Herb-resistant UPEC strains have different biofilm formation abilities and different expression of certain biofilm related genes

Background: The mechanisms and patterns of drug resistances of E. coli strains that cause uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) vary considerably. The emerging herbresistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) has been a serious health problem, yet with unknown underlying mechanisms.Methods: To explore the potential herb-resistance mechanisms of E. coli strains that cause uncomplicated UTIs, three clinically isolated herb-resistant UPEC strains (1351, 4996, 5028) were analyzed for their abilities to form biofilms and the expressions of the pga ABCD and luxS genes.Results: We found that the expression of pgaA and pgaB are very different between 1351 and 5028, and the loss-offunction of luxS in 4996 has impact on biofilm formation.Conclusions: 1. Herb-resistance of the strains is related to their abilities of biofilm formation. 2. Biofilm formation capabilities of herb-resistant strains show different responses to the presence of glucose. 3. luxS encoded AI-2 is not essential for biofilm formation in this strain but may help with more biofilm formation.Keywords: Herb-resistance; Biofilm formation; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC); pga ABCD; lux

U.S.–China trade war and corporate reallocation:Evidence from Chinese listed companies

This paper applies a difference-in-differences framework to explore the economic consequences of the recent U.S.–China trade war. The average abnormal returns of Chinese listed firms during a period centered on President Trump's announcement on 22 March 2018 are taken as a proxy for the firms' exposure to the potential trade war. Firms more negatively exposed are found, surprisingly, to report higher total revenues in the post-announcement period. The results indicate that the Chinese firms tend to reallocate their business from overseas to the domestic market. Such within-firm reallocation is found to be more pronounced among private firms, exporting firms and non-FDI firms. Besides, firms with higher negative exposure increase total investment and financing but decrease foreign investment after the trade war

VIRULENCE GENOTYPE AND PHYLOGENETIC GROUPS IN RELATION TO CHINESE HERB RESISTANCE AMONG ESCHERICHIA COLI FROM PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS

Background: Clinical isolates of herb-resistant uropathogenic E. coli were isolated. It was possible that the virulence genotypes and phylogenetic background of E. coli differed between Chinese herb-resistant E. coli and -susceptible isolates. For this purpose, the prevalence of virulence factors (VFs) and phylogenetic background, with regard to Chinese herb resistance, among E. coli strains causing acute pyelonephritis from China were investigated. Materials and Methods: E. coli isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis were used in this study. Standard disc diffusion methodology was used to test the susceptibility of Chinese herbal concoction against E. coli strains. Multiplex PCR amplifications employed three markers (chuA, yjaA, and TSPE4.C2) to classify E. coli isolates into one of four phylogenetic groups (group A, B1, B2, or D). The isolates were also tested for 14 virulence-associated traits (VFs) of uropathogenic E. coli. Results: A total of 115 E. coli strains were isolated. 79 (68.7%) were susceptible and 36 (31.3%) were resistant to the herbal concoction. 20.9% of the isolates encoded three or more of VFs for which they were screened, with 13.9% in susceptible isolates and 36.1% in resistant isolates. The key VFs (fyuA and/or iutA siderophores) present in >80% of isolates. The papA and papC adhesins were detected in the majority of resistant isolates (72.2% and 63.9% respectively). 78.5% of susceptible isolates belong to phylogenetic groups A, while 83.3% of resistant isolates belong to group B2. Conclusion: PapA and papC are significant VFs with an essential role in contributing to Chinese herb-resistance. Chinese herb-resistance is associated with a shift towards more virulent strains and B2 phylogenetic group

ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA FAILURE DUE TO TWO STRAIGHT SHUNTS FORMATION AT DRAINING VEIN

A 48-year-old asian man was admitted to hospital for the consideration of hemodialysis (HD). An adequate site was decided on for the AVF after Doppler ultrasonography examination of radial artery and cephalic vein. The AVF was formed under local anaesthetic at his right wrist. When seen at the clinic appointment one month later, the AVF was not working. The subsequent Doppler ultrasonography examination revealed two straight shunts at draining vein. The failure of AVF is due to impaired outflow following reduction of the resistance between draining vein and peripheral venous system

MICROORGANISMS FROM HANDS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL DOCTORS IN A CENTRAL HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

Background: In a central hospital, the heavy clinical workload makes one to overlook its hazard to health and can to a large extent promote the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. It is not uncommon however, to observe practices that deviate from normal standards of hygiene. Hand contact between doctors of TCM and patients may lead to nosocomial infections. Materials and Methods: Samples were sourced and collected from hands of TCM doctors in a central hospital. The fungal isolates were identified by colonial morphology and microscopic examination. Sensitivity test were performed on each of the identified isolates using the Multiple Disc Diffusion method. Results: A total of 265 samples were collected from the fingers, palm and back of hands of TCM doctors. Seven organisms were isolated, with S. aureus being the most common bacterium with frequency of 55.9% in the hospital environment. Other bacteria isolated included P. aeruginosa, E. coli and K. aerogenes. S. cerevisae was the most common fungus isolated with frequency of 61.8%. Fungi isolated included P. chrysogenum and A. niger. Conclusion: The study showed clearly that hand contact between TCM doctors and patients may lead to infection of exposed susceptible patients. Results of antibiotic susceptibility pattern show that isolates in this study are mostly resistant to augmentin and most antibiotics of old generation, while gentamycin and pefloxacin were highly active against most of isolates. Considering the possibility of transmission of contamination, special attention should be directed towards disinfection of TCM doctors’ hands

CARDIAC DISORDER IN HEMODIALYSIS: BENEFITS OF CHINESE HERBS

Background: A major cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients is cardiac disease. Most complementary and alternative therapies, including Chinese herbal medicine, have been useful in the treatment of cardiac disorders. Materials and Methods: A 46 year old Asian woman with chronic renal failure was admitted to the clinic for hemodialysis. In the course of the fifth session of standard dialysis, she developed shock followed by a ventricular tachycardia which rapidly degenerated into cardiac arrest, from which she was resuscitated through cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. The following therapeutic strategies were applied: low discharge oxygen inhalation; stricter water and salt restriction; dialysate temperature set at 36.0 OC; rhEPO 3000u, per week, low molecular weight iron dextran, 200mg/day, intravenously for five days; the patient received Chinese herbal concoction orally. Results: The patient obtained efficient standard dialysis without any cardiac syndrome. Conclusion: Chinese herbs are useful in the management of cardiac disorders in hemodialysis. Chinese herbs may provide more benefits by adjusting dialysis strategies

A Review of the Eighth Forum of the World Association for Political Economy

There are many kinds of inequalities such as inequalities between nations, gender inequalities, racial inequalities, and especially income and wealth inequalities, which are emerging as the most important ones in the current global crisis of capitalism. Also, the latest historic crisis of capitalism has led to a decline in the levels of growth in the world, especially in Europe, with enormous social consequences. The response of the dominant classes in these countries to these problems has been the imposition of austerity policies. These policies instead of reducing unemployment and improving living standards have increased the reach of private capitalist activities. In May of 2013, WAPE held its Eighth Forum themed “Inequalities and World Capitalism: Analysis, Policy and Action.” The aim is to analyze the reasons for world inequality and counter measures against it, find the conditions of the world development from the radical perspective through renewed study of the finished and unfinished writings of Marx and of the plural realities of our time

HERB-RESISTANT UPEC STRAINS HAVE DIFFERENT BIOFILM FORMATION ABILITIES AND DIFFERENT EXPRESSION OF CERTAIN BIOFILM RELATED GENES

Background: The mechanisms and patterns of drug resistances of E. coli strains that cause uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) vary considerably. The emerging herbresistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) has been a serious health problem, yet with unknown underlying mechanisms. Methods: To explore the potential herb-resistance mechanisms of E. coli strains that cause uncomplicated UTIs, three clinically isolated herb-resistant UPEC strains (1351, 4996, 5028) were analyzed for their abilities to form biofilms and the expressions of the pga ABCD and luxS genes. Results: We found that the expression of pgaA and pgaB are very different between 1351 and 5028, and the loss-offunction of luxS in 4996 has impact on biofilm formation. Conclusions: 1. Herb-resistance of the strains is related to their abilities of biofilm formation. 2. Biofilm formation capabilities of herb-resistant strains show different responses to the presence of glucose. 3. luxS encoded AI-2 is not essential for biofilm formation in this strain but may help with more biofilm formation

FLUOROQUINOLONE-RESISTANT UNCOMPLICATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE MAY PROVIDE HELP

We assessed the effects of Chinese herbs on the uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women caused by fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. A total of 56 pre-menopausal women with uncomplicated UTIs caused by fluoroquinolone-resistant strains were included. Urine cultures were carried out. All organisms were proved to be fluoroquinolone-resistant at baseline. The patients were orally administrated Chinese herbal concoction for ten days. Chinese herbal concoction eradicated the primary pathogen in 71.4% of the patients at the 1-week follow-up. Among the 20 patients who had bacteriologic failures in the Day 5 of treatment, 2 developed superinfection. Of the failures in the group, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Providencia rettgeri were implicated in 50.0%, 50.0% and 100.0% of the failures, respectively. The clinical outcomes were also good, with cure or improvement for more than 80% of all subjects. About 14% of the study subjects reported at least one potential adverse event. The adverse events most frequently reported were nausea and diarrhea. All patients tolerated the symptoms. The adverse reactions did not prevail after discontinuation of the medication. Chinese herbal therapy may be an acceptable alternative for the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs caused by fluoroquinolone-resistant uropathogens