Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of ocular surface inflammation index after pterygium excision by using Oculus Keratograph(R) 5M and Visual analogue scale and evaluated the effectiveness of antiinflammatory treatment.Methods A prospective case control study was performed.Eighteen patients (6 males and 12 females) who suffered from primary pterygium were recruited in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from June to September 2016.All patients were treated with monocular pterygium excision combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.Anti-inflammatory treatment was given after surgery,and the ocular inflammation index was evaluated at preoperative and 1st,3rd,7th,10th,30th and 60th day postoperative.The temporal conjunctival hyperemia index (TCHI) was assessed by Oculus Keratograph(R) 5M with a red eye index analysis software.Ocular symptom scores (OSS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to analyze the subjective symptoms of the patients.Fluorescein staining was used to detect the epithelization of corneal and scleral wound.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),intraocular pressure and complications were evaluated in this study.This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University (2016KYPJ024).All patients signed informed consent for clinical research.Results No drug-related ocular and systemic adverse events were found during the follow-up.Corneal epithelial defect was recovered on 10th day,and conjunctival epithelization was observed in sclera exposed area on 30th day.The BCVA on the 60th day was 0.12±0.17,which was significantly lower than 0.34±0.36 preoperatively (t =3.401,P =0.003).Compared with those before surgery,OSS and VAS were significantly increased on 1 st day (OSS:Z =-4.255,P =0.000;VAS:Z =-5.256,P =0.000).The OSS on 7th day was not significantly different from that before surgery (Z=-0.958,P=0.372).VAS decreased to baseline on 30th day.The OSS on 60th day after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery (Z =-2.397,P =0.037).TCHI was higher than 1.2 preoperatively,and increased to the highest on 1 st day after surgery,with significant difference between them (t=-6.620,P=0.000).The TCHI decreased to baseline on 7th day,no significant difference were obtained when compared with preoperative TCHI (t =-1.050,P =0.310),and TCHI on 60th day after surgery was lower than that before surgery,with significant difference between them (t =2.758,P =0.020).Conclusions The subjective symptoms combined with conjunctival hyperemia can be more accurate assessment of ocular surface inflammation in the perioperative period of pterygium surgery,which can be used as an evaluation index to assess the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatment.

Objective To explore the MSCT characteristics of adhesive abdominal internal hernias and its complication of strangulated intestinal necrosis.Methods The CT data of 21 cases with adhesive abdominal internal hernias proved by operation were analyzed retrospectively.Raw data of CT images were reconstructed with MPR and/or CTA procedure for visualizing the hernia ring, intestinal mesentery and ansa interstinalis.Results Adhesive bands (hernia ring), crowding of distended and fluid-filled bowel loops with an abnormal location was visualized in 19 cases, among which the transitional segment from stenosis to dilation of the intestine was visualized in 17 cases.The crowded and engorged mesenteric vessels, edematous mesentery were visualized in 17 cases,among which mesenteric torsion was visualized in 11 cases.Varying amounts of ascites was visualized in 15 cases.All adhesive abdominal internal hernias in our study were classified according to their image manifestation.Dilated intestinal loop with thickened bowel wall was classified to type Ⅰ (7 cases).Dilated intestinal loop with normal bowel wall was classified to type Ⅱ (9 cases).Normal size of the intestinal loop with thickened bowel wall was classified to type Ⅲ (5 cases).The difference of CT values of the intestinal wall on non-contrast CT,enhancement CT values in arterial and portal phase of contrast-enhanced CT among three types of adhesive abdominal internal hernias showed statistical significance (P<0.05).The CT values and CT enhancement for type Ⅰ and Ⅲ were lower compared to type Ⅱ, while the difference of CT values between type Ⅰ and Ⅲ showed no statistical significance (P>0.05).8 cases of adhesive abdominal internal hernias were accompanied by intestinal necrosis (5 cases for type Ⅰ,3 cases for type Ⅲ).The necrotic intestine loop manifested as markedly thickened and blurred bowel wall with reduced enhancement, while thrombosis embolism of SMV was visualized in 4 cases and thrombosis embolism of SMA in 3 cases,respectively.Massive ascites was visualized in 8 cases.Conclusion The adhesion bands,transitional segment of small intestine,gathered and translocated intestinal loops are the clue to the diagnosis of adhesive abdominal internal hernias.Edema of mesentery, gathered and engorged mesenteric vessels, occlusion of SMV or SMA and the conspicuously thickened bowel wall with reduced enhancement are the image characteristics of intestinal necrosis.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=15), model group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter two groups were occluded their middle cerebral artery for two hours and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group accepted electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui 24 hours after modeling for seven days. They were assessed with Morris water maze once a day since the second day of intervention. Their brains were stained with TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction volume after treatment, while the expression of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and phosphorylation (p-CREB) in hippocampal CA1 area were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The escape latency and swimming distance of place navigation shortened in the electroacupuncture group compared with those in the model group (P<0.05) from the fourth day of intervention. The number of cross platform of spatial probe increased (P<0.05). The infarction volume was less in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P< 0.05), with increased expression of CREB and p-CREB in hippocampal CA1 area (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui can increase the expression of CREB and phosphorylation in hippocampal CA1 area in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, to protect the neurons from ischemia and improve the learning and memory function.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and its possible mechanism. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), ischemia group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled as focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 7 days. They were tested with Morris Water Maze, observed with Nissl's staining. The protein expression of RhoA was detected with Western blotting. Results The learning and memory ability improved in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), the injury of the neurons reduced (P<0.05) and the expression of RhoA in hippocampus decreased compared with the ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture could ameliorate the learning and memory ability in ischemia- reperfusion rats, which may relate with the inhibition of the expression of RhoA in hippocampus.

PURPOSE: To investigate the distribution of CD44+/CD24- cells in breast cancers in relation to tumor size before and after the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: CD44+/CD24- tumor cells obtained from breast cancer specimens were characterized in vivo and in vitro using tumor formation assays and mammosphere generation assays, respectively. The distribution of CD44+/CD24- tumor cells in 78 breast cancer specimens following administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was also evaluated using immunofluorescence assays, and this distribution was compared with the extent of tumor invasion predicted by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST). RESULTS: In 27/78 cases, complete remission (CR) was identified using RECIST. However, 18 of these CR cases were associated with a scattered distribution of tumor stem cells in the outline of the original tumor prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 24 cases involved cancer cells that were confined to the tumor outline, and 21 cases had tumor cells or tumor stem cells overlapping the tumor outline. In addition, there were 6 patients who were insensitive to chemotherapy, and in these cases, both cancer cells and stem cells were detected outside the contours of the tumor volume imaged prior to chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: CD44+/CD24- tumor cells may be an additional parameter to evaluate when determining the extent of breast cancer invasion.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Stem Cells ; Tumor Burden

To investigate the relationship between the expression of death associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The expression of DAPK gene in OSCC was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of DAPK gene was down regulated significantly, which may relate to the tumorigenesis and development of OSCC. The detection of DAPK gene may act as an index in OSCC dignosis.

This paper aims to discuss that the origin of the concept “physique existing with spirit” is the starting point of the origino logical study of “will stored in the kidney, corresponding to fear”, the definition of “physique existing with spirit” factually is one of many detailed reflections of TCM returning and suing for peace to traditional culture, its originological basis lies in “knowing interior from exterior” and the observation to the life course of “birth, growth, strength, senior, death”; “will” has broad and narrow meanings, the one I'n Classics has the narrow meaning, I. E. , will and memory ; the origin of “will stored in the kidney” is based on the theory of “essence of life stored in the kidney”, which depending on “subject thinking” method grasping the relatin of will and action, meanwhile, the antiproof of treatment to amnesia can also be induced to the basis of “will stored in the kidney”; “fear” belongs to the kidney, the basis of the theory “kidney corresponding to fear” comes from the observation to the symptoms caused by too much fear, and the interpromoting relationship of feeling and will practice to the reasonable and scientific matching proof of kidney-fear.