Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia: comparison of clinical features and outcome between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens. This study was conducted to clarify the clinical features and outcome of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia. METHODS: Patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia treated at a medical center in northern Taiwan between November 1998 and July 2006 were reviewed. Clinical and bacteriological characteristics of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were compared. RESULTS: Twelve patients (6 males and 6 females) were included for analyses. The mean age was 69.3 years (range, 40 to 86 years), and 8 cases (66.7%) were older than 65 years. All patients had underlying disease. Two patients received total hip replacement before development of VRE bacteremia. Twelve patients had prior exposure to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Ten patients had prior intensive care unit stay and prior mechanical ventilation before VRE bacteremia. All of the patients (n = 12) had an intravascular catheter in place. Bacteremia was caused by E. faecalis in 4 patients and by E. faecium in eight. The portals of entry included urinary tract (8.3%), skin, soft tissue and bone (41.7%) and unknown sources (50.0%). E. faecium showed a higher rate of resistance to ampicillin and teicoplanin than E. faecalis (87.5% vs 0.0%, p=0.01). The 60-day mortality rate was higher in patients with E. faecium bacteremia than E. faecalis bacteremia (62.5% vs 0.0%), although statistical significance was not obtained (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: VRE bacteremia may have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of hospitalized patients. Patients with bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant E. faecium had a grave prognosis, especially immunosuppressed patients. The prudent use of antibiotics and strict enforcement of infection control may prevent further emergence and spread of VRE.     

Experimental determination of the anisotropy function for the model 200 103Pd "light seed" and derivation of the anisotropy constant based upon the linear quadratic model

Since the publication of the AAPM Task Group 43 report in 1995, Model 200 103Pd seed, which has been widely used in prostate seed implants and other brachytherapy procedures, has undergone some changes in its internal geometry resulting from the manufacturer's transition from lower specific activity reactor-produced 103Pd ("heavy seeds") to higher specific activity accelerator-produced radioactive material ("light seeds"). Based on previously reported theoretical calculations and measurements, the dose rate constants and the radial dose functions of the two types of seeds are nearly the same and have already been reported. In this work, the anisotropy function of the "light seed" was experimentally measured and an averaging method for the determination of the anisotropy constant from distance-dependent values of anisotropy factors is presented based upon the continuous low dose rate irradiation linear quadratic model for cell killing. The anisotropy function of Model 200 103Pd "light seeds" was measured in a Solid Water phantom using 1 X 1 x 1 mm micro LiF TLD chips at radial distances of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cm and at angles from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seeds. At a radial distance of 1 cm, the measured anisotropy function of the 103Pd "light seed" is considerably lower than that of the 103Pd "heavy seed" reported in the TG 43 report. Our measured values at all radial distances are in excellent agreement with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation reported by Weaver, except for points along and near the seed longitudinal axis. The anisotropy constant of the 103Pd "light seed" was calculated using the linear quadratic biological model for cell killing in 30 clinical implants. For the model 200 "light seed," it has a value of 0.865. However, our biological model calculations lead us to conclude that if the anisotropy factors of an interstitial brachytherapy seed vary significantly over radial distances anisotropy constant should not be used as an approximation for anisotropy characteristics of a brachytherapy seed.     

以傅立叶频谱滤波为手段的振荡电位波形分离方法

为克服传统方法(Calliper-square)和带通放大器在测量振荡电位(OPs)中的不足,应用计算机傅立叶频谱滤波技术,从ERG中分离出振荡电位波形。分离出的OPs能够摆脱a-波,b-波对它的影响而独立地表现出来,使得对OPs的测量变得直观、方便、准确,并把对ERG、OPs的研究,从时域分析扩展到频域分析。     

B cell early response gene expression coupled to B cell receptor,CD40 and interleukin-4 receptor co-stimulation: evidence for a role of the egr-2/krox20 transcription factor in B cell proliferation

B lymphocytes are activated following antigen stimulation of the B cell receptor but require co-stimulation with accessory molecules provided by interleukin (IL)-4/CD40 ligand for cell cycle progression and proliferation. By analyzing a panel of 11 early response genes induced by cross-linking of surface immunoglobulin, we show that CD40 signaling alone induces only 2 genes, c-myc together with an anonymous gene, 3L3, and that these are distinct from the set of genes induced in response to IL-4. Co-stimulation with the proliferative combination of anti-μ, IL-4 + CD40 signaling led to a fourfold enhancement of egr-2/krox20 expression over that seen with anti-μ alone. Egr-2 expression/activity was selectively inhibited by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A, and antisense oligonucleotide blockade of Egr-2 activity elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of B cell proliferation. Taken together, these observations show that the early gene regulatory programs coupled to different surface receptors on B cells are largely distinct from each other, but that certain genes, exemplified by egr-2, may represent a point of convergence in the integration of different signaling pathways into the B cell proliferative response.     

中国株HIV-1 gp120核酸疫苗的实验免疫研究

目的　探讨表达中国株HIV 1gp12 0基因的核酸疫苗在小鼠体内的免疫反应。方法　将表达HIV 1gp12 0的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXP经肌肉注射免疫Balb c小鼠 ,检测免疫小鼠脾CD4 +、CD8+T细胞亚群的数量 ,脾特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体滴度。结果　重组质粒pVAXP免疫组小鼠脾CD4 +、CD8+T细胞亚群的数值均比对照组高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;免疫组脾特异性CTL杀伤活性与对照组相比差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1) ;血清抗体滴度显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　表达HIV 1gp12 0基因的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXP能诱导小鼠产生特异性细胞和体液免疫。     

预测加氢裂化过程的产率

以缓和加氢裂化数据为基础,对于两种典型的加氢裂化动力学模型－－Stangeland模型和改进MHC模型,使用Shor最优化法进行了参数的拟合,比较了这两种动力学模型的结果、算法、复杂度以及预测能力。结果表明,改进MHC模型是一种更为合理的动力学模型,该模型也可用于实际加氢过程。     

X-ray scatter correction algorithm for cone beam CT imaging

Developing and optimizing an x-ray scatter control and reduction technique is one of the major challenges for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) because CBCT will be much less immune to scatter than fan-beam CT. X-ray scatter reduces image contrast, increases image noise and introduces reconstruction error into CBCT. To reduce scatter interference, a practical algorithm that is based upon the beam stop array technique and image sequence processing has been developed on a flat panel detector-based CBCT prototype scanner. This paper presents a beam stop array-based scatter correction algorithm and the evaluation results through phantom studies. The results indicate that the beam stop array-based scatter correction algorithm is practical and effective to reduce and correct x-ray scatter for a CBCT imaging task.     

肢体负压对周围动脉闭塞性病变犬皮肤SP免疫反应阳性神经纤维影响

目的　观察肢体负压对周围动脉闭塞性病变犬皮肤中 SP免疫反应阳性神经纤维的影响 .方法　犬 17只 ,随机分治疗组 10只、非治疗组 5只和正常对照组 2只 ,治疗组和非治疗组均将动物制作左后肢缺血模型 ,治疗组在模型制作后 14d,开始行患肢负压治疗 10 d(15 min·次 - 1 ) ;非治疗组不做负压治疗 ;正常对照组不行缺血模型制作及负压治疗 . 3组均行左后肢趾皮肤免疫组化染色 ,检测 SP免疫反应阳性纤维 .结果　非治疗组皮肤中 SP免疫反应阳性神经纤维均较正常对照组明显增多 (P<0 .0 1) ,治疗组较非治疗组减少(P<0 .0 1) ,但仍较正常对照组增多 .结论　肢体负压疗法可促进皮肤感觉神经纤维中 SP的释放     

复发性甲状舌管囊肿(瘘管)的原因探讨和预防措施

目的：探讨甲状舌管囊肿（瘘管）术后复发的原因和提高手术疗效的措施。方法：对３２例甲状舌管囊肿（瘘管）病例（含８例术后复发者）,术前感染病例先行抗炎后再手术,准确判定甲状舌管囊肿与舌骨的关系,处理舌骨;术中衔注美蓝液入囊管内示踪,行Ｓｉｓｔｒｕｋ术式,分离小分支,以手术显微下失去示踪小支,手指接触诊疑为残存病灶处,行环形缝扎或电凝,射频等处理。结果：３２例均获成功,随访１年以上未见复发。结论：对甲状     

Role of Th1/Th2 cells activation in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Clonal analysis of mndne T cells has led to the idenuncation of Z typeS of Th cells, Thl and on. Thl cells,chacterized by secreting interferon-y (Iap-Y), interleukin-2 (IL2) and tumor necrosis factor-5 (TNF-3), involved Principally in cell-mediated ~ity and play acrucial role in defending the host against intracellularPathogens such as a Vallety of yi~es. ThZ cells,secreting IL4, ms, IL-6 and ilo, mostly regulateh~ immune responSe, and may oafs Paxtial PIDtection against extracellula…