The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM=11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.

Two new polyketides, chinoketides A and B (1 – 2) with a known compound xylarphthalide A (3), were isolated from the solid medium of the endophytes from the leaves of the relic plant Distylium chinense with the “black-box” co-culture method, and the structures of two new compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS and CD spectra. And the absolute configurations of chinoketides A (1) and B (2) were determined as 2R,3R,8S and 5R,6S by calculating their ECD spectra to compare with the experimental CD spectra. Finally, the antimicrobial activities were evaluated to Erwinia carotovora sub sp. Carotovora (Jones) Bersey et al, and the results showed that compounds 1 – 3 displayed the antimicrobial activities with MIC value at 20.5, 30.4 and 10.2 µg/mL.
Coculture Techniques ; Endophytes ; Methods ; Pectobacterium carotovorum ; Plants ; Polyketides

OBJECTIVETo investigate the blood test patterns for blood donors after nucleic acid detection in blood center.

METHODSThe collected blood samples after voluntary blood donors first were detected by conventional ELISA, then 31981 negative samples were detected via HBV/HCV/HIV combined nucleic acid test of 6 mixed samples(22716 cases) or single samples(9265 cases) by means of Roche cobas s201 instrument. The combined detection method as follows: the blood samples were assayed by conventional nucleic acid test of 6 mixed samples, at same time, 6 mixed samples were treated with polyethylene glycol precipitation method to concentrate the virus, then the nucleic acid test of blood samples was performed; the single detection method as follows: firstly the conventional nucleic acid test of single sample was performed, then the positive reactive samples after re-examination were 6-fold diluted to simulate the nucleic acid test of 6-mixed samples. The positive rate of positive samples detected by combined nucleic acid test, positive samples detected by nucleic acid test of mixed virus concentration and positive samples detected by single nucleic acid test was statistically analyzed. In addition, for HBVpersons the serological test yet should be performed.

RESULTSIn 22 716 samples detected by nucleic acid test of 6 mixed samples (MP-6-NAT) , 9 cases were HBV(0.40‰, 9/22716); at same time, the detection of same samples by nucleic acid test of mixed sample virus concentration showed 29 cases of HBV(1.28‰, 29/22716). In 9265 samples detected by single nucleic acid test(ID-NAT) 12 cases showed HBV(1.30‰, 12/9265), meanwhile the detection of these 12 samples with HBVby 6-fold dilution for virus concentration found only 4 samples with HBV. In serological qualified samples, ID-NAT unqualified rate was 1.28‰, which was higher than that of MP-6-NAT(0.4‰) (χ=8.11, P<0.05); but there was no statistical difference between unqualified rate of ID-NAT and MP-6-NAT(1.3‰ vs 1.28‰)(χ=0.00, P>0.05). In 41 samples with HBsAgHBV DNAdetected by ELISA, 36 samples were confirmed to be occult HBV infective(OBI) by HBsAb, HBcAb test of ELISA; out of these 41 samples, 33 samples showed HBcAb(91.66% of OBI), 5 might be HBV "window period" infective, moreover the HCV RNA and HIV RNA positive samples were not found.

CONCLUSIONTo avoid the missdiagnosis of donors with low level of virus, the nucleic acid test must be carried out after virus concentration of mixed samples when the blood test pattern of donors is nucleic acid test of mixed samples, otherwise the single nucleic acid test must be performed to obtain more high detected rate of virus nucleic acid. The HBcAb serologic test and physical examination of donors before blood donation must be enhanced on basis of serological test of HBsAg; for high risk people, the persuading no blood donation is simplest pattern.

Objective: To observe the effect of miR-155 on angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced mice vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype switching with its possible mechanism. Methods: Primary cultured mice VSMCs were treated by AngⅡ at different concentrations and time periods, relevant expressions of miR-155 were examined by RT-PCR. qRT-PCR was conducted to determine miR-155 changes in Blank control group, miR-155 mimics group, miR-155 mimics negative control (NC) group, miR-155 inhibitor group and miR-155 inhibitor NC group. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the effect of miR-155 on AngⅡ-enforced ERK1/2 and mTOR signaling pathway in Blank control group, AngⅡ group, miR-155 mimics group, AngⅡ+miR-155 mimics group, miR-155 inhibitor group and AngⅡ+miR-155 inhibitor group; to detect the impact of miR-155, rapamycin (Rap) and U0126 on AngⅡ promoted VSMC phenotype switching in Blank control group, AngⅡ group, miR-155 mimics group, AngⅡ+miR-155 mimics group, AngⅡ+U0126 group and AngⅡ+Rap group, and to detect protein expressions of SM22α, α-SM-actin (contractile phenotype marker protein) and OPN (synthetic phenotype marker). Results: AngⅡ decreasing miR-155 expression was in a dose- and time-dependent manner. miR-155 could reduce the basal and AngⅡ-promoted ERK1/2, mTOR signaling pathway, while miR-155 inhibitor could elevate the above effect. Rap, U0126 and miR-155 could inhibit AngⅡ-attenuated expressions of SM22α, α-SM-actin and meanwhile inhibit AngⅡ-enforced expression of OPN. Conclusion: miR-155 could inhibit mice AngⅡ-promoted VSMC phenotype switching which might be via inhibiting the activations of mTOR and ERK1/2.

Based on the relationship between government and market,this paper analyzed the development process of large medical equipment configuration management strategy,and forecasted the trend of management.It is found that the development process of large equipment management in China can be divided into four stages:sprouting stage,management window period,growth stage,and transition period.The management model of the four stages,respectively,are integrated management,market-oriented management,quantitative control-based comprehensive supervision,and legal supervision.As per the analysis of this work,it was found that the sprouting of the regulation of industry standards,training professionals,management efficiency are low;market-oriented led to rapid growth in the number of equipment,with a low configuration efficiency;growth period of the number of regulatory norms of the market and equipment is reasonable to use;and the legal supervision in transition is taking shape.Currently,the lack of rational allocation of large-scale equipment in the hospitals is the main factor leading to market failure.In the legal framework,the government intervention with configuration permits is the major large-scale equipment configuration management model in the future.

Objective To investigate the biofilm formation rate of Candida albicans strain and its sensitivity to antifungal agents.Methods Candida albicans strains were isolated from 165 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in our hospital.The sensitivity of C.albicans strains to antifungal agents was evaluated by drug sensitivity test.And C54 strains for subsequent experiments in vivo and vitro were selected.Biofilms of single microbe or polymicrobial combination were induced in vitro,and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined in free and biofilm patterns,respectively.C.albicans and mixed microbe suspensions were injected into mice to establish a model of VVC.Using ELIASA,OD595 values were determined to observe biofilm growth rates across groups.Results The largest number of itraconazole-resistant on C.albicans strains (4.20％).MIC values of all groups were higher in a free pattern than in a biofilm pattern.The polymicrobial biofilms formed by co-culture of fugal and bacterial strains were markedly resistant to various antifungal agents.Mter induction in the biofilm pattern,for C54 + Escherichia coli group,MIC values of resistance to amphotericin B,itraconazole,5-flucytosine and fluconazole were 512,＞256,＞512,and ＞ 1024 μg · mL-1;for C54 + Streptococcus agalactiae group,MIC values of resistance to above antifungal agents were ＞512,＞256,＞512,and ＞ 1024 μg · mL-1.The biofilm formation rate was significantly higher in vaginal samples isolated from the mice who were injected with mixed microbe suspension than those who were injected with standard C.albicans suspension (P ＜ 0.05).For ATCC14053 group,OD595 values were 0.20 ± 0.11,0.24 ± 0.024,0.25 ± 0.06 at 24,48 and 72 h,respectively;for C54 + E.coli group,OD595 values were 0.69 ±0.88,0.79 ±0.65,1.10 ±0.64 respectively;for C54 +S.agalactiae group,OD595 values were 0.68 ±0.42,0.81 ± 0.77,1.10 ± 0.10,respectively.Conclusion Polymicrobial biofilm formation can improve the biofilm formation rate of C.albicans and its resistance to antifungal agents and will enhance vaginal injury in patients with RVVC.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2) and prokineticin 2 (RROK2) mutations.

METHODSPROKR2 and RROK2 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis with exon-flanking primers and by automated sequencing techniques with peripheral blood DNA samples from 59 patients with PSIS.

RESULTSOf these 59 PSIS patients, 6 showed intragenic deletions at the PROKR2 locus. Of them, 5 patients exhibited intragenic subsititution of exon 2 (c.991G>A), and the remaining one patient exhibited intragenic subsititution of exon 2 (c.1057C>T). No PROK2 mutation was found in these PSIS patients.

CONCLUSIONPROKR2 may be the susceptibility gene of PSIS.

