· AIM: To observe the inhibitory effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on the proliferation of monkey choroidretinal endothelial cells (RF/6A) in hypoxia or normal conditions.retinal endothelial cells of rhesus monkey (RF/6A). The effect of TA on the cellular activity was observed by MTT,the effect on cellular proliferation and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).cycle were reduced and the proportion of cells in G2-M phase was increased under the hypoxia condition .TA had a great effect on the cell cycle of choroid-retinal endothelial cells of rhesus monkey and it induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. It relatively increased the S-phase cells and reduced G2-M phase cells under both normal and hypoxia conditions, which indicates its role in blocking cell cycle from s-phase to G2-M phase and reducing mitosis.RF/6A cells while TA has the opposite effect in both normal and hypoxia conditions. TA can also induce apoptosis of endothelial cells.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of the Hubei Wingnut ( Malus hapehensis ) leaf decoction (MHD) against conjunctivitis infected with human simplex virus type I (HSV-1). Methods Malus hupehcnsis decoction was used as the active treatment and ribavirin ( RBV) eye drop was used as the positive control. Both of the Vero cells and rabbit eye conjunctiva were infected with HSV-1. The effect and mechanism of the MHD on viral replication was determined by observing the cytopathic effect ( CPE) . The efficacy of MHD at different doses on the rabbit viral conjunctivitis was examined by pathological changes of eye conjunctiva tissues. Results MHD did not inhibit the proliferation of HSV-1 in vitro. The inflammatory reactions of rabbit viral conjunctivitis caused by HSV-1 were obviously attenuated or disappeared after treatment with MHD at 6 kg·L-1 and 3 kg·L-1 for 7 consecutive days,compared with the negative control of 0. 9% NaCl. The curative rate of MHD at the middle and high doses was 83. 3% and 100. 0%, respectively. Conclusion MHD has the potential for treating eye conjunctivitis caused by HSV-1 by relieving inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Although we have gained much information about leadinduced organ damage, the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup is yet to be determined.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup of children, and the association of T cell subgroup with threshold limit value of blood lead level.DESIGN: Comparative observation.SETTING: The Institute of Molecular Microorganism, Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Shanxi Provincial Children Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty children, (32 boys and 28 girls), aged 3-6 years with a mean of (4.5±1.5) years old, were selected from the suburbs of Taiyuan city between May 2003 and October 2003. Informed consents were obtained from all their guardians. The enrolled children according to their blood lead levels were assigned into three groups, 13 in Group Ⅰ with blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, 20 in Group 2 with lead level ≥ 0.24 μmol/L but ＜ 0.48 μmoL/L and 27 in Group 3 with lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L.METHODS: Blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and immunofluorescence methods respectively. Student t test was used in data analysis, and linear correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup.level and expression of T cell subgroup.pression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 were lower in Group 1 (lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L) than Group 3 (lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L) (t=3.27,blood lead level showed had significant inverse correlation with CD3 expression and the ratio of CD4 to CD8(r=-0.689,-0.674,P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: A blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, is shown to significantly decrease the expression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 in peripheral blood, which may impair the children's immunological function.

BACKGROUND: Although we have gained much information about leadinduced organ damage, the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup is yet to be determined.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup of children, and the association of T cell subgroup with threshold limit value of blood lead level.DESIGN: Comparative observation.SETTING: The Institute of Molecular Microorganism, Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Shanxi Provincial Children Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty children, (32 boys and 28 girls), aged 3-6 years with a mean of (4.5±1.5) years old, were selected from the suburbs of Taiyuan city between May 2003 and October 2003. Informed consents were obtained from all their guardians. The enrolled children according to their blood lead levels were assigned into three groups, 13 in Group Ⅰ with blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, 20 in Group 2 with lead level ≥ 0.24 μmol/L but ＜ 0.48 μmoL/L and 27 in Group 3 with lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L.METHODS: Blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and immunofluorescence methods respectively. Student t test was used in data analysis, and linear correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between blood lead level and expression of T cell subgroup.level and expression of T cell subgroup.pression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 were lower in Group 1 (lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L) than Group 3 (lead level ＜ 0.24 μmol/L) (t=3.27,blood lead level showed had significant inverse correlation with CD3 expression and the ratio of CD4 to CD8(r=-0.689,-0.674,P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: A blood lead level ≥ 0.48 μmol/L, is shown to significantly decrease the expression of CD3 and ratio of CD4 to CD8 in peripheral blood, which may impair the children's immunological function.

PurposeAlteration of the regional cerebral flow and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) caused by cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion is an essential risk factor for ischemic stroke. This study aims to assess the CVR in patients with severe middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis or occlusion by using MR perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) with CO2 inhalation stress test. Materials and MethodsPWI were performed before and after CO2 inhalation stress on 28 patients with severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion and 10 healthy volunteers. The regions of interest (ROI) were put on the affected hemisphere of the MCA blood supply area and the contralateral side in both groups. The relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative mean transit time (rMTT), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and CVR were measured.Results① The rCBV, rCBF and rMTT of the affected side were 149.16±33.01, 18.04±5.24, 8.65±1.81 before CO2 inhalation stress, and 156.23±21.60, 23.77±8.77, 8.72±3.01 after CO2 inhalation stress. The rCBV, rCBF and rMTT were signiifcantly increased (t=1.238, 2.561 and 2.647, P<0.05) after CO2 inhalation stress. The rCBV, rCBF and rMTT of the contralateral side were 176.22±40.12, 22.43±5.74, 8.10±3.71 before CO2 inhalation stress, and 198.54±39.87, 27.64±7.22, 8.03±2.97 after CO2 inhalation. The rCBV, rCBF was significantly increased (t=1.780 and 1.665,P<0.05) while rMTT was signiifcantly decreased (t=2.871,P<0.05) after CO2 inhalation.②The CVR of the affected side, contralateral side and control group were 18.9%, 26.8%, and 39.1%, respectively. There were significantly differences (t=1.604, 2.321 and 1.874,P<0.05) between the affected and contralateral side, the affected side and control group, the contralateral side and control group.ConclusionPWI with CO2 inhalation stress test is valuable in assessing the cerebrovascular reserve in patients with severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion.

Objective To explore the effects of sodium arsenie on Metallothionein(MT) isoforms genes expression,and to study the relevance between the MT expression and cell survival percentage. Methods Healthy persons blood was extracted aseptically and the lymphocytes were separated. The lymphocytes were treated by 0 (control) ,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L sodium arsenites, respectively. The cell survival percentage was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) reduction assay at 24,48,72 h intervals, while the expression of MT-1 and MT-2 were examined by RT-PCR in 72 h. Results The cell survival percentage in 2,5μmoL/L groups were (115.50± 11.80)% and (130.49±8.28)%,which were all higher than those in the control group [(100.00±0.00)%,all P < 0.05]at any intervals. In 10,15,30,60 μmol/L groups,the cell survival percentage[(78.12±9.33)%,(71.62± 10.82)%,(52.06±3.05)%,(40.98±5.41)%]increased along with the decrease of concentration,which showed a significant difference between these groups and the control group and 2,5μmol/L groups(all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on MT-1 expression after exposed to different concentration sodium arsenites (0,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L) for72 h(0.925±0.123,1.082±0.504,1.103±0.170,0.927±0.056,0.730±0.307,0.604± 0.173,0.540±0.075,all P > 0.05). The expression of MT-2 in 2,5μmol/L groups(1.503±0.212,1.557±0.377) was up regulated compared with that in control group(0.702±0.112) and MT-2 also expressed more than that in other groups(all P < 0.05). However,the expression of MT-2 declined when the concentraion was 10,15,30,60 μmol/L(0.814±0.139,0.679±0.201,0.607±0.229,0.533±0.102). There was no significant difference among the groups (all P > 0.05). The expression level oE MT-1,MT-2 was positively correlated with the cell survival pereentage(r = 0.955,0.909,all P < 0.05). Conclusions The sodium arsenite at concentration of 10 μmoL/L might inhibit the expression of MT of lymphocytes and low concentration sodium arsenite (2,5 μmol/L) might stimulate the lymphocytes to regulate the expression of MT-2 to higher levels,which can increase the cell survival percentage and exert the function of protecting cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of anterior decompression and fusion with a nano-hydroxyapatite/ polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage in treating lower cervical fracture and dislocation.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2010, the clinical data of 42 patients with lower cervical fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 males and 13 females aged from 20 to 65 years old. The mean age was 46.8 years. Five cases got injuried in C3, 14 cases in C4, 12 cases in C5, 7 cases in C6 and 4 cases in C7. According to Frankel grade, 4 cases were classified in grade A, 11 cases in grade B, 13 cases in grade C, 9 cases in grade D and 5 cases in grade F. Twenty-eight cases were treated with anterior corpectomy and fusion and 14 cases with anterior discectomy and fusion. Frankel grade was used to do neurologic assessment and visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the improvement of clinical symptoms. Segmental height and sagittal lordosis were measured by radiographs and cage location. Cage appearance and fusion status were assessed by 3D-CT images.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 3 to 5.2 years with an average of 4.1 years. Frankel grade had obviously improved than preoperative (Z = -4.845, P < 0.001). There were 2, 3, 11, 8, 11 cases classified in grade A, grade B, grade C, grade D and grade E respectively. At the third day after operation and latest follow-up,VAS was (2.6 +/- 1.8),(1.3 +/- 1.0) scores respectively. Both had improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). Up to the latest follow-up, there was only one patient (2.4%) with slight cage translocation (less than 2 mm), however, no cage prolapsed, or collapse, or breakage were found. Both segmental height and lordosis improved significantly after surgery (P < 0.001). And there was not significant difference in both parameters between each postoperative time points (P > 0.05). The mean distance of cage subsidence was 1.5 mm and the rate of cage subsidence (> 3 mm) was 4.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe n-HA/PA66 cage can not only restore and maintain the fusion segmental height and radian, but also promote the osseous fusion and profit the radiographic assessment after operation. Thus, it was an ideal material for prop graft.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of serial 18F-fluorodeexyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Thirty-seven NPC patients who had 18F-FDG PET/CT scan before and after external beam intensity-modulated radiotherapy, were studied retrospectively.All patients were followed for five years.Correlation analysis between metabolic tumor volume (MTV)/uptake volume index (UVI) and survival was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, Log-rank test and multivariate Cox model.Results The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 70.3% (26/37) and 62.2% ( 23/37 ), respectively.Patients with a lower MTV (MTV＜30 cm3) had significantly higher 5-year OS ( 82.6% ( 19/23 ) ) and DFS (73.9% ( 17/23 )) rates than those with a higher MTV (OS:50.0% (7/14),x2 =5.28, P＜0.05; DFS:42.9% (6/14),x2 =4.84, P＜0.05).Patients with a lower UV1 (UVI＜150) had significantly higher 5-year OS( 87.5%( 21/24 )) and DFS (79.2% (19/24)) rates than those with a higher UVI (OS:38.5% (5/13),x2 =10.72, P＜0.01;DFS:30.8% (4/13), x2 =11.04, P＜0.01).Multivariate analysis showed that UVI and metabolic response (MR) were independent predictors of DFS.Conclusions Tumor volume parameters, UVI and MR, are independent prognostic factors for patients with NPC.Patients with a high UVI may benefit from more aggressive treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anxiety and its interrelated factors of elderly outpatients. MethodsZung self-rating anxiety scale was used to evaluate 971 elderly outpatients, the scores between different sex, age, degree of education, etc. were compared. ResultsThe scores may become significantly different with the patients' sex, age, degree of education, satisfaction in regards to medical service and recognition of the disease(P<0.05).ConclusionFactors such as sex, age, degree of education, satisfaction of medical service, etc, deeply affect the anxiety in elderly outpatients.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of asthma and its correlated factors in Zaozhuang area in 2003, to provide a basic consideration for prevention/treatment and control policy.

METHODS6 points were selected by stratified-clusterd-random sampling with a total of 16,725 persons expected, but only 10,610 subjects investigated.

RESULTSIn this survey, 128 asthma cases were identified with a overall prevalence of 1.21%. The prevalence for children was 2.02%, and for adult was 0.90% with the former significantly higher then the latter (chi(2) = 21.39, P < 0.01). Rates for male and female were 1.08%, 1.32% with a ratio of 1:1.22. For 77.97% of children with asthma. The initiative age of asthma was before 7 years old among children while among 36.23% of the adults, it was before 15 years of age. Correlation analysis showed that upper respiratory tract infection (OR = 17.81, 95% CI: 12.25-25.89), cold air exposure (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 2.41-4.90), stimulation through cooking and by harmful gases (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.80-3.63), allergic materials (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.80-4.17) were main inducing factors. 65.63% of the asthma cases having had history of allergic disease while 25.78% having had family history with the OR of allergic history and family history as 21.69 vs. 73.96.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic status of bronchial asthma was serious, with an assumption that asthma cases might have reached the number of 43 thousand in Zaozhuang area.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors