Objective To assess the correlation between the level of ambient particulate matter in sand-dust climate and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR value) of the exposed children in Inner Mongolia of China. Methods PEFR values of the subject children were measured with a mini-wright peak flow meter three times per day continuously for 40 days, with a standard procedure and recorded by themselves. Meanwhile, the weather data and the ambient concentrations of SO2, NO2, CO, PM10 and PM2.5 were also monitored. The SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results The concentration of PM10 increased to 3.183 mg/m3 and PM2.5 to 1.067 mg/m3 when the sand-dust weather broke out and the increase in PM10 was more than that in PM2.5.The schoolboy’s PEFR value decreased to 268.67 L/min and the schoolgirl to 256.79 L/min when the sand-dust weather broke out. A negative relationship was observed between the concentration of PM2.5 and the schoolgirl’s PEFR value.(P

[ Objective ] To supply a technological evidence for the rapid reproduction of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (APN). [Methods] Different explants from sterile seedling of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees were cultured in vitro to induce the production of fascicular buds. [ Results ] Cotyledon with nodes and half cotyledon with nodes were the most suitable explants for culture, and the budding rate was 100% and over 90% respectively. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) in the concentrations of 0.5 ~ 1.0mg/L were beneficial for the reproduction and growth of buds. The age of explants had no correlation with budding. The optimal rooting medium was MT (Murashige and Tucher) medium added with Img/L NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) or IBA (indolebutyric acid). A highest rooting rate as much as 61.9% was achieved after 10 days of culture. [Conclusion] An effective plant regeneration system has been established for explants of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees.

ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology of epileptic seizures after orthotopic liver transplantation and preventive measures.MethodClinical data of 83 patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation from May 1998 to December 2001 were retrospectively studied.ResultsSix cases suffered seizures with an incidence of 7.23%.The interval between transplantation and clinical diagnosis of seizures ranged from 4 to 15 days with a meadian time of 9.3?1.2 days. Tonic-clonic seizure was the most common type of seizures. Three patients had a previous history of seizure. Computed tomographic(CT) scan revealed strokes in 2 patients. Seizure related mortality was 3.61% in this group of 83 cases.ConclusionSeizures are not infrequent neurological complication after liver transplantation and it may indicate an underlying CNS lesions. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus neurotoxicity, metabolic abnormalities and pneumonia are factors contributing to the onset of seizures. Proper mangement and comprehensive therapy may improve the prognosis.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and management of arterial complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods The incidence, diagnosis and management of arterial complications of 180 OLT patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results A 5.0%(9/180)arterial complication rate was identified by selective angiography (8/9) and autopsy (1/9) in the 180 recipients, including 5 cases of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT),3 cases of hepatic artery stenosis (HAS)and 1 celiac artery stenosis. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for arterial complications by color Doppler image (CDI) were 88.9% and 95.9% .The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) for arterial complications were 100%, 96.0%, 66.7% and 100%, respectively . Interventional procedures, revascularization, retransplantation and conservative treatment were used for 3,3,2 and 1 recipient respectively. Three patients were cured and 6 patients died. Conclusions CDI is a sensitive and specific way of monitoring arterial complications after OLT, and IOUS contributes to the early diagnosis. Revascularization and retransplantation are principal management for the patients with HAS or HAT. The conservative treatment might be effective for some asymptomatic patients, but interventional procedures may not obtain good results.

ObjectiveTo improve the diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of fungal infections following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Medical records from 175 consecutive patients who underwent 180 OLT at our centre from 1993 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed for fungal infection. ResultsTwenty nine patients(16 6%) developed invasive fungal infection. Median posttransplantation interval was 26 days (range 3 to 96) and respiratory tract was the most common infectious site (37%). Pathogens were Candida species (24 of 43, 98%) and Aspergillus (1 of 43, 2%). Fungal infections occurred significantly more often in patients with the length of time in parenteral nutrition, antibiotic use over 3 weeks or hepatic artery complications. After treatment with Fluconazole (26 patients) and liposomal amphotericin B (8 patients with serious fungal infections), 16 patients were cured and 13 patients died. The mortality related to fungal infection was 4 0% (7/175). Conclusion Fungal infections are associated with mortality following OLT. Eliminating the various risk factors will decrease the incidence of fungal infection. Amphotericin B or liposomal amphoterin B are effective for patients with serious fungal infection.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of combined finasteride and metformin on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Totally 106 patients with BPH plus T2DM received finasteride and metformin treatment for over 12months.Before and after treatment,the side effects and following parameters were measured:prostatic volume (PV),prostate-specific antigen(PSA),international prostate symptom score (IPSS),quality of life (QOL),the maximum flow rate of urinary (Qmax),residual urine(RU),body mass index (BMI),cholesterol (TG).Results There were obvious changes in the following:PV decreased from (56.40±18.75)ml to(42.40± 19.68) ml,PSA decreased from(3.65± 1.08) μg/L to (1.76±0.66)μg/L,IPSS decreased from(22.58±9.45)to(16.67±7.56),QOL decreased from(4.22± ±0.87) to (2.36 ± 0.74),Qmax increased from(8.32±2.42)ml/s to(15.48±3.61)ml/s,RU decreased form(68.36±19.25)ml to(36.42±13.91)ml,BMI decreased from(28.52±3.73)kg/m2 to (19.76± 1.88)kg/m2,TG decreased from (2.52 ± 0.43) mmol/L to (1.38 ± 0.52) mmol/L.The changes of PV,PSA,IPSS,QOL,Qmax,RU,BMI and TG were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Long term combined finasteride and metformin treatment for BPH plus T2DM is effective and safe.And the two drugs may be improve the efficacy each other.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of finasteride on hemorrhage in peri-operation of transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of prostate (TUPKEP).Methods150 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group without finasteride (n= 50),treatment groupl 1 with finasteride 5 mg daily for 7 days(n= 50) and treatment group 2 with finasteride 10 mg daily for 7 days(n= 50) before and after operation.All patients received TUPKEP and the data were recorded,including total blood loss,operation time,amount of washing fluid during operation,blood loss of per gram tissue,blood loss per minute,washing time after operation,amount of washing fluid after operation,and rebleeding rate within 3 months after operation.ResultsThe 150 patients successfully received TUPKEP.The total blood loss,amount of washing fluid during operation,operation time,blood loss per gram tissue,amount of washing fluid after operation,washing time after operation and rebleeding rate within 3 months after operation in treatment group 1 and 2 significantly reduced as compared with control group (P＜0.05).The blood loss per minute were (1.77±0.89) ml/min,(1.71±0.82) ml/min and (1.70±0.81) ml/min in 3 groups,respectively,and there were no significant differences among groups (P＞ 0.05).There were no significant differences between treatment group 1 and 2 in the total blood loss,operation time,amount of washing fluid during operation,blood loss of per gram tissue,blood loss per minute,washing time and amount of washing fluid after operation (P＞0.05).The rebleeding rate within 3 months after operation in treatment group 1 (8/35) and treatment group 2 (3/26) decreased as compared with control group (17/39) (x2= 3.544 and 7.523,P=0.016 and 0.025)and it was lower in treatment group 2 than in treatment group 1 (x2 = 1.293,P = 0.044).Conclusions The application of finasteride in peri-operation of TUPKEP can reduce hemorrhage.

Objective To investigate the role of miR-155 in diabetic nephropathy(DN)and its mecha-nism. Methods MiR-155 expression level in kidney was detected by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. The target gene of miR-155 was predicted by bioinformatics and verified by Western Blot and double luciferase reporter activity. Western Blot was used to detect the related marker proteins of mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix. Results (1)The expression of miR-155 increased in DN renal tissue and high glucose-stimulated renal cells.(2)MiR-155 was related to the regulation of Smad5 gene expression.(3)MiR-155 promoted the mesangial cells proliferation and increased extracellular matrix by down-regulating Smad5 expression. Conclusions MiR-155 can promote the mesangial cells proliferation and renal fibrosis by regulating Smad5 gene,providing a basis for further understanding the pathogenesis of DN.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on fulminant hepatitis B and the preventive efficiency of lamivudine on recurrence of hepatitis B in China.

PATIENTS AND METHODSTen patients with fulminant hepatitis B received orthotopic liver transplantation under veno-venous bypass. All patients had preoperatively serious jaundice, ascites and coagulopathy, and of whom 7 with encephalopathy, 2 with acute renal failure, and 1 with gastro-hemorrhage. RUSULT: Seven of the 10 patients have survived for 3 approximately 18 months, but 3 died of multi-organ failure or recurrence of fulminant hepatitis B. Seven survivors took lamivudine and 6 of them have survived for 3 approximately 18 months without the signs of recurrence of hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONOrthotopic liver transplantation is an effective therapy for fulminant hepatitis B, and lamivudine may prevent recurrence of hepatitis B after transplantation.

Adult ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate