Analysis of lipoprotein(a) level and related factors in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults in Xinjiang / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the distribution and related factors of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2021 and March to June 2022, and blood samples were collected from 2, 637 healthy Tajik adults [1 010 men, average age: (40.08±14.74) years; 1 627 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County and 1 911 healthy Kazak adults [720 men, average age: (42.10±12.26) years; 1 191 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Fuyun County of Xinjiang. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and Lp(a) were measured. The distribution of Lp(a) levels in different sex and age groups was compared. The Lp(a) level of Tajik and Kazakh ethnic groups was compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and correlation factors of Lp(a) level were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results:The distribution of Lp(a) level in Tajik and Kazak population was skewed. Lp(a) levels of Tajik and Kazak ranged from the lowest 0.40 mg/L and 0.62 mg/L to the highest 1 229.40 mg/L and 2 108.58 mg/L, respectively, and the median Lp(a) level was 78.90 (38.60, 190.20) mg/L and 103.30 (49.57, 234.27) mg/L, respectively. Median Lp(a) level of Kazak was significantly higher than that of Tjik ( P<0.001). The median Lp(a) levels of Tajik males and females were similar: 77.45 (39.80, 187.10) mg/L and 79.90 (38.60, 192.30) mg/L ( P=0.948). The median Lp(a) levels of Kazakh males and females were also similar: 109.42 (50.49, 230.38) mg/L and 99.01 (49.11, 237.25) mg/L, respectively ( P=0.578). After pooling the data of Tajik and Kazak and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, drinking, blood pressure, blood glucose and other factors, Lp(a) level was correlated with ethnic (standard partial regression coefficient 0.066, P=0.008) and LDL-C level (standard partial regression coefficient 0.136, P<0.001). Conclusions:Lp(a) level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults varied greatly among individuals, and Kazak residents had a higher Lp(a) level than Tajik residents. There was no significant sex difference in Lp(a) level among Tajik and Kazakh, and LDL-C and ethnicity are independent factors related to Lp(a) level.

The incidence and risk factors for heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus / 中华内科杂志

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus(hVISA) and the sensitivity of hVISA to novel antibiotics,and to explore the risk factors and infection attributable mortality associated with hVISA infection.Methods A total of 456 methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were isolated in Zhongshan Hospital from January,2008 to November,2010.All MRSA isolates were investigated for hVISA by two agar screening methods BHIA5T (brain-heart infusion containing teicoplanin 5 mg/L)or BHIA6V (brain-heart infusion containing vancomycin 6 mg/L),as well as macroEtest method(MET).Possible hVISA isolates were tested by modified population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC).The minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid were determined by microbroth dilution as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI).The contribution difference between hVISA and vancomycin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA) in different MIC range was compared.A retrospective case-control study of the patients with hVISA infection or VSSA infection was carried out and statistical analysis was performed using t test,Mann-Whitney test,x2 test and Fisher exact test.Results A total of 105 isolates of hVISA were screened by BHIA5T and BHIA6V (23.0％) with other 23 isolates by MET(5.0％) and 21 by PAP-AUC(4.6％).All isolates were 100％ sensitive to vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid.The vancomycin MIC [(1.76 ±-0.16) mg/L] in hVISA group was significantly higher than that in VSSA group[(1.09 ± 0.07)mg/L,P ＜ 0.01],which was a potential risk factor for hVISA infection.The retrospective study showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was also a risk factor for hVISA infection of the lower respiratory tract.No significant difference in infection attributable mortality was showed between the hVISA group and the VSSA group.Conclusions The overall prevalence of hVISA in Zhongshan Hospital is estimated as 4.6％,while the prevalence of hVISA isolated from blood is as high as 12.5％.All isolates are 100％ sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.COPD is a risk factor for hVISA infection of the lower respiratory tract.

The characteristics of CT imaging and diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis in 42 cases with non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome / 中华内科杂志

Objective To further elucidate the CT characteristics and diagnostic approaches to non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. Methods The histories of forty-two pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) patients diagnosed in Zhongshan Hospital from 2003 -2008 were collected and analyzed for demography data, underlying conditions, clinical symptoms, chest CT and diagnostic studies. Results None of the 42 PC patients had avian or its feces contacting history, and 71.4% (30/42) of them were immunocompetent. The most frequent CT lesions were multiple nodules (67. 9% ) with peripheral predominance (67. 9% ), and cavitations (50%) often presented within them. Masses/consolidation (31.4%) and patching lesions (2. 9% ) could exist occassionally. Positive detection rates of non-aggressive examinations including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and bronchofibroscope aspiration were 4. 3%, 8. 3% and 6. 3% respectively, while those of aggressive approaches including transbrunchial lung biopsy (TBLB), thin needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) and pneumonectomy by surgery were 64. 7%, 64. 3% and 100% respectively. Non-aggressive serum cryptococcus antigen test was performed in 14 patients who had been diagnosed by histopathology or pathogen culture, and all of them were positive. Conclusion Our study suggests that PC is common in immunocompetent population. Avian or its feces contacting is not so important as used opinion to PC differential diagnosis. CT characteristics of PC are diversiform and always change very slowly. Besides the most frequent multiple nodules with subpleural predominance, pulmonary lesions can present as masses, consolidation or patchings. Aggressive techniques such as TBLB and TNAB are benefit to clinical diagnosis of PC, and non-aggressive serum cryptococcus antigen test may be promising for its early diagnosis as well as clinical course follow-up and therapeutic effect evaluation.

Prognostic factors related to community acquired pneumonia / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To investigate the prognosis and related factors of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods From August 2003 to March 2009, 689 CAP cases from 37 hospitals of 23 cities in China were enrolled. The onset information and clinical outcomes in one month of onset were recorded. Pearson Chi-square test and Logistic regression test were performed using the SPSS 12.0 software to identify prognosis-related factors. Results Among 689 patients there were 396 male and 293 female. The median age was (53 19) years old, 247 patients (35.8%) were≥65 years old. Forty four patients died with a fatality rate of 6.4%. Univariate analysis identified 19 risk factors, they were age≥65 years old, smoking, aspiration, use of antimicrobial agents in 3 months, use of immunodepressant in 2 months, heart failure, chronic renal failure, chronic liver disease, eerebrovascular disease, diabetes, emaciation, altered mental status, respiratory rate > 28/min, pulse > 100/min, lower diastolic blood pressure, neutrophil ratio > 0.9, ALT >40 U/L, elevated blood urea nitrogen level and PORT classification ≥Ⅳ. By multivariate analysis, use of antimicrobial agents in 3 months, respiratory rate > 28/min, pulse > 100/min and PORT classifications≥Ⅳ were identified as the independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions The general fatality rate of CAP is low in China. Use of antimicrobial agents in 3 months, respiratory rate > 28/min, pulse > 100/min and PORT classifications≥Ⅳ are independent risk factors for mortality.

A clinical studv of 49 cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis / 中华内科杂志

Objective studyring the proven and probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA) eases of some hospitals in Shanghai to provide evidence fur the improvement of IPA clinical diagnosis and therapy.Methotis Fortv-nine IPA cases were retrospectively analyzed for demography data,host tactors,underlying conditions.chest CT,microorganism and histopathology examination,as well as therapy and clinical outcome.ResultsOf 49 subjects including 19(38.8%)proven and 30(61.2%)probable IPA,3 pailents(6.1%)had no host factors,25 patients(51.0%)had IPA associated host factors and underlying conditions.while 21 patients(42.9%)had uncertained fundamental diseases.Chest CT evaluation demonstrated that radiological lesions include nodules in 29 patients,patching in 15,mass in 12,consolidation in 10.cavitation in 34,Halo sign in 19,air bronchogram in 18,crescentic sign in 6,bilateral in 33 and multifocal lesions in 38.The yielding rate of fungus culture in sputum was 26.5%(13/49),and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 66.7%(10/15).Eleven of thirty-six patients(30.6%)had positive results of serum galactomannan antigen tests.Nineteen of twenty-one patients(90.5%)were proven as IPA by lung histologic examinations.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common pathogen 81.0%(17/21).The responding rate to initial anti-fugus therapy wag 50%(21/42).Conclusion Our study suggests that in IPA patients,bilateral,muhifocal and nodular lesion could be the most common radiological characteristic,while Halo and crescentic sign occar occasionally.Invasive technologies are more valuable to IPA diagnosis.

A multicenter prospective cohort study on risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia in the elderly / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence and the risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia(HAP)in the elderly in Shanghai.Methods This was a muhicenter prospective clinical cohort study.A total of 5299 patients more than 65 years old.admitted into 31 secondary or tertiary hospitals in Shanghai,were enrolled.Measurements of the demographic and potential risk factors reflecting illness severity,nutrition,drug exposure,surgery and ventilation were performed.Pneumonia was classified by the definition of Chinese Medical Association.Risk factors were analyzed by univariate Pearson Chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression analysis with backward(Likelihood ratio).Resuits Of the enrolled patients,2805 male and 2494 female,255(4.81%)developed hospital-acquired pneumonia.The incidence was 46.75/1000 hospitalizations.Among them 38 died:and the rough mortality was 14.90%.The incidence of HAP was higher in ICU(21.43%),hematology(12.17%),chest surgery(11.41%),and respiratory medicine(7.92%)departments.The mean of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE Ⅱ)score was 8.3±3.4(5-31).Multivariable logistic regression analysis with backward (Wald)method found that admission into secondary hospitals.admission into ICU,history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease≥10 years,immunosuppression,administration of antibiotics,insertion of nasogastric tube,mechanical ventilation,administration of H-2 antagonists or antacid and≤7 d,central nervous system diseases,depressed level of consciousness,supine position,albumin＜35g/L were independent risk factors of HAP in the elderly.Conclusion Hospital-acquired pneumonia in the elderly was the usual type of nosocomial infections.The risk factors identified from this study may prove useful to target future clinical interventions to prevent HAP in the elderly.

Different effect of Ceftazidime on the early and mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm bacteria / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of Ceftazidime on the early and mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm bacteria. Method The early and mature PA biofilm were formed through the chemostat combined Robbins device. Then 64 ?g/ml Ceftazidime was applied to the early and mature PA biofilm bacteria for 24 hours respectively. Scanning electronic microscope(SEM) was used to observe the effect of Ceftazidime on early and mature biofilm. The difference between the viable bacteria in early and mature biofilm was analyzed by statistical method. Result 24 hours after Ceftazidime was added, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in early biofilm was killed on the whole while there were still numbers of bacteria in mature biofilm. Statistical analysis demonstrates a great variance in viable counts. Conclusion Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mature biofilm is more tolerant to antibiotics than that in early biofilm.