ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of plasma (1, 3)-β-D-glucan test (G test) in diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFI) and the influence of albumin on G test.Methods A prospective observational study was conducted. 267 patients admitted to medical intensive care unit (MICU) of Dalian Municipal Central Hospital from January 21st, 2012 to October 31st, 2014 were enrolled. According to IFI guideline, the patients were divided into without IFI group (n= 35), possible IFI group (n = 70), hypotheticle IFI group (n = 145) and proven IFI group (n = 17). G test was examined routinely using microbiology kinetic rapid reader MB-80.The different threshold values were calculated on G test. The difference among G tests, fungal culture and clinical diagnosis were compared. The results of G test ahead of and post albumin administration in each group were compared, and the value of G test for diagnosis of IFI during albumin infusion was evaluated.Results When the cut-off value was 20 ng/L for IFI diagnosis, higher sensitivity (79.8%), specificity (87.9%), and Youden index (67.7%) were found. The positive rates of G test, fungal culture and clinical diagnosis of IFI were 57.7% (154/267), 60.7% (162/267) and 54.3%(145/267) respectively, without showing significant differences (allP> 0.05). The result of G test (ng/L) was not obviously changed after albumin administration compared with that before in without IFI, possible IFI, hypotheticle IFI, and proven IFI groups (without IFI group: 11.25±2.33 vs. 10.99±1.07,t= -1.723,P= 0.085; possible IFI group: 53.14±5.53 vs. 49.22±8.11,t= -0.395,P= 0.693; hypotheticle IFI group: 90.30±9.38 vs. 85.41±10.11, t= 710.500,P= 0.860; proven IFI group: 100.98±19.24 vs. 103.21±17.66,t= 653.000,P= 0.449). Prior to the administration of albumin, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and Youden index were 79.8%, 87.9%, 45.6%, 96.7%, 67.7%, respectively. However, after the administration of albumin, they were 81.5%, 85.7%, 44.8%, 96.5%, and 67.2%, respectively, without significant difference.Conclusions G test is method for early diagnosis of IFI. The sensitivity and specificity are higher with 20 ng/L as the critical value. The result of G test is not interfered by albumin administration.

Department of rheumatology and immunology is a compulsory training department for the standardization training of the residents. However, it has been noted that the residents often ignore the importance of rheumatology. They are usually short of communication skill with the patients and theoretical knowledge. They often have high error rate in the clinical work and training their clini-cal skills and thinking ability is very difficult in the actual work. All of these problems may decrease the training quality and make the training a mere formality. Therefore, in order to carefully implement resident standardization training, a set of specific training programs has been developed, involving in theory of knowledge, practice standardization and comprehensive quality training. With these training programs, the quality and efficiency of the residents' training has greatly improved.

Objective To investigate the significance of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH)D3) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by comparing the differences of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy people.Methods One hundred and forty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected as the T2DM group,and 135 healthy people were selected as the normal control (NC) group.The level of serum 25 (OH) D3 was detected by ELISA.Clinical data were recorded and biochemical indexes were also detected.Statistical analysis was performed.Results (1) Serum 25 (OH) D3 level in T2DM group was low,but there was no significant difference between two groups((23.10 ± 1.59) μg/L vs.(23.11 ± 1.65) μg/L; t =0.064,P =0.949),as well as between men and women in the 2 populations (T2DM men vs.women(23.22 ± 1.54) μg/L vs.(22.95 ± 1.65) μg/L; t =0.209,P ＞0.05; NC men vs women(23.03 ± 1.73) μg/L vs.(23.18 ± 1.59) μg/L; t =0.436,P ＞0.05) ; (2)The prevalence of vitamin D insufficient and deficiency in T2DM group was high,but it was not statistically significant between two groups (98.0％ vs.94.8 ％ and 2.0％ vs.5.2％ ; x2 =2.034,P =0.154) ; (3) Serum 25 (OH) D3 in T2DM group has a significant negative correlation with triglycerides (r =-0.218,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion (1) Vitamin D level was low in both the healthy and T2DM populations in the southern region of China,the prevalence of vitamin D insufficient and deficiency was up to 90％.(2)Triglyceride is the only independent risk factor to T2DM population.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the affection of crushing technology on quality. The dissolution of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia prepared by different crushing technology was determined by taking the dissolution of Paeonol as test marker.

METHODThe Pills was prepared with the fine powder which was crushed by normal crusher or super fine crusher. The rotatory-basket method was used, and the cumulative dissolution percentage was determined by UV.

RESULTStatistics indicated there was a significant difference in dissolution parameter (T50) between super fine crushing powder Pills and normal fine-crushing powder Pills (P < 0.01), and there was a difference in dissolution of different batches of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia prepared by the normal crush technique (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe determination of dissolution of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia is necessary. In order to improve the quality of drugs, we should adopt the technique of super fine crushing in the preparation procedure.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To investigate the effects of output power,action time and radiofrequency(RF) needle on the cool-tip radiofrequency ablation(RFA) by experimental tools and to determine the value of ultrasonography in size evaluation of RFA zone.Methods The cool-tip RFA to fresh calf liver were monitored by ultrasound.The experiments by single electrode needle were performed with different combination of output power (80 W,120 W) and time (5 min,8 min,10 min).The cluster needle was used for assessment at 5 min with different output power(80 W,120 W).After the end of trial,the longitudinal specimens were cut open.The view and size of the ablation zone were recorded with naked eyes.The pathological changes displayed by optical microscope were recorded as well.Results The measurement of ablation zone with naked eyes showed with the ablation zone expanded with time in 80 W-power cases,but the pace of expansion slowed down,but in 120 W-power cases,expansion of the ablation zone was not obvious; the ablation zone in 120 W-power was bigger than that in 80 W-power at 5 min,their difference decreased with time,and the ablation zones were similar at 10 min.The cluster needle can produce ablation zone with lesser aspect ratio than that of single electrode needle,consequently similar to circle.Ultrasonic measurement of the ablation zone had real discrepancy.Most of longitudinal diameters were greater than the real ones,while in large ablation lesions,vertical diameters were often less than the real ones.Under optical microscope,no change could be found in shape and structure of the cells in ablation zone.Conclusion The output power and performing time have impact on ablation.The high-power output increased heat production as well as reduction of heat conduction.Compared with single electrode needle,the cluster needle produced ablation zone closer to real hepatic tumor,thus has more reliable effect to small hepatocellular carcinoma with diameter around 2 cm.The ultrasond has a great significance in RFA guidance,but it could not accurately define the border of ablation zone.

Objective:To study the antimalarial mechanism of benflumetol (B). Methods: Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to analyze the effects of B and chloroquine (CQ) on DNA content of Plasmodium berghei and pH value of the lysosome of malarial parasites. Results: DNA content of the plasmodia not treated with any drugs was not changed in 24 hours,while benflumetol could decrease the DNA content: the DNA content began to decrease 2 h after the drug administration and reached the minimum by 16 h, but somewhat increased at 24 h after administration. The pH in the lysosome increased 1 h and restored premedication level 4 h after benflumetol administration. Chloroquine had the same effects on DNA and lysosome pH of malarial parasites.Conclusions: The antimalarial mechanism of benflumetol is directly related to its effect to inhibit the synthesis of DNA.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Coal Mining ; Cross Infection ; complications ; microbiology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Silicosis ; classification ; complications ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate a method for the purification of the N?terminal peptide fragment(NT)of the myocardial calcium channel Cav1.2,and characterize its interaction with calmodulin(CaM). Methods EscherichiacoliBL?21 cells were transformed with plasmid pGEX?6p?3/NT harboring the NT?GST fusion gene. The cells harboring pGEX?6p?3/NT were cultured and protein expression was induced with isopropyl?β?D?thiogalactoside(IPTG). Then,the GST?NT fusion protein was purified by using glutathione Sepharose 4B(GS?4B)beads. GST was cleaved off with the PreScission protease,and SDS?PAGE was performed to detect the purity and relative molecular weight of the purified peptide. Further, GST pull?down assay was performed to characterize the interaction of the NT peptide with CaM. Results SDS?PAGE analysis showed that the NT peptide was successfully purified,with high purity. Results of the GST pull?down assay showed that the NT peptide could interact with CaM. Conclusion This study establishes a method for the purification of the NT peptide and lays the foundation for further research on the interaction partners and biological functions of NT.

Objective To identify the disease-causing gene mutation and investigate the genotypephenotype correlation in a Chinese pedigree with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods In this study we collected a large multigenerational Chinese family with FHCM.Total genome DNA was extracted from 67 subjects' peripheral leucocytes.The exons and boundary introns of MYH7 gene was amplified by PCR and directly sequenced by ABI PRISM 3700 DNA sequencer.Then,the mutation was examined.Results Fourteen family members had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,including 4 deceased 2 of whom died from sudden death at young age.Analysis by echocardiography showed all the 10 living affected individuals have a maximal leftventricular-wall thickness of at least 13 mm.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) which had been reported in NCBI SNP database,were found mutated.No mutation co-seperated with the disease was identified.Conclusion FHCM of this family was not caused by MYH7 mutation.Other genes should be screened to further identify the disease-causing gene mutation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective To study the clinical significance of fecal smear examination on diagnosing intestinal flora imbalance in infantile diarrhea.Methods A sterile cotton swab was used to spread a layer of fresh feces quantum satis from a sterile container on a clean slide;the smear was fixed and stained with Gram′s methods after it was air-dried,then the specimen was observed with a microscopy(field lens 100 ? eye lens 10) and recorded.Results In the acute diarrhea group(40 cases),the distribution feature of 3 floras on the fecal smears:≥50% Gram-negative bacilli in 6 cases(15%),≥50% Gram-positive cocci in 30 cases(75%) and ≥68% Gram-positive bacilli in 4 cases(10%).In the delayed and chronic diarrhea group(62 cases),the distribution feature of 3 floras on the fecal smears:≥50% Gram-negative bacilli in 7 cases(11.29%),≥50% Gram-positive cocci in 44 cases(70.97%) and ≥68% Gram-positive bacilli in 6 cases(9.68%).In the normal control group(32 cases),the distribution feature of 3 floras on the fecal smears:≥50% Gram-negative bacilli in 1 case(3.13%),≥50% Gram-positive cocci in 1 case(3.13%),and ≥68% Gram-positive bacilli in 17 cases(53.13%).For the distribution of 3 floras in the 3 groups,chi-squared test was performed,and the results showed that the difference was significant in Gram-positive cocci(?~2=47.76 P0.05).Conclusions Acute,delayed or chronic diarrhea can lead to flora imbalance.In order to timely and rapidly know the flora imbalance in children with diarrhea,clinically the simple,easily operated and practical smear staining method shall be widely applied.