Survey of health adult serum N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide concentration correlation of body level in Heyuan area / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the healthy adults in Heyuan area of serum N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (N‐proBNP) concentration distribution and the preliminary investigation on the normal reference range .Methods From 2010 Novem‐ber to 2012 November in the physical examination ,laboratory examination center of our hospital indicators ,ECG ,B ultrasound ex‐amination showed no abnormalities of the healthy people 1 017 ,according to the different gender and age :A group less than 25 years ,group B was 25- <35 years ,35- <45 years ,group C ,group D 45- <55 years ,55- <65 years of E group ,F group for over 65 years a total of 6 age groups ,content determination of serum N‐proBNP by Roche chemical instrument light .Results age ,gen‐der can affect the distribution of N‐proBNP level ,and with the increase of age ,adjacent to the age groups (except F group) to com‐pare the serum levels of N‐proBNP ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05);Compared with the F group in each age group was significantly increased(P<0 .05) ,there was statistical significance compared with the group ;the serum N‐proBNP level of different sex ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05) .Conclusion age ,gender and other physiological factors can affect the distribution of N‐proBNP levels ,should establish the corresponding reference interval according to the different age ,gen‐der ,provide the corresponding parameters for the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases .

Association between age and dynamic balance capability assessed by use of force plates / 体力科学

This study aimed to evaluate dynamic balance capability, bathyesthesia, and the composite compensation of bathyesthesia and visual sense for dynamic balance assessed by use of force plates and to examine their correlation to age in a cross-sectorial manner. Participants of this study were 147 healthy people (55 men, 92 women). To evaluate dynamic balance capability, we evaluated the index of postural stability (IPS), which is the logarithmic value of the ratio of the area of stability limits to the area of postural sway, with participants standing on a hard surface with eyes opened. To measure bathyesthesia, we evaluated the modified index of postural stability (MIPS), i.e., the IPS with participants standing on a soft surface with eyes closed. As for the composite compensation index of bathyesthesia and visual sense for dynamic balance, we calculated the rubber IPS Romberg ratio (MIPS/IPS). The correlation coefficients (Spearman’s rho) of IPS, MIPS and MIPS/IPS to age were −0.666 (p < 0.001), −0.697 (p < 0.001) and −0.600 (p < 0.001), respectively. These results suggest that dynamic balance capability and bathyesthesia decline with advancing age, and the composite compensation of bathyesthesia and visual sense for dynamic balance strengthens with advancing age.

Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Strains Isolated from Animals and Humans in Korea

BACKGROUND: To assess the possibility of VRE transmission from animals to humans, we studied the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in farm animals, raw chicken meat, and healthy people. We then determined the molecular relatedness of VRE isolates between animals and humans in Korea. METHODS: We aimed to isolate VRE from 150 enterococci specimens of farm animals, 15 raw chicken meat samples, and stools from 200 healthy people. Species differentiation was done with conventional biochemical tests. Vancomycin resistance genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using the agar dilution method, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested for 8 antimicrobials and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was done to evaluate the molecular relatedness of VRE isolates. RESULTS: The prevalence of VRE was 14.7% (22/150) in farm animal specimens, 1% (2/200) in healthy people, and 60% (9/15) in raw chicken meat. Of 22 animal VRE isolates, 1 vanA E. faecium, 15 vanC1 E. gallinarum, and 6 vanC2 E. casseliflavus were identified. All of the 9 VRE from raw chicken meat and all of the 20 clinical VRE strains were vanA E. faecium. However, in healthy people, only 2 vanC2 E. casseliflavus were isolated. These showed low-level resistance to vancomycin and susceptibility to teicoplanin. However, 9 VRE strains from raw chicken meat had high-level resistance to vancomycin (MIC50, 90: > 128 microgram/mL), teicoplanin (MIC50, 90: > 128 microgram/mL), ampicillin (MIC50, 90: > 128 microgram/mL), erythromycin (MIC50, 90: > 128 microgram/mL), and tetracycline (MIC50/90: 128/> 128 microgram/mL). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated little evidence of VRE colonization in healthy people despite high recovery of VRE among raw chicken meat. It is suggested that there is little evidence of VRE transmission from animals to healthy people. However, we assumed that there exists the possibility of VRE contamination during the processing of chicken meat.

A Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis diagnosed by Transbronchial Lung Biopsy / 대한내과학회지

Cryptococcosis has been considered as an opportunistic mycosis associated with depressed immune function of the host. However, it may develop in healthy individuals without any underlying disease. Recently, we experienced a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in healthy person. The patient had experienced hemoptysis and dry cough persisted for a month. The chest X-ray and CT showed multifocal pneumonic consolidation containing small cavities in RLL, LUL and LLL. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy didn't revealed endobronchial lesion in both lungs. Transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) was done, and we could diagnose pulmonary cryptococcosis by means of histopathologic examination. Clinical evaluations did not reveal immune deficiency or evidence of other specific disease. The patient was treated with fluconazole and resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. Cryptococcosis has well known for its meningeal involvement. Although primary pulmonary cryptococcosis is rare, we must think of it when meet mass or nodular lesion on the chest radiology.

A Case of Multiple Histiocytomas in a Healthy Person / 대한피부과학회지

Multiple histiocytomas are rare and defined when more than 15 lesions are present according to Baraf and Shapiro. It has been reported occurring in patients with autoimmune disease, who were receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Reports in the literature of these multiple lesions occurring in a healthy person are very rare. A 45-year-old man had 26 asymptomatic nodules on the trunk and upper extremities of two years duration. The lesions varied from 5mm to 2cm in size, were brownish, round, firm, nontender and positive for dimple signs. Microscopic examination of the lesions were indistinguish able from those seen in dermatofibroma. Most cells react intensively with factor XIIIa.

A Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in Healthy Person / 결핵

Cryptococcosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. This mycosis is best known for meningeal involvement, yet, this disease rarely can be limited to the lungs. The usual portal of entry is respiratory tract. The recently rising incidence of the disease can be attributable to wide use of steroid, immunosuppressive agents and advent of AIDS. We experienced one case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in healthy person, who was admitted to the our hospital because of cough. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated in the sputum, and lung tissue obtained by CT guide needle aspiration biopsy. Clinical improvement was noted after 6weeks of medical therapy with fluconazole.

Experimental Study on the Activity of Cholinesterase of Hemolyzed Blood Samples / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between the activity of cholinesterase in hemolyzed blood sample and non-hemolyzed blood sample. Methods The activities of cholinesterase in hemolyzed blood samples and non-hernolyzed blood samples from 112 healthy individuals in Ji'nan were determined by the ferric trichloride chro-mometry, and the activities of cholinesterase in hemolyzed blood samples were adjusted by the concentration of ho-moglobulin (Hb) in blood samples. Results Highly significant correlation was found in the activities of cholinesterase between hemolyzed blood samples and non-hemolyzed blood samples (r = 0.728, F