Objective To investigate the nasal colonization of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus strains among medical university students in Shenyang and to study the molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. Methods Sterilized nasal swabs were used to collect nasal bacteria from both nares of the students. Nasal specimens were further identified as S. aureus strains, sensitive or resistant to methicillin through a series of tests. Molecular related methods including staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, pulsed- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) , coagulase isotyping and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination etc. were used to characterize the isolates. Prevalence of the panton-valentine leukocidin (pvl) genes (lukS and F-PV) among the isolates was also assessed. Results Staphylococci were found in 488 specimens from 977 participants through the surveillance program, conducted in 2009. Of the 488 specimens being tested, 364 were identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and 124 as S. aureus. MRSA strain among the S. aureus isolates was accounted for 3.4%. In the surveillance program conducted in 2010, staphylococci grew in 310 specimens fiom 657 participants. Of the 310 specimens tested, 195 were identified as CoNS and 115 as S. aureus. The percentage of MRSA strains among the S. aureus isolates was 7.7%. In total, 239 students carried S.aureus, and the percentage of MRSA carriers among the total specimens tested in this study was 5.1%.Most of the MRSA strains could be classified into one of the five types of SCCmec elements. Type Ⅳ a SCCmec strains were most frequent seen overall (10 isolates). A total of 11 pulsotypes were identified among the MRSA strains and were classified into 7 major groups (A to G) by the mutual correlations of their banding patterns. Ten MRSA strains were identified as pvl positive strains. Conclusion An MRSA clone (Ⅳ a SCCmec pulsotype A) carrying pvl toxin gene was found to be prevalent in the nares of the healthy university students.

The present study is to investigate the quality changes of ginseng stems and leaves before and after frost. The contents changes of ginsenoside, free amino acid, and total phenolic compounds, as well as DPPH radical scavenging effect before and after frost were measured. The content of 9 ginsenoside monomer in ginseng stems was decreased except for Rg, and Re after frost, but in ginseng leaves was all decreased. The total content of amino acids was decreased in ginseng stems after frost, while increased in ginseng leaves. The content of phenolic compounds in ginseng stems and leaves were both decreased after frost while the ability of DPPH radical scavenging was improved. The factor of frost has great impact on the quality of ginseng stems and leaves.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Ecosystem ; Freezing ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Quality Control

BACKGROUNDThe difference between renal oncocytomas (RO) and renal clear cell carcinomas (RCCs) presents the greatest diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine if RO and RCCs could be differentiated on computed tomography (CT) images on the basis of their enhancement patterns with a new enhancement correcting method.

METHODSForty-six patients with a solitary renal mass who underwent total or partial nephrectomy were included in this study. Fourteen of those were RO and 32 were RCCs. All patients were examined with contrast-enhanced CT. The pattern and degree of enhancement were evaluated. We selected the area that demonstrated the greatest degree of enhancement of the renal lesion in the corticomedullary nephrographic and excretory phase images. Regions of interest (ROI) were also placed in adjacent normal renal cortex for normalization. We used the values of the normal renal cortex that were measured at the same time as divisors. The ratios of lesion-to-renal cortex enhancement were calculated for all three phases. The Student's t-test and Pearson's Chi-square test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTSAll RCCs masses showed contrast that appeared to be better enhanced than RO on all contrast-enhanced phases of CT imaging, but there was no significant difference in absolute attenuation values between these two diseases (P > 0.05). The ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in the corticomedullary phase showed significantly different values between RO and RCCs. The degree of contrast enhancement in RCCs was equal to or greater than that of the normal renal cortex, but it was less than that of the normal cortex in RO in the corticomedullary phase. The ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in the corticomedullary phase was higher than the cut off value of 1.0 in most RCCs (84%, 27/32) and lower than 1.0 in most RO (93%, 13/14) (P < 0.05). In the nephrographic phase, the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation was higher than that in the corticomedullary phase in most RO (71%, 10/14), showing a prolonged enhancement pattern; and was lower than that in most RCCs (97%, 31/32), showing an early washout pattern (P < 0.05). In the differentiation of RO from RCCs, the sensitivity was 93%, specificity 84%, positive predictive value 72%, negative predictive value 84%, and accuracy for RO was 87, if the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in a cortex phase was lower than the cutoff value of 1.0. The sensitivity was 71%, specificity was 97%, positive predictive value was 91%, negative predictive value was 91%, and accuracy for RO was 89%, if the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in nephrographic phase was higher than that in the corticomedullary phase.

