Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Associated Microbial Community Conditions in Aging Landfill Systems.

Landfills receive about 350 million tons of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) per year globally, including antibiotics and other coselecting agents that impact antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, little is known about AMR in landfills, especially as a function of landfill ages. Here we quantified antibiotics, heavy metals, and AMR genes (ARGs) in refuse and leachates from landfills of different age (<3, 10, and >20 years). Antibiotics levels were consistently lower in refuse and leachates from older landfills, whereas ARG levels in leachates significantly increased with landfill age (One-way ANOVA, F = 10.8, P < 0.01). Heavy metals whose contents increased as landfills age (one-way ANOVA, F = 12.3, P < 0.01) were significantly correlated with elevated levels of ARGs (Mantel test, R = 0.66, P < 0.01) in leachates, which implies greater AMR exposure risks around older landfills. To further explain ARGs distributional mechanisms with age, microbial communities, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and environmental factors were contrasted between refuse and leachate samples. Microbial communities in the refuse were closely correlated with ARG contents (Procrustes test; M2 = 0.37, R = 0.86, P < 0.001), whereas ARG in leachates were more associated with MGEs.

Changes of nerve growth factor in amniotic fluid and correlation with ventriculomegaly.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the change of nerve growth factor (NGF) level in human amniotic fluid during gestation, and to explore the relationship between this change and fetal ventriculomegaly (VM). METHODS: The studied subjects (collected from 2004 to 2007) were divided into four groups, including the second-trimester pregnancy group (n=113), third-trimester pregnancy group (n=110), fetal cerebral VM group (n=12), and healthy control group (n=12) which matched with the VM group in gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid specimens were obtained during amniocentesis or cesarean section. The NGF levels in amniotic fluid were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A significantly negative correlation was found between gestational age and the NGF level in amniotic fluid (r=−0.6149, P<0.0001). The NGF level in patients with fetal VM was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (33.95±29.24 pg/mL vs. 64.73±16.21 pg/mL, P=0.024). CONCLUSION: NGF levels in amniotic fluid may be a sensitive marker for fetal VM.

[Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of non-overweight/obese pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of non-overweight/obese (pre-pregnancy body mass index BMI < 24 kg/m(2)) pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The screening of PCOS was performed when they were at first prenatal visit in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University from May, 2008 to July, 2010.61 PCOS women of pregnancy women with BMI < 24 kg/m(2) were considered as the study subjects, and 122 pregnant women without PCOS matched by age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were selected as the control ones. Patients with history of pre-pregnancy diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, renal diseases and multiple pregnancies were excluded from the study. We followed pregnancy outcomes of two groups until delivery. RESULTS: Significantly higher total cholesterol, triglycerides concentrations and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were found in the PCOS group than in the controls. PCOS women with BMI < 24 kg/m(2) had significantly higher rates of GDM (27.9% (17/61)) and pre-eclampsia (13.1% (8/61)) compared with the controls (15.6% (19/122), 1.6% (2/122)), P < 0.05, < 0.01, respectively. No statistical significance was found in prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes, placental abruption, macrosomia, fetal death and neonatal congenital abnormality between the two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is at increased risk of GDM and pre-eclampsia in non-overweight/obese PCOS women, this risk seemed to be due to PCOS itself rather than obesity.

[Analysis of the perinatal outcomes and management of twin-twin transfusion syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perinatal outcomes of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and the management. METHODS: During Nov 1, 2002 to Sep 30, 2005, 24 cases of TTTS in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital were analyzed. The outcomes of them were compared with the pregnancy without TTTS in all twins and in monozygotic twins. The outcomes of the blood-supplying fetus and the blood-recepter were compared. RESULTS: 6.8% cases had TTTS in all twins. The group of TTTS had more maternal, fetal and neonatal complications than twins pregnancy without TTTS: polyhydramnios [37.5% (9/24) vs 2.1% (7/328), P < 0.01], gestational hypertension [20.8% (5/24) vs 7.0% (23/328), P = 0.043], premature labor [66.7% (16/24) vs 36.3% (119/328), P = 0.003], perinatal dead fetus in uterus [18.8% (6/32) vs 1.1% (7/640), P < 0.01], neonatal asphyxia [73.1% (19/26) vs 3.0% (19/632), P < 0.01], the proportion of NICU [88.5% (23/26) vs 23.4% (148/632), P < 0.01], neonatal death [15.4% (4/26) vs 1.7% (11/632), P = 0.002] and the rate of perinatal mortality [31.2% (0/32) vs 2.8% (18/632)]. Compared with the monozygotic twins without TTTS, in TTTS group there were more complications of the mother, the fetus and the neonates: gestational hypertension [20.8% (5/24) vs 9.9% (14/142), P = 0.224], premature labor [66.7% (16/24) vs 49.3% (70/142), P = 0.115], perinatal dead fetus in uterus [18.8% (6/32) vs 0.7% (2/282), P < 0.01], neonatal asphyxia [73.1% (19/26) vs 3.9% (11/280), P < 0.01], the proportion of NICU [88.5% (23/26) vs 29.3% (82/280), P < 0.01], neonatal death [15.4% (4/26) vs 2.1% (6/280), P = 0.006] and the rate of perinatal mortality [31.3% (10/32) vs 3.2% (8/282)]. The perinatal outcomes were better in those cases that the grades of TTTS were below 3 in the first diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We should try to diagnose and treat TTTS as early as possible because the outcome is poor.

[Fluid-based thin-layer method for screening of squamous intraepithelial lesions in pregnant women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance and safety of liquid-based cytology (thinprep cytologic test, TCT) in pregnant women and cytological characteristics of the smears during pregnancy. METHODS: TCT were performed in 1951 pregnant women (group A), 3752 gynecological out-patients (group B) and 5069 routine screening women (group C). The age of the women was ranged from 20 to 39 years. The cytological preparations were analyzed using TCT method following the Bathesda system (TBS) standard. RESULTS: (1) The incidence of abnormal epithelial patterns in groups A, B and C was 23.58% (460/1951), 19.22% (721/3752) and 13.40% (679/5069) respectively (P < 0.01). (2) The incidence of infection in three groups was 19.02% (371/1951), 10.66% (400/3752) and 9.23% (468/5069) respectively (P < 0.05). (3) The incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in three groups was 1.13%, 1.87% and 0.77% respectively. No significant difference was found between pregnant group (A) and non-pregnant group (B + C, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCT smear screening is necessary, safe and acceptable for routine prenatal tests. There is no difference in the cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions between pregnant and non-pregnant women.

[Effects of mild hypothermia on expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-1 in hippocampus neurons after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of mild hypothermia on expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-1 (NMDAR1) in hippocampus neurons after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, normal temperature group, and mild hypothermia group, with 8 rats in each group. The cerebral edema model after CPR was replicated by the sealed bottle method in rats in both normal temperature group and mild hypothermia group. The rats in the mild hypothermia group were treated with mild hypothermia after the model was established. The change in expression of NMDAR1 in hippocampus neurons in rat was determined with semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and pathologic changes in brain tissue were observed in both groups. RESULTS: The cerebral edema was ameliorated, NMDAR1 mRNA and protein in cerebral hippocampus neurons were significantly lower in hypothermia group than control group with significant difference (NMDAR1 mRNA: 80.48+/-0.03 vs. 80.64+/-0.18, P<0.05 ). CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia can down regulate the expression of NMDAR1 mRNA and protein level, lower positive ion concentration and thus decrease cerebral edema, so mild hypothermia can serve as a treatment measure for cerebral edema after CPR.

Association between clinical characteristics and expression abundance of RTKN gene in human bladder carcinoma tissues from Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: Bladder carcinoma is the most common urological malignancy in China. Gene mutation may be one of causes of carcinogenesis in the cancer. We therefore investigated the mRNA expression of RTKN gene in clinic malignant bladder carcinoma and explored the relationship between the novel gene and the cancer. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 33 surgically resected specimens of bladder carcinoma and 19 specimens of tumor-free bladder tissues. After the optimal reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction condition was established, the mRNA expression levels of the RTKN gene in the lesions and tumor-free bladder tissues were examined semiquantitatively, and the relationships between expression levels of RTKN and clinical pathological features were analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of RTKN gene mRNA in 33 human bladder carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in 19 human tumor-free bladder tissues (0.937+/-0.103 vs. 0.350+/-0.082). The average ratio of RTKN expression in neoplasms to that in tumor-free bladder tissues was 0.350+/-0.164. Based on this ratio the 33 patients were divided into three groups: a down-regulated expression group (n=2), an up-regulated expression group (n=22), and an unchanged group (n=9). Although the chi(2) test demonstrated a statistically nonsignificant differences in RTKN expression between tumor stages Ta, T(1), and T(2) overall in the 33 human bladder carcinoma, the t test showed that there were statistically significant differences between solitary and multiple tumors, between the paired group aged younger or older than 70 years in 27 de novo bladder carcinoma patients, and between the groups with tumor larger or smaller than 2.25 cm(3). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the RTKN gene is involved in bladder carcinogenesis and progression in bladder carcinoma, indicating that RTKN gene could be a molecular target in cancer therapy.

Codon 249 mutation in exon 7 of p53 gene in plasma DNA: maybe a new early diagnostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma in Qidong risk area, China.

AIM: One of the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Qidong area is the selective mutation resulting in a serine substitution at codon 249 of the p53 gene (1, 20), and it has been identified as a "hotspot" mutation in heptocellular carcinomas occurring in populations exposed to aflatoxin and with high prevalence of hepatitis B virus carriers (2,3,9, 10,16,24). We evaluated in this paper whether this "hotspot" mutation could be detected in cell-free DNA circulating in plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in Qidong, China, and tried to illustrate the significance of the detection of this molecular biomarker. METHODS: We collected blood samples from 25 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, 20 cirrhotic patients and 30 healthy controls in Qidong area. DNA was extracted and purified from 200 microl of plasma from each sample. The 249(Ser) p53 mutation was detected by restriction digestion analysis and direct sequencing of exon-7 PCR products. RESULTS: We found in exon 7 of p53 gene G-T transversion at the third base of codon 249 resulting 249(Arg) - 249(Ser) mutation in 10/25 (40 %) hepatocellular carcinoma cases, 4/20 (20 %) cirrhotics, and 2/30 (7 %) healthy controls. The adjusted odds ratio for having the mutation was 22.1(95 % CI, 3.2-91.7) for HCC cases compared to controls. CONCLUSION: These data show that the 249(Ser) p53 mutation in plasma is strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in Qidong patients. We found this mutation was also detected, although it was at a much lower frequency, in plasma DNA of Qidong cirrhotics and healthy controls; We consider that these findings, together with the usual method of HCC diagnosis, will give more information in early diagnosis of HCC, and 249(Ser) p53 mutation should be developed to a new early diagnostic marker for HCC.

Effect of propentofylline on hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage in newborn rat.

BACKGROUND: Studies showed that propentofylline enhances the action of adenosine and protects hippocampal neuronal damage against transient global cerebral ischaemia. Our study was to investigate the effect of propentofylline on hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage in neonatal rat. METHODS: Seven-day-old Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia in oxygen 8 kPa for two hours at 37 degrees C. Propentofylline (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally one hour after hypoxia-ischaemia (treated group). Control group rats were received an equivalent volume of saline. The effects of propentofylline were assessed by observing the body mass gain, behavioural alteration and neurohistological changes. The rats were sacrificed at 72 hours after hypoxia-ischaemia, and the brain sections were examined after haematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: The propentofylline-treated rats had better body mass gain and better behavioural response than the paired saline-controls did. In the control group, the rats either lost body mass or had little mass gain after the insult, their average body mass gain was 97.3% at 24 h, 100.3% at 48 h, and 114.1% at 72 h of recovery. In propentofylline-treated group, there was a significant improvement of body mass gain at 24 h (100.2%, P < 0.05) and 48 h (110.3%, P < 0.01) of recovery; the percentage of rats that performed well on behavioural test was significantly higher from 48 h to 72 h of recovery (P < 0.05); the incidence of severe brain damage to the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus was significantly reduced in propentofylline-treated rats (cortex, 93% - 70.8%, P < 0.01; dentate gyrus 95% - 66.7%, P < 0.01) as compared with control rats. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of propentofylline 1 hour after hypoxia-ischaemia significantly attenuates brain damage in both the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus, and also improves the body mass gain as well as behavioural disturbance in 7-day-old rats.

