Objective To investigate the epiderniology of fungemia and provide evidence for clinical therapy.Methods A retro- spective survey was done with the 31 cases of fungemia in our hospital from August 2004 to November 2005.Results More than 80% of the patients suffered from two and more underlying diseases.Over a half of infections developed following placement of catheters.And 83.9% of the patients had a history of antimicrobial agents use before blood culture.The pathogens of 24 (77.4%) cases were associated with Candida spp.Only 3 strains were C.albicans.The mortality rate of candidemia was 45.8%.Different Candida species had different resistance rates to antifungal agents.Conclusions Fungemia patients often have serious underlying diseases.Most fungemia cases were candidemia caused by non-C.albicans.Some fungal pathogens are re- sistant to fluconazole and itraconazole.

Objective To report 6 cases of hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous lymphoma,and to inves- tigate the relationship between this disorder and Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection.Methods Pathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed in the biopsy specimens obtained from all 6 patients. Skin lesions were subjected to EBV encoded RNA(EBER)detection by in situ hybridization.Serological assay and quantification of EBV DNA were performed.Results All the 6 patients had recurrent papules, papulovesicles,necrosis and variola-like scar with chronic intermittent fever;four of the patients also presented with edema of the face,hands and feet.Pathologically,there were multilocular vesicles in the epidermis,and large numbers of infiltrating lymphocytes through the dermis.The cells were atypical with mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical staining of the lesions of 4 patients showed large quantities of cells expressing CD56, scattered cells expressing CD3 and CD45RO,and cells expressing grazyme B and T cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1);a diagnosis of hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous NK/T lymphoma was made in these 4 cases. In the lesions of another 2 patients,the cells expressing CD3 and CD45RO,but not CD56,were observed; the diagnosis of hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was made in them.EBER was detected in the tumor cells of all the 6 patients.The IgG titers of anti-Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen increased in all patients(1:5120 in 2 cases,1:2560 in 2 cases,1:1280 in 2 cases).The copies of EBV DNA were increased in the peripheral blood of both the two detected cases.A chronic active EBV infection was confirmed in all patients.Conclusions Hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous lymphoma is clinically characterized by edema of face,hands and feet,vesicular eruptions and variola like scars;histologically,it is characterized by infiltrates of atypical cells consistent with lymphoma,and necrosis in the center of vessels.NK/T is the primary immunophenotype of this disease.There is a close association between chronic active EBV infection and hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous lymphoma.

Objective To summarize the characteristics of fetal hand deformity in prenatal two-and three-dimensional u1trasonography. To analyze the causes of missed diagnosis of prenatal u1trasonography in detecting fetal hand deformity. Methods Systematic continuous sequence approach was performed with two-and three-dimensional u1trasonography in 11 854 cases to detect the fetal hand development, deformity and accompanied malformations. Prenatal sonographic features of fetal hand deformities (59 cases) were correlated with the morphology and X-ray characteristics of the delivered fetuses. Results Fifty-nine cases of fetal hand deformity were diagnosed out of 11 854 fetuses by prenatal u1trasonography:44 cases of abnormal wrist posture,1 case of full-ifnger absence, 2 cases of metacarpal and phalanx absence, 3 cases of clinodactyly, 2 cases of forearm and hand absence, 1 case of syndacty, 1 case of polydacty, 5 cases of lethal bone dysplasia. The detection rate was 0.50%(59/11 854). Eight cases were missed:3 cases of partial ifnger absence, 2 cases of clinodactyly, 1 case of syndacty, and 2 cases of polydacty. The rate of missed diagnosis is 11.90%(8/67). Abnormal wrist posture showed a hook-shaped hand in the wrist. Full-finger absence showed that one or multiple ifngers were absent. Metacarpal and phalanx absence showed no fetal hands. Clinodactyly showed that four ifngers were not in the same plane. Forearm and hand missing showed that ulna, metacarpal and phalangeal were absent. Syndacty showed a beak-like hand. Multi-ifnger indicated six ifngers in one hand. Lethal bone dysplasia showed very short limbs. Conclusions Prenatal u1trasonography played an important role in detecting and diagnosing severe type of fetal hand deformity. The detection rate of fetal hand deformities can be greatly improved by appropriate use of the scan-time, fetal position, systematic continuous sequence approach and real three-dimensional u1trasonography.

OBJECTIVEComparing with the classic immuno-supressors, to probe in the in vitro effect of Cordyceps Sinensis (CS) on the differentiation, maturation and function of dentritic cells (DCs), and further to explore its mechanism.

METHODSMice myeloid DCs were cultured respectively with extraction of Bailing Capsule (CSE), a Chinese medical preparation made of CS, Rapamycin and Tacrolimus, and the effect of various drugs on phenotype of DCs was analyzed with flow cytometer. Then, using as the stimulator, the DCs cultured with different drugs were mixed and cultured with heterogenous lymphocytes for observing the stimulating capacity of DCs on cell proliferation.

RESULTSCSE showed no in vitro effect on phenotype markers and co-stimulation molecules of DCs, the difference between CSE and Tacrolimus was insignificant, while Rapamycin could reduce the two parameters. CSE showed a marked suppressive effect on DCs in stimulating leucocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONCSE could affect the stimulating capacity of DCs on cell proliferation, which is probably by means of inhibiting the function of antigen presentating cells to block the presentation of extrinsic signal, and make the low immune response condition, thus to obtain the effect of immunosuppression.

Animals ; Capsules ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopie intervention for congenital obstructive megaureter in children. Methods Eleven children with congenital obstructive megaureter(left in 4,right in 7)underwent laparoseopie ureteroplasty.One had congenital ureter oririce stenosis,9 had been diagnosed as simple congenital ureter orifice stricture,1 had recurrent ureter orifice stricture after open ureterovesical reimplantation.B-ultrasound and IVU showed severe hydronephrosis in 7 cases and moderate in 4. Results The operation was successful in all cases and none had urine leakage.The mean operating time was 103.0±35.3 min(range 70-190 min).The mean blood loss was 18.0±9.5 ml(range 10-40 ml)and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.0±1.4 d(range 7-10 days).The double J stent was removed 6 weeks after operation.The patients were followed up for 3-24 months(mean,6 months).Cystography showed no reflux in all cases during follow-up. Conclusion Laparoscopical ureteroplasty could be a minimal invasive,less suffering technique for the treatment of congenital obstructive megaureter in children.

Objective To study the risk factors of hyperthyroid heart diseases(HHD) by analyzing clinical features of patients in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of HHD. Methods Nine hundred and eighty two cases were selected as objective from in-patient data of Thyroid Disease Treatment Centre of Shandong Province. The cases were divided into hyperthyroidism group and HHD group. The variables of etiology,sex, age, duration of disease, TSH, FT3, FT4 and TRAb were analyzed by comparative analysis. The risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results The prevalence of hyperthyroidism complicated hyperthyroid heart disease was 7.7%(76/982), age, duration of diseases, FT3, TRAb in the HHD group were [(51.4 ± 11.5), (6.3 ±2.1) years, 21.6 pmol/L, 71.6 U/L], in hyperthyroidism group were [(37.9 ± 9.8), (2.6 ± 1.3) years, 14.9pmol/L, 49.6 U/L]. The differences were statistically significant(u = 9.93,15.23, T = 44954,48792.5, P ＜ 0.05)between the two groups. The factors of the older, higher FT3 and TRAb, longer duration, Graves disease (OR =1.751,1.470,1.483,1.445,1.234) increased the risk of HHD. Conclusions Graves disease, longer duration, old age, higher FT3 and TRAb are the risk factors of HHD. Timely prevention and control of risk factors is necessary to reduce the incidence of HHD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcome and relative problems of patients over 60 years old underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSData of patients over 60 years old (>or= 60 years old group, n = 59) patients recipients who were 18 to 59 years old (< 60 years old group, n = 500) were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSOverall patients survival at 1 year was not significantly different among >or= 60 years old group (66%) and < 60 years group (76%). There were no differences in the operation time, the quantity of blood lost during operation, the days of hospitalization and the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis between the two groups. The incidence rate of acute rejection reaction in >or= 60 years old group was lower. Both the duration of staying in intensive care unit and the time of using ventilator in >or= 60 years old group were longer than the other group. Moreover, the incidence rates of infection and intracerebral hemorrhage were higher in >or= 60 years old group, which were the primary causes of death in this group.

CONCLUSIONEven though the complications were higher, recipients over 60 years old underwent OLT have more excellent 1 year survival.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Length of Stay ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of RNA interference on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) bcr/abl oncogene expression.

METHODSThe small interference RNAs (siRNAs) were synthesized in vitro. K562 cells stably expressing bcr/abl gene were transfected with the siRNA by electroporation, both the non-transfected cells and non-specific siRNAs transfected cells were taken as controls. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) plasmid was used as positive control and the transfection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry. Inhibitory effect of siRNAs was demonstrated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blots. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC assay.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency was about 70%. The synthesized siRNAs inhibited CML bcr/abl oncogene expression at both mRNA and protein levels. siRNAs could inhibit K562 cell proliferation to 47% and 56% at 24 h and 48 h after transfection, respectively, and induce cell apoptosis from 1.00% in control group to 15.05% and 19.4% at 24 h and 48 h respectively.

CONCLUSIONAt the cell level, inhibition of CML bcr/abl oncogene expression by chemically synthesized siRNAs provides the new method for anti-leukemia study.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics and treatment of primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing's sarcoma (PNET/EWS) of the penis in children.

METHODSWe analyzed the clinical data of a case of PNET/EWS and reviewed relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient was a 5-year-old boy, admitted for penis swelling with pain for 11 months. Biopsy showed a small round cell tumor, CD99 positive by immunohistochemical staining, with EWS translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization on molecular biological examination. The tumor was confirmed to be PNET/EWS of the penis, and disappeared after 45 weeks of chemotherapy and local radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONPNET/EWS of the penis is an extremely rare disease, with no specific clinical symptoms except penis enlargement with pain. Immunohistochemistry and molecular biological examination contribute to its diagnosis.

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral ; Penile Neoplasms ; Sarcoma, Ewing

The human basic Krüppel-like factor (hBKLF) is a newly cloned human transcription factor from the cDNA library of fetal liver. It belongs to the Krüppel-like transcription factor family. Previous expression study showed that it is a hematopoietic related factor. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of hBKLF on cell proliferation, differentiation and hemoglobin synthesis by using K562 cell line as model. The sense and antisense expression plasmids of hBKLF were constructed, and transfected into K562 cells by lipofectamine. After G418 selection for 4 weeks, the cell line with stable expression of the gene was obtained. Then the hBKLF expression level, proliferation ability, colony formation and hemoglobin production were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, MTT method, methyl cellulose semisolid culture method and benzidine test respectively. The morphologic change of cell was observed with inverted microscope. The results showed that the sense plasmid could increase hBKLF level and antisense plasmid could decrease hBKLF expression. When hBKLF level was down-regulated, K562 cells could proliferate more quickly and synthesize more hemoglobin. But there were no differences in colony formation ability and no apparent morphologic change. It is concluded that hBKLF can inhibit hematopoietic cell proliferation and hemoglobin synthesis. It is suggested that hBKLF plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells.
Animals ; COS Cells ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Hemoglobins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection