Objective To investigate the predisposing factors and fungal characteristics of nosocomial fungal infection (NFI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods The fungal characteristics and laboratory indices were analyzed in patients with and without NFI secondary to CKD. Results The most common infection site of NFI in 65 cases patients with CKD was urinary tract (25 man-times, 38.46%), and the second common site was digestive tract (20 man-times, 30.77%). The most common pathogenic fungus was Candida albicans (68.49%), followed by Candida tropicalis (17.81%). The sensitivity of Candida albicans to fluconazol was 90%. The predisposing factors included prolonged length of stay, anaemia, malnutrition, hypogammaglobulinemia, mass proteinuria, renal insufficiency, and the use of large dose of broad spectrum antibiotics, prednisone and cytoxan. Conclusion CKD may predispose to NFI, and the most common fungus is Candida albicans,so the predisposing factors should be controlled so as to prevent NFI among patients with CKD.

Cryptococcosis ; Groin ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Lymphadenitis ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Huobahuagen Tablets combined with irbesartan on the risk factors of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Sixty-two patients diagnosed as IgA nephropathy were randomly divided into control group and treatment group. Thirty patients in the control group were treated with Huobahuagen Tablets (5 tablets po t.i.d.), and 32 patients in the treatment group were treated with irbesartan (150 to 300 mg po q.d.), besides the same treatment as the control group. After 3 months of treatment, the levels of blood pressure (BP), 24 h urine protein (Upr), urinary red blood cells (URBC), blood triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), albumin (Alb), alanine transaminase (ALT), white blood cells (WBC) and serum creatinine (Scr) were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the levels of Upr, URBC and Scr in both groups were decreased, as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of BP, Upr, URBC and Scr in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The levels of Alb in both groups were increased, as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the level of Alb in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Huobahuagen Tablets, when used together with irbesartan, may improve the renal function of the patients with IgA nephropathy and slow the deterioration of the disease by reducing BP, Upr, URBC and Scr.

Background and purpose:The effect of TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-lfuorouracil) induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma is unclear. This study aimed to compare the outcomes and tolerance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TPF versus cisplatin and 5-lfuorouracil (PF) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Methods:Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group TPF and Group PF. Group TPF: One hundred and sixteen nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received TPF consisting of docetaxel at 60 mg/m2 on day 1, cisplatin at 60 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-lfuorouracil at a dose of 750 mg/m2by 24 h continuous infusion for 5 days for 3 cycles with a 21 day interval; Group PF: One hundred and sixteen nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received PF consisting of cisplatin at 80 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-lfuorouracil at a dose of 750 mg/m2by 24 h continuous infusion for 5 days for 3 cycles with a 21 day interval. After the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, all the patients received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with concomitant chemotherapy consisting of 2 cycles of cisplatin at 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 22. The prescribed doses were 6 810 cGy at 2.27 Gy/fraction to the gross tumor volume (GTV) with 5 daily fractions per week for 6 weeks. The acute toxicity and tumor response rate (RR), including complete response (CR) and partial response (PR), were evaluated. Addition-ally, the 5-year progress-free survival (PFS) rates and overall survival (OS) rates were further evaluated.Results:RR of Group TPF was higher than that of group PF at the end of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and within 13 weeks of the completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The median recurrence time of TPF group was 2.98 years, and the 5-year PFS was 84.48%. The median recurrence time of PF group was 2.32 years, and the 5-year PFS was 82.75%. There was no statistically signiifcant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.458). The 5-year OS of TPF group was 87.06%, and for the PF group was 85.34%. There was no statistically signiifcant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.274). The incidence of leukopenia, thrombocyte penia, liver and kidney damage, diarrhea and mucosa necrosis in TPF group were signiifcantly higher than those in PF group (P<0.001). TheⅢ andⅣ degrees adverse reactions in TPF group were sig-niifcantly higher than those in PF group (P<0.001).Conclusion:TPF induction chemotherapy was not superior to the PF regimen for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. It should not be recommended in terms of more acute toxicity.

Purpose To analyze the clinical pathological characteristics and pathological diagnosis and prognosis of spindle cell carci-noma of the breast. Methods Three cases of spindle cell carcinoma of the breast were studied by morphological and immunohisto-chemical EnVision techniques. Results The females were 48, 63 and 71 years old. The tumors located in the right breast with 4. 0 cm × 3. 0 cm × 3. 0 cm, 3. 0 cm × 2. 0 cm × 2. 0 cm and 3. 5 cm × 2. 8 cm × 2. 3 cm in size and showed cystic lesion. The neoplasm was composed of bland spindle cells and mimicking fibromatosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that spindle cells were positive for CK(AE1/AE3), CK(34βE12), CK14, CK5/6, p63 and vimentin, negative for ER, PR and c-erbB-2. Ki-67 was positive in 20%, 25% and 20% of the cells. Conclusion Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare subtype of the metaplastic carcinoma which tend to show cystic changes. It is important to make a definite diagnosis which combine histopathologic features and immunophe-notyping.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal lactate for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in patients post-neurosurgical operation (PNBM) with blood-contaminated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods A prospective observational study was conducted. 101 patients underwent neurosurgical operation and clinically suspected PNBM admitted to neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from October 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled. Based on red blood cell quantitative test in CSF, the patients were divided into blood-contaminated and non blood-contaminated CSF groups. According to the PNBM diagnostic criteria of 2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN), all patients were divided into PNBM group and non-PNBM group. The biochemical indexes levels in CSF were compared among the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic power of CSF lactate for PNBM in blood-contaminated patients.Results A total of 101 suspected PNBM patients were enrolled. In 77 blood-contaminated CSF patients, 39 patients were diagnosed as PNBM (account for 50.6%); in 24 non-blood-contaminated patients, 12 patients were diagnosed as PNBM (account for 50.0%). ① In non-PNBM patients, the lactate level in blood-contaminated CSF was significantly higher than that of non-blood-contaminated CSF (mmol/L: 3.5±1.3 vs. 2.3±1.1,P < 0.01). In PNBM patients, there was no significant difference in lactate level between blood-contaminated CSF and non blood-contaminated CSF (mmol/L: 6.8±2.1 vs. 6.9±2.5,P > 0.05). ② In both blood-contaminated and non blood-contaminated CSF, white blood cell (WBC), protein and lactate levels in PNBM group were significantly higher than those in non-PNBM group [WBC (×106/L): 660.0 (67.5, 1105.0) vs. 41.0 (15.0, 142.5) in blood-contaminated CSF,168.0 (86.5, 269.5) vs. 34.5 (7.0, 83.5) in non-blood-contaminated CSF; protein (mg/L): 4757.8 (2995.2, 10219.8) vs. 1292.8 (924.2, 1936.2) in blood-contaminated CSF, 39247.3 (14900.6, 62552.2) vs. 1441.6 (977.3, 2963.9) in non blood-contaminated CSF; lactate (mmol/L): 6.8±2.1 vs. 3.5±1.3 in blood-contaminated CSF, 6.9±2.5 vs. 2.3±1.1 in non blood-contaminated CSF, allP < 0.05], and glucose and CSF glucose/blood glucose ratio in PNBM group were significantly lower than those in non-PNBM group [glucose (mmol/L): 2.5±1.2 vs. 4.4±1.6 in blood-contaminated CSF, 1.9±1.4 vs. 3.4±0.9 in non blood-contaminated CSF; CSF glucose/blood glucose ratio: 0.28±0.15 vs. 0.46±0.16 in blood-contaminated CSF, 0.24±0.16 vs. 0.45±0.11 in non blood-contaminated CSF, allP < 0.01]. ③ It was shown by ROC curve analysis that CSF lactate level was a good diagnostic parameter for PNBM both in blood-contaminated and non blood-contaminated CSF, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.91 and 0.97, respectively. When the cutoff value of lactate in non blood-contaminated CSF was 3.35 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 100%, and the specificity was 91.7%. When the cutoff value of lactate in blood-contaminated CSF was 4.15 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 92.3%, and the specificity was 71.1%, and the combination of CSF lactate and glucose achieved better diagnostic specificity (AUC = 0.96, sensitivity was 97.4%, specificity was 84.2%).Conclusions Blood in CSF led to the elevation of CSF lactate as compared with that in non-blood-contaminated CSF of patients with PNBM. CSF lactate was still a good diagnostic parameter for PNBM both in blood-contaminated patients, and the combination of CSF lactate and glucose achieved better diagnostic specificity.

Objective To indentify the gene mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene in a Chinese family with congenital achondroplasia (ACH). Methods The genomic DNA from 2 clinically diagnosed ACH patients and the other 4 members from the same family was prepared for PCR. The products of PCR were purified and then sequenced directly. Results Two patients with ACH in this family showed G-A transition mutation at nucleotide 1138 as heterozygotes. Conclusion The G-A transition mutation at nucleotide 1138 in transmembrane domain of FGFR3 gene seems to be the pathologic cause of this Chinese family with ACH.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS) in protection against acute lung injury in rats induced by paraquat(PQ). METHODS A total of 100 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,PQ 70 mg·kg-1 model group,and DAS 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 treatment groups,with 20 rats in each group. A poisoning model was estalolished after administration ig at a single dose of PQ 70 mg·kg-1,while the normal control group was ip given the same volume of normal saline. DAS 25,50 and 100 mg · kg-1 was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before and after PQ exposure. Five rats in each group were sacrificed at 1,3,6 and 12 h,respectively. The inferior lobe of the right lung was observed by HE staining under an optical microscope. Tissue of the upper lobe of the right lung was used to detect the content of nitric oxide (NO). Alveolar macrophages (AMs) were collected and cultured for 24 h,and the content of nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in the supernatant was detected. AMs were cultured for 72 h and the expression of iNOS protein in AMs was detected by immunocytochemistry method. RESULTS Compared with normal control group,the alveolar structure of PQ group was severely damaged and the pathological score was significantly increased(P<0.01). The NO content of PQ group was significantly higher than in normal control group(P<0.01). The content and protein expression of iNOS were significantly increased in PQ group(P<0.01). Compared with PQ group,the lung injury score of rats in DAS 50 mg·kg-1 group at 3,6 and 12 h and in the DAS 100 mg·kg-1 group at each time point was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with PQ group,the NO content of DAS 25 and 50 mg · kg-1 group was decreased(P<0.05),and the NO content of DAS 100 mg · kg-1 group was significantly reduced(P<0.01). The content of iNOS was reduced in DAS 100 mg · kg-1 group(P<0.05). Compared with PQ group,the expression of iNOS protein in DAS groups was decreased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION DAS can inhibit the oxidative damage in rats induced by PQ.

