Objective To investigate the prevalence of VRE in Huashan hospital of Shanghai from 2007 to 2009, and to examine the molecular characteristics of the VRE isolates.Methods A total of 890 non-repetive clinical isolates of Enterococcus were screened by the agar screening method ( ADSP method).Broth dilution susceptibility test was performed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus isolates to vancomycin and teicoplanin.The resistant genes and virulent genes of VRE isolates were investigated by PCR and sequencing methods.VRE isolates were classified by MLST and six isolates of VRE from 2007 to 2008 were analyzed by PFGE.Results Thirteen VRE isolates were identified by ADSP method and broth dilution susceptibility test. Six of them were resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin ( vancomycin MICs were from 64 to 256 μg/ml).The sequencing data of PCR products indicated these isolates might harbor a potential novel vancomycin resistant gene, which was different from the one reported in previous studies. The rest 7 isolates harbored vanA gene. The MICs of these isolates to vancomycin and teicoplanin were 32 - 64 μg/ml and 16 - 32 μg/ml, respectively.MLST results revealed 4 STs were identified in 13 VRE isolates.Eleven isolates belonged to clonal complexes(CC) 17.The positive rates of esp gene and hyl gene were 69.2% and 30.8%, respectively.Conclusions This study suggests that the most common VRE clone in Huashan Hospital was CC17.A potentially novel vancomycin resistance gene was identified, and further work needs to be done to investgate the function and the location of this novel gene.

Animal models with kidney disease are generally divided into two types. One belongs to the models which imitate human kidney disease by the artificial operations, such as anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody nephritis, Heymann nephritis, anti-Thyl. 1 antibody nephritis, BSA nephritis and puromycin nephropathy. The other one pertains to the models which make themselves kidney disease, and appear the pathological characteristics naturally as like as human, such as HIGA mice with IgA nephropathy and NZB/WF1 and MRL/1pr mice with lupus nephritis. In addition,the transgenic animal models with kidney disease can also be established by the modern molecular biologic techniques including gene knockout and siRNA transfection. As for the studies related with kidney disease in pharmacodynamics and pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), it is important to understand deeply the features of each animal model with kidney disease, and select accurately the proper models according to the different experimental objectives, and then, build the special models provided with the combination of disease with syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Therefore,it is the developmental direction for the further study to establish animal models with kidney disease, which should possess the characteristics of syndrome in TCM.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Streptozocin

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole oral solution for prevention of invasive fungal infection ( IFI ) in neutropenic patients with acute leukemia after chemotherapy.Methods Clinical data of 136 neutropenic patients with acute leukemia after chemotherapy at the Department of Hematology,Nanfang Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into itraconazole group ( n =67 ) and control group ( n =69).There were 36 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia ( ANLL),31 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in itraconazole group;while in control group,there were 30 patients with ANLL,38 with ALL and 1 with biphenotypic acute leukaemia (BAL).Patients in itraconazole group received intraconazole after chemotherapy until the neutrophil count was increased to 0.5 × 109/L or the body temperature returned to normal and without any imaging evidence of IFI.The incidence of IFI and clinical features were compared between the groups using SPSS 13.0 software.Pearson x2 test was used for nominal variables,for measurement data,t (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U (skewed distribution) test were used.Results There were 12 cases ( 17.9％ ) suffering from IFI in itraconazole group and 32 cases (46.4％) in the control group (x2 =12.59,P ＜ 0.01 ).For ANLL patients,the incidence of IFI in itraconazole group was significantly lower than that in control group ( 16.7％ vs.56.7％,x2 =11.53,P ＜0.01 ).In itraconazole group,the incidence of IFI in female patients was significantly lower than that in male patients ( 8.6％ vs.28.1％,x2 =4.35,P ＜0.05 ).And for the female patients,the incidence of IFI in itraconazole group was significantly lower than thatin the control group (8.6％ vs.44.7％,x2 =11.98,P＜0.01).Conclusion Itranconzole oral solution can effectively prevent IFI in neutropenic patients with acute leukemia after chemotherapy,especially for the female patients with ANLL.

Since 1995, four different types of artificial heart pumps and artificial valvo-pumps have been developed in Jiangsu University of China. Three types of heart pumps and valvo-pumps have been applied in animal experiments in University Texas, Medical Branch, USA and in Zhenjiang No.1 People's Hospital of China. The recently-developed UJS-IV pump is a totally implantable trans-ventricular and cross-valvular pump for emergercy treatments.
Equipment Design ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart, Artificial ; Heart-Assist Devices

Objective To analyze the unmet needs of services and support, and design structured, standardrized and individualized service and support plans for people with intellectual disability using ICF framework.Methods In respective of intellectual function and adaptive behavior, a structured, standardrized and individualized service and support plan had been constructed according to process of individualized plan using ICF.Results Based on ICF model of functioning and disability, the structured and standardized service and support plan had been constructed, including functional diagnosis and service needs reporting, and individualized services protocols.Conclusion With the analysis of functioning and reporting of unmet needs of service using ICF, the structured, standardrised and individualized service and support plan can be developed to promote the total rehabilitation for people with intellectual disabilities.

Glomerular hypertrophy is the main pathological characteristic in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and its regulatory mechanism is closely related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway activity. mTOR includes mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2(mTORC2), in which, the upstream pathway of mTORC1 is phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt)/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK), and the representative signaling molecules in the downstream pathway of mTORC1 are 4E-binding proteins(4EBP) and phosphoprotein 70 S6Kinase(p70S6K). Some Chinese herbal extracts could improve cell proliferation via intervening the expressions of the key molecules in the upstream or downstream of PIK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vivo. As for glomerular mesangial cells(MC) and podocyte, mTOR plays an important role in regulating glomerular inherent cells, including adjusting cell cycle, energy metabolism and matrix protein synthesis. Rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, could suppress glomerular inherent cell hypertrophy, cell proliferation, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening and mesangial matrix deposition in model rats with DN. Some Chinese herbal extracts could alleviate glomerular lesions by intervening mTOR signaling pathway activity in renal tissue of DN animal models or in renal inherent cells in vivo and in vitro.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Huangkui capsule (HKC) on renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODRats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 7), the low dose of HKC-treated group (L-HKC group, n = 7), the high dose of HKC-treated group (H-HKC group, n = 7) and the lipoic acid (LA)-treated group (LA group, n = 7). DN models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ,35 mg x kg(-1)) twice and unilateral nephrectomy. After models were successfully established, the rats in HKC and LA groups were daily administrated with HKC suspensions (0.75, 2 g x kg(-1)) or LA suspensions (60 mg x kg(-1)) respectively, and at the same time, the rats in Vehicle group were daily administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of week 8 to collect blood and renal tissues. UAlb, renal function, renal fibrotic morphologic characteristics, as well as oxidative stress (OS)-related markers, the protein expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway, fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors were examined respectively.

RESULTHKC, similar to LA, improved the general state of health, body weight, UAlb, BUN, UA and Alb in DN model rats. Of note, renal fibrosis was ameliorated in HKC groups,especially in H-HKC group which was better than that in LA group. In addition, HKC not only improved the main indexes of OS in the kidney like LA, but also down-regulated the protein expressions of phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the kidney, whereas, LA only decreased the protein expression of TNF-α in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONHKC, similar to LA, has the actions of anti-OS in vivo. Moreover, HKC could attenuate renal fibrosis by suppressing the activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway and the protein expressions of fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors in the kidney in DN model rats, which is different from LA.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Animals ; Capsules ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and mechanisms of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on improving glomerular inflammatory lesion in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODDN model was induced by unilateral nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg x kg(-1)) twice. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 5 ) and GTW-treated group (GTW group, n = 5). After the model was successfully established, the rats in GTW group were daily oral administrated with GTW suspension (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), meanwhile, the rats in Vehicle group were daily oral administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. From the beginning of the administration, all rats were killed 8 weeks later. Blood and renal tissues were collected,and then UAlb, renal function, glomerular morphology characteristics and glomerular macrophages (ED1 + cells) infiltration, as well as the protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-lβ, and the key molecules in p38MAPK signaling pathway including p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38MAPK) and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 were investigated respectively.

RESULTGTW not only ameliorated the general state of health and body weight,but also attenuated UAlb, glomerulosclerosis, the infiltration of glomerular ED1 + cells and the protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONBy means of DN model rats, we demonstrated that GTW has the protective effect on renal inflammatory damage in vivo via inhibiting inflammatory cells infiltration and inflammatory cytokines expression. Furthermore, GTW could improve renal inflammatory lesion through down-regulating the expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38MAPK pathway such as p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 ,and inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK signaling in the kidney.

Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; physiology

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the influencing factors of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus after combined immunological blockade, and to evaluate the effect of mother-to-child blockade, and to provide a basis for health policies and health interventions for preventing mother-to-child blockade of hepatitis B virus. Methods A total of 11 363 pairs of HBsAg positive pregnant women and their infants aged 7-12 months in Hainan Province from 2015 to 2020 were included in the study. The general situation, the situation of health care and delivery in this pregnancy and perinatal period, the detection of hepatitis B markers, the situation of antiviral therapy, the general situation of mother and infant during delivery and the implementation of blockade measures for mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B were collected and analyzed. Results Among the 11 363 pairs of HBsAg positive pregnant women and their infants delivered in hospitals in Hainan province from 2015 to 2020, the positive rate of HBsAg in children at 7-12 months after birth was 1.47 %, and the difference in HBsAg positive rate of infants born in different years was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive rate of HBsAg among children born to pregnant women with different nationalities, educational levels, occupations, delivery modes, delivery places, obstetric operations and perineal laceration, abnormal perinatal period, children with different genders and premature delivery and perinatal (all P<0.05). There was significant difference in HBsAg positive rate among infants born to pregnant women of different ages, the positive rate of HBsAg of infants born to young pregnant women was higher than that of older pregnant women (P<0.05). The rate of antiviral therapy was low in HBeAg positive pregnant women, and the positive rate of HBsAg in their infants was 2.54%, which was higher than 0.83% in HBeAg negative pregnant women (P<0.05). Conclusions Combined immunological blockade with hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin can effectively prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HBV. HBsAg-positive women can give birth at the right age, and HBeAg-positive pregnant women can be treated with antiviral therapy to block mother-to-child transmission, providing the important basis for the formulation of hepatitis B prevention and control strategies and measures.