Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) is a novel immunotherapy approach that induces systemic immune responses via topical application of antigens and adjuvants onto the skin.It is a safe and effective method,and is expected to serve as an attractive alternative to traditional vaccination.TCI induces immune responses in different directions,but the exact mechanism of skin immune tolerance is still unclear.Most studies on TCI are based on animal models.However,there are structural differences between animal skin and human skin,so more researches are needed to achieve the translation of TCI from bench to bedside.Not all vaccines are suitable for cutaneous inoculation,so vaccines for TCI should be evaluated for their safety and efficacy.Various reformed vaccine delivery systems are needed to be further explored in related diseases.

BACKGROUND: The presence of various microorganisms in dental unit waterlines has been revealed by numerous reports previously. However, impact of different dental procedures on microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) remains unclearly.OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of microbial contamination in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of dental chair units (DCUs) among different specialty departments in a provincial stomatological hospital. Thus, to propose individual infection control measures for different specialty departments according to their properties of microbial contamination.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cross-sectional investigation was designed and conducted in Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital and Laboratory of Microbiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, between May 2007 and March 2008.MATERIALS: The materials used in this investigation including nutrient agar, blood plates, biochemical testing kit, agglutination testing kit and Gram staining agents. These materials were purchased from Guangdong Huankai Microbial Science and Technology Co., Ltd.METHODS: Water sampling was conducted at 80 DCUs of different specialty departments in Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital. A total of 60 mL, with 6 mL for once sampling of water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of each DCU were collected aseptically after the finish of the daily clinical work on every second Friday between May and October in 2007. Standard isolation and identification technique of bacteria was adopted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concentration of bacteria and prevalence of 3 species of bacteria in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs among different specialty departments were evaluated.RESULTS: Concentration of bacteria in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs averaged 5.67×10~2 cfu/mL, ranged from 5.15×10 to 1.59×10~3 cfu/mL. The microbial concentration of water samples from Department of Periodontics was significantly higher than that from other departments, while the microbial concentration of water samples from Department of Oral Surgery was the lowest (P = 0.000).CONCLUSION: Contamination in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs varied from different specialty departments in the provincial stomatological hospital. It is suggested that DUWLs flushing should be performed routinely, especially for the department without frequent use of the high-speed handpiece in the daily work, and extra infection control measures should be adopted for the department with severe clinical operative contamination.

BACKGROUND:Daily flushing of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is believed to be the least expensive and simplest method for reducing the level of microbial contamination in DUWLs.Authorities' guidelines suggest that high-speed handpieces should be run to discharge water for 30 seconds after use on each patient.However,the guideline is inaccurate for clinicians according to the time-dependent flushing since the maximum flow rate of flushing water varied from dental chair units (DCUs).OBJECTIVE:To assess the level of microbial contamination in water effluent from the air-water syringe and the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs and prevalence of three species of bacteria detected in DUWLs at each flushing volume.Thus,practical water flushing measures could be proposed according to the effect of volume-dependent dental unit waterline flushing on the microbial contamination in DUWLs.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A cross-sectional investigation was designed and conducted in Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital and Laboratory of Microbiology,School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine,Southern Medical University between May 2007 and March 2008.MATERIALS:The materials used in this investigation including nutrient agar,blood plates,biochemical testing kit,agglutination testing kit and Gram staining agents.These materials were supported by Guangdong Huankai Microbiological Science and Technology Ltd.METHODS:Water sampling was conducted at 80 DCUs in a stomatologicel hospital.A total of 6 mL,2 mL for once sampling,of continuous water flushing from the air-water syringe and the high-speed handpiece line of each DCU respectively were collected aseptically after the finish of the daily clinical work on every second Friday,between May 2007 and October 2007.Standard isolation and identification technique of bacteria was adopted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Concentration of bacteria and prevalence of three species of bacteria in water effluent from the air-water syringe and the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs at each flushing volume were evaluated.RESULTS:The median concentration of bacteria in water effluent from either the air-water syringe or the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs was 5.67×10~2 cfu/mL,and there were no statistical differences among microbial concentrations of first three 2-mL flushing water samples (P>0.05).Prevalence of Staphylococcus spp.from the third 2-mL flushing water sample demonstrated an obviously higher level than that of Staphylococcus spp.from the first two 2-mL (P < 0.05),while prevalence of Streptococcus spp.and Actinomycete spp.kept at a relative stable level (P > 0.05) at each flushing volume.CONCLUSION:Volume-dependent water flushing procedure stays a more practical measure for reducing microbial contamination in DUWLs rather than time-dependent flushing,but the volume of flushing water needs to be further evaluated.

AIM To evaluate the value of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS① Thirty four BXSB lupus mice were averagely and randomly divided into ATO treated group and control group. The mice of ATO treated group were given (ip) ATO 0.4 mg·kg-1 every other day until d 105 and the observation was ended on d 210. The survival rate of mice was recorded, and the levels of serum IgG and anti-dsDNA antibody were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ② Other 20 BXSB lupus mice were also divided into 2 groups and treated as above and sacrificed on d 90. The spleen and kidneys of each mouse were removed and total RNA was extracted. The levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA in renal and spleen tissues were measured by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTSUp to d 210, 8 mice died in ATO treated group and 13 died in control group. On d 90 and d 105, the average levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibody (A450 nm) were (0.335±0.011) and (0.223±0.017) in ATO treated group, and (0.688±0.016) and (0.683 ±0.014) in control group. On d 90, the expressions of IFN-γ mRNA in spleen and renal tissues of ATO treated group were significantly lower than that of control group. On d 105, the serum level of IgG was much lower in ATO treated group than that in control group, which were (4.9±1.3) and (6.9±1.0)g·L-1, respectively. CONCLUSION ATO elevates the survival rate, lowers the serum levels of IgG and anti-dsDNA antibody, and depresses the expression of IFN-γ mRNA in spleen and kidney tissues of BXSB mice.

Objective To investigate and report the catalogue and distribution of acaroid mites in region of Jianghuai.Methods The dust samples were collected from storage circumstances, working places and human dwellings from Jianghuai region(11 cities) in Anhui province from April to October, 2006.Acaroid mites were isolated by waterflotation and tullgren, then counted and identified.Results Thirty species of acaroid mites were identified, belonging to 20 genera, 7 families(4 subfamilies), the dominant species were Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Glycyphagus domesticus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.Conclusion Acaroid mites breeding in differenai habitats of Jianghui region distributes widely and shows significant diversity.

Objective To study the efficacy and repeatability of the Limb X Film Measuring Plate (LXMP)in clinical x film measurement of lengths and angles of limbs.Methods The LXMP was de- signed and manufactured for testing.Three known points in 9 templates were taken as golden standards.which were to be compared with measuring results of these projected points on the X film for testing efficacy of LXMP.Twenty-one patients with knees osteoarthritis were selected.The lengths and angles of their lower limbs were measured twice with the help of LXMP by an observer at different time intervals for testing in. Tra-observer repeatability.Two observers measured once on films at the same time for testing inter-observer repeatability.The correlation coefficients,mean absolute difierences between the repeated measurements,and error rate were calculated. Results The points on LXMP could be seen clearly on X film.Validation tests showed the differences in angle measurement between golden standards and measuring results for those pro- jeted points on the X film were insignificant.with mean absolute difference being O.10.-0.21,error rate being 0.12%-3.15%and r being close to 1.The differences in length measurement were insignificant ei- ther,with mean absolute differenee being 0.05 cm-0.16 cm.error rate being 0.12%-o.28%and r being close to 1.The intra-observer repeatability test for beth angles and lengths showed that r was close to I.mean absolute diffefences 0.55.and 0.1-0.37cm and error rate 0.3l%-O.97%.while the inter-observer re- peatability test showed that r was close to 1.mean absolute difierences o.39.and0.05-0.13cm and error rate O.16%-O.35%. Conclusion The Limb X Film Measuring Plate Can be used for accurately mcasuring limb lengths and angles with good efficacy and repeatability.

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in this process.Methods Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were cultured in vitro, and the cells between passages 3 and 5 were used in the experiments. ExperimentⅠ: the cells were divided into four groups as follows: control group, LPS stimulation group (LPS 10μg/mL), LPS+ 0.1 U/mL UFH group, and LPS+ 1 U/mL UFH group. HPMECs in UFH groups were treated with 0.1 U/mL or 1 U/mL UFH 15 minutes before LPS stimulation, and HPMECs in control group were treated with an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) instead. The concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and G-CSF in cell culture supernatants were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 24 hours after LPS challenge to detect the effect of UFH on HPMECs. ExperimentⅡ: HPMECs were treated with 5μg/mL of rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS (LPS-RS, antagonist for TLR4) 4 hours before the addition of PBS or LPS. The concentrations of IL-6 and G-CSF in cell culture supernatants were determined 24 hours after LPS stimulation to detect the effect of TLR4 on LPS-induced HPMEC injury. ExperimentⅢ: HPMECs were divided into four groups as before: control group, LPS stimulation group, LPS+ 0.1 U/mL UFH group, LPS+ 1 U/mL UFH group. Treatments to cells were the same as experimentⅠ. The protein expression of TLR4 in HPMECs was determined by Western Blot 1 hour after LPS stimulation to detect the effect of UFH on TLR4.Results① Compared with control group, the levels of IL-6 and G-CSF in LPS stimulation group were increased [IL-6 (ng/L): 655.9±58.3 vs. 75.5±18.2, G-CSF (ng/L): 388.7±36.2 vs. 35.3±12.6, both P< 0.05]. Compared with those of LPS stimulation group, in LPS+ 0.1 U/mL UFH group and LPS+ 1 U/mL UFH group, the levels of IL-6 and G-CSF were significantly decreased [IL-6 (ng/L): 518.2±64.6, 489.1±75.6 vs. 655.9±58.3, G-CSF (ng/L): 298.8±41.0, 273.4±33.2 vs. 388.7±36.2, allP< 0.05]. The results indicated that 1 U/mL UFH had better results, though there was no statistical significance between the results of two UFH groups.② LPS-induced up-regulation of IL-6 and G-CSF levels was prevented by LPS-RS [IL-6 (ng/L): 139.1±37.6 vs. 655.9±58.3, G-CSF (ng/L): 73.7±19.7 vs. 388.7±36.2, bothP< 0.05]. LPS-RS alone had no effect on cytokines [IL-6 (ng/L):118.2±42.1 vs. 75.5±18.2, G-CSF (ng/L): 48.4±26.8 vs. 35.3±12.6, bothP> 0.05].③ Compared with control group, the protein expression of TLR4 (grey value) in LPS stimulation group was significantly upregulated after 1 hour (0.87±0.23 vs. 0.36±0.12,P< 0.05). UFH with 0.1 U/mL and 1 U/mL lowered TLR-4 protein expression induced by LPS (0.68±0.18, 0.62±0.26 vs. 0.87±0.23, bothP< 0.05).ConclusionsThe expressions of IL-6 and G-CSF were increased obviously in LPS treated HPMECs. UFH might take its therapeutic effect through TLR4-dependent pathway.

OBJECTIVE To probe cleaning methods of reusable puncture needles and improve the quality of cleaning. METHODS The 200 sets of puncture needles with blood were divided into two groups (groups A and B). Ultrasonic cleaning was used in two groups,but in group A was with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and in group B with 1∶150 low foam multi-enzyme cleaning liquid for 20 minutes,after rinsing,the group A used 95% ethanol 2 ml/piece for dry,but the Group B used 90 ℃ 30 min,and then the bacterial endo toxins and 3% hydrogen peroxide tests,the cost of cleaning was compared. RESULTS The positive rates of the bacterial endo toxins and 3% hydrogen peroxide test in group A were conducted,at last were 6% and 5%,while group B all were negative (?2=6.19,5.13,P

OBJECTIVE To improve the management quality by discussing the usage of "Five Regular Methods" in hospital′s Sterilization Supply Center.METHODS The "Five Regular Methods" managment model into the following aspects of quality,service,safety,efficiency,people′s competency and environment was introduced.RESULTS After 6 months implementation of the model the efficiency and quality of service improved significantly.The environment became clean and shiny.Objects were put on their right place. And we realized the right integration in time and space for people,objects and places.CONCLUSIONS The "Five Regular Methods" is a set of perfect guidance for quality management.It is a management system by providing guidance from inside to outside,people to objects,soft ware to hard ware,theory to practice and rules to process.It is a good method for enhancing the service quality from all aspects.

Objective To determine sequence of sporogony stage-specific (S type) 18S ribosomal RNA gene of Plasmodium yoelii (P.y) By265 strain, and by using it to detect the malaria parasites within vector mosquito. Methods A pair of conserved DNA primers, universe primer (Pu) and reverse transcription one (Pr), was designed and synthesized according to sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium berghei (P.b). The segment of the S type 18S rDNA of P.y was amplified by reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from dissected midguts of Anopheles stephensi infected with P.y on the 7th day after infective blood-meal, and its sequence was then determined. One P.y sporogony stage-specific primer (Pys) was selected according to the sequence. Using this primer and Pr, the parasites within mosquitoes were semi-quantitatively detected through RT-PCR between 1-7 d post-infection. Results The length of the amplified segment was 920 bp. Alignment in match region of the 18S rDNA among S type of P.y (PyS), S type of P.b (PbS) and asexual blood stage-specific one of P.y (PyA) revealed that the similarity between the former and the latter two reached 95\^3% and 94\^0% respectively. The density of amplified band was significantly concordance with the intensity of oocyst in the midgut. Sensitivity of RT-PCR method was higher than that of the traditional dissection and oocyst observation also. The assay could detect the 18S rRNA molecule of the parasites on the third day post-infection while their oocysts were difficult to be recognized under an optical microscope at that time. Conclusion This S type 18S rDNA sequence in P.y species was first reported (AF266261). As a molecular marker, it could be applied to monitoring the parasite development in its vector at an earlier stage semi-quantitatively with an adequate sensitivity and specificity.