Exons ; Gastrointestinal Hormones ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mutation ; Neuropeptides ; Pituitary Diseases ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; Receptors, Peptide

OBJECTIVETo study different effects of Herba Lycopodii (HL) Alcohol Extracted Granule combined methylprednisolone on behavioral changes, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression levels, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor levels in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODSMale adult SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the HL treatment group, the methylprednisolone treatment group, the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group. Rats in the HL treatment group were intragastrically administered with HL at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 successive days. Rats in the methylprednisolone treatment group were intramuscularly injected with 50 mg/kg methylprednisolone within 8 h after spinal cord contusion, and then the dose of methylprednisolone was reduced for 10 mg/kg for 5 successive days. Rats in the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group received the two methods used for the aforesaid two groups. Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score (for hindlimb motor functions) were assessed at day 0, 3, 7, and 28 after operation. At day 13 after SCI, injured spinal T8-10 was taken from 8 rats of each group and stored in liquid nitrogen. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor affinity (Kd) and the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) were determined using [3H]MK-801 radioactive ligand assay. Rats' injured spinal cords were taken for immunohistochemical assay at day 28 after SCI. Expression levels of BDNF in the ventral and dorsal horn of the spinal cord were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the number of BDNF positive neurons in the ventral and dorsal horn of the spinal cord increased in the model group, Bmax increased (470 ± 34), Kd decreased, and BBB scores decreased at day 3 -28 (all P <0. 05). Compared with the SCI model group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, BBB scores at day 3 -28 increased (P <0. 05) in each medicated group. Bmax was (660 ± 15) in the methylprednisolone treatment group, (646 ± 25) in the HL treatment group, and (510 ± 21) in the HL +methylprednisolone treatment group (P <0. 05). Compared with the methylprednisolone treatment group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, BBB scores at day 7 -28 increased, and Bmax decreased in the HL treatment group and the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compard with the HL treatment group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, and Bmax decreased (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHL could effectively improve motor functions of handlimbs, increase expression levels of BDNF in the spinal cord, and lessen secondary injury by affecting spinal levels of NMDA receptors. It showed certain therapeutic and protective roles in treating SCI. Its effect was better than that of methylprednisolone with synergism.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ethanol ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Models, Animal ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Neurons ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnostic value of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSA total of 66 patients, who were highly suspected of MM in our hospital from July 2012 to December 2014, were chosen as study objects. All patients were diagnosed or excluded by pathological examination. All patients were detected by (18)F-FDG-PET/CT, and its diagnostic value was analyzed. The number of focuses were counted.

RESULTSOut of 66 patients 59 patients (89.39%) were diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The sensitivity of PET was 98.31%, the specificity of PET was 85.71%, the Youden index was 0.8402; the sensitivity of CT was 96.61%, the specificity of CT was 85.71%, the Youden index was 0.8232; the sensitivity of PET/CT was 100.00%, the specificity of PET/CT was 83.33%, the Youden index was 0.8333. In 59 MM patients, 635 focuses were detected, out of them 572 focuses (90.08%) were detected by CT, 593 focuses (93.39%) were detected by PET, 530 focuses (83.46%) were coincided on PET/CT.

CONCLUSION(18)F-FDG-PET/CT has diagnostic value for multiple myeloma, and it can be used in locating and counting focuses, as well as in evaluating the treatment efficacy and guiding the clinical work.

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Multimodal Imaging ; Multiple Myeloma ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the value of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) in preterm infants.

METHODSPreterm infants born at a gestational age (GA) of ≤ 32 weeks and diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by echocardiography within 48 hours after birth between June 2014 and April 2015 were selected as subjects. Their clinical manifestations were observed, and serum NT-proBNP levels were measured and echocardiography was performed at 3 and 5 days after birth. The infants were divided into sPDA group and asymptomatic PDA (asPDA) group based on their clinical manifestations and the results of echocardiography. The correlations between serum NT-proBNP level and echocardiographic indices were analyzed. Serum NT-proBNP levels were compared between the two groups. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum NT-proBNP in the prediction of sPDA.

RESULTSA total of 69 preterm infants were enrolled in this study, with 13 infants in the sPDA group and 56 infants in the asPDA group. Serum NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with the diameter of the arterial duct (r=0.856; P<0.05)and the ratio of left atrial diameter to aortic root diameter (LA/AO) (r=0.713; P<0.05). At 3 and 5 days after birth, the serum NT-proBNP levels in the sPDA group were significantly higher than those in the asPDA group (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the prediction of sPDA by NT-proBNP levels at 3 days after birth was 0.949 (95% CI: 0.892-1.000; P<0.001), with a cut-off value of 27 035 pg/mL (sensitivity: 92.3%; specificity: 94.6%); the AUC for the prediction of sPDA by NT-proBNP levels at 5 days after birth was 0.924 (95% CI: 0.848-1.000; P<0.001), with a cut-off value of 6 411 pg/mL (sensitivity: 92.3%; specificity: 92.9%).

CONCLUSIONSNT-proBNP may be a quantitative index for shunt volume. The measurement of serum NT-proBNP levels on 3 and 5 days after birth may be useful to predict sPDA in preterm infants.

Biomarkers ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; ROC Curve