Objective:To identify a strain isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and to investigate its biological characteristics.Methods:The strain was analyzed by several methods including Gram staining, biochemical identification, 16S rRNA and recN gene sequencing, average nucleotide identity (ANI), antibiotic susceptibility testing and detection of drug resistance and virulence genes. Results:The strain was Gram-positive cocci and formed α-hemolytic colonies on the blood plate. It was identified as Streptococcus parasuis by 16S rRNA, recN gene and whole-genome sequencing. It was sensitive to multiple antibiotics and carried the genes encoding a variety of virulence factors such as adhesion. Conclusions:Streptococcus parasuis could cause human infection and be identified by whole-genome sequencing.

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic regulated cell death caused by iron accumulation and subsequent lipid peroxidation. Currently, the therapeutic role of ferroptosis on cancer is gaining increasing interest. Baicalin an active component in

Liver fibrosis has a complex pathogenesis and involves various intracellular and extracellular signal transduction pathways, but its specific pathogenesis remains unclear. Recent studies have confirmed that the activation of hepatic stellate cells due to abnormal activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is an important cause of liver fibrosis, and targeted inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway can prevent the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and thus achieve an antifibrogenic effect. This article reviews the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the development and progression of liver fibrosis and the latest research advances in the antifibrogenic effect of the interference of the Wnt signaling pathway, in order to provide new ideas for anti-hepatic fibrosis and the delay of early-stage cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of aloe polysaccharide on experimental colitis mucosal. Methods The TNBS-induced experimental rat colitis model was successfully established and were treated by aloe polysaccharide, and enteric-coated tablets with sulfasalazine (SASP). Results DAI score, gross morphology score , histopathologic score and MPO in the model group were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.01), while those indicators were significantly lower after treatment (P < 0.01), IL-12 and IFN-γ mRNA and protein expressions in the model group were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.01), and IL-12 and IFN-γ expression levels in treatment group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.01), IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA and protein expression levels in the model group were significantly lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.01), and IL-4 and IL-13 expression in treatment group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01). Conclusion Aloe polysaccharide on experimental colitis in rats has a good protective effect , of which mechanism may be reduced by IFN-γ and IL-12 levels, increased IL-4, IL-13 levels, and correct the imbalance of Thl/Th2.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of deep fungal infection by detecting the serum galactomannan ( GM) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) GM, serum G test and fungal culture of BALF in patients with suspected invasive fungal infection ( IFI) in lungs.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of the results of serum /BALF GM test ,serum G test and BALF culture from 148 patients with suspected pulmonary IFI .The indexes involved sensitivity , specificity , positive predictive value , negative predictive value , as well as diagnostic capacity for deep fungal infection with separated or combined tests .Results Among the 148 cases, 48 cases were clinically diagnosed with IFI and the rest were excluded.Among the 48 IFI cases, 3 cases were positive in serum GM test , 25 cases were positive in BALF GM test , 31 cases were positive in G test and 30 cases were positive in fungal culture .The combined detection showed a sensitivity of 91.6%,specificity of 70.0%, positive predictive value of 59.5% and negative predictive value of 94.6%.Conclusion The combination of GM/G tests and fungal culture can significantly improve the clinical diagnostic efficiency of pulmonary IFI .

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the surveillance trend of birth defects, incidence, distribution, occurrence regularity, and their relevant factors in Xi'an City in the last 10 years for proposing control measures.

METHODSThe birth defects monitoring data of infants during perinatal period (28 weeks of gestation to 7 days after birth) were collected from obstetrics departments of all hospitals during 2003-2012. Microsoft Excel 2003 was used for data input, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0 (International Business Machines Corporation, New York, NY, USA) was used for descriptive analysis. χ2 test, Spearman correlation and linear-by-linear association trend test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTSThe birth defect rate declined from 9.18% in 2003 to 7.00% in 2012 (χ2 = 45.001, P < 0.01) with a mean value of 7.85%, which is below the Chinese national average level (χ2 = 20.451, P < 0.01). The order of five most common birth defects has changed. The incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) increased with time, particularly after 2012, it became the most frequent type (r s = 0.808, P < 0.001). Till then, the number of neural tube defects (NTDs) declined significantly (χ2 = 76.254, P < 0.01). The average birth defects rate of 8.11% in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas (7.56%, χ2 = 7.919, P < 0.01) and much higher in males (8.28%) than that in females (7.18%, χ2 = 32.397, P < 0.01). Maternal age older than 35 years (χ2 = 35.298, P < 0.01) is the most dangerous age bracket of birth defects than maternal age younger than 20 years (χ2 = 7.128, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSA downward trend of birth defects was observed in Xi'an City from 2003 to 2012. NTDs significantly decreased after large-scale supplemental folic acid intervention, while the incidence rate of CHD significantly increased.

Congenital Abnormalities ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neural Tube Defects ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Quality Control ; Vital Statistics

Objective To investigate the laboratory diagnosis of filamentous fungi which are rarely seen in clinical practice.Methods Five strains of fungi were isolated from clinical samples and initially identified by the morphological method.Total DNA of fungi was extracted and amplified by the PCR method using universal primers of ITS2-ITS4 gene, respectively.The PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were then analyzed by the blastn program incorporated in NCBI.Results The five strains of fungi were diagnosed as Scedosporium apiospermum,Schizophyllum commune,Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,Rhizopus stolonifer,and Fusarium solani.Conclusion The laboratory diagnosis of filamentous fungi which rarely occur in clinical practice should integrate various methods,including morphological, microbiological,and molecular biological methods.

In the past, liver cirrhosis was thought to be irreversible. However, theoretically, the process of liver cirrhosis could be slowed down by inhibiting extracellular matrix (ECM) production and by promoting its degradation. Wnt signaling pathway has been involved in many physiological and pathological processes and some studies have confirmed that abnormal activation of Wnt signaling pathway could cause activation of hepatic stellate cells, and then further induce ECM formation and prompt cirrhosis progression. We believe that new clinical therapeutic direction would emerge after in-depth exploration of the mechanism of Wnt signaling pathway involved in liver cirrhosis progression.

Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; drug therapy ; United States

Objective To evaluate hepatectomy for liver metastasis in patients of gastric carcinoma.Methods Clinical data of 32 gastric cancer cases undergoing hepatectomy for hepatic metastatic tumor were reviewed retrospectively from 2006 to 2012.16 cases underwent radical gastrectomy and synchronous hepatectomy for liver metastasis,the remaining 16 cases underwent radical resection of gastric cancer and liver resection heterochronously.The relationship between prognosis and clinicopathology was analyzed.Results The overall survival rates were 84％,50％ and 37％ in 1 year,3 years and 5 years.The median survival time was 32 months.Gastric cancer invasion depth,intravascular tumor thrombi,lymphatic metastasis and intraoperative blood transfusion was related to poor prognosis by single factor analysis,while gastric serosal invasion,tumor thrombus and liver metastasis tumor ＞ 5 cm related to poor prognosis by multiple factors analysis.Conclusions Gastric cancer patients with liver metastasis who underwent hepatic resection can achieve good prognosis if hepatic metastatic tumor ＜ 5cm or the primary gastric cancer does not invade the serosa and without tumor thrombus.