ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the formation of the biofilm in endotracheal tubes,the characteris-tics of etiology, drug resistance and relationship between the biofilm and ventilator-associated pneumonia ( VAP) . Methods A total of 60 cases of ventilated children patients whose mechanical ventilation time were≥48 h in the ICU from September 2010 to September 2012,according to the mechanical ventilation time,all cases were divided into 2 to 6 d group,7 to 14 d group and ≥15 d group. The incidence of VAP, biofilm structure under the electron microscope,etiology culture positive rate of the lower airway secretions and bio-film,etiological characteristics and drug resistance were prospectively studied. Results ( 1 ) A total of 19 cases occurred VAP in 60 cases of mechanical ventilation,the incidence of VAP was 31. 7%. (2) Observed by electron microscope,biofilm had formed in the endotracheal tube inner wall in early period of mechanical ventilation. With prolonged mechanical ventilation,biofilm structure had improved,as well as VAP incidence rate from 9. 1%(2 to 6 d group ) increased to 44. 4%(7 to 14 d group) and 88. 9%(≥15 d group). (3) A large number of pathogenic bacteria colonized in the biofilm. Gram-negative bacilli were dominate and drug resistance was high. (4) With prolonged mechanical ventilation,the cultured pathogens from the lower airway secretions and biofilm converged. Conclusion Biofilm could form in the endotracheal tube with mechanical ventilation patients,and is associated with the occurrence of VAP and refractory infections.
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Objective To investigate the clinical,laboratory,and neuroimaging characteristics of neuroacanthocytosis.Methods Eight patients with neuroacanthocytosis were retrospectively analysed.Acanthocytes were tested by peripheral blood smear,wet preparation with saline dilution,and scanning electron microscope.Results Two male and 6 female patients were included.The age at onset was between 10 and 35 years,with a mean age at onset of 22 years.Four patients firstly presented with oral-facial-lingual dystonia,3 patients firstly presented with involuntary movements of the distal limbs and experienced the oral facial dystonia during the course of disease,and 1 patient primary presented with a parkinsonian syndrome.Four patients had generalized tonic-clonic seizures were reported in 4 patients,and 4 patients had cognitive impairment.Hypotonia and hyporeflexia were reported in 6 patients.The peripheral blood smear revealed the presence of acanthocytes in 7 patients,in addition,wet preparation with saline dilution and scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of acanthocytes in the remaining one.All patients showed slightly elevated serum creatine kinase.Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed variable atrophy of the bilateral caudate nuclei and putamen,with or without a rim of increased T2-intensity in 6 patients,but the films of 2 patients were read as normal.Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity were examined in 4 patients.The results indicated axonal damage in 2 patients,and were normal in the other 2 patients.Acanthocytosis was confirmed by peripheral blood smear in 7 cases,by wet preparation with saline dilution in 8 cases and by scanning electron microscope in 2 cases.Conclusions Neuroacanthocytosis is a progress neurodegenerative disorder mainly affected the basal ganglia. The clinical characteristics include oral facial dystonia,limbs chorea,cognitive impairment,and seizures. Brain MRI showed variable atrophy of the bilateral caudate nuclei and putamen.The peripheral blood smear,wet preparation with saline dilution,and scanning electron microscope methods of peripheral blood examination are critical in the diagnosis of neuroacanthocytosis.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a flow cytometric internal standard method for counting platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) and to study its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PMPs suspension (platelet poor plasma, PPP) was extracted by gradual centrifugation. According to the size of PMPs, 3 microm and 0.8 microm latex beads were used as internal standards for the quantitation. PMPs were counted by adjusting flow cytometric discrimination and voltage of forward scatter and side scatter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 30 healthy donors, the average concentration of resting PMPs was (1.2 x 10(5) +/- 5.7 x 10(4))/ml and that of activated PMPs was (1.6 x 10(6) +/- 9.1 x 10(5))/ml. Compared with healthy donors, PMPs mean value was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in 18 patients with coronary artery disease, 12 with acute cerebral infraction and 23 with chronic renal failure [the average PMPs concentration, (6.1 x 10(5) +/- 2.5 x 10(5))/ml, (6.8 x 10(5) +/- 3.4 x 10(5))/ml and (5.9 x 10(5) +/- 3.1 x 10(5))/ml respectively]. However, no significant difference in PMPs concentration was observed in 25 patients with acute leukemia and severe thrombocytopenia during the aplastic phase after chemotherapy [(1.3 x 10(5) +/- 6.1 x 10(4))/ml, (P > 0.05)].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PMPs is a useful indicator in monitoring platelet activation, and plays an important role in thrombotic disease. By flow cytometric internal standard method, PMPs can be counted rapidly and accurately, which may be very helpful in interlaboratory comparative studies.</p>