OBJECTIVETo study the factors influencing short-term prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 137 hospitalized children with TBM between January 2007 and February 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 30 potential factors influencing short-term prognosis of TBM were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSClinical staging showed that of the 137 children 21 cases (15.3%) were in the early stage, 67 cases (48.9%) in the medium stage and 49 cases (35.8%) in the late stage of TBM. The univariate analysis revealed 8 factors associated with a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late), coma, positive Babinski signs, cranial nerve involvements, paralysis, seizures, obvious abnormalities in brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Factors associated with a favourable short-term prognosis for TBM included glucocorticoid steroids therapy, positive reaction of PPD skin test and an increased length of stay in hospital. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late) (OR: 11.168, 95%CI: 3.521-35.426) and positive signs of meningeal irritation (OR: 4.275, 95%CI: 1.043-17.521). An increased length of stay in hospital was shown as a favorable factor (OR: 0.893, 95%CI: 0.825-0.968).

CONCLUSIONSLate-stage TBM and positive signs of meningeal irritation suggest a poor prognosis, while an appropriately longer length of stay in hospital may contribute to a favorable short-term prognosis for children with TBM.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal ; complications ; diagnosis

Humans ; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Objective To investigate and assess the clinical effect of treatment of children′s fractures at distal radial or radial-ulna through incision and Kirschner wire′s interior fixation without coursing epiphysis.Methods The treatment of children′s fractures at distal radial or radial-ulna in our hospital between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed,91 cases via Kirsehner-wire′s internal fixation were dealt.According to the way of placing Kirschner wire,the patients were divided into 2 groups.Group A of 53 cases eschewing epiphysis and passed bone-cortex.Group B of 38 cases got intramedullary fixation and passed epiphysis for 38 cases.After 6-100 months′ follow-up investigation,the 2 groups were comporred by analyzing statistics and the number of cases which involved repeatedly setting of Kirschner wire during operation,anatomical restoration,replacement,Kirschner-wire moving,infection,wrist′s dysfunction and bridge between the epiphysis.Results The fractures in both groups were recovering well.Besides,both were at the low rate of repeated replacement,Kirschner wire moving and infection.However,there were significant differences on repeated setting of Kirschner wire during operation,wrist′s dysfunction and bridge between the epiphysis,of which group B were higher than those in group A.Conclusions While the children′s fractures at distal radial or radial-ulna will be reduced by incision and fixing with Kirschner wire,the way of eschewing epiphyses and passing bone-cortex is better because it accords with anatomic character of children.It can not only fix reliably and bring satisfying clinical treatment effect,but also cause little complication.Thus,it is superior to the way of intramedullary fixation and passed epihysis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prevalence of nasal carriage of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in healthy children from Chengdu.

METHODSStrains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from nasal swabs of healthy children from five kindergartens in Chengdu from September, 2005 to December, 2005 and questionnaires were obtained. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed with agar disk diffusion and Bauer-Kirby on Mueller-Hinton medium method to determine CA-MRSA. mecA and PVL genes were detected with PCR in all of the CA-MRSA isolates.

RESULTSA total of 801 children were enrolled. Overall 147 children (18.4%) were carried with Staphylococcus aureus and 9 (1.1%) were carried with CA-MRSA. All CA-MRSA isolates were positive for mecA gene, and 5 CA-MRSA isolates were positive for PVL gene. Of the 9 CA-MRSA isolates, 6 were multiresistant.

CONCLUSIONSCA-MRSA nasal colonization is present among Chengdu healthy children. The CA-MRSA isolates are multiresistant and parts of CA-MRSA isolates carry PVL gene. The nasal carriage of CA-MRSA in healthy children should be a concerned issue.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Carrier State ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Community-Acquired Infections ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Nose ; microbiology ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins

OBJECTIVETo explore the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic transhiatal proximal gastrectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

METHODSFrom Aug 2008 to May 2011, 98 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction underwent laparoscopic transhiatal proximal gastrectomy. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively including operative time, estimated bleeding, length of resection, lymph node dissection, and short-term postoperative complications.

RESULTSNinety-six patients underwent laparoscopic transhiatal proximal gastrectomy successfully and 2 were converted to open operation (one for combined splenectomy and the other combined splenectomy and resection of the tail of the pancreas). The mean operative time was (224.1±33.7) min and the mean blood loss was (69.4±26.1) ml. The mean length of esophageal resection was (4.0±0.6) cm and the resection margin was negative. The number of lymph node removed was 16.4±5.7. Pleural laceration occurred in 14 cases and spleen injury occurred in 3 case during operation. There was one anastomotic leakage. There were no postoperative mortalities, bleeding, anastomotic stenosis and wound infection. After follow-up ranging from 3 to 30 months, the value of reflux diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ) was 9.9±4.4 at 1 month and 9.3±4.3 at 3 months postoperatively. No incision metastasis was found and 5 patients died.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic transhiatal proximal gastrectomy is safe for patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and the short-term clinical outcomes are favorable.

Adenocarcinoma ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo express soluble HA of A/H1N1 influenza virus in drosophila S2 cell line and identify its bio-activity.

METHODSHA gene was amplified from A/Shenzhen/71/09 virus strain using RT-PCR, then we constructed pAC5.1-HA expression vector, which was co-transfected into S2 cell with pCoblast vector. After transfection, stable S2 cell was selected through Blasticindin. HA in the supernatant was identified with Western Blot assay and purified with Ni-column. Recombinant HA was immunized into BALB/c mice 3 times, and the Abs titers were evaluated with ELISA.

RESULTSWe successfully cloned HA gene with 1.7 x 10(3) bp of A/Shenzhen/71/09 virus strain and got recombinant pAC5. 1-HA expression vector. Stable S2 cell line was established after transfection and selection, which continuously expressed HA with molecular weight 75 x 10(3) D. After immunization with HA, the Abs titers were 1:1280 and 1: 5120 respectively on 10 d, 30 d.

CONCLUSIONWe expressed soluble HA with good bio-activity, which contributed to research on immune diagnosis, subunit vaccine, and monoclonal Abs for influenza.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Drosophila ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; analysis ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; metabolism ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Solubility

A 3-year-old boy had abnormal liver function, which was found in physical examination, for 5 months before admission. He had no symptoms such as anorexia, poor appetite, and jaundice, had normal growth and development, and showed no hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory examination revealed significantly reduced ceruloplasmin (35 mg/L), as well as negative hepatotropic virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. There were normal muscle enzymes, blood glucose, and blood ammonia and negative liver-specific autoantibodies. The boy had negative K-F ring and normal 24-hour urine copper (0.56 μmol/L). The ATP7B gene testing for the boy, his sister, and their parents detected two novel missense mutations in the boy and his sister, i.e., compound heterozygous mutations in exon 7 (c.2075T>C, p.L692P) and exon 13 (c.3044T>C, p.L1015P), which were inherited from their father and mother, respectively. Wilson's disease was confirmed by genetic diagnosis in the boy and his sister. The boy and his sister were given a low-copper diet. The boy was administered with penicillamine for decoppering and zinc supplement against copper uptake. His sister received zinc supplement alone because no clinical symptoms were observed. The boy showed normal liver function in the reexamination after 3 months of treatment.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; genetics ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Copper-transporting ATPases ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Physical Examination

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children without underlying diseases.

METHODSThe clinical data of 49 children without underlying diseases who were diagnosed with IFD were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSFungal pathogens were detected in 37 (76%) out of 49 patients, including Cryptococcus neoformans (17 children, 46%), Candida albicans (10 children, 27%), Aspergillus (3 children, 8%), and Candida parapsilosis (3 children, 8%). Fungal pneumonia (17 children, 46%) was the most commonly seen disease, with Candida albicans as the major pathogen (9 children, 53%). The 49 children had at least one high-risk factor for infection, including the use of antibiotics, a long length of hospital stay, and invasive procedures. Of all the children, 82% did not respond well to antibiotic treatment or experienced recurrent pyrexia. Among the 24 children who underwent G tests, 17 (71%) showed positive results. All the children were given antifungal therapy, and among these children, 37 (75%)were cured, 3 (6%) were still in the treatment, 5 (10%) died, and 4 (8%) were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSIn IFD children without underlying diseases, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida are the main pathogens, and lung infection is the most common disease. Long-term use of high-dose antibiotics may be an important risk factor for fungal infection. The IFD children without underlying diseases are sensitive to antifungal drugs and have a satisfactory prognosis.

Adolescent ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Invasive Fungal Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Risk Factors

A new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, renchangianin E (1) was isolated from the stems of Kadsura renchangiana. Its structure and stereochemistry were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques.
Cyclooctanes ; chemistry ; Kadsura ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo clone UreB gene of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolated from children to pGEX-4T-1 expression plasmid, and do sequence analysis.

METHODSA pair of specific primer was designed according to H. pylori UreB gene in the GenBank. Using H. pylori strains isolated from children as a template, a UreB gene was obtained by PCR. After EcoR I and Not I digestion, the PCR production was linked with pGEX-4T-1 which was digested with the same enzymes. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21 and identified by double enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. The sequence results were compared with the gene sequence in the GenBank.

RESULTSA UreB gene was successfully amplified from children's H. pylori strain GZCH1. It was 1710 bp in size. The objective band was identified by double enzyme digestion. DNA sequence showed that UreB was in the correct open reading frame. The sequence comparison analysis showed that DNA and amino acid sequence identities of UreB gene with other strains were 98%. The sequence of UreB of H. pylori strain GZCH1 was submitted to GenBank (accession number:FJ455126).

CONCLUSIONSUreB of H. pylori strain GZCH1 is successfully cloned to pGEX-4T-1, which provides a basis for research of oral H. pylori vaccine.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacterial Vaccines ; immunology ; Child ; Cloning, Molecular ; Helicobacter pylori ; enzymology ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Urease ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology