Abstract: Objective　To investigate the antimicrobial activity of omadacycline (OMC) against clinical Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) isolates, as well as its relationship with biofilm formation, resistance genes and virulence genes. Methods　A total of 136 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital between 2015 to 2020. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OMC against Streptococcus agalactiae was determined by broth microdilution. Crystal violet staining was used to detect the biofilm formation ability of GBS. Resistance genes (tetM, tetO, tetK, ermB, OptrA) and virulence genes (cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA, scpB) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results　Among the 136 clinical isolates of GBS, 20 strains (14.7%) were resistant to OMC, 64 (47.1%) were intermediate, and 52 (38.2%) were sensitive. Fifty-seven strains (41.9%) were biofilm-positive, 20 of which (35.1%) were sensitive to OMC. Seventy-nine strains (58.1%) were biofilm-negative, 32 of which (40.5%) were susceptible to OMC. There was a statistically significant difference in the sensitivity rates between the two groups of strains (χ2=63.062, P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the sensitivity of OMC among the biofilm-positive strains (Fisher's exact test, P=0.824). The resistance rates of tetM, tetO, ermB and OptrA positive strains were higher than those of negative strains, while tetK was opposite. The presence of tetM (Z=0.815, P=0.415), tetO (Z=0.151, P=0.88), tetK (Z=0.567, P=0.571), ermB (Z=1.198, P=0.231) resistance genes in Streptococcus agalactiae had no significant impact on the sensitivity of OMC. However, the presence of the OptrA resistance gene showed a statistically significant effect on the sensitivity of OMC (Z=2.913, P=0.004). The virulence factors cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA and scpB were all detected at a rate higher than 50%. The presence of the virulence genes cpsⅢ (Z=0.222, P=0.824), bca (Z=0.141, P=0.888), fbsA (Z=0.813, P=0.416), and cpsA (Z=1.615, P=0.106) in Streptococcus agalactiae had no significant impact on the sensitivity of OMC. However, there was a significant inter-group difference in the scpB virulence gene (Z=2.844, P=0.004), but the rank mean values and resistance rates of scpB-positive strains were lower than those of the negative strains. Conclusions　The formation of biofilm in Streptococcus agalactiae reduces its sensitivity to OMC, but there was no significant difference in the sensitivity to OMC among the biofilm-positive strains. The presence of resistance genes tetM, tetO, tetK, ermB, and virulence genes cpsⅢ, bca, fbsA, cpsA, scpB in Streptococcus agalactiae is not associated with OMC resistance, but the presence of the resistance gene OptrA is correlated with OMC resistance..

Silk fibroin is a natural polymer with certain water solubility, structural modification, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, which can be used as a drug delivery carrier material. As a promising drug delivery system, drug-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles can control drug release, reduce toxicity and improve therapeutic effects. In this paper, the basic characteristics of silk fibroin, the preparation methods of drug-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles and the application of silk fibroin in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are reviewed, and on this basis, the further development of drug-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles is prospected.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of p21-activated kinase-4 (PAK4) in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

METHODPAK4 expression was detected in 35 cases of normal breast, 22 breast cystic hyperplasia, 28 breast adenofibroma, 37 breast cancer (including 7 non-invasive cancer, 9 early invasive cancer and 21 invasive cancer) and 13 metastatic breast cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry for a comparison of PAK4 expression and distribution.

RESULTSPAK4 was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of the cancer cells, occasionally in the cell nuclei, and virtually not expressed in the matrix surrounding the breast cells. PAK4 positivity rates increased in the order of normal breast tissues, benign changes (including breast cystic hyperplasea and breast adenoma), breast cancer and metastatic cancer tissues; in the cancer tissues, the positivity rates increased in the order of non-invasive breast tumor, early invasive tumor and invasive tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONPAK4 is closely correlated to the progression and metastasis of breast cancer and may become a new diagnostic and therapeutic target of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Young Adult ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of the no-flip procedure with the Chinese Shang Ring when circumcising adult males with redundant prepuce or phimosis, and to discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

METHODSUsing the no-flip Shang Ring technique, we performed circumcision for 167 adult males aged 18 -72 (mean 27.8) years with redundant prepuce or phimosis, and analyzed the clinical data, including the operation time, postoperative complications, ring-removal time, and postoperative appearance of the penis.

RESULTSComplete follow-up data of 94 cases (56.29%) were obtained. The mean operation time was (5.03 +/- 0.71) minutes and the average ring-removal time was (18.83 +/- 6.70) days. The primary postoperative complications were edema (35 cases [37.23%] at 2 weeks and 9 cases [9.57%] at 4 weeks), including 2 severe cases (2.13%), and infection (3 cases [3.19%]). The pain scores were 2.01 +/- 2.46 during the procedure and 4.52 +/- 2.53 at 24 hours postoperatively. Slipping of the outer ring occurred in 1 case, and delayed removal of the ring in 30 cases (31.91%).

CONCLUSIONAdult male circumcision with the no-flip Shang Ring technique is recommended for its short operation time, simple procedure, fewer postoperative complications, less pain, and better incision appearance.

Adult ; Aged ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Edema ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Prostheses and Implants ; Young Adult

Application of promoter trapping based on transformation in Magnaporthe grisea is reported in this paper. Two promoter-trapping vectors, designated as pCBGFP and pEGFPHPH, were constructed and transformed into protoplasts of M. grisea. A library of 1,077 transformants resistant to hygromycin B was generated. Of which, 448 transformants were found to express eGFP gene in different structures of M. grisea. Three transformants grew slowly, 5 transformants decreased in conidiation and 7 transformants reduced in pathogenicity greatly among these 448 transformants. Eleven transformants were checked by genomic southern blot randomly, and 9 of which were single-copy insertions. The promoter trapping technique has been applied successfully in M. grisea and can be used as a tool for functional genomic analysis.
Fungal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; genetics ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Magnaporthe ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the role of neuronavigation in assisting endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas.

METHODSTen endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal reoperations for pituitary adenomas were selected. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. Five of 10 patients had gigantic adenoma, 3 microadenoma, 2 large adenoma.

RESULTSThe mean setup time was 5 minutes, and the operative time was 50 minutes in image-guided procedures. In all cases, the system worked well without malfunction. Continuous information regarding instrument location and trajectory was provided to the surgeon. Measurements of intraoperative accuracy in the axial, coronal, and.sagittal planes indicated a mean verified system error of 1.5 mm. for pituitary adenomas. After operation, the symptoms relieved in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSNeuronavigation can be applied during endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery and requires a minimal amount of time. It makes reoperation easier, faster, and safer.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypophysectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphenoid Sinus ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

BACKGROUNDTourette syndrome (TS) is a complex, heterozygous genetic disorder. The number of molecular genetic studies have investigated several candidate genes, particularly those implicated in the dopamine system. The dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) gene has been considered as a candidate gene in TS. There was not any report about the association study of TS and DRD3 gene in Han Chinese population. We combined a case-control genetic association analysis and nuclear pedigrees transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis to investigate the association between DRD3 gene rs6280 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and TS in a Han Chinese population.

METHODSA total of 160 TS patients was diagnosed by the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The DRD3 gene rs6280 SNPs were genotyped by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay technique in all subjects. We used a case-control genetic association analysis to compare the difference in genotype and allele frequencies between 160 TS patients and 90 healthy controls. At the same time, we used TDT analysis to identify the DRD3 gene rs6280 transmission disequilibrium among 101 nuclear pedigrees.

RESULTSThe genotype and allele frequency of DRD3 gene rs6280 SNPs had no statistical difference between control group (90) and TS group (160) (χ2 = 3.647, P = 0.161; χ2 = 0.643, P = 0.423) using Chi-squared test. At the basis of the 101 nuclear pedigrees, TDT analysis showed no transmission disequilibrium of DRD3 gene rs6280 SNPs (χ2 = 0; P = 1).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings provide no evidence for an association between DRD3 gene rs6280 and TS in the Han Chinese population.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Receptors, Dopamine D3 ; genetics ; Tourette Syndrome ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of various planting densities on dynamic growth and root yield of Isatis indigotica.

METHODThe planting samples were collected to measure the growth period of each organ.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONUnder different planting densities, both main root length and breadth exhibited a trend of "fast-slow" by stages. However, the number of individual plant leaves were showed a trend of "slow-fast" on growth period. Meanwhile, the leaf length and breadth were exhibited a trend of "increase-decrease". The increase of dry leaf, dry root and whole plant dry matter was faster during the period of 65-76 days after seeding. The differences of root and leaf yields under various densities were significant. Planting densities has a great effect on yield of root. It must be shown that there was a positive development between the individual plant and colony. According to the dry matter of root and leaf, treatment B (i.e., 7 cm x 25 cm) was good choice.

Biomass ; Isatis ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibiting action of transforming growth factor-beta type R II receptor(TGF-beta R II) antibody to fibroblasts.

METHODSFour groups of cultured skin fibroblasts were treated with different dosages of TGF-beta R II antibody. Examinations were performed with HYP, MTT, microscope, and flow cytometry techniques.

RESULTSTGF-beta R II antibody resulted in significant inhibition of fibroblasts(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta R II antibody has inhibiting effects on the proliferation of skin fibroblasts and with a dose-dependent manner.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the CT findings of lymphofollicular thymic hyperplasia in adult myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods The CT findings of thymus area of 134 adult patients with lymphofolficular thymic hyperplasia in MG were reviewed,all of them with surgically and histologically proven diagnosis,and compared with the CT findings of 165 normal subjects.Results In the group of patient,CT showed enlargement of thymus in 31 patients,5 patients had nodule or mass(＜3 cm);thus 36 cases(26.9%)can confirmed diagnose by CT with thymic hyperplasia.CT showed 2 masses(＞3 em) and 9 patients(6.7%)had normal size thymus with soft-tissue density,it can considered with thymic hyperplasia.The spotty or streak shadow showed in other patients,though it could not be certain diagnosed as thymic hyperplasia,but could not be except it.The thymus area tissue complete replacement by fatty density were not found in patient group.The CT findings of patients had marked difference when compared with group of normal subjects(P＜0.01),except the spotty or streak shadows.Conclusion CT scan is an important method in diagnosing thymic lymphofollicular hyperplasia of MG in adult.