Abstract: Objective To observe the etiological distribution, basic information, clinical characteristics, imaging and pathological features, treatment regimens, and prognosis of pathologically confirmed cases of pulmonary mycosis, aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment level of pulmonary mycosis. Methods The clinical, imaging and pathological data of patients with pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathological biopsy in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 77 cases of pulmonary mycosis who were diagnosed by pathology, and of these patients, 42 cases (54.54%) suffered from pulmonary aspergillosis, 34 cases (44.16%) suffered from pulmonary cryptococcosis, and 1 case (1.30%) suffered from pulmonary mucormycosis. Among the 77 patients, there were 38 male and 39 female patients, with an age range of 25 to 68 years old (mean age 51.13±10.32 years old). The common respiratory symptoms on admission included cough (33 cases, 42.86%), hemoptysis (24 cases, 31.17%), expectoration (22 cases, 28.57%) and chest pain (13 cases, 16.88%). Chest imaging features mainly included pulmonary nodules (37 cases, 48.05%), cavity (14 cases, 18.18%) and air crescent sign (10 cases, 12.99%). In this study, the main treatment measures for pulmonary mycosis were surgical resection (47 cases, 61.04%) and antifungal therapy combined with surgical resection (19 cases, 24.68%). After active treatments, most of these patients (72/77, 93.51%) discharged with better condition. Conclusions Pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis are common pulmonary mycosis diagnosed by pathology. The main respiratory symptoms on admission are cough, expectoration and hemoptysis. Pulmonary nodules are the most common imaging features, and "air crescent sign" can be seen in some patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. Most pulmonary mycosis can have good treatment outcomes. Combining fungal histopathological characteristics and fungal special staining such as Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining can identify most pathogenic fungi into genera, which has important clinical significance for the timely diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary mycosis

OBJECTIVE: To study the postmortem stability of cTnT as well as its expression alteration, and to evaluate it in the diagnosis of early myocardial ischemia in forensic practice. METHODS: Animal model of early myocardial ischemia was established by rabbit coronary artery ligation. The expression of cTnT in myocardium at different postmortem intervals was detected using immunohistochemistry and analyzed using imaging technique and statistics. The results were then compared between the experimental and control groups. RESULTS: In ischemic myocardium, the expression of cTnT showed prominent focal or flaky depletion in myocardial cytoplasm with no expression detected in interstitium. The expression level showed a linear decrease with prolonged postmortem interval, and disappeared completely on day 14 after death while stored at 4 degrees C. However, there were significant differences in the expression levels of cTnT between experimental and control groups from day 1 to day 7 after death. CONCLUSION Immunohistochemical detection of cTnT for diagnosis of early myocardial ischemia in corpses stored at 4 degrees C must be performed within 7 days after death.
Animals ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Time Factors ; Troponin T/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate the dyssynchrony of left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain (2DS) and tissue velocity imaging (TVI).Methods Study population consisted of 37 dilated cardiomyopathy patients. High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded from the left ventricular short-axis views at the levels of mitral annulus,papillary muscles and apex, and the apical four-chamber view, two-chamber view and long-axis of the left ventricle. The time to peak myocardial longitudinal systolic velocity was measured by TVI, 2DS was acquired to measure the time to peak radial strain in the short axis and the time to peak longitudinal strain inthe long axis,left ventricular synchronization index (△T) was defined as the difference of the time to peak value between anterior septum and posterior wall. Results △T measured by 2DS on the long axis and the short axis increased significantly compared with TVI(P<0.01) in the basal segment; 2DS on the short axis had a more significantly increased △T than TVI(P<0.01) in the middle segment. △T measured by 2DS on the short axis significantly increased in the basal and middle segment compared with 2DS on the long axis(P<0.05). Dyssynchrony eases and the detection rate of dyssynchrony measured by 2DS on the long axis were significantly higher than 2DS on the short axis and TVI(P<0.01). Dyssynchrony cases and the detection rate measured by 2DS on the short axis were higher than those measured by TVI, but the difference had no statistical significance. Conclusions The dyssynchrony detection rate measured by longitudinal strain of 2DS is significantly higher than TVI and radial strain.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the antimicrobial activity of omadacycline (OMC) against clinical Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) isolates, as well as its relationship with biofilm formation, resistance genes and virulence genes. Methods　A total of 136 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital between 2015 to 2020. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OMC against Streptococcus agalactiae was determined by broth microdilution. Crystal violet staining was used to detect the biofilm formation ability of GBS. Resistance genes (tetM, tetO, tetK, ermB, OptrA) and virulence genes (cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA, scpB) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results　Among the 136 clinical isolates of GBS, 20 strains (14.7%) were resistant to OMC, 64 (47.1%) were intermediate, and 52 (38.2%) were sensitive. Fifty-seven strains (41.9%) were biofilm-positive, 20 of which (35.1%) were sensitive to OMC. Seventy-nine strains (58.1%) were biofilm-negative, 32 of which (40.5%) were susceptible to OMC. There was a statistically significant difference in the sensitivity rates between the two groups of strains (χ2=63.062, P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the sensitivity of OMC among the biofilm-positive strains (Fisher's exact test, P=0.824). The resistance rates of tetM, tetO, ermB and OptrA positive strains were higher than those of negative strains, while tetK was opposite. The presence of tetM (Z=0.815, P=0.415), tetO (Z=0.151, P=0.88), tetK (Z=0.567, P=0.571), ermB (Z=1.198, P=0.231) resistance genes in Streptococcus agalactiae had no significant impact on the sensitivity of OMC. However, the presence of the OptrA resistance gene showed a statistically significant effect on the sensitivity of OMC (Z=2.913, P=0.004). The virulence factors cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA and scpB were all detected at a rate higher than 50%. The presence of the virulence genes cpsⅢ (Z=0.222, P=0.824), bca (Z=0.141, P=0.888), fbsA (Z=0.813, P=0.416), and cpsA (Z=1.615, P=0.106) in Streptococcus agalactiae had no significant impact on the sensitivity of OMC. However, there was a significant inter-group difference in the scpB virulence gene (Z=2.844, P=0.004), but the rank mean values and resistance rates of scpB-positive strains were lower than those of the negative strains. Conclusions　The formation of biofilm in Streptococcus agalactiae reduces its sensitivity to OMC, but there was no significant difference in the sensitivity to OMC among the biofilm-positive strains. The presence of resistance genes tetM, tetO, tetK, ermB, and virulence genes cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA, scpB in Streptococcus agalactiae is not associated with OMC resistance, but the presence of the resistance gene OptrA is correlated with OMC resistance..

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of ubiquitin expression in incised wounds of the rat skin. METHODS: The testing rat groups were subjected to incised skin wounds, with normal rat skin used as control. The expression level of ubiquitin was assessed using immunohistochemistry and imaging analysis technique on skin samples taken at 1, 3, 6, 12h, and on day 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14d after injury. RESULTS: The expression level of ubiquitin was low in the skin of normal control group. Increased level of ubiquitin expression could be observed 1 h after injury. The expression level of ubiquitin reached its peak on day 6 and started to decline on day 10, and then returned to its normal level on day 14 d after injury. CONCLUSION Ubiquitin may serve as a potentially useful marker for forensic determination of the skin wound age.
Animals ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/metabolism* ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors ; Ubiquitin/metabolism* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology*

Determination of postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the most valuable subjects in forensic practice. It, however, is often very difficult to accurately determine the PMI in daily practice. Forensic DNA technology has recently been used to estimate the PMI. It has certain advantage to traditional methods. This article reviews this technology with respect to its invention, development, advantage, disadvantage, and potential future applications with emphasis on correlation of DNA degradation and PMI.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism* ; DNA/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Postmortem Changes ; Spleen/metabolism* ; Time Factors

To generate a mWAP-hLF hybrid locus that the transcription of human lactoferrin (hLF) genomic sequence is directed by the up & down stream regulatory sequence of murine whey acidic protein (mWAP) gene locus, we describe here a successive three-step 'Gap-repair' method. First, a gap-repair vector based on pBR322 vector backbone by inserting six joint homologous arms was constructed. Then using 'Gap-repair 'method mediated by Red recombination system of lambda-prophage in Escherichia coli, in the first step, the 8 kb 3' flanking region of the mWAP gene was subcloned from the Bacterial artificial chromosome which harbors the mWAP gene locus(mWAP BAC) into the gap-repair vector; in the second step, the 29 kb hLF genomic sequence from the ATG code to the TAA code was subcloned from the hLF BAC; in the third step, the 12 kb 5' flanking region of the mWAP gene was subcloned from the mWAP BAC. Finally, all these three DNA fragments were automatically combined together without any gap in the gap-repair vector, and a 49 kb mWAP-hLF hybrid locus that the hLF genomic sequence was flanked by the 5' & 3' flanking region of mWAP gene locus was constructed. The result was confirmed by PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. Our method provide a new way for the construction of large mammary-gland expression vector.
Animals ; Bioreactors ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Humans ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Lactoferrin ; genetics ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Milk Proteins ; genetics

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical efficacy of gelatin sponge packing in reducing bone cement leakage in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted in data of 171 patients (171 vertebrae) with monosegmental lumbar osteoporosis compressive fracture treated by PKP from January 2015 to December 2018 in Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital. There were 66 males and 105 females, with the age of (67.9±6.7)years (range, 60-87 years). There were 22 patients with T 10 fracture, 28 with T 11 fracture, 37 with T 12 fracture, 34 with L 1 fracture, 32 with L 2 fracture and 18 with L 3 fracture. A total of 80 patients were pre-filled with gelatin sponge before injection (Group A), and 91 patients were not filled with gelatin sponge before injection (Group B). The operation time, amount of bone cement, and rate of bone cement leakage were recorded. The change of anterior vertebral height, Cobb angle, visual simulation score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared before operation and at postoperative 1 day, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months. Results:All patients were followed up for 1-12 months [(12.8±0.6)months]. The operation time in Group A and B was (48.3±1.2)minutes and (42.3±1.3)minutes ( P<0.05). The amount of bone cement in Group A and B was (5.4±0.8)ml and (5.6±0.7)ml ( P>0.05). The incidence of bone cement leakage in Group A and B was 11% (9/80) and 26% (24/91) ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the anterior height of injured vertebrae, change of Cobb angle, VAS and ODI before and after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Gelatin sponge can reduce the rate of bone cement leakage in PKP for the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporosis compressive fracture, and has similar effect with PKP in correcting kyphosis, alleviating pain and improving life quality.

Two-dimensional polyacryiamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS), incorporated with online database searching, were performed to investigate differential proteins of breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissues. Considering that serum albumin is abundantly presented in normal control samples, 15 differential spots detected in 11 out of 12 (91.7%) breast cancer samples were identified by online SIENA-2DPAGE database searching and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS analysis. The results indicate that pathological changes of breast cancer are concerned with augmentation of substance metabolism, promotion of proteolytic activity, decline of activity of some inhibitors of enzymes, and so on. Some important proteins involved in the pathological process of breast cancer with changed expression may be useful biomarkers, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin, EF1-beta, cathepsin D, TCTP, SMT3A, RPS12, and PSMA1, among which SMT3A,RPS12, and PSMA1 were first reported for breast cancer in this study.

Objective To compare clinical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy via mammary areola approach and conventional via chest wall and breasts approach.Methods A total of 480 cases undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules between September 2002 and September 2012 were reviewed,including 280 cases via the chest wall and breasts approach between September 2002 and August 2009 and 190 cases via mammary areola approach between September 2002 and September 2012.The mean operation time,the location and diameter of the puncture pore,intraoperative bleeding volume,the mean hospital stay after surgery,postoperative pain score scaled by visual analog scores (VAS) were compared between groups.After 3-month follow-up,long term post-surgical complications,the recurrence rates of nodules and scar cosmetic satisfaction evaluation were also compared.Statistical methods including x2 test,Students' test and ANOVA analysis were applied.Results Two groups were followed for 12 months.The differences between groups were statistically obvious in variables of diameters of the puncture pore (15.5 mm ± 4.9 mm vs.20.6 mm ± 7.6 mm,t =2.42,P =0.046),intraoperative bleeding volume (16.2ml ±4.5 ml vs.30.5 ml ± 11.4 ml,t =2.53,P =0.032),pain score on the first day after operation(1.5 ±0.4) and (1.0 ± 0.2),(t =4.68,P =0.020),scar cosmetic satisfaction evaluation 3 months after operation (x2 =6.20,P ＜ 0.05),chest wall numbness (0 vs.72.4％,x2 =380,P =0.000).But there were no significant differences in the mean operation time,the mean hospital stay after surgery,and the recurrence rates of nodules between two groups.Conclusion Minimally invasive endoscopic thyroidectomy via mammary areola approach is a safe and effective method for the surgery of thyroid nodules with good aesthetic outcome.