Analysis of distribution characteristics and drug resistance of pathogens isolated from ascites of patients in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 2015-2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria separated from ascites of patients in Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from 2015 to 2021, and to provide a basis for rational clinical antimicrobial agents. Methods　Bacterial culture, bacterial identification and drug sensitivity analysis were performed on 1 058 non-duplicate ascites culture specimens from January 2015 to December 2021. The clinica1 and microbiologica1 data were ana1yzed by WHONET 5.6 and SAS 9.4 Results　Of the 1 058 specimens, 586 (55.39%) were positive for pathogenic bacteria, with a total of 781 strains isolated. There was no significant trend of increase or decrease in the positivity rate over different years. Male children (63.99%) were more prevalent than female children. Appendicitis (59.22%) was the most common disease and Escherichia coli was the most common causative bacteria. Among neonates (≤28 d), the bacteria with the highest detection rate were Klebsiella pneumoniae (23.50%) and Enterococcus faecium (23.50%), while among children (>28 d), the highest detection rate was Escherichia coli (35.98%). Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 64.79% of the 781 strains, mainly Escherichia coli (38.28%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.58%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.89%); Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.45%, mainly Enterococcus faecium (8.58%), Streptococcus constellatus (2.69%), and Enterococcus avium (2.43%); fungi accounted for 1.66% and anaerobic bacteria accounted for 4.10%. The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem and meropenem were 6.02%, 4.35%, 4.35%, and 3.68%, respectively. The resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to these drugs were 59.70%, 59.70%, 50.75% and 53.73% respectively. Linezolid-resistant strains of Enterococcus faecium were found. Conclusion　Appendicitis is the most common abdominal infection in children, and the distribution of ascites pathogens varies with ages and diseases. The pathogenic bacteria are mainly Gram-negative bacteria, and the drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae was more serious. It is particularly important to use antibiotics correctly and rationally to reduce the emergence of drug resistant bacteria.

Atranones from Stachybotrys chartarum and their antitumor activities in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells.

Two new atranones T and U (1 and 2), and three known analogues atranone B (3), atranone Q (4), and stachatranone C (5) were isolated from the toxigenic fungus Stachybotrys chartarum. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data and calculated ECD analyses. The cytotoxicities of all the atranones (1-5) were evaluated against MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell lines. Compound 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic effect against MG-63 with IC50 value of 8.6 µM, being more active than the positive control, 5-FU (IC50 10.4 µM). Morphological features of apoptosis activities were evaluated in 4-treated MG-63 cells. Compound 4 effectively induced apoptosis of MG-63, which was associated with G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the treatment by 4 significantly induced MG-63 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Differentiation between wild and artificial cultivated Stephaniae tetrandrae radix using chromatographic and flow-injection mass spectrometric fingerprints with the aid of principal component analysis.

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and flow-injection mass spectrometric (FIMS) fingerprinting profiles were used to differentiate between wild and artificial cultivated Stephaniae tetrandrae Radix samples. HPLC and FIMS fingerprints of 15 wild S. tetrandrae Radix samples and 12 artificial cultivated S. tetrandrae Radix samples were obtained and analyzed with the aid of principal component analysis (PCA). PCA of the fingerprints showed that the chemical differences between wild and artificial cultivated S. tetrandrae Radix samples could be differentiated by either HPLC or FIMS fingerprints. The HPLC fingerprints provided more chemical information but required longer analytical time compared with FIMS fingerprints. This study indicated that the wild samples contained higher concentrations of almost all of the major compounds than the cultivated samples. Three characteristic compounds which were responsible for the differences between the samples were tentatively identified with the aid of MS data. Furthermore, these three compounds, tetrandrine (TET), fangchinoline (FAN), and cyclanoline (CYC), were quantified. The HPLC and FIMS fingerprints combined with PCA could be used for quality assessment of wild and artificial cultivated S. tetrandrae Radix samples.

Strong influence of surfactants on virgin hydrophobic microplastics adsorbing ionic organic pollutants.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become an area of increasing concern because MPs accumulate various types of pollutants. Many previous studies have explored the interactions between MPs and hydrophobic pollutants. However, little research has been conducted on hydrophilic pollutants, which are of much higher concentration and ubiquitous in environment. Surfactants cause hydrophobic MPs to become hydrophilic, which may significantly enhance their capacities to adsorb hydrophilic pollutants. This study explored the influence of co-existing surfactants on the adsorption of ionic organic pollutants by MPs, and found that the presence of an ionic surfactant could significantly enhance the capacity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 0.2 mm) MPs to adsorb pollutants with opposite charges. The Langmuir methylene blue adsorption capacity of PVC could be increased from 172 to 4417 ppm in the presence of a sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate surfactant. Nonionic surfactants impeded the adsorption of both cationic and anionic pollutants due to the steric resistance of the hydrophilic polyethelene glycol chains. The electrostatic interaction mechanism dominated the interfacial behaviors of ionic pollutants on surfactant-adsorbed MP interfaces. The effects of the surfactants were further verified using four different model pollutants and six surfactants. The adsorption capacities of real environmental MPs, including PVC, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), increased by three to twenty-six times. The adsorption properties of MPs may be determined by the presence of co-existing surfactants, rather than their polymer species or additives.

Ursolic acid suppresses TGF-ß1-induced quiescent HSC activation and transformation by inhibiting NADPH oxidase expression and Hedgehog signaling.

Activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (q-HSCs) and their transformation to myofibroblasts (MFBs) is a key event in liver fibrosis. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling stimulates q-HSCs to differentiate into MFBs, and NADPH oxidase (NOX) may be involved in regulating Hh signaling. The author's preliminary study demonstrated that ursolic acid (UA) selectively induces apoptosis in activated HSCs and inhibits their proliferation in vitro via negative regulation of NOX activity and expression. However, the effect of UA on q-HSCs remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of UA on q-HSC activation and HSC transformation and to observe alterations in the NOX and Hh signaling pathways during q-HSC activation. q-HSC were isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following culture for 3 days, the cells were treated with or without transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1; 5 µg/l); intervention groups were pretreated with UA (40 µM) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI; 10 µM) for 30 min prior to addition of TGF-ß1. mRNA and protein expression of NOX and Hh signaling components and markers of q-HSC activation were examined by western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. TGF-ß1 induced activation of q-HSCs, with increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen. In addition, expression of NOX subunits (gp91phox, p67phox, p22phox, and Rac1) and Hh signaling components, including sonic Hh, sterol-4-alpha-methyl oxidase, and Gli family zinc finger 2, were upregulated in activated HSCs. Pretreatment of q-HSCs with UA or DPI prior to TGF-ß1 significantly downregulated expression of NOX subunits and Hh signaling components and additionally inhibited expression of α-SMA and type I collagen, thereby preventing transformation to MFBs. UA inhibited TGF-ß1-induced activation of q-HSCs and their transformation by inhibiting expression of NOX subunits and the downstream Hh pathway.

Identification of the linear ligand epitope on classical swine fever virus that interacts with porcine kidney 15 cells.

Binding of the viral ligand to a specific receptor is the first step of virus entry into target cells. The envelope proteins Erns, E1, and E2 of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) are involved in the interaction with host cell receptors to mediate CSFV infection. The aim of this investigation was to identify epitopes that bind to porcine kidney (PK)-15 cells to prevent CSFV infection. Ten peptides representing Erns, E1, and E2 were synthesized. Immunohistochemical study showed that the SE24 peptide, which is derived from the E2 amino acid sequence, could effectively bind to PK-15 cells. Similarly, a flow cytometry assay demonstrated that SE24 binding to PK-15 cells could be blocked by CSFV. The binding of SE24 with PK-15 cells leads to decreased CSFV infection of PK-15 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest a potential new strategy for the prevention and control of CSFV infection that requires further investigation.

La liaison d'un ligand viral à un récepteur spécifique est la première étape de l'entrée du virus dans les cellules cibles. Les protéines Erns, E1, et E2 de l'enveloppe du virus de la peste porcine classique (VPPC) sont impliquées dans l'interaction avec les récepteurs de la cellule hôte afin de médier l'infection par le VPPC. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'identifier les épitopes qui se lient aux cellules de rein de porcs (PK-15) afin de prévenir l'infection par le VPPC. Dix peptides représentant Erns, E1, et E2 ont été synthétisés. Des études immunohistochimiques ont montré que le peptide SE24, qui est dérivé de la séquence des acides aminés d'E2, pouvait effectivement se lier aux cellules PK-15. De manière similaire, une épreuve par cytométrie en flux a démontré que la liaison de SE24 aux cellules PK-15 pouvait être bloquée par le VPPC. La liaison de SE24 avec PK-15 amène une diminution de l'infection des cellules PK-15 d'une manière dose dépendante. Ces résultats suggèrent une nouvelle stratégie potentielle pour la prévention et la maîtrise de l'infection par le VPPC qui nécessite de plus amples études.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

[Analysis of Monosaccharide Compositions in Paeoniae Radix Alba Polysaccharide].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the monosaccharide composition and the molar ratio of Paeoniae Radix Alba polysaccharide(PYPS). METHODS: Pre-column derivation HPLC method was developed to determine the monosaccharide composition and the molar ratio of PYPS from Paeonia lactiflora root of different growth years and obtained by graded alcohol precipitation. RESULTS: The results of HPLC analysis showed that PYPS consisted of Man, Rha, Glc, Ara, Gal and Xyl with the molar ratio of 156.26 : 0.73 : 0.85 : 1.03 : 1.17 : 0.79. Glc molar ratio increased gradually with the increasing of growth years, while the other five monosaccharides decreased. CONCLUSION: Precolumn derivation HPLC method can be used to determine the monosaccharides in PYPS, molar ratio are differently in the different growth years and molecular weight of the PYPS, Glc is the main monosaccharide of PYPS.

[Cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery treated with thermosensitive moxibustion with different dosages: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA) treated with thermosensitive moxibustion at different dosages. METHODS: Sixty cases of CSA were randomized into a saturated moxa dosage group and a regular moxa dosage group, 30 cases in each one. The thermosensitive moxibustion was adopted in the two groups. The mild suspended moxibustion was applied at two acupoints with the strongest thermosensitization. In the saturated moxa dosage group, the moxibustion time was determined by the disappearance of thermosensitization. In the regular moxa dosage group, 15 min was required on each acupoint. The treatment was given twice a day for first 4 days in the two groups. Since the 5th day, the treatment was given once a day, continuously for 10 times, and totally 14 days were required. The score of symptoms and function and clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment as well as 6-month follow-up after treatment. RESULTS: The curative and effective rate was 56.7% (17/30) after treatment and 60.0% (18/30) in 6-month follow-up after treatment in the saturated moxa dosage group, which were superior to 26.7% (8/30) and 30.0% (9/30) in the regular moxa dosage group respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The scores of clinical symptoms and function after treatment and in follow-up were improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in both groups (all P < 0.01). The scores of clinical symptoms and function after treatment and in follow-up in the saturated moxa dosage group were increased much more apparently than those in the regular moxa dosage group (after treatment: 22.32 +/- 4.64 vs 17.43 +/- 3.21; in follow-up: 23.01 +/- 4.76 vs 18.32 +/- 2.13, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The thermosensitization moxibustion of saturated dosage achieves the superior short-term and long-term efficacies in the treatment of CSA as compared with the regular moxibustion dosage.

[Distribution characteristics and correlation analysis of inorganic elements in Alismatis rhizoma and rhizospheric soils in different habitats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution characteristics and correlation of inorganic element contents in Alismatis Rhizoma and rhizospheric soils from three habitats (Jianou, Fujian; Guangchang, Jiangxi; Pengshan, Sichuan). METHODS: The inorganic element contents were detected with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: The results showed that inorganic element contents in Alismatis Rhizoma from different habitats presented regular distribution characteristics. In all samples, the contents of S, P, K, Mg and Ca were relatively high. The contents of S, P, K, Fe, Mg, Ca, Al and Zn in Alismatis Rhizoma from Fujian with low-content harmful heavy metal were more than those of other two places. Alismatis Rhizoma from different habitats showed remarkable ability to enrich P, S, Zn, Mg and Cu, especially to P and S. The contents of inorganic element in Alismatis Rhizoma and rhizosperic soil showed certain correlation. CONCLUSION: These results provide scientific evidence for artificial modification of effective components biosynthesis in Alisma orientalis, and it could also provide a reference for forming mechanism of genuine characteristics and quality of Alismatis Rhizoma.

[Quantitation of HTLV-I proviral load using real-time quantitative PCR with Taqman MGB probe].

A quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to measure the proviral load of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in peripheral blood. The technology utilizes special primers and Taqman MGB fluorescence probe to measure amplification products from the gag-pro-pol polyprotein gene of HTLV-I. HTLV-I copy number was normalized to the amount of cellular DNA by quantitation of the beta-actin gene, The amplification system was sensitive to detect 5 copy/microL. The standard curve had a good linearity when the quantity for the gene was between 10(3) and 10(7) copy/microL (R2 = 0.999). Good reproducibility was observed in each intra- and inter-assay. We also measured proviral load in peripheral blood in 12 HTLV-I seropositive former blood donors. Proviral load for HTLV-I infected donors ranged from 0.015 to 12.819 copy/cell in WBC with the mean of 3.116 copy/cell.

[Clinical study on transplantation of G-CSF-mobilized allo-PBSC and allo-bone marrow for leukemia patients].

To study clinical outcome of G-CSF-mobilized allo-peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and allo-bone marrow (BM) transplantation for patients with leukemia, donors were injected G-CSF 8-10 microg/(kg.d) for 5 days, PBSC were collected on day 4-5 and G-CSF mobilized BM was extracted on day 7. Conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine, busulfan and cyclophosphamide. The results showed that transplanted cells in all patients were engrafted, the median days of neutrophil exceeding 0.5 x 10(9)/L and platelet exceeding 20 x 10(9)/L were 10.2 days (range 9 - 12 days) and 12.5 days (range 12 - 14 days), respectively. Patients were monitored up to 100 days, 4 of 12 patients (33.3%) developed II aGVHD, 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) developed limited cGVHD. The median follow-up duration was 5 months. Two patients died, the others were alive in disease-free situation. In conclusion, allogeneic transplantation of G-CSF mobilized PBSC plus BM was safe and effective treatment for patients with leukemia, the therapy provides rapid and sustained engraftment without increase in incidence of aGVHt and cGVHD.