CONCLUSIONSThe ratios of renal lesion-to-cortex attenuation ratios may be helpful in differentiating RO from RCCs.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To study the pathogenic spectrum of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and the molecular characterizations of human enteroviruses 71 (HEV71) isolated from the clinical specimens of HFMD patients in Inner Mongolia in 2010. A total of 921 clinical specimens including stools and throat swabs were collected from HFMD patients in outpatient service in Inner Mongolia and then viral isolation was performed, the positive viral isolates were identified by using the real-time PCR method (detecting EV, HEV71 and CVA16 in a single tube), and VP4 and VP1 coding region amplification and sequencing was performed with the viral isolates that were identified as non-HEV71, non-CVA16 HEVs. A total of 153 viruses were isolated form 921 clinical specimens, the positive rate was 16.61%, of which 61 (39.87%) were HEV71, 82 (53.59%) were CVA16, 7 (6.53%) were other HEVs(6 were CVB4 and 1 was polio vaccine virus type II) and 3 (1.96%) were adenoviruses. Nine viruses were isolated from severe cases, of which 6 were HEV71 and 3 were CVA16. Thirty two HEV71 isolates were selected from the patients presenting mild symptoms and the patients presenting severe symptoms randomly, and the VP1 coding regions of represented HEV71 isolates were amplified and sequenced. Finally the phylogenetic tree was constructed among the VP1 coding regions of the different genotypes and subgenotypes of HEV71 strains. The nucleotide acid and amino acid of 32 represented HEV71 strains in Inner Mongolia were closed to HEV71 strains isolated from mainland China since 2007, especially from Beijing in 2008, and it showed that all HEV71 strains clustered within the C4a evolution branch of C4 subgenotype. There was slight difference in the nucleotide and the amino acid sequence in VP1 region among the 32 Inner Mongolia HEV71 strains, the identity were 96.4%-100% and 98.14%-100%, respectively, and there was a little difference in the nucleotide acid sequence between the HEV71 strains from Inner Mongolia in 2010 and in 2007, the identity was from 96.95% to 97.87%. Thirty two HEV71 strains were in different lineages in the phylogenetic tree, and it indicated that these strains belonged to many different viral transmission chains. HEV71 and CVA16 were the main pathogens of HFMD in Inner Mongolia in 2010 and most severe cases were caused by HEV71. All the HEV71 strains circulated in Inner Mongolia belonged to C4a evolution branch within C4 subgenotype. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 2010 Inner Mongolia HEV71 strains were located in different lineages, and had more nucleotide identity with 2008 Beijing HEV71 strains than with 2007 Inner Mongolia HEV71 strains. This indicated that Inner Mongolia HEV71 strains had not evolved independently, but co-evolved with the HEV71 strains in other provinces in mainland China.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult

AIMTo convenience of the methods for assaying red blood cell glycolysis without oxygen condition in the studies.

METHODSReagent kit of glucose, perchloric acid, visible light prismatic photometer, battle of nitrogen and rocking bed are used in the studies. The process includes 4 steps prepare Tris- HCI solution and so on, assay of red blood cell glycolysis without oxygen condition and account of glycolysis rate.

RESULTSHuman red blood cells stored at 4 degrees C for 75 d, in SOD solution, the glycolysis rate is 86.2% +/- 5.0%, distinctly better than GMA solution (39.2% +/- 8.9%).

CONCLUSIONThe methods of assaying glycolysis without oxygen condition not use Habea's apparatus. The operation is convenient and simple and its determinations can be performed in ordinary laboratory and is is accurate.

Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; physiology ; Glycolysis ; physiology ; Hematologic Tests ; methods ; Humans ; Oxygen ; metabolism

To investigate the kinship between the Inner Mongolia pandemic strain and representative strains of the Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV), total DNA from the lung tissue of a JSRV-infected sheep in Inner Mongolia was used to clone fragments of gag, pro and pol genes. The recombinant plasmid pMD-JSRV (including complete genomic sequence of the JSRV strain isolated from Inner Mongolia) was constructed by linking all the cloned fragments with long terminal repeat (LTR) and env gene fragments (cloned previous and reserved by our research team). Sequence analyses revealed that the genome was 7690 bp in length and contained several typical molecular markers for exogenous form of JSRV. These included the Sca I restriction site in the gag gene, two predicted "CCHC" motifs of zinc finger in the encoded nucleocapsid protein and the predicted "YXXM" motif in the TM region of Env. Homology analyses showed that the virus strain belonged to the JSRV type II. pMD-JSRV and AF105220 strains shared a nucleotide identification of 95%. The full length genomic clone of JSRV could provide a molecular basis for an infectious JSRV molecular clone as well as an experimental platform to study the detection and pathogenesis of JSRV.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus ; genetics ; Pandemics ; Plasmids ; Proviruses ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the in vitro effects of gamma-interferon (IFNgamma) on gene expression of collagen I (Col I), III (Col III) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotenase 1 (TIMP1) of HSC-T6 cells.

METHODSCultured HSC-T6 cells were exposed to IFNgamma at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, 10(2), 10(3), 10(4), 2.5 x 10(5), 5 x10(5) U/ml for 48 hours. 4,5-simethylthiazaoly colormetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of IFNgamma on HSC-T6 cell proliferation. After incubating with IFNgamma (1 U/ml, 10(2) U/ml and 10(4) U/ml) for 48 hours, HSC-T6 cells were harvested to detect Col I, Col III and TIMP1 steady state mRNA levels by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe Col I, Col III and TIMP1 mRNA levels of the control group were 2.86+/-0.21, 2.00+/-0.23 and 3.90+/-0.81, respectively. Col I and Col III mRNA levels in HSC-T6 cells treated by different concentrations of IFNgamma were lower than that of the controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in TIMP1 mRNA levels between IFNgamma groups and controls.

CONCLUSIONIFNgamma suppresses expression of Col I and Col III whereas it has no effect on TIMP1 mRNA expression. The antifibrotic mechanism of IFNgamma may be partly due to its down-regulation of Col I and Col III mRNA levels in HSC-T6 cells.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnostic value of an ultrasonic assessing system for detecting the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSUltrasonographic variables were analyzed in 110 CHB patients. An ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system using seven ultrasonic morphologic parameters, a Fisher discriminating function and three quantitative ultrasonic parameters was developed. The performance of these methods was also studied and compared.

RESULTSThe areas under the curve of the scoring system for different liver fibrosis stages were >or= S2: 0.946, >or= S3: 0.914, and S4: 0.915. The total score was well correlated with the histological stage of fibrosis (r=0.824, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the stages of fibrosis. The accuracy of the Fisher discriminating function for identifying three study endpoints was 76.5%, 78.2% and 67.3%. Combining the ultrasonic scoring system and the discriminating function, the specificity was 85%-90% and the accuracy was 77%-84%.

CONCLUSIONOur ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system is a noninvasive method for quantitating liver fibrosis. If it is used together with a discriminating function, the accuracy of diagnosing liver fibrosis can be significantly increased.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a diagnostic model comprising clinical and serum markers for assessing HBV-related liver fibrosis.

METHODS270 chronic hepatitis B patients were randomly allocated to either an estimation group (195 cases) or a validation group (75 cases). Liver biopsies were done and staging of fibrosis was assessed. Twenty-six common clinical and serum markers were analyzed initially in the estimation group to derive a predictive model to discriminate the stages of fibrosis. The model created was then assessed with ROC analysis. It was also applied to the validation group to test its accuracy.

RESULTSAmong 13 variables associated with liver fibrosis selected by univariate analysis, age, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet count (PLT) were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis as independent factors of fibrosis. A fibrosis index constructed from the above four markers was established. In ROC analysis, the AUC was 0.889 for the estimation group and 0.850 for the validation group for discriminating > or =S3 from < or=S2. Using the optimal cutoff score 3.0, the sensitivity of the index was 90.2%, the specificity 76.1%, and the accuracy was 82%. There was a positive linear relationship between the index scores and the fibrosis stages (r = 0.731, P<0.001). The AUC for identifying > or=S2 was 0.873 with sensitivity/specificity of 79%/82%, cutoff score 2.2; The AUC for identifying S4 was 0.872 with sensitivity/specificity of 83%/75%, cutoff score 5.4. There were no significant differences in diagnostic efficacy in the model between the estimation and the validation group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONA model for assessment of liver fibrosis was established with easily accessible markers. It appears to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible, suggesting it could be used to assist or replace liver biopsy to detect dynamic changes of HBV-related liver fibrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forecasting ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study alkaloid constituents of Diploclisia affinis.

METHODThe air-dried vine stems of D. affinis were extracted with 90% EtOH three times at room temperature. The EtOH extract was suspended in H2 O and adjusted to pH 2 with 5% HCl solution. After extracted with petroleum ether and CHCl3 successively, the aqueous fraction was adjusted to pH 9 with 10% NH3 x H2O and extracted with CHCl3 again to afford the total alkaloids fraction. The compounds were isolated through column chromatography from the total alkaloids fraction. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR).

RESULTFive alkaloids was identified as reticuline (1), asimilobine (2), acutumine (3), dihydroxyprotoberberine (4), stepholidine (5), were isolated from the vine stems of D. affinis.

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were obtained from D. affinis for the first time.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Aporphines ; chemistry ; Benzylisoquinolines ; chemistry ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Menispermaceae ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Spiro Compounds ; chemistry