Associations of SYK Promoter-803A ＞T(rs290987) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Breast Cancer of Han Female Population in Beijing Area / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the association of the SYK gene promoter-803A T polymorphism and breast cancer sus ceptibility during Han descent female population in Beijing area.Methods In this case control study,genotype of SYK (A＞T at-803,rs290987) was determined by polymerase chain reaction combined with DNA direct sequencing in blood samples of 57 breast cancer cases and 60 age matched bealthy controls.They were all female.Genotype and allele frequency distribu tions of 803A T were determined and analyzed.ELISA test was performed to detect the serum level of SYK in the two groups.Results The frequencies of the T allele and TA+TT genotypes of the 803A＞T were found to be significantly higher in the breast cancer patients in contrast to the healthy individuals of the control group(x2 =5.348,P=0.021).Pa tients with the T allele (TA+TT) had a 2.87-fold risk of developing breast cancer compared with those with the A allele (AA) (OR=2.87;95％ CI=1.27～6.49).The test group had significantly decreased level of SYK in serum compared to normal controls (F 33.278,P＜0.01).Conclusion This study revealed that the genotype TA and TT of the SYK gene-803 loci of Han female population in the Beijing area are the risk factors for the breast cancer.

Antimicrobial activity of linezolid combined with minocycline against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) cause serious infections that are difficult to treat. We carried out this study to determine the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of linezolid when combined with minocycline against VRE strains, to determine the mechanism of drug resistance in vitro, and to provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of drugs against VRE.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of linezolid and minocycline against 30 Enterococci (E.) isolates (including 20 VRE strains) were determined by the broth microdilution method. Drug interactions were assessed by the checkerboard microdilution tests and confirmed by time-kill studies. Two vancomycin-susceptible strains N27 and N40 (linezolid MIC, 2 g/ml; minocycline MIC, 4 µg/ml) and control strains E. faecalis ATCC 29212 and ATCC 51299 were also tested. The MPCs of linezolid and minocycline (alone and combined) were determined using the agar dilution method. Strains showing stable resistance were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of domain V of the 23S rRNA gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Checkerboard titration studies revealed synergistic effects of combination therapy in 26.7% of 30 E. isolates. Antagonism was not observed. The G2576U mutation was detected in stable linezolid-resistant strains of ATCC 29212, N40, and N27 before and after resistance screening, and MIC values increased with the number of G2576U mutations. The MPC of linezolid against E. decreased dramatically when combined with minocycline, and vice versa.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Linezolid or minocycline alone produce resistant strains; however, their joint use may reduce the MPC of each agent against VRE, thereby decreasing resistant mutants and bacterial infections.</p>

Comparison of main lactobacillus species between healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The normal microbial flora of the vagina plays an important role in preventing genital and urinary tract infections in women. Thus an accurate understanding of the composition and ecology of the ecosystem is important to understanding the etiology of these diseases. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of main lactobacillus species between healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) by quantitative culture and PCR methods. Main lactobacillus species include L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. jensenii and L. iners.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 150 women attending Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of Beijing Friendship Hospital, were diagnosed as having BV because three or more of the following criteria were met (standard of Amsel's composite criteria): homogeneous discharge, elevated vaginal pH (pH > 4.5), production of amines, and presence of "clue" cells. Those with less than three of the criteria were considered as healthy. Simultaneously, smears were made of vaginal fluid and Gram stained, then were assessed qualitatively as normal (grade I), intermediate (grade II), or consistent with BV (grade III). Gardnerella vaginalis were identified by using Vitek 2 Compact and PCR methods. Lactobacillus species were identified by PCR methods. Gardnerella vaginalis and lactobacilli colony counts were determined by calculating the most number of colonies of each species in the appropriate plates (colonies between 10 and 300), corrected by the dilution of the sample in the plates, and multiplied by 10 (to account for plating 100 microl), in order to get colony forming units per milliliter of vaginal secretion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BV was diagnosed in 31% (46/150) patients using the composite criteria, the remainder being regarded as healthy. The majority of patients with BV had a smear assessed as grade III (91%, 42/46) and minority of them had a smear assessed as grade II (9%, 4/46). The majority of healthy women had a smear assessed as grade I (64%, 67/104). Smears assessed as grade II were found (36%, 37/104) among patients diagnosed as healthy, with less than three of the composite criteria. L. crispatus was cultured from 94% of healthy women and 83% of women with BV, with the former colonies count average value of 10(6) and the latter of 10(3). L. gasseri, L. iners, and L. jensenii were cultured from 85%, 68% and 43% of healthy women; and 28%, 89% and 44% of BV women, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The quantities of four lactobacillus species except L. jensenii had a significant difference between healthy women and women with BV. Our results provide support for the negative association between L. iners and L. gasseri. Although L. crispatus were existent both in healthy and BV positive women's vagina, the numbers of L. crispatus were significantly different for the dominant number in healthy women. Smears of vaginal fluid and Gram stain play an important guiding role in bacteria culture.</p>

The significance of intensifying the test for anaerobic bacteria in clinical laboratory / 中华检验医学杂志

Anaerobic bacteria are responsible for many cases of infection,but anaerobic bacteria are not detected in most of clinical labs in China yet.It is very important to intensify the test for anaerobic bacteria in clinical laboratory.Attention to detection for anaerobic bacteria should be paid.