Objective To explore the quality of life (QOL) and its influential factors among patients with 3 major rheumatic diseases. Methods A total of 216 patients with rheumatic diseases (84 patients with systemic lu- pus erythematosus, SLE, 83 with rheumatoid arthritis, RA, and 49 with ankylosing spondylitis, AS) were recruited. The information with regard to their quality of life, sociopsychological factors and the evaluation of disease activity were obtained by using the medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) and clinic documents. Results Patients with rheumatic diseases scored significantly lower with each subscale of SF-36 as compared to those of a healthy popu- lation in China (P

Objective To investigate the clinical application value of the modified radiography by digital ra- diography of the tempro-mandibular joint in the tempro-mandibular joint radiography.Methods A digital radiogra- phy machine(Siemens Aristos MX)was used to the tempro-mandibular joint disorders of 68 patients with the meth- ods of the modified radiography of the tempro-mandibular joint,and the results were compared with those of 45 cases acquired with conventional radiography.Results The modified radiography by digital radiography provided high res- olution,precise location and excellent images,and the total structures of tempro-mandibular joint was clearly dis- played,with a success rate of 99%(67/68),while the results acquired by conventional radiography were not clear, only with a success rate of 60%(18/45).There is significant statistical differences between the modified radiography by digital radiography and conventional radiography(x~2 = 35.08,P

Objective To investigate the etiology of acute recurrent pancreatitis (ACP) and de-termine how to further enhance its level of treatment.Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with ACP treated in Ruijin Hospital from 2003 to 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the 33 patients with an average age of 55 (22-86), 18 (55%) were male and 15 (45%) female.ACP occurred once in 26 patients, twice in 4 and 3 times in 3.The disease appeared whithin 1 year in 29 patients, 1-2 years in 2, 2-3 years in 1 and 3 years in 1 after being dischared from hospital.For its etiology, it was of biliary origin in 29 patients, hyperlipidemia in 1, pancreatic tumor in 1 and unknow reasons in 2.Twenty-four patients were treated with operation or endoscopy.Two patients died and the mortali-ty was 9.1%.Conclusion ACP is mainly due to biliary origin in China.Operative intervention at an appropriate opportunity can effectively reduce the recurrence of biliary-origin pancreatitis.

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of RPL36A (ribosomal protein 36a) in the newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and its mechanism at the molecular level. The RPL36A mRNA expression in the newly diagnosed AML cells, U937 cells and normal MNCs was determined by RT-PCR. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting to RPL36A was transfected into U937 cells by Lipofectamine 2000 system. Proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis of U937 were observed through MTT assay, flow cytometry, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining, TUNEL and Annexin V/FITC respectively. RPL36A mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis respectively. The results showed that RPL36A expression in the newly diagnosed AML cells and U937 cells was significantly upregulated. The average OD value of U937 cells transfected with RPL36A siRNA was significantly lower as compared with 3 control groups. The cell percentage in G2-and S-phase increased, which indicated the inhibition effect of RPL36A siRNA on cell proliferation. Remarkable cell apoptosis in U937 cells treated with RPL36A siRNA was observed by AO/EB, TUNEL analysis and Annexin V/FITC assay; RPL36A mRNA and protein expression level of U937 cells treated with siRNA were significantly declined in a time-dependent manner (r=0.9813 and 0.9537). It is concluded that the RPL36A expression in the AML cells is significantly enhanced and the RPL36A gene may be involved in regulation of cell cycle and cell apoptosis of AML, which promotes proliferation of AML cells and inhibits apoptosis of cells.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate and compare the short-term effects of two kinds of plastic mulch on Oncomelania hupensis snail control in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails in Yunnan Province. Methods The irrigation and drainage ditches with high density of Oncomelania hupensis snails were chosen as the investigation sites,and then 4 groups were set,namely a colorless plastic mulch group,black plastic mulch group,colorless plastic mulch with molluscicide group and black plastic mulch with molluscicide group. The snail situation of the 4 groups was surveyed before the experiment and 7,14,21,30 days after covering plastic mulch,and the snail death rates were compared among the 4 groups. Meanwhile,the hourly temperatures of soil surface,soil surface under plastic mulch and soil layer 5,15 cm under the surface as well as the weather situation during the study period were measured and recorded. Results The average snail mortality rate of the colorless plastic mulch group was only 15.29% that was higher than that of the black plastic mulch group(6.56%)(P < 0.01). The average snail mortality rates of the colorless and black plastic mulch with molluscicide groups were 40.80% and 50.15%,respectively,and there was no statis-tic difference between them(P > 0.05). Both kinds of plastic mulches could raise the temperature of the soil surface under plas-tic mulch and the soil layer below it,and the temperature of soil under the mulches increased over the cover time,and the aver-age temperature of the soil surface under the black mulch in 30 days was higher than that under the colorless mulch. Conclu-sion It is not suitable to use plastic mulch only in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails widely in Yunnan Province be-cause of its low effect,and if necessary,the molluscicide should be added.

OBJECTIVETo investigate fibronectin synthesis in SD rat mesangial cells after transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is silenced by the short interfering RNA (siRNA) expressed by reconstructed pGEFP-C1 vectors.

METHODSDepending upon the 538th - 556th (A) and 895th - 913th (B) nucleotides of rat TGF-beta1 gene, a nucleotide (A or B) was constructed into a small hairpin nucleotide which was separately (A or B) or together (A plus B) inserted into a pGEFP-C1 vector with three reconstructed pGEFP-C1 vectors separately expressing the siRNAs for A or/and B. TGF-beta1 and fibronectin were dynamically investigated for their interrelationship by ELISA in the supernatant and RT-PCR in their extracted total RNA.

RESULTSThe siRNA hairpin-like molecules were constructed according to the 538th - 556th nucleotides of rat TGF-beta1 gene were able to markedly silence the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA (P < 0.01) and protein (P < 0.01) at 48 h. Lipfectamin 2000 transfection stimulated the peak secretion of fibronectin at 24 h in the control and the experimental group whose TGF-beta1 was not silenced, but the silence of TGF-beta1 in both experimental groups delayed the top values of fibronectin to 48 h (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe silence of TGF-beta1 by siRNA decreased the fibronectin expression, but the latter was possibly not completely TGF-dependent.

Animals ; Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; drug effects ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of intensive insulin treatment on the myocardium of severely scalded rats, and to primarily explore its mechanism.

METHODSEighteen SD rats were divided into three groups, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in burn and intensive insulin group were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness injury on the back. Isotonic saline containing 0.12 U/ml insulin solution, and 100 g/L glucose solution were infused into the rats in the intensive insulin group to keep plasma glucose at the level of 4.0 - 6.6 mmol/L (the total fluid amount was 2 ml x kg(-1) x 8h(-1)). In sham burn group,fluid was given according to physiological demand. The same amount of isotonic saline was infused into the rats in burn group. The venous blood was obtained for the detection of plasma glucose contents, and the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were recorded via aortic ventricle cannula before scald and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 post-scald hours (PSH). The tissue of the left ventricle was harvested at 6 PSH for the detection of troponin T expression in myocardiocytes.

RESULTSPlasma glucose level was increased to (7.6 +/- 1.7) mmol/L - (8.4 +/- 4.7) mmol/L in burn group during 1-6 PSH, which was significantly higher than that in intensive insulin group (4.5 +/- 0.9) mmol/L - (5.2 +/- 1.3) mmol/L, P < 0.01). Compared with the intensive insulin group, LVSP was markedly decreased in the burn group (60 +/- 11 mm Hg vs 72 +/- 8 mm Hg, P < 0.05) at 1 PSH,whereas LVEDP was increased significantly (21.3 +/- 11.3 mmHg vs 11.7 +/- 5.2 mmHg, P < 0.05). Intensive insulin treatment could significantly inhibit the loss of troponin T protein in myofilaments of myocardium.

CONCLUSIONIntensive insulin treatment possesses a protective effect on myocardia function after severe burns, and it may be related to its preventive effect on the loss of contractile protein in cardiocytes.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Troponin T ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEto investigate the effect of somatostatin on inflammatory immune disorders and prognosis in patients with severe sepsis caused by abdominal diseases.

METHODSfifty-three patients with severe abdominal sepsis (age > 18 years, APACHE-II score > 15) from June 2005 to June 2009 were randomly divided into Somatostatin group (n = 23) and SSC Group (n = 30). Fifteen healthy volunteers of the same age range were chosen as Control group. The SSC group was treated with classical SSC therapy, and the Somatostatin Group was treated with the same regime plus 14-peptide somatostatin continuous infusion at the dose of 6 mg/24 h for 7 days. The serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by using ELISA. CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell subsets were determined by fluorescence activated cell sorter(FACS) and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) was calculated. APACHE-II score was observed on admission (d1) and day 3, 7 and 14 after treatment. Morality rates in 28 days in two groups were recorded.

RESULTScompared with Control group, IL-10 and TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in patients with severe abdominal sepsis (P < 0.05), while CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the Somatostatin group CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) on d7 and d14 in SSC Group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while IL-10 and TNF-α decreased significantly(P < 0.05). APACHE-II scores on d3, d7, d14 of Somatostatin group were significantly lower than those of SSC group, and 28 d mortality rate also declined.

CONCLUSIONSin patients with severe abdominal sepsis, systemic inflammatory response and immune suppression exist simultaneously. Somatostatin has a dual immunomodulatory activity in these patients.

APACHE ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Somatostatin ; therapeutic use ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To explore the relationship among depression,anxiety and social support in elderly patients in community outpatient clinic. Methods A total of 551 elderly outpatients from two com-munity health service centers of Hongkou District in Shanghai were evaluated with patient health question-naire-9 (PHQ-9),generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7),perceived social support scale( PSSS) for de-pression,anxiety,physical health and social support. Results The prevalence rates of depression and anxiety were 26. 1% and 17. 2%,respectively. The scores of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were 2. 0(4. 0) and 1. 0(2. 0). There were statistically significant differences in the scores of family support,friend support,other support and social support among the elderly patients with different degrees of depression or anxiety (P<0. 01). Fam-ily support(B=-0. 196) and friend support(B=-0. 171) were protective factors of depression in elderly pa-tients in community outpatient clinic. Age,family support and friend support were protective factors of anxiety in elderly patients,while gender and fluctuation of physical diseases were protective factors of anxiety(P<0. 05). Con-clusions The depression and anxiety is intimately related to social support in elderly outpatients. Appropriate measures should be taken to optimize social support,mitigate bad mood negative improve their quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and pathological features of 94 children suffering from IgA nephropathy (IgAN) while estimating the prevalent situation in Hunan province. METHODS: To summarize the annual number of hospitalized children, those with kidney diseases, those accepted biopsy, and those confirmed as IgAN in both Xiangya Hospital and Second Xiangya Hospital undertaking kidney biopsy in Hunan province during 1995 and 2004. RESULTS: In the past 10 years, as the hospitalized population in both hospitals accrued to 9.98% each year. The rate of 7.5% was seen in those with kidney diseases. Among whom 56.3% accepted kidney biopsy and 94 of them were confirmed as IgAN. Hematuria was the main clinical presentation, seen in 71 cases, accounting to 76%, and even to 98% after excluding those with nephrotic syndrome and isolating proteinuria type of IgAN. Inflammation infiltration (91%), renal tubule degeneration (81%), and renal interstitial fibrosis (31%) were the major pathological features of 94 children, especially in nephrotic syndrome IgAN. CONCLUSION The number of children with IgAN synchronously accrues as hospitalized population, those with kidney diseases, and those by kidney biopsy. Hematuria is the major symptom. To routinely perform urine analysis and kidney biopsy in asymptomatic hematuria may improve the diagnosis. Inflammation infiltration, renal tubule degeneration, and renal interstitial fibrosis are the major pathological features in IgAN children, especially in nephrotic syndrome IgAN, probably relating to continuous proteinuria. Early control of proteinuria may delay or decrease renal tubule fibrosis.
Adolescent ; Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; complications ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Hematuria ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hospitalization ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male