ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the synergy of the Burkholderia signaling molecule cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) and fluconazole (FLU) or itraconazole (ITRA) against two azole-resistant C. albicans clinical isolates in vitro and in vivo.@*METHODS@#Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics against two azole-resistant C. albicans were measured by the checkerboard technique, E-test, and time-kill assay. In vivo antifungal synergy testing was performed on mice. Analysis of the relative gene expression levels of the strains was conducted by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).@*RESULTS@#BDSF showed highly synergistic effects in combination with FLU or ITRA with a fractional inhibitory concentration index of ⪕ 0.08. BDSF was not cytotoxic to normal human foreskin fibroblast cells at concentrations of up to 300 μg/mL. The qRT-PCR results showed that the combination of BDSF and FLU/ITRA significantly inhibits the expression of the efflux pump genes CDR1 and MDR1 via suppression of the transcription factors TAC1 and MRR1, respectively, when compared with FLU or ITRA alone. No dramatic difference in the mRNA expression levels of ERG1, ERG11, and UPC2 was found, which indicates that the drug combinations do not significantly interfere with UPC2-mediated ergosterol levels. In vivo experiments revealed that combination therapy can be an effective therapeutic approach to treat candidiasis.@*CONCLUSION@#The synergistic effects of BDSF and azoles may be useful as an alternative approach to control azole-resistant Candida infections.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antifungal Agents , Pharmacology , Burkholderia cenocepacia , Chemistry , Candida albicans , Physiology , Candidiasis , Drug Therapy , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated , Fluconazole , Pharmacology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Triazoles , MetabolismABSTRACT
Aim To study the role of Cx43 in inhibi-tion of AngII-induced vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation by farrerol. Methods The primary VSMCs were isolated and cultured by direct adherent culture methods. VSMCs were identified by immunohistochemstry. The cells were divided into the following groups:control group,AngII group,AngII+Farrerol group. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 cell vitality test. The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by the methods of Edu. The cell cycle of VSMCs was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of Cx43 were measured by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of Cx43 were measured by Western blot. Results 60 μmol·L-1farrerol could significantly de-crease the cell viability and EdU rate of VSMCs in-duced by AngII(P<0.05),which could also prevent the transformation of VSMCs from G0/G1phase to S phase. The results of real-time PCR and Western blot showed that,compared with the model group,Farrerol could significantly reduce the mRNA and protein ex-pression level of Cx43(P <0.01). After the interfer-ence of Cx43 by siRNA, the inhibition of proliferation by farrerol decreased significantly. Conclusion Far-rerol inhibits AngII-induced VSMCs proliferation signif-icantly, which might be associated with reducing the expression of Cx43.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of golden-hour body temperature bundle management strategy on admission temperature and clinical outcome in preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks after birth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The preterm infants who were born in the delivery room of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University and admitted to the department of neonatology of this hospital within 1 hour after birth from December 2015 to June 2016 and from January to May, 2017 were enrolled. The 173 preterm infants who were admitted from January to May, 2017 were enrolled as the intervention group and were given golden-hour body temperature bundle management. The 164 preterm infants who were admitted from December 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled as the control group and were given conventional body temperature management.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The intervention group had a significantly higher mean admission temperature than the control group (36.4±0.4°C vs 35.3±0.6°C; P<0.001). The incidence rate of hypothermia on admission in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (56.6% vs 97.6%; P<0.001). The intervention group had a significantly lower incidence rate of intracranial hemorrhage within one week after admission than the control group (15.0% vs 31.7%; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Golden-hour body temperature bundle management for preterm infants within one hour after birth can reduce the incidence of hypothermia on admission and improve clinical outcome.</p>
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy of cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) in the treatment and prevention of vaginal candidiasis in vivo.@*METHODS@#The activities of different concentrations of BDSF against the virulence factors of Candida albicans (C. albicans) were determined in vitro. An experimental mouse model of Candida vaginitis was treated with 250 μmol/L BDSF. Treatment efficiency was evaluated in accordance with vaginal fungal burden and inflammation symptoms.@*RESULTS@#In vitro experiments indicated that BDSF attenuated the adhesion and damage of C. albicans to epithelial cells by decreasing phospholipase secretion and blocking filament formation. Treatment with 30 μmol/L BDSF reduced the adhesion and damage of C. albicans to epithelial cells by 36.9% and 42.3%, respectively. Treatment with 200 μmol/L BDSF completely inhibited phospholipase activity. In vivo mouse experiments demonstrated that BDSF could effectively eliminate vaginal infection and relieve inflammatory symptoms. Four days of treatment with 250 μmol/L BDSF reduced vaginal fungal loads by 6-fold and depressed inflammation. Moreover, BDSF treatment decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory chemokine-associated genes MCP-1 and IGFBP3 by 2.5- and 2-fold, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#BDSF is a novel alternative drug that can efficiently control vaginal candidiasis by inhibiting the virulence factors of C. albicans.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Candida albicans , Metabolism , Virulence , Physiology , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Microbiology , Chemokine CCL2 , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated , Fungal Proteins , Genetics , Metabolism , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Virulence , Virulence Factors , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To compare the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin(TcB) measurement and serum bilirubin (TSB) measurement at covered and exposed skin sites during phototherapy in neonates.Methods Two sites of exposed skin and two sites of covered skin were chosen to measure the transcutaneous bilirubin.The serum bilirubin was monitored at admission and during phototherapy,while the transcutaneous bilirubin was tested and recorded at the same time of monitoring the serum bilirubin.Results A total of 112 cases were included from January 29th to April 15th in 2016.At the four monitoring points during phototherapy,the differences between the transcutaneous bilirubin of the two exposed sites and the serum bilirubin were statistically significant (P<0.01).For the covered site 4,there were no significant differences between transcutaneous bilirubin and serum bilirubin at every test point (P>0.05).When the serum bilirubin was higher than 307.8 μmol/L (18mg/dl),the serum bilirubin measurement was larger than the transcutaneous bilirubin measurement.Conclusion The transcutaneous bilirubin level of covered skin was more close to serum bilirubin,especially when the covered median skin of the second rib was chosen to monitor the transcutaneous bilirubin.When the serum bilirubin was greater than 307.8 μmol/L(18mg/dl),the transcutaneous bilirubin couldn't represent serum bilirubin quite well.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Periplaneta americana extract is recognized to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa. This study aimed to investigate the effects of periplaneta americana extract on immune function, nutrition status and gastrointestinal complications of early enteral nutrition patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS:Patients with SIRS were randomly divided into two groups:treatment and control groups. All patients in the two groups received conventional therapy including enteral nutrition, but periplaneta americana extract, an additional Chinese medicine, was given to the patients in the treatment group. At the beginning of treatment (0 day) and 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the levels of immunoglobulin (IgA), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total protein (TP) and prealbumin (PA) were respectively tested in patients' venous blood. The incidences of bloating, diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia and high blood sugar at 7 days after treatment were recorded. The mortality of the patients in 28 days was recorded. RESULTS:At 3 and 7 days after treatment, the levels of IgA and TLC in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 7 days after treatment, the levels of TP and PA in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of bloating and diarrhea in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The mortality of treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:Periplaneta americana extract could reduce gastrointestinal complications and improve immune function and nutritional status in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the bacterial culture results of expressed breast milk.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1178 expressed breast milk samples were collected for bacterial culture. The breast milk sampled from the mothers of preterm neonates (n=615) and term neonates (n=563) who were hospitalized between May 2014 and April 2015.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in bacterial counts between the preterm and term sample groups (P>0.05). Potential intestinal pathogens were found in 55 samples (4.63%) of the 1178 samples, with no significant difference between the preterm and term sample groups (P>0.05). The second expressed milk samples from 33 mothers were cultured. Only 10 samples (30%) were found to have the same bacteria as the first time. The detection rate of bacterial load of ≥ 10⁵ CFU/mL was higher in those samples with potential intestinal pathogens, as compared with those samples without potential intestinal pathogens (43.64% vs 14.87%; P<0.05). There was no correlation between the incidence of neonatal infections and potential intestinal pathogens in breast milk.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Breast milk is not sterile. Bacterial loads and phylotypes are variable. Random breast milk cultures can neither describe bacterial colonies in breast milk, nor be a predictor of neonatal infection.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Bacterial Load , Milk, Human , Microbiology , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a novel and useful rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration using microinjection of fibronectin fragment (Fn-f).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits underwent injection of N-terminal 30 kDa Fn-f (experimental group) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (control group) into the central region of L1-2, L2-3, L3-4, L4-5 discs using a 32-gauge microsyringe. Two rabbits (blank group) with no treatments were sacrificed to examine the proteoglycan synthesis of neucleus pulposus (NP) using (35)S-sulfate incorporation assay. At the 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week time points, the discs were examined histologically, radiographically, and with proteoglycan synthesis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histology demonstrated a progressive loss of the cell numbers in NP and architecture destruction in NP and anulus fibrosus (AF) in Fn-f-injected discs over the 16-week study period. The NP regions in Fn-f-injected discs shrinked distinctly after the 4-week time point, and were not discernible with the inner AF by the 16-week time point. Protoglycan synthesis in Fn-f-injected discs decreased progressively (F = 263.241, P = 0.000). At each time point, the Fn-f-injected discs showed significantly decreased proteoglycan synthesis compared with controls (t = -27.010 - -2.833, P < 0.05). The DHI% of the Fn-f-injected discs at the 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week time points were 96.5% ± 1.7%, 85.6% ± 3.8%, 77.2% ± 3.5% and 65.5% ± 5.6%, respectively. Comparing with the DHI% of PBS-injected discs (97.4% ± 1.2%), the Fn-f-injected discs exihibited no significant differences in disc heights at the 4-week time point (P > 0.05), but significant decreases in disc heights at the 8-, 12-, and 16-week time points (t = -21.225 - -10.795, P < 0.01). Apparent anterior osteophytes formed at the 12-week time point and enlarged remarkablely by the 16-week time point in the experimental spines.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fn-f can induce a progressively degenerative process in rabbit discs which is ethical, cost-effective, reproducible, and consistent with the spontaneous degeneration in human. And it seem to be a novel and useful model for the study of disc degeneration at the molecular level.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rabbits , Disease Models, Animal , Fibronectins , Pharmacology , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration , Lumbar Vertebrae , Random AllocationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a fast and simple genetic diagnosis technique based on a reliable, short tandem repeat (STR) genetic marker system for the detection of hemophilia A carriers in Guangxi, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fluorescent PCR and capillary electrophoresis were used for allele genotyping at three intragenic/extragenic STR loci (F8Int13, DXS1073, and DXS9901) of FVIII gene in the members of 10 hemophilia A families in Guangxi, so as to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the STR genetic marker system for detection of hemophilia A carriers. Then the STR genetic marker system was used to detect hemophilia A carriers among examinees.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 10 hemophilia A families, 11 confirmed female carriers had the same allele fragment lengths at the three STR loci (F8Int13, DXS1073, and DXS9901) as the probands. Of the 8 females examined, 5 had allele fragments at the three STR loci (F8Int13, DXS1073, and DXS9901) which were identical to those of the probands, and thus they were diagnosed as hemophilia A carriers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Genetic analysis at the three STR loci (F8Int13, DXS1073, and DXS9901) can be used to detect hemophilia A carriers rapidly and provide reliable basis for prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , China , Genetic Carrier Screening , Genotype , Hemophilia A , Diagnosis , Genetics , Microsatellite RepeatsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the significance of the second hearing screening in neonates who failed the first screening during their hospital stay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Screening TEOAE tests were employed in 3849 neonates. The first screen was 3 days after birth. Those who failed were rescreened before discharge (5 - 7 days after birth). Neonates who failed the second screening would have a third screening in 30 - 42 days. Four types of rates were compared: pass rates of three times, rates of single ear fail and double ear fail, pass rates of left ear and right ear, pass rates of Caesarean birth and that of natural labor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference between rates of first time and second time is statistically significant (χ(2) = 38.67, P < 0.01). There is no statistically difference between the total pass rate in ward and that of third time (χ(2) = 2.73, P > 0.05). The pass rate of single ear fail is higher than that of double ears (χ(2) = 34.34, P < 0.01, the difference has statistical significance). The pass rate of left ear is higher than that of right ear (χ(2) = 0.62, P > 0.05, the difference has not statistical significance). The first time screen result showed pass rates of natural labor is higher than that of Caesarean birth (χ(2) = 35.37, P < 0.05), but the differences of pass rates of the second and third time between two delivery method was no statistical significance (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two times of screening in ward could decrease false negative and refer rate, thus relieve parent's mental burden.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , False Negative Reactions , Hearing Disorders , Diagnosis , Hearing Tests , Neonatal Screening , Methods , Otoacoustic Emissions, SpontaneousABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical effect of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) absorbable screws and titanium metallic screws in the treatment of syndesmotic disruptions in ankle fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 58 patients with or suspected of syndesmotic disruption associated with ankle fractures were randomly allocated to receive either bioabsorbable PDLLA or metallic titanium screwing fixation. Using preoperative radiography and intraoperative hook test, syndesmotic disruption was confirmed in 47 cases (25 with metallic screwing and 22 with PLLA screwing). Statistical analyses were performed at 6 months postoperatively to compare the AOFAS score, range of motion of the joint, TFCS width and TFO width on anteroposterior view radiographs, and inflammatory reactions between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PDLLA screws showed good therapeutic effect similar to that of titanium metallic screws in syndesmosis fixation in these patients. No significant differences were found in the AOFAS score, range of motion of the joint, or TFCS width or TFO width between two groups (P>0.05). One patient in PDLLA screw group showed inflammatory reactions to the implants.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PDLLA screws allow effective and reliable stabilization of syndesmotic disruptions without a second operation for screw removal.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Absorbable Implants , Ankle Injuries , General Surgery , Bone Screws , Fibula , Wounds and Injuries , Fractures, Bone , General Surgery , Lactic Acid , Polyesters , Polymers , Prospective Studies , Tibial Fractures , General Surgery , Titanium , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a storage vehicle of growth factors has been successfully used in clinical applications, but in most cases the platelets were autologous. However, the large volume of blood withdrawn has detrimental effects on patients with anemia or poor general health. To overcome these limitations, this study was designed to separate the growth factors in homologous platelet-rich plasma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The gel chromatography with Superdex-75 column was applied to separate PRP supernatants into 4 major fractions. Then the four fractions were vacuumed freeze-dried and re-dissolved in phosphate buffered saline. Proteins concentrations in PRP and in four fractions were detected by bicinchoninic acid protein assay; platelet derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The effects of fractions on the proliferation of human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were determined by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PRP supernatants were separated into four major fractions by gel chromatography. The proteins recovery was 96.72%. Of the four fractions, fraction B contained the highest TGF-beta1 and PDGF-AB levels, and the highest proteins concentrations. Cell proliferation curves of MSC demonstrated that fraction B and C induced a remarkable increase of MTT values compared to the untreated culture (P < 0.05), and the effects of fraction B and C showed no significant difference compared to the PRP group (P > 0.05). Fraction A and D showed no significant difference to the negative control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The growth factors in PRP supernatants could be preliminarily separated into four fractions by gel chromatography, and the freeze-drying fractions retained the biological activity of growth factors. The growth factors were mostly presented in fraction B and C, and they promoted cell proliferation effectively.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Bone Marrow Cells , Cell Biology , Cell Proliferation , Chromatography, Gel , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Cell Biology , Platelet Count , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor , Pharmacology , Platelet-Rich Plasma , Chemistry , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) as a venous access for newborns who need a long-term venous transfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five newborns receiving PICC and 80 newborns receiving peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) from April 2006 to February 2008 were included in this study. A retrospective cohort study was used to compare the indwelling time of catheters, catheter-related mechanical complications, the incidence of sepsis, and the mortality between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The indwelling time of catheters in the PICC and the PIV groups was 18.75+/-7.62 days (range:7-62 days) and 1.49+/-0.57 days (range: 30 minutes to 4 days) respectively. The indwelling time of catheters in the PICC group was significantly longer than that in the PIV group (<0.01). The incidence of catheter-related mechanical complications in the PICC group was significantly lower than that in the PIV group (27.7% vs 63.8%; <0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of sepsis and the mortality between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The application of PICC can cause a decrease in the number of venous puncture. PICC is a safe and effective venous access in newborns.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Catheterization, Central Venous , Catheterization, Peripheral , Sepsis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This paper describes automatic registration of the serial cross-sectional images of Chinese digital human by projective registration method based on the landmarks using the commercially available software Photoshop and Matlab. During cadaver embedment for acquisition of the Chinese digital human images, 4 rods were placed parallel to the vertical axis of the frozen cadaver to allow orientation. Projective distortion of the rod positions on the cross-sectional images was inevitable due to even slight changes of the relative position of the camera. The original cross-sectional images were first processed using Photoshop software firstly to obtain the images of the orientation rods, and the centroid coordinate of every rod image was acquired with Matlab software. With the average coordinate value of the rods as the fiducial point, two-dimensional projective transformation coefficient of each image was determined. Projective transformation was then carried out and projective distortion from each original serial image was eliminated. The rectified cross-sectional images were again processed using Photoshop to obtain the image of the first orientation rod, the coordinate value of first rod image was calculated using Matlab software, and the cross-sectional images were cut into images of the same size according to the first rod spatial coordinate, to achieve automatic registration of the serial cross-sectional images. sing Photoshop and Matlab softwares, projective transformation can accurately accomplish the image registration for the serial images with simpler calculation processes and easier computer processing.