外周血单个核细胞内人类免疫缺陷病毒DNA和RNA定量对病毒转录活性的区分

目的基于人类免疫缺陷病毒Ⅰ型(HIV-1)感染者外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中HIV-1总DNA和RNA定量检测结果对感染细胞内病毒的转录活性进行区分。方法采集2017年10月至2018年12月于哈尔滨医科大学附属第四医院感染科就诊的HIV-1感染者血液样本,分离PBMCs细胞,采用PCR荧光探针法对PBMCs细胞内HIV-1总DNA和RNA进行定量检测,并计算两者比值(Ratio)。根据Ratio值筛选出HIV-1转录活跃组样本和相对非活跃组样本,另外选择健康人PBMCs样本作为对照组。对3组样本进行基因转录组表达谱检测以及人口特征差异性检验,并对基因表达谱检测结果进行主成分分析以验证对3组样本病毒转录活性区分的准确性。结果从60例感染HIV-1患者的PBMCs样本中筛选出HIV-1转录活跃组样本(10例)和相对非活跃组样本(11例),另外选择6例健康人PBMCs样本作为对照组。其中转录活跃组样本Ratio值为165.2~738.93,平均为(339.27±189.68);相对非活跃组Ratio值为4.67~42.39,平均为(17.65±11.78)。转录活跃组和相对非活跃组样本间的CD4+T细胞计数(P=0.049)和Ratio值(P<0.001)差异均具有统计学意义;3组样本年龄(P=0.989)和性别(P=0.650)分布差异无统计学意义。对3组样本的PBMCs基因表达谱主成分分析结果显示:对照组与HIV-1感染者(包括转录活跃组和相对非活跃组)间区分明显。转录活跃组和相对非活跃组间有部分样本重合,同时结果也显示当HIV-1感染者的CD4+T淋巴细胞计数与健康人无显著差异时,其细胞内的基因表达与健康人接近。结论基于HIV-1总DNA和RNA定量检测结果及两者间比值可以较好地区分PBMCs内病毒转录活性。HIV-1感染细胞内部病毒的不同转录激活状况可导致其基因表达谱的异质性。     

Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly different fingerprints between these species, and these fingerprints maintained good stability between the species and within the same species. Some VOCs have high species specificity, while VOCs of human fresh muscle tissues from different individual sources have little difference, demonstrating that all tested muscle tissue samples could be distinguished based on different VOCs. HS-GC-IMS has proved to be a rapid, high-throughput, highly sensitive and specific species identification method, which can be used for forensic species identification in criminal cases and disaster accidents, as well as detection in the field of food safety, such as meat fraud and adulteration.     

The validity of using profile predictions for class III patients planned for bimaxillary orthognathic surgery

This study assessed whether preoperative class III patients could recreate their facial difference based on a profile photograph. Twenty class III pre-surgery bimaxillary orthognathic patients used CASSOS (SoftEnable Technology Ltd.) to manipulate a distorted soft tissue image of them until they felt it resembled their current soft tissue profile. Patients were able to move their upper lip and lower chin backward and forwards, as well as the lower chin up and down. Differences in the mean absolute distance between the patient-perceived position of the upper lip (Labrale superious) and chin (Pogonion) and the actual position of their upper lip and chin were measured on two occasions. Intra-patient reproducibility was found to be excellent (ICC 0.93 to 0.98). All differences were statistically significantly greater than 3mm, and would be clinically significant. Patients were better at re-creating their AP chin position rather than their AP upper lip and vertical chin positions. Approximately half of patients undergoing surgical correction of their class III skeletal pattern were unable to correctly identify their pre-surgical facial profile. Given the lack of awareness of their profile, this questions the validity of using profile planning for informed consent.     

Microbiological Profile of Septic Arthritis in Adults: Lessons Learnt and Treatment Strategies

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterise the clinical and microbiological profile of adult patients treated at our orthopaedic unit with septic arthritic between 2006 and 2017. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of septic arthritis between 2006 and 2017 were included in the study. The patients’ clinical and epidemiological characteristics were surveyed; microbiological profile and the complications relating to the patients’ treatment were identified. Results: Septic arthritis was more common among males (83%). About 75% of the patients presented with a history of fever. The knee was the most commonly affected joint (71%), followed by the hip. While C-reactive protein was found to be consistently >75, total blood white blood cell (WBC) counts were found not to be reflective of the presence of infection with a mean WBC count of only 13,561/cu.mm, and Gram stain examination had a poor sensitivity of 47%. Among the co-morbidities, the most prevalent association was with diabetes mellitus. The infectious agent most frequently isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (42.85%). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern has evolved since the early years, with resistant strains becoming increasingly prevalent. Unusually, high incidence of streptococci was noted (30%), contrary to the published literature. One-third of the patients had multi-resistant organisms. Septic arthritis left 70% of the patients with a significant residual disability at 6 months follow-up and had 4.25% mortality. Conclusion: Changing sensitivity patterns of microbes in septic arthritis point to a need for reconsidering empirical antibiotic therapy. Joint damage following infection can lead to significant disability.     

Is it Safe to do a Single-stage Implant Exit and Primary Hip Replacement? Clinical and Microbiological Profiling

Background: A single-stage implant revision for failed fixation of proximal femoral fractures is performed only when there is no evidence of infection. Else, a two-staged revision is preferred - where the definitive revision surgery is done a few months after the implant exit. This study aims to audit the safety and incidence of culture positivity in single-stage revisions. Materials and Methods: Forty one of 284 patients that presented over the last 12 years for implant exchange of the hip, had a single stage revision surgery for failed fixation of a fracture of the hip, as there was no obvious evidence of infection at the time of implant exit. Results: Micro-organisms were grown in 51% of the 41 hips. 76% were gram positive, of which 63% were Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS). 50% of CoNS and 75% of S. aureus were resistant to oxacillin, but susceptible to Vancomycin. Of the gram negative organisms, 2 (Enterobacter sp) were resistant to carbapenam, while others were susceptible. Preoperative ESR and CRP, individually, had low specificity – 50% for ESR >30mm at 1 hour and 62% for CRP>10. The combined use of ESR > 30mm and CRP>10 increased the specificity to 90%. 12% of the patients had immediate postoperative complications that required a wash out in theatre. The long term clinical follow up of these patients is limited. Conclusion: This study suggests that implant exit and simultaneous arthroplasty for failed fracture fixation should be done with caution due to the high possibility of infection. It may be prudent to opt for a 2 stage revision.     

Assessment of the Physical Compatibility of Eravacycline and Common Parenteral Drugs During Simulated Y-site Administration

PurposeEravacycline is a broad-spectrum, intravenous fluorocycline antibiotic approved for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections in adults. A 60-minute infusion is recommended for each infused dose. Compatibility data that may allow convenient Y-site administration of eravacycline with other parenteral medications are unavailable. We aimed to determine the physical compatibility of eravacycline with other intravenous medications by simulated Y-site administration.MethodsEravacycline was reconstituted according to published prescribing information and diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to a concentration of 0.6 mg/mL. Simulated Y-site administration was performed by mixing 5 mL of eravacycline with an equal volume of 51 other intravenous medications, including crystalloid and carbohydrate hydration fluids and 20 antimicrobials. Secondary medications were assessed at the upper range of concentrations considered standard for intravenous infusion. Mixtures underwent visual inspection and turbidity measurement immediately on mixture and at 3 subsequent time points (30, 60, and 120 minutes after admixture), and pH was measured at 60 minutes for comparison with the baseline value of the secondary medication.FindingsEravacycline was physically compatible with 41 parenteral drugs (80%) by simulated Y-site administration. Incompatibility was observed with albumin, amiodarone hydrochloride, ceftaroline fosamil, colistimethate sodium, furosemide, meropenem, meropenem/vaborbactam, micafungin sodium, propofol, and sodium bicarbonate.ImplicationsEravacycline for injection was physically compatible with most parenteral medications assessed. Pharmacists and nurses should be knowledgeable of the observed incompatibilities with eravacycline to prevent the unintentional mixing of incompatible intravenous medications.