Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

The ITS2 barcode was used to accurately identify Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants in this study. A total of46 samples from Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants were collected. The ITS2 regions were amplified and sequenced. Sequences were assembled using the CodonCode Aligner. The genetic distances of ITS2 region were calculated using MEGA 5.0. BLAST1, nearest distance and phylogenetic tree (NJ-tree) methods were used to assess the identification efficiency of the ITS2 barcode. The results revealed that the intraspecific genetic distances of Albizia julibrissin were lower than the interspecific genetic distances between A. julibrissin and its adulterants. The identification efficiency of ITS2 barcode using BLAST1 was 100%. The NJ-tree showed that A. julibrissin and their adulterants can be easily differentiated according to their monophyly. The ITS2 barcode is suitable to be as a barcode to identify Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants.
Albizzia ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Flowers ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

Objective To investigate the relationship between the steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS) and interleukin-18(IL-18) and to approach the inhibitive role of dexamethasone(DEX) on expression of IL-18 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) in children with SSNS in vitro.Methods IL-18 levels of serum, urine and supernatants of PBMC cultured in vitro were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 children with SSNS who were either before or after treatment. Fifteen age-matched healthy children served as normal control group, and another 18 children with respiratory infections as infectious control group.Results There were signi-ficant differences of IL-18 in serum and urine before and after treatment in children with SSNS (t=15.072,16.149 Pa

Objective: To observe the efficacy of long-retaining scalp acupuncture plus interactive training in improving upper- extremity dysfunction in cerebral stroke patients. Methods: Ninety-five patients with upper-extremity dysfunction after cerebral stroke were randomized into two groups, with 48 cases in the treatment group and 47 cases in the control group. Conventional internal medicine treatment was offered to both groups. In both groups, Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-temporal (MS 6, the middle 2/5) and Posterior Oblique Line of Vertex-temporal (MS 7, the middle 2/5) were selected from the same side of the brain lesion (the side apposing to the hemiplegic limb) for scalp acupuncture treatment. In the treatment group, the scalp acupuncture needles were retained for 7 h, in combination with interactive training, while the needles were also retained for 7 h in the control group but without interactive training. Prior to treatment and at 2-week and 4-week treatment, the two groups were scored using the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity-Hong Kong (FTHUE-HK) and simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE). Results: The total effective rate was 97.9％ in the treatment group, higher than 74.5％ in the control group (P<0.01). The FTHUE-HK score was higher at 2-week and 4-week treatment than before treatment in both groups, presenting statistically significant intra-group differences (all P<0.001); the FTHUE-HK score was higher at 4-week treatment than at 2-week treatment in both groups, presenting statistically significant intra-group differences (both P<0.001). At 2-week and 4-week treatment, the FTHUE-HK score was higher in the treatment group than in the control group, showing significant between-group differences (both P<0.05). During the whole treatment process, the treatment group had higher FTHUE-HK scores compared with the control group, but there was no statistical significance comparing the change of the score between the two groups at 2-week treatment (P>0.05), while the between-group difference in the change of the score was statistically significant at 4-week treatment (P<0.05). The FMA-UE score was higher at 2-week and 4-weeks treatment than before treatment in both groups, presenting statistically significant intra-group differences (all P<0.001); the FMA-UE score was higher at 4-week treatment than at 2-week treatment in both groups, presenting statistically significant intra-group differences (both P<0.001). At 2-week and 4-week treatment, the FMA-UE was higher in the treatment group than in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). The FMA-UE score rose gradually with the increase of treatment session, and there was statistical significance comparing the change of the score between the two groups at 2-week and 4-week treatment, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Long-retaining scalp acupuncture plus interactive training results in more significant efficacy than long-retaining scalp acupuncture alone in improving the upper-limb dysfunction after cerebral stroke and the advantage becomes more notable after 2-week consecutive treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the specificity of the acupoints and related factors on acupuncture effects.

METHODSThe rat model of cerebral median artery occlusion (MCAO) was established with thread ligation according to Zea-Longa method. The acupoint group and the non-acupoint group were stimulated by acupuncture with 9 different parameters (marked group No. I - VI) combined by frequency (60 Hz, 120 Hz, 180 Hz) and time (5 s, 60 s, 180 s). The acupoint of "shuigou" (GV 26) was selected for the acupoint group, the fixed point which was at a distance of 10 mm from the iliac crest below the ribs in the affected side. The acupuncture effect was evaluated with the percentage of brain infarct area after TTC dyeing.

RESULTS(1) Acupoint groups could obviously reduce the brain infarction area in MCAO rats. Under 9 intervention parameters, acupoint groups had much more effectiveness tendency than that of the non-acupoint groups. (2) Acupoint group VI was the most effective in reducing the brain infarction area among 9 acupuncture parameter groups.

CONCLUSION(1) Acupoint has specificity effect on reduction of brain infarct area in MCAO rats. (2) Acupoint group VI (180 Hz; 5 s) could significantly reduce the percentage of cerebral infarction area by TTC dyeing.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain Infarction ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of paraoxonase 2 (PON2) and stroke.

METHODSObjects examined comprised of three groups: 120 healthy people, 150 patients with cerebral hemorrhage, 180 patients with cerebral infarction. The PON2 genotypes were determined with PCR and digested by specific restriction enzymes.

RESULTSC311S and G148A polymorphisms of PON2 gene existed among population of Chinese Hunan area, with the allele frequencies 0.23/0.77 for C/S and 0.57/0.43 for G/A in the control group. There was no significant difference of genotype and allele frequency between stroke patients and controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONC311S polymorphism of PON2 has no significant correlation with stroke in Han people of Chinese Hunan area and allele C/S is not an independent risk factor for stroke,neither is G148A.

Aged ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Stroke ; genetics

BACKGROUNDPreviously we had successfully tracked adult human neural stem cells (NSCs) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) in host human brain after transplantation in vivo non-invasively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the function of the transplanted NSCs could not be evaluated by the method. In the study, we applied manganese-enhanced MRI (ME-MRI) to detect NSCs function after implantation in brain of rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in vivo.

METHODSTotally 40 TBI rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. In group 1, the TBI rats did not receive NSCs transplantation. MnCl2·4H2O was intravenously injected, hyperosmolar mannitol was delivered to disrupt rightside blood brain barrier, and its contralateral forepaw was electrically stimulated. In group 2, the TBI rats received NSCs (labeled with SPIO) transplantation, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1. In group 3, the TBI rats received NSCs (labeled with SPIO) transplantation, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1, but diltiazem was introduced during the electrical stimulation period. In group 4, the TBI rats received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injection, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1.

RESULTSHyperintense signals were detected by ME-MRI in the cortex areas associated with somatosensory in TBI rats of group 2. These signals, which could not be induced in TBI rats of groups 1 and 4, disappeared when diltiazem was introduced in TBI rats of group 3.

CONCLUSIONIn this initial study, we mapped implanted NSCs activity and its functional participation within local brain area in TBI rats by ME-MRI technique, paving the way for further pre-clinical research.

Animals ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Cell Movement ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Manganese ; Neural Stem Cells ; physiology ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo compare the detection rate of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) 30 base pair deletion in extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma with that in chronic inflammation of nasopharynx and tonsillitis; and to analyze the prognostic significance of LMP1 deletion in extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction was used to detect the deletion of LMP1 in 55 cases of extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma and 19 cases of chronic inflammation of nasopharynx and tonsillitis. Follow-up information of 1 to 58-month duration was available in 33 patients.

RESULTSIn all the 55 extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma cases studied, 9 cases contained the wide-type or predominantly wide-type LMP1. On the other hand, 46 cases contained the deleted or predominantly deleted LMP1. In the non-lymphoma control group, 16 cases contained the deleted or predominantly deleted LMP1. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the detection rate of 30 base pair deleted LMP1 between extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma and control group (P > 0.05). The prognosis of deleted or predominantly deleted LMP1 in extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma was worse.

CONCLUSIONThough 30 base pair deletion of Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 may not be an important pathogenetic step in extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma, it may play some role in tumor progression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; genetics ; virology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; pathology ; virology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngitis ; Nose Neoplasms ; genetics ; virology ; Sequence Deletion ; Survival Rate ; Tonsillitis ; genetics ; virology ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of nutrient support on severe infant pneumonia. METHODS: Prospective study was conducted on the outcome of 567 inpatients suffering from severe pneumonia in 13 hospitals randomly selected in Hunan. Twelve factors were surveyed and data analyzed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Malnnutrition, anemia and rickets were risk factors in severe pneumonia, and nutrient support had protective effect on severe pneumonia. CONCLUSION Nutrient support contributes to the positive outcome of severe infant pneumonia.
Child, Preschool ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nutritional Support ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Pneumonia ; diet therapy ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; gamma-Globulins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThe novel influenza A (H1N1) virus firstly detected in April 2009 in Mexico rapidly spread to many countries including the United States and Canada where humans were infected with the H1N1 virus and deaths were reported. The pandemic virus strain had never been detected in specimen of human beings and swine. It was so highly contagious and widely spread that threatened life of humans globally. This study aimed to analyze clinical data of hospitalized children patients with 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection confirmed by etiologic tests, and compared with that of seasonal influenza A.

METHODClinical manifestations, laboratory and therapy data from the hospitalized children were collected by designed case report form and analyzed. All patients were enrolled from Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2003 to 2010. There were 152 cases in seasonal influenza A group, which was composed of 100 boys and 52 girls. Other 93 boys and 86 girls formed 2009 novel influenza A group.

RESULTInfluenza A was dominate from 2003 to 2008 and the peak season was December and January, while the peak hospitalized time of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza was from November 2009 to January 2010. The median age of seasonal influenza group was 35 months, which was lower than that of novel influenza group (Z = -6.702, P<0.01). Besides, 80.9% of the patients in seasonal influenza group were infants, while the novel influenza A group was mainly composed of infants and pre-school children (chi2 = 40.725, P<0.01). The cases of both groups had influenza-like symptoms at onset and the most common presentations were fever and cough. The duration of fever was much longer in 2009 novel influenza group (Z = -7.173, P<0.01). Patients in two groups nearly had the same symptoms except cough was more frequently presented by novel influenza A group cases (chi2 = 4.109, P<0.05). In laboratory examination, the novel influenza group had more cases with abnormality in blood platelet, CRP, ALT, and CK-MB than that of seasonal influenza group (chi2 = 7.562, 17.245, 4.398, 6.217, P<0.01). Patients in novel influenza A group had more changes in electrocardiogram (chi2 = 24.461, P<0.01). More patients had common underlying medical condition in novel influenza groups than those in seasonal influenza group (chi2 = 12.553, P<0.01). Furthermore, the groups had different age distribution in underlying medical diseases (chi2 = 7.231, P<0.05). Children with 2009 novel H1N1 virus infection tended to catch pneumonia (chi2 = 8.661, P<0.01) and became the severe cases (chi2 = 10.595, P<0.01). They had much higher ICU admission rate (chi2 = 12.873, P<0.01) and longer hospital stay (Z = -2.764, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAs a new variant of influenza virus A, 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A had stronger pathogenicity. Children with underlying medical conditions had the high risk to be infected and developed severe manifestations.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male