1.A case of mental disorder caused by feline Rickettsial encephalitis was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing
Sisi WANG ; Xin LI ; Xudong TANG ; Xiaofang DING ; Xiaobing XIE ; Guoying ZOU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(6):754-757
A 36-year-old male presented to the Department of Neurosurgery of the Second People′s Hospital of Hunan Province on February 12, 2024, due to "10 days of aggravated paroxysmal headache and 1 day of mental abnormality". Ten days ago, after catching a cold, the patient developed persistent low fever and paroxysmal headache. On February 12, 2024, acuted mental and behavioral abnormalities developed, including slow response, self-talk, defecation and urination, no sense of shame and other mental and behavioral abnormalities. On February 22nd, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in cerebrospinal fluid confirmed feline rickettsia infection. One week after doxycycline anti-rickettsia treatment, cerebrospinal fluid mNGS results indicated that the etiology turned negative, and the clinical symptoms improved. Mental disorders caused by rickettsial encephalitis in cats are rare but clinically significant. This case highlights the diagnostic value of mNGS in critical and difficult cases, and supports its integration with traditional diagnostic techniques to achieve precision medicine.
2.Pathogenic Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Treatment of 161 Patients with Biliary Calculi Complicated by Acute Biliary Tract Infection
Dan LIN ; Lindan LIAO ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Kezhang HU ; Yan GAO ; Yujiao LUO ; Wenting CHEN ; Xiaofang XIE ; Bichuan SU ; Lingyan LUO ; Jing TANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):770-777
Objective To analyze the distribution and drug resistance patterns of pathogenic bacteria in bile and blood cultures obtained from patients with biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection,to evaluate the clinical appropriate-ness of antibiotic use based on drug sensitivity results,and to provide evidence for empirical antibiotic treatment in such patients.Methods The clinical data of 161 patients with biliary calculi complicated by acute biliary tract infection who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Neijiang from 2017 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The results of microbial culture,drug sensitivity analysis,and patient characteristics were assessed to evaluate the appropriateness of clinical antimicrobial therapy.Results Among the 161 patients with positive cultures,212 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected.The predominant patho-gens were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies,and Enterococcus faecium.Age and underlying diseases significantly affected the distribution of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies.Within the gram-negative bacterial group,Esche-richia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies exhibited higher drug resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum penicillin,third-generation cephalosporin and quinolones but lower resistance rates to piperacillin and tazobactam;furthermore,elderly indi-viduals aged ≥65 years showed higher resistance rates to ceftriaxone than those under age 65 while people with drug exposure history had higher ceftazidime resistance rates that were statistically significant.In contrast to Enterococcus faecalis which displayed low antimicrobial resistance rates for most drugs tested in this study,Enterococcus faecium demonstrated high levels of antibiotic resistance;however,both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium exhibited zero-resistance rates against vancomycin and tigecycline although this may be attributed to their small sample size in our study cohort.Finally,we found that empirical anti-in-fective drugs,as well as target anti-infective drugs,were not prescribed rationally among these patients due mainly to inappropriate combinations of antibiotics or incorrect dosages.Conclusions The predominant pathogens in patients with acute biliary tract infection are gram-negative bacteria,Gram-positive bacteria,and fungi;however,the potential involvement of anaerobic bacteria should not be overlooked.Vancomycin exhibits sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria,yet the overall rationality of antibiotic usage remains suboptimal.Enhanced clinical testing for pathogenic microorganisms is imperative in the management of biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection.In contrast,clinical pharmacists should provide comprehensive training on anti-infective drugs to clinicians to facilitate their judicious selection of antibiotics based on drug sensitivity results and prevent the e-mergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
3.Qualitative study on the life experience of patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Yan YANG ; Ming XIE ; Xilan ZHENG ; Qiao CEN ; Minmin REN ; Xiaofang RAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(11):1423-1429
Objective:To explore the real-life experiences of patients six months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), aiming to provide a reference for developing intervention plans.Methods:This was a descriptive phenomenological study. Purposeful sampling and maximum variation sampling were used to select 24 patients who underwent LSG at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from February to August 2023. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, and the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was applied to inductively extract and refine the themes.Results:A total of six main themes and ten sub-themes were identified through analysis. The main themes were: desires to improve postoperative physical symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms, hair loss, neurological symptoms, and general symptoms) ; perception of subjective emotions (anxiety, regret, fear, and confidence) ; decreased social adaptability (decline in work ability, impaired social skills) ; general low compliance; desire for professional guidance; and postoperative benefit finding.Conclusions:Six months after LSG, patients primarily experienced physical symptom disturbances, poor psychological states, decreased social adaptability, low compliance, and a desire for professional guidance. However, they also recognized various benefits of the surgery. Healthcare providers should strengthen dynamic symptom assessments and management, guide patients psychologically, enhance social support, and actively improve follow-up and continuous care to help patients improve self-coping abilities and weight loss outcomes.
4.Pathogenic Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Treatment of 161 Patients with Biliary Calculi Complicated by Acute Biliary Tract Infection
Dan LIN ; Lindan LIAO ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Kezhang HU ; Yan GAO ; Yujiao LUO ; Wenting CHEN ; Xiaofang XIE ; Bichuan SU ; Lingyan LUO ; Jing TANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):770-777
Objective To analyze the distribution and drug resistance patterns of pathogenic bacteria in bile and blood cultures obtained from patients with biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection,to evaluate the clinical appropriate-ness of antibiotic use based on drug sensitivity results,and to provide evidence for empirical antibiotic treatment in such patients.Methods The clinical data of 161 patients with biliary calculi complicated by acute biliary tract infection who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Neijiang from 2017 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The results of microbial culture,drug sensitivity analysis,and patient characteristics were assessed to evaluate the appropriateness of clinical antimicrobial therapy.Results Among the 161 patients with positive cultures,212 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected.The predominant patho-gens were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies,and Enterococcus faecium.Age and underlying diseases significantly affected the distribution of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies.Within the gram-negative bacterial group,Esche-richia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies exhibited higher drug resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum penicillin,third-generation cephalosporin and quinolones but lower resistance rates to piperacillin and tazobactam;furthermore,elderly indi-viduals aged ≥65 years showed higher resistance rates to ceftriaxone than those under age 65 while people with drug exposure history had higher ceftazidime resistance rates that were statistically significant.In contrast to Enterococcus faecalis which displayed low antimicrobial resistance rates for most drugs tested in this study,Enterococcus faecium demonstrated high levels of antibiotic resistance;however,both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium exhibited zero-resistance rates against vancomycin and tigecycline although this may be attributed to their small sample size in our study cohort.Finally,we found that empirical anti-in-fective drugs,as well as target anti-infective drugs,were not prescribed rationally among these patients due mainly to inappropriate combinations of antibiotics or incorrect dosages.Conclusions The predominant pathogens in patients with acute biliary tract infection are gram-negative bacteria,Gram-positive bacteria,and fungi;however,the potential involvement of anaerobic bacteria should not be overlooked.Vancomycin exhibits sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria,yet the overall rationality of antibiotic usage remains suboptimal.Enhanced clinical testing for pathogenic microorganisms is imperative in the management of biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection.In contrast,clinical pharmacists should provide comprehensive training on anti-infective drugs to clinicians to facilitate their judicious selection of antibiotics based on drug sensitivity results and prevent the e-mergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
5.Qualitative study on the life experience of patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Yan YANG ; Ming XIE ; Xilan ZHENG ; Qiao CEN ; Minmin REN ; Xiaofang RAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(11):1423-1429
Objective:To explore the real-life experiences of patients six months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), aiming to provide a reference for developing intervention plans.Methods:This was a descriptive phenomenological study. Purposeful sampling and maximum variation sampling were used to select 24 patients who underwent LSG at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from February to August 2023. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, and the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was applied to inductively extract and refine the themes.Results:A total of six main themes and ten sub-themes were identified through analysis. The main themes were: desires to improve postoperative physical symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms, hair loss, neurological symptoms, and general symptoms) ; perception of subjective emotions (anxiety, regret, fear, and confidence) ; decreased social adaptability (decline in work ability, impaired social skills) ; general low compliance; desire for professional guidance; and postoperative benefit finding.Conclusions:Six months after LSG, patients primarily experienced physical symptom disturbances, poor psychological states, decreased social adaptability, low compliance, and a desire for professional guidance. However, they also recognized various benefits of the surgery. Healthcare providers should strengthen dynamic symptom assessments and management, guide patients psychologically, enhance social support, and actively improve follow-up and continuous care to help patients improve self-coping abilities and weight loss outcomes.
6.A case of mental disorder caused by feline Rickettsial encephalitis was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing
Sisi WANG ; Xin LI ; Xudong TANG ; Xiaofang DING ; Xiaobing XIE ; Guoying ZOU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(6):754-757
A 36-year-old male presented to the Department of Neurosurgery of the Second People′s Hospital of Hunan Province on February 12, 2024, due to "10 days of aggravated paroxysmal headache and 1 day of mental abnormality". Ten days ago, after catching a cold, the patient developed persistent low fever and paroxysmal headache. On February 12, 2024, acuted mental and behavioral abnormalities developed, including slow response, self-talk, defecation and urination, no sense of shame and other mental and behavioral abnormalities. On February 22nd, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in cerebrospinal fluid confirmed feline rickettsia infection. One week after doxycycline anti-rickettsia treatment, cerebrospinal fluid mNGS results indicated that the etiology turned negative, and the clinical symptoms improved. Mental disorders caused by rickettsial encephalitis in cats are rare but clinically significant. This case highlights the diagnostic value of mNGS in critical and difficult cases, and supports its integration with traditional diagnostic techniques to achieve precision medicine.
7.Longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction in extremely preterm infants: current status and prediction model
Xiaofang HUANG ; Qi FENG ; Shuaijun LI ; Xiuying TIAN ; Yong JI ; Ying ZHOU ; Bo TIAN ; Yuemei LI ; Wei GUO ; Shufen ZHAI ; Haiying HE ; Xia LIU ; Rongxiu ZHENG ; Shasha FAN ; Li MA ; Hongyun WANG ; Xiaoying WANG ; Shanyamei HUANG ; Jinyu LI ; Hua XIE ; Xiaoxiang LI ; Pingping ZHANG ; Hua MEI ; Yanju HU ; Ming YANG ; Lu CHEN ; Yajing LI ; Xiaohong GU ; Shengshun QUE ; Xiaoxian YAN ; Haijuan WANG ; Lixia SUN ; Liang ZHANG ; Jiuye GUO
Chinese Journal of Neonatology 2024;39(3):136-144
Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.
8.Advantages and challenges of brain organoid modeling for genetic diseases of the nervous system
Siqi HUANG ; Yinghong YANG ; Xiaofang SUN ; Yingjun XIE
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(9):1030-1036
Brain organoids are self-organized 3D aggregates generated by human embryonic stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells. Their cell type and structure are similar to embryonic human brain, which are good in vitro models for the study of neurogenetic diseases and have been widely used in the study of neurogenetic diseases. This paper will discuss the advantages and challenges of brain organoids in the modeling of genetic diseases of the nervous system.
9.Molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Raoultella ornithinolytica
Xiaofang XIE ; Feinan QIAN ; Zhichen ZHU ; Yi ZHENG ; Hong DU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(11):1306-1313
Objective:To understand the clinical prevalence and drug resistance of Raoultella ornithinolytica, and to analyze the drug-resistant characteristics of carbapenem-resistant strains. Methods:A total of 83 clinical isolates of R.ornithinolytica, identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry between May 2015 and December 2020, were collected. Clinical information, drug-resistant phenotype, and carbapenemase gene of the carbapenem resistant strains were analyzed. Homology of the resistant strains was examined by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The molecular characteristics of plasmids, drug resistance genes and virulence genes were determined by whole genome sequencing (WGS), and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on core single-nucleotide polymorphisms(core-SNPs) for evolutionary analysis of the carbapenem-resistant strains. Results:All 83 clinical isolates were confirmed as R.ornithinolytica, of which 11 strains were resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. The resistant strains were mainly sourced from the drainage fluid and wound secretions of patients in surgery, intensive care unit and oncology department. In addition to carbapenems resistances, the 11 strains were also resistant to cephalosporins, cephamycins, and aztreonam, while maintaining good in vitro activity to levofloxacin, tigecycline and colistin. Carbapenemase gene detection showed that 8 strains carried the bla IMP-4, 3 carried bla KPC-2, of which 1 strain carried both bla IMP-4 and bla KPC-2, and 2 strains carried both bla IMP-4 and bla NDM-1. PFGE results showed 7 banding types and 4 epidemic strains. WGS identified plasmid replicon types carried by the 11 strains of R. ornithinolyticus including IncFIA, IncFIB, IncHI1B, IncU, repB and Col, along with 10 additional types of drug resistance genes. Iron carrier related virulence genes entB, fyu, ybt and irp were detected in all carbapenem-resistant strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Ro6348 and Ro6050, Ro7401 and Ro7242, Ro8647 and Ro5832, and Ro9907 and Ro8856 were grouped together, while Ro8454, Ro7349 and Ro7326 were located on different branches. Conclusions:The overall drug resistance of R. ornithinolytica closely resembles Klebsiella pneumoniae and carries a variety of drug-resistant genes, but differs from domestic K.pneumoniae in that its carbapenemase is mainly IMP-4. PFGE and phylogenetic analysis results suggest that the strain has a tendency of mutual transmission in hospital, which deserves more attention.
10.Optimization of preparation technology and in vitro release of baicalin-glycyrrhizic acid solid nanocrystals
Long XIE ; Yuxin ZHAO ; Kai LIU ; Huan GU ; Xiaofang LI
China Pharmacy 2023;34(23):2829-2834
OBJECTIVE To optimize the preparation technology of baicalin (BCN)-glycyrrhizic acid (GA) solid nanocrystals (BCN-GA-SN), to characterize them and investigate their in vitro release characteristics. METHODS According to the compatibility ratio of classic couplet medicinals “Scutellaria baicalensis-Glycyrrhiza uralensis”, the compatibility ratio of BCN and GA was determined as 6∶1 (m/m); BCN-GA nanosuspension was prepared by precipitation method combined with high-pressure homogenization method. The preparation technology of BCN-GA nanosuspension was optimized by using mean particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) as indexes and with types and dosage of stabilizers, stirring speed and time, high-pressure homogenization pressure and frequency as factors. The freeze-dried consolidation process of BCN-GA nanosuspension was optimized to prepare BCN-GA-SN using average particle size, PDI and redispersibility index (RDI) as indicators, with the type and dosage of freeze-dried protective agents as factors; then, the physicochemical properties and in vitro release of BCN-GA-SN were investigated. RESULTS The optimal preparation technology of BCN-GA-SN was as follows: BCN-GA nanosuspension was prepared by using 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate as a stabilizer, stirring at 1 000 r/min for 15 minutes, and homogenizing at 100 MPa for 20 times; then, BCN-GA nanosuspension was freeze-dried and solidified with 5% mannitol (corresponding to the dosage of BCN). The average particle size of prepared BCN-GA-SN was (442.2±5.7) nm with PDI of 0.225±0.015 and RDI of 1.055± 0.013. The prepared BCN-GA-SN presented as the irregularly spherical shape with more uniform size; the drug-loading amount of BCN in the nanocrystal was (62.5±0.7)%, and that of GA was (9.4±0.2)%; the in vitro release results showed that the cumulative dissolution of BCN-GA-SN was higher than that of the physical mixture of BCN and GA. CONCLUSIONS BCN-GA-SN is prepared successfully in this study with uniform particle size and even distribution, which can effectively improve the dissolution of BCN.

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