Objective To study the discrepancy influence of the sulbactam content on susceptibility testing results of cefoperazone/sulbactam combination disks.Methods Agar dilution method was used to determine MICs of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 and 1:1),and disk diffusion was used to detect the zone diameters of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(75/30 and 75/75μg/disk)disks against 534 clinical gram-negative isolates.The discrepancy within the results of MICs,zore diameters,the method of agar dilution and disk diffusion was analyzed.Results By standard agar dilution method,MIC_(50) of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 and 1:1)were 32,16,16μg/ml,and MIC_(90) of those were ≥256.128,64 μg/ml respectively.No statistic discrepancy was found for MICs between the ratios of 2:1 and 1:1 combination by Wilcoxon ranks test(Z=-0.248,P=0.804).Susceptibility rate,resistance rate,and intermediate rate with 75/30μg disk were 55.3%,24.5%and 20.2%respectively,which were similar to those determined by agar dilution method.Susceptibility rate,resistance rate,and intermediate rate(I%)with 75/75μg disk were 72.5%,12.4% and 15.1% respectively,compared with the susceptibility rate from 75/30μg disk was 17.2% higher.Statistic discrepancy were tested by paired t-test (t=21.613,P＜0.01)with two groups of whole strains' zone diameters from 75/30μg and 75/75μg disks,and resulting in the difference of susceptibility or resistance rates for ESBL-producing strains,Acinetobacter bauamnnii and Enterobacteriaceae without ESBL tested isolates.On the contrary,for Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and ESBL negative isolates,the zone diameters discrepancy was not statistically significant between the results from 75/30μg and 75/75μg disks.Conclusions There is no statistic discrepancy between the susceptibility results from cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 or 1:1 ratios)in dilution method and in diffusion method with 75/30μg disk.When the 75/75μg disk is used to be tested for ESBL-producing strains,Acinetobacter bauamnnii and other Enterobacteriaceae,the results should be shown with sulbactam content.

OBJECTIVEOver the last few decades, diabetic cardiomyopathy has been identified as a significant contributor in cardiac morbidity. However, the mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have not been clarified.

METHODSIn the present study, a diabetic rat model was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The myocardial CD147 expression and extent of glycosylation, as well as thematrixmetalloproteinases(MMPs) expression and activity, were observed in the diabetic and synchronous rats.

RESULTSThe results showed that CD147 located on sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes. The myocardial CD147 expression and glycosylation were significantly increased in the diabetic rats as compared with the control. Expression of MMP-2 protein, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity were also increased in left ventricular myocardium in the diabetic rats. Tamoxifen only inhibited the enhanced expression of myocardial CD147 in the diabetic rats, but not in synchronous control rats. Tamoxifen inhibited glycosylation of myocardial CD147 in both diabetic and control rats. The inhibition of tamoxifen on CD147 glycosylation was stronger than on the expression in the myocardium. The extent of myocardial CD147glycosylation was positively related toMMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Tamoxifen induced an inhibition of myocardial MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the control and diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that myocardial CD147 expression, especially the extent of glycosylation, regulates MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, then accelerates cardiac pathological remodeling inducing diabetic cardiomyopathy. Tamoxifen inhibits myocardial CD147 glycosylation and further depress the activity of MMPs. Therefore, tamoxifen may protect the diabetic rats against diabetic myocardium.

Animals ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies ; drug therapy ; Glycosylation ; Heart ; drug effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Rats ; Sarcolemma ; metabolism ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology

The continuous cultivation of Rehmannia glutinosa causes the accumulation of phenolic acids in soil. It is supposed to be the reason of the so called "continuously cropping obstacle". In this study, phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, eugenol, vanillin and ferulic acid) were degraded by the extracta of all the tested spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and the maximal degradation rate was 75.3%, contributed by extraction of SMS of Pleurotus eryngii. Pot experiment indicated that hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin in soil were also degraded effectively by SMS of P. eryngii. The employment of SMS enhanced ecophysiology index to near the normal levels, such as crown width, leaves number, leaf length, leaf width and height. At the same time, the fresh and dry weight and total catalpol concentration of tuberous root weight of R. glutinosa was increased to 2.70, 3.66, 2.25 times by employment of SMS, respectively. The increase of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes numbers in rhizosphere soil were observed after the employment of SMS by microbial counts. The employment of SMS also enhanced the enzyme activity in soils, such as sucrase, cellulase, phosphalase, urease and catelase. These results indicated that the employment of SMS alleviated the continuously cropping obstacle of R. glutinosa in some extent.
Agaricales ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Agriculture ; methods ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Soil ; chemistry ; Soil Microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the microbial contents presented on the surface of mucosa in the oral cavity of patients who accepted radiotherapy, and to provide the evidences of controlling post-radiotherapeutic infections.

METHODS32 patients (19 males and 13 females) aged from 37 - 72 received radiotherapy after oral squamous cell carcinomas operation were selected. Samples of saliva were obtained from the radiated center and opposite mucosa before and after radiotherapy. The detective amount, detective ratio and constituent ratio were analysed by cultivation and identification.

RESULTSStreptococci, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly increased on both sides of the oral mucosa while Neisseria and Actinobacillus decreased on radiated region after the radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONRadiotherapy has great effects on oral bacteria and pathogenic organism may play a role in post-radiotherapy infections. It is necessary to do bacteria culture and choose sensitive antibiotics regularly for post-radiotherapeutic patients.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Candida albicans ; isolation & purification ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; microbiology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; microbiology ; Mouth Neoplasms ; microbiology ; radiotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Saliva

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of nitric oxide in the inhibitory effect of somatic afferent input on the pressor response caused by electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN).

METHODSSD rats anesthetized by urethane were used in the study. Bipolar stainless stimulating electrode was inserted into PVN for electrical stimulation. Multi-barreled micropipettes were used for microinjection of L-NAME or normal saline into the lateral ventricle or amygdala. Deep peroneal nerve (DPN) was stimulated with electrical current pulses of 0.4 mA with duration of 0.5 ms at 4 Hz for 5 min. PVN was stimulated by electrical current pulses of 0.3 mA with duration of 0.5 ms at 80 Hz for 10 sec.

RESULTElectrical stimulation of PVN increased mean arterial pressure. Stimulation of DPN significantly inhibited the pressor response induced by stimulation of PVN (P<0.01), with the inhibitory percentage of 43.27%. Microinjection of L-NAME (0.5 mol/L,10 microl) into the lateral ventricle of brain attenuated the inhibitory effect of DPN. The inhibitory percentage decreased from 47.73% to 12.49% (P<0.05). Microinjection of L-NAME (2 mol/L,100 nl) into amygdala reduced the inhibitory effect of DPN. The inhibitory percentage of stimulating DPN on the pressor response decreased from 50.71% to 25.30% (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNitric oxide in the brain and amygdala are involved in the inhibitory effect of somatic afferent input on central pressor response.

Afferent Pathways ; drug effects ; physiology ; Amygdala ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Electric Stimulation ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Peroneal Nerve ; physiology ; Pressoreceptors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Malignant proliferating tricholemmoma is a very rare dermatic annexal tumor originated from outer root sheath cells. In this article, a case of facial multiple malignant proliferating tricholemmoma was reported, and its clinical pathologic features, differential diagnosis, treatment methods and histogenesis were discussed by reviewing relevant literatures.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Face ; Female ; Humans ; Skin Neoplasms

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a rare complication associated with oral cancer operation. This article reported a case of AWS after resection of squamous cell cancer of the right floor of mouth combined with radical neck dissection and trapezius myocutaneous flap reconstruction. The discussion included diagnosis, treatment and prevention of AWS.
Alcohols ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Neck Dissection ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between abnormal ECG and pathologic changes in the cardiac conduction system (CCS).

METHODPathological changes of the CCS in 12 cases with abnormal ECG out of 16 pre-death ECG were observed.

RESULTS(1) Among 7 cases of sudden cardiac death, ECG monitoring recorded bradyarrhythmia in 6 cases, tachyarrhythmia 6 cases, bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome 2 cases, conduction block 6 cases, atrial premature beats 6 cases, ventricular premature beats 6 cases, and ST-T changes 4 cases. (2) The histopathological findings in the CCS were noted in all cases. Of these 12 cases, three had signs of fatty infiltration, and/or fibrous 4 cases, three of amyloidosis, one of chronic inflammatory changes, two of acute inflammatory changes, two of developmental anomalies, two of hemorrhages and one of LAD stenosis. (3) Acute inflammation changes in the CCS corresponded to tachyarrhythmia and multiple ventricular premature beats, whereas chronic inflammation and degenerative changes in the CCS were often related to bradyarrhythmia, bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome and conduction block. (4) The CCS changes alone could lead to ST-T changes in ECG.

CONCLUSIONThe pathological changes in the CCS are related to ECG changes, and attributed to the pathological bases of arrhythmia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Child ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Conduction System ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThrough introduction of principal theory and algorithm of propensity score to design SAS macro programs for binary data.

METHODSPropensity score method was used to compare the differences of character variables between two groups, and the association of DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) with the mortality of congestive heart failure was evaluated with different methods.

RESULTSSignificant differences among the character variables between two groups were effectively balanced with stratification or matching method. The odds ratios of DNR with the in-hospital mortality rate of congestive heart failure were estimated identical with different algorithms and to find that the association of DNR to in-hospital mortality was highly significant.

CONCLUSIONPropensity score was a good algorithm that could be used to analyze any kind of observational data for matching the effects among the character variables.

Algorithms ; Bias ; Heart Failure ; mortality ; Humans ; Models, Statistical

There is a great need for new vaccine development against influenza A viruses due to the drawbacks of traditional vaccines that are mainly prepared using embryonated eggs. The main component of the current split influenza A virus vaccine is viral hemagglutinin (HA) which induces a strong antibody-mediated immune response. To develop a modern vaccine against influenza A viruses, the current research has been focused on the universal vaccines targeting viral M2, NP and HA proteins. Crystallographic studies have shown that HA forms a trimer embedded on the viral envelope surface, and each monomer consists of a globular head (HA1) and a "rod-like" stalk region (HA2), the latter being more conserved among different HA subtypes and being the primary target for universal vaccines. In this study, we rationally designed the HA head based on the crystal structure of the 2009-pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus HA as a model, tested its immunogenicity in mice, solved its crystal structure and further examined its immunological characteristics. The results show that the HA globular head can be easily prepared by in vitro refolding in an E. coli expression system, which maintains its intact structure and allows for the stimulation of a strong immune response. Together with recent reports on some similar HA globular head preparations we conclude that structure-based rational design of the HA globular head can be used for subtype-specific vaccines against influenza viruses.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Drug Design ; Female ; Freund's Adjuvant ; administration & dosage ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Folding ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Subunit ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis