Objective:To explore the clinical application value of DNA image cytometry ploidy analysis (DNA-ICM) in the pathological diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 101 patients with pleural effusion from October to December 2021 in Shanxi Bethune Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) and DNA-ICM were performed on pleural effusion specimens. The sensitivity and specificity of the two methods were compared with the clinical diagnosis, imaging, biopsy, and follow-up results of the patients.Results:Among the pleural effusions of 101 patients, 39 were malignant pleural effusions and 62 were benign pleural effusions. The sensitivity of LBC and DNA-ICM in diagnosing malignant tumor cells in pleural effusions was 74.7% and 94.9%, respectively, and the specificity was 98.4% and 83.9%, respectively; the combination of the two had an increased diagnostic positivity rate compared with that of LBC alone [36.6% (37/101) vs. 28.7% (29/101)]. Seven cases with positive DNA-ICM but negative LBC result were followed up, and 1 case was diagnosed as small cell lung cancer. Conclusions:DNA-ICM can effectively improve the positive cytology detection rate of pleural effusion, and the combined detection of DNA-ICM and LBC can reduce the underdiagnosis rate of cytology, which is of great clinical value in the pathological diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Objective: To establish a set of rules for autoverification of blood analysis, in order to provide a way to validate autoverification rules for different analytical systems, which can ensure the accuracy of test results as well as shorten turnaround time (TAT) of test reports. Methods: A total of 34 629 EDTA-K2 anticoagulated blood samples were collected from multicenter cooperative units including the First Hospital of Jinlin University during January 2017 to November 2017. These samples included: 3 478 cases in Autoverification Establishment Group, including 288 cases for Delta check rules; 5 362 cases in Autoverification Validation Group, including 2 494 cases for Delta check; 25 789 cases in Clinical Application Trial Group. All these samples were analyzed for blood routine tests using Sysmex XN series automatic blood analyzers.Blood smears, staining and microscopic examination were done for each sample; then the clinical information, instrument parameters, test results and microscopic results were summarized; screening and determination of autoverification conditions including parameters and cutoff values were done using statistical analysis. The autoverification rules were input into Sysmex Laboman software and undergone stage Ⅰ validation using simulated data, and stage Ⅱ validation for post-analytical samples successively. True negative, false negative, true positive, false positive, autoverification pass rate and passing accuracy were calculated. Autoverification rules were applied to autoverification blood routine results and missed detection rates were validated, and also data of autoverification pass rate and TAT were obtained. Results: (1)The selected autoverification conditions and cutoff values included 43 rules involving WBC, RBC, PLT, Delta check and abnormal characteristics. (2)Validation of 3 190 cases in Autoverification Establishment Group showed the false negative rate was 1.94%(62/3 190)(P<0.001), autoverification pass rate was 76.74%, passing accuracy was 97.47%; Validation of 2 868 cases in Autoverification Validation Group, the false negative rate was 3.38%(97/2 868)(P=0.002), autoverification pass rate was 42.26%, passing accuracy was 92.00%; Validation of Delta check on 288 cases in Autoverification Establishment Group and 2 494 cases in Autoverification Validation Group showed the false negative rates were respectively 1.39% and 2.61%(P<0.001). (3)Three hospitals adopted these rules of autoverification for 25 789 blood routine samples, and found that the average TAT of blood routine test reports were shortened by 24min, 32min and 7min respectively, the rate of samples reported within 30min were elevated by 33%, 53% and 7%. The autoverification pass rates were 72%-74%. Conclusions The application of this set of 43 autoverification rules in blood sample analysis can ensure test quality while shortenTAT and improve work efficiency. It is worth pointing out that for the same analytical systems in this research, validation is necessary before application of this set of rules, and periodic validation is required during application to make necessary adjustment; for different analytical systems, as this research provide a way to establish autoverification rules for blood routine tests.Clinical labs may establish their own suitable autoverification rules on the basis of technological parameters. (Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 601-607)

