Air Conditioning ; Humans ; Legionella pneumophila ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Water Microbiology

To investigate the hematological abnormality and clinical characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the hematological data of 58 SLE and the curative effects of corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents on SLE were retrospectively analysed by using SPSS/PC software. The results showed that the incidence of hematological abnormalities in 58 cases was as follows: 50 cases of hemogram abnormality (86.2%), 41 of anemia (70.7%), 34 of thrombocytopenia (58.7%), 37 of leukopenia (63.8%). Peripheral cytopenia of every cell lineage was common in SLE. The cell abnormalities of two or three lineages were seen in 41 cases (70.7%). The initial symptoms with hematological abnormality were found in 12 cases (20.7%), 7 out of 12 cases were erroneously diagnosed as hematology diseases (12.1%). In 30 out of 58 patients, the results of bone marrow examination showed that 23 had hyperplasia (76.7%) and 7 were hypoplasia. In 25 out of 38 cases, splenomegaly (65.8%) was found by B ultrasonography. In 25 patients with SLE receiving Coombs test, 3 were positive (12.0%). PAIg increased in 16 out of 22 cases of thrombocytopenia (72.7%). 26 cases of SLE with two or three lineage cytopenia in peripheral blood were treated by corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agent. The hemogram improved in all patients including 6 cases of bone marrow hypoplasia. It is concluded that the hematological abnormalities are frequent in SLE patients, which are short of specialty. The cytopenia of two or more lineage in peripheral blood is most common when bone marrow shows hyperplastic. The therapy with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents is efficacious.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Child ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; etiology ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for rapidly diagnosing of Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 in pathogen detection department or small-scale laboratories.

METHODSPrimers for LAMP test were designed by targeting the antigen coding rfbE of EHEC O157:H7, the Shiga-like toxin stx2 and the fliC encoding gene of H7 flagella antigen, respectively. The reaction condition and reaction system of LAMP were optimized. 2 EHEC O157:H7 type strains, 17 local strains and 33 other enterobacteria were analyzed to evaluate the LAMP's specificity and sensitivity. The results of the LAMP reaction were also compared with routine PCR method.

RESULTSThe amplification products of O157 which had the corresponding target genes turned green by visual inspection and had ladder-like pattern on the gel, but products of other enterobacteria remained orange by visual examination and had no band on the gel. The detection results of LAMP were the same as of routine PCR method. The reaction time of the LAMP method was only 1.5 hours and the detection limit of LAMP assay was 26 CFU/reaction. In addition, the LAMP results could be determined only by visual inspection.

CONCLUSIONLAMP assay is rapid, specific, and sensitive for the detection of EHEC O157:H7. This method might not only reduce the dependence of complicated equipments but also be a potential method for wider use in pathogen detection department, small-scale laboratory, emergency motor vehicle or field survey.

Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Escherichia coli O157 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for rapid diagnosing of Legionella pneumophila in the Pathogen Detection Department(PDD) or in small-scale laboratory. Methods Five primers (2 Inner Primers, 2 Outer Primers and a Loop Primer) for the LAMP test were designed by targeting the mip gene of Lpneumophila and reaction system of LAMP reaction was optimized. 12 strains of L.pneumophila, 45 local strains, 6 non-L.pneumophila strains, 11 other strains and 59 environmental water samples were analyzed to evaluate the specificity and sensibility of the LAMP amplification. At the same time, the results of the LAMP were also compared with biochemical culture and quantitative PCR methods. Results The amplification products of L.pneumophila turned green by visual inspection and had ladder-like pattern on the gel, but non-L.pneumophila and other products from the strains remained orange by visual examination and had no band on the gel. The detection rate of LAMP was higher than the biochemical culture and the real-time PCR methods. Reaction time of the LAMP method was only 1.5 h and the detection limit of LAMP assay was 5 cfu/reaction. In addition, the LAMP results could be determined only by visual inspection. Conclusion LAMP assay targeting the mip gene of L.pneumophila appeared to be rapid, specific, and sensitive for the detection of L.pneumophila. This method not only reduced the dependence of complicated equipment but also had a potential for wider use in the PDD, small-scale laboratory, emergency motor vehicle or for field survey.

Objective To develop a rapid, sensitive and specific assay method, based on multiplex real time PCR for identifying Vibrio cholerae and distinguishing Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype from Vibrio cholerae. Methods Cholera toxin A subunit gene (ctxA) and glycosyltransferase gene (LPSgt) were chosen as targets according to Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype,and then the primers and TaqMan-MGB probe were designed. The 5'end of probes was labeled with FAM and VIC fluoresceins respectively while the 3' end of probes was labeled with MGB. The PCR reaction was optimized systematically. Then the specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of multiplex real time PCR were estimated. Finally, multiplex real time PCR was applied to detect the clinical specimens. Results Vibrio cholerae was identified by multiplex real time PCR accurately and quickly,which could distinguish Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype from Vibrio cholerae. Vibrio cholerae was identified positive for primer pairs and probes from ctxA gene, and Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype tested was positive for LPSgt gene. Meanwhile, none of other bacteria was identified. Sensitivity of the test was 2 × 102 cfu/ml. When this assay was applied directly to identify 45 clinical specimens, results showed that 10 were positive to Vibrio cholerae, in which 4 clinical specimens were positive to Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype. All the results were the same to the one that had been obtained from the conventional assays. Conclusion Our rsults showed that the multiplex real time PCR was a reliable,accurate and feasible method for identifying Vibrio cholerae that carrying toxin gene and distinguishing Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype from Vibrio cholerae. This method could be applied to the cholera surveillance, prevention and control system for identifying and distinguishing Vibrio cholerae in the labs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of indicators of oxidative stress in serum and NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with silicosis, and explore the mechanism of the development of silicosis.

METHODSThe subjects were divided into (1) 200 workers exposed to SiO2 for at least 1 years in a foundry served as the dust-exposure group; (2) 130 cases with silicosis (I phase silicosis 64 cases, II phase 46 cases III phase 20 cases) served as the silicosis group; (3) 32 cases with 0+ phase silicosis in the foundry served as the observed group,(4)100 subjects from a hotel served as the control group. The serum including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), lipid malondialdehyde (MDA) and NF-kappaB protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, NO levels in dust-exposed group and silicosis group significantly increased, and SOD decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group and dust-exposed group, T-AOC, NOS, MDA levels in silicosis group significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). GSH-Px in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were (231.164 +/- 36.484) and (270.469 +/- 39.228)U/ml, respectively which were significantly than that [(223.360 +/- 46.838) U/ml] in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of GSHPx between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group significantly (P < 0.01) . GSH-Px level [(290.750 +/- 39.129) U/ml] in III phase silicosis group were significantly higher than those [(256.906 +/- 21.41) and (259.594 +/- 34.79) U/ml] in observation group and I phase silicosis group (P < 0.05). NF-kappaB levels [(72.06 +/- 9.12) and (85.25 +/- 11.64) ng/L] in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were significantly higher than that [(59.71 +/- 9.27) ng/L] in control group (P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between serum GSH-Px level and the silicosis stages (r = 0.507, P < 0.01). Also there was a positive correlation between NF-kappaB level and silicosis stages, age, GSH-Px or NO levels (r = 0.376, 0.243, 0.233, 0.221, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe imbalance of oxidative and anti-oxidation system and the activation of NF-kappaB are related with the occurrence and development of silicosis. The monitoring of oxidative stress indicators and NF-kappaB is beneficial to the prediction and prognosis assessment of silicosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Silicosis ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDCarotid artery stenting (CAS) as a competing treatment modality has had to adhere to limits to gain widespread acceptance in some studies. This study analyzed the clinical data of 1700 consecutive patients after CAS to retrospectively evaluate the 30-day outcome of CAS for internal carotid artery stenosis in a Chinese population.

METHODSMedical records of 1700 patients who underwent CAS at Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2001 and August 2012 were reviewed. Postoperative 30-day complication rates were analyzed and compared with those of other studies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perioperation myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death.

RESULTSThe overall 30-day rate of MI, stroke, and death after CAS was 2.53%. In univariate analysis, patients who were symptomatic, had a neurological deficit (modified Rankin score (mRS) ≥3; P = 0.001), and who were not taking statins experienced a significantly increased rate of MI, stroke, and death (P = 0.017). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the presence of symptoms (odds ratio (OR) = 2.485; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.267-4.876; P = 0.008) and a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) (OR = 3.025; 95% CI = 1.353-6.763; P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to this single-center experience, CAS may effectively prevent and treat carotid artery stenosis that would otherwise lead to stroke. Being symptomatic and having a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) increased the risk of perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stents ; Stroke ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the display of different types injuries of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in laryngeal electromyography (LEMG).

METHODSLEMGs of one hundred and forty-seven patients (147 sides) with traumatic unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) were studied. After LEMGs, the RLNs exploration operations were performed. The condition of RLNs injury and laryngeal muscles was observed and recorded during the operation.

RESULTSThe severe injuries of RLNs were found during operation. The types of injuries were listed as ligation (58 cases), adhesion (28 cases) and cut (61 cases). The waveform morphology of LEMG was recorded less in the patients with the RLNs cut than that in the patients with the RLN ligation or adhesion, respectively. 75.4% RLNs cut showed spontaneous waveform while 96.4% RLNs adhesion and 94.8% RLNs ligation. When the RLN was cut off, single pattern was showed oftener. When the RLN was adhered or ligated, mixed pattern was showed oftener. 92.9% RLN adhesion showed misdirect-regeneration-potentials while 70.7% RLN ligation and 24.6% RLN cut. There were significant difference between two types, but the compound muscular active potential (CMAP) amplitude wasn't significantly different. Evoked amplitude could be recorded in 91.4% patients with ligation and its amplitude was (23.6 +/- 8.1)%, in 85.7% patients with adhesion and its amplitude (16.3 +/- 5.2)%, in 29.5% patients with cut and its amplitude (2.6 +/- 4.2)%.

CONCLUSIONSThe display of different injuries of RLN in LEMG presents significant difference. If RLN was cut off, the CMAP might be recorded in most cases. The clinical injury of RLN often is followed by sub-clinic reinnervation.

Adult ; Aged ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Muscles ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; physiopathology ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

The complete genomic sequence of a watermelon isolate of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV-LN) in Liaoning province was determined and compared with other cucurbit-infecting tobamoviruses. The genomic RNA of CGMMV-LN comprised 6422 nt, and 5'- and 3'- noncoding regions consisted of 59 nt and 175 nt, respectively. The encoded four proteins were two replicase proteins of 186 kD and 129 kD, move protein of 29 kD and coat protein of 17.4 kD. The alignment results of complete nucleotide sequence showed that CGMMV-LN shared identities of 97.6%-99.3% with four other CGMMV isolates, but only shared identities of 61.7%-62.8% with three other tobamoviruses. Homology trees generated from replicase proteins of 186 kD and coat proteins suggested that cucurbit-infecting tobamoviruses could be separated into two subgroups: subgroup I comprising all the isolates of CGMMV and subgroup II comprising Cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus, Kyuri green mottle mosaic virus and Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus.
Base Sequence ; China ; Citrullus ; virology ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Tobamovirus ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate hemodynamic character and surgical effect of stenoses or occlusion of carotid artery system by perfusion-weighted MRI.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with stenoses or occlusion of carotid artery system underwent surgical treatment. Two patients underwent endarterectomy, extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass to 10 patients, and percutaneous stent angioplasty to 9 patients.

RESULTSPreoperative perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) revealed normal regional cerebral blood flow in all patients, with delayed time to peak in both middle cerebral artery distribution and border zone. Postoperative perfusion-weighted MR revealed normal time to peak in border zone, but abnormal in middle cerebral artery distribution. Evaluated by perfusion-weighted MR, it showed that surgical method can improve the hemodynamic disorder of this kind of disease. The early curative effect of endarterectomy and percutaneous stent angioplasty is better than extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass.

CONCLUSIONSPerfusion-weighted MR is a good method to evaluate hemodynamic character of stenoses or occlusion of carotid artery system. Surgical method is helpful to this kind of disease, and its curative effect can be evaluated impersonally and accurately by this new technique.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty ; Carotid Stenosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome