Objective To report a case of black-dot ringworm caused by Trichophyton tonsurans in a 3-year-old girl. Methods Lesional hair was obtained from the patient and subjected to direct microscopic examination as well as culture. Subsequently, the isolate underwent morphological, biochemical and molecular biology identification. The extracellular enzymatic activity of the isolate was analyzed. Results Microscopy revealed that the hair shaft was filled with fungal spores. Typical colony of the isolate was grayish-white with downy appearance. Slide culture showed centipede-like, lateral, rod-shaped microconidia. Urease test was positive. The amplification of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) ITS domains by PCR produced a 687 bp-sized fragment which had a 100% homology with the sequences of several Trichophyton tonsurans strains in the GenBank database. The extracellular enzymatic activity analysis showed an increase in the activity of alkaline phos-phatase, acid phosphatase, esterase (C4), β-glucosidase, leucine arylamidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and a-mannosidase. Conclusions The pathogenic fungus is identified as Trichophyton tonsurans based on morphological and biochemical features as well as sequence of the ITS region of rDNA, and the child was diagnosed with black-dot ringworm.

Objective To observe the effect of conventional therapy plus trimetazidine on alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).Methods Eighty-six cases of ACM patients were divided into control group and observation group by random digits table method with 43 cases each.Control group was treated with conventional therapy,while observation group was added trimetazidine.Course of treatment was 3 months.The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD),6 min walk distance,plasma BNP before and after treatment and the efficiency in two groups was observed and compared.Results LVEF,LVEDD,6 min walk distance,BNP before treatment in control group were respectively (37.2 ±7.4)％,(57.6 ±7.4) mm,(312.8 ±21.6) m,(846.2 ±63.7)μg/L,and the indicators in observation group were respectively (38.5 ±8.1)％,(57.1 ±6.8) mm,(316.5 ± 23.9) m,(857.6 ± 61.4) μ g/L.All indicators between two groups was no statistically different (P＞0.05).LVEF,LVEDD,6 min walk distance,BNP after treatment in control group were respectively (43.5 ±8.6)％,(54.3 ± 6.4) mm,(511.6 ± 26.7) m,(679.4 ± 51.3) μg/L,and there were significant difference compared with those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).LVEF,LVEDD,6 min walk distance,BNP after treatment in observation group were respectively (51.6 ± 9.2)％,(51.2 ± 6.3) mm,(579.3 ± 25.1) m,(536.5 ± 50.6)μ g/L,and there were significant difference compared with those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).There were significant difference in LVEF,LVEDD,6 min walk distance and BNP after treatment between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).The total effective rate in observation group was 90.7％ (39/43),which was significantly higher than that in control group [72.1％ (31/43)] (x2 =4.914,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Adding trimetazidine on the basis of conventional therapy can improve the cardiac function and myocardial remodeling of ACM patients and improve clinical efficacy.

A strain of Prototheca species isolated from a case of meningitis was identified by routine morphologic and biochemical methods as well as amplification of the related genes, in which the 28S large-subunit (LSU) region of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and intergenic space (ITS) were amplified with universal fungal primers. The small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was amplified with eukaryote-specific primers and Prototheca genus-specific primers. Then, compared the sequences with the ones posted on BLAST (www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/BLAST). The organism choice giving the closest match, up to 99%, was considered the most likely correct identification. It was found that this strain of fungus grew well at 25 ℃ or 37 ℃. Smooth,moist colonies with white color were observed on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Microscopically, globular or ovoid cells, a number of round, ovoid shaped endospores could be observed. No hypha, ascus or blastic conidia was found upon cultivation on SDA. Based on the morphological characteristics, this isolate could be identified as Prototheca species. The identity with Prototheca wickerhamii was 2.9 % as demonstrated by the API 20C AUX system. Sequence analysis showed that the ITS gene was proved to be a complex structural region which was not suitable for the identification of Prototheca species, but the LSU and SSU rDNA regions showed 94% and 99.9% sequence identities with Prototheca zopfii var. hydrocarbonea (P. zopfii var. hydrocarbonea) respectively, indicating that the SSU rRNA gene sequence might be more reliable on than the LSU rRNA gene sequence for identification of Prototheca species.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a HPLC method for simultaneous determination of metronidazole and chloram. phcnicol in comedo cream. METHODS: The method included a Diamonsil C18 column (250mm ? 4.6mm, 5?m) and methanol water(50 : 50,v/v)as the mobile phase and an ultraviolet detecting wavelength of 280nm .RESULTS:The calibralion curve was linear in a concentration range of ( 10 - 250)?g/ml of both metronidazole and chloramphenicol (r = 0.9 998) .The average recoveries of metronidazole and chloramphenicol were 100.53% , 100.53% and RSD were 0.79% , 0.56% respectively .CONCLUSION:The method for the determination of metronidazole and chloramphenicol was rapid and convenient. It can be used for the quality control of metronidazole and chloramphenicol in cream.

