OBJECTIVE To study the frequency of fungal infection and its drug resistance in tumor patients, and to provide the reference for clinical treatment. METHODS From Aug 2006 to Jul 2008, the drug sensitivity test and pathogen distribution of 960 patients in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS A total of 308 fungal strains were detected from 960 patients (32.1%). Candida albicans infection rate reached 73.1%, and C. krusei and C. glabrata were 13.3% and 9.1%, respectively. Drug sensitivity showed that the drug resistance of C. albicans to ECC, KET and MIC was 43.9%, 34.2 and 27.1%, respectively, and that of the C. krusei to the ECC, KET and MIC were 53.3%, 42.2% and 48.8%, respectively, while their fungal infection was depressed by AMB, NYS and 5-FC. CONCLUSIONS C. albicans is the major fungus in patients of tumor hospital, and the infection rate of C. krusei and C. glabrata is also high. Clinical doctors should control the distribution and drug resistance of fungal infection in therapeutic process for a reasonable antibiotics usage.

Objective To study the clinical features of thyroid carcinoma and to explore the approach of early diagnosis for the disease.Methods The data of patients with thyroid carcinoma confirmed by pathology during January of 1999 to January of 2005 in the First Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University were retrospectively reviewed,including clinical appearance,thyroid ultrasonography and radioisotope scanning.Results One hundred and twenty-seven consecutive patients,30 males and 97 females,mean age(48.9?13.6)years,were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma by surgery and pathology.A total of 127 cases of thyroid carcinoma were included,which were 105 papillary thyroid carcinomas,14 follicular thyroid carcinomas,2 undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas and 6 medullary thyroid carcinomas.Thyroid ultrasonography findings showed the majority(85.1%)thyroid nodules were low echo nodules and the proportions of solid and mixed nodules were 81.8%and 17.4%,respectively.The proportion of cold nodules was 88.9% by radioisotope scanning.Mean values of serum triiodothyronine,thyroxine and thyrotropin were all within the normal range.Conclusion In the present study the thyroid carcinomas are predominant in females and the incidence of papillary thyroid carcinomas is very high.The diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma can not just depend on findings of ultrasonography,radioisotope scanning and serum thyroid hormone.

A fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric method to predict and detect the antioxidant ability of phenolic compounds was developed to accelerate the pace of finding the antioxidant with higher effect and low toxicity. The effect of experimental conditions on the relative peak intensity ratio of M+· ion to [ M+H]+ion in the FAB mass spectra of the compound was investigated, including matrix, scan time and concentration. The correlation of antioxidant activity with the I ( M+· )/I ( [ M+H ]+) value of flavonoids obtained in FAB mass spectra was studied. Then the antioxidant activity of 12 phenolic compounds was predicted using the above method and the results were compared with those obtained from thiobarbituric acid ( TBA) method. The results show that the I( M+· )/I( [ M+H]+) value of the phenolic compound obtained from FAB mass spectra could reflect their antioxidant activity, which could help to accelerate the development of the antioxidant drug.

Objective To evaluate the value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in elderly type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods We performed a retrospective observational study on 228 patients undergoing coronary angiography in Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from April 2014 to July 2015.Patients were divided into three groups:the simple T2DM group (n=77),simple CHD group (n=72),and T2DM complicated with CHD group (n=79).Meanwhile,70 healthy elderly subjects served as the control group.The white blood cell count,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other clinical and laboratory parameters were collected,and NLR was calculated.Risk factors for CHD in T2DM patients were determined by logistic regression analysis.Multiple stepwise regression analysis was adopted to identify factors influencing NLR.Results The white blood cell count,neutrophil count,NLR and hs-CRP level in the simple T2DM,CHD,and T2DM+CHD groups were higher than in the control group [(7.48 1.81) 109/L,(7.72± 1.89) 109/L,(7.98±2.12) 109/L vs.(6.22± 1.61) 109/L;(4.49±1.38) 109/L,(4.88±1.56) 109/L,(5.35±1.40) 109/L vs.(3.52±0.84) 109/L;(2.84± 0.77),(3.07±0.79),(3.34±0.83) vs.(1.58±0.42);(2.92±0.65) mg/L,(3.20±0.86) mg/ L,(4.98±1.10) mg/L vs.(1.105±0.23) mg/L;respectively,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01].The lymphocyte count in the simple T2DM,CHD,and T2DM+CHD groups were lower than in the control group [(1.57±0.41) × 109/L,(1.58±0.40) × 109/L,(1.61±0.48) × 109/L vs.(2.22± 0.51) × 109/L,P＜0.05].NLR and hs-CRP levels in the T2DM+CHD group were higher than in the former two groups (all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that NLR was positively correlated with the Gensini score and hs-CRP level (r=0.7455 and 0.7792,both P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR,hs-CRP levels and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were the risk factors for CHD in T2DM patients (OR=4.331,3.997 and 2.928,all P＜0.05).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that NLR was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose,HbA1 c levels and systolic blood pressure (β' =0.3133,0.4720 and 0.3069,all P＜0.05).Conclusions NLR may be a valuable predictive factor for CHD in elderly T2DM patients.

Objective To investigate the dose-response of micronuclei (MN) frequency in the lymphocytes irradiated with or without combination of α-particles and γ-rays. Methods Human lymphoblast cells HMy2.CIR were irradiated with 0 - 1 Gy of α-particles,0 - 5 Gy of γ-rays,and 0.025 -0.5 Gy of α-particles followed by different doses of γ-rays,respectively.The micronuclei (MN) in the irradiated cells were measured with the cytokinesis block technique,and the dose-responses of MN were established under different irradiation conditions.Results For γ-ray irradiation,the dose-response of MN was well-fit by the linear-quadratic model with an equation Y =c + αD + βD2.For α-particle irradiation,the MN induction increased linearly with the dose less than 0.250 Gy. But when the dose of α-particles increased continually,the dose-response curve bended and could be well fit with the BaD model Y =c + αD + σ[ 1 - exp( - δD) ] exp( - βD) where radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) was indicated.For the combined exposure,the dose-response of MN was similar to that of γ-irradiation when the dose of α-particles was lower than 0.1 Gy,but it was similar to that of α-irradiation when the dose of α-particles was higher.When the dose of α-particles was 0.2 and 0.5 Gy,MN induced by the mixed radiation were significantly higher than the sum of corresponding irradiation alone ( t =5.22 - 11.86,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions The radiation damage of α-particles differs from that of γ-rays,where RIBE may be involved.The combination irradiation of α-particles and γ-rays has a synergistic effect on radiation damage of lymphoblast cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of interleukine-22 ( IL-22 ) on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF), and to analyze their association with IL-17+CD4+T (Th17) cells differentiation.Methods RASF were isolated from six patients with rheu-matoid arthritis ( RA) and cultured in vitro.The expression of IL-6 at mRNA and protein levels by RASF were detected by qRT-PCR analysis and ELISA after treatment with different concentrations of IL -22 for dif-ferent periods of time.Anti-IL-22R1 blocking antibody and inhibitor assay were used to analyze the specific receptor and its downstream signaling pathways associated with IL-6 production.IL-22 pre-treated RASF and CD4+T cells were co-cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of anti-IL-22R1 or anti-IL-6 to measure the percentage of Th 17 cells by flow cytometry .Results The expression of IL-6 by RASF was increased up-on IL-22 stimulation in a dose and time dependent manner (P<0.05), and that was closely related to IL-22R1 and its downstream signaling pathways of p38 and JAK2 (P<0.05).Co-culturing CD4+T cells with RASF and Transwell system indicated that the percentage of Th 17 cells was increased in IL-22 pre-treated group as compared with that in IL-22 untreated group , but it could be down-regulated by either blocking IL-22R1 or IL-6.Conclusion IL-22 promoted the expression of IL-6 by RASF and further enhanced Th 17 dif-ferentiation.Neutralizing IL-22 in synovium of patients with RA might be an effective therapeutic strategy for RA treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the differences between artificially cultivated and wild Xinjiang Artemisia rupestris,and screen the different components. METHODS:HPLC-MS was adopted to establish the fingerprints of artificially cultivated and wild Xinjiang A. rupestris from different origin and harvest time. Principal component analysis was conducted by Marker ViewTM soft-ware and SIMCA-P 11.5 software,the characteristics of principal components were analyzed,difference variable was screened, and different components of artificially cultivated and wild varieties were obtained. RESULTS:Fingerprints of 22 batches of A. rup-estris(12 batches of wild varieties,10 batches of artificially cultivated varieties)were established. According to the principal com-ponent analysis,artificially cultivated and wild varieties were well grouped,with obvious differences;the principal components of artificially cultivated varieties with different harvest time showed certain difference,mainly before and after flowering,concentrat-ing in to-be flowering and full flowering periods. Wild varieties from different origins had obvious regional difference,showing cer-tain differences in composition and content. 268 variables were found in matrix of positive ion mode and 155 in negative ion mode. 28 groups of variables were extracted by difference variable,and 19 variables were determined. CONCLUSIONS:Artificially culti-vated and wild varieties have obvious difference in principal component,mainly in flowering period and picking places. It can pro-vide theoretical basis for the standardized cultivation and origin protection of Xinjiang A. rupestris.

To screen the harmful substance 5-hydroxymethyl furfural content in commercially available traditional Chinese medicine injection which are commonly used, and to preliminarily evaluate the quality of these injections, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural was taken as an index. The contents of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural in 56 samples which consist of 23 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections and glucose injection were determined using LC-MS/MS, and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural was detected in 52 of these samples. The minimal content was 0.0038 microg x L(-1) and the maximum content was 1420 microg x mL(-1). The contents of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural were significantly different in traditional Chinese medicine injection which came from different kinds, manufacturers or batches. The results showed the quality difference of commercially available traditional Chinese medicine injection is significant taking 5-hydroxymethyl furfural content as assessment index. More attention should be paid to the safety of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural in traditional Chinese medicine injection, and unified limitation standard should be set to improve medication safety of traditional Chinese medicine injection.

Three-dimensional(3D)cell spheroid models combined with mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)enables innovative investigation of in vivo-like biological processes under different physiological and patho-logical conditions.Herein,airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization-MSI(AFADESI-MSI)was coupled with 3D HepG2 spheroids to assess the metabolism and hepatotoxicity of amiodarone(AMI).High-coverage imaging of＞1100 endogenous metabolites in hepatocyte spheroids was achieved using AFADESI-MSI.Following AMI treatment at different times,15 metabolites of AMI involved in N-desethylation,hydroxylation,deiodination,and desaturation metabolic reactions were identified,and according to their spatiotemporal dynamics features,the metabolic pathways of AMI were proposed.Subsequently,the temporal and spatial changes in metabolic disturbance within spheroids caused by drug exposure were obtained via metabolomic analysis.The main dysregulated metabolic pathways included arachidonic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism,providing considerable evidence for the mechanism of AMI hepatotoxicity.In addition,a biomarker group of eight fatty acids was selected that provided improved indication of cell viability and could characterize the hepatotoxicity of AMI.The combination of AFADESI-MSI and HepG2 spheroids can simultaneously obtain spatiotemporal infor-mation for drugs,drug metabolites,and endogenous metabolites after AMI treatment,providing an effective tool for in vitro drug hepatotoxicity evaluation.

Objective:To study the effects of modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the viability and gene expressions of synovial fibroblasts (SF) as well as SF treated by galectin-3 (Gal-3).Methods:Rabbit SF was isolated and cultured in vitro. Then SF was treated with different concentrations of MCP (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg/L). In addition, SF was further treated with the same different concentrations of MCP after treatment with 10 μg/ml Gal-3 for 24 h. The viability of SF was detected by CCK-8 on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (COL1A2), and Gal-3 in SF was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The synthesis of type I collagen in SF was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Results:MCP, especially at a concentration of 500 mg/L can inhibit the proliferation of SF significantly (all P < 0.05) on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. Compared with the control group, MCP at different concentrations induced different gene expression profiles. In particular, MCP at high concentrations can upregulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2 and Gal-3 in SF. However, MCP shows no significant effect on the synthesis of type I collagen in SF. MCP can down-regulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and significantly reduce the synthesis of type I collagen in SF after Gal-3 treatment. Particularly, the effect of MCP at a concentration of 500 mg/L on inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and Gal-3 in SF is significant. Conclusions:MCP can inhibit the excessive proliferation of SF and regulate gene expression in SF.