Objective:To observe the activation of cerebral regions during swallowing by magnetoencephalography (MEG), and discuss the temporal and spatial characteristics of neural circuit.Methods:Ten healthy subjects were selected, and the magnetic signals of their brains were recorded using 148 channel full head type MEG system in the magnetic shielding room.Data were analyzed using CURRY8 analysis software and the localization algorithm was based on minimum modulus low resolution electromagnetic imaging method (LORETA). Every 300 ms data were set as an independent analysis stage and made the highest position of the cerebral cortex F-distribution values (F-distributed) as the activation area.The activation areas were analyzed during swallowing through time and space location.Results:Paracentral lobule, anterior central gyrus, medulla oblata, posterior central gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, parietal lobules, angular gyrus, corpus callosum, middle frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, orbital gyrus, thalamus, bottom of third ventricle, corona radiata, precuneus, frontal insula, cerebellopontine angle, superior frontal gyrus and basal ganglia area were activated during swallowing, in which the top eight brain regions were paracentral lobule, anterior central gyrus, corpus callosum, posterior central gyrus, superior parietal lobule, middle frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and basal ganglia.When the 10 subjects performed the deglutition, MEG signals of 8 subjects were mainly activated by the left cerebral hemisphere at 0-300 ms, the bilateral cerebral hemisphere or intermediate region at 301-600 ms, and the right cerebral hemisphere at 601-900 ms.MEG signal of 1 subject was activated by the right cerebral hemisphere at 0-300 ms, and the left cerebral hemisphere at 301-600 ms and 601-900 ms.MEG signal of 1 subject was mainly activated by the right cerebral hemisphere at 0-300 ms and 601-900 ms, and in the intermediate region at 301-600 ms.Conclusion:During swallowing the MEG signals appeared left laterality in the early stage and right laterality in the later stage, and showed a close correlation with time.There may be a swallowing neural circuit composed by the central region, corpus callosum, superior parietal lobule, middle frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia, in which the central region is the core.

Objective: To evaluate trough serum vancomycin concentrations and identify their influencing factors in critically ill neurosurgical patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Adult patients who received vancomycin with at least one appropriate monitoring of trough serum vancomycin concentration and admitted to neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2017 to July 2019 were enrolled. General information including gender, age, comorbidities, etc., trough serum vancomycin concentrations, vancomycin dosage, duration of vancomycin therapy, urine output, serum creatinine (SCr), concurrent medications (including mannitol, diuretic, vasopressors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, polymyxin, aminoglycosides and contrast medium, etc.) were collected for analysis. Trough serum vancomycin concentrations were evaluated and their influencing factors were analyzed by multiple linear regression method. Results: In total, 81 trough serum vancomycin concentration data sets obtained from 28 patients were evaluated. ① The initial daily dose of vancomycin was 2.00 (2.00, 2.00) g/d. After 4-6 doses, the trough serum vancomycin concentration obtained from initial blood draw was 10.99 (6.98, 16.25) mg/L, of which only 17.9% (5/28) achieving targeted concentrations (15-20 mg/L), 71.4% (20/28) subtherapeutic level and 10.7% (3/28) supratherapeutic level. ② The duration of vancomycin therapy was 8.0 (6.0, 15.0) days. With average daily dose of 2.00 (1.75, 3.00) g/d, targeted trough vancomycin concentrations were achieved in only 30.9% (25/81) of all cases, subtherapeutic concentrations in 49.4% (40/81) and supratherapeutic concentrations in 19.7% (16/81). ③ There were significant differences in age, comorbidities, vancomycin dosage, diuretics use and mannitol dosage, etc. among different vancomycin concentration groups. Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that the trough serum vancomycin concentration increased by 0.14 mg/L [95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.06-0.22] for every 1 year increase in age, increased by 7.22 mg/L (95%CI was 2.08-12.36) in patients with multiple comorbidities (concomitant hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease) compared with those without comorbidities, increased by 2.78 mg/L (95%CI was 0.20-5.35) in patients treated with diuretics compared with those without diuretics. The effect of other variables was not statistically significant. It suggested that age, multiple comorbidities (concomitant hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease), and diuretic usage affected trough serum vancomycin concentrations. Conclusions Targeted trough serum vancomycin level is not often achieved in neurosurgical ICU patients following standard dosing. Younger patients are associated with lower trough serum vancomycin concentrations, while diuretic usage, combined with multiple comorbidities are associated with higher trough serum vancomycin concentrations.