降钙素原在感染性结石术后早期诊断脓毒血症中的临床意义

目的探讨降钙素原(PCT)在感染性结石术后早期诊断脓毒血症中的临床意义。方法选取179例行输尿管软镜碎石术的上尿路感染性结石患者为研究对象,其中术后发生尿源性脓毒血症53例(观察组),未发生尿源性脓毒血症126例(对照组)。监测并比较两组患者术后6、24、48h血清PCT、C反应蛋白(CRP)、WBC等指标变化。结果观察组术后6、24、48h血清PCT均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);而血清CRP、WBC在术后6h变化不明显(均P>0.05),24、48h观察组均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。以临界值为标准计算术后6h各项指标的阳性率,观察组血清PCT、CRP的阳性率均高于对照组(均P<0.05),WBC阳性率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论与传统感染监测指标CRP、WBC比较,血清PCT水平能更早提示全身感染情况,在感染性结石术后早期诊断脓毒血症中具有一定的临床意义。

妇科感染性疾病治疗中血清降钙素原检验的价值分析

目的分析妇科感染性疾病治疗中血清降钙素原检验的价值。方法选取2018年2月~2019年2月本检验科治疗40例各类妇科感染性疾病患者作为本次研究的观察组,并将同期在院检查的40例健康女性作为常规组,采集两组研究对象的晨起空腹外周静脉血2毫升,观察组晨起空腹外周静脉血采集分别在治疗前和治疗后,研究对象的血清降钙素原水平大于0.5 ng/mL时,便说明检验者有细菌感染。结果在治疗前,观察组血清降钙素原水平明显高于常规组,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义;与治疗前相比,观察组治疗后的血清降钙素原水平有着明显的降低,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义;治疗后,观察组血清降钙素原水平相比于常规组健康者,血清降钙素原水平依旧有着较高水平,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义。结论在妇科感染性疾病治疗中,血清降钙素原水平检验是有着极为重要的参考价值,能够有效的帮助医师掌握患者的病情,同时对患者的疗效做出判断,值得采纳。

Identification and Pathogen Characteristics Analysis of a Co-infection with CSFV,PRRSV and PCV2

[Objective] The aim of this study was to identify swine diseases caused by CSFV,PRRSV and PCV2 and thus to analyze its pathogeny chracteristics.[Method] The tissues and viscera of the diseased swine were collected from Xiangtan of Hunan(Code of HN/XT)to extract DNA and RNA for PCR amplification and sequencing.Meanwhile,the virulent strains were isolated and identified by cell separation technology.[Result] The sequencing analysis results showed that the amino acid homology between CSFV,PRRSV,PCV2 and sequen...

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Golden Buckwheat Extract and Therapeutic Effect of its Preparation on Chicken Mycoplasma Infection

[Objective] This study aimed to identify the in vitro antibacterial activity of golden buckwheat extract and investigate the therapeutic effect of its preparation on mycoplasma infection. [Method] Through measuring the minimum inhibitory concentra-tion, the in vitro antibacterial activity of golden buckwheat water extract was deter-mined; meanwhile, the therapeutic effect of golden buckwheat oral solution on my-coplasma infection was determined by artificial y infecting chickens with Mycoplasma gal isepticum culture. [Results] The golden buckwheat water extract had obvious in-hibitory effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and a certain inhibitory effect on Salmonel a and Staphylococcus aureus; administration of golden buckwheat oral solution at the dose of 0.5%-1.0% continuously for 5 d had a good therapeutic effect against mycoplasma infection. [Conclusion] The study provides sci-entific bases for further study on the antibacterial activity of golden buckwheat and its application.

Correlation of Chlamydia pneumonias infection with primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM:To evaluate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: CpnIq/G and IgM were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELBA) in 41 well-established PBC patients and two race-matched control groups (post-hepatitis cirrhosis, n = 70; healthy controls, n = 57). RESULTS: The mean level and seroprevalence of Cpn IgG in PBC group and post-hepatitis cirrhosis (PHC) group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (46.8±43.4 RU/mL, 49.5±45.2 RU/mL vs28.3±32.7 RU/mL; 68.3%, 71.4%, 42.1%, respectively; P<0.05). There was a remarkably elevated seroprevalence of Cpn IgM in patients with PBC (22.0%) compared to the PHC and healthy control (HC) groups. For the PBC patients versus the HCs, the odds ratios (ORs) of the presence of Cpn IgG and IgM were 2.7 (95% CI 0.9-6.1) and 5.1 (95% CI 1.4-18.5), respectively. Though there was no correlation in the level of Cpn IgG with total IgG in sera of patients with PBC (r = -0.857, P = 0.344>0.05), Cpn IgM was related with the abnormally high concentrations of total IgM in PBC group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a triggering agent or even a causative agent in PBC, but suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection probably contributes to the high level of IgM present in most patients with PBC.

Dual function of Arabidopsis A TAF1 in abiotic and biotic stress responses

NAC family genes encode plant-specific transcription factors involved in diverse biological processes. In this study, the Arabidopsis NAC gene ATAF1 was found to be induced by drought, high-salinity, abscisic acid （ABA）, methyl jasmonate, mechanical wounding, and Botrytis cinerea infection. Significant induction of ATAF1 was found in an ABA-deficient mutant aba2 subjected to drought or high salinity, revealing an ABA-independent mechanism of expression. Arabidopsis ATAFl-overexpression lines displayed many altered phenotypes, including dwarfism and short primary roots. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicate that ATAF1 is a bonafide regulator modulating plant responses to many abiotic stresses and necrotrophic-pathogen infection. Overexpression of ATAF1 in Arabidopsis increased plant sensitivity to ABA, salt, and oxidative stresses. Especially, ATAF1 overexpression plants, but not mutant lines, showed remarkably enhanced plant tolerance to drought. Additionally, ATAF1 overexpression enhanced plant susceptibility to the necrotrophic pathogen B. cinerea, but did not alter disease symptoms caused by avirulent or virulent strains of P. syringae pv tomato DC3000. Transgenic plants overexpressing ATAF1 were hypersensitive to oxidative stress, suggesting that reactive oxygen intermediates may be related to ATAFl-mediated signaling in response to both pathogen and abiotic stresses.

Liver-protecting effects of omega-3 fish oil lipid emulsion in liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate the liver-protecting effect of parenteral nutrition(PN) support with omega-3 fatty acids in a randomized controlled clinical trial.METHODS:Sixty-six patients with the diagnosis of end-stage liver disease or hepatic cellular carcinoma were admitted to the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital,Nanjing University,China for orthotopic liver transplantation.The patients were randomly divided into two groups:PN group(n = 33) and polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) group(n = 33).All patients received isocaloric and isonitrogenous PN for seven days after surgery,and in PUFA group omega-3 fish oil lipid emulsion replaced part of the standard lipid emulsion.Liver function was tested on days 2 and 9 after surgery.Pathological examination was performed after reperfusion of the donor liver and on day 9.Clinical outcome was assessed based on the post-transplant investigations,including:(1) post-transplant mechanical ventilation;(2) total hospital stay;(3) infectious morbidities;(4) acute and chronic rejection;and(5) mortality(intensive care unit mortality,hospital mortality,28-d mortality,and survival at a one-year post-transplant surveillance period).RESULTS:On days 2 and 9 after operation,a significant decrease of alanine aminotransferase(299.16 U/L ± 189.17 U/L vs 246.16 U/L ± 175.21 U/L,P = 0.024) and prothrombin time(5.64 s ± 2.06 svs 2.54 s ± 1.15 s,P = 0.035) was seen in PUFA group compared with PN group.The pathological results showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplement improved the injury of hepatic cells.Compared with PN group,there was a significant decrease of post-transplant hospital stay in PUFA group(18.7 d ± 4.0 d vs 20.6 d ± 4.6 d,P = 0.041).Complications of infection occurred in 6 cases of PN group(2 cases of pneumonia,3 cases of intra-abdominal abscess and 1 case of urinary tract infection),and in 3 cases of PUFA group(2 cases of pneumonia and 1 case of intra-abdominal abscess).No acute or chronic rejection and hospital mortality were found in both groups.The one-year mortality in PN group was 9.1%(3/33),one died of pulmonary infection,one died of severe intra-hepatic cholangitis and hepatic dysfunction and the other died of hepatic cell carcinoma recurrence.Only one patient in PUFA group(1/33,3.1%) died of biliary complication and hepatic dysfunction during follow-up.CONCLUSION:Post-transplant parenteral nutritional support combined with omega-3 fatty acids can significantly improve the liver injury,reduce the infectious morbidities,and shorten the post-transplant hospital stay.

