OBJECTIVEThis study compared two newborn Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibody screening ELISA kits and evaluated the detection effectiveness of Abnova kit.

METHODSCMV IgG antibodies were detected by both SeraQuest and Abnova kits from dried blood spot (DBS) samples of 488 newborn heel sticks. The detection abilities of these two kits were compared in different sample dilution concentrations. Relative detection effectiveness of the Abnova kit was defined by statistical method using the SeraQuest kit as a point of comparison.

RESULTCompared to the SeraQuest screening test kit, the Abnova kit revealed a sensitivity of 98.9%, specificity of 78.6%, positive predictive value of 99.3%, negative predictive value of 68.8%, and the coincidence rate for these two screening test kits at 98.3%. The consistency check of both kits based on interpretation of the kappa statistic was relatively good. For the Abnova kit, the "area under the ROC curve" was 0.887, which indicates moderate accuracy.

CONCLUSIONAbnova kit can be applied to newborn screening for congenital CMV infections. However, repeating the test for ambiguous results is suggested to increase the specificity and negative predictive value.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; virology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Objective To observe the in vitro damage to hairs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), and to compare the differences in the duration needed for the two fungi to damage hairs in different age groups. Methods We collected healthy hairs from different age groups, and performed hair perforation test in vitro. The damage to the hairs was observed by SEM and light microscopy. Results Both T. mentagrophytes and M. canis could damage the hairs. The duration needed for T. mentagrophytes to damage the hairs was significantly shorter than that for M. canis in all age groups ( P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnoses and treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 16 IC patients were analyzed respectively. The patients with urinary frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain and chronic pelvic pain. They were misdiagnosed as chronic cystitis, pelvic inflammation, endometriosis, cystophthisis and urethral syndrome, and were diagnosed finally by the means of pathology or cystoscopy. Among the 16 patients, 4 cases had the operation of ileal reservoir, Two cases had sigmoid-cysto-plasty, and 10 cases had drug treatment. The methods of IC diagnosis and treatment were discussed with the review of literature.

RESULTSThe pelvic ache disappeared completely in 4 cases after the operation of ileal reservoir; Two cases after cystoplasty felt lightly discomfortable in perineum occasionally, and their bladder capacity was above 350 ml, no recurrence after operation having been found after follow-up for 24 months and 33 months; Ten cases treated with non-operative treatment improved obviously, with the O'Leary-Sant IC symptom index and IC problem index decreased from 15.4 +/- 4.1, 9.4 +/- 2.7 to 4.1 +/- 2.1 and 5.1 +/- 3.9, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSufficient attention should be paid to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IC; Early diagnosis and therapeutic alliance with manifold measures can relieve the patients' symptom and improve the quality of life.

Adult ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Cystoscopy ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Diversion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of intravesical Pirarubicin (THP) instillation on the prediction results of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables and to discuss the efficacy of EORTC risk tables in clinical application.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 389 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer after TURBT treated with intravesical pirarubicin instillation. According to the EORTC Scoring System, all the cases were divided into low risk group, intermediate risk group and high risk group. The 1-year and 5-year recurrence and progression rates of each group were calculated and compared with the prediction results of the EORTC risk tables.

RESULTSThe 1-year recurrence and progression rates of the low risk group were 8.0% and 0, those of the intermediate risk group were 31.0% and 2.8%, and those of the high risk group were 52.5% and 18.6%, respectively. The 5-year recurrence and progression rates of low risk group were 16.0% and 5.3%, those of the intermediate risk group were 42.6% and 10.7%, and those of the high risk group were 63.9% and 41.9%, respectively. The prediction results of progression rate were similar to that of the EORTC risk tables while the overall recurrence rate was lower.

CONCLUSIONSThe EORTC risk tables can be effectively used to predict the recurrence rate and progression rate of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, the EORTC risk tables have a tendency to overestimate the recurrence rate. Intravesical pirarubicin instillation is helpful to reduce the recurrence rate, yet has no obvious influence on the tumor progression.

