Objective To evaluate the clinical application of COBIO XS automated urine sediment analyzer for screening urinary tract infection(UTI) .Methods Midstream urine samples were collected from 182 patients with suspected UTI .White blood cell counts(WBC) and bacteria counts(BACT) were determined by COBIO XS automated urine sediment analyzer .By comparing with quantitative urine culture as the golden standard of UTI .The area under the ROC curve(AUC) was constructed to evaluate the dis‐criminative power of variables to predict UTI .Results The positive rate of urine culture was 30 .8% .The isolated rate of Esche‐richia coli ,Enterococcus species and proteus species were 53 .6% ,16 .1% ,10 .7% ,respectively .ROC curve analysis showed that AUC was 0 .808(95% CI 0 .710-0 .867) for WBC and 0 .899(95% CI 0 .797 -0 .923) for BACT .The best cutoff value for WBC was 50/μL ,sensitivity was 89 .0% ,specificity was 83 .8% ,positive predictive value was 86 .3% and negative predictive value was 93 .7% .The best cutoff value for BACT was 110/μL ,sensitivity was 82 .5% ,specificity was 85 .6% ,positive predictive value was 78 .5% and negative predictive value was 88 .0% .Conclusion COBIO XS analyzer is adopted to conduct rapid and reliable a screen‐ing tool for UTI .

Objective To understand the clinical epidemiology of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital during a 10-year period. Methods One hundred and nine cases of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital affiliated Fudan University during the period of 1998- 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The underlying conditions, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome were described. The prognostic factors were analyzed by chi square test or Fisher exact probability test. Multivariate analysis was done by multiple Logistic regression. Results The average annual incidence of nosocomial candidemia during the study period was 0.28/10 000 patients per day.The most common pathogen was C. albicans (59/109,54.1%), followed by C. tropicalis (20/109,18.3%), then C. parapsilosis (11/109, 10. 1%), C. glabrata (11/109, 10.1%), and other Candida spp. (8/109, 7.3% ). Underlying diseases frequently identified included diabetes (50,45.9%), solid malignancy (32, 29.4%), head trauma (13, 11. 9%) and stroke (12, 11.0%).There were 37 cases who died or deteriorated. The overall mortality was 34.0% and the attributable mortality was 22. 0% (24/109). In multivariate prognostic analysis, retention of central venous catheters (OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.68-17.41, P＝0.005), corticosteroid medication (OR: 3.69,95% CI: 1.10-12.34, P=0. 034), and severe sepsis on the day of candidemia (OR: 2.94, 95% CI:1.72-15. 21, P = 0. 003) were factors independently correlated to increased mortality. Furthermore,adequate antifungal therapy was the only independent predictor of decreased overall mortality (OR: 0. 27,95% CI: 0. 09-0. 78,P=0.015). Conclusions The incidence of nosocomial candidemia in our hospital has been increasing during the past decade. Timely diagnosis and treatment plays a key role in the management of nosocomial candidemia,

Objective To investigate the polymorphism profile of cytochrome P_(450)2C19 (CYP2C19) in Chinese patients with invasive fungal infections. Methods Two major single nucleotide polymorphism loci of the CYP2C19 gene (CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3) were genotyped with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 134 patients with invasive fungal infections and 134 healthy volunteers. Allele frequencies and the proportions of metabolizer phenotypes were compared. Results In patients with invasive fungal infections, CYP2C19 * 1, CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3 alleles showed frequencies of 58.2%, 36.6% and 5.2%. In healthy volunteers, the frequencies of CYP2C19 * 1, CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3 were 63.4% , 34. 3% and 2. 2%. There was no significant difference in allele frequencies between the two groups. Of the patients with invasive fungal infections, 33. 6% were homozygous extensive metabolizers, 50.0% heterozygous extensive metabolizers and 16.4% poor metabolizers. Of the healthy volunteers, 40.3% were homozygous extensive metabolizers, 48.5% heterozygous extensive metabolizers and 11. 2% poor metabolizers. The proportions of metabolizer phenotypes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Significant CYP2C19 polymorphism was detected in both groups. Approximately two thirds of the Chinese patients were either heterozygous extensive metabolizers or poor metabolizers. The genetic polymorphism may have important effect on drug metabolism in these patients

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) complicated with left heart failure. Methods Patients with medical history of AECOPD, or are diagnosed as AECOPD from March 2014 to February 2015 were involved in the study. Based on echocardiography and clinic characteristics , the patients were divided into left heart failure group (group A) and non-left heart failure group (group B). Related factors of elevated NT-proBNP in AECOPD and the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP for patients with AECOPD complicated with left heart failure were analyzed , and exclusive and diagnostic cutoff were worked out. Results In this study , 109 AECOPD patients were collected , including 21 patients in group A and 88 patients in group B. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated NT-proBNP was positively associated with PCT (β=0.180,P = 0.011) and PAP(β = 0.333,P = 0.000), and negatively with LVEF(β = -0.511,P = 0.000)and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) was 0.959 (95% confidence interval:0.915-1.002,P = 0.000). The exclusive cutoff was 794.6 pg/mL(sensitivity:90.5%,specificity:92%), and the diagnostic cutoff 1 618 pg/mL(sensitivity:85.7%,specificity: 97.7%). Conclusions NT-proBNP can help to diagnose whether AECPOD patients are complicated with left heart failure. Besides left heart dysfunction and the state of systemic inflammation , pulmonary hypertension may be the reasons for the elevated NT-proBNP in AECOPD patients.

Objective To study the clinical features and antifungal therapeutic effects in nonacquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Methods One hundred and fifty-four non-AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics, initial antifungal therapies and outcome of these patients were analyzed. Continuous variables were analyzed using t test and categorical variables were compared by X~2 test or Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of different therapies were compared with log-rank test. Results Fifty-one patients (33.12%)had one or more predisposing factors. Headache, fever, meningeal irritation, vomiting and altered mental status were common clinical symptoms and signs during the course of diseases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)smear, CSF culture and detection of CSF cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen were 88.44%,78.95%and 100.00%,respectively.Twelve cases were excluded because treatment durations were less than 7 days, including 9 died,2 discharged against medical advice due to illness exacerbation and 1 lost after against medical advice discharge. The remaining 142 patients were evaluated for therapeutic effects. The effective rates in amphotericin B (AmB)group, fluconazole group and AmB plus fluconazole group were 78.3%(36/46),33.3%(8/24)and 76.0%(38/50),respectively. The therapeutic effects in AmB group and AmB plus fluconazole group were superior to fluconazole group(X~2=13.6354,12.5509;P＜0.01).Eleven patients were lost during 1-year follow-up. The attributable and overall mortality in the remaining 143 patients were 19.58% and 28.67%,respectively.The 1-year survival rates in AmB group and AmB plus fluconazole group were significantly higher than that in fluconazole group. Conclusions The mortality of non-AIDS cryptococcal meningitis is still high,which is closely correlated with initial antifungal therapies. AmB alone or combined with flucytosine is related to both higher successful response and higher survival rate, while the efficacy of initial fluconazole alone or combined with flucytosine is poor.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with uncommon fungal infections in central nervous system (CNS).Methods Thirty-five patients with uncommon CNS fungal infections who were admitted to Huashan Hospital from 1997 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.The pathogens,symptoms and signs.treatments of patients were evaluated.The data were analyzed by rank sum test and Fisher'S exact test.Results Twenty-nine of the 35 patients met the definition criteria of prover CNS fungal infections,while the other 6 had probable diagnosis.Predisposing factors were found in 86% of all patients.The most common pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species.The symptoms and signs commonly occurred including fever(22 cases),headache(19 cases), cranial neuropathy(12 cases),and meningeal irritation sign(12 cases).High white blood cell count,high protein level,and low glucose level were the main findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.Patients with cerebral aspergillosis were more frequently accompanied with immunocompromised conditions, and they often got CNS aspergillosis from hematogenous dissemination or direct extension of paranasal sinus infection.Cerebral granuloma and abscess were the common clinical characteristics of CNS aspergillosis.Cerebral candidiasis often arose from neurosurgical surgery or traumatic brain injury,and these patients were usually presented with meningitis.All patients were treated with antifungal drugs and (or) surgical intervention and 77%(27/35) of the patients achieved complete or partial responses. Antifungal agents combined with surgical resection might improve outcome of patients with CNS aspergillosis; while removal or replacement of drainage tubes in combination with antifungal treatment showed satisfactory efficacy in patients with cerebral candidiasis who usually had shunt manipulation. Conclusions The incidence of CNS fungal infection, such as cerebral aspergillosis and candidiasis, is increasing. Early diagnose and therapeutic intervention are crucial for improving outcome.

Objective To describe the distribution of mannose binding lectin (MBL) genetic polymorphisms in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcosis in China and to verify the association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis.Methods The case-controlled genetic association study was conducted and 167 non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis and 208 healthy controls were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and MBL gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six singlenucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP) of MBL gene were sequenced. The association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis were analyzed. The comparison between patients and controls was performed by chi square test or Fisher's exact test. The differences of MBL plasma concentrations between groups with different MBL genotypes were compared by single factor variance analysis. Results There were no differences between patients and controls in terms of MBL genotype frequencies, haplotypes and genotypes (all P>0. 05). Compared with healthy control, the deficient MBL-producing genotypes were strongly associated with cryptococcal meningitis (16. 5% vs 8. 7%,χ2=4.25, P=0.0392, OR = 2.09), particularly in patients without underlying immunocompromised conditions (21. 4% vs 8. 7%, χ2 =7. 15, P = 0. 0075, OR = 2. 88). Individuals with MBL deficiency genotypes showed significantly higher rates of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal infection rather than non-CNS cryptococcosis (16. 5% vs 3. 1%, Fisher's exact test, P = 0. 010, OR = 6. 13).The difference was even more significant in the immunocompetent patients (21. 4% vs 4. 0%, P =0.009, OR= 6. 55). Conclusion MBL deficiency is associated with cryptococcal meningitis and may play a role in CNS Cryptococcus infection.

Objective To evaluate clinical features,therapeutic effects and outcomes of patients with non-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected cryptococcal meningitis treated with fluconazole or fluconazole and flucytosine.Methods Twenty-four cases of non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis(fluconazole with or without flucytosine as initial therapy)in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical manifestations,therapeutic effects and outcomes of the patients were collected.Results Fluconazole was administered with median dosage of 400 mg/d,for a median duration of 20.5 days.After fluconazole initial therapy for 2 weeks,16.7% showed partial response,83.3% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 16.7%.After 10 weeks,33.3% showed partial response,29.2% showed complete response,16.7% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 62.5%.Mortality at week 10 was 20.8%.Twenty-two patients who failed to respond to initial therapy were switched to other antifungal drugs(amphotericin B,amphotericin B colloidal dispersion,itraconazole)or other fluconazole containing combined therapy.Eleven out of the 24 patients died during one-year follow-up,8 of whom died of eryptococcal meningitis,and 3 died of other diseases.Conclusions The initial therapy of fluconazole with or without flucytosine is inefficient,and most of the patients need other antifungal drugs because of initial therapy failure.Therefore,fluconazole might not be appropriate for initial therapy in non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective:To verify the protective effect of terazosin on cognitive function of rats after whole-brain irradiation (WBI) and to investigate its mechanism.Methods:A total of 64 1-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the untreated control group, terazosin group, irradiation group and irradiation plus terazosin group (combination group). WBI was administered at a single dose of 20 Gy in the irradiation and combination groups. The open field test and the Morris water maze (MWM) test were used to evaluate the effect of terazosin on cognitive function after WBI.Starting from the three aspects of juvenile neuron apoptosis, neurogenesis disorderand microglia activation, the possible cellular mechanism wasassayed by double-label immunofluorescence staining for BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) / NeuN, DCX(Doublecortin) / Caspase-3 and single-label immunofluorescence staining for Iba-1 (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1).Results:Terazosin intervention improved the short-term memory retention of irradiated rats ( P=0.032). After terazosin treatment, the number of DCX + cells in the combination groupwas increased by approximately 35% compared with that in the irradiation group ( P=0.038). The number of BrdU +/NeuN + cells in the combination group was increased by approximately 15% than that in the irradiation group ( P>0.05). The number of Iba-1 + cells in the irradiation plus terazosin group was decreased by 49% compared with that in the irradiation group ( P=0.036). Conclusion:Terazosin may reduce the hippocampal juvenile neuron loss and inhibit neuroinflammation via microglia activation, which can alleviate WBI-induced cognitive dysfunction to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the relationship between regulatory T(Treg)cells and recurrence after treatment with mometasone furoate in children with adenoid hypertrophy complicated with allergic rhinitis.Methods A total of 104 children with adenoid hyperplasia complicated with allergic rhinitis admitted to Chan-gzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected as the study subjects.All the children were treated with mometasone furoate for 1 month.According to whether the drug relapsed after 3 months,the patients were divided into recurrence group and the non-recurrence group.The pe-ripheral blood Treg cells,intracellular cytokine interleukin-10(IL-10),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),IgE,IgG4 levels,and eosinophilic count(EOS)were measured in both groups before and after treatment.The adenoid/nasopharynx(A/N)value and symptom scores of allergic rhinitis were measured 3 months after drug withdrawal in the two groups.Pearson analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between Treg cells and A/N value and symptom scores.The effectiveness of Treg cells,IL-10,TGF-β1,IgE,IgG4,and EOS in predicting the recurrence was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The recur-rence rate of 104 children with adenoid hypertrophy complicated with allergic rhinitis was 41.35％(43/104).After treatment,Treg cells,IL-10,TGF-β1 and IgG4 in the recurrent group were lower than those in the non-recurrent group,while IgE,EOS,A/N value and symptom score were higher than those in the non-recurrent group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Pearson analysis showed that Treg cells were negatively corre-lated with A/N value(r=-0.470,P＜0.001)and rhinitis symptom scores(r=-0.872,P＜0.001).The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of Treg cells in predicting the prognosis were 94.6％,95.1％and 93.0％respectively.Conclusion Treg cells are effective in predicting the prognosis of children with adenoid hypertro-phy complicated with allergic rhinitis.