Immunogenicity and immunoprotection of recombinant PEB1 in Campylobacter-jejuni-infected mice

AIM： To construct a prokaryotic expression vector carrying Campylobacterjejuni peblA gene and express it in Escherichia coli. Immunoreactivity and antigenicity of rPEB1 were evaluated. The ability of rPEB1 to induce antibody responses and protective efficacy was identified. METHODS： peblA gene was amplified by PCR, target gene and prokaryotic expression ptasmid pET28a （＋） was digested with BamHI and XhoI, respectively. DNA was ligated with T4 DNA ligase to construct recombinant plasmid pET28a（＋）-peblA. The rPEB1 was expressed in E. coli BL21 （DE3） and identified by SDS-PAGE. BALB/c mice were immunized with rPEBI. ELISA was used to detect the specific antibody titer and MTT method was used to measure the stimulation index of spleen lymphocyte transformation. RESULTS： The recombinant plasmid pET28a （＋）-peblA was correctly constructed. The expression output of PEB1 protein in pET28a （＋）-peblA system was approximately 33% of total proteins in E. coil The specific IgG antibody was detected in serum of BALB/c mice immunized with rPEB1 protein. Effective immunological protection with a lower sickness incidence and mortality was seen in the mice suffering from massive C. jejuni infection. CONCLUSION： rPEB1 protein is a valuable candidate for C. jejuni subunit vaccine.

Minimally invasive treatment of pancreatic necrosis

AIM: To systematically review these minimally invasive approaches to infected pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: We used the MEDLINE database to investigate studies between 1996 and 2010 with greater than 10 patients that examined these techniques. Using a combination of Boolean operators, reports were retrieved addressing percutaneous therapy (341 studies), endoscopic necrosectomy (574 studies), laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach (148 studies), and retroperitoneal necrosectomy (194 studies). Only cohorts with at least 10 or more patients were included. Non-English papers, letters, animal studies, duplicate series and reviews without original data were excluded, leaving a total of 27 studies for analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies with 947 patients total were examined (eight studies on percutaneous approach; ten studies on endoscopic necrosectomy; two studies on laparoscopic necrosectomy via a transperitoneal approach; five studies on retroperitoneal necrosectomy; and two studies on a combined percutaneous-retroperitoneal approach). Success rate, complications, mortality, and number of procedures were outcomes that were included in the review. We found that most published reports were retrospective in nature, and thus, susceptible to selection and publication bias. Few reports examined these techniques in a comparative, prospective manner. CONCLUSION: Each minimally invasive approach though was found to be safe and feasible in multiple reports. With these new techniques, treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis remains a challenge. We advocate a multidisciplinary approach to this complex problem with treatment individualized to each patient.

An overview of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI), alternatively defined as occult hepatitis B (OHB), is a challenging clinical entity. It is recognized by two main characteristics: absence of HBsAg, and low viral replication. The previous two decades have witnessed a remarkable progress in our understanding of OBI and its clinical implications. Appropriate diagnostic techniques must be adopted. Sensitive HBV DNA amplification assay is the gold standard assay for detection of OBI. Viral as well as host factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of OBI. However, published data reporting the infectivity of OBI by transfusion are limited. Several aspects including OBI transmission, infectivity and its relation to the development of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma have to be resolved. The aim of the present review is to highlight recent data on OBI with a focus on its virological diagnosis and clinical outcome.

Enterovesical fistula caused by a bladder squamous cell carcinoma

Enterovesical fistulas are not uncommon in patients with inflammatory or malignant colonic disease, however, fistulas secondary to primary bladder carcinomas are extremely rare. We herein reported a patient presenting with intractable urinary tract infection due to enterovesical fistula formation caused by a squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. This patient underwent en bloc resection of the bladder dome and involved ileum, and recovered uneventfully without urinary complaint. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature.

Role for mycobacterial infection in pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis?

Primary biliary cirrhosis （PBC） is a progressive cho- lestatic liver disease characterized by the immune- mediated destruction of biliary epithelial cells in small intrahepatic bile ducts. The disease is characterized by circulating antimitochondrial antibodies （AMAs） as well as disease-specific antinuclear antibodies, cholestatic liver function tests, and characteristic histological fea- tures, including granulomas. A variety of organisms are involved in granuloma formation, of which mycobacte- ria are the most commonly associated. This has led to the hypothesis that mnycobacteria may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC, along with other infectious agents. Additionally, AMAs are found in a subgroup of patients with rnycobacterial infections, such as lep- rosy and pulmonary tuberculosis. Antibodies against species-specific mycobacterial proteins have been re- ported in patients with PBC, but it is not clear whether these antibodies are specific for the disease. In addi- tion, data in support of the involvement of the role of molecular mimicry between rnycobacterial and human mitochondrial antigens as triggers of cross-reactive im- mune responses leading to the loss of immunological tolerance, and the induction of pathological features have been published. Thus, antibodies against myco- bacterial heat shock protein appear to cross-recognize AMA-specific autoantigens, but it is not clear whether these autoantibodies are mycobacterium-species-spe- cific, and whether they are pathogenic or incidental. The view that mycobacteria are infectious triggers of PBC is intriguing, but the data provided so far are not conclusive.

A bacterial pathogen infecting gametophytes of Saccharina japonica(Laminariales,Phaeophyceae)

A newly identified bacterial disease of kelp(Saccharina japonica) gametophytes was found in clone cultures.It is characterized by swollen gametophyte cells in the early period of infection followed by filamentous fading.An alginolytic marine bacterium referred to as A-1 was isolated from the diseased gametophytes.On the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing and morphological,physiological and biochemical characteristics,the bacterium was identified as a strain of the genus Alteromonas.By testing Koch's postulates,Alteromonas sp.A-1 was further confirmed as the pathogen.The infection process was also investigated using both scanning electron and light microscopy.

Derivatives of Thiohydrazides as Effective Antibacterial Remedies for Chlamydial Infection Treatment at Chronic Stages of Infections

Hydrazones of poorly studied fluorine-containing oxamic acid thiohydrazides were synthesized by the reaction with salicylaldehydes. Tests showed that the newly synthesized compounds were effective low-toxic inhibitors of type III secretion system in Chlamydia trachomatis.

Progress of Study on Chlamydial Pathogenesis

Chlamydia, a human pathogen that mediates chronic, persistent and repeated infection progress, is capable of inflicting permanent scar formation. A typical reticular body is found in persistent infections. Chlamydial Hsp 60, interferon(IFN) -gamma and other cytokines function in the course of repeated infection. Immunopathological factors mediate chronic infection.

Synergistic Action of Clonorchiasis,HBV Infection and Alcohol Consumption on Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE It has been recognized that HBV infection and alcohol consumption are two important risk factors for primary hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Recently, the role of clonorchiasis as a risk factor for HCC is controversial. We aimed to investigate whether these factors increase the risk of HCC in Guangxi, China. METHODS A hospital-based, case-control study of HCC was conducted from July 2005 to July 2007. We enrolled 500 consecutive patients with HCC as an experimental group and 500 patients without tumor in liver as a control group. The risk factors that the patients were exposed to were assessed. RESULTS Comparing the risks of developing the HCC, we found out the following results. The risk of developing HCC for the patients with clonorchiasis was 5 folds of that for the patients without clonorchiasis （OR = 5.0; 95% CI： 3.1-8.1）, and the risk for the patients with alcohol consumption was 3 folds of that for the patients without drinking alcohol （OR = 3.4; 95% CI： 2.3-4.9）, and similarly, the risk for the patients with HBV infection was 21 times of that for the patients without HBV infection （OR = 20.6; 95% CI： 14.3-29.7）. According to crossover analysis, there was significant interaction among clonorchiasis, HBV infection and alcohol consumption, with synergistic indices greater than 1. The etiologic fractions attributed to these interactions [EF （A × B）] are 0.7465, 0.5789 and 0.5506, respectively. CONCLUSION Clonorchiasis, HBV infection and heavy alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for developing HCC in our population in Guangxi, and as they can interact synergistically, the risk of developing HCC is increased. Data from this study may indicate new prevention strategies of developing HCC in high-risk individuals.

Submicroscopic Plasmodial Infection May Lead to Severe Malaria in Children

Malaria is one of the leading causes of consultation in African pediatric hospitals. In Gabon, malaria transmission is perennial. Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for the most severe form of the disease, represents more than 95% of all species. In P. falciparum infection, the hyperparasitemia accounts among the main criteria of disease severity. However, in many endemic countries, a significant decrease of malaria burden accompanying with the diminution of parasite load in infected individuals has been demonstrated. The objective of the study was to analyze the occurrence of febrile syndrome in childhood and investigate whether the acute febrile illness could be associated with P. falciparum submicroscopic infection. A cross-sectional study was carried out during January to March 2013 in Franceville. A total of 203 acute febrile children were enrolled. A clinical examination and biomedical analysis including parasitological diagnosis by microscope were carried out in all the patients and PCR on microscope negative ones. Of 203 children recruited for febrile syndrome, 111 have been diagnosed positive for P. falciparum infection, 73 （35.9%） by microscope （ME） and 38 （18.71%） by PCR （submicroscopic infection = SM1） with an overall prevalence of 54.68%. Of the 11 1 P. falciparum infected individuals and according to the WHO criteria, 35 （31.53%） children showed a clinical picture of severe malaria against 76 （68.47%） others classified as uncomplicated malaria. The overall prevalence rates were therefore estimated as 17.24 （35/203） for severe cases and 37.43% （76/203） for uncomplicated ones. Clinically, these severe malaria cases （27 ME＋ and 8 PCR＋） were mainly composed of 85.71% of anaemic patients （30/35）, 71.14% of prostrated individuals （25/35） and 57.14% of children with clinical icterus （20/35）. However, only two cases of severe anaemia were observed, the remaining others cases were moderate （10） and mild anaemia （18）. More interestingly, eight submicroscopic infected patients （22.85%） were found with neurological manifestations （prostration） and all were experiencing thrombocytopenia. Lastly, 1 hyperparasitemia, 6 hypoglycemia and 2 respiratory distresses were also observed among these severe malaria cases. P. falciparum submicroscopic infection may lead to severe malaria in perennial transmission area.

Advances on Syndromic Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Research data showed that syndromic approach could successfully manage gonococcal and chlamydial infections in males and syphilis and chancroid in males and females. However, low sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were found in the syndromic management of vaginal discharge. It is recommended that the syndromic algorithm for management of vaginal discharge used when serving high-risk and symptomatic women.

Etiological analysis on bacterial ocular disease in northern China (1989-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To review the distribution and trends of bacterial culture specimens in Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the bacterial culture-positive rate, the distribution of gram' s stain, and the distribution and change of isolates was performed on 4705 specimens during a 10-year period (1989- 1998). RESULTS: Positive cultures numbered 1339 of the 4705 specimens, with a positive rate of 28.6%. Gram-positive cocci constituted 55.6% of the total isolates, followed by gram-positive bacilli 13.1% . Gram-negative cocci accounted for 2.8%, and gram-negative bacilli 28.5% . In the positive bacteria cultures, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (mainly Staphylococcous epidermidis) was the most common isolate (25.3%), and followed by Pseudomonas 18.8%, Micrococcus 11.7%, Cotynbaccterium 10.1%, and Staphylococcus aureus 8.2% . During the 10-year period, the overall frequency of gram-positive cocci appeared to increase with time while the frequency of gram-negative bacilli decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli are still the predominant pathogens of ocular infection in northern China. The frequency of the former increases annually whereas that of the latter decreases. It is important to comprehend the distribution and trends of ocular pathogenic bacteria for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of bacterial infectious ocular disease.

UP REGULATION OF UBIQUITIN C TERMINAL HYDROLASE IN THE RESPONSE OF THE MOSQUITO ANOPHELES STEPHENSI TO PLASMODIUM YOELII INFECTION

The isolation and study of genes that are differentially expressed in malaria infected mosquitoes is important for the elucidation of basic molecular mechanisms underlying vector parasite interactions. When screening against a previously established cDNAs pool representing specifically expressed genes in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi infected by Plasmodium yoelii, it was found that one of these encodes a protein with extensive sequence similarity to the Drosophila melanogaster ubiquitin C terminal hydrolase(UCTH). Similarity alignment showed that the fragment is 89% identical at amino acid level to the corresponding region of the known An. gambiae EST sequence, as well as 63% identical to that of both the fruitfly and human sequence. Virtual Northern blot expression dynamics of the gene indicated that it was up regulated significantly in the mosquito at least 1 7 days post infection, consistent with the critical transition stages of midgut invasion and relocation of sporozoites from the oocysts to the salivary glands during parasite development. Rather little is known about the role of the ubiquitin pathway in the activation of the mosquito innate immune system. The results indicate that the gene is related to malaria infection in mosquito. The cloning and expression profile analysis of As UCTH enables us to make predictions as to the roles it may play during malaria infection.