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, febrile zoonotic disease that is caused by the RVF virus (RVFV). RVF is mainly prevalent on the Arabian Peninsula, the African continent, and several islands in the Indian Ocean near southeast Africa. RVFV has been classified by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a category A pathogen. To avoid biological safety concerns associated with use of the pathogen in RVFV neutralization assays, the present study investigated and established an RVFV pseudovirus-based neutralization assay. This study used the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lentiviral packaging system and RVFV structural proteins to successfully construct RVFV pseudoviruses. Electron microscopy observation and western blotting indicated that the size, structure, and shape of the packaged pseudoviruses were notably similar to those of HIV lentiviral vectors. Infection inhibition assay results showed that an antibody against RVFV inhibited the infective ability of the RVFV pseudoviruses, and an antibody neutralization assay for RVFV detection was then established. This study has successfully established a neutralization assay based on RVFV pseudoviruses and demonstrated that this method can be used to effectively evaluate antibody neutralization.
Africa ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; HIV ; Indian Ocean ; Islands ; Methods ; Microscopy, Electron ; Product Packaging ; Rift Valley fever virus ; Rift Valley Fever ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of urine sediment analyzer in the screening of clinically suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in cancer patients.

METHODSThe results of bacterial count of 1 053 midstream urine samples by UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer (UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer, UF-1000i) were compared with the results of bacterial culture. Moreover, the results of distinguishing bacterial species by the bacterial scattergram were compared with the results of bacteria culture. At the same time, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of UF-1000i analyzer for UTI screening were evaluated.

RESULTSOf all the 1 053 samples, the top three bacteria were E. coli, Enterococci and P. aeruginosa. The top three malignant tumors of UTI were bladder, lung cancer and cervical cancers. The positive rate of UF-1000i analyzer was 20% (211/1 053), and that of bacteria culture was 17.9% (188/1 053). There was statistically no significant difference in the positive rates between the two methods (χ(2)=1.636, P>0.05), and the two methods had a considerable consistency (Kappa=0.756). Compared with the clinical diagnosis, UTI screening by UF-1000i analyzer showed a sensitivity of 79.6% (160/201), specificity of 95.5% (814/852), positive predictive value of 80.8% (160/198) and negative predictive value of 95.2%(814/855). The distribution of cocci and bacilli acquired by the bacterial scattergram was basically in accordance with the results of bacterial culture.

CONCLUSIONSBacterial count by UF-1000i analyzer plays an important role in early screening of UTI, and the bacterial scattergram may help to distinguish bacterial species, providing reference for the use of antibiotics in early medication.

Bacterial Load ; Enterococcus ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung Neoplasms ; urine ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; isolation & purification ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; urine ; Urinary Tract Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; urine ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; urine

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of eugenol-containing and resin-containing endodontic sealers on the bond strength of fiber posts using different strategies of root canal irrigation.

METHODSForty-eight mandibular premolars were endodontically treated. The specimens were randomly assigned into two groups according to different endodontic sealers. Group A used Endofil (eugenol-containing endodontic sealer), and group B used AH-plus (resin-containing endodontic sealer). After post space preparation, each group was randomly assigned into three subgroups according to the strategies of root canal irrigation (eight premolars in each subgroup). Group Al and B1: 0.9%NaCl irrigation; Group A2 and B2: 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl irrigation; Group A3 and B3: ultrasonic agitation associated with 1 7%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl. One week after the cementation of fiber posts using RelyX™ Unicem, a push-out test was performed to measure the bond strength of the posts. The microstructure of the root canal surface was examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSThe bond strengths of the six groups were as follows: Al (7.96±2.23) MPa, A2 (9.95±2.89) MPa, A3 (18.88±3.69) MPa, B1 (11.41±3.71) MPa, B2 (14.00±4.04) MPa, and B3 (19.14±3.27) MPa. Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the different endodontic sealers and the strategies of root canal irrigation (P<0.05). Lower bond strength was found in group Al but not in group BI (P<0.05), and the same result was revealed when comparing group A2 and B2. No significant difference was observed between group A3 and B3 (P>0.05). SEM showed that the root canal in group A3 and B3 achieved the cleanest surface with nearly all dentine tubules opened.

CONCLUSIONThe eugenol-containing endodontic sealer can impair the bond strength of fiber posts compared with the resin-containing sealer when the root canal is irrigated by 0.9% NaCl or 17%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaC. No difference was observed between the two sealers when using 17%EDTA+5.25% NaCIO+0.9%NaCl combined with ultrasonic irrigation.

Bicuspid ; Cementation ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; Root Canal Irrigants ; Root Canal Therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of different auxiliary resistance forms on the resistance and marginal fitness of complete crowns for short molar preparations.

METHODSA total of 70 Nissin resin teeth were prepared with 20° total occlusal convergence, 2.5 mm of occlusocervical height, and a shallow finish line on a milling machine. The milled preparations were then randomly assigned to 7 groups of 10. The first group was used as the control group. A total of 30 dies were modified by preparing interproximal grooves with angles of 0°, 6°, and 20° centered on the mesial and distal surfaces of the dies. The rest of the teeth were prepared with occlusal holes in the center of the occlusal surface milled with the same burs to form 0°, 6°, and 20° holes. Cobalt-chromium copings were fabricated for all specimens. The marginal gap of specific points on the axial surface was measured before and after cementation. The resistance of each specimen was evaluated by applying an external force at an angle of 45° to the long axis of the die by using a universal testing machine in a lingual to buccal direction. The maximum force applied before crown dislodgement was measured. Data were analyzed using the SAS 9.2 software.

RESULTSThe results showed that the 0° groove, 0° hole, and 6° hole were effective in improving the resistance of the complete crowns (P<0.05). The 0° groove, 6° groove, 0° hole, 6° hole, and 20° hole had significant difference with the control group in terms of marginal discrepancies (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAuxiliary resistance forms with less degree indicate greater resistance force but worse marginal fitness. In clinical practice, if the resistance of a preparation is enough, the auxiliary resistance forms should be avoided from being used.

Cementation ; Crowns ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis Retention ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth Crown

Thirteen of 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives with imine groups at position 6 of quinazoline ring were synthesized and their antitumor activities were evaluated by MTT assay and Western blotting analysis. Among these compounds, 13a-131 were reported first time. The MTT assay was carried out on three human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2 and SMMC7721) with EGFR highly expressed. Among the tested compounds, 13i and 13j exhibited notable inhibition potency and their IC50 values on three cell lines were equivalent to or less than those of gefitinib. Compound 14, without imine group substituted, displayed excellent inhibitor potency only on A549 cell line. Compounds 14 and 13j were chosen to perform Western blotting analysis on A549. The results showed that both of the compounds could inhibit the expression level of phosphorylated EGFR remarkably. It was concluded that the inhibitor potency of compound 14 was almost equivalent to that of gefitinib and the inhibitor potency of 13j was better than that of gefitinib.

ObjectiveTo?evaluate?the?influence?of?eugenol-containing?and?resin-containing?endodontic?sealers?on?the?bond?strength?of?fiber?posts?using?different?strategies?of?root?canal?irrigation.?Methods???Forty-eight?mandibular?premolars?were?endodontically?treated.?The?specimens?were?randomly?assigned?into?two?groups?according?to?different?endodontic?sealers.?Group?A?used?Endofil?(eugenol-containing?endodontic?sealer),?and?group?B?used?AH-plus?(resin-containing?endodontic?sealer).?After?post?space?preparation,?each?group?was?randomly?assigned?into?three?subgroups?according?to?the?strategies?of?root?canal?irrigation?(eight?premolars?in?each?subgroup).?Group?A1?and?B1:?0.9%NaCl?irrigation;?Group?A2?and?B2:?17%?ethylene?dia-mine?tetraacetic?acid?(EDTA)+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl?irrigation;?Group?A3?and?B3:?ultrasonic?agitation?associated?with?1 7%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl.?One?week?after?the?cementation?of?fiber?posts?using?RelyXTM?Unicem,?a?push-out?test?was?performed?to?measure?the?bond?strength?of?the?posts.?The?microstructure?of?the?root?canal?surface?was?examined?under?scanning?electron?microscope?(SEM).?Results???The?bond?strengths?of?the?six?groups?were?as?follows:?A1?(7.96±2.23)?MPa,?A2?(9.95±2.89)?MPa,?A3?(18.88±3.69)?MPa,?B1?(11.41±3.71)?MPa,?B2?(14.00±4.04)?MPa,?and?B3?(19.14±3.27)?MPa.?Statistical?analysis?revealed?a?significant?interaction?between?the?dif-ferent?endodontic?sealers?and?the?strategies?of?root?canal?irrigation?(P<0.05).?Lower?bond?strength?was?found?in?group?A1?but?not?in?group?B1?(P<0.05),?and?the?same?result?was?revealed?when?comparing?group?A2?and?B2.?No?significant?diffe-rence?was?observed?between?group?A3?and?B3?(P>0.05).?SEM?showed?that?the?root?canal?in?group?A3?and?B3?achieved?the?cleanest?surface?with?nearly?all?dentine?tubules?opened.?Conclusion???The?eugenol-containing?endodontic?sealer?can?impair?the?bond?strength?of?fiber?posts?compared?with?the?resin-containing?sealer?when?the?root?canal?is?irrigated?by?0.9%?NaCl?or?17%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl.?No?difference?was?observed?between?the?two?sealers?when?using?17%EDTA+5.25%?NaClO+0.9%NaCl?combined?with?ultrasonic?irrigation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of different root canal irrigants and cements on coronal microleakage and the interaction effects after cementing metal post-cores.

METHODSNinety newly extracted single-rooted mandibular human premolars were endodontically treated. Post spaces were prepared in the root canals, and Co-Cr post-cores were cast routinely. The specimens were randomly divided into six groups (n = 15) via a two-way factorial design method. The irrigant factors (A) included A1: no irrigant (75% alcohol wiping), A2: 3% H2O2 + 0.9% NaCl, and A3: 15% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) + 5.25% NaClO. The cement factors (B) included B1: zinc polycarboxylate cement, and B2: glass ionomer cement. The specimens received treatments based on the grouping of A1B1, A1B2, A2B1, A2B2, A3B1, and A3B2. All samples were sectioned longitudinally after being immersed in India ink for three weeks. The microleakages were observed using a stereomicroscope. The SPSS 13.0 software package was used for factorial analysis.

RESULTSThe mean microleakage scores and standard deviations were as follows: Group A1BI: (1,192.59 +/- 417.84) microm, Group A1B2: (1,317.38 +/- 527.35) microm, Group A2B1: (1,429.33 +/- 482.68) microm, Group A2B2: (1,026.79 +/- 459.49) microm, Group A3B1: (1,448.29 +/- 561.02) microm, and Group A3B2: (1,922.47 +/- 678.86) microm. The A2B2 group showed minimum microleakage, whereas the A3B2 group showed maximum microleakage. The microleakage degrees among different irrigants presented significant statistical difference (P < 0.05), but the two cements showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). An interactive effect on the microleakage existed between the irrigants and the cements after cementing the metal post-cores (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWhen cementing metal post-cores, the coronal microleakage following 3% H2O2 + 0.9% NaCl irrigation combined with glass ionomer cement can be reduced. The combined application of 15% EDTA + 5.25% NaClO and glass ionomer cement significantly aggravates microleakage.

Cementation ; Dental Cements ; Dental Leakage ; Glass Ionomer Cements ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Metals ; Post and Core Technique ; Resin Cements ; Root Canal Irrigants

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection and the risk factors for acquisition of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) among cancer patients who received chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

METHODSWe analyzed 277 stool samples from cancer patients with diarrhea between Sep 2010 and Dec 2011 in our hospital. Stool C. difficile toxin A/B test, stool culture for C. difficile and routine stool examination were performed. In addition, the risk factors for CDAD were investigated in a set of 41 C. difficile toxin-positive cancer patients and 82 matched C. difficile toxin-negative controls by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSOut of a total of 277 cancer patients with diarrhea, 41 (14.8%) were C. difficile toxin-positive. Among these 41 cases, 11 (26.8%, 11/41) were C. difficile culture-positive. Univariate analysis showed that antibiotics use (P = 0.853), proton pump inhibitor use (P = 0.718), hypoproteinemia (P = 0.139) and white blood cell count (P = 0.454) did not appear to be associated with acquisition of CDAD in cancer patients. However, receiving chemotherapy (P = 0.023), receiving radiotherapy (P = 0.003), a positive fecal occult blood test result (P = 0.005) and the presence of fecal leukocytes (P = 0.007) showed close association with acquisition of CDAD in cancer patients. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving chemotherapy (OR, 8.308; 95% CI, 1.997-34.572; P = 0.004) and a positive result of fecal occult blood test (OR, 8.475; 95% CI, 1.463-49.109; P = 0.017) were independent risk factors for acquisition of CDAD among cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONSOur results support that receiving chemotherapy and a positive fecal occult blood test result are independent risk factors for acquisition of CDAD among cancer patients. Cancer patients who are at high-risk for CDAD should take stool C. difficile toxin A/B test and stool culture for C. difficile regularly and prevention of CDAD.

Clostridium difficile ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Risk Factors