AIM:To explore the characteristics of hepatitis B virus S gene mutation in the vertical transmission after active and passive vaccination .METHODS:Fifteen cases of immunoprophylaxis failure were enrolled in the study . HBV S gene (including pres-S and S) from the mothers, newborns before active and passive vaccination and 7-month-old infants with immunoprophylaxis failure were detected by PCR amplification .The characteristics of HBV S gene mutation were compared among the 3 groups.RESULTS: The genotype of HBV in the newborns and the infants was the same as that in the mothers .The frequencies of mutation in the 2 fragments of the HBV S gene had no significant difference between the 3 groups.The homology tree model based on HBV S gene was analyzed in the 3 groups, in which every group had their own cluster.There were 15 different mutation sites between 7 pairs of mothers and newborns .There were 3 different muta-tion sites between 3 pairs of newborns and infants (nt273A→A/G, nt512C→C/T and nt1139C→A), among which the first 2 were located in the S gene region but not in the “a” determinant , and the latter was located in the overlap region of S and X genes .There were 25 different mutation sites between 9 pairs of mothers and infants , but only 1 case had a differ-ent mutation site between the mother , newborn and infant .CONCLUSION: The HBV species in newborns and infants with immunoprophylaxis failure were transmitted from the mothers .The mutations in the HBV S gene with immunoprophy-laxis failure happened before and after active and passive vaccination , mainly before vaccination .The relationship between HBV S gene mutations and immunoprophylaxis failure should be further explored .

BACKGROUND: Basso, beattie and bresnahan (BBB) score and tilt table test are associated with the height of spinal cord injury degree in study of spinal cord models. OBJECTIVE: To establish modified complete spinal cord transected rat models, and to observe effects of BBB score and tilt table test on function following human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The observation control experiments were performed at the Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection of Guangdong Province from April 2007 to July 2008. MATERIALS: Cord blood was collected from healthy puerperants after full-term delivery. Fifty SPF healthy adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into group A (sham operation) (n=10), group B (spinal cord transection and phosphate buffered saline, PBS injection) (n=20), group C (spinal cord transection and hMSCs transplantation) (n=20). METHODS: Human umbilical cord blood stem cells were harvested and cultured in vitro. After incising rat dural sac, arachnoid membrane, spinal cord, bilateral wall and ventral dura mater of spinal cord were completely incised in the dural mate of spinal cord to establish complete spinal cord transected rat models. Vertebral plates were only opened in the group A. Rats in the group C were injected with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (6?109 -7?109L-1) at two broken ends of fractured spinal cord. Phosphate buffer saline was injected into rats in the group B. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At 12 weeks after surgery, a behavioral testing was performed every 2 weeks upon each hindlimb for all animals by using the BBB scoring system and tilt table test. RESULTS: No significant difference in hindlimb motor function was detected in the group A. From the second weeks after surgery, motor function of hindlimbs was gradually recovered in the groups B and C. BBB scoring system and tilt table test showed a consistent increasing tendency in a positive correlation. From the fourth week after surgery, significant difference in tilt table test was detected between rats with BBB score

Normal function of growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor Ⅰaxis is essential for linear growth after birth. A case of continuous growth with undetectable growth hormone level even under insulinhypoglycemia stimulation was reported. The growth hormone deficiency was due to pituitary stalk interruption combined with deficiency of multiple pituitary hormones. Taken together with reviewed literature, this so-called nongrowth hormone-dependent linear growth was preconditioned by other hormones, especially gonadotropin deficiency,and the unclosed epiphysis.

Objective To assess the echocardiographic characteristics of embolism and in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE).Methods Retrospective review of 124 patients with native valve infective endocarditis was performed to examine its characteristics by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE),multi-plane and 3D TEE.The primary endpoint was embolism and mortality that occurred within one month before or after operation.The combined simple score was calculated by assigning 1 point each for the presence of large vegetation,abscess or fistula,rupture of valvular chord,moderated or severe valvular regurgitation and perforation or serious valvular destruction.Hosmer and area under the curve was calculated to predict embolism and adverse events with the combined simple score,length of vegetation,serious valvular destruction with abnormal morphology.Results In 124 patients,embolic events occured in 27 cases (27/124,21.77％).Multi-plane and 3D TEE can identify the exact location and length of vegetation compared with 2D TTE,which miss-diagnosed vegetation in left atrium and papillary muscle.The clinical presentation of embolism patients was remarkable for lower hemoglobin level (P＜0.05).The ratio of multi-located vegetation,mortality and serious valvular destruction with abnormal morphology were higher in embolism and adverse events patients than those in non-embolism and adverse events patients (all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of combined simple score,lengh of vegetation for embolisms and adverse events and serious valve destruction with abnormal morphology for embolism and adverse events were 0.65 (P=0.06),0.60 (P=0.19)) and 0.70 (P=0.03).Conclusion Multi-plan and 3D TEE plays a key role in the diagnosis of patients with infecitive endocarditis,especially vegetations in occasional location.Serious valve destruction with abnormal morphology is associated with embolism and adverse events.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the analgesia effects of transdermal fentanyl in the treatment of pharynx oralis pain caused by radiotherapy.METHODS:30patients with pate squamous carcinoma and serious membrana mucosa ulcerate and pain after a whole range radiotherapy,who were treated with3to5patches2.5mg(25?g/h)of transdermal fentanyl every9～15days if their VAS scores were found to be more than6scores.The analgesia effect,life quality and the adverse reaction were evaluated respectively with VAS,Digit-scale and east American carcinoma cooperation group toxicity criteria.RESULTS:The average VAS scores has been lowered from7.86?1.18before the treatment to2.24?1.31on10th day of the treatment(P

Objective To assess the value of thickness and arterial resistive index (RI) of wrist synovium in differentiation from activity to non-activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Ninety-two clinically confirmed RA patients underwent high frequency ultrasonography. Maximum thickness and arterial RI of the wrist synovium were measured in active and nonactive stage. Results Thickened synovium was found in 75 of 92 patients. Color signal in the synovium was detected and then RI was measured in 67 patients, including 31 in active stage and 36 in nonactive stage. The wrist synovium thickness of 67 patients was (2.97±1.49) mm and arterial RI was 0.74±0.17. RI decreased significantly in patients in active stage compared with that in nonactive stage (P<0.001). Conclusion Arterial RI measurement with high frequency ultrasonography may be served as an objective marker of synovial membrane disease in RA. The thickness of synovium cannot predict the activity of RA.

AlM: To investigate the association between the degree of anterioruveitis and related factors including inflammatory markers as well as sacroiliac joint imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS) .
METHODS: Anterior changes evaluated by slit lamp, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) , C - reactive protein ( CRP ) and magnetic resonance imaging of 55 cases with AS associateduveitis were retrospectively analyzed. A modified endotoxin-induced uveitis ( ElU ) clinical standard was used for uveitis grading. SPARCC sacroiliac scoring was used to evaluate bone edema of sacroiliac joint. The correlation between the degree of uveitis and sacroiliitis was assessed.
RESULTS: ln the 55 patients with AS, ElU grading scored 2-10, and SPARCC index scored 0-22. Further analysis showed that the severity of uveitis was significantly correlated with ESR (r=0. 869, P<0. 001) and CRP (r=0. 485, P<0. 001). The degree of anterior uveitis in AS patients was not correlated with inflammation of sacroiliac joint (r=0. 237, P=0. 081).
CONCLUSlON: Local autoimmunity of uveitis and sacroiliac joint inflammation with subsequent bone formation in AS might be mutually independent processes.

Objective To analyze clinical diagnosis and management of 5 patients with actinomycete keratitis.Design Retro- spective case series.Participants 5 patients (5 eyes) with actinomycete keratitis.Methods The clinical features and microbiologic da- ta of 5 culture-proven cases of actinomycete keratitis recorded between October 2004 to March 2006 were analyzed.Main Outcome Measures clinical characteristics,isolations identification,drug susceptibility test and treatments.Results All patients were males and farmers.Of the 5 cases presented in this study,4 cases were followed by minor trauma as a predominant risk factor,and were pre- sented by a chronic progressive corneal ulcer with a wreath pattern of infiltrate.The diagnosis of all cases was based on laboratory in- vestigations,by which 4 cases of nocardia and one case of streptomyce were identified.A variable drug sensitivities were presented in nocardia isolates,which including TMP-SMZ,amicasin,gentamicin and fluorine-quinolones.Conclusions Nocardia keratitis is mainly followed by a minor trauma.It is identified predominantly by laboratory investigations.Tropical and systemically sensitive biotic are the initial choice,while debridement and amnionic transplantation could be an effective alternative.

Adult ; Aged ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Circulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mechanical vibration on the morphology of the acellular scaffold for the spinal cord and establish a procedure to construct an acellular rat spinal cord allograft retaining intact matrix fibers for repairing spinal cord injuries.

METHODSFifteen segments of rat spinal cord were divided randomly into 3 groups and subjected to mechanical vibration at the frequency 80 r/min (group A, n=5), 120 r/min (group B, n=5), and 160 r/min (group C, n=5) respectively. The spinal cord was treated with Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate at room temperature and washed with distilled water. The specimens were observed microscopically with HE staining, and the ultrastructure was observed using scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSIn group A, the spinal cord specimens contained numerous cells and neural sheaths. Vibration at 120 and 160 r/min (in groups B and C) resulted in depletion of all the cells, axons and neural sheaths from the spinal cord after treatment with Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate. The acellular spinal cord consisted of a meshwork of the matrix fibers in longitudinal arrangement. In group C, however, obvious disruption of both the spinal dura mater and the matrix fiber occurred in the acellular spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONAll the cells, axons and neural sheaths in the spinal cord can be removed by chemical extraction with Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate. Mechanical vibration at suitable frequency may cell preserve the 3-dimensional structure of the matrix fibers. The acellular spinal cord scaffold may serve as an ideal material for constructing tissue-engineered spinal cord.

Animals ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Vibration