1.T-SPOT.TB assay in diagnosis and efficacy assessment of pulmonary tuberculosis
Xuefang TAO ; Huajun WANG ; Jianhua WANG ; Jianping ZHONG ; Yongxing LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2012;05(4):221-224
Objective To evaluate the application of interferon-γ release assay T-SPOT.TB in diagnosis and efficacy assessment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods T-SPOT.TB assay was used to determine spot-forming cells (SFCs) formed by T-cells when stimulated by Mycobacterium tuberculosisspecific antigens in 55 patients with active tuberculosis,14 patients with non-tuberculosis lung diseases and 12 healthy controls. Meanwhile 20 sputum culture-positive and qualitative assay-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were tested with T-SPOT.TB before and at 2-month and 6-month after treatment.Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U test were used in group comparison.Wilcoxon test was used in comparison between pre- and post-treatment.Results The positive rate of T-SPOT.TB was significantly higher in patients with tuberculosis (85.5%,47/55 ) than that in patients with non-tuberculosis lung diseases (2/14) and the healthy controls (1/12) (x2 =40.926,P <0.05).The SFCs of hole A in response to ESAT-6 and hole B in response to CFP-10 in pulmonary tuberculosis group were 70.00 (27.00 -125.00) and 80.00 ( 17.00 - 180.00),respectively,which were all significantly higher than those in nontuberculosis lung diseases group and the healthy controls (x2 =35.376 and 30.485,P < 0.05 ).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of T-SPOT.TB in diagnosis of smear-positive tuberculosis were 88.6%,88.5%,91.2% and 85%,while in diagnosis of sputum smearnegative tuberculosis,the sensitivity was 80%,specificity was 88.5%,positive predictive value was 84.2% and negative predictive value was 85.2% ( P > 0.05 ).SFCs of hole A and hole B in 20 patients with sputum culture-positive and qualitative assay-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were 75.50 (41.25 -116.25 ) and 56.25 ( 105.00 -225.00) before the treatment.After 2-month antituberculosis treatment,the SFCsofhole A and hole B were 41.0 (18.0-68.75) and 72.50 (42.25- 158.75),which were significantly lower than those before treatment (Z =- 3.213 and - 3.622,P < 0.05 ).Ater 6-month antituberculosis treatment,the SFCs of hole A and hole B were 25.00 (5.75 - 52.25) and 55.00 (6.25 -122.50),which were significantly lower than those before and 2-month after antituberculosis treatment (vs.before treatment:Z =- 3.921 and - 3.923,P < 0.05 ; vs.2-month antituberculosis treatment:Z =- 3.926 and - 3.884,P < 0.05 ).Conclusions T-SPOT.TB assay possess satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of tuberculosis infection,especially for sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.It is also of value in monitoring antituberculosis treatment.
2.Thoughts on cultivating students' clinical thinking in the discipline-integrated PBL curriculum based on clinical patients
Chaoyang YU ; Na RAN ; Haiyu LI ; Yunfeng GAO ; Ruiming XIA ; Jianrong GE ; Jian ZHANG ; Xuefang TAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2021;20(6):655-658
This paper focuses on the practical necessity of discipline-integrated PBL curriculum in cultivating clinical thinking ability of college students majoring in clinical medicine. Through the teaching process of group discussion of some real and complete cases, this paper explains in detail how to cultivate medical students' clinical thinking ability by discipline-integrated PBL curriculum, discusses the implementation of ideological and political education associated with clinical medicine by heuristic teaching from close touching with clinical case and implicitly infiltration of the socialist core values such as dedication and integrity, and elaborates the humanistic quality and psychological comfort levels of medical students by being close to clinical patients. After five years of teaching practice, the teaching effect of discipline-integrated PBL curriculum has been approved by the national clinical medicine professional certification experts and praised by students. We believes that the development of discipline integrated PBL curriculum in medical college can strengthen students' problem-based autonomous learning ability, significantly improve the two-way integration ability between basic medical courses and basic medicine, and significantly build students' clinical thinking and clinical decision-making ability.
3.Overview of study on the initial processing of Aucklandiae Radix and its processing of decoction pieces
Peng CUI ; Tao LI ; Bin QIU ; Xian DONG ; Zhenquan HE ; Xuefang LI ; Jie YU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(11):1531-1536
Based on the standards of modern Chinese medicinal materials, literature and records of ancient books, this article reviewed the preliminary processing of Aucklandiae Radix and processing of its decoction pieces. There are some problems in the records of the initial processing of Aucklandiae Radix, such as lack of specific parameters, inconsistent processing sequence, unclear removal methods of fibrous roots and soil, inconsistent cutting specifications, drying methods and temperature. Different processing methods of Aucklandiae Radix decoction pieces can lead to differences in the content of their index components. From the initial processing of the producing area to softening, slicing, and then secondary drying, it may increase production costs and time, and lead to the loss of active components. There are more than 20 kinds of processing methods in ancient books, such as stirfrying, baking, simmering, grinding juice and so on. However, only paper simmering, bran stirfrying and Coptidis Rhizoma processing are commonly used at present, and other processing methods have great exploration space. Referring to the research results of freshcut processing of other Chinese materia medica containing volatile components, it is considered that the key to ensure the quality of Chinese materia medica and decoction pieces is to formulate a standardized process flow of freshcut processing of Aucklandiae Radix.
4.Diazepam alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammation via the let-7a-5p/MYD88 axis
Duanyi SONG ; Yun LI ; Xuefang TANG ; Hua LI ; Kang TAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(11):2092-2101
Objective To explore the mechanism by which diazepam alleviates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced pyroptosis and inflammation to delay the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.Methods MRC-5 cells challenged with LPS were treated with diazepam and transfected with a let-7a-5p mimic alone or co-transfected with pc-DNA-MYD88.The changes in cellular expressions of inflammatory factors were analyzed with ELISA,and the expressions of fibrosis-and pyroptosis-related proteins were detected using Western blotting.In the animal experiment,C57BL/6 mice were randomized for treatment with LPS,LPS+diazepam,LPS+diazepam+let-7a-5p mimic,LPS+diazepam+ST2825(a MYD88 inhibitor),or LPS+diazepam+let-7a-5p mimic+pc-DNA-MYD88,and pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary expression of α-SMA were examined using Masson staining and immunofluorescence staining,respectively.Results LPS exposure of MRC-5 cells significantly downregulated let-7a-5p expression,up-regulated MYD88 expression,increased the levels of IL-4,IL-6,TGF-β and TNF-α,and enhanced the expressions of fibrosis-related proteins(Col-I,Col-III,and α-SMA)and pyroptosis-related proteins(NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC,and GSDMD-N).Diazepam treatment of LPS-stimulated cells effectively inhibited the expressions of inflammation-related factors and the fibrosis-and pyroptosis-related proteins.In C57BL/6 mice,diazepam treatment obviously alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis and reduced and pulmonary expression of α-SMA,and these effects were further enhanced by treatment with let-7a-5p mimic or ST2825,but the effect of let-7a-5p mimic was significantly attenuated by MYD88 over-expression.Conclusion Diazepam can negatively regulate MYD88 by upregulating the expression of let-7a-5p to inhibit LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammatory response,thereby alleviating lung fibrosis in mice.
5.Diazepam alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammation via the let-7a-5p/MYD88 axis
Duanyi SONG ; Yun LI ; Xuefang TANG ; Hua LI ; Kang TAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(11):2092-2101
Objective To explore the mechanism by which diazepam alleviates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced pyroptosis and inflammation to delay the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.Methods MRC-5 cells challenged with LPS were treated with diazepam and transfected with a let-7a-5p mimic alone or co-transfected with pc-DNA-MYD88.The changes in cellular expressions of inflammatory factors were analyzed with ELISA,and the expressions of fibrosis-and pyroptosis-related proteins were detected using Western blotting.In the animal experiment,C57BL/6 mice were randomized for treatment with LPS,LPS+diazepam,LPS+diazepam+let-7a-5p mimic,LPS+diazepam+ST2825(a MYD88 inhibitor),or LPS+diazepam+let-7a-5p mimic+pc-DNA-MYD88,and pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary expression of α-SMA were examined using Masson staining and immunofluorescence staining,respectively.Results LPS exposure of MRC-5 cells significantly downregulated let-7a-5p expression,up-regulated MYD88 expression,increased the levels of IL-4,IL-6,TGF-β and TNF-α,and enhanced the expressions of fibrosis-related proteins(Col-I,Col-III,and α-SMA)and pyroptosis-related proteins(NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC,and GSDMD-N).Diazepam treatment of LPS-stimulated cells effectively inhibited the expressions of inflammation-related factors and the fibrosis-and pyroptosis-related proteins.In C57BL/6 mice,diazepam treatment obviously alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis and reduced and pulmonary expression of α-SMA,and these effects were further enhanced by treatment with let-7a-5p mimic or ST2825,but the effect of let-7a-5p mimic was significantly attenuated by MYD88 over-expression.Conclusion Diazepam can negatively regulate MYD88 by upregulating the expression of let-7a-5p to inhibit LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammatory response,thereby alleviating lung fibrosis in mice.
6.Preliminary Diagnosis and Characterization of a Spontaneous Immature Testicular Teratoma in an Interferon Receptor-Deficient Mouse Model
He ZHAO ; Fan ZHANG ; Yuzhou XIAO ; Xuefang AN ; Tao ZHANG ; Li LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(6):691-694
ObjectiveTo observe the spontaneous testicular tumors in interferon receptor-deficient mice (AG129) and provide a basis for further research using this mouse strain. MethodsThe AG129 mouse population was bred in an SPF barrier environment and reproduced normally. Among the 3-week-old weaned mice, we found that one male mouse had an abnormally enlarged testis, while none of the other mice in the same litter exhibited a similar condition. The spontaneous testicular tumor in this mouse was continuously monitored. The mouse was euthanized and dissected at 9 weeks of age. The gross morphology of the tumor was observed, and the tissue was then embedded in paraffin and sectioned for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. ResultsAfter several weeks of observation, the tumor tissue gradually increased in size as the mice aged. Upon dissection, the tumor tissue was encapsulated in a smooth capsule. After opening the capsule, the tumor tissue was irregular in shape, with some areas being hard and others soft. The results of HE staining showed that the tumor tissue developed from tissues derived from multiple germ layers, with nerve tissue, bone tissue, muscle tissue, and adipose tissue inside, exhibiting an irregular morphological structure. ConclusionBased on the tumor development, gross morphological structure, and the HE staining results of the pathological sections, the tumor in this mouse was preliminarily diagnosed as an immature teratoma.
7. Efficacy and safety of oseltamivir in children with suspected influenza: a multicenter randomized open-label trial
Chunhui HE ; Chunyi LIU ; Guangyu LIN ; Qian PENG ; Jiayi LIAO ; Junhong LIN ; Tao ZHANG ; Xuefang ZHENG ; Chuangxing LIN ; Shijun WANG ; Rongshan CHEN ; Li DENG ; Yuming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2017;55(6):462-467
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oseltamivir in the treatment of suspected influenza in children.
Method:
A multicenter, randomized and open-label trial was conducted among 229 individuals with suspected influenza which were collected from the clinic of 5 hospitals in Guangdong province (Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center, Shenzhen Baoan District Maternity and Child Care Service Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Dongguan Maternity and Child Care Service Centre, Yuexiu District Children′s Hospital of Guangzhou) from April to July 2015. They were randomized either to oseltamivir group (oseltamivir 30-75 mg, twice daily for 5 days) or control group who were given symptom relief medicines for 5 days.
Result:
No significant difference was found between two groups in influenza symptoms of the patients before the treatment(
8.Characteristics of whole blood donors from 26 blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19:a multicenter study
Peng LI ; Youhua SHEN ; Wei GAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Jianling ZHONG ; Hao LI ; Lin BAO ; Ying WANG ; Xuefang FENG ; Tao SUN ; Xiaoqin CHEN ; Li LI ; Hongzhi JIA ; Shouguang XU ; Xiaobo CAI ; Wen ZHANG ; Qunying LAI ; Zhiqiang YU ; Zhenxing WANG ; Yanjun ZHOU ; Peng WANG ; Yanhua ZHANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Haiying NIU ; Hongli JING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2023;36(10):907-912
【Objective】 To analyze the basic characteristics of whole blood donors from blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. 【Methods】 After excluding invalid data, data related to the basic characteristics of whole blood donors collected from 26 blood stations in China during 2018 to 2021 were statistically analyzed, including the trend of total whole blood donors, the number of repeated blood donors, the frequency of blood donation, the average age of donors and the recruitment of first-time blood donors. 【Results】 Affected by the epidemic, 8 out of 14 indicators were with large variations, accounting for 57%. The overall growth rate of total whole blood donors during the epidemic was higher than before the epidemic (P<0.05).The number of repeated blood donors has shown an increased trend, with a higher number during the epidemic than before (P<0.05). The frequency of blood donation was lower during the epidemic than before(P<0.05).Average ages of blood donors and female blood donors fluctuated widely during the epidemic, both higher than those before the epidemic(P<0.05).The donation rate of first-time blood donors <25 years old and ≥25 years old varied widely and irregularly during the epidemic (both P<0.05). The percentage of first-time blood donors fluctuated irregularly during the epidemic, with overall percentage lower than that before the epidemic(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Whole blood donors from 26 blood stations increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, and some indicators in certain areas showed significant fluctuations during the epidemic.