Values of G test and GM test combined with fungal culture method for diagnosis of invasive fungal infection in lungs / 军事医学

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of deep fungal infection by detecting the serum galactomannan ( GM) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) GM, serum G test and fungal culture of BALF in patients with suspected invasive fungal infection ( IFI) in lungs.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of the results of serum /BALF GM test ,serum G test and BALF culture from 148 patients with suspected pulmonary IFI .The indexes involved sensitivity , specificity , positive predictive value , negative predictive value , as well as diagnostic capacity for deep fungal infection with separated or combined tests .Results Among the 148 cases, 48 cases were clinically diagnosed with IFI and the rest were excluded.Among the 48 IFI cases, 3 cases were positive in serum GM test , 25 cases were positive in BALF GM test , 31 cases were positive in G test and 30 cases were positive in fungal culture .The combined detection showed a sensitivity of 91.6%,specificity of 70.0%, positive predictive value of 59.5% and negative predictive value of 94.6%.Conclusion The combination of GM/G tests and fungal culture can significantly improve the clinical diagnostic efficiency of pulmonary IFI .

Laboratory diagnosis of rarely filamentous fungi / 军事医学

Objective To investigate the laboratory diagnosis of filamentous fungi which are rarely seen in clinical practice.Methods Five strains of fungi were isolated from clinical samples and initially identified by the morphological method.Total DNA of fungi was extracted and amplified by the PCR method using universal primers of ITS2-ITS4 gene, respectively.The PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were then analyzed by the blastn program incorporated in NCBI.Results The five strains of fungi were diagnosed as Scedosporium apiospermum,Schizophyllum commune,Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,Rhizopus stolonifer,and Fusarium solani.Conclusion The laboratory diagnosis of filamentous fungi which rarely occur in clinical practice should integrate various methods,including morphological, microbiological,and molecular biological methods.

Main pathogenic bacteria and drug resistance in Affiliated Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences between 2012 and 2013 / 军事医学

Objective To investigate the flora distribution and drug resistance status in the Affiliated Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences so as to provide experimental data for clinical doctors to use antibiotics more efficiently.Methods The clinical data of pathogenic bacterial infections over nearly one year in our hospital were retro -spectively analyzed .Results There were 3815 strains of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the sample .The percentage of Gram-positive strains was 36.4%while that of Gram-negative bacteria was 63.6%.The most common bacteria were Esche-richia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis.In terms of drug tolerance , Enterobacteriaceae remained highily sensitive to carbapenems .The total resistance rate was 2%-5%.The resistance rate of A.baumannii to meropenem and imipenem was 60%.There were still a few pan-drug resistant strains among K.pneumoniae,A.baumannii and P.aeruginosa,but there were no drug resistant strains to vancomycin , tige-cycline and linezolid in Staphylococcus.The resistance rate of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin was 9%.The bacteria were distributed predominantly in ICU ,Department of Hematology and Department of Oncology .The samples were mainly composed of phlegm specimens .Conclusion The high distribution in the three departments mentioned above is largely re-lated to the diseases being treated .The specimens from the lower respiratory tract show more types of bacteria that are mostly drug-resistant, and the isolating rate of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus and carbapenems resistant K.pneumoniat is com-paratively high .

Signal peptide and denaturing temperature are critical factors for efficient mammalian expression and immunoblotting of cannabinoid receptors / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Many researchers employed mammalian expression system to artificially express cannabinoid receptors, but immunoblot data that directly prove efficient protein expression can hardly be seen in related research reports. In present study, we demonstrated cannabinoid receptor protein was not able to be properly expressed with routine mammalian expression system. This inefficient expression was rescued by endowing an exogenous signal peptide ahead of cannabinoid receptor peptide. In addition, the artificially synthesized cannabinoid receptor was found to aggregate under routine sample denaturing temperatures (i.e., [Symbol: see text]95°C), forming a large molecular weight band when analyzed by immuno-blotting. Only denaturing temperatures [Symbol: see text]75°C yielded a clear band at the predicted molecular weight. Collectively, we showed that efficient mammalian expression of cannabinoid receptors need a signal peptide sequence, and described the requirement for a low sample denaturing temperature in immuno-blot analysis. These findings provide very useful information for efficient mammalian expression and immuno-blotting of membrane receptors.

Rapid genetic characterization of a novel Enterobacteria phage and determination of its host recognizing genes / 生物工程学报

We isolated a novel Enterobacteria phage IME08 from hospital sewage, then confirmed it was a double-stranded DNA phage by digesting its genetic material with DNase I, RNase A and several restriction endonucleases respectively. BLAST results of random fragments generated by a random PCR cloning method revealed that it belonged to T4-like virus. We subsequently determined the host recognizing genes (g37 and g38) sequence with a PCR-based "genome jumping" protocol based on highly conserved region at 5' terminus of g37 from four other T4-like Bacteriophages (T4, JS98, T2 and K3). These molecular biological methods enabled us to readily characterize the bacteriophage and efficiently determine the sequence of the genes of interest based on very limited conserved sequence information.

Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology:A Citation Analysis / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE The bibliometric index of papers published in Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology in sequential 11 years was analyzed by the citation method in order to get comprehensive understanding of the articles in academic quality and level.METHODS The cited articles in the journal were analyzed and evaluated using quantitative approach on the basis of the data searched from Chinese Medical Citation Index(CMCI) database developed by Medical Library of Chinese PLA.RESULTS The total cites,immediacy index and impact factors of the journal articles were turned to increase in years.Authors were widely distributed,however,mainly concentrated in Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou and some developed provinces as well as the affiliated hospitals of the large medical universities.CONCLUSIONS With comparatively high quality in articles which can fully reflect the scientific achievements and development in the field of nosocomial infections in China,the journal is evaluated as one of core journals in medical even in the whole scientific journal collections.

The electroporation effects of high power pulse microwave and electromagnetic pulse irradiation on the membranes of cardiomyocyte cells and the mechanism therein involved / 生物医学工程学杂志

Though there is ongoing public concern on potential hazards and risk of electromagnetic radiation, the bioeffects mechanism of electromagnetic fields remains obscure. Heart is one of the organs susceptive to electromagnetic fields (EMF). This study was designed to assess the influence of high power pulse microwave and electromagnetic pulse irradiation on cardiomyocytes, to explore the critical mechanism of electromagnetic fields, and to explain the regular course of injury caused by exposure to pulse EMF. Cultured cardiomyocytes were irradiated by high power pulse microwave and electromagnetic pulse first, then a series of apparatus including atom force microscope, laser scanning confocal microscope and flow cytometer were used to examine the changes of cell membrane conformation, structure and function. After irradiation, the cardiomyocytes pulsated slower or stop, the cells conformation was abnormal, the cells viability declined, and the percentage of apoptosis and necrosis increased significantly (P< 0.01). The cell membrane had pores unequal in size, and lost its penetration character. The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+ and P3+ in cell culture medium increased significantly (P< 0.01). and the concentration of Ca2+ in cells ([Ca2+]i) decreased significantly (P<0.01). The results indicated that cardiomyocytes are susceptible to non-ionizing radiation. Pulse electromagnetic field can induce cardiomyocytes electroporation, and can do great damage to cells conformation, structure and function. Electroporation is one of the most critical mechanisms to explain the athermal effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Functional and morphological changes in mouse hematopoietic system after exposure to ?-ray irradiation combined with microwave / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To explore the patterns and features of biological effects of ?-ray irradiation combined with microwave on the mouse hematopoietic system, and to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the possible mechanism of the bone marrow injury caused by the combined action of microwave and ?-ray irradiation. Methods 216 healthy KM mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal control, microwave (S frequency range, 50mW/cm~2), ?-ray irradiation (5.5Gy), microwave combined ?-ray radiation (5.5Gy + 50mW/cm~2). They were sacrificed at 6h, 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 90 and 180 days after radiation, respectively, then the histological and ultrastructural changes in the bone marrow and the peripheral hemogram were observed. Results Histopathological changes: the bone marrow appeared to be obviously injured either by radiation or microwave exposure, characterized by undergoing four phases, namely apoptosis-necrosis, void, regeneration and recovery phase. However, the pathological changes were more obvious and the recovery was slower in microwave combined ?-ray radiation group. Peripheral hemogram: the numbers of leucocytes, erythrocytes and platelets, and the content of hemoglobin decreased in both ?-ray irradiation group and microwave combined ?-ray radiation group, and the decrease in microwave combined radiation group was more remarkable. Ultrastructure: the bone marrow hematopoietic cells underwent obvious degeneration, apoptosis and necrosis in microwave combined ?-ray radiation group especially at 6 hours after radiation. Conclusion ?-ray combined with microwave could induce hematopoietic dysfunction and pathomorphological changes in hematopoietic organ, which were mainly caused by ?-ray, and the changes were aggravated.

Countermeasures Against Occurrence of Hospital Infections in Laboratories / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To find the methods of how to prevent the occurrence of hospital infections in laboratories. METHODS The problems existing in laboratories about hospital infections occurred were summaried based on a data analysis and clinical practice. Certain stratieges for preventing such infections were proposed. RESULTS The following factors were found to be the causes of hospital infections occurred in laboratories,including poor laboratory conditions,unperfect rules and regulations,poor precautions for prevention,inappropriate management,unintensified training,unthorough disinfection,inappropriate disposal of wastes,irregular monitoring,etc. CONCLUSIONS The following measures should be taken for the control of hospital infections in laboratories,such as establishing corresponding organizations,perfecting rules and regulations,intensifying training,enhancing prevention precautions,improving working conditions,strengthening management of disinfection and disposal of medical wastes,stressing monitoring,etc.

Studies on renal function injured by an accidental ~(60)Co irradiation in Shandong province / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To study the radiation effects on the serum concentration of urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre), ?2-microglobulin (?2-MG) and uric acid (UA), and to evaluate the injuries to renal function induced by a 60 Co irradiation accident in Shandong province. Methods The concentrations of urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and serum uric acid were determined by enzymatic methods. The concentrations of serum ?2-microglobulin were determined by the immunoturbidity methods using HITACHI 7170s automatic biochemical analyzer. Results The serum concentrations of BUN and Cre of 2 patients increased significantly after irradiation, and the serum concentration of UA in the two cases elevated too after irradiation, but didn't reach the normal value. The serum concentrations of ?2-microglobulin also increased significantly after irradiation. In case A which received 20~25Gy irradiation, the concentrations of serum BUN, creatinine and ?2-microglobulin increased to 41.63mmol/L, 364?mol/L and 9.2mg/L, respectively. In case B which received 9~15Gy irradiation, the concentration of serum BUN, creatinine and ?2-microglobulin increased to 52.2mmol/L, 199?mol/L and 11.3mg/L, respectively. There seemed a dosage-dependent effect on the BUN, Cre and ?2-microglobulin concentration. Conclusion 60 Co may irradiate the tissues of kidney directly, and irradiate the cells of other tissues and organs, lead to necrosis and degenerations accordingly on the tissues of kidneys and other organs. In the process of necrosis and degenerations, a large amount of metabolic products was released which is poisonous to the kidney. The present results showed the concentrations increased of all the four renal serum markers mentioned above. It is supposed that the renal cells might be damaged by the Cobalt ? ray irradiation.

Identification and dynamic observation of fungous infections in two patients of ~(60)Co ? accident / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To identify the fungi isolated from two acute radiation sickness(ARS)patients as a result of an accidental 60Co irradiation,and to observe the sensitivity of the fungi to antifungal agents.Methods The pathogenic fungi were morphologically examined and identified with the VITEK 2 automatic microorganism analyzer and API 20C AUX yeast identifying card.The susceptibility of fungi to antifungal agents was tested with broth microdilution method.Results Candida parapsilosis and Sporothrix schenckii were identified from case A in the samples of blood,bone marrow,urine and stool etc.Most of pathogenic fungi were sensitive to the antifungal drugs in vitro.In case B,Candida parapsilosis,Candida tropicalis,Trichosporon asahii and Aspergillus terreus were identified in the samples of sputum,urine or stool etc.Accompanying with the prolongation of antifungal treatment,the sensitivity of fungi to the antifungal drugs were decreased remarkably.Conclusion Multiple infections in different organs could be caused by pathogenic fungi,such as Trichosporon asahii and Sporothrix schenckii.Although most of pathogenic fungi were sensitive to the antifungal drugs in vitro,the effects of antifungal treatment were not satisfactory owing to poor general conditions of 2 acute radiation sickness(ARS)patients and marked compromise of the immune system.Because of antibiotic and antifungal drugs were used early for preventive purpose,the clinical samples should be specially treated in order to raise the positive rate of fungal identification.