Objective To examine the distribution of Malassezia species in follicular contents and perifollicular superficial skin in patients with Malassezia folliculitis and search for its causative agent. Methods A total of 120 patients with Malassezia folliculitis were investigated. Follicular lesions at three different anatomic sites were selected in each patient. Perifolliclar superficial skin specimens were taken by sterile adhesive tape, and the follicular contents of the same follicle were taken by sterile haemostatic forceps. The above specimens were cultured respectively on media containing rapeseed oil. The isolated colonies were identified by their physiological and morphological characteristics. Results Out of 319 isolates obtained from the perifollicular superficial skin, 247 isolates (77.43%) were identified as M. sympodialis, 40 isolates (12.54%) as M. furfur, 27 isolates(8.46%) as M. globosa and 5 isolates(1.57%) as M. obtusa. Out of 314 isolates obtained from follicular contents, 252 isdates(80.25%) were identified as M. globosa, 57 isolates(18.15%) as M. sympodialis, 4 isolates(1.27%) as M. furfur, and 1 isolate(0.32%) as M. obtusa. There was statistical difference in species distribution between the follicular contents and the perifolliclar superficial skin (P

Objectives To compare the difference between multipoint inoculation and routine method for isolation of pathogenic fungi from nail samples of onychomycosis,and to analyze the epidemiology of pathogenic fungi in those patients.Methods The nail clipping samples from each patient were inoculated onto the plates with Sabouraud's agar,Sabouraud's agar without cycloheximide and medium containing rapeseed oil,respectively,by an approach of at least seven inoculating points in each plate (multipoint inoculation),and onto medium slope in tubes with the same media as above mentioned (routine method).In the multipoint inoculation method,plates with more than 3 colonies were taken for further identification of pathogenic fungi based on morphological and biochemical properties.Results Based on the data from 150 samples of onychomycosis,significant differences were found between multipoint inoculation method and routine method (P

Objective To investigate the distribution of Malassezia species in lesional and non-lesion-al sites of patients with pityriasis versicolor(PV),species-variation in different anatomic sites and in lesions with different pigmentation,and the relationship between various Malassezia species and severity and age of PV patients.Methods A total of629skin specimens taken by sterile adhesive tape from the lesions and non-lesional skin were inoculated on media containing rapeseed oil in113patients with PV.Isolated colonies were identified to species based on physiological and morphological characteristics.Results The isolation rates of Malassezia spp.were not significantly different from both lesions and corresponding non-lesional skin.Among non-lesional sites,the isolation rate was significantly higher in forehead and trunk than that in upper and lower extremities.Five species were identified out of565strains obtained from the patients,including M.sympodialis(44.78%),M.furfur(32.94%),M.globosa(11.68%),M.obtusa(5.84%)and M.restricta(4.76%).Two dif-ferent species were isolated simultaneously from27sites.There was no obvious difference in species distribu-tion patterns between lesions and non-lesional sites.M.restricta was isolated from forehead exclusively.Species-variation was closely linked to lesions with different pigmentation and the age of patients,not to the severity of disease.Conclusion There is neither statistical difference of Malassezia isolation rate and species distribution between lesions and non-lesional skin,nor correlation between disease severity and species-varia-tion.The anatomic sites,the diversity of pigmentation pattern and the age of patients seem to be associated with different Malassezia species.

Objective: To observe the impact of high thoracic epidural blockade (HTEB) on atrial autonomic nerve remodeling in dogs with atrial ifbrillation (AF) induced by long-term rapid right atrial appendage pacing and to explore the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on atrial autonomic nerve remodeling.
Methods: AF model was established by consistent rapid atrial pacing for 6 weeks. 18 experimental dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: Sham group, the dogs had no pacing while received normal saline injection; Control group, the dogs had pacing and normal saline injection; HTEB group, the dogs had pacing and 0.5% lidocaine injection for HTEB.n=6 in each group. Atrial myocardium collagen volume fraction (CVF) was examined by Masson staining; sprouting of NGF related protein 43 (GAP43) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were assessed by immunohistochemistry; protein expressions of NGF, GAP43 and TH were measured by Western blot analysis.
Results: Compared with Sham group, HTEB group showed decreased CVF and sprouting of GAP43, TH,P<0.05;reduced protein expressions of NGF, GAP43 and TH,P<0.05-0.01. Compared with Sham group, HTEB group presented increased CVF and sprouting of GAP43, TH,P<0.05-0.01; elevated protein expressions of NGF, GAP43 and TH,P<0.05.
Conclusion: Long-term rapid atrial pacing induced AF dog had inhomogeneous sprouting of atrial myocardial nerve which may cause autonomic nerve remodeling; NGF played the important role in such process. HTEB could effectively inhibit NGF up-regulation and suppress the autonomic nerve remodeling in experimental dogs.

Objective To investigate diagnostic value of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) for mucosal lesions of patients with active ulcerative colitis. Methods A total of 19 consecutive patients, including 12 males and 7 females, were enrolled from July 2009 to June 2010, with a mean age at 44. 16 + 14.64.Dominant symptoms were hematochezia, diarrhea and abdominal pain, consistent with the criteria of ulcerative colitis. All cases were scored into 3 grades according to severity of mucosal lesions. Using conventionalcolonoscopic findings as golden standard, the consistence of mucosal classification of CCE was calculated with kappa- and P-value. Meanwhile, related data such as the rate of completion, colonic cleanliness and adverse reactions were also collected and analyzed. Results CCE revealed that mild, moderate and severe cases were 2, 8 and 9, respectively, while the 3 types shown by conventional colonoscopy were 3, 8 and 8,respectively. Kappa-value was 0. 826 and P-value was less than 0. 001, which indicated good consistence. In addition, the completion rate of CCE and excellent/fine rate of the colonic cleanliness were 100% (19/19)and 79% ( 15/19), respectively. There were no adverse reactions recorded. Conclusion With high diag-nostic consistency to conventional colonoscopy in classification of mucosa severity, CCE precisely reveals the mucosal lesions of ulcerative colitis and becomes a potential alternative to partially replace conventional colonoscopy, especially in surveillance.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE).Methods The clinical data of 109 patients with HCE who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 1994 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnosis was based on the results of serological examination,epidemiological history,clinical manifestation and imaging findings.Of the 108 patients who received surgical treatment,67 received classic endocystectomy(classic group)and 41 received improved endocystectomy(improved group).The operation time,operative blood loss,length of postoperative hospital stay,time of drainage,effusion and infection of residual cavity,biliary fistula,pleura]effusion,local recurrence,dissemination and implantation of HCE,and death of the 2 groups were compared.All data were analyzed using the t test and chi-square test.Results The diagnostic rates of ultrasound,computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were 93%(101/109),99%(70/71)and 7/7,respectively.The positive rate of serological examination was 100%(61/61).Of the 109 patients,1 died of anaphylactic shock.The operation time and operative blood loss were(3.2 ± 0.3)hours and(104.0 ± 11.5)ml in the classic group and(3.3 ±0.4)hours and(110.0 ±23.8)ml in the improved group,respectively.There were no significant differences in the operation time and operative blood loss between the 2 groups(t =-1.474,-1.758,P ＞0.05).The length of hospital stay and time of drainage were(15.3 ± 4.3)days and(28.0 ± 4.6)days in the classic group and(9.3 ± 1.2)days and(7.6 ± 0.8)days in the improved group,respectively.There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the length of hospital stay and time of drainage(t = 8.628,28.088,P ＜0.05).The incidence rates of effusion and infection of residual cavity,biliary leakage,local recurrence,dissemination and implantation of HCE of the classic group were significantly higher than those in the improved group(x2 =4.335,3.888,5.691,4.581,10.153,P ＜0.05).Twenty-one patients received reoperation because of HCE recurrence or severe complications.Conclusions Epidemiological history,clinical manifestation,imaging findings and serological examination are important for the diagnosis of ruptured HCE.Improved endocystectomy + peritoneal lavage with hypertonic saline + administration of anti-HCE drugs is the optimal treatment for ruptured HCE.