Objective:To detect the pathogen and clinically diagnose for a suspected case of Neisseria meningitidis with positive blood culture result, and assess the risk of disease transmission among the community. Methods:Blood sample was collected for Neisseria meningitidis isolation and culture. Pathogen identification and serogroup typing were conducted by colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, latex agglutination test, slide agglutination test, and nucleic acid testing. The susceptibility to 12 antibiotics was also tested. Epidemiological investigation was conducted on the case, and epidemic control measures were also implemented. Results:Through various detection, the suspected case was diagnosed as Neisseria meningitidis invasive infection. The isolated strain belonged to group Y serotype, type 767 (multilocus sequence typing), and the ST167 clonal complex. The strain was sensitive to nine antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, and meropenem. It exhibited intermediate sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, and resistance to methicillin/sulfamethoxazole. Close contacts of the case and environmental testing results were negative. Conclusions:The case is confirmed to be an invasive infection caused by group Y Neisseria meningitidis, the ST167 clonal complex. Epidemiological investigation shows a relatively low risk of epidemic transmission. Continuous monitoring and surveillance are necessary for further assessment.

In neuronal system, epigenetic modifications are essential for neuronal development, the fate determination of neural stem cells and neuronal function. The dysfunction of epigenetic regulation is closely related to occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease. Abnormally elevated DNA methylation inhibits the expression of some DNA repair-related genes and affects the progression of Huntington's disease. In the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients, the levels of H3K27ac and H3K9ac histone modifications increased. In addition, the alteration of RNA methylation in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease showed discrepancy trends. Therefore, epigenetic modifications may serve as potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we summarize the recent progress of the roles of epigenetic modifications in neurodegenerative diseases.
Animals ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics* ; Parkinson Disease/genetics* ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Objective:Factors influencing the prognosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in adults were analyzed based on multicentric data.Methods:Clinical data of 124 adult patients with HLH diagnosed in eight medical centers in the Huaihai Lymphoma Working Group from March 2014 to July 2020 were collected. The optimal truncation value of continuous variables was obtained based on the Maxstat algorithm, X-Tile software, and restricted cubic spline. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to construct the adult HLH risk prediction model, and the visualization of the model was realized through the histogram. The bootstrap resampling method was used to verify the model, C-index and calibration curve was used to verify the histogram, and the prediction accuracy was checked. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the survival rate and draw the survival curve. Furthermore, the differences between groups were tested by log-rank.Results:The median age of the 124 patients was 55 (18-84) years, including 61 (49.19%) males. The most common etiology was infection. Serum ferritin increased in 110 cases (88.71%) , hepatosplenomegaly in 57 cases (45.97%) . Of the 124 patients, 77 (62.10%) died, and the median survival time of the patients was 7.07 months. Univariate results showed that the prognosis of adult HLH was influenced by sex, age, fibrinogen, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and albumin ( P<0.05) . The results of multivariate analysis showed that gender, platelet, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and treatment regimens were independent influencing factors for prognosis. Based on the above five risk factors, the prediction model of the histogram was established, and the C-index of the model was 0.739. Finally, the calibration chart showed good consistency between the observed and predicted values of HLH. Conclusion:The prognosis of the adult hemophagocytic syndrome is influenced by many factors. Gender, platelet, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and treatment regimens are independent risk factors. Therefore, the established histogram provides a visual tool for clinicians to evaluate the prognosis of adult HLH.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) pre-treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) sheets on new bone formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were induced by injection of streptozotocin, and the BMSC were isolated, controlled, identified and induced into cell sheets. Fifteen T2DM rats were randomly divided into control, sheets and Sema3A-sheets group and the calvarial critical size defect (CSD) model of rats were established. The defect zone of rats from control group were implanted with bone powder. The defect zone of rats from sheets group were implanted with bone powder and BMSC sheets. The defect zone of rats from Sema3A-sheets group were implanted with bone powder and BMSC sheets pretreated with 1.0 mg/L Sema3A. After 8 weeks, the bone samples were harvested and analyzed by micro-CT scanning, HE staining for the evaluation of new bone formation, and the immunohistochemical analysis for the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins including type Ⅰ collagen (COL- Ⅰ ), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin (OCN). Results: The BMSC were isolated and cultured, and oil red O and Alizarin red S staining proved the multi-potential differentiation. Eight weeks after the establishment of calvarial CSD model, Sema3A-sheet group showed the most abundant new bone formation (0.516±0.070), with increased bone volume fraction, namely bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) compared with sheets group (0.319±0.050) and control group (0.224±0.037) (P<0.05), and the sheets group showed increased BV/TV compared with control group (P<0.05). While trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) control group showed no difference in three groups (P>0.05). HE staining also confirmed that Sema3A-sheets group showed the most new bone formation. Sheet group (0.174±0.051) compared showed difference with control group (0.099±0.033) (P< 0.05), and Sema3A-sheet group (0.421±0.069) showed increased bone formation compared with sheet group and control group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that BMSC sheet increased the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins including COL-Ⅰ, BMP-2 and OCN, while Sema3A pretreatment showed more obvious increase of the expression of COL-Ⅰ and OCN. Conclusions The combined implantation of bone powder and Sema3A stimulated BMSC sheets significantly increased bone regeneration in vivo. Therefore, Sema3A pre-treated BMSC sheets transplantation provides a new strategy for restoring bone defect in T2DM.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of the diameters of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and gastrocolic trunk (GCT) between patients with cecum-ascending colon cancer and normal individuals, and to assess the diagnostic value of the diameters of SMV and GCT in cecum-ascending colon cancer.

METHODSPreoperative imaging data of 60 patients with primary cecum-ascending colon cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The diameters of SMV and GCT were measured on preoperative CT images. SMV was measured at about 2 cm below the junction of SMV and splenic vein. GCT was measured at 1 cm near the proximal junction of right colon vein, right gastroepiploic vein and anterior pancreaticoduodenal vein. Another 60 people receiving pelvic CT examination without organ illness were collected as control. The diameter differences of SMV and GCT between cancer group and control group were compared. The diagnostic value of the diameters of SMV and GCT in cecum-ascending colon cancer was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTSAmong 60 cases of cecum-ascending colon cancer, 36 were males and 24 were females with median age of 48 years (range 28-84); 13 were cecum cancer, 47 were ascending colon cancer; 11 had no lymph node and liver metastasis, 40 had lymph node metastasis, 9 had liver metastasis (all with lymph node metastasis). Compared to control group, the diameters of SMV and GCT in cancer group were significantly longer [SMV:(11.2±1.3) mm vs. (9.5±1.7) mm, t=6.04, P<0.001; GCT:(5.5±0.9) mm vs. (3.5±1.0) mm, t=11.51, P<0.001]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in diameters of SMV and GCT among hepatic metastasis, lymph node metastasis and no metastasis cancer groups (all P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of SMV diameter was 0.777, and the optimal cut-off point was 10.5 mm in the diagnosis of cecum-ascending colon cancer, with the sensitivity and specificity of 95.0%(57/60) and 46.7%(28/60) respectively. The area under the curve of GCT diameter was 0.923, and the optimal cut-off point was 4.5 mm in the diagnosis of cecum-ascending colon cancer, with sensitivity and specificity of 88.3%(53/60) and 85.0%(51/60) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe dilation of the SMV and GCT may be used as warning factors for cecum-ascending colon cancer, especially the diameter of GCT.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cecum ; Colon, Ascending ; pathology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins ; anatomy & histology ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the repeated dose toxicity of MNT-016 in SD rats and to provide reference for toxicity evaluation.Methods MNT-016 was administered to rats at 5, 20 and 80 mg/kg for 90 days.The toxic effects on the animals were evaluated by observing the clinical signs and measuring the body weight, hematology and blood biochemistry as well as histopathological examination.NOAEL and benchmark dose lower confidence limit(BMDL) were observed by the end point of toxicity.Results Compared with the control group, the AST, TBIL, DBIL and Crea of male rats were increased in a dose-dependent manner, while TG and CHOL decreased.The body mass(before anatomy), heart, liver, thymus, epididymis of male rats in 80 mg/kg group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while absolute organ mass of the heart and lung was increased.The body mass (before anatomy) and thymus of female rats in 80 mg/kg group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while absolute organ mass of lungs was increased.Vacuolation of hepatocytes was observed in groups each dose, tubule atrophy was found in the kidneys of 20 and 5 mg/kg groups, and tubule basophilia was observed in 80 mg/kg group.The incidence of the above lesions was higher in male animals than in female ones.Conclusion The NOAEL of MNT-016 is lower than 5 mg/kg in male rats and 5 mg/kg in female rats.BMDL value is 2.65 mg/kg in male animals and more accurate than NOAEL, and is 9.04 mg/kg in female animals,which is slightly larger than the corresponding NOAEL.

Objective To compare the value of fractional anisotropy(FA)of MR diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) and Glasgow coma scale(GCS) at admission for judging the injury severity and prognosis of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Methods Thirty-four patients with DAI adopted the GCS score to evaluate the conscious disturbance levels at admission and conducted the DTI examination within 2 weeks. Twenty-three individuals undergoing healthy physical examination conducted the DTI examination. The FA values of visuality lesion area in various sites,healthy side symmetric site and cerebral midline site were measured. The reduction degree of mean FA value at midline site and visuality lesions were measured. The correlation between GCS score,mean FA value reduction degree in visuality lesions and mean FA value at cerebral midline site with consciousness disorder time and recovery degree in half a year after injury was analyzed. Results The reduction degree of mean FA value at cerebral midline site was significantly correlated with consciousness disorder time and recovery degree in half a year after injury(r= 0. 519,P=0. 002; r= 0. 669, P=0. 000) ;the mean FA value reduction degree in visuality lesions and GCS score had low or weak correlation with consciousness dis order time and recovery degree in half a year after injury(r=0. 285,P=0. 103;r=0. 487,P=0. 003;r= -0. 241,P=0. 169;r=-0. 229,P=0. 192). The correlation between mean FA reduction degree in cerebral midline site and mean FA value reduction degree in visuality lesions with the recovery degree in a half years after injury was higher than that in GCS score. Conclusion DTI is a sensitive sequence for diagnosing DAI and has much more value for judging the injury degree and prognosis than the GCS score generally adopted by clinic.

Objective:To explore the calvarial critical size defect (CSD)in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:T2DM model of SD rats(weighted 300-320 g)was induced by high fat and high sugar diet and low dose intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ)injection.The rats with T2DMand the normal controls were divided into 4 groups(n=3)respectively.Defects with the diame-ter(mm)of 2,3,4 and 5 were made on the central calvaria of each rat.General observation,X-ray examination and histological study were performed 8 weeks postoperatively.Results:In the T2DM group,only the defects of 2 mm diameter were healed completely,X-ray resistance and new bone formation were observed;the defects of 3,4 and 5 mm diameter were unhealed,X-ray transmission was observed and newly formed bone was insufficient.In the control group,the defects of 2,3 and 4 mm diameter were healed completely, X-ray resistance and new bone formation were observed;the defects of 5 mm diameter were unhealed,X-ray transmission was ob-served,newly formed bone was insufficient.Conclusion:The calvarial CSD of T2DM rat model can be defined as the defect with the diameter of 3 mm.

Objective To explore the value of complete mesocolic excision ( CME) for patients with colon carcinoma. Methods The 68 patients with colon carcinoma were divided into CME group (n=34) and control group (n=34) randomly. The patients in CME group were managed CME and the control group were arranged traditional open operation. The operation condition, preoperative complications, a-mount of lymph node scavenged,and the relapse rate of the 2 groups were contrasted. Results The operation period,the hospital stays,period of passage of gas by anus,the drainage volume post 3 days of operation and the period of drainage tube extraction of CME group were respec-tively(158 ± 38) min,(13. 4 ± 4. 0),(2. 3 ± 0. 5) d,(123. 3 ± 20. 5) mL,(12. 3 ± 2. 5) d,with no difference compared to control group (P>0. 05). The intraoperative bleeding volume of CME group (112. 3 ± 35. 5) mL was less than that of control group (146. 6 ± 36. 7) mL (P<0. 05). There was no difference in complication and the amount of lymph nodes scavenged of patients between 2 groups(P>0. 05). But the amount of lymph nodes scavenged of patients in TNM Ⅱ and Ⅲ of CME group (18. 6 ± 6. 7),(22. 6 ± 8. 6) was more than that of control group (15. 2 ± 4. 8),(16. 8 ± 6. 7)(P=0. 019 0,0. 002 8). The relapse rate in CME group (0. 0%) was lower than that in control group (17. 6%)(χ2 =4. 569 9,P=0. 032 5). Conclusion CME will not increase the risks of radical operation for colon carcinoma,but can scavenge more lymph nodes and decrease the tumor relapse rate.

Traumatic craniocerebral injury is one of serious injury which can cause great damage to human life and health even lead to disability or death.Making an objective and accurate judgement of severity and prognosis for traumatic craniocerebral injury in children,which might play an important role in the clinical treatment and prognosis.As a physical scoring indicator system of traumatic craniocerebral injury,the earliest and most widely used one is Glasgow Coma Scale.The Children Coma Scale is particularly used for children under 4 years old and the Trauma Infant Neurologic Score for infants with traumatic craniocerebral injury.Thus,these 3 scoring systems present advantage and representative in clinical application.Here we make a brief review on these 3 scoring systems based on the current studies and applications.