Objective To investigate the clinical value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and red blood cell distribution width in discriminating disease activity of rheumatoid athritis.Methods Eighty-nine rheumatoid arthritis out-patients of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from Jan.2012 to Mar.2013 were recruited into this study.The disease activity index,such as swollen joint count and tender joint count were made by rheumatologists,and laboratory parameters（blood cell analysis,erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein) were measured as well.The enrolled patients were divided into the active RA group and remission RA group based on the DAS28 definition.Differences of NLR,PLR and RDW among groups were analyzed by t test and relations between variables were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis.The t test,non-parametric test and Spearman analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results The levels of NLR (3.2±2.0,2.4±0.9,respectively) and PLR (167±70,133±43,respectively) in active RA group were higher than that of the RA remission group (t=2.28 and 2.50,P=0.02 and 0.01).The level of RDW [(13.9±2.5)％,(13.9±2.4)％,respectively] was not significantly different between the active RA group and the RA remission group (t=0.14,P=0.89).However,compared with healthy controls,the level of RDW [(13.9±2.5)％,(13.2±0.2)％,respectively] was significantly increased in RA patients (t=2.74,P=0.006 9).NLR and PLR were positively correlated with DAS28 (r=0.23,P=0.03;r=0.26,P=0.04,respectively),ESR (r=0.28,P=0.03;r=0.43,P＜0.01,respectively) and CRP (r=0.33,P=0.006;r=0.41,P＜0.01,respectively).However,there was no association between RDW and DAS28 (r=0.01,P=0.93),ESR (r=0.20,P=0.15) and CRP (r=0.05,P=0.71).Areas under curve of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for assessing disease activity of rheumatoid athritis by NLR and PLR were 0.802 and 0.753 respectively.The cut-off values for discriminating active/remission RA were 2.86 and 143.05,with the sensitivity as 0.66 and 0.63,specificity as 0.72 and 0.65.Conclusion NLR and PLR are significantly associated with the disease activity of RA and can be useful to understand the activity state of the illness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth characteristics and the expression level of integrin mRNA of the cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in myeloid crisis (MC), and explore the role of BMMSCs in pathogenesis of CML. Five CML patients were enrolled in experimental group, five healthy persons were used as control. BMMSCs were cultured in vitro. The morphology of BMMSCs was observed every day and the growth curve were portrayed, and the ability of cell proliferation were detected according to the daily results of cell counting. Total RNA was extracted from third and fourth passages of BMMSCs, The expression of integrins mRNA of BMMSCs were measured by real-time PCR. The results showed that the BMMSCs of experimental and control groups had no difference in growth characterisctics, but the expression of integrins mRNA of the BMMSCs was higher in CML patients than in normal control group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the abnormally high expression of integrins of BMMSC from the CML patients take part in pathogenesis of CML.
Adult ; Blast Crisis ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Integrins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of occupational exposure to traffic exhaust and smoking on DNA damage in traffic policemen.

METHODS812 traffic policemen (741 men and 71 women, 130 of office-work and 682 of outside work) from 8 districts in Guangzhou were investigated. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture and lymphocytes were collected by using lymphocyte separation medium and centrifugation. The comet assay was used to measure DNA damage.

RESULTSThe office-work policemen [(37.7 +/- 9.5) years] were older than the outside-work ones [(32.3 +/- 8.1) years, P < 0.001]. No significant difference was observed in sex (P = 0.08) and age (P = 0.45). Comet assay showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust significantly increased tail length [4.20 micro m, 95% CI: (3.98 - 4.42) micro m vs 3.23 micro m, 95% CI: (2.82 - 3.7) micro m, P < 0.001]. Smokers had longer tail length [4.66 micro m, 95% CI: (4.37 - 4.97) micro m] than ex-smokers [3.28 micro m, 95% CI: (2.57 - 4.17) micro m] and nonsmokers [3.47 micro m, 95% CI: (3.21 - 3.75) micro m, P < 0.001]. In nonsmokers, significant increase in tail length was observed by passive smoking at home (P = 0.004) but not at work (P = 0.22). When out-door nonsmokers were excluded, passive smoking at work also significantly increased tail length (P = 0.007). Analysis of covariance showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust, tobacco smoking, and female had independent effect on lymphocyte DNA damage (P < 0.001) after these factors were adjusted. Passive smoking and age had no effect on lymphocyte DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONSOccupational exposure to traffic exhaust and tobacco smoking respectively increase lymphocyte DNA damage. Female traffic policemen may have more severe DNA damage than male.

Adult ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Police ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Vehicle Emissions ; adverse effects

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of drilling through the growth plate and using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to treat femoral head epiphyseal ischemic necrosis,which can be done in juvenile rabbits.Passage-four bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled ADSCs were cultured,assayed with MTT to determine their viability and stained with alizarin red dye to determine their osteogenic ability.Two-month-old,healthy male rabbits (1.2 to 1.4 kg,n=45) underwent ischemic induction and were randomly divided into five groups (group A:animal model control;group B:drilling;group C:drilling & ADSCs;group D:drilling & BMP-2;and group E:drilling & ADSCs & BMP-2).Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),X-ray imaging,hematoxylin and eosin staining and BrdU immunofluorescence detection were applied 4,6 and 10 weeks after treatment.Approximately 90％ of the ADSCs were labeled with BrdU and showed good viability and osteogenic ability.Similar results were observed in the rabbits in groups C and E at weeks 6 and 10.The animals of groups C and E demonstrated normal hip structure and improved femoral epiphyseal quotients and trabecular areas compared with those of the groups A and B (P＜0.01).Group D demonstrated improved femoral epiphyseal quotients and trabecular areas compared with those of groups A and B (P＜0.05).In summary,drilling through the growth plate combined with ADSC and BMP-2 treatments induced new bone formation and protected the femoral head epiphysis from collapsing in a juvenile rabbit model of femoral head epiphyseal ischemic necrosis.

Since the discovery of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) in more than ten years, a great progress has been made from its basic research to clinical application. Compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, ADSCs are more abundant in reserve, easier to obtain with fewer injuries and less complications. These cells have multiple differentiation potential and can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts with the influence of different inducing factors. Early studies of ADSCs mainly focused on the ability of multi-directional differentiation, espe-cially on the regeneration of bone defects and cartilage tissue. At present, the researches mainly focus on immunoregulation and paracrine function of ADSCs. Although ADSCs have made a great progress in clinical application, the cell preparation, use pattern, and mechanisms in clinical treatment are not clear. This paper elaborates on these issues.

OBJECTIVETo study the safety, biodistribution, and dosimetry of myocardial perfusion imaging agent 99Tc(m)N-NOET in 10 healthy volunteers.

METHODS744-792 MBq of 99Tc(m)N-NOET was injected to each volunteer. Safety parameters and adverse event was measured in 24 hours of injection. Biodistribution was studied by whole-body imaging 1, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after the injection of 99Tc(m)N-NOET. The estimation of dosimetry was based on the standard medical internal radiation dose method using MIRDOSE 3.0 analysis program. Myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was performed at 1 and 4 hours after injection.

RESULTSNo undesirable effects were reported by the subject during 24 hours after injection of 99Tc(m)N-NOET. No clinically significant changes were found in vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram). No biochemical aspects and serology changes were measured. The myocardial SPECT imaging was clear. Cardiac uptake of 99Tc(m)N-NOET was as high as 2.68% at 2 hours after injection. The heart to lung ratio was more than 1 from 30 minutes after injection, reaching a maximum of 1.91 +/- 0.53 at 2 hours after injection. Radiation dosimetry calculations indicated an effective absorbed dose of 1.28 x 10(-5) Sv/MBq. The dosimetry in each main organ is lower then 50 mGy given 740 MBq of 99Tc(m)N-NOET in once imaging.

CONCLUSIONS99Tc(m)N-NOET exhibits high cardiac uptake and low estimated effective absorbed dose. It's a safe myocardial perfusion imaging agent.

Heart ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Organotechnetium Compounds ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Thiocarbamates ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVETo study the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) load and antibody measurements in the diagnosis of MP pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 115 children with MP pneumonia and 400 healthy children were enrolled. The MP load and total antibody level were measured at different stages, and the MP load index (MPLI) was calculated.

RESULTSThe cut-off value of MPLI for MP infection was 6.12. MPLI and total antibody titer increased during the course of the disease, while MP-DNA decreased rapidly. Within the same time of blood collection, the group with a higher MP load had a significantly higher total antibody titer than the group with a lower MP load (P<0.05). Within 2 weeks of the course of the disease, the negative antibody group had a significantly higher MPLI than the positive antibody group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMPLI provides a standardized quantitative value of MP-DNA and plays an important role in the early diagnosis of MP infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of biological dressing containing calcium and magnesia (sheep dermis absorbing calcium and magnesia and cross-link with glutaraldehyde) on the management of hydrofluoric acid burns in rats and patients.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into A ( n = 24, normal control, with isotonic saline dressing after burns), B ( n = 32, with isotonic saline dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), C ( n = 32, with wet-dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), and D ( n = 32, with biological dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns) groups. The rats in the latter 3 groups were inflicted with 3 cm x 3 cm TBSA full-thickness burns, and mortality, concentration of blood calcium , histopathological observation were carried out at 4,8,24 and 72 postburn hours (PBH), with 8 rats at each time-points. In addition, 46 patients with hydrofluoric acid burns were divided into E (with wet-dressing treatment) and F (with biological dressing treatment) groups to compare the curative effect.

RESULTSThe mortality in A,B,C,D groups were 0,31.2% ,15. 6% ,6. 2% , respectively. The wound in B group was deepened gradually after burns, but that in D group was slighter when compared with that in C group. The concentration of blood calcium in A group was higher than that in B, C and D groups at each time-points, and that in D groups was higher than that in B and C groups. The concentration of blood calcium in D group at 8 and 24 PBH were [(2.215 +/-0.008) ,(2.216 +/-0.008) mmol/L], which were obviously higher than those in B [(1.813 +/-0.017),(1.912 +/-0.013)mmol/L l] and C [(2.015 +/-0.006), (2.018 +/-0. 010)mmol/L] groups, (P <0. 01). The clinical outcome in E group was much better than that in F group.

CONCLUSIONBiological dressing containing calcium and magnesium can be applied in the emergency management and following treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns.

Adult ; Animals ; Biological Dressings ; Burns, Chemical ; therapy ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Magnesium ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rats

From January 2010 to December 2017, 4 patients of thumb with necrosis caused by electric burns (all male, aged from 31 to 58 years) were admitted to our hospital, with 1 patient of second degree injury of right thumb, 2 patients of third degree injury of right thumb, and 1 patient of third degree injury of left thumb. Routine debridement under general anesthesia was performed within 7 days after injury. The compound tissue flap of contralateral second toe was transplanted to reconstruct the thumb with third degree defect, and compound tissue flap of ipsilateral distal hallex was transplanted to reconstruct the thumb with second degree defect. Dorsalis pedics artery was anastomosed with radial artery, saphenous vein or dorsalis pedics vein was anastomosed with cephalic vein. The donor site was transplanted with split-thickness skin graft from autologous thigh. All the tissue flaps and skin grafts survived in 2 weeks after surgery. Within 1 year of follow-up, the reconstructed thumbs can achieve radial abduction and palmar abduction with good function. Reconstruction of thumb with free transplantation of compound tissue flap of toe is a good method to repair thumb with necrosis caused by electric burn.

The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab with modified irinotecan, leucovorin bolus, and 5-fluorouracil intravenous infusion (mIFL) in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has not been well evaluated in randomized clinical trials in Chinese patients. We conducted a phrase III trial in which patients with previously untreated mCRC were randomized 2:1 to the mIFL [irinotecan (125 mg/m(2)), leucovorin (20 mg/m(2)) bolus, and 5-fluorouracil intravenous infusion (500 mg/m(2)) weekly for four weeks every six weeks] plus bevacizumab (5 mg/kg every two weeks) group and the mIFL group, respectively. Co-primary objectives were progression-free survival (PFS) and 6-month PFS rate. In total, 214 patients were enrolled. Our results showed that addition of bevacizumab to mIFL significantly improved median PFS (4.2 months in the mIFL group vs. 8.3 months in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group, P < 0.001), 6-month PFS rate (25.0% vs. 62.6%, P < 0.001), median overall survival (13.4 months vs. 18.7 months, P = 0.014), and response rate (17% vs. 35%, P = 0.013). Grades 3 and 4 adverse events included diarrhea (21% in the mIFL group and 26% in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group) and neutropenia (19% in the mIFL group and 33% in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group). No wound-healing complications or congestive heart failure occurred. Our results suggested that bevacizumab plus mIFL is effective and well tolerated as first-line treatment for Chinese patients with mCRC. Clinical benefit and safety profiles were consistent with those observed in pivotal phase III trials with mainly Caucasian patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bevacizumab ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult