Child ; Community-Acquired Infections ; microbiology ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of 23-acetate alisol B in Longdan Xiegan honey pills by HPLC. Methods:The analysis was performed on a Waters Symmetry C18 (250 mm × 4. 6 mm,5μm) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0. 1% phosphoric acid (62 ∶ 38). The flow rate was 1. 0 ml·min-1, the column temperature was 35℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 208nm. Results: The linear range of 23-acetyl alisol B was 19. 999 5- 1 999. 9500 ng(r =0. 999 9), and the average recovery was 95. 56%(RSD = 0. 7%, n = 6). Conclusion: The method is simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used to control the quality of Longdan Xiegan honey pills with good repeatability and recovery.

OBJECTIVETo determine risk factors of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients admitted to non-hematological oncology department and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), in order to improve diagnostic level of invasive fungal infections.

METHODWe retrospectively assessed 85 hospitalized pediatric patients with invasive fungal infections in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from Jan.2007 to Nov.2012. All the cases were either from non-hematological oncology department or the PICU.We reviewed risk factors of invasive fungal infections.

RESULTAmong 85 patients, 42 had invasive candida infection, 20 invasive aspergillus infection, 21 cryptococcus infection, 1 Histoplasma capsulatum infection and 1 Mucor mucedo infection.In the 42 patients with invasive candida infection, 5 were young infants, 3 had combined immunodeficiency, 1 cellular immunodeficiency, 25 secondary infection due to long term use of corticosteroids and/or combined use of more than 2 kinds of antibiotics with primary disease, 5 prior intestinal tract surgery or chronic diarrheal disease, 1 reflux gastritis.In the 20 patients with invasive aspergillosis infection, 10 patients had chronic granulomatous disease, 5 long term use of corticosteroids ≥ 1 month, 3 long term use of corticosteroids and combined use of more than 2 kinds of antibiotics, 2 had no apparent host factors.In the 21 patients with cryptococcus infection, 2 patients had used corticosteroids ≥ 1 month, 2 had immunodeficiency mainly for lack of antibodies, while others had no apparent host factors. The child with Mucor mucedo infection had diabetes mellitus. And the one with Histoplasma capsulatum infection had immunodeficiency.

CONCLUSIONHigh risk factors for IFI in patients admitted to non-hematological oncology department and PICU are primary immunodeficiency disease and long term use of corticosteroids and/or long term combined use of more than 2 kinds of antibiotics. Besides, young infant is also a high risk factor for invasive candida infection. Most of the cryptococcus infections and certain aspergillosis had no obvious host factors.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Age Factors ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; microbiology ; Aspergillus ; isolation & purification ; Candida ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; complications ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; etiology ; microbiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo promote a new kind of alternative needle of filiform-fire needle with fire needle.

METHODSThe common three-headed fire needle, thick fire needle, less-thick fire needle, fine fire needle, single-filiform needle and three-filiform-needle were used by 20 medical staffs, and the time of heating needles was recorded. The advantages of using filiform needles compared with common fire needles were evaluated.

RESULTSThe time of heating single and three-filiform needles was shorter than the other four common fire needles (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFiliform needle is better than the common fire needle in terms of production process,materials, and heating time, etc. Therefore, filiform needles can replace common fire needles for pricking.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Young Adult

The monocot mannose-binding lectin can inhibit HIV from infecting the target cells. The total RNA of Zephyranthes grandiflora was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA. Degenerate primers were designed based on the conserved regions of other monocot mannose-binding agglutinins by homology alignment. The 694bp full-length cDNA of Zephyranthes grandiflora agglutinin (ZGA) was cloned by RT-PCR, 3' and 5' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends). The start codon and stop codon of ZGA were at 37-39bp and 529-531bp respectively. The NCBI Blast analysis result showed that ZGA gene encoded a protein precursor with signal peptide, mature protein and C-terminal cleavage sequence. The mature ZGA protein contained 106 amino acids residues and its molecular weight was 11.6KD. The percentages of identity of the deduced mature ZGA protein with those of Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Narcissus hybrid cultivar agglutinin, Lycoris radiate agglutinin and Clivia miniata agglutinin were 71.8%, 81%, 81.8% and 84.5%, respectively. Blocks analysis revealed that ZGA had three functional domains and three mannose-binding boxes (QDNY).
Agglutinins ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Liliaceae ; genetics ; Mannose-Binding Lectin ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEIt is supposed that bronchial epithelial cells responses to the environmental stimuli are different between asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, which contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. These different responses produce different mediators. If differential gene expressions are found in bronchial epithelial cells of asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals after the same stimuli in vitro, and these genes are overexpressed in asthmatic children in vivo, then it is concluded that these genes may be associated with asthma. Therefore the authors analyzed the differential gene expressions in the bronchial epithelium cells of asthmatic and non-asthmatic children after RSV infection in vitro. Among these genes, Galectine-7 (lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 7, Galectin-7) was 8 times up-regulated in asthmatic children. Galectine-7 was associated with skin keratinocyte apoptosis. The authors hypothesized that Galectin-7 may also be associated with bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in asthmatic children. The aim of this study was to understand the role of Galectine-7 in bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in asthma.

METHODSThe bronchial mucosae of one asthmatic child and one non-asthmatic child were obtained by biopsy and cultured in vitro. The bronchial epithelial cells were infected by RSV. The differential gene expressions were analyzed with micro array. Among those differentially expressed genes, Galectin-7 was 8 times up-regulated in asthmatic children. The bronchial mucosae from 10 asthmatic children and 17 non-asthma children were investigated for cell DNA break, Galectine-7 and mRNA expression, Caspase-3 expression by TUNEL, hybridization in situ and immunochemistry. Image analysis was used for quantitative assessment.

