Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Candida africana from vulvovaginal candidiasis.

BACKGROUND: Candida africana is distributed worldwide and colonized in human genitalia and cause mainly vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We report the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of C. africana from VVC. METHODS: MLST analysis of 43 strains of C. africana, which were isolated from vaginal specimens of patients with VVC, was performed. The enzymatic activity of phospholipase, esterase and haemolysis enzyme production was evaluated.The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was determined by using real-time PCR. Antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates were assayed by using the broth microdilution method. The statistical of the results was determined by the T test and Pearson chi-squared test. RESULTS: The MLST analysis revealed a substantial degree of genetic homogeneity. The DST782 and DST182 were the main MLST genotypes in C. africana. All the patients were symptomatic and with a high mycological cure rate when treated with commonly used antifungal agents.There were statistically significant differences in biofilm formation and phospholipase activity between C. africana and C.albicans. The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was higher in fluconazole-resistant strains. All C. africana isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin. These isolates also exhibited low MICs to amphotericin B, flucytosine, and posaconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Candida africana appear to be with a low level of sequence variation in MLST loci. Candida africana, a lower virulence candida, is susceptible to commonly used antifungal agents. This paper was presented at the conference of 8th Trend in Medical Mycology (6-9 October 2017, Belgrade, Serbia) and was published on conference abstract.

Forensic Analysis of 25 Cases of Diffuse Brain Atrophy after Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: To study the forensic features of diffuse brain atrophy after trauma, the relationship between age and interval time of post-traumatic brain atrophy, and the relationship between the degree of craniocerebral injury and that of brain atrophy. METHODS: The forensic features of 25 cases of diffuse brain atrophy after craniocerebral trauma were retrospectively analyzed from aspects of gender, age, craniocerebral injury characteristics, and imaging characteristics of brain atrophy. Pearson correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Diffuse brain atrophy after trauma could occur in any age group, dominated by severe brain injury. The Pearson correlation coefficients （r） between the time interval of brain atrophy and age were 0.442 （ P<0.05）, 0.341 （P>0.05）, and 0.904 （ P<0.05） for the overall cases, the group over age 50, and the group under age 50, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the degree of brain injury and that of brain atrophy was 0.579 （ P<0.05）, and that between severe brain injury and brain atrophy was 0.788 （ P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: The more serious the brain injury, the more severe the brain atrophy. Various degrees of diffuse brain atrophy can occur in severe craniocerebral injury, and diffuse brain atrophy is usually mild and moderate after mild and moderate craniocerebral injury. In the practice of forensic clinical identification, a comprehensive analysis should be conducted with the combination of case materials when the identified person has high risk factors leading to brain atrophy （e.g., hypertension, diabetes, etc.）, plus injury and illness relationship analysis if necessary.

Factors Influencing the Initiation Time of Forensic Psychiatric Assessment of Criminal Cases in Hunan Province.

ABSTRACT: Objective To discuss the related factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment by analysis of the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment of criminal cases in Hunan Province. Methods Related data in assessment files of criminal cases accepted by 8 forensic psychiatric assessment institutions in Hunan Province from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016 were extracted. The Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment. After using property score matching （PSM） to control the influence of confounding factors, the efficiency of public security organs to initiate assessments of suspects with （without） mental disorders and with （without） responsibilities were compared. Results A total of 4 346 cases were included. The Logistic regression analysis suggested that the factors independently related to the initiation time of assessment include： cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime （all P<0.05）. The initiation time of assessment of suspects diagnosed with mental disorder was shorter than those with none （P<0.05）; the initiation time of assessment of suspects without criminal responsibility was shorter than those with responsibility （P<0.05）. After using PSM to control confounding factors, the differences above still existed. Conclusion The cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime are factors that influence the efficiency of public security organs to initiate forensic psychiatric assessments. Under the current assessment initiation mode, forensic psychiatric assessment of suspects who have mental disorders, especially those with no responsibility may be given priority to initiate.

Molecular cloning, expression, and regulation of estrogen receptors in pigeon oviduct epithelial cells.

Estrogen regulates reproductive behavior and drives the proliferation and differentiation of several cell types. These physiological functions of estrogen are mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs), and each ER isoform plays a distinct role. To clarify the molecular mechanism of estrogen action and to evaluate the effect of ERs on the secretion of ovalbumin (OVA) in pigeon oviduct epithelial cells (POECs), we determined the complete coding sequences encoding ER alpha (ERα) and ER beta (ERß) in pigeons. The abundance of pigeon ERα and ERß mRNA was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. These results revealed that pigeon ERα is highly expressed in the oviduct, while pigeon ERb is highly expressed in the ovary and kidney. We hypothesize that ERα mRNA predominates over that of ERß in the oviduct. The expression of ERα can be down-regulated by 17ß-estradiol, and the knockdown of ERα promoted OVA mRNA expression in cultured POECs, indicating that ERα may play an important role in OVA secretion.

Molecular cloning, expression, and regulation of the ovalbumin gene in pigeon oviduct epithelial cells.

The full-length pigeon ovalbumin (OVA) gene cDNA was cloned and sequenced by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. A 386-amino acid protein was predicted for the obtained sequence, which had 67% identity with the chicken protein. Similar to chicken OVA, the pigeon OVA gene is a non-inhibitory serine protease inhibitor. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that pigeon OVA mRNA was highly expressed in the oviduct, and trace amounts were detected in other tissues. During the reproductive cycle, pigeon oviduct OVA mRNA expression reached its peak during the egg-laying stage, decreased with brooding, and then increased again during the squab-feeding period. Moreover, the relative OVA expression level in pigeon oviduct epithelial cells could be upregulated by a constant concentration of steroid hormones.

Chronic periodontitis and the risk of erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between chronic periodontitis (CP) and the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). Electronic search using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was carried out for observational studies, longitudinal, cohort, case-control and epidemiological studies on humans, published up to December 2015. Manual searches were also performed. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the association between CP and the risk of ED. Methodological quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Four case-control studies and one cross-sectional studies involving 213, 006 participants were included. Based on the random-effects model, analyses of all studies showed that CP was associated with an increased risk of ED (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.50-3.48). There was heterogeneity among the studies (P<0.001, I2=97.8%). Estimates of total effects were generally consistent with the sensitivity and subgroup analyses. In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant association between CP and the risk of ED. Further epidemiological studies are needed to better estimate the key risk factors for periodontitis and their interaction effects.

Genomewide Association Study Identifies Novel Genetic Loci That Modify Antiplatelet Effects and Pharmacokinetics of Clopidogrel.

Genetic variants in the pharmacokinetic (PK) mechanism are the main underlying factors affecting the antiplatelet response to clopidogrel. Using a genomewide association study (GWAS) to identify new genetic loci that modify antiplatelet effects in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease, we identified novel variants in two transporter genes (SLC14A2 rs12456693, ATP-binding cassette [ABC]A1 rs2487032) and in N6AMT1 (rs2254638) associated with P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) and plasma active metabolite (H4) concentration. These new variants dramatically improved the predictability of PRU variability to 37.7%. The associations between these loci and PK parameters of clopidogrel and H4 were observed in additional patients, and its function on the activation of clopidogrel was validated in liver S9 fractions (P < 0.05). Rs2254638 was further identified to exert a marginal risk effect for major adverse cardiac events in an independent cohort. In conclusion, new genetic variants were systematically identified as risk factors for the reduced efficacy of clopidogrel treatment.