[Clinical and etiological characteristics of infectious vulvovaginitis in children in Zhejiang province from 2009 to 2019].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, common pathogens in children with vulvovaginitis. Methods: This was a retrospective cases study. A total of 3 268 children with vulvovaginitis were enrolled, who visited the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2009 to December 2019. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the age of <7, 7-<10 and 10-18 years. Patients were also divided in to 4 groups according to the season of first visit. The pathogen distribution characteristics of infective vulvovaginitis were compared between the groups. Their clinical data were collected and then analyzed by χ2 test. Results: The were 3 268 girls aged (6.2±2.5) years. There were 1 728 cases (52.9%) aged <7 years, 875 cases (26.8%) aged 7-<10 years, and 665 cases (20.3%) aged 10-18 years. Of these cases, 2 253 cases (68.9%) were bacterial vulvovaginitis, 715 cases (21.9%) were fungal vulvovaginitis and 300 cases (9.2%) were vulvovaginitis infected with other pathogens. Bacterial culture of vaginal secretions was performed in 2 287 cases, and 2 287 strains (70.0%) of pathogens were detected, of which the top 5 pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes (745 strains, 32.6%), Haemophilus influenzae (717 strains, 31.4%), Escherichia coli (292 strains, 12.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (222 strains, 9.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (67 strains, 2.9%). Regarding different age groups, H.influenzae was the most common in children under 7 years of age (40.3%, 509/1 263), S.pyogenes (41.9%, 356/849) was predominantly in children aged 7 to 10 years, and E.coli was predominant in children aged 10 to 18 years (26.3%, 46/175). Susceptibility results showed that S.pyogenes was susceptible to penicillin G (610/610, 100.0%), ceftriaxone (525/525, 100.0%), and vancomycin (610/610, 100.0%); the resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 91.9% (501/545)and 90.7% (495/546), respectively. For H.influenzae, 32.5% (161/496) produced ß-elactamase, and all strains were sensitive to meropenem (489/489, 100.0%) and levofloxacin (388/388, 100.0%), while 40.5% (202/499) were resistant to ampicillin. Among E.coli, all strains were sensitive to imipenem(100%, 175/175). The resistance rates of E.coli to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone were 29.1% (43/148) and 35.1% (59/168), respectively. A total of 48 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated with a proportion of 28.3% (45/159) in 3 268 patients. The results of drug susceptibility test showed that all MRSA strains were sensitive to linezolid 100.0% (40/40), vancomycin (45/45, 100.0%), and tigecycline (36/36, 100.0%); the resistance rates of MRSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100% (45/45), 95.6% (43/45) and 88.9% (40/45), respectively. All methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains were sensitive to oxacillin (114/114, 100.0%), linezolid (94/94, 100.0%), vancomycin (114/114, 100.0%), and tigecycline (84/84, 100.0%); it's resistance rates to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 78.1% (89/114), 59.7% (68/114) and 46.5% (53/114), respectively. The drug resistance rate of MSSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were lower than those of MRSA (χ²=11.71,19.74,23.95, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions: The age of consultation for pediatric infectious vulvovaginitis is mainly around 6 years. The most common pathogens are S.pyogenes, H.influenzae and Escherichia coli. Third generation cephalosporins can be used as the first choice of empirical anti-infection drugs. However, the results of drug susceptibility should be considered for targeted treatment.

A combination of genome-wide association study and selection signature analysis dissects the genetic architecture underlying bone traits in chickens.

The bones of chicken play an important role in supporting and protecting the body. The growth and development of bones have a substantial influence on the health and production performance in chickens. However, genetic architecture underlying chicken bone traits is not well understood. The objectives of this study are to dissect the genetic basis of bone traits in chickens and to identify valuable genes and genetic markers for chicken breeding. We performed a combination of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and selection signature analysis (fixation index values and nucleotide diversity ratios) in an F2 crossbred experimental population with different genetic backgrounds (broiler × layer) to identify candidate genes and significant variants related to femur, shank, keel length, chest width, metatarsal claw weight, metatarsal length, and metatarsal circumference. A total of 545 individuals were genotyped based on the whole genome re-sequencing method (26 F0 individuals were re-sequenced at 10 × coverage; 519 F2 individuals were re-sequenced at 3 × coverage). A total of 2 028 112 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remained to carry out analysis after quality control and imputation. The integration of GWAS and selection signature analysis indicated that all significant SNPs responsible for bone traits were mainly localized on chicken chromosomes 1, 4, and 27. Finally, we identified 21 positional candidate genes that might regulate chicken bone growth and development, including LRCH1, RB1, FNDC3A, MLNR, CAB39L, FOXO1, LHFP, TRPC4, POSTN, SMAD9, RBPJ, PPARGC1A, SLIT2, NCAPG, NKX3-2, CPZ, SPOP, NGFR, SOST, ZNF652, and HOXB3. Additionally, an array of uncharacterized genes was identified. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the genetic architecture of chicken bone traits and offer a molecular basis for applying genomics in practical chicken breeding.

[Comparison of contrast sensitivity and wavefront aberrations with myopic].

Objective: Correlation analysis of visual acuity, wavefront aberrations and contrast sensitivity in myopia. Methods: Retrospective study. One hundred and twelve patients with myopia(209 eyes) from April 2013 to August 2015 were enrolled in our study. All subjects were divided into various groups to investigate the relationship between wavefront aberrations and contrast sensitivity in myopic eyes.The correlations between ocular aberrations and contrast sensitivity(4 spatial frequency) in myopia eyes were analyzed using multivariate stepwise regression. Results: The AULCSF in the BCVA 1.2 were 1.32±0.10,1.30±0.12 respectively in the light and dark conditions,, which were higher than those in the BCVA 1.0 (t=-3.58 and-2.48, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between AULCSF in dark glare condition.At 4mm and 6mm pupil diameters,The difference in Z(-)(33) of ocular higher-order aberrations between the BCVA 1.0 and the BCVA 1.2 was statistically significant (t=2.09, P=0.04; t=-2.05, P=0.04). Differences between the other ocular higher-order aberrations and corneal aberrations were not statistically significant.The spherical aberrations of the low contrast sensitivity group were (0.019±0.010), (0.136±0.117) and(0.006±0.003)µm separately under the condition of bright light, dark light and dark glare light, which were higher than other groups (0.013±0.006) , (0.083±0.054) , (0.004±0.002) µm (t=1.10, 2.65, 2.44, P<0.05). The values of AULCSF for the larger spherical aberrations under dark light and dark glare light conditions were 1.281±0.126 and 1.216±0.154 respectively which were lower than the AULCSF 1.281±0.126, 1.216±0.154 of the another spherical aberrations group (t=2.14, 1.98, P<0.05). It was found that the S(All) RMS and spherical aberrations under different frequencies and illuminating conditions were negatively correlated with CS.Vertical coma was positively correlated with CS. Conclusions: Better BCVA may achieve better visual quality.In the case of the same BCVA, there are differences in visual quality.Higher order aberrations are the main factor affecting this result, especially the spherical aberrations.Total aberrations and spherical aberration had a negative correlation with visual quality.Vertical coma had a positive affects with visual quality. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 748-755).

Effects of varicocele on DNA methylation pattern of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa and behavioural characteristics of adult rat offspring.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on DNA methylation pattern of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa and behavioural characteristics of adult rat offspring. Wistar rats with experimentally induced varicocele were used. The status of promoter methylation of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa of rats with varicocele or without varicocele was investigated. In addition, the Morris water maze test, elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test were employed to evaluate the learning and memory capability, and emotional behaviour of adult rat offspring. There were no significant differences in DNA methylation levels of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa among the control group, sham operation group and varicocele-induced group. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in Morris water maze test and elevated plus maze test among the offspring in the three groups. However, in forced swimming test, the immobility time of offspring (both male and female) in the varicocele-induced group was significantly longer than that in the control group and the sham operation group. Varicocele does not alter the methylation profiles of H19 and Snrpn gene, but exerts depressant-like effect on the adult rat offspring.

Characteristics and functions of human cytomegalovirus UL128 gene/protein.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) ORF UL128 protein is highly conserved among viral field isolates and functions in two different molecular forms, monomeric UL128 protein and in a complex with glycoproteins gH, gL, UL130, and UL131A protein. Monomeric UL128 protein works as soluble chemokine analogue to attract peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and selectively induces expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in PBMCs. The gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A complex is indispensable for entry into both endothelial and epithelial cells. In conclusion, UL128 plays an important role in HCMV infection.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction with DNA pooling: a cost-effective strategy of genotyping rare blood types.

OBJECTIVES/AIMS: This work aims to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction combined with DNA pooling for mass screening for rare blood types. BACKGROUND: The differences in most blood group antigens are associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are used in detecting blood antigen expression at the molecular level. However, all existing sequence-specific primers polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) assays for blood typing genotype one or several SNPs individually. DNA pooling is a way that reduces the amount of genotyping required. METHODS: A sensitive multiplex PCR-SSP assay testing pooled DNA was established to detect the rare Fy(b) and S alleles. It was applied to screen a total of 4490 donor samples via testing 898 DNA pools. The samples in the positive pools were further tested individually. Then the positive samples, including Fy(a-b+)/Fy(a+b+) and S+s-/S+s+ genotypes, were tested via two PCR-SSP assays for alleles Fy(a) and s. The rare genotypes Fy(a-b+) and S+s- were verified using serologic tests and sequencing analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-four donors were tested positive for the Fy(b) allele, whereas 101 donors were positive for the S allele. Among the 254 Fy(b+) donors, 5 were Fy(a-b+) and 249 were Fy(a+b+). Among the 101 S+ donors, 3 were S+s- and 98 were S+s+. The rare Fy(b) and S alleles comprised 2·28 and 1·16%, respectively. The PCR-SSP assays were confirmed by sequencing analysis and serological test. CONCLUSION: A multiplex PCR assay was combined with DNA pooling to reduce the number of tests required, making large-scale screening feasible.

Effects of matrine, artemisinin, tetrandrine on cytosolic [Ca2+]i in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

AIM: To compare the effects of matrine, artemisinin, and tetrandrine on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. METHODS: A single ventricular myocyte was loaded with Fluo 3-acetoxymethyl (Fluo 3-AM). [Ca2+]i was recorded by laser scanning confocal microscope and represented by fluorescence intensity (FI). RESULTS: 1) KCl 60 mmol . L-1 elevated the FI from 299 +/ -19 to 1389 +/- 325 (P < 0.01) in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ 1.8 mmol . L-1. 2) Both matrine and artemisinin at the concentration of 100 micromol . L-1 could enhance the increase of FI by KCl 60 mmol . L-1. The FI values reached 1495 +/- 320 and 1646 +/- 308 from 301 +/- 14 and 299 +/- 16 (P < 0.01), respectively. 3) Both tetrandrine 1, 10, and 100 micromol . L-1 and verapamil 10 micromol . L-1 inhibited the influx of extracellular Ca2+ induced by KCl 60 mmol . L-1. 4) Matrine 1, 10, and 100 micromol . L-1 could elevate the FI in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The FI values reached 441 +/- 96, 504 +/- 112, and 643 +/- 126 from 303 +/- 27, 300 +/- 32, and 296 +/- 19 (P < 0.05), respectively. 5) Tetrandrine 1 and 10 micromol . L-1 could apparently inhibited Ca2+ release from intracellular calcium stores induced by caffeine 20 mmol . L-1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Effects of matrine, artemisinin, and tetrandrine on [Ca2+ )]i in ventricular