To summarize the clinical results of combined transoral anterior decompression and posterior decompression and internal fixation of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with spinal cord compression. 12 cases of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with spinal cord compression were operated on with transoral anterior decompression combined with posterior decompression and occipitocervical internal fixation with occipitocervical CD rod or Cervifix. With an average of 20 month follow up, clinical cure rate was evaluated according to Symon and Lavender . Vertebral canal vector diameters in MR were measured. The results showed that the total clinical effective rate was 91.6%, and the remarkable effective rate was 50%. The average improvement rate of vertebral canal decompression was 73.6 %. These results suggest that transoral anterior decompression combined with posterior decompression and internal fixation is more suitable for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with spinal cord compression.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate two commercial anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgM kits used for differential diagnosis of acute enteric viral hepatitis.

METHODSThe kit for IgM capture assay, was produced with a recombinant HEV structural protein protecting primates against experimental infection by different HEV genotypes, while the other kit for indirect ELISA was produced with recombinant structural proteins from different HEV genotypes. The serum specimens were taken from 241 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis A and 74 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis E.

RESULTSThe sensitivity and specificity of the IgM capture assay kit were 97% and 100%, respectively, and the corresponding values for the other kit were 70% and 78%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe IgM capture assay kit has higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing acute enteric viral hepatitis E.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; immunology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of enhanced large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel currents (BK) in coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

METHODSCoronary SMCs were isolated by enzyme digestion. Potassium channels in coronary SMCs were identified by applications of different potassium blockers. Effects of DHA and its metabolite 16, 17-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (16, 17-EDP) on BK channels in the absence and presence of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A were studied by patch clamp in whole-cell configuration.

RESULTSBK channels were widely distributed in SMCs, and BK currents in normal SMCs accounted for (64.2 ± 2.7)% of total potassium currents (n = 20). DHA could activate BK channels, and its 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) was (0.23 ± 0.03) µmol/L, however, the effect of DHA on BK channels was abolished after SMCs were incubated with cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A. 16, 17-EDP, a metabolite of DHA, could reproduce the effects of DHA on BK channels, and its EC(50) was (19.7 ± 2.8) nmol/L.

CONCLUSIONDHA and metabolites can activate BK channels and dilate coronary arteries through activating cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; pharmacology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proadifen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the serological markers and biological marker in the diagnosis of hepatitis E infection in a rhesus monkey model.

METHODS86 rhesus monkeys had been infected with different doses of HEV. Hence, they were taken sequential blood samples at intervals up to 86 weeks for 4 hepatitis E virus (HEV) specific antibody assays (E2-IgM, E2-IgG, GL-IgG, and YES-IgG), and nucleic acid assay.

RESULTSAll the animals produced E2-IgG and all but one also produced E2-IgM and excreted the virus in stool, whereas positive rate of GL-IgG and YES IgG were low and correlated with virus level. Hepatitis occurred over a period of 4 weeks (between 3 an 7 weeks) after infection. Virological marker occurred mainly during incubation period and declined rapidly after onset of hepatitis. Seroconversion of E2-IgM occurred before onset of hepatitis in 70% monkeys and declined rapidly up to 50% of peak value after 4 weeks. E2-IgM seroconversion was closely paralleled by E2-IgG; however, E2-IgG persisted in all animals for the entire duration of experiment of up to 86 weeks. Production of GL-IgG and YES-IgG was delayed by one week after the E2 antibodies, these antibodies showed a transient occurrence and seroprevalence declined to 50% of the peak value over a period of 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONE2-IgM might be used as a suitable acute hepatitis E marker, and E2-IgG as a suitable epidemiological marker. The seroconversion or titer elevation of GL-IgG and YES-IgG antibodies probably used to confirm the infection. The viral markers are optional for early diagnosis.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; Genotype ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis E virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Macaca mulatta