OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility in neonates with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

METHODSSputum specimens for bacterial cultures were collected from 1173 neonates with LRTL between January 2005 and December 2006. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed after bacteria had been identified.

RESULTSA total of 707 pathogenic strains (60.3%) were identified, including 521 (73.7%) Gram-negative bacilli, 106 (15.0%) Gram-positive bacilli, and 80 (11.3%) fungi. E Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enteric bacilli were common cultured Gram-negative bacilli. Most strains of Gram-negative bacilli were susceptible to meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, the fourth generation cephalosporin, cebfoperazone/sulbactam and amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus and coagula-negative staphylococci (CNS) were common in the cultured Gram-positive bacilli. Staphylococcus aureus and CNS were susceptible to vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam but were resistant to Penicillin.

CONCLUSIONSGram-negative bacilli predominate the pathogens of LRTI in neonates. E Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are major pathogens.

Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using single cell fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

METHODSingle buccal cell genetic analysis was performed with fluorescent PCR of linked microsatellite D16S423, followed by electrophoresis on ABI 3730.

RESULTThe amplification success rate, allele dropout rate, and diagnostic accuracy rate of the single cell fluorescent PCR were 93.3%, 10.7%, and 89.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSingle cell fluorescent PCR is a stable and reliable approach for the PGD.

Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ; methods ; Pedigree ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods

In order to investigate the frequency of MPLW515L and JAK2V617F point mutations of the patients with myeloproliferative disease (MPD) in Nanjing area, MPLW515L and JAK2V617F point mutations were simultaneously detected by alleles specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and sequencing in 190 MPD patients. The results showed that MPLW515L point mutation was detected in 1 out of 102 essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients (1.0%) and was not detected in 32 polycythemia vera (PV) patients, 13 idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) patients, 43 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. JAK2V617F point mutation was detected in 20 out of 32 PV patients (62.5%), 43 out of 102 ET patients (42.2%), 5 out of 13 IMF patients (38.5%), and was not detected in 43 CML patients. It is concluded that MPLW515L point mutation exists in ET patient, but is not found in PV, IMF and CML. JAK2V617F point mutation exists in PV, ET and IMF, but not in CML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of an active fraction (DSS-A-N-30) from Danggui Shaoyao San.

METHODDSS-A-N30 was prepared by macroporous resin chromatography, the compound was isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and RPC-18, the structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTA new monoterpene glycoside was isolated and identified from DSS-A-N-30.

CONCLUSIONThe new monoterpene glycoside was identified as 4"-hydroxyl-albiflorin.

Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Gel ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, and PCNA in cisplatin-treated A549 cell line.

METHODComet assay, RT-PCR, and western blot were used to study the mRNA and protein expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, and PCNA.

RESULTSWhen treated with IC(20) cisplatin, the DNA damage level increased as the cisplatin treated time increased within 24 h of cisplatin treatment. The tail state 12 h and 24 h after treatment was 5.02 +/- 0.68 and 7.22 +/- 0.53 respectively, which was significantly higher than those of the controls (2.73 +/- 0.29). The tail state 24 h after treatment was not significantly different from that of the controls. The DNA damage level decreased to normal after cisplatin treatment in 24 h (tail state 3.64 +/- 0.7). The expression levels of ERCC2, UDG, PCNA protein (4.37 +/- 0.57, 5.47 +/- 0.46, 2.21 +/- 0.47 respectively) and mRNA (0.71 +/- 0.08, 0.74 +/- 0.06, 0.82 +/- 0.09) were increased significantly within 24 h exposure and decreased to normal 24 h after cisplatin treatment. The 3 enzymes' mRNA and protein expression increased when treated with cisplatin, but the changes of protein level were slower than those of mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONSThe DNA repair capability in A549 cells increases after cisplatin treatment. Cisplatin was a positive regulation of ERCC2, UDG, PCNA expression levels, which causes the increase of mRNA, and protein. The positive regulation only works in a short time and returns normal after 24 h of cisplatin treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; DNA Glycosylases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA Helicases ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein

In vivo extracellular recordings were made in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of intact control rats and rats with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) -produced lesion of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). The results showed that the firing rate of STN neurons in control rats and DRN-lesioned rats were (6.93+/-6.55) Hz and (11.27+/-9.31) Hz, respectively, and the firing rate of DRN-lesioned rats significantly increased when compared to the control rats (P<0.01). In control rats, 13% of STN neurons discharged regularly, 46% irregularly and 41% in bursts. In DRN-lesioned rats, 9% of STN neurons discharged regularly, 14% irregularly and 77% in bursts, the percentage of STN neurons firing in bursts was obviously higher than that of the control rats (P<0.01). In addition, the mean interspike interval coefficient of variation of STN neurons in control rats and DRN-lesioned rats were (0.05+/-0.04) and (0.11+/-0.09), respectively. The mean interspike interval coefficient of variation of DRN-lesioned rats was significantly higher than that of the control rats (P<0.001). These results show that the firing rate and the bursting pattern rate of neurons in STN of DRN-lesioned rats increase significantly, suggesting that DRN inhibits the neuronal activity of the subthalamic neurons in the intact rat.
5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Raphe Nuclei ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; physiopathology

Objective To clone a gametocyte specific protein Pfgdv1 of Plasmodium falciparum,express and identify re?combinant Pfgdv1 protein in vitro. Methods PCR was performed to amplify Pfgdv1 from P. falciparum DNA which was got from the patient who was infected with P. falciparum,and the PCR product was inserted into pET28a(+)vector. pET28a?Pfg?dv1 recombinant plasmid was constructed and transformed into E. coli host BL21(DE3+). IPTG was used to induce the recombi?nant Pfgdv1 protein fused with His tag,and the protein was purified by His?NTA affinity chromatography. The recombinant pro?tein was identified by SDS?PAGE and Western blotting. Results The PCR product of Pfgdv1 gene was about 1.65 kb,meeting the expectation of predicted fragment size. The recombinant protein was about 67 kDa,which could be recognized by His?Tag monoclonal antibody. Conclusion The Pfgdv1 gene of P. falciparum is successfully cloned,and the recombinant Pfgdv1 pro?tein is expressed,thereby providing an opportunity for further study on transmission blocking vaccine.

In the present study, changes of the neuronal activity of 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT) neurons of dorsal raphe nucleus(DRN) in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) were investigated with glass microelectrode recording. The results showed that the discharge rates of 5-HT neurons in control and PD rats were (1.61+/-0.56) Hz and (2.61+/-1.97) Hz, respectively. The discharge rate of PD rats was significantly increased when compared to that of the control rats. In control rats, 79% of 5-HT neurons discharged regularly and 21% in bursts. In PD rats, however, 36% of 5-HT neurons discharged regularly, 16% irregularly and 47% in bursts. The percentage of 5-HT neurons discharging in bursts was obviously higher than that of the control rats (P<0.05). The data suggest that the discharge rate and bursting pattern of 5-HT neurons in DRN are increased in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Male ; Microelectrodes ; Neurons ; physiology ; Parkinson Disease ; physiopathology ; Raphe Nuclei ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the infection rate and subtypes of human papilloma virus(HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze the clinicopathologic features of patients with or without HPV infection.

METHODSA total of 66 biopsy or surgical specimens of OSCC archived in the Pathology Department of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the generic amplification products were detected by DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) and typed by reverse hybridization line probe assay.

RESULTSHPV-DNA was detected in 11 (16.7%) of all specimens. Among them, 7 were infected with HPV-16,and the remaining 4 patients were infected with HPV-16/11, HPV-35, HPV-58/52, and HPV-33/52/54, respectively. HPV-16 was detected in 72.7% of all positive specimens. There were more females in HPV-positive group than HPV-negative group (36.4% vs. 1.8%,P=0.002). Patients with HPV-positive tumors were more likely to be non-smokers (36.4% vs. 0,p=0.001) and non-drinkers (45.5% vs. 1.8%,p=0.001) than those with HPV-negative tumors. The proportion of moderately or poorly differentiated tumors was higher in HPV-positive patients than HPV-negative patients (81.8% vs. 63.7%), although without statistical significance (p=0.409). No difference was observed in T classification, N classification, and overall tumor stage.

CONCLUSIONSHPV infection rate was 16.7% in this cohort. HPV-positive OSCC has its unique etiologic and clinicopathological characteristics.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms ; virology ; Papillomaviridae ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of trisomy 8 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and its significance in prognosis.

METHODSA panel of probes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect trisomy 8 in 151 CLL patients combined with chromosome karyotype analysis.

RESULTSThere were 2 patients (1.3%) with trisomy 8 in the 151 CLL patients, and the number of trisomy 8 cells was 8% and 10% respectively. The karyotypes were 47,XY,+8[2]/49,XY,+14,+20,+21[2]/ 46,XY[16], and 47,XX,+8[2]/46,XX[18], respectively.

CONCLUSIONTrisomy 8 was rare in CLL, and its significance in prognosis of CLL still remains unknown.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Trisomy