Objective To study the clinical characteristics of primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome (pSS) patients with dry eyes.Methods Ninety-six pSS patients with dry eyes admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College from August 2009 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.Results In all 96 patients,89 patients had symptoms,23 of whom had two or more symptoms.The tear-film break-up time (BUT) of 154 eyes were Less than 5 seconds,18 were between 5-10 second,and twenty were more than 10 seconds,with the average of 3.7±1.9 seconds.The length of tear flow of 154 eyes'width of tear mocus was less than 3 millimetres (mm),with the average of (0.21±0.10) mm.The average score of corneal fluorescein staining score was 5.2±2.4.The wet lengths of filter paper of 192 eyes were all less than 10 mm/5 min,with the average of (4.6±1.8) mm.The average score of meibomian gland function was 1.5±0.9.Conclusion In patients with pSS,the width of tear meniscus and the wet lengths of filter paper are reduced,which implies less tear secretion.At the same time,BUTs are short,and the Meibomian gland dysfunction are observed.Dry eyes of pSS are mixed in type,not only aqueous tear deficiency.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of monitoring noninvasive respiratory effort and respiratory load-capacity ratio in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation by mean inspiratory pressure(Pi) which were calculated on the basis of the formula, Pi = 5 × P 0.1 × Ti, as well as the noninvasire tension index calculated from Pi(TTIi). Method Totally 12 patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation were enrolled in the study and their underlying diseases included COPD( n = 9), ARDS( n = 2) and status asthmaticus(n = 1) respectively. Esophageal pressure(PesoM) was monitored via the insertion of esophageal balloon and corrected esophageal pressure(Peso) was acquired by subtracting elastic pressure of chest wall from PesoM. P 0.1, Maximal inspiratory pressure on esophageal pressure curve(MIPeso) and on airway pressure curve(MIPaw) was measured with conventional technique. Pi was calculated on Pi = 5 × P 0.1 × Ti. Pi and MIPaw were used to calculate the noninvasive tension-time index TTIi, whereas Peso and MIPeso were used to calculate the invasive counterpart TTIeso. Comparisons, Correlation and Bland-Altman agreement analysis were made between P0.1 and Peso as well as between TIIi and TTIeso. Results There were no significant differences between Pi and Peso as well as between TTIi and TTIeso(P > 0.05) ,and the correlation coefficients were 0.974 and 0.957 respectively. In the agreement analysis, the mean difference between Pi and Peso, and between TTIi and TTIeso were lower than the minimal values of(Peso + PiSB )/2 and of(TIIi + TTIeso)/2, respectively. Conclusions There is a good correlation between Pi and Peso as well as between TTIi and TTIeso, in which Pi is calculated calculated from P 0.1 and in turn the TTIi is calculated from Pi. The noninvasive indices including Pi and TTIi can be used to monitor respiratory effort and respiratory load-capacity in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Objective To explore the toxic effect of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-αantisense oligonucleotide (αASODN) on the retina. Methods Twenty-four healthy adult colored rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups in six for each group. Intravitreous injections of 0.1ml different density diluents containing PDGFR-αASODN and liposome were performed in the right eyes in 3 groups. The other group was injected with 0.1 mL balanced salt solution (BSS) as the control group. The left eyes of all animals were not rejected. Slit lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy and electroretinogram (ERG) examination were performed at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days after the injection. On the day 28, the right eyes were harvested, and HE、immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy of retinal tissue were performed . Results The slit lamp, indirect ophthalmoscope examination of all groups were normal in each time. ERG examination yielded no difference in the amplitude of b wave between the treated groups and the normal control group. Pathological changes of the retinal tissue were not observed in the examinations of HE and immunohistochemical at the day 28 after injection. Electron microscope observation of retinal photoreceptor cells in the group D showed the parts of gaps between membranous discs were expanding, parts of were fusing, a few of clearances around cell nucleus were slightly enlarged,and the shapes of the cell nucleus were slightly irregular. Conclusions To inject 0.1 mL PDGFR-αASODN/lip2000 into the vitreous chamber, PDGFR-αASODN can be relatively safe when its concentration is less than 1.5μmol/L.

Objective To determine the effect of using cytomegalovirus-seronegative blood components in preventing transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infection,which laid foundation for the application of blood antibody screening of cytomegalovirus.Methods The documents of studies about the comparison in transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus ratio between using cytomegalovirus-seronegative blood components with using cytomegalovirus-unscreened /non-WBC-reduced blood were retrieved from the databases of PubMed,MEDLINE,Ovid,ProQuest,EBSCO,Cochrane Library,EMbase,CNKI,VIP,CBM and WanFang Library,and the reference in studies were retrieved by hands at the same time.The documents were screened,extracted and evaluated according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and then given a Meta-analysis by using Rev Man 5.1 software.Results There were totally 7 controlled studies(430 patients) included.The results of Meta-analysis showed that compared with using cytomegalovirus-unscreened/non-WBC-reduced blood,the effect of using cytomegalovirus-seronegative blood components in preventing transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infection had a statistical difference(OR=0.07,95%CI:0.03-0.18,P<0.01).Conclusion Application of blood antibody screening of cytomegalovirus is effective in preventing transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infection,especially organ transplantation and neonate patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of P-JNK and P-c-Jun of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) on nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats. METHOD: Sixty male Wistar rats (weighing about 200-250 g) were randomly divided into AR group (A group) and B group(control group). The rats in A group were sensitized for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin and Al(OH)₃. Rats in group A were randomized into A4, A8 and A12 group (each had 10 rats). Ovalbumin was dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8,12 weeks, respectively. Rats in group B were sensitized by saline instead of OVA, and were also divided into B4, B8 and B12 group. Each group had 10 rats. Pathological changes of nasal mucosa in each period were observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain dyeing. The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun were tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULT: In A8 group, mucosal congestion and edema thickening with inflammatory cells infiltration of eosinophils were observed in the eighth week, and the inflammatory changes were significantly increased as time went on. The mean absorbance values of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in A group were significantly higher than those in the corresponding B group (all P < 0.01). Moreover, the mean absorbance values of A12 group were significantly higher than A4 group and A8 group (all P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION The expression of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in the process of nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats were increased, which suggested that P-JNK and P-c-Jun played important roles in nasal mucosa remodeling of the allergic rhinitis rats.
Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To study the frequency of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR)mutations in patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens(CBAVD).Methods Eighty-five CBAVD patients were collected from May 2007 to May 2009.The diagnosis of CBAVD included azoospermia,normal of 4 sex hormone items,absence of seminal vesicle,normal volume of testicular and epididymis dilated siltation.And 85 normal fertile men served as controls.Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood.The mutations of CFTR exons 10,11 were detected by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism,and direct sequencing was performed on 85 cases of CBAVD and the control males.Results Of the 85 CBAVD,10 cases(11.8％)exhibited an abnormal CFTR gene mutation,with 4 cases I556V,2 cases M469V,and 1 case of E527N,A F508,L558S,S485C.No mutations were detected in 85 controls.There was a significant difference between the 2 groups(x2 =8.606,P =0.003).Conclusions CBAVD might be caused by the CFTR mutations.The frequencies and the spectrum of CFTR mutations might be different from those Caucasian population in the west country.

Objective To investigate the association between elevated levels of hsCRP and prognosis after stroke in Chinese patients.Methods Two hundred and ninety consecutive patients with firstonset stroke(197 ischemic and 93 hemorrhagic)and 290 age-and sex-matched control subjects without any cerebrovascular disease were studied.Plasma hsCRP level was measured and subsequent vascular events and death were determined in both groups over a 5-year period.Results Compared to control group,patients with stroke had higher plasma hsCRP level((3.3 ±3.8)vs(1.3±2.2)mg/L,t=8.048,P<0.01).Furthermore.within the group of patients with stroke,the mean plasma hsCRP level was higher in patients who experienced subsequent vascular events or death compared to patients without further complications ((4.4±4.3)vs(2.7±3.3)mg/L,t=3.496,P=0.001).Compared to the patients with lower hsCRP level(<1 mg/L),the relative risk for vascular events and death in stroke patients was 2.807(95%CI 1.544-5.495,P=0.001)in the hish hsCRP(>3 mg/L)patients.This increase of relative risk for vascular events and death in stroke patients persisted after the adjustment for age,sex and other cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes(OR 2.661,95%CI 1.323-5.352.P=0.006).Conclusions Patients presenting with stroke have higher levels of hsCRP compared to agematched controls.The degree of hsCRP elevation is correlated with the likelihood of subsequent VasCular events and death.These findings indicate that inerease of hsCRP level is associated with worsening prognosis after stroke in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signal transduction pathway on the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats, to explore whether IL-1β participates the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis by JNK signal transduction pathway. METHOD: Totally 60 male Wistar rats (weighing about 200-250 g)were randomly divided into A (AR group) and B group (control group). The rats in A group were sensitized for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection ovalbumin and Al(OH)₃. Ovalbumin was respectively dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8,12 weeks(A4,A8,or A12 group) each had 10 rats. The rats in B group were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection saline. Saline was respectively dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8, 12 weeks(B4, B8, or B12 group), and each had 10 rats. The concentration of IL-1β in serum and nasal lavage fluid were tested by ELASA. The protein expressions of P-JNK and P-c-Jun were detected by immunohistochemical technique. Linear correlation analysis showed the correlation between levels of IL-1β in serum and P-JNK protein, levels of IL-1β in nasal lavage fluid and P-JNK protein. RESULT: The concentrations of IL-1β in serum and nasal lavage fluid of A group were all significantly higher than those of the corresponding B group (all P < 0.01). Compared with A4 group and A8 group, concentrations of IL-1β in nasal lavage fluid of A12 group were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). However the levels of IL-1β in serum were not significantly different among them (all P > 0.05). Mean absorbance values of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in A group were significantly higher than those in corresponding B group (all P < 0.01) and compared with A4 group and A8 group, those of A12 group were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Strong positive correlation were found between P-JNK and concentration of IL-1β in serum or nasal lavage fluid (r = 0.835 and r = 0.902, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION JNK signal transduction pathway plays important role in the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats. IL-1β participates in AR nasal mucosa remodeling possibly partly through activating JNK signal transduction pathway.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; pathology ; Ovalbumin ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction

The self—formulated modified“Blood—activating andQi—benefitting Decoction of Fructus Cirri Sarco-dactylis”with heavy dose of Radix Angelica Sinensiswas applied for the treatment of 50 cases of apoplexycomplicated with pseudo—Bulbar paralysis.The totaleffective rate of dysathria was 98% with a 58% abovemarked effect rate,while the total effective rate for-choking and coughing was 98%,with a 94% abovemarkedly effective rate.

Objective To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with routine rehabilitation therapy on cardiorespiratory exercise function and rehabilitation efficacy in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods Thirty consecutive stroke patients with the first-ever hemiplegia were enrolled prospectively.They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) according to the random number table (n=15 in each group).Four patients withdrew,and finally 26 patients completed the study (n=13 in each group).The two groups of patients were given routine rehabilitation therapy.On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,the experimental group was also treated with aerobic exercise training,once a day,30 min each time for 4 weeks.The evaluations of cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed on both groups before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment (peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak]),anaerobic threshold [AT],peak minute ventilation [VEpeak]),and motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment scale [FMA],activities of daily living (Barthel index [BI]) were performed.The differences between the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results (1)Cardiopulmonary exercise test results:Compared with before treatment,VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak were increased significantly (16±4 ml/[kg·min] vs.13±3 ml/[kg·min],12.9±2.5 kg·min vs.10.0±2.7 ml/[kg·min],41±12 L/min vs.34±9 L/min,t=9.668,4.328,and 3.662,respectively,all P<0.01).There were no significant differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak (14±4 ml/[kg·min] vs.14±4 ml/[kg·min],11.8±2.6 ml/[kg·min] vs.11.5±2.9 ml/[kg·min],29±8 L/min vs.28±6 L/min) in patients of the control group between before treatment and after treatment.There were no significant differences (t=0.863,0.583,and 0.314,respectively,all P>0.05).The differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in the patients of the control group before and after treatment were 0.4 (0.2,0.6),0.1 (-0.5,0.7 ml/kg·min) and 0 (-2.5,5.0 L/min),respectively.The differences of VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak in patients of the experimental group before and after treatment were 3.0 (2.2,3.9 ml/[kg·min],2.7 (1.8,5.3 ml/[kg·min],and 7.0 (1.0,13.0 L/min),respectively.There were significant differences in VO2peak,AT,and VEpeak before and after treatment between the two groups (Z=4.287,3.721,and 2.236,respectively,P<0.05).(2) FMA score and BI evaluation results:Compared with before treatment,the FMA score and Barthel index after treatment in patients of the experiment group were 70±24 vs.52±28 and 78±20 vs.60±28 respectively,t=4.076 and 4.239 respectively,P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the FMA score and BI in the control group after treatment were improved significantly (68±25 vs.60±27 and 69±22 vs.59±26 respectively,t=3.168 and 5.436 respectively,all P<0.05).The FMA score and the difference of BI in the control group before and after treatment were 5.0 (2.0,12.0) and 10.0 (5.0,15.0) respectively,and those of the experimental group before and after treatment were 10.0 (4.5,32.0) and 11.0 (10.0,27.5) respectively,and there were no significant differences between the two groups (Z=1.393,1.352,all P>0.05).Conclusion On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy,stroke patients with hemiplegia increasing aerobic exercise training may improve their cardiopulmonary exercise function.