Combination therapy with ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporin versus third-generation cephalosporin monotherapy in Escherichia coli meningitis in infants: a multicentre propensity score–matched observational study

ObjectivesEscherichia coli is the second cause of bacterial meningitis in neonates. Despite the use for 35 years of third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs), high morbidity and mortality rates with E. coli meningitis continue to occur. Because ciprofloxacin has good microbiologic activity against E. coli and good penetration in cerebrospinal fluid and brain, some authors have suggested adding ciprofloxacin to a 3GC regimen. The objective of this study was to assess combining 3GCs with ciprofloxacin versus 3GCs alone in a cohort of infants with E. coli meningitis.MethodsWe included all cases of E. coli meningitis diagnosed in infants <12 months of age that were prospectively collected through the French paediatric meningitis surveillance network between 2001 and 2016. The main outcome was the proportion of short-term neurologic complications with versus without ciprofloxacin. The analysis was conducted retrospectively by multivariable regression and propensity score (PS) analysis.ResultsAmong the 367 infants enrolled, 201 (54.8%) of 367 had ciprofloxacin and 3GC cotreatment and 166 (45.2%) of 367 only a 3GC. Median age and weight were 15 days (range, 1–318 days) and 3.42 kg (range, 0.66–9.4 kg). A total of 86 (23.4%) of 367 infants presented neurologic complications (seizures, strokes, empyema, abscesses, hydrocephalus, arachnoiditis); 57 received ciprofloxacin cotreatment. Complications were associated with ciprofloxacin cotreatment on multivariable analysis (odds ratio (OR) = 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–3.4) and PS analysis (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1–3.3). Mortality rate did not differ with and without ciprofloxacin: 22 (10.9%) of 201 versus 16 (9.6%) of 166 deaths (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3–1.6; PS analysis).ConclusionsCiprofloxacin added to 3GCs at least offers no advantage for neurologic outcome and mortality in infants with E. coli meningitis.     

Racial and ethnic disparities in children's oral health: the National Survey of Children's Health

BackgroundThe authors evaluated racial/ethnic differences and their socioeconomic determinants in the oral health status of U.S. children, as reported by parents.MethodsThe authors used interview data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health, a large representative survey of U.S. children. They calculated weighted, nationally representative prevalence estimates for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, and they used logistic regression to explore the association between parents' reports of fair or poor oral health and various socioeconomic determinants of oral health.ResultsThe results showed significant racial/ethnic differences in parental reports of fair or poor oral health, with prevalences of 6.5 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 12.0 percent for non-Hispanic blacks and 23.4 percent for Hispanics. Although adjustments for family socioeconomic status (poverty level and education) partially explained these racial/ethnic disparities, Hispanics still were twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to report their children's oral health as fair or poor, independent of socioeconomic status. The authors did find differences in preventive-care attitudes among groups. However, in multivariate models, such differences did not explain the disparities.ConclusionsSignificant racial/ethnic disparities exist in parental reports of their children's oral health, with Hispanics being the most disadvantaged group. Disparities appear to exist independent of preventive-care attitudes and socioeconomic status.     

大鼠颅脑损伤后大脑中动脉形态结构的变化

目的探讨颅脑损伤后大鼠损伤侧和对侧大脑中动脉形态结构及管壁细胞Cx40、Cx43的改变。方法成年SD大鼠45只按随机数字表发随机分为正常组（9只）、假手术组（9只）及损伤组（27只）,损伤组又根据伤后时间分为伤后6 h、24 h、72 h三个亚组（每亚组9只）。利用液压冲击法建立大鼠颅脑损伤模型,通过显微镜和透射电镜观察损伤侧和对侧大脑中动脉形态学改变,免疫组化法检测管壁细胞Cx40、Cx43表达水平改变。结果颅脑损伤后,大鼠损伤侧大脑中动脉随时间进程出现不同程度的内皮细胞形态结构改变、内弹力膜皱缩、平滑肌细胞水肿变形,进而管腔出现不同程度的狭窄甚至闭塞;损伤对侧大脑中动脉也出现形态结构改变,但发生较晚,程度较轻。与对照组相比,损伤组大鼠损伤侧和对侧大脑中动脉血管壁细胞Cx40、Cx43表达均明显增加（P〈0.05）,伤后24 h达高峰。结论颅脑损伤后不仅损伤区域大血管受损,远隔区域大血管亦可见损伤性改变。     