RESULTSGalectine-7 gene was 8 times up-regulated in bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatic children after RSV infection in vitro. Galectin-7 and mRNA were overexpressed in bronchial epithelial cells in asthma in vivo. Bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis increased in asthma in vivo.

CONCLUSIONGalectin-7 may be associated with bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in asthma.

Adolescent ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bronchoscopy ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Galectins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; Respiratory Mucosa ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; pathogenicity ; Up-Regulation

Based on the optimum clinical evidence, consulting the international guide, the outstanding guidelines of acupuncture clinical practices is formulated in order to promote the process of acupuncture modernization and internationalization. According to consensus of experts, using the questionnaire method, integrating the characteristics and requirements for acupuncture clinical practices, the guidelines reflect the characteristics of acupuncture, for instance, applicability, inheritance, holism, and the discipline characteristics. Thus, the guidelines will standardize the treatments in acupuncture clinical practices, strengthen medical service quality management, control medical costs, and promote the process of acupuncture modernization and internationalization.
Acupuncture Therapy ; standards ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic application of molecular detection of enterovirus type 71 (EV71) infection using post-mortem paraffin-embedded tissue.

METHODSTwo autopsy cases of EV71 infection were studied by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the viral RNA in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

RESULTSCharacteristic features of acute encephalitis were seen in the brain, with most prominent lesions found in the brain stem in both cases. Inflammatory cells were largely CD68-positive microglia with a few CD15-positive neutrophils in the areas of neuronal necrosis. The 5'-untranslated region of EV71 was detected in the medulla by RT-PCR using paraffin-embedded tissues of both cases. Sequencing analysis of the RT-PCR products showed 100% homology to the EV71 strain, recently submitted to the GenBank database from Fuyang, Anhui province.

CONCLUSIONSMolecular detection of EV71 can be performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from fatally infected patients. Timely and accurate diagnosis of the infection by such molecular approach is crucial for the proper clinical and public health intervention.

5' Untranslated Regions ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Autopsy ; Brain ; metabolism ; Encephalitis ; metabolism ; virology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lewis X Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of the patients perceived control of asthma (PCA) in South China and analyze the risk factors contributing to inadequate PCA.

METHODSA total of 150 asthmatic out-patients consisting of 86 males and 64 females aged 19-65 (38.6∓11.7) years were enrolled in this investigation. The patients were asked to complete questionnaires of the demographic data, perceived control of asthma (PCAQ-6) scales, asthma control test (ACT) scales and Standard asthma-specific quality of life [AQLQ(S)] scale. The data of spirometric measurements, blood cell count and induced sputum cell count were also collected.

RESULTSAll the 150 asthmatic out-patients recruited completed the questionnaires and examinations. The PCAQ-6 scores ranged from 10 to 26 (18.75∓3.42) in these patients (18.6∓3.28 in male and 18.95∓3.6 in female patients), significantly lower than those reported in other countries (P<1). PCA was positively correlated to the level of asthma control (r(p)=0.377, P=0.000) and AQLQ(S) scores (r(p)=0.675, P=0.000). Multiple linear regression showed that PCA was positively correlated to FEV1% and blood neutrophil counts, and inversely to asthma duration.

CONCLUSIONThe level of the PCA appears inadequate in South China. The PCA can affect the level of asthma control and asthma-specific quality of life. The factors contributing to inadequate PCA include primarily asthma duration, lung function and blood neutrophil counts.

Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; blood ; prevention & control ; psychology ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of FLAMIGEL (hydrogel dressing) on the repair of residual burn wound.

METHODSSixty burn patients with residual wounds hospitalized in 6 burn units from November 2011 to May 2012 were enrolled in the multi-center, randomized, and self-control clinical trial. Two residual wounds of each patient were divided into groups T (treated with FLAMIGEL) and C (treated with iodophor gauze) according to the random number table. On post treatment day (PTD) 7 and 14, wound healing rate was calculated, with the number of completely healed wound counted. The degree of pain patient felt during dressing change was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean numbers of wounds with score equal to zero, more than zero and less than or equal to 3, more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, more than 6 and less than or equal to 10 were recorded respectively. Wound secretion or exudate samples were collected for bacterial culture, and the side effect was observed. Data were processed with repeated measure analysis of variance, t test, chi-square test, and nonparametric rank sum test.

RESULTSWound healing rate of groups T, C on PTD 7 was respectively (67 ± 24)%, (45 ± 25)%, and it was respectively (92 ± 16)%, (72 ± 23)% on PTD 14. There was statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on PTD 7, 14 between group T and group C (F = 32.388, P < 0.01). Ten wounds in group T and four wounds in group C were healed completely on PTD 7, with no significant difference between them (χ(2) = 0, P > 0.05). Forty-two wounds in group T and seven wounds in group C healed completely on PTD 14, with statistically significant difference between them (χ(2) = 42.254, P < 0.01). Patients in group T felt mild pain during dressing change for 37 wounds, with VAS score higher than zero and lower than or equal to 3. Evident pain was observed in patients of group C during dressing change for 43 wounds, and it scored higher than 3 and less than or equal to 6 by VAS evaluation. There was statistically significant difference in mean number of wounds with different grade of VAS score between group T and group C (Z = -4.638, P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were all detected in both groups, but there was no statistical difference between group T and group C (χ(2) = 0.051, P > 0.05). No side effect was observed in either of the two groups during the whole trial.

CONCLUSIONSFLAMIGEL can accelerate the healing of residual burn wounds and obviously relieve painful sensation during dressing change.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bandages ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult