Incidence and significance of opportunistic fungi in leukemia patients in India

Twenty-four patients with acute leukemia were investigated for the incidence of opportunistic fungi. Culture isolations of the sputum and urine samples revealed significant levels of Candida in 14 patients; Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. pseudotropicalis were the predominant ones isolated. Aspergillus flavus was isolated from blood in two cases and C. albicans and a black yeast from the blood of another two. Serological studies showed fungal antibodies in seven patients; precipitins against Candida were detected in five and Aspergillus in two. Both of the Aspergillus positive cases and two patients who had rising antibodies against Candida died during the course of investigation. In this study 13 of 24 patients developed oral candidiasis.     

用RFLP和PCR—RFLP技术研究东北虎和华南虎线粒体DNA多态性

采用ｍｔＤＮＡＲＦＬＰ和ＰＣＲＲＦＬＰ技术研究了东北虎和华南虎的ｍｔＤＮＡ的多态性。在ｍｔＤＮＡＲＦＬＰ研究中,分离纯化了东北虎和华南虎肝、肾和心脏组织的ｍｔＤＮＡ,用２０种识别６碱基对的限制性内切酶消化,结果只有１种限制性内切酶（ＸｂａⅠ）检测到多态性片段,其余１９种限制性内切酶消化产生的限制性格局在东北虎和华南虎完全一致。在ＰＣＲＲＦＬＰ研究中,用ＰＣＲ技术分别扩增了东北虎和华南虎ｍｔＤＮＡ的控制区（ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌｒｅｇｉｏｎ）,用８种识别４碱基对的限制性内切酶分别对扩增产物进行消化,结果只有１种限制性内切酶（ＲｓａⅠ）检测到多态性片段。ｍｔＤＮＡＲＦＬＰ及ＰＣＲＲＦＬＰ的结果均提示东北虎和华南虎之间的遗传距离极小。这可能与下列因素有关：两者分布区间无天然隔离屏障;具有强扩散能力;近几百年才被相互隔离。     

改良式吸痰装置的设计与临床应用

目的探讨改良式吸痰装置在儿科吸痰的应用效果。方法利用纳入、排除标准的抽样方法选取我院儿科2014年3月~2015年3月收治的138例肺炎患儿为研究对象,随机分为对照组68例和观察组70例。对照组采用常规吸痰装置进行吸痰,观察组采用改良的吸痰装置吸痰,观察比较两组患儿吸痰时鼻腔黏膜的出血情况、吸痰所需时间和护士满意度。结果观察组鼻腔黏膜出血2例,对照组15例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组有效吸痰时间为51.3s,明显低于对照组的103.5s,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组的护士满意度为92.8%显著高于对照组的50%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论改良式吸痰装置能缩短操作时间,降低鼻腔黏膜损伤,有利于护士快速有效解除患儿痰液堵塞,提高护士及家属满意度。     

Role of macrophages and multinucleate giant cells in the resorption of corpora amylacea in the involuting bovine mammary gland

Summary Microscopic examination of involuting bovine mammary tissue revealed elevated concentrations of corpora amylacea in alveolar lumina. Morphologic relationships between amyloid bodies, macrophages, and multinucleate giant cells (MGCs) suggested phagocytosis and degradation of the deposits by the phagocytic cells. Resorption of amyloid material by macrophages and MGCs during the process of mammary involution may be instrumental in preventing accumulation of corpora amylacea in secretory tissue which may interfere with mechanisms of milk synthesis and secretion.     

微RNA在卵巢上皮性癌发生发展中作用及其临床意义

研究表明,miRNA参与了胚胎发育、损伤修复、糖尿病、心脏病等许多重要生理病理过程,特别是在恶性肿瘤的发生发展中发挥了重要作用,并具有潜在的临床意义。本文比较详细地叙述了有关miRNA的重要基础研究成果,并就miRNA在卵巢癌组织及细胞中的表达、miRNA在卵巢癌发生发展中的作用、miRNA与卵巢癌早期诊断、化疗耐药及预后判断等方面的最新研究成果进行了综述。     

Benign glandular cells in posthysterectomy vaginal smears: the incidence is higher than expected

In this study, we have investigated the frequency and clinical significance of glandular cells in posthysterectomy vaginal smears. The slides of vaginal cuff smears of 290 patients were reviewed. The glandular cells were categorized into three groups: (1) squamous metaplastic-like cells; (2) columnar endocervical-like cells; and (3) small round cuboidal cells. Glandular cells were found in 39 (13%) of the 290 vaginal smears. Group 1 type cells were seen in 76% (n = 30), group 2 type cells in 38% (n = 15) and group 3 type cells in 47% (n = 19) of the smears. In 19 (48%) of the smears combination of two or three groups were seen. The presence of glandular cells showed a strong association with inflammation/repair as a background finding in the smears. No correlation could be found between the presence of atrophy and history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Apart from these there was a prominent increase in reporting benign glandular cells after the application of the current Bethesda 2001 reporting criteria in our laboratory. As a result our study showed that the finding of glandular cells in posthysterectomy vaginal smears is more frequent than expected and most of them could be related to inflammatory and regenerative processes in the absence of a clearly identified underlying cause.     

Prospective study of PAPNET: review of 25656 Pap smears negative on manual screening and rapid rescreening

In this prospective study, 27,014 Pap smears were selected for PAPNET review on the request of the referring practitioner or patient. Smears that were negative on routine manual screening were submitted for rapid rescreening. Smears considered normal after these two manual screens (n = 25,656) were reviewed using the PAPNET testing system. Routine manual screening identified 1340 (4.96%) of the smears as abnormal, and a further 18 (0.07%) abnormalities were detected by rapid rescreening. PAPNET review identified an additional 102 (0.4%) abnormal smears, including 10 histologically confirmed high grade lesions. The use of PAPNET testing following routine manual screening and rapid rescreening in tandem, enables cytologists to detect additional diagnostically significant abnormalities and reduce the rate of false-negative smears.     

VEGF and IL-18 in induced sputum of lung cancer patients

Cytokines are key players in the biological processes of malignant tumors and special interest has been focused on cytokines exerting tumor and anti-tumor properties, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Interleukin-18 (IL-18). Aim of this study was to assess IL-18 and VEGF levels in induced sputum of lung cancer patients at diagnosis, and assess their possible association with the histological type of cancer, the stage and the overall patient survival. Seventy six patients with a diagnosis of lung cancer were recruited and were followed up for 48months. Thirteen healthy smokers and 16 healthy non-smokers were used as control groups. VEGF and IL-18 were measured by ELISA in sputum supernatants at the time of diagnosis. Lung cancer patients had significantly higher baseline IL-18 and VEGF levels compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). No difference was found in IL-18 and VEGF levels between the various stages in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and between limited and extended small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the ratio of VEGF/IL-18 was significantly higher in NSCLC compared to SCLC patients (p=0.018). In extended SCLC overall survival was inversely associated with baseline sputum VEGF levels (p=0.034) and estimated mortality risk was 1.14 (95% CI 1.006-1.283) for an increase of 100pg/ml in VEGF levels. Such association was not found regarding baseline IL-18 levels. VEGF levels in induced sputum may have a prognostic role in the survival of SCLC. The ratio VEGF/IL-18 in induced sputum differs between NSCLC and SCLC, indicating differences in angiogenesis mechanisms and/or immunological response in these two major histological types of lung cancer.     

Proteomics in translational cancer research: biomarker discovery for clinical applications

This special focus issue of Expert Review of Proteomics invites key opinion leaders to report their recent findings and views on the important topic of translating potential proteomic biomarkers to clinically useful, regulator-approved biomarkers: a challenging journey. The issue also highlights the difficulties associated with and the way forward in the discovery of proteomic cancer biomarkers for clinical applications, as well as presenting recent original research in the field.     

Increased levels of soluble interleukin-6 receptor and CCL3 in COPD sputum

Background

COPD patients have increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the lungs. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) trans-signaling via its soluble receptor sIL-6R, governs the influx of innate immune cells to inflammatory foci through regulation of the chemokine CCL3. We hypothesized that there would be enhanced levels of IL-6, sIL-6R and CCL3 in COPD sputum.

Methods

59 COPD patients, 15 HNS and 15 S underwent sputum induction and processing with phosphate buffered saline to obtain supernatants for IL-6, sIL-6R and CCL3 analysis. Cytoslides were produced for differential cell counting and immunocytochemistry (COPD; n = 3) to determine cell type surface expression of the CCL3 receptors CCR5 and CCR1.

Results

COPD patients expressed higher levels (p < 0.05) of sIL-6R and CCL3 compared to controls (sIL-6R medians pg/ml: COPD 166.4 vs S 101.1 vs HNS 96.4; CCL3 medians pg/ml: COPD 117.9 vs S 0 vs HNS 2.7). COPD sIL-6R levels were significantly correlated with sputum neutrophil (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001) and macrophage (r = 0.3, p = 0.01) counts. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that CCR5 and CCR1 were exclusively expressed on airway macrophages.

Conclusion

Enhanced airway generation of sIL-6R may promote IL-6 trans-signaling in COPD. Associated upregulation of CCL3 may facilitate the recruitment of macrophages into the airways by ligation of CCR1 and CCR5.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0103-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Histologic findings and comparison with sputum smears in pulmonary aspiration of vegetable particles in syringomyelia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary aspiration of vegetable matter may be a serious cause of lung damage, requiring, almost always, the help of a histopathologic examination. CASE: We report the case of a 55-year-old woman with a granulomatous pneumonitis due to repeated pulmonary aspiration of vegetable particles and affected by a syringomyelia. Histologic findings from a lobectomy section are shown and compared with those observed in different cytologic sputum samples. CONCLUSION: The recognition of uncommon morphologic structures, and their comparison with others already known, both in histologic sections and in cellular smears, may be useful when it comes to establishing a sure diagnosis.     

吸烟对下呼吸道感染患者诱导痰中 IL-4和IL-17的影响

目的探究吸烟对下呼吸道感染患者诱导痰中白介素4(IL-4)和白介素17(IL-17)的影响。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法分别对吸烟与非吸烟下呼吸道感染患者(共88例)以及76例健康体检者诱导痰中IL-4和IL-17水平进行检测,并对结果进行分析。结果下呼吸道感染患者中吸烟者与非吸烟者IL-4和IL-17水平比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。健康体检者中吸烟者与非吸烟者IL-4、IL-17比较差异也具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论吸烟与下呼吸道诱导痰中IL-4、IL-17的表达水平具有相关性,吸烟可使下呼吸道诱导痰中IL-4、IL-17水平升高。     

Aeroallergens of plant origin: Molecular basis and aerobiological significance

This review presents an update on the sources and molecular basis of aeroallergens of plants, derived from pollen, seeds, leaf and stem detritus and their protein molecules. These aeroallergens are a natural component of the atmosphere, either because of their natural function or human activity. Pollen is a source of allergens within the 10–200 μm size range, and while most allergenic pollen types account for only 20–30% of total annual pollen catch, during their flowering season, they are usually the dominant type. Tree pollen commences the season in winter, with birch pollen counts in Scandinavia being the highest daily pollen counts yet reported and a major allergen, a 14-kDa protein, which is similar to pathogenesis-related proteins. Grass pollen follows in spring, and is unique as its two immunodominant allergens, a 35-kDa glycoprotein and 28–32-kDa protein, are in different cellular sites: the cytosol and surface of pollen grains; and in intracellular starch granules. The allergens at the pollen surface are not inhalable and can interact only with the eyes, nasal and oral cavities. Starch granules are released to the atmospheric aerosol when grains rupture in rainwater. These are a major source of allergen-containing micronic particles, which are important because they are inhalable. At the same time, allergen molecules are present in the aerosol, and these can bind to soot particles, and so be respired deep into the airways. The major Japanese cedar pollen allergen has been detected both within the pollen and in orbicules; particles less than 1 μm that line the anther cavity and can be released into the air when dehiscence occurs. Ragweed is the major cause of late summer hayfever in eastern North America, where its pollen accounts for up to 41% of the annual pollen catch. It is a major source of aeroallergens in both respirable and non-respirable size ranges. As a result of human activity, dusts derived from seeds and cereal grains during transport, storage and milling provide a source of micronic particles, containing potent allergens that can trigger allergic disease.     

Loss of chromosome 1 in myxopapillary ependymoma suggests a region out of chromosome 22 as critical for tumour biology: a FISH analysis of four cases on touch imprint smears

OBJECTIVE: Ependymomas are glial tumours. They constitute approximately 5-10% of intracranial tumours and are tumours which can recur. Predictive factors of outcome in ependymomas are not well established. Karyotypic studies are relatively scarce and loss of chromosome 22 has been described to correlate with recurrence. We are unaware of any reports involving chromosome 1 aberrations in the malignant progression of ependymomas. METHODS: Cytogenetic analysis of four myxopapillary ependymomas was performed using double target fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), focusing on chromosomes 1 and 22. RESULTS: One patient's tumour had recurred. FISH was performed on 500 nuclei/tumours. All four cases showed a loss of chromosome 22q while only one showed an additional loss of chromosome 1p, and this was the one that recurred. CONCLUSIONS: We support the presence of a tumour suppressor gene on 1p associated with relapse in myxopapillary ependymomas and suggest that status of chromosome 1p by FISH may indicate a high-risk group of patients harbouring this tumour. More studies of this type are needed towards this direction as our results refer to a minimal number of individuals analysed.     

An overview of the evolution of enterovirus 71 and its clinical and public health significance

Since its discovery in 1969, enterovirus 71 (EV71) has been recognised as a frequent cause of epidemics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) associated with severe neurological sequelae in a small proportion of cases. There has been a significant increase in EV71 epidemic activity throughout the Asia-Pacific region since 1997. Recent HFMD epidemics in this region have been associated with a severe form of brainstem encephalitis associated with pulmonary oedema and high case-fatality rates. The emergence of large-scale epidemic activity in the Asia-Pacific region has been associated with the circulation of three genetic lineages that appear to be undergoing rapid evolutionary change. Two of these lineages (B3 and B4) have not been described previously and appear to have arisen from an endemic focus in equatorial Asia, which has served as a source of virus for HFMD epidemics in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. The third lineage (C2) has previously been identified [Brown, B.A. et al. (1999) J. Virol. 73, 9969-9975] and was primarily responsible for the large HFMD epidemic in Taiwan during 1998. As EV71 appears not to be susceptible to newly developed antiviral agents and a vaccine is not currently available, control of EV71 epidemics through high-level surveillance and public health intervention needs to be maintained and extended throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Future research should focus on (1) understanding the molecular genetics of EV71 virulence, (2) identification of the receptor(s) for EV71, (3) development of antiviral agents to ameliorate the severity of neurological disease and (4) vaccine development to control epidemics. Following the successful experience of the poliomyelitis control programme, it may be possible to control EV71 epidemics if an effective live-attenuated vaccine is developed.     

27家医院医疗纠纷发生率和赔付情况调查

目的 了解我国二、三级医疗机构医疗纠纷的发生水平、解决方式及赔偿情况,为公立医院医疗纠纷的解决和医疗责任的赔付模式的建立提供科学依据。方法 通过整群抽样选取山西、河北、福建、黑龙江、北京5个省市二、三级27所公立医院,采用统一的问卷调查方式,分别对二、三级医院2011—2013年的基本情况、医疗纠纷发生及医疗责任赔偿等进行调查分析。结果 二、三级医院百名医生医疗纠纷发生率分别为7.96和4.85,医疗纠纷非诉讼解决方式分别是92.72%和82.58%,医疗保险赔偿额分别占赔偿总额29.35%和24.41%。结论 目前我国仍处于医疗纠纷高发期, 医疗纠纷解决的主要途径是非诉讼解决方式,医疗责任的赔付主要来源是医院赔偿。     

Increased heat shock protein 70 levels in induced sputum and plasma correlate with severity of asthma patients

Damage-associated molecular pattern molecules such as high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of our study was to examine the induced sputum and plasma concentrations of HSP70 in asthmatic patients to determine their relationship with airway obstruction. Thirty-four healthy controls and 56 patients with persistent bronchial asthma matched for gender and age were enrolled in this study. Spirometry measurements were performed before sputum induction. HSP70 levels in induced sputum and plasma were measured using the ELISA Kit. Sputum and plasma concentrations of HSP70 in asthmatics patients were significantly higher than that in control subjects (sputum, (0.88 ng/ml (0.27–1.88 ng/ml) versus 0.42 ng/ml (0.18–0.85 ng/ml), p < 0.001); plasma, (0.46 ng/ml (0.20–0.98 ng/ml) versus 0.14 ng/ml (0.11–0.37 ng/ml), p < 0.001) and were significantly negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1 (percent predicted), and FEV1/FVC in all 90 participants and 56 patients with asthma. There were no significant differences in HSP70 levels between patients with eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma. HSP70 levels in plasma were positively correlated with neutrophil count, and HSP70 levels in induced sputum were positively correlated with lymphocyte count. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of sputum HSP70 were diseases and disease severity but not smoking, age, or gender, and independent predictors of plasma HSP70 were also diseases and disease severity. In conclusion, this study indicates that induced sputum and plasma HSP70 could serve as a useful marker for assessing the degree of airway obstruction in patients with asthma. However, further investigation is needed to establish the role of circulating and sputum HSP70 in the pathogenesis of asthma.     

Incidence of Viruses and Nematode Vectors in Lebanese Vineyards

Surveys for virus diseases and nematode vectors were conducted in 95 commercial vineyards of four different Lebanese districts (Bekaa valley, Mount Lebanon, North and South Lebanon). Out of 915 randomly collected grapevine samples tested by ELISA, 511 (55.8%) were infected by one or more viruses. Grapevine virus A (30.9%) and Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 3 (23.7%) were the prevailing viruses, followed by Grapevine fleck virus (15.1%), Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 1 (10.6%) and Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 2 (8.7%). Arabis mosaic virus was not found whereas Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Grapevine virus B were little represented. The most important Lebanese grapevine varieties, i.e. Maghdouchi, Tfeifihi and Beitamouni, had average infection rates between 70% and 87%, whereas varieties of foreign origin had a better sanitary status with the exception of cvs Cinsaut and Thompson (c. 83% infection). Grapevine rupestris stem pitting‐associated virus was detected in 79 of 90 (87.8%) samples tested by RT‐PCR and closteroviruses were recorded in seven of 70 (10%) vines tested. One of these viruses was identified as Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 5 by ELISA and partial genome sequencing. No nepoviruses other than GFLV were detected in any of 90 samples tested using three different sets of degenerate primers. Xiphinema index was found in 23 of 89 soil samples collected from vineyards, and in three of 15 samples collected primarily under fig trees in fields where no grapevines were grown.