血清YKL-40水平与胶质瘤病理分级及预后的相关性研究

目的探讨血清YKL-40水平与胶质瘤病理分级及预后的相关性。方法选取诊断为脑胶质细胞瘤并行手术治疗的成年病例68例为胶质瘤组,20例健康体检病人作为对照组,根据术后病理学分级,低度恶性Ⅰ级2例、Ⅱ级17例,高度恶性Ⅲ级15例、Ⅳ级34例。观察生存时间及复发时间,生存时间〈12个月15例,12～24个月15例,〉24个月38例。复发前死亡10例,复发时间〈12个月14例,12～24个月15例,〉24个月未复发29例。术前均抽取静脉血采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）测定血清YKL-40水平。结果低级别（I级、Ⅱ级）胶质瘤病人血清YKL-40水平与对照组无显著差异（P〉0.05）,Ⅳ级胶质瘤病人血清YKL-40水平显著高于其他组（P〈0.05）。生存时间〈12个月和12～24个月的病人血清YKL-40水平显著高于生存时间〉24个月的病人（P〈0.05）。复发病人血清YKL-40水平显著高于未复发者（P〈0.05）,12个月内复发的病人血清YKL-40水平显著高于12～24个月复发的病人（P〈0.05）。结论血清YKL-40水平与胶质瘤的病理学分级及预后密切相关,可作为恶性程度及预后的判断指标。     

博尔纳病毒感染与精神分裂症的相关研究

目的 探讨博尔纳病毒(Borna disease virus,BDV)感染与精神分裂症的相关性,分析感染BDV的精神分裂症患者临床特征.方法 采用荧光定量巢式逆转录聚合酶链式反应方法检测86例精神分裂症患者(患者组)和84名健康体检者(对照组)外周血单个核细胞中BDVp24和BDVp40基因片段,以β-肌动蛋白作为内参照,将BDVp24和BDVp40基因片段均为阳性的标本基因进行测序分析,外周血进行抗BDV抗体滴度测定,对患者的精神症状采用PANSS进行量化评分,并总结阳性患者的临床特征.结果 86例精神分裂症患者中外周血标本BDV p24基因片段阳性检出率11.6％ (10/86),BDVp40基因片段检出率13.4％ (12/86),拷贝数均＞102 kb/μl.对照组检测BDVp24、BDVp40基因片段均为阴性,两组阳性率比较差异有统计学意义(x2=9.26,P＜0.05).对BDV p24和BDVp40基因片段均为阳性的标本测序后,与马源的BDV病毒株亲缘关系最近.阳性标本的精神分裂症患者精神症状主要以幻觉、妄想等阳性症状为主,PANSS量表评分均＞40分.结论 精神分裂症发病与BDV感染有一定的相关性,是否是唯一的相关性还有待进一步研究,BDV感染的精神分裂症患者主要以阳性精神症状为主.     

肾透明细胞癌淋巴管新生与临床病理因素的关系

目的探讨肾透明细胞癌淋巴管新生与临床病理因素的关系。方法通过免疫组织化学染色方法利用D2-40来标记60例肾透明细胞癌患者标本中的淋巴管,利用光学显微镜测定癌周淋巴管密度(PLVD)并观察癌内淋巴管(ILVs)是否出现,评价PLVD及ILVs与临床病理因素的关系。结果平均PLVD为16.89,按平均值分为两组进行相关性分析表明PLVD与远处转移(P=0.073)、淋巴结转移(P=0.758)、Fuhrman细胞核分级(P=0.866)和肿瘤T分期(P=0.653)无相关性,结果无统计学意义。ILVs的出现与远处转移(P=0.001)、淋巴结转移(P=0.017)及Fuhrman细胞核分级(P=0.002)有相关性,与肿瘤T分期(P=0.570)无相关性。结论 PLVD与临床病理因素包括远处转移、淋巴结转移、Fuhrman细胞核分级及肿瘤T分期无相关性;ILVs的出现与远处转移、淋巴结转移及Fuhrman细胞核分级有显著的相关性。