment with the effect of relaxing sinew and activating collaterals demonstrates a definite effect on Baimai disease with pain, spasm, stiffness and other symptoms, while the pharmacodynamic characteristics and mechanism of this agent remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of chronic compression of L4 dorsal root ganglion(CCD) was established by lumbar disc herniation, and the efficacy and mechanism of Baimai Ointment in the treatment of CCD were preliminarily explored by behavioral tests, side effect evaluation, network analysis, antagonist and molecular biology verification. The pharmacodynamic experiment indicated that Baimai Ointment significantly improved the pain thresholds(mechanical pain, thermal pain, and cold pain) and gait behavior of CCD model rats without causing tolerance or obvious toxic and side effects. Baimai Ointment inhibited the second-phase nociceptive response of mice in the formalin test, increased the hot plate threshold of normal mice, and down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. Network analysis showed that Baimai Ointment had synergistic effect in the treatment of CCD and was related to descending inhibition/facilitation system and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, behavioral tests, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay revealed that the pain-relieving effect of Baimai Ointment on CCD may be related to the regulation of the interaction between neuroactive ligand and receptors(neuroligands) such as CHRNA7, ADRA2A, and ADRB2, and the down-regulation of the expression of NOS2/pERK/PI3K, the core regulatory element of HIF-1 signaling pathway in spinal microglia. The findings preliminarily reveal the mechanism of relaxing sinew and activating collaterals of Baimai Ointment in the treatment of Baimai disease, providing a reference for the rational drug use and further research of this agent.
Rats
;
Mice
;
Animals
;
Chronic Pain/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism*
;
Ligands
;
Signal Transduction
;
Hyperalgesia/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal