Expert Consensus on Polymyxin Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Clinical Interpretation / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

The polymyxins are important antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli. In 2020, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute modified the clinical breakpoints for polymyxin susceptibility test by eliminating the "susceptible" interpretive category, only reporting intermediate (≤2 mg/L) and resistant (≥4 mg/L). However, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing recommended the use of clinical breakpoints of ≤2 mg/L as susceptible and >2 mg/L as resistant. The first-line laboratorians and clinicians in China have been perplexed by the inconsistence of international polymyxin clinical breakpoints and discouraged by the difficulty of conducting polymyxin susceptibility testing. Therefore, it is urgently needed to make it clear for the laboratorians in China to know how to accurately carry out polymyxin susceptibility testing and standardize the interpretation of susceptibility testing results. To this end, the experts from relevant fields were convened to formulate this consensus statement on the testing and clinical interpretation of polymyxin susceptibility. Relevant recommendations are proposed accordingly for laboratorians and clinicians to streamline their daily work.

Association between miR-499 rs3746444 polymorphism and coronary heart disease susceptibility: An evidence-based meta-analysis of 5063 cases and 4603 controls.

MicroRNA-499 (miR-499) rs3746444 polymorphism has been associated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, results from several studies are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to further investigate the possible association between miR-499 rs3746444 polymorphism and CHD risk. A total of 9 case-control studies included 5063 CHD cases and 4603 healthy subjects. The A allele at rs374644 was associated with significantly decreased CHD risk in the total population according to the allelic model (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68-0.93, P = 0.005), homozygous model (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.39-0.71, P < 0.001) and heterozygous model (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.43-0.77, P < 0.001). A similar trend was found specifically in Asian and Chinese populations. In contrast, the wild-type GG genotype at rs374644 was associated with significantly increased CHD risk in the total population, according to the dominant model (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.39-2.42, P < 0.001), and a similar trend was found in Asian and Chinese populations. These results indicate that in the total population, as well as in Asian and Chinese populations, the wild-type GG genotype at rs374644 may be related to increased susceptibility to CHD, while the A allele may be protective against CHD.

Effects of Short-term High Dose Atorvastatin on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with First Time Attack of Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objects The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of short-term high-dose atorvastatin therapy on levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malonaldehyde (MDA), endothelin-1(ET-1), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with first time attack of acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI) .Methods A hundred and three patients with first time attack of AAMI who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to receive atorvastatin 40 mg once daily for 1 week followed by 20 mg once daily (intensive treatment group, IT group, n=49), or atorvastatin 20 mg once daily (standard treatment group, ST group, n=54). Plasma levels of hs-CRP, MDA, ET-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured on admission, at 1 week, 2 weeks and 6 months follow up and compared between the IT group and ST group. Echocardiography was performed on admission, at 2 week, and 1 year follow up. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured at each echocardiographic examination and compared between the IT group and ST group.Results Plasma levels of hs-CRP (F=7.718, P=0.009), ET-1 (F=7.882, P=0.006), MMP-9 (F=4.834, P=0.028) and pro-BNP (F=4.603, P=0.032) were significantly lower at 1 week after initial onset of AAMI in the IT group compared with the ST group. The changes of LVEDV, LVESV, and LVEF at the 1 year follow-up from the admission did not differ between the IT group and the ST group (t=0.722, P=0.444; t=1.228, P=0.221; t=1.354, P=0.187, repectively).Conclusions Short-term high-dose atorvastatin treatment for AAMI was associated with lower hs-CRP, ET-1 and MMP-9 levels compared to the standard dose treatment. However, this beneficial effect is not likely to related to the left ventricular remodeling.

iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Analysis of Ginsenoside F2 on Human Gastric Carcinoma Cells SGC7901.

Ginsenoside F2 (F2), a protopanaxdiol type of saponin, was reported to inhibit human gastric cancer cells SGC7901. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of F2, an iTRAQ-based proteomics approach was applied to define protein expression profiles in SGC7901 cells in response to lower dose (20 µM) and shorter duration (12 hour) of F2 treatment, compared with previous study. 205 proteins were screened in terms of the change in their expression level which met our predefined criteria. Further bioinformatics and experiments demonstrated that F2 treatment downregulated PRR5 and RPS15 and upregulated RPL26, which are implicated in ribosomal protein-p53 signaling pathway. F2 also inhibited CISD2, Bcl-xl, and NLRX1, which are associated with autophagic pathway. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that F2 treatment increased Atg5, Atg7, Atg10, and PUMA, the critical downstream effectors of ribosomal protein-p53 signaling pathway, and Beclin-1, UVRAG, and AMBRA-1, the important molecules in Bcl-xl/Beclin-1 pathway. The 6 differentially abundant proteins, PRR5, CISD2, Bcl-xl, NLRX1, RPS15, and RPL26, were confirmed by western blot. Taken together, ribosomal protein-p53 signaling pathway and Bcl-xl/Beclin-1 pathway might be the most significantly regulated biological process by F2 treatment in SGC7901 cells, which provided valuable insights into the deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of F2 for gastric cancer treatment.

An rs4705342 T>C polymorphism in the promoter of miR-143/145 is associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke.

The expression of miR-143/miR-145 was up-regulated in ischemic stroke (IS), which may be used as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for IS. We aimed to investigate the association of rs4705342 and rs4705343 polymorphisms in the promoter of miR-143/145 with risk of IS. The study population comprised 445 patients with IS and 518 controls. The rs4705342 genotype was analyzed by using a TaqMan Assay and the rs4705343 genotype was determined by using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Relative expression of miR-143/miR-145 was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. We found that the rs4705342 was associated with a decreased risk of IS (TC vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI, 0.57-0.97; CC vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.34-0.83). Haplotype analysis showed that the TC haplotype was associated with an increased risk of IS risk (OR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.01-1.75), whereas the CT haplotype was associated with a decreased risk of IS risk (OR = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.50-0.92). Importantly, patients carrying the rs4705342TC/CC genotypes had a lower level of miR-145 (P = 0.03). We found for the first time that the rs4705342 CC was a protective factor for IS, probably by reducing the level of miR-145.

[Correlation studies in goats about the membrane thickness and pressure of the maxillary and frontal sinuses].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the differences of membrane thickness and pressure on the paranasal sinus membrane in goats and analyze their causes. The results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for the issues of the maxillary sinus floor augmentation related to the membrane. METHODS: The membrane was cut into two sizes from every sinus membrane. The membrane was fixed in formalin to obtain tissue specimens for the membrane thickness study and pressure study. The correlation between the two parameters was then analyzed, and appropriate statistical methods and software were selected. RESULTS: The top of maxillary sinus, the bottom of maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus membrane thickness were (410.03 ± 65.97), (461.33 ± 91.37), (216.90 ± 46.47) µm. The pressure were (260.08 ± 80.12), (306.90 ± 94.37), (121.72 ± 31.72) kPa. The mean differences of the membrane thickness between the top of the maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus, bottom and frontal, and top and bottom were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean differences in membrane pressure were also statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The membrane thickness and pressure of the top and bottom of the maxillary sinus are higher than those of the frontal sinus membrane. However, the thickness and pressure of the bottom membrane are slightly higher than those of the top membrane. Pressure and membrane thickness are positively correlated in the sinus membrane.

[Comparative experiments of stripping sheep maxillary sinus mucosal with new-type stripper and umbrella detacher].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the stripping length obtained through the model of 0.012 and 0.014 of the nickel-titanium dual-stage maxillary sinus mucosa stripper, and the umbrella detacher. METHODS: Twenty-four goats (1.5-2 years old) were chosen, randomly divided into A, B, C groups, each group of eight. Group A was 0.012 model group, group B was 0.014 model group, group C was umbrella detacher group. Animal model was established, and maxillary sinus mucosa was stripped to the left and right sides of the bottom of the sinus in three groups. The data was measured when stripping to the limit or being perforated. RESULTS: The average length of group A was 12.41 mm±4.35 mm, two cases perforated. The average length of group B was 23.38 mm±4.84 mm, one case perforated. The average length of group C was 2.61 mm±0.30 mm. The population mean of stripping length in three groups was not all the same calculated by analysis of variance (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the stripping length of the three groups by the SNK test (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The nickel-titanium dual-stage maxillary sinus mucosa stripper can achieve a larger mucosal stripping range. The stripper with a model of 0.014 has a moderate flexibility and safety, and it can strip a large area of sinus mucosa.
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Correlation studies in goats about the membrane thickness and pressure of the maxillary and frontal sinuses / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to explore the differences of membrane thickness and pressure on the paranasal sinus membrane in goats and analyze their causes. The results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for the issues of the maxillary sinus floor augmentation related to the membrane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The membrane was cut into two sizes from every sinus membrane. The membrane was fixed in formalin to obtain tissue specimens for the membrane thickness study and pressure study. The correlation between the two parameters was then analyzed, and appropriate statistical methods and software were selected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The top of maxillary sinus, the bottom of maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus membrane thickness were (410.03 ± 65.97), (461.33 ± 91.37), (216.90 ± 46.47) µm. The pressure were (260.08 ± 80.12), (306.90 ± 94.37), (121.72 ± 31.72) kPa. The mean differences of the membrane thickness between the top of the maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus, bottom and frontal, and top and bottom were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean differences in membrane pressure were also statistically significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The membrane thickness and pressure of the top and bottom of the maxillary sinus are higher than those of the frontal sinus membrane. However, the thickness and pressure of the bottom membrane are slightly higher than those of the top membrane. Pressure and membrane thickness are positively correlated in the sinus membrane.</p>

Assessment and intervention of neonatal pain in neonatal intensive care unit / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective To study the pain controlling effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. Methods Infants who received radial artery puncture were assigned into control group, non-nutritive sucking (NNS) group and NNS plus glucose (NNS + GS) group according to their admission sequences. Each group contained 20 patients. Heart rate ( HR), respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) before and after the procedure were monitored using Multi-Parameter Monitor ECG. Neonatal pain was evaluated using the preterm infant pain profile (PIPP). Results Among all three groups, after radial artery puncture, HR and RR were significantly increased, and SpO2 was significantly decreased (P < 0. 01). HR, RR and SpO2 variations in NNS group and NNS + GS group were less significant than the control group (P < 0. 05), and recovered to baseline more quickly. During the radial artery puncture, PIPP scores of infants in NNS and NNS + GS group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0. 01), with NNS + GS group lower than NNS group (P <0. 05). Conclusions HR, RR and SpO2 can be used as physiological indicators of neonatal pain. PIPP score is simple and practical to be used in NICU setting. Both NNS and NNS + GS can partially relieve neonatal pain, and NNS + GS works better.

Analgesic effect of fentanyl in neonates during mechanical ventilation / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the analgesic effect and safety of fentanyl in neonates receiving mechanical ventilation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty neonates receiving mechanical ventilation between December 2010 and February 2011 were randomized into drug intervention group and control group (n=15 each). In addition to the conventional treatment for both groups, the drug intervention group received fentanyl as the analgesic treatment. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure changes, and premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score before treatment and at 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 4 hours after treatment were recorded in both groups. Follow-up visits were performed for these infants after discharge, and the CDCC intellectual development scale for infants was applied to measure mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The respiratory rate and heart rate decreased in the drug intervention group after fentanyl treatment compared with the control group (P<0.05), and the PIPP scores in the drug intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The results of follow-up visits showed no significant differences in MDI and PDI at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age between the drug intervention and control groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fentanyl can relieve the pain response in neonates receiving mechanical ventilation, with no long-term adverse effects on neurodevelopment.</p>

Associations of IL-27 polymorphisms and serum IL-27p28 levels with osteosarcoma risk.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel cytokine secreted by stimulation of antigen-presenting cells. No previous studies currently reported the role of IL-27 in the carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma. We aimed to investigate the association of IL-27 polymorphisms and serum IL-27p28 with osteosarcoma risk in a Chinese population.One hundred and sixty osteosarcoma patients and 250 health controls were selected. IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms were determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect serum IL-27p28 levels.The serum IL-27p28 levels were significantly lower in osteosarcoma patients compared with those in controls (P < 0.01). Serum IL-27p28 levels in stages III-IV were lower than those in stages I-II of osteosarcoma (P < 0.05); similar results were also found in patients with metastasis, that is, patients with metastasis have higher IL-27p28 levels than those without metastasis (P < 0.05). There were no associations between genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27 -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, 4730 T/C, and the risk of osteosarcoma (P > 0.05). Stratification analysis also failed to show the associations between -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms and the clinical stage and metastasis of osteosarcoma (P > 0.05). Three possible haplotypes (ATT, GTT, and GGC) were identified, but no associations were found between them and the osteosarcoma risk (P > 0.05).This study indicates that the lower serum IL-27p28 levels may be associated with development and progression of osteosarcoma, but IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms and their haplotypes are not associated with osteosarcoma risk.

Preparation of tissue-engineered esophageal scaffolds using electrospinning technology / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:We have found that oriented fibers can guide the alignment of smooth muscle cells in our previous experiments. Thus, we designed the experiment to prepare wel aligned polymeric fibers using electrospinning technology, aiming at guiding the growth of esophageal smooth muscle cells to maintain cellmorphology and biological function. OBJECTIVE:Using electrospinning technology, to fabricate isotropic and directed nano-fibrous scaffolds made of polycaprolacton, gelatin and silk fibroin. METHODS:Polycaprolacton/silk fibroin fibers at a ratio of 4:1 were prepared with proper parameters, including solution concentration, voltage and injection speed, under the self-made spinning system. The polycaprolacton/gelatin sheets with mass ratio of 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2, respectively, were also fabricated under suitable process parameters. Using the rol er col ector instead of the metal plate, polycaprolacton/gelatin nano-fibrous scaffold with good alignment of fibers was manufactured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The isotropic polycaprolacton/silk fibroin scaffold with fiber diameter of (535.9±126.7) nm was prepared under conditions of solution concentration (0.08 g/mL), injection speed (1.6 mL/h) and voltage (22.5 kV), and these fibers were uniform with no beads. The isotropic polycaprolacton/gelatin scaffold with fiber diameter of (257.9±117.8) nm was prepared under conditions of solution concentration (0.10 g/mL), injection speed (0.8 mL/h) and voltage (22.5 kV). Using the rol er col ector instead of the previous metal plate, polycaprolacton/gelatin (w:w, 1:2) nano-fibrous scaffold with good alignment of fibers was manufactured. The process parameters were 3 000 r/min of rol ing speed, 0.8 mL/h of injection speed and 15 kV of voltage.

[Effect of activation of nuclear factor-KappaB on modulation of secretion of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by A549 cell].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on A549 cell and underlying signal transduction pathways. METHODS: A549 cells were pre-incubated with SC-514 [nuclear factor-KappaB (NF-KappaB) inhibitor (IKappaB) kinase-2 (IKK-2) inhibitor] and/or pre-treated with 1 microg/L IL-1beta. The phosphorylated IKappaBalpha (pIKappaBalpha) and degradation of IKappaBalpha were determined by Western blotting with specific antibody at 5, 10, 30 and 60 minutes. Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to examine the nuclear translocation of p65 at 30 minutes after stimulation. The DNA binding activity of p65 in nuclear extracts was detected at 1 hour following IL-1beta treatment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays combined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to evaluate interaction between p65 and ICAM-1 promoter site DNA at 1 hour after stimulation. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR at 4 hours, and the ICAM-1 expression on A549 cell surface was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 24 hours after IL-1beta was added. RESULTS: IL-1beta induced rapid pIKappaBalpha augmentation and its subsequent degradation. LSCM graphs showed that IL-1beta stimulated the translocation of p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus. IL-1beta significantly increased the DNA binding ability of p65 (P<0.01) in cell nuclear extracts. ChIP-PCR suggested that both acetylated histone 4 and p65 were recruited to ICAM-1 promoter. IL-1beta significantly augmented ICAM-1 mRNA level at 4 hours and expression of ICAM-1 on A549 cell surface at 24 hours (both P<0.01). The IKK-2 inhibitor, SC-514, inhibited IL-1beta induced IKappaBalpha protein activity, blocked p65 nuclear translocation, caused a significant reduction in IL-1beta induced DNA binding activity for p65 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression, and suppressed ICAM-1 expression on A549 cell surface (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the activation of NF-KappaB mediates IL-1beta induced ICAM-1 expression in A549 cells.

[Study on growth characteristics of Curcuma wenyujin].

OBJECTIVE: To study on growth characteristics of Curcuma wenyujin, and provide theoretical basis for the development of high-quality and high-yield medical material. METHOD: The morphological change of the plant was observed periodically, the content of volatile oil and dry matter in leaves, rhizome, root tuber was determine. RESULT: The growth of C. wenyujin could be divided into 5 stages, i. e. seed germination, seedling, leaf growth, rhizome expansion, accumulation of dry matter, respectively. Before the stage of rhizome expansion, over 70% dry matter was accumulated in the aerial part of the plant, and during the stage of leaf growth, the maximum increase rate of dry matter in aerial part was 3.90 g/p/d. During the stage of rhizome expansion, the ratio of dry matter of rhizome increased quickly and reached above 33% , and the increase rate of dry matter of rhizome rise up to 3.83 g/p/d, in the end of the stage, the content of volatile oil in the rhizome also rose up to 1.20 mL x 100 g(-1). CONCLUSION: During the whole growth stage, there are two growth centers, when the two curves of dry matter increase of aerial part and rhizome intersect, it is regarded as a signal that the growth transformed form the aerial part to rhizome. When the rate of dry matter from rhizome rise, the content of volatile oil in rhizome rises quickly with the increase of dry matter in rhizome. The optimal harvest time is in mid-December.

[Study on effects of seed stock, cultivating density on the yields and volatile oil of Curcuma wenyujin].

OBJECTIVE: According to the study on effects of cultivating density and seed stock on the yield and volatile oil, to provide a scientific basis for standardized cultivating measures. METHODS: The yield and the content of volatile oil at harvest were counted and analyzed the variance by SPSS. RESULTS: The effect of cultivating density on the yields from 3 different medicinal parts of medical material was significant. The effect of seed stock on the yield of Rhizoma wenyujin concisa and Rhizoma wenyujin curcumae was significant, but to the yield of Radix wenyujin curcumae was very little. The mutual effect between cultivating density and seed stock was also very little. CONCLUSION: The cultivating density play an important role in the yields of Curcuma wenyujin.

Study on growth characteristics of Curcuma wenyujin / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on growth characteristics of Curcuma wenyujin, and provide theoretical basis for the development of high-quality and high-yield medical material.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The morphological change of the plant was observed periodically, the content of volatile oil and dry matter in leaves, rhizome, root tuber was determine.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The growth of C. wenyujin could be divided into 5 stages, i. e. seed germination, seedling, leaf growth, rhizome expansion, accumulation of dry matter, respectively. Before the stage of rhizome expansion, over 70% dry matter was accumulated in the aerial part of the plant, and during the stage of leaf growth, the maximum increase rate of dry matter in aerial part was 3.90 g/p/d. During the stage of rhizome expansion, the ratio of dry matter of rhizome increased quickly and reached above 33% , and the increase rate of dry matter of rhizome rise up to 3.83 g/p/d, in the end of the stage, the content of volatile oil in the rhizome also rose up to 1.20 mL x 100 g(-1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During the whole growth stage, there are two growth centers, when the two curves of dry matter increase of aerial part and rhizome intersect, it is regarded as a signal that the growth transformed form the aerial part to rhizome. When the rate of dry matter from rhizome rise, the content of volatile oil in rhizome rises quickly with the increase of dry matter in rhizome. The optimal harvest time is in mid-December.</p>