Objective To evaluate the relationship between Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and propofol-induced inhibition of endotoxin-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from alveolar macrophages (AMs) of rats.Methods AMs extracted from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and inoculated in 6-well plates (1 × 106 cells/well)and in 96-well plates (1×104 cells/well).The cells were divided into 5 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),dimethyl sulfoxide group (group D),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (group L),propofol group (group P) and LPS plus propofol group (group L+P).The cells were continuously cultured with phosphate buffer solution in group C.Dimethyl sulfoxide was added at the final concentration of 5 mg/ml in group D.LPS was added at the final concentration of 1 μg/ml in group L.Propofol was added at the final concentration of 25 μmol/L (4.46 μg/ml) in group P.LPS and propofol were added at the final concentration of 1 μg/ml and 25 μmol/L (4.46 μg/ml),respectively,in group L+P.At 24 h of culture or incubation,the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay,the morphological changes of cells were observed using Wright's staining,the concentration of TNF-α in the supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and TLR4 expression and NF-κB activities were measured by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability and concentration of TNF-α in the supernatant were significantly increased,the expression of TLR4 was up-regulated,and the activity of NF-κB was enhanced in L and L+P groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in D and P groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group L,the cell viability and concentration of TNF-α in the supernatant were significantly decreased,the expression of TLR4 was down-regulated,and the activity of NF-κB was weakened (P＜0.05),the morphological changes of cells were significantly attenuated,and the number of pseudopodia was reduced in group L+P.Conclusion The mechanism by which propofol inhibits endotoxin-induced release of TNF-α from AMs is related to inhibited activation of TLR4/NF-λB signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of locally administered dexamethasone for prevention of low back pain after labor epidural analgesia.Methods Two hundred nulliparous parturients who required labor epidural analgesia,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =100 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexamethasone group (group D)).In group D,lidocaine 4 ml and dexamethasone 1 ml (5 mg) were injected around the puncture site.In group C,lidocaine 4 ml and normal saline 1 ml were injected around the puncture site.Epidural puncture was performed after local administration.According to the results of epidural puncture,each group was further divided into two subgroups:single puncture group (Cs subgroup,Ds subgroup) and repetitive puncture group (Cr subgroup,Dr subgroup).The patients were followed up for 72 h,and the development of low back pain was recorded.Results Compared to group C,the incidence of low back pain was significantly decreased,and pain was reduced in group D.The incidence of low back pain was significantly lower in Ds group than in Cs group,and in Dr group than in Cr group.Conclusion Locally administered dexamethasone 5 mg is helpful in reducing low back pain after labor epidural anesthesia.

39℃)developed at the progressive stage of this disease.Physical examination showed variously sized,round or oval,atrophic and variola-like scars along with scattered erythematous patches,papules, necrosis and crusts on the face and extremities.The face was edematous,and there were some edematous and erythematous plaques with a necrotic center on the legs and arms.Histological examination revealed a massive infiltration with atypical CD8~+lymphocytes around the vessels and appendages in dermis.A diagnosis of CD8~+cutaneous T-cell lymphoma(CTCL)was made.Glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants were effective in controlling the condition.Up to the time of the writing,there has not been any definite evidence of systemic involvement.

Objective To report a case of deep mycosis caused by Rhizomucor chlamydosporus. Methods Medical history,histopathology and laboratory examination were investigated,and fungal identifi- cation by microscopy and culture as well in the patient.Results The patient,a 41-year-old male,initially presented with mild-tender and progressively aggravating masses on the right glutea,both groins,and back of the head of pancreas.Later,ulcer,necrosis,and black crusts developed at the primary lesions accompanied with nausea,vomitting and dysfunction of liver.Pathological examination revealed a chronic granuloma- tous inflammation in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue;and branching,nonseptate and broad hyphae in multinuclear giant cells,tissue spaces and blood vessel lumens,and,few PAS-positive septate hyphae as well as basophilic chlamydospores located in multinuclear giant cells.The isolate was identified as R. chlamydosporus.Conclusions The case of deep mycosis caused by R.chlamydosporus began with invasive granuloma,followed by necrotic ulcer,with condition aggravating rapidly,and the patient finally died of se- rious cachexia.

Objective To investigate the Wallerian degeneration of neural fiber tract in medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle following pontine infarction and to explore its impacts on neurological recovery.Methods Fourteen patients with a recent unilateral pontine infarct underwent the diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and evaluations with the NIH stroke scale(NIHSS),the Fugl-Meyer motor scale(FM), ataxia rating scale(ARS)and the Barthel index(BI)at the first week(W1),the fourth(W4)and twelfth week(W12)respectively.Mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)were measured at pons, medulla and middle cerebellar peduncle.Fourteenth age and gender matched volunteers underwent a DTI were studied as controls.Results Compared with the matched regions in controls,the FA values of infarct side medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle in patients significantly decreased at W1,W4 and W12(on the infarct side of medulla:W1:0.43?0.01;W4:0.37?0.02;W12:0.30?0.02;on the infarct side of middle cerebellar peduncle:W1:0.50?0.01;W4:0.43?0.02;W12:0.35?0.04;on the opposite side of middle cerebellar peduncle infarction:W1:0.54?0.02;W4:0.52?0.03;W12:0.47?0.04,t values are 1.92 to 28.56,P0.05 respectively).The absolute value of percent reduction of FA in infarct side medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle was correlated negatively to the absolute value of percent change of NIHSS and BI score(P

BACKGROUNDH syndrome (OMIM 612391) is a recently described autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by indurated hyperpigmented and hypertrichotic skin, as well as other systemic manifestations. Most of the cases occurred in the Middle East areas or nearby countries such as Spain or India. The syndrome is caused by mutations in solute carrier family 29, member 3 (SLC29A3), the gene encoding equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3. The aim of this study was to identify pathogenic SLC29A3 mutations in a Chinese patient clinically diagnosed with H syndrome.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his parents. Genomic DNA was isolated by the standard method. All six SLC29A3 exons and their flanking intronic sequences were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified and the PCR products were subjected to direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe patient, an 18-year-old man born to a nonconsanguineous Chinese couple, had more extensive cutaneous lesions, involving both buttocks and knee. In his genomic DNA, we identified a novel homozygous insertion-deletion, c. 1269_1270delinsA, in SLC29A3. Both of his parents were carriers of the mutation.

CONCLUSIONSWe have identified a pathogenic mutation in a Chinese patient with H syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Nucleoside Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Skin Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe optimal revascularization strategy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with HFPEF.

METHODSFrom July 2003 through September 2005, a total of 920 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and HFPEF (ejection fraction ≥ 50%) underwent PCI (n = 350) or CABG (n = 570). We compared the groups with respect to the primary outcome of mortality, and the secondary outcomes of main adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events (MACCE), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke and repeat revascularization, at a median follow-up of 543 days.

RESULTSIn-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the PCI group than in the CABG group (0.3% vs. 2.5%, adjusted P = 0.016). During follow-up, there was no significant difference in the two groups with regard to mortality rates (2.3% vs. 3.5%, adjusted P = 0.423). Patients receiving PCI had higher MACCE rates as compared with patients receiving CABG (13.4% vs. 4.0%, adjusted P < 0.001), mainly due to higher rate of repeat revascularization (adjusted P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality were age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and chronic total occlusion.

CONCLUSIONAmong patients with CAD and HFPEF, PCI was shown to be as good as CABG with respect to the mortality rate, although there was a higher rate of repeat revascularization in patients undergoing PCI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; mortality ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; mortality ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic aberrations of ocular extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type occurring in patients from southern China.

METHODSFifty seven paraffin-embedded ocular MALT lymphoma specimens from patients in southern China were studied by interphase fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) for genetic aberrations including t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, t(1;14)(p22;q32)/IgH-bcl-10, t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 and bcl-6/FOXP1 gene translocations.

RESULTSAmongst the 57 cases studied, 9 cases (15.8%) showed chromosome translocations, including 4 cases (7.0%) of t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of bcl-6 gene-related chromosome translocation and 3 cases (5.3%) of IgH-unknown translocation partner. FISH revealed 17 cases (29.8%) with 3 copies of bcl-6 gene, 21 cases (36.8%) with 3 copies of MALT1 gene and 12 cases (21.1%) with 3 copies of both genes.

CONCLUSIONSThe MALT lymphoma-associated chromosome translocations t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1 and t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 are demonstrated in ocular MALT lymphomas of southern Chinese patients. The prevalence is significantly different from that reported in northern Chinese and northern American patients, indicating a geographic heterogeneity in the MALT lymphoma-associated genetic aberrations. The presence of 3 copies of bcl-6 and MALT1 genes is the commonest genetic abnormalities observed in ocular MALT lymphomas, suggesting a possible role in MALT lymphomagenesis.

Caspases ; genetics ; metabolism ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the bacteria contamination on hands of funeral staffs in different positions.

METHODSBacterial samples were collected from the hands of 105 funeral staffs in different positions (including 90 frontline staffs and 15 administrative workers) from 13 funeral parlors nationwide, and were subsequently tested by bacterium inspection.

RESULTSIn total, 1783 strains of bacteria were isolated, including 1027 Gram-positive bacteria, most of which were Staphylococcus; and 756 Gram-negative bacteria, most of which were Pseudomonas. Out of the 1783 strains of bacteria, 570 pathogens and opportunistic pathogens were isolated, accounted to 31.96%. The isolated ratio of pathogens and conditional pathogens in embalmed/cosmetologist of cadavers was 35.67% (370/1037), which was higher than those in the funeral workers in other positions, such as cremators, pick-up and administrative workers, whose ratios were 24.42% (95/389), 22.41% (52/232) and 10.40% (12/125), respectively (χ(2) were 13.682, 10.967 and 32.263, respectively; P values were all < 0.05). And the isolated ratios of pathogens and conditional pathogens in cremators and pick-up workers were significantly higher than that in administrative workers (χ(2) were 11.206 and 7.873, respectively; P values were all < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLots of bacteria were found in the samples from hands of funeral staffs. The isolated ratio of pathogens and conditional pathogens was different between the funeral staffs in different positions; while the highest was from embalmed/cosmetologist of cadavers and the lowest was from administrators.

Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Hand ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mortuary Practice ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo identify and assess multiple human papillomavirus types in condyloma acuminatum lesions from patients with genital warts in Beijing area, and compare different features between otherwise healthy and immunosuppressed patients.

METHODSPCR, RFLP and nucleotide sequencing analysis were used to determine HPV types from individual lesions.

RESULTSThe predominant type from other healthy patients was HPV6, secondly HPV11. The mean age of patients infected by HPV6 was lower than that of HPV11 and HPV6 + 11. While lesions from immunosuppressed patients were often contained HPV11 or mixed with HPV6. Besides, HPV types 16 and 53 were detected from infected lesions than other HPV types.

CONCLUSIONSHPV6 was the major pathogen of condyloma acuminatum, but infected patients were at lower ages. While HPV11 was most often detected from immunosuppressed patients. As a low risk virus in normal genital tract, HPV53 also could be a pathogen in genital warts.

Adult ; Condylomata Acuminata ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Papillomaviridae ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Tumor Virus Infections ; Warts ; virology