Case analysis of brain abscesses caused by Nocardia asiatica: A case report / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis key points of brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica, and provide a clinical basis for diagnosing and treating intracranial infection caused by Nocardia. Methods　A case of pulmonary Nocardia asiatica complicated with brain abscess diagnosed at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University was selected to analyze the clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, pulmonary and cranial imaging features, and treatment plan, and to summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience. Results　The patient was an elderly woman with a history of diabetes, dry cough was the first symptom without fever or headache. At the beginning of the course, it was diagnosed as pulmonary infection and tuberculosis in the local hospital, and received conventional antimicrobial and anti-tuberculosis therapies, but showed no improvement. The patient developed progressive limb weakness, followed by consciousness disorders, and coma. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were not abnormal, CSF pressure, protein and white blood cells were high, mainly with multiple nuclear cells. CSF glucose and chloride were normal in the early stage of the disease, but decreased significantly in the later stage. Metagenomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid indicated Nocardia asiatica with a specific sequence number of 537. Lung CT showed exudation, abscess, and cavity in the right lung. Skull MRI scan + enhancement suggested multiple scattered abscesses in both cerebral hemispheres. The abscesses were of different sizes and showed ring enhancement, with extensive surrounding edema, and ventricular compression. After treatment with meropenem, linezolid, and compound sulfamethoxazole tablets, the cerebrospinal fluid recovered, and the lesions in the lungs and intracranial structures improved. Conclusions　Brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica is similar to the tuberculous brain in clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid examination, craniocerebral imaging, so we should be alert to the possibility of Nocardia infection in patients with diabetes. At the same time, metagenomic testing of the cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis. The mortality and disability rates of brain abscess caused by Nocardia are high. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis.

Effect of restrictive fluid resuscitation on the coagulation function and hemodynamic parameters in patients with hemorrhagic traumatic shock

Abstract Objectives To investigate the changes in the coagulation function and hemodynamic parameters in patients with Hemorrhagic Traumatic Shock (HTS) after restrictive fluid resuscitation. Methods A total of 139 patients with HTS admitted to our hospital were enrolled, among which 69 HTS patients were divided into the control group and the remaining 70 HTS patients as the observation group. Patients in the control group underwent regular fluid resuscitation, while those in the observation group underwent restrictive fluid resuscitation. Results During treatment, 70 patients in the observation group had a lower bleeding amount, infusion amount, and blood transfusion volume than those in the control group (p < 0.05). After treatment, patients in the observation group had better hemodynamic parameters and blood coagulation than those in the control group (p < 0.05), and the incidence rate in the observation group was only 12.9%, which was significantly lower than 60.87% in the control group, while the cure rate in the observation group was 100%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions Restrictive fluid resuscitation could remarkably increase the cure rate and reduce the bleeding amount during HTS treatment, thereby benefiting the recovery of the patient's blood coagulation.

Identification of genes related to biosynthesis of methyleugenol in Asarum sieboldii by transcriptome sequence analysis / 中草药

Objective: To obtain the transcriptome sequence database and differentially expressed genes of Asarum sieboldii, and to identify the genes related to the biosynthesis of methyleugenol, the main chemical compound in this species. Methods: Roots and leaves of the plants were chosen as experiment materials. The transcriptome sequence database was constructed by applying an Illumina Hiseq 4000 Sequencing Platform. Unigenes were assembled by BLAST similarity searches and annotated with GO and KEGG orthologs identifiers. Moreover, differentially expressed genes were analyzed. Results: 12.25 Gb database was obtained, among which 129 003 unigenes were annotated to be involved in 52 GO-terms and 363 metabolic pathways. After analysis, 439 differentially expressed genes were observed, the up-regulated genes account for 38.3% and the down-regulated genes account for 61.7%. In addition, 136 unigenes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in A. sieboldii, and 44 unigenes that were associated with biosynthesis of methyleugenol were identified. Conclusion: Unigenes explored in this study will significantly contribute to genome-wide research and analysis of this species.

Expression levels of ERCC1 and RRM1 mRNA and clinical outcome of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: We conducted a study to understand the genetic effect of ERCC1 and RRM1 on the chemotherapy response and clinical outcome of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [NSCLC]

Methods: The relative cDNA quantification for ERCC1 and RRM1 was conducted using a fluorescence-based real-time detection method among 294 NSCLC patients

Results: Compared with the internal reference gene beta-action, the median levels of ERCC1 and RRM1 expression were 2.43x10-2 and 0.11x10-2, respectively. Our study showed response to platinum-containing regimen chemotherapy was high in those with high ERCC1 expression, and the OR [95% CI] were 1.73[1.06-2.81]. An apparently high response to chemotherapy was decreased when patients were carrying both high expression of ERCC1 and RRM1, with OR [95% CI] of 2.57[1.21-4.90]. Patients with high expression of ERCC1 were associated with a longer OS by multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Moreover, those carrying both high levels of ERCC1 and RRM1 were seem to have a longer OS when compared with those with low expression [HR=0.31, 95% CI=0.13-0.62 for OS]

Conclusion: This observation could be used in personalized chemotherapy, increase the response rate and prolonged survival time, and could encourage to explore the predictive value of other genes

Preliminary study of gemstone spectral imaging in measuring thyroid iodine content / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo measure the iodine content of normal thyroid and the sternocleidomastoid muscle with gemstone spectral imaging (GSI),in order to offer diagnostic reference for iodine excess or iodine deficiency disorders.MethodsA total of 226 cases of patients with suspected neck or cervical disease underwent GSI of the neck,the thyroid and the sternocleidomastoid muscle.One hundred and nineteen cases were male and 107 female,aged 18 to 77 years,average age(46 ± 17) years.Data were transmitted to AW 4.4 workstation and processed using GSI Viewer software to obtain the best contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle and corresponding singe-energy images.Iodine content of left and right thyroid lobes and both sides of sternocleidomastoid muscle as well as iodine content ratio of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle were calculated in the iodine-based images.ResultsTotal iodine content of the left and the right lobes of the thyroid was (1.5233 ±0.4318)mg/cm3,of the left lobe was (1.5230 ± 0.4271 )mg/cm3,of the right lobe was (1.5236 ± 0.4365 )mg/cm3,there was no significant difference statistically between the two(t =0.0084,P ＞ 0.05).The iodine content of the male was (1.6395 ± 0.4105)mg/cm3,and of the female was (1.4238 ± 0.3832)mg/cm3,there was statistically a significant difference between the two(t =3.4743,P ＜ 0.01 ).Iodine content ratio of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle was 96.6271 ± 33.2442,the ratio in male was 94.6250 ± 37.3621 and in female was 98.0000 ± 29.0737,there was no statistical difference between the two(t =0.3817,P ＞ 0.05).The iodine content of thyroid decreased gradually with age,the difference between groups was statistically significant(F =9.66,P ＜ 0.01 ).The iodine content in ＜ 40 age group[(1.7256 ± 0.4631)mg/cm3] was higher than that in 40 - 60 age group[(1.4517 ±0.3643)mg/cm3] and ＞ 60 age group [(1.4368 ± 0.3465)mg/cm3; q =5.6195,5.4158,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions It is easy to calculate thyroid iodine content with gemstone spectral imaging,which can reflect the iodine level of our body,and is helpful for the diagnosis of iodine excess or iodine deficiency disorders.

Value of Golgi protein 73 monoclonal antibody in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the sensitivity and specificity of Golgi protein 73 (GP73) monoclonal antibody in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Self-prepared GP73 monoclonal antibody was used as the primary antibody for detecting the serum GP73 levels in healthy controls(n=31)and HCC patients (n=59). The baseline level of the healthy controls was determined by semiquantitative analysis. The results were compared with those from GP73 polyclonal antibody and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The GP73 level of healthy controls was 1.2 (0.9-1.7) relative unit (RU), which was significantly lower than that of HCC patients [5.7 (2.5-7.8) RU] (P<0.001) with monoclonal antibody. Using polyclonal antibody, the GP73 level of HCC patients was also significantly higher than healthy controls [7.8 (3.0-12.4) RU vs. 1.1 (1.0-2.0) RU, P<0.001]. The sensitivity and specificity of GP73 monoclonal antibody in diagnosis of HCC were 84.7% and 93.5%; on the contrary, those of GP73 polyclonal antibody were 78.0% and 93.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of AFP (67.8% and 74.2%, respectively) in the HCC patients were markedly lower than those of GP73. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of GP73 monoclonal antibody was 7.18 and that of GP73 polyclonal antibody was 1.51.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our self-prepared monoclonal antibody can effectively detect GP73 serum level in HCC patients, and has higher sensitivity and specificity than AFP. It may be superior to the currently used GP73 polyclonal antibody. The results lay the foundation for the further development of ELISA methods by using this monoclonal antibody.</p>

PDGF-induced Proliferation of Smooth Muscular Cells Is Related to the Regulation of CREB Phosphorylation and Nur77 Expression / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the relationship between PDGF-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and Nur77 expression and the effect of atorvastatin on VSMC proliferation and Nur77 in PDGF-treated VSMCs.Rat VSMCs were isolated and cultured.After incubation with atorvastatin or Nur77 siRNA,the cells were stimulated with PDGF and detected for BrdU incorporation to measure the proliferation of the VSMCs.Quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the Nur77 protein and the CREB phosphorylation level,to observe their relations with PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation.Our results showed that PDGF increased the BrdU incorporation in VSMCs,suggesting that it induced the proliferation of the cells.The VSMC proliferation was associated with increased Nur77 expression and elevated CREB phosphorylation.Atorvastatin inhibited the PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation,suppressed Nur77 expression.After silencing of Nur77 gene,the PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation was decreased.It was concluded that PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation was related to the Nur77 expression and CREB phosphorylation.Atorvastatin reduced the Nur77 expression and,at the same time,inhibited the VSMC proliferation.

Application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in a food-borne outbreak of Salmonella serotype Muenchen infection / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in food-borne outbreak.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pathogens were isolated and further characteristics identified by traditional methods. The strains isolated were carried out with molecular typing with using PFGE. PFGE was performed by Laboratory Directions for molecular subtyping of Salmonella by PFGE (CDC, USA) and the results of PFGE were analyzed by BioNumerics soft.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 14 Salmonella serotype Muenchen strains were isolated from 19 patients, 3 of 9 suspicious foods were positive for S. muenchen and 7 strains were isolated from 18 cooks. The biochemistry characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of all the strains isolated were the same. 23 S. muenchen isolates were all shown indistinguishable by PFGE.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PFGE should play a key role in identifying the outbreak-associated isolates and distinguishing them from unrelated sporadic isolates. It might also demonstrate that the genetic fingerprints of serotype Muenchen isolates derived from patients were indistinguishable from those derived from drinks. PFGE might provide precise information on bacterial food-borne pathogens, promptly identify the source of infection, and effectively prevent from spreading. It should be one of the early warning method on controlling outbreak of the food-borne disease.</p>

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study of scutellarin in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pharmacokinetic and distribution character of scutellarin in plasma and tissues in rats, in order to provide some references for rational drug use in the clinic.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The solution of scutellarin was administered to rats (80 mg x kg(-1)) by oral gavage. A high performance liquid chromatography method determinated the scutellarin concentration in rat plasma and tissue. The plasma samples were performed by solid phase extraction method. The other biological samples were extracted by ethyl acetate.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The range of scutellarin in plasma and tissue in rats were 10-1280 ng x mL(-1) (R2 > 0.99), 40-1280 ng x g(-1) (R2 > 0.99), respectively. The lowest detection of scutellarin were 10 ng x mL(-1) and 40 ng x g(-1), the precision were less than 8%. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of scutellarin were as follows: tmax, Cmax, AUC and MRT being (7.7 +/- 0.9) h, (288.0 +/- 75.2) microg x L(-1), (5.6 +/- 1.6) microg x mL(-1) x h(-1), (17.5 +/- 1.4) h(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These methods applied the study of pharmacokinetics of scutellarin. After oral the scutellarin in rats, the concentration-time course doesn't obey any compartment model. The concentration-time curve is the double peaks.</p>

Study on chronical hepatitis B with treatment of integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study curative effect of chronical hepatitis B with treatment of integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>115 cases of HBeAg and/or HBVDNA positive chronical hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups in control. The first group treated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-Fufang Huangqi granule and the second treated by intergrative traditional Chinese and western medicine (ICWM)-Fufang Huangqi granule and lamivudine for at least 24 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The positive rate of HBVDNA at 12, 24 weeks, and the positive rate of HBeAg at 24 weeks in TCM are markedly lower than those of before treatment (P < 0.01). The positive rate of HBeAg and the positive rate of HBVDNA in ICWM are markedly lower than those of before treatment both at 12, 24 weeks (P < 0.01). The average values of HBVDNA are markly lower than before treatment in two groups at both 12,24 weeks (P < 0.01). At 12 weeks, the negative-turning rate of HBVDNA in the ICWM group is 79.17%, which shows significant difference in comparision with 40.00% in the TCM group (P < 0.01). The negative-turning rate of HBeAg in the ICWM group is 26.92%, which shows no significant difference in comparision with 32. 08% in the TCM group. At 24 weeks, the negative-turning rate of HBVDNA in the ICWM group is 85.71%, which shows significant difference in comparision with 50.00% in the TCM group (P < 0.01). The negative-turning rate of HBeAg in the ICWM group is 36.36%, which shows no significant difference in comparision with 28.57% in the TCM group. At 12 weeks,the total effective rate of the ICWM group is 96. 43%, which shows significant difference in comparision with 71.26% in the TCM group (P<0.01). At 24 weeks, the total effective rate of the ICWM group is 88. 00%, which shows significant difference in comparision with 67.61 % in the TCM group (P < 0.01). The average values of ALT and AST are markly improved than those of before treatment in two groups (P < 0.01). The average values of ALB is markly higher than before in TCM groups after 24 weeks treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fufang Huangqi granule integrated with lamivudine possesses a better effect for counteracting the hepatitis B virus and improving the liver functioin than only itself.</p>

Determination of paeoniflorin in Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablet by TLC scanning / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE　To establish a method for the determination of paeoniflorin in Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet.METHODS　The tablets were extracted with 50% ethanol.The sample solution was applied on a silica gel G-CMC plate and developed with chloroform-methanol-glacial acetic acid (85∶13∶2) and was sprayed with sulfuric acid containing 5% vanillin.The separated spot was determined by scanning with CS-930 at λS=575 nm,λR=700 nm.RESULTS　The average recovery was 97.60% and the RSD was 3.67%.CONCLUSION　The results showed that this method is sensitive,specific,accurate and reproducible.

Clinical use of mycophenolate mofetil in renal taransplation / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Aim To monitor the whole blood trough concentration of cyclosporine A (CsA) in renaltransplant recipients reciving triple therapy with mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine andprednisone and to establish an optimal therapeutic window of CsA. Methods Sampleswere measured by specific fluorescence polarization immunoassay. According to the timeafter operation and different therapy plan, the whole blood trough concentration of CsA ineach group was compared with that in control group.Results The optimal therapeuticwindow of CsA with MMF plan was 150~300 ?g? L-1 (less than one month after op-eration), 120~260?g?L-1 (1~

Identification study of Compound Biejiaruangan Tablets / 中成药

Objective: To establish the identificational method of Compound Biejiaruangan Tablets. Methods: The microscopic identification and TLC were used. Results: Carapax Trionycis, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Notoginseng, Placenta Hominis, and Cordyceps in Compound Biejiaruangan Tablets can be distinguished by microscopic identification and Cordyceps, Fructus Forsythiae and Radix Notoginseng can be identified by TLC, respectively. Conclusion: This method is simple, rapid and with a good reappearance, and available for quality control of the preparation.