[Mutation analysis of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene in an achondroplasia family].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the patients' pathogenic mechanism in an achondroplasia family not according with the genetic law of autosomal dominant inheritance disease at gene level. METHODS: Genomic DNA from peripheral blood of all members in this family was used for amplification of the exon 10 of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3(FGFR3) gene by PCR; mutation was detected by DNA sequencing and identified by restriction endonuclease MaeIII. RESULTS: A new mutation of A to T at nucleotide 1180 was found in patients but not in unaffected members. CONCLUSION: Combined with pedigree analysis, it was summarized that achondroplasia patients in this family might result from this new mutation.

[The blood lead level and pregnant outcome in pregnant women with non-occupational lead exposure].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to find out the relations between maternal blood lead and pregnancy complications, neonatal physical and neurobehavioral development respectively. METHODS: 1,151 samples of maternal venous blood and 434 samples of umbilical cord blood were collected. Graphite stove atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to detect the lead concentration. Neonatal physical indexes were measured within 24 hours of age, including weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference and abdomen circumference. The neurobehavioral developments were scored at 42 days of age. Meanwhile, the pregnancy complications were obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: (1) the mean lead concentration of maternal blood is 43.4 microg/L while 44.5 microg/L of first trimester, 37.4 microg/L of second trimester and 45.1 microg/L of third trimester. The mean lead concentration of cord blood is 26.4 microg/L. (2) In this study, the blood lead level is not correlated with pregnancy complications and neonatal physical and neurobehavioral development, but it is positively correlated with maternal haemoglobin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the situation of maternal blood lead level is acceptable. At such level, the lead concentration of pregnant women blood can't influence the incidence of pregnancy complications, neonatal physical and neurobehavioral development.

[Study on diagnostic criterion of pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To study the rationality of the current diagnostic criterion of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) in mainland China. METHODS: To analytically review the 916 cases of PIH in our hospital, reclassify them using both the current domestic diagnostic criteria and the William Obstetrics' criteria, then compare and analyze perinatal and maternal outcomes from the two standards. RESULTS: (1) Maternal outcomes: comparison result of the occurrences among three groups of premature birth, postpartum haemorrhage and placental abruption according to domestic classification had significant difference (P < 0.05). And it's the same result according to foreign classification (P < 0.05). But the occurrences within three groups of premature birth, postpartum haemorrhage and placental abruption between domestic and foreign classifications showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). (2) Perinatal outcomes: Comparison results of the occurrences among three groups of fetal growth restriction, asphyxia neonatorum and perinatal fetal and neonatal death incidence according to domestic classification had significant difference (P < 0.05). And it's the same result according to foreign classification (P < 0.05). But the occurrences within three groups of fetal growth restriction, asphyxia neonatorum and perinatal fetal death and neonatal incidence showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). (3) The constituent ratio of mild, moderate, severe PIH according to domestic classifications was 46.6%, 18.4%, 34.9% respectively. The constituent ratio of gestationgal hypertision, mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia according to foreign classifications was 47.6%, 14.3%, 38.1%. There were significant differences between domestic and foreign constituent ratio (P < 0.05). If you compare the results from these two diagnostic classifications, with mild PIH, the accordant rate was 85.0%; with severe PIH, the rate was 93.8%; but it's only 40.2% with moderate PIH. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic criteria for PIH being used in our mainland China is rational, but in the current stage, due to the lack of objective index for early diagnosis and overall assessment of patient's condition, it's also limited. More objective index should be adopted to improve the diagnostic standard for PIH.

[Multicenter study on screen method for gestational diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of using random blood glucose to screen gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHOD: The random blood glucose was determined in 1 038 pregnant women between 24 and 32 gestational weeks. Then 50 gram glucose challenge test (50 g GCT) was performed followed immediately. Finally, 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (75 g OGTT) was done without dietary control for 3 days. If two values of four were abnormal, GDM was diagnosed. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was diagnosed if only one value was abnormal or the 2nd hour value ranged from 120 to 164 mg/dl. RESULTS: (1) The determination of the three steps was completed in 948 cases. Among them, 42 cases (4.4%) were GDM, 372 cases (39.2%) were IGT and other 534 cases were normal. (2) In the normal group, the random blood glucose were different in fasting and postprandial times. No difference was found among blood glucose values determined of 50 g GCT at different times except that the value of 50 g GCT 1 hour postprandial was higher than the value at other times. There was no significant association between random blood glucose and 50 g GCT. (3) The sensitivity and specificity were 50.0% and 67.7%, when IGT was diagnosed using the cut point of 6.4 mmol/L (115 mg/dl) of random blood glucose, which was similar with 51.1% of sensitivity and 71.2% of specificity when using >or= 7.8 mmoL/L (140 mg/dl) as the cut point of 50 g GCT. If 6.4 mmol/L (115 mg/dl) was used as the cut point in GDM group the sensitivity would be 80.0%, which was much higher than that of IGT group and the specificity was 61.2%. In this study, if the value of >or= 8.3 mmoL/L (150 mg/dl) was used as the cut-point of 50 g GCT to screen the GDM, the sensitivity decreased only 2.0% while the specificity increased more than 10.0%. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The determination of random blood glucose to screen GDM couldn't replace the 50 g GCT, but it can be used as a complemental method and can be used repeatedly at any gestational age and convenience the pregnant women and the doctors. (2) The value of 8.3 mmol/L (150 mg/dl) was used as the cut-point of 50 g GCT, the specificity would be increased and the requirement for OGTT would be lowered markedly, which would reduce economic and psychological stress.

[Postpartum reclassification in women with gestational diabetes and analyzing the high risk factors associated with them].

OBJECTIVE: To follow up the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 2 month after birth for reclassifying and analyzing the risk factors associated with the abnormal blood glucose level. METHODS: 294 cases of GDM underwent a 2 hours 75 g OGTT two months postpartum. According to the WHO diagnostic criteria, they were divided into three groups: (1) type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and normal. The related factors during pregnancy were analysed. RESULTS: 160 cases (54.4%) were normal, 75 cases (25.5%) and 59 cases (20.1%) were IGT and DM respectively. (2) In the DM group, the gestational age at diagnosis was much earlier than those of the other two groups (P < 0.01), the glucose level of 50 gram glucose challenge test (GCT) and fasting blood glucose values in OGTT and the value of HbAlc at diagnosis were evidently higher than the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), the gestational age of use of insulin for treatment was earlier than normal group, the dosage used markedly greater than the other two groups, the fasting blood glucose and 2 hours postprandial glucose were significantly higher than other two groups (P < 0.01) within 7 days after birth. Maternal age, body weight and family history did not show difference in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Among the GDM, about 1/4 were IGT and 1/5 were type 2 DM. The DM group showed early diagnosis, high fasting blood glucose, high frequency to use insulin during pregnancy.

[Study on intrapartum service model during normal labor].

OBJECTIVE: To study the availability of humanized service and healthy birth and it's effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A multicenteral prospective randomized control study was carried out in 9 maternity hospitals from Nov. 2000 to June 2001. 6,758 laboring women were randomly divided into study group and control group. In study group (n = 3,437), midwives accompany laboring women in whole course of birth until two hours after delivery. According WHO "Monitoring rules for normal birth" medical staff support the mothers in physiological, psychological and physical aspects. In control group (n = 3,321) mothers receive traditional management. Midwives visit and check the mothers discoutinually. In two groups husbands can company laboring women according women's requirement. A questionnaire will be filled on the second day after birth. RESULTS: In study group the spontaneous delivery rate was significant higher than that of control group (85.5% vs 66.0%, P < 0.01). The cesarean section rate, postpartum hemorrhage rate, neonatal asphyxia rate and neonatal morbidity were marked lower in study group than those of control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate mode of intrapartum care can decrease the cesarean section rate and promote the vaginal delivery, also it can improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes.