Objective:To explore potential predictors of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in early stage. Methods:The prospective multicenter study was conducted in Zhejiang, China from May 1 st, 2019 to January 31 st, 2020. A total of 1 428 patients with fever >48 hours to <120 hours were studied. Their clinical data and oral pharyngeal swab samples were collected; Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected. Patients with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA results underwent a series of tests, including chest X-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and procalcitonin. According to the occurrence of RMPP, the patients were divided into two groups, RMPP group and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) group. Measurement data between the 2 groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between clinical data and RMPP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the power of the markers for predicting RMPP. Results:A total of 1 428 patients finished the study, with 801 boys and 627 girls, aged 4.3 (2.7, 6.3) years. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was positive in 534 cases (37.4%), of whom 446 cases (83.5%) were diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, including 251 boys and 195 girls, aged 5.2 (3.3, 6.9) years. Macrolides-resistant variation was positive in 410 cases (91.9%). Fifty-five cases were with RMPP, 391 cases with GMPP. The peak body temperature before the first visit and LDH levels in RMPP patients were higher than that in GMPP patients (39.6 (39.1, 40.0) vs. 39.2 (38.9, 39.7) ℃, 333 (279, 392) vs. 311 (259, 359) U/L, both P<0.05). Logistic regression showed the prediction probability π=exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004×LDH (U/L))/(1+exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004 × LDH (U/L))), the cut-off value to predict RMPP was 0.12, with a consensus of probability forecast of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.89, and specificity of 0.67; and the area under ROC curve was 0.682 (95% CI 0.593-0.771, P<0.01). Conclusion:In MPP patients with fever over 48 to <120 hours, a prediction probability π of RMPP can be calculated based on the peak body temperature and LDH level before the first visit, which can facilitate early identification of RMPP.

Objective:To investigate the biological characteristics of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with low expression of HER2 (HER2-low).Methods:A total of 93 TNBC cases in Shanxi Cancer Hospital from 2017 to 2019 were collected and divided into HER2-negative and HER2-low groups according to HER2 expression status. The clinicopathological features and prognostic differences between the two groups were retrospectively analyzed and compared, and genetic detection of tumor tissues was performed to clarify somatic mutation status and differences between the two groups.Results:Ninety-three patients aged 26 to 86 years were enrolled, including 60 patients in the HER2-negative group and 33 patients in the HER2-low group. The distribution of HER2-low in luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype (14/23, 60.87%) and non-LAR subtype (19/70, 27.14%) was significantly different ( P=0.005). There were no significant differences in age, pT stage, histological grade, infiltration mode, lymph node metastasis and survival analysis. The expression of HER2-low in the tumor was heterogeneous, including different proportions of weak, weak to moderate intensity, and incomplete to intact membrane staining. With the change of the proportion of HER2-positive cells, the different distribution of those cells in the total tumor cells was noted, including cluster, mosaic and scattered patterns. The concentration and quality of DNA extracted from 71 of the 93 samples met the requirements for making libraries, including 43 in the HER2-negative group and 28 in the HER2-low group. Genetic mutations were mainly missense mutations, single nucleotide mutations, and point mutations in which base C was replaced by base T. There was no significant difference in genes with mutation frequency>3 times between the two groups. CTNNB1 and FGFR3 genes were only mutated in HER2-low group; while ALK, CYP2D6 and FAT1 genes were only mutated in HER2-negative group. HER2-low group included 18 HER2 1+ cases and 10 HER2 2+ cases. Genes with mutation frequency>3 times between the two groups included PIK3CA, TP53, SLX4, ATM and BRCA1. The mutation frequency of PIK3CA in HER2 2+ was significantly higher than that in HER2 1+ group ( P<0.05), and SLX4 gene was only mutated in HER2 1+ group. Conclusions:There are some differences of histological morphology and genetic variation between HER2-negative group and HER2-low group, and also differences in genetic variation between HER2 1+ and HER2 2+ in HER2-low group, which are helpful for more accurate stratification of TNBC and useful for finding the therapeutic target and precise treatment of HER2-low TNBC.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristic and genetic variants of children with carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2(CPT2)deficiency.Methods:The clinical and genetic data of 6 children with CPT2 deficiency were retrospectively analyzed.The blood acylcarnitines and genetic variants were detected with tandem mass spectrometry and whole-exon gene sequencing,respectively.Results:There were 4 males and 2 females with a mean age of 32 months(15 d-9 years)at diagnosis.One case was asymptomatic and with normal laboratory test results,2 had delayed onset,and 3 were of infantile type.Three cases were diagnosed at neonatal screening,and 3 cases presented with clinical manifestations of fever,muscle weakness,and increased muscle enzymes.Five children presented with decreased free carnitine and elevated levels of palmitoyl and octadecenoyl carnitines.CPT2 gene variants were detected at 8 loci in 6 children(4 harboring biallelic mutations and 2 harboring single locus mutations),including 3 known variants(p.R631C,p.T589M,and p.D255G)and 5 newly reported variants(p.F352L,p.R498L,p.F434S,p.A515P,and c.153-2A>G).It was predicted by PolyPhen2 and SIFT software that c.153-2A>G and p.F352L were suspected pathogenic variants,while p.R498L,p.F434S and p.A515P were variants of unknown clinical significance.Conclusions:The clinical phenotypes of CPT2 deficiency are diverse.An early diagnosis can be facilitated by neonatal blood tandem mass spectrometry screening and genetic testing,and most patients have good prognosis after a timely diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures among clinical nurses in liver interventional department, so as to provide insights into the formulation of radiation-protective measures among clinical healthcare workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Clinical nurses in liver interventional departments of class A tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province were sampled, and the awareness of and attitudes towards radiation safety and protective measures were investigated using self-designed questionnaires. Results A total of 112 questionnaires were allocated, and 97 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 86.61%. The awareness of questions including “interventional therapy may cause radiation exposure” and “wearing lead apron may reduce radiation exposure” was both 100.00% among respondents, and the awareness of questions including “radiation exposure may cause congenital malformations in babies”, “radiation exposure may cause cancers such as skin cancer and leukemia”, “radiation exposure may cause death”, “wearing lead goggles may reduce radiation exposure”, and “wearing thyroid shields may reduce radiation exposure” was all higher than 95.00%, while the awareness of questions “radiation exposure may cause cataract of the eye lens” and “radiation exposure may cause bone marrow depression” was relatively low. Respondents presented high-level attitudes towards lead aprons, and low-level attitudes towards goggles and thyroid shields. Conclusion The awareness of radiation safety knowledge is high among clinical nurses in liver interventional departments; however, an overall low-level attitude is seen towards radiation-protective measures. Health education pertaining to radiation safety and protective measures is required to be improved, so as to increase the compliance to radiation-protective measures.

Objective:To investigate clinical manifestations, pathological features and diagnosis of eczematoid clear cell acanthoma of the nipple/areola.Methods:The clinical manifestations, histopathological features, special staining results and immunohistochemical features of a case of eczemtoid clear cell acanthoma of the nipple/areola firstly reported in China were analyzed, and compared with those of similar cases in foreign literature.Results:The female patient presented with recurrent pruritic rashes on the left nipple and areola for over 2 years. Skin examination showed hypertrophic skin on the left nipple and areola, and scattered erythema, hypopigmented macules and hyperpigmented macules on the areola, which were covered with a few crusts and scales. Histopathological examination of the skin lesions showed focal epidermal crusts and scales, focal parakeratosis, extended and fused rete ridges, thickened spinous layer, focal spongiosis, clear cell clumps in the spinous cell layer, telangiectasia in the superficial dermis, with infiltration of a few eosinophils and neutrophils. Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed positive results, and immunohistochemical staining revealed positive reaction for epithelial membrane antigen. Topical treatment with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole cream was effective, and topical application of 3% boric acid solution could alleviate exudation. During the 6-month follow-up, the patient experienced intermittent recurrence twice, and responded well to the above treatment.Conclusions:Eczematoid clear cell acanthoma of the nipple/areola has unique clinical and pathological features, revealing that it′s a new subtype of clear cell acanthoma. Pathological examination is the gold standard for its diagnosis.

Objective    Pulmonary vein banding was used to establish a piglet model of pulmonary vein stenosis. We investigated the pathomorphological alterations of pulmonary veins in the model and compared it with the vascular tissue of recurrent stenosis after total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Methods    Ten pigs of 6 weeks old were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5 in a sham operation group and 5 in a pulmonary vein banding group. The operation had two stages, in which thoracotomies through intercostal space were done respectively on both sides. Biocompatible materials were applied around the pulmonary veins in the experimental group. The same method was used in the sham group. But the pulmonary veins were not banded. Six weeks after the operation, the pulmonary veins of the animals were harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining to observe the pathological alterations of pulmonary veins. The proliferative tissues of patients with recurrent stenosis after TAPVC repair were collected and observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results    Both the sham operation group and the pulmonary vein banding group survived. But the pulmonary vein banding group had obvious clinical manifestations of pulmonary venous stenosis. Compared with the sham group, the pulmonary vein banding group showed intimal hyperplasia, decreased expression of endothelial marker and increased expression of mesenchymal markers, and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells. Human pathology also showed intimal hyperplasia and co-expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in intimal cells. Conclusion    The surgical pulmonary vein stenosis in piglets shows intimal hyperplasia and myofibroblasts, which was consistent with clinical pathology.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV) clinically, in laboratory tests and in gene mutation. Methods The clinical manifestations, biochemical indexes, activity of chitotriosidase, and the follow-up of the treatment in 5 cases of GSD IV were analyzed. Results Five patients (3 boys and 2 girls) aged 4 months - 5 years presented hepatosplenomegaly and elevated liver enzyme levels for 2 months at hospital visit. Two patients had motor developmental delay and weakness but their creatine kinase (CK) level were normal. Glycogen storage and liver fibrosis were observed in the liver biopsy in 4 patients. Target sequencing found that all 5 children carried the complex heterozygous mutation of the GBE1 gene with 2 reported mutations(p.R515C,p.R524Q)and 7 novel mutations.The novel mutation contains 5 missense mutations (p.I460T, p.F76S, p.F538V, p.L650R, p.W455R), one insertion mutations (c.141_142insGCGC), and one large fragment deletion (exon 3-7). Therefore, diagnosis of liver type of GSD IV was confirmed in those children. Two patients died of liver cirrhosis. The liver transplantation was performed due to liver cirrhosis in one patient whose chitotriosidase activity increased obviously before transplantation and decreased significantly after the transplantation and liver enzyme levels were returned to normal 4 months after transplantation. In the other two patients their growth and liver enzyme levels were normal;one had not received special treatments while the other was treated with raw corn starch and level of chitotriosidase was normal. Conclusions The clinical manifestations of GSD IV are heterogeneous. Target sequencing can be used for fast and noninvasive diagnosis of GSD IV. Chitotriosidase activity is useful in the prognosis assessment for GSD IV.

Objective To develop the clinical practice guidelines for the management of medication adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in China. Methods The development methods included qualitative interview of 31 stakeholders, questionnaire survey of 423 PLHIV, adaptation of 30 clinical practice guidelines related to AIDS care, and overviews of reviews of 44 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis. Results 10 clinical practice guidelines and 10 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis were included. The clinical practice guidelines for the management of HAART were formed. Conclusions The formed clinical practice guidelines showed better applicability and higher general quality. It is recommended to use the guidelines in AIDS care.

Objective To evaluate the resistance of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M. tb) strains to bedaquiline ( BDQ) and to analyze the relationships between their genotypes and BDQ-re-sistant phenotypes in order to provide a scientific basis for rational use of BDQ for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis ( MDR-TB) in clinical practice. Methods A total of 387 clinical M. tb strains, inclu-ding 100 pan-susceptible strains and 287 strains isolated from patients with MDR ( MDR-TB strains) , were enrolled in this study. Of the 287 MDR-TB strains, 77 strains were collected in Chongqing in 2015 and the other strains were collected in a national drug-resistant tuberculosis survey conducted in China during 2007 to 2008. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of BDQ against those strains were detected. Genotypes of those strains were analyzed by Spoligotyping. Differences in the resistant rates against BDQ between Beijing genotype and non-Beijng genotype MDR-TB strains were comparatively analyzed. Results MIC50 and MIC90 of BDQ against the 287 MDR-TB strains were 0. 03 μg/ml and 0. 25 μg/ml, respectively. Nineteen out of the 287 MDR-TB strains (6. 6%) were resistant to BDQ. Based on the Spoligotyping, 195 strains were clas-sified into Beijing genotype, and the other 92 strains belonged to non-Beijing genotype. Statistical analysis revealed that the BDQ-resistant rate in Being genotype strains (4. 6%, 9/195) was lower than that in non-Beijing genotype strains (10. 9%, 10/92, χ2=3. 955, P=0. 047). In addition, the MIC50 and MIC90 of BDQ against pan-susceptible strains were 0. 03 μg/ml and 0. 12 μg/ml, respectively. Sixty-three pan-sus-ceptible strains belonged to Beijing genotype and the other 37 strains belonged to non-Beijing genotype. None of the pan-susceptible strains was resistant to BDQ. Conclusion This study indicates that BDQ showed stronger in vitro antibacterial activity against the MDR-TB strains isolated in China. A correlation between non-Beijing genotype and BDQ resistance is observed in those MDR strains. MDR strains of Beijing genotype are more susceptible to BDQ than those of non-Beijing genotype.

Objective To isolate and culture the rat limbal stem cells ( LSCs) in vitro,and investigate briefly their capacity for transdif-ferentiation into neural stem cells ( NSCs) with cytokine EGF,bFGF and RA.Methods LSCs derived from rats were cultured and identified by immunohistochemistry in vitro.LSCs were induced to differentiate into NSCs in the presence of EGF (20 ng/mL) ,bFGF (10 ng/mL) and with or without of RA(group 1 or group 2)(25 ng/mL) for seven days.Cultures without factors were used as control group.Then the neural marker Nestin of the coultured cells were measured by immunohistology staining.Furthermore,the positive cell rate was counted under micro-scope between the 2 groups and analyzed by statistical software.Results It showed that P63 was positive in LSCs.Nestin in both of the dif-ferentiation groups was positive at the rate of (77.01 ±6.32)%and (84.01 ±5.43)%respectively,of which the second group was higher than the first one (P<0.05).However,it was negative in the control group.A band of Nestin protein from cells was detected by western blot assay.Conclusion LSCs are successfully isolated and cultured in vitro.LSCs could be induced to differentiate into NSCs in the presence of EGF and bFGF.Moreover,the differentiation capability is enhanced in the condition of RA.