Adult ; Antidotes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Parathion ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Pralidoxime Compounds ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the possible mechanism and protective effect of Xuebijing injection (血必净注射液)and dexamethasone on rats with paraquat-induced chronic pulmonary injury.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal group(n=5),model group(n=5), treatment groups(n=20).In the normal group,normal saline was used,while in the other groups,20% paraquat 80 mg/kg was injected peritoneally for poisoning.After 2 hours of intoxication,low dose Xuebijing injection(1.25 g/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection(2.50 g/kg),dexamethasone(25 mg/kg),high dose Xuebijing injection combined with dexamethasone(combined group)respectively were administered into the four different treatment groups,equal amount of normal saline was given to the normal and model groups,and the treatment continued for 4 days.At 28 days after paraquat injection,5 rats in each group were killed respectively,serum transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and hydroxyproline(HYP)level in the lung homogenate were measured,and pulmonary coefficient and histological changes were observed.Results In the treatment groups,the levels of serum TGF-?1 and lung tissue HYP,pulmonary coefficient were leas than those of model group,and among the treatment groups,combined group had the best results(all P

OBJECTIVETo summarise the clinical features of 18 cases with acute trichloropropane (TCP) poisoning for improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODSExposure history, clinical manifestations, laboratorial examinations, poisoning causes and treatment were retrospectively reviewed in 18 cases with acute TCP poisoning. The results of peripheral lymphocyte micronucleus tests were compared with the healthy control group (n = 33).

RESULTSThe common clinical symptoms were as following: respiratory symptoms were the earlier one set, such as chest tightness in 13, dry and sore throat in 7, cough and runny nose in 2. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common, such as abdominal pain in 18, nausea and vomit in 14. Only 1 out of 18 patients was found with liver injury. The major manifestation was the increase in ALT and AST, which was returned to normal after treatment. ALL of the 18 patients were found TCP in their serum which concentration was from 39.0 to 310.0 ng/ml, and the average was (68.9 ± 42.1) ng/ml. The symptoms of toxic peripheral neuropathy were typical in all the patients, such as fatigue and numb limb in 18, burning pain of the distal lower limbs in 14, the symmetrical sock-like sensory dysfunction of pain, touch and vibration of the lower limbs in 13, muscle strength reduced in 7, hyporeflexia knee-jerks in 4, hyporeflexia ankle-jerks in 3. The peripheral nerve conduction velocity (NCV) examinations were as followed: the (sensore-nerve conduction velocity) SCV of peroneus super nerve in 18 and the (motor-nerve conduction velocity) MCV of tibial nerve in 8 was slowed down and the distal latency in 18 was prolonged. Micronucleus were found in all 18 cases. The micronucleus rate was 10.06‰ ± 2.80‰ and 8.24‰ ± 2.67‰ in acute TCP poisoning group and healthy control group, respectively. The difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe common clinical manifestations of respiratory exposure of TCP poisoning patients were respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms and the symptoms of toxic peripheral neuropathy. Liver injury in those 18 cases was not obvious. Lymphocyte micronucleus of peripheral blood were found in all 18 cases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Neural Conduction ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Trichloroepoxypropane ; poisoning ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the possible role of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICE)in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis and the protective effect of"Xiaopi prescription (消痞方)".Methods Fifty healthy male Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (each n=10):normal, model,and 3 Xiaopi prescription groups:low,middle and high dosages.Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan,and equal amount of normal saline was intravenously injected in the normal group.Gastric lavage method was used to administer the traditional Chinese medicine decoction of Xiaopi prescription in corresponding amount (5,10 and 20 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) in respective low,middle and high dosage groups.In the normal control group and diabetic model group,only equal amount of normal saline was administered into the stomach.Gastric emptying rate was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste;c-kit positive cells of ICC were quantitatively measured with immunohistochemistry assay and computer image analysis system;c-kit mRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured with in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system.Results①Gastric emptying rate:The rate was significantly lower in the model group than that in the normal control group (P0.05),but higher than those in the model group and the low dosage group (all P0.05).②c-kit immmunohistochemistry:c-kit positive cell presented yellow in color,and its membrane was stained yellow,this kind of cells primarily were distributed around the neural plexus in the inter-space between the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers, and around the ganglionic cells forming"sheath-like"structure.The results of numbers of c-kit positive cells in the various groups:the number of the cells in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P0.05),but the numbers in the former two dosage groups were obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal group,middle and high dosage groups (all P0.05),but obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal,middle and high dosage groups (all P

Carnosic acid (CA) is the main phenolic diterpenoid active ingredient in plants such as rosemary and sage, and has antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and so on, however, its antiviral activity against influenza virus infections was not reported. In this study, antiviral activities against influenza A virus infections of three main bioactive ingredients from rosemary, including rosmarinic acid, CA and ursolic acid, were evaluated using virus titer titration assay, and CA showed remarkable inhibition on influenza H5N1 replication in A549 cells. The antiviral activity of CA was further confirmed and its mechanism of action was investigated using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantification polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) of CA against influenza H5N1 in A549 cells and MDCK cells were 4.30 and 3.64 μmol·L^-1, respectively. Meanwhile, CA also showed inhibition on influenza virus 2009panH1N1 (EC₅₀: 10.1 μmol·L^-1) and H3N2 (EC₅₀: 12.8 μmol·L^-1) replications in A549 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that antiviral activity of CA is related to its induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in A549 cells and suppression on production of reactive oxygen in H5N1-infected cells.

BACKGROUNDUlcerative colitis (UC) is associated with differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC by regulating the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and control crucial physiological processes. This study aimed to identify aquaporin 8 (AQP8) expression and its relationship with miRNA in UC patients.

METHODSHuman colon samples, in this study, were obtained from 20 patients with UC and 16 healthy subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2009 and June 2010. We screened different genes from UC tissues and healthy subjects using genome-wide microarray, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Regulation of gene expression by miRNAs was assessed by luciferase reporter construct assays and transfection of specific miRNA mimics and inhibitor.

RESULTSWe identified that 1596 genes were increased and 1301 genes were decreased in UC patients compared to healthy subjects. Among them, we focused on the analysis of AQP8 which was decreased three folds in UC tissues (P < 0.01). The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were decreased in UC tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treated HT29 cells compared with controls (P < 0.05). We searched candidate target miRNAs of AQP8 through bioformatics and the luciferase report assay analysis indicated that miR-424, miR-195, miR-330, miR-612, and miR-16 which has complementary site in the 3-untranslated region (3'UTR) of AQP8 could decrease the relative luciferase activities by 10% - 45%.

CONCLUSIONAQP8 and its relationship with miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of UC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the early clinical results of thoracoscopic and mini-open thoracotomic anterior correction for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis.

METHODSTwenty-three cases with idiopathic right thoracic scoliosis were divided into 2 groups. Group A includes 8 females with average age of 14.8 years and average Cobb angle of 54 degrees . The Risser sign was +++ approximately ++++. These patients were operated on with thoracoscopic Eclipse instrumentation. Group B covers 2 males and 13 females with average age of 13.8 years and average Cobb angle of 57 degrees . The Risser sign was ++ approximately ++++. These patients were operated on with mini-open thoracotomic anterior instrumentation. The operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, instrumented levels, curve correction and early loss of correction of both groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe patients of group A had average operative time of (360 +/- 72) min, (629 +/- 145) ml of intra-operative blood loss, (7.4 +/- 1.1) of instrumented levels, (500 +/- 150) ml of post operative drainage, 74 +/- 14% of curve correction rate and (8.6 +/- 2.7)% of early loss of correction after 6 approximately 18 m follow-up. The patients of group B had average operative time of (246 +/- 64) min, (300 +/- 110) ml of intra-operative blood loss, (7.8 +/- 0.9) of instrumented levels, (210 +/- 90) ml of post operative drainage, (70 +/- 12)% of curve correction rate and (4.6 +/- 1.9)% of early loss of correction. The curve correction rates of thoracoscopic and mini-open thoracoscopic anterior correction were not significantly different (P >0.05). But the operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, and early loss of correction showed significant difference (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThoracoscopic and mini-open thoracotomic anterior correction for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis have their own indications. Both techniques are safe and effective to correct the idiopathic thoracic scoliosis with satisfied early results. But the early loss of correction of mini-open thoracotomic anterior correction is significantly less than that of thoracoscopic anterior correction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo detect the prevalence of spinal cord abnormality in "idiopathic" left thoracic scoliosis and analyze its clinical significance.

METHODSFrom October 1997 to October 2003, 59 "idiopathic" left thoracic scoliosis were treated, including 31 males and 28 females. The age was from 7 to 44 years with an average of 15 years. The Cobb angle was from 15 degrees to 108 degrees with average 56 degrees . The holocord MRI was made for all patients.

RESULTSThirty-three patients were found cord abnormality, including 24 Chiari malformation with syringomyelia, 5 syringomyelia, 1 Chiari malformation with syringomyelia and diastematomyelia, 1 Chiari malformation with syringomyelia and tethered cord, 1 syringomyelia with tethered cord, and 1 Dandy-Walker malformation. The prevalence of spinal cord abnormality in left thoracic scoliosis was 56%. Compared to the left thoracic scoliosis without cord abnormality, the left thoracic scoliosis with cord abnormality had been found more in males and the patients with bigger Cobb angle (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor left thoracic scoliosis, especially male patient or patient with bigger Cobb angle, associated cord abnormality should be highly suspected. Preoperative holocord MRI is very meaningful for this kind of patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prevalence ; Scoliosis ; complications ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Thoracic Vertebrae

OBJECTIVETo screen the parameters of questionnaire in prevalence survey of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in China, and to evaluate the value and feasibility of questionnaire used in prevalence survey.

METHODSA questionnaire study on SpA with 12 questions involved was performed which came from a epidemiological survey on SpA in Brittany, France.

RESULTS(1) We found difference on the sensitivity and specificity of some indexes in the questionnaires between the French study and the one developed by ourselves. The sensitivity differed between the published French paper and ours in the following indexes: onset age, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. The specificity of the indexes would include spinal pain, insidious onset, morning stiffness, duration more than 3 months and radiographic manifestation also showed differences. (2) Excluding the radiographic abnormality, we ran the logistic regression and concluded that the following parameters were the independent indexes which suggesting the existence of the disease: spinal pain onset before 40 years of age, having spinal stiffness in the morning having positive family history and having buttock pain and heel pain. (3) Based on the result of each