Objective To investigate drug resistance and genotypes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from intensive care unit (ICU). Methods MRSA strains were isolated from patients, medical staff and environment of hospital ICUs. Disk diffusion (K-B method) was used for drug resistance testing; Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and Staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing methods were used for genotyping and identifying the homology. Results There were 78 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated including 62 isolates of MRSA, which were mainly from the burn ICU (22, 35.48%). Among 62 MRSA strains, 50 were hospital acquired strains, in which 43 isolates were of SCCmec Ⅲ, 4 of SCCmec Ⅰ and 3 of SCCmec Ⅱ. Twelve isolates could not be typed. Twenty-eight out of 37 hospital acquired isolates were typed by spa typing as SCCmec Ⅲ-t030, which belonged to the same clone. Conclusion MRSA in ICU is multi-drug resistant and SCCmec Ⅲ-t030 is the most prevalent genotype, which indicates that clinical MRSA strains and environmental MRSA strains may be homologous.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(omega-3PUFAs) on the apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and to explore the potential mechanisms.

METHODSCells were treated with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega-3,EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega-3, DHA) at concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 microg/ml. Cell growth and apoptosis were analyzed with MTT assay, cell morphology, DNA electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential ( triangle right psi mt) was measured by fluorescent probe rhodamine 123. The distribution of cytochrome C in mitochondria and cytosol was determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. The composition of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid(MMP)was examined by gas chromatography.

RESULTSBoth EPA and DHA markedly inhibited the SGC-7901 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After incubation of the cells with 40 microg/ml EPA or DHA for 24 hours, the level of Deltapsimt siginificantly decreased (P<0.001), and cytochrome C largely released into cytosol from mitochondria. The proportions of EPA and DHA in MMP rapidly elevated while that of arachidonic acid sharply decreased.

CONCLUSIONSomega-3PUFAs inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells through promoting apoptosis. Compositional and functional alterations in mitochondrial membrane may be an important initiator of apoptosis induced by omega-3PUFAs.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze and optimize the gene rearrangement primers of different frame regions (FR) of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) genes by bioinformatic methods and explore the application of these primers in the detection of paraffin-embedded lymphoma tissues.

METHODSThree pairs of primers from IgH FR1, FR2 and FR3 regions (P1c, P2A and P31, respectively) were selected as the B cell gene rearrangement primers after comparison of the gene fragments in 44 IgH variable and 6 joining regions. Using one pair of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma primer as the T cell gene rearrangement primer, 101 histopathologically confirmed lymphoproliferative samples including 80 B cell lymphomas, 14 T cell lymphomas, and 7 reactive proliferative lymph nodes were examined by PCR for gene arrangement. The DNAs from DG75 and Jurkat cell lines were used as the positive controls for B and T cell lymphoma, respectively, with those from reactive proliferative lymph nodes as the negative control.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of IgH primers (P1c, P2A and P31) in the 80 B cell lymphomas were 37.5% (30/80), 52.5% (42/80) and 70.0% (56/80), respectively, and only one of the 14 T cell lymphoma cases was positive for the primers, suggesting significant differences in the detection rates of B cell lymphomas by the 3 primers. The detection rate was increased to 83.9% by combining the results by P31 and P2A primers. No positivity was found in the proliferative reaction tissues.

CONCLUSIONPrimers from IgH FR3 region genes are more sensitive than that from the FR1 and FR2 regions in the detection of gene rearrangement in paraffin-embedded lymphoma tissues. The detection rates can be increased by combining the results with the primers for IgH FR3 with that of FR2.

DNA Primers ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Paraffin Embedding

OBJECTIVETo investigate and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome.

METHODSClinical data of 32 cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome, recruited from January 1990 to April 2003 in our hospital, was analyzed.

RESULTSAll of the 32 cases presented with clinical and biochemical evidences of Cushing's syndrome. Ten cases were definitively diagnosed as ectopic ACTH syndrome by finding ectopic tumors; 4 cases were highly suspected as ectopic ACTH by blood sampling from femoral vein and infra-petrosal vein and 18 cases were suspected as ectopic ACTH by imaging examinations. Fifteen cases (47%), without identified source of ectopic hormone, were treated with bilateral or unilateral total adrenalectomy, with 1-year survival rate of 60%. Seven cases (22%), with possible source of ectopic hormone, underwent no intervention, with 1-year survival rate of 0. Ten cases underwent radical resection of tumor, 6 of which were bronchial carcinoids and 4 of which were thymic carcinoids, with 1-year survival rate of 60%.

CONCLUSIONIt is very difficult to localize the tumor of ectopic ACTH syndrome patients. Bilateral adrenalectomy followed by hormonal replacement is effective for most of the patients without identifying source of ectopic hormone.

ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Adolescent ; Adrenalectomy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ecoimmunonutrition on gut barrier function in rats with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

METHODSRat models of SIRS were established by injecting lipo polysaccharide (LPS) via the tail vein. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. One of the four enteral nutrition formulas (standard EN, immunonutrition, econutrition, ecoimmunonutrition) was given to each group respectively for 7 days. Serum D-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO), ratio of urinary lactulose to mannitol (L/M) were measured on day 1 before LPS injection (D (-1)) and day 1, 3, 6 after LPS injection (D(+1), D (+3), D (+6)).

RESULTSAfter 7 days of treatment,the level of serum D-lactate in econutrition group was significantly lower than those in standard EN or immunonutrition group (P< 0.05), and the level of serum D-lactate in all above three groups were significantly higher compared with ecoimmunonutrition group (P< 0.01). The level of serum DAO in standard EN group was higher than those in other three groups(P< 0.01). The L/M was increased in all the groups on D(+1), D(+3). It fell back to the basic level on D(+6)) in all the groups.The L/M in immunonutrition group was lower than those in other groups on D (+1) (P< 0.05), and it was higher in standard EN group than those in other groups on D (+3) (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEcoimmunonutrition, a enteral nutrition composed of immune-enhanced nutrient and ecologic, may protect the gut barrier function more effectively in rats with SIRS.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enteral Nutrition ; Glutamine ; blood ; Intestinal Mucosa ; physiopathology ; Lactulose ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy

BACKGROUNDMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding regulatory RNAs whose aberrant expression may be observed in many malignancies. However, few data are yet available on human primary medulloblastomas. This work aimed to identify that whether miRNAs would be aberrantly expressed in tumor tissues compared with non-tumorous cerebellum tissues from same patients, and to explore a possible role during carcinogenesis.

METHODSA high throughput microRNA microarray was performed in human primary medulloblastoma specimens to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs, and some miRNAs were validated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR method. In addition, the predicted target genes for the most significantly down- or up-regulated miRNAs were analyzed by using a newly modified ensemble algorithm.

RESULTSNine miRNA species were differentially expressed in medulloblastoma specimens versus normal non-tumorous cerebellum tissues. Of these, 4 were over expressed and 5 were under expressed. The changes ranged from 0.02-fold to 6.61-fold. These findings were confirmed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR for most significant deregulated miRNAs (miR-17, miR-100, miR-106b, and miR-218) which are novel and have not been previously published. Interestingly, most of the predicted target genes for these miRNAs were involved in medulloblastoma carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSIONSMiRNAs are differentially expressed between human medulloblastoma and non-tumorous cerebellum tissue. MiRNAs may play a role in the tumorigenesis of medulloblastoma and maybe serve as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies in future.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous aortic valve replacement is a promising strategy in the treatment of patients with aortic valve stenosis. And many kinds of valved stents have been implanted in selected patients worldwide. However, the clinical experience is still limited. We developed a W-model valved stent and evaluated the feasibility and safety of percutaneous implantation of the device in the native aortic valve position.

METHODSA self expanding nitinol stent with W-model, containing porcine pericardium valves in its proximal part, was implanted in six sheep by means of a 14 French catheter through the right common iliac artery under guidance of fluoroscopy. During stent deployment the original aortic valve was pushed against the aortic wall by the self expanding force of the stent while the new valve was expanded. These sheep were followed up shortly after procedure with supra-aortic angiogram and left ventriculography. Additionally, one sheep was sacrificed after the procedure for anatomic evaluation.

RESULTSIt was possible to replace the aortic valve in the beating heart in four sheep. The procedure failed in two sheep due to coronary orifice occlusion in one case and severe aortic valve regurgitation in the other case. One sheep was killed one hour after percutaneous aortic valve replacement for anatomic evaluation. There were no signs of damage of the aortic intima, or of obstruction of the coronary orifice.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous aortic valve replacement with a W-model valved stent in the beating heart is possible. Further studies are mandatory to assess safety and efficacy of this kind of valved stent in larger sample size and by longer follow-up period.

Animals ; Aortic Valve ; pathology ; surgery ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Sheep ; Stents ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDPulmonary regurgitation leads to progressive right ventricular dysfunction, susceptibility to arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Percutaneous valve replacement has been developed in recent years, providing patients with an alternative option. Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement has been recently introduced into clinical practice. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous valve stent insertion to correct the pulmonary regurgitation in sheep using a cup-shaped valve stent.

METHODSPulmonary regurgitation was created by percutaneous cylindrical stent insertion in native pulmonary annulus of 8 sheep. One month after the initial procedure, the sheep with previous cylindrical stent implanted underwent the same implantation procedure of pulmonary valve stent. The valve stent consisted of a cup-shaped stent and pericardial valves. Hemodynamic assessments of the bioprosthetic pulmonary valve were obtained by echocardiography at immediately post-implant and at 2 months follow up.

RESULTSSuccessful transcatheter cylindrical stent insertion was performed in 7 sheep but failed in 1 sheep because the cylindrical stent was released to right ventricle outflow tract. After one month the 7 sheep with pulmonary regurgitation underwent valve stent implantation successfully. Echocardiography confirmed the stents were in desired position during the follow-up. No evidence of pulmonary valve insufficiency occurred in any animals. Echocardiography showed all heart function markers were normal.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous cylindrical stent insertion to induce significant pulmonary regurgitation in sheep was feasible, simple and reproducible. Percutaneous pulmonary valve stent implantation can reduce pulmonary regurgitation in a sheep model. Further development of animal model and clinical trials are warranted.

Animals ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Male ; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency ; surgery ; Sheep

Biotinylated chitosan nanoparticles (Bio-CS-NP) were prepared for the active delivery to cancer cells and its characterization was investigated in this study. The preparation process included two steps. First, biotinylated chitosan ( Bio-CS ) was obtained through a reaction between sulfosuccinimidobiotin and chitosan (CS). Second, Bio-CS-NP were prepared by the precipitation of Bio-CS with sodium chloride solution. With a biotin reagent box, the conjugation densities of biotin on the surface of Bio-CS-NP were determined. The morphology and diameter of the nanoparticles were assayed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and laser light scattering particle analyzer, respectively. The uptake of nanoparticles by human hepotacarcinoma HepG2 cells, for example, Bio-CS-NP and chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP) without any modification, was quantitatively examined. The results indicated that the conjugation densities of biotin on the surface of Bio-CS-NP were 2.2 biotin CS. Bio-CS-NP were spherical, smooth on the surface. The average diameter was 296.8 nm. The polydispersion index was 0.155. The uptake of Bio-CS-NP by HepG2 cells was much higher than that of CS-NP (P < 0.05). It demonstrated that Bio-CS-NP can be applied as a new vehicle to actively deliver anticancer drugs to tumor cells. The method for the determination of biotin was simple and practical.
Biotin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Biotinylation ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Succinimides ; chemistry ; metabolism