Administration, Intravesical ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Disease Progression ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

Pseudomonas sp. M18 is one of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria capable of producing two kinds of anti-fungal agents: phenazine-1-carboxilic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). The pqsR gene, which encodes a LysR family member PqsR, was amplified from chromosomal genome of strain M18. Using the homologous recombination technique, a chromosomal pqsR inactivated mutant strain M18PRG was constructed in Pseudomonas sp. M18. To study the effect of pqsR gene on Plt biosynthesis, the dynamic curves of Plt production by strains M18 and M18PRG was measured in KMB media. As a result, Plt production of the pqsR mutant was three to four folds higher than that of its parent strain M18. The Plt production was restored to the wild-type level when strain M18PRG was complemented with pqsR gene in trans. The regulation of pqsR gene on Plt production was further confirmed by the pltA′-′lacZ translational fusion analysis. These results indicate that pqsR gene negatively controls the Plt biosynthesis. Additionally, by analyzing the growth curves of wild type strain M18 and pqsR mutant, wecan readily find that PqsR has a negative influence on cell growth. It was also shown that the production of red pigments in strain M18 required the expression of pqsR gene. In conclusion, the data presented in this study clearly demonstrate that PqsR acts as a global regulator involved in many physiological activities in Pseudomonas sp. M18.

AIMTo prepare heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets and investigate the drug release in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSThe pH-dependent gradient-release pellet system was prepared by using HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 and Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations as coater. The release of borneol and total ginsenoside from pH-dependent gradient-release pellets were determined according to the method of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2000) in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gastrointestinal transit and disintegration of pellets was investigated by using gamma-scintigraphic trace in volunteers. The pharmacokinetics of borneol of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was studied in 6 healthy volunteers by GC methods.

RESULTSThe f2 value of release data of borneol and total ginsenoside of the heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was 79.6 in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gamma-scintigraphic trace evaluation demonstrated that the pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations can disintegrate in stomach, duodenum and jejunum or ileum. The gastrointestinal transit time of pellets was about 5 hours in fasted state and about 6 hours in fed state. The concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills fit in two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics data showed that borneol had a short time of absorption and elimination. The mean residence time (MRT) of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills was 2.61 hours. The plasma concentration of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule which consisted of three kinds of pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations was steadier than those of heart-protecting musk pills, its Cmax was lower than and Tmax was near to those of heart-protecting musk pills, its MRT was 4.0 hours, and its relative bioavailability was 96%.

CONCLUSIONThe lipidsoluble borneol and watersoluble total ginsenoside of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets can release simultaneously while sustained-releasing in vitro. The heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets had the characteristics of pH-dependent gradient-releasing and disintegration while transiting in gastrointestinal tract. A characteristic of gradient sustained-release was shown in the concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule in volunteers.

Adult ; Bornanes ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; administration & dosage ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactose ; analogs & derivatives ; Male ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Methylcellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; Oxazines ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUNDLaminectomy is a major method to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), but it has lots of flaws such as scar tissue can form around the dura again or spinal instability. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of transverse rotation laminoplasty (TRL) in the treatment of LSS.

METHODSThe mimic operations of TRL were performed both in the computerized image processing and on the lumbar specimen. Computed tomography (CT) images were either collected from 80 clinical patients with complaints of lumbago or obtained from 40 sets of lumbar specimens after rebuild of spinal canals. In the CT image processing the heights of the spinous process and laminae at L3-L5 were measured. The total length of the spinous process plus one side laminae after the operation was evaluated and compared with the length of inner margin of pedical before the operation. The areas of the vertebral canal were examined before and after the operation.

RESULTSIn the CT images, the height of spinous process of L3, L4 and L5 was 24.74 ± 3.45, 22.68 ± 5.96 and 21.54 ± 4.12 mm respectively, and that of laminae was 23.66 ± 2.32, 22.68 ± 5.36 and 20.99 ± 3.67 mm respectively (P > 0.05). Distance of inner border of pedical of L3, L4 and L5 was 23.01 ± 6.59, 24.65 ± 5.54 and 26.03 ± 7.34 mm respectively, and length of spinous process with laminae of those was 29.76 ± 4.91, 29.31 ± 6.43 and 32.53 ± 5.76 mm respectively (P < 0.05). Preoperative area of spinal canals of L3, L4 and L5 was 299.81 ± 10.09, 297.66 ± 9.54 and 308.22 ± 10.04 mm2 respectively, and postoperative area was 480.01 ± 9.33, 487.32 ± 8.65 and 501.03 ± 9.12 mm2 respectively (P < 0.05). In the human lumbar vertebrae specimen, the data similar to the former.

CONCLUSIONSThe excised canal posterior was covered, and the lumbar canals enlarged by TRL. The TRL provided a new alternative in the treatment of LSS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Stenosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

By setting up the organic additive model of chemical fingerprints of TCM-compound, the quantified fingerprint method had been established to solve the qualitative and quantitative analyses problems for both the fingerprint attribution ratio and process recovery of medicinal effective components in TCM-compound prescription. The method firstly performs the qualitative analyses of the attribution ratios, and then the quantitative analyses, which can successfully disclose the results of attribution ratio and determine the process recovery of the medicinal effective components for TCM-compound prescription. Three optional methods were represented to assess the amount and distribution proportion of chemical compositions for single crude drug to compound prescription. In terms of components absorbed ultraviolet light, S5 (Radix Scutellariae) was assessed to be the most important crude drug containing much more effective components, and S7 (Radix Gentianae), S4 (Flos Lonicerae Japonica), S8 (Rhizome Anemarrhena) and S9 (Fructus Gardeniae) were second important crude drugs. The results showed lower process recovery of the medicinal effective components for eight batches of marketed preparations. Above all, the quantified fingerprint method can objectively and accurately reflect how high is the contribution of a single crude drug to the compound prescription, and quantitatively evaluate the process recovery of medicinal effectiveness components.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDBladder leiomyoma is an uncommon type of bladder neoplasms. Most publications are reports of isolated cases. The influence of tumor size on patients' early symptoms was seldom analyzed. We aim to investigate the clinical characteristics of bladder leiomyoma and the influence of tumor size on patients'symptoms in Chinese population.

METHODSWe reviewed the medical records of eight patients diagnosed with bladder leiomyoma at our department, collected 53 cases from Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wangfang data base, and Chinese Biological Medicine Disk, and performed a pooled analysis. The clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed and then classified into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. The association between tumor size and the occurrence of symptoms was evaluated. Furthermore, Logistic regression model was constructed to discriminate variables.

RESULTSWomen comprised the majority of the patients (49/61, 80.3%). The mean age and tumor size were (42.3 ± 14.0) years and (45.0 ± 25.7) mm, respectively. Among all the symptoms, irritative symptoms occurred most frequently (37.7%, 23/61), followed by obstructive urinary symptoms (31.1%, 19/61), hematuria (24.6%, 15/61), and abdominal bulge or pain (14.8%, 9/61). In our study, patients who were 45 years old or younger tended to be asymptomatic compared with elder ones (14/36 vs. 3/25, P = 0.021). The histological, as well as anatomical, location of tumor, did not show significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (P = 0.306 and 0.700). Tumors larger than 30 mm in the greatest diameter would cause clinical symptoms such as obstructive urinary symptoms (P = 0.048) and irritative symptoms (P = 0.037). Logistic regression confirmed the association between tumor size and the occurrence of symptoms, which was related with age.

CONCLUSIONSBladder leiomyoma occurs mainly in women and most frequently with irritative symptoms. The occurrence of symptoms is related to tumor size rather than the location. In this setting, patients with endovesical tumors smaller than 30 mm in the greatest diameter tended to be asymptomatic, which were usually treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the dynamics and development trends of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis after water improvement in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city, Inner Mongolia and to provide a scientific evidence for the development of countermeasures. Methods We mainly selected Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city as the two monitoring points after water improvement in 2000 -2009. Of these, 1 sample of centralized water supply source water and 3 samples of tap water and 5 samples of noncentralized water supply source water according to water well locations of east, west, south, north and center were collected and the levels of water fluoride were tested; the prevalence of dental fluorosis of school children aged 8 to 12 were examined; from 2002 onwards, the urine samples of 30 children aged 8 to 12(five age groups, six urine samples for each age group) were collected, and all urine samples were collected in the case of less than 30, and urine fluoride was tested. Dental fluorosis was diagnosed using Dean method; water fluoride was tested using fluoride ion selective electrode(WS/T 106-1999); urinary fluoride was tested by determination of fluoride in urine using ion-selective electrode(WS/T 89-1996). Results In 2000 - 2009, the mean levels of fluorine in drinking water in Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu were 1.79 - 4.35 mg/L and 1.38 - 3.18 mg/L, respectively; the detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were 45.24％(19/42) - 89.78％(123/137) and 40.00％ (28/70) - 74.47％ (70/94), respectively; the median urinary fluoride of them were 2.30 - 4.15 mg/L and 2.73 - 4.55 mg/L, respectively. ConclusionsThe detection rate of children's dental fluorosis remains high in Xinbaerhuyouqi during the past 10 years after changing water. The endemic fluorosis remains a serious disease. Effective prevention and control measures must be taken to control the occurrence of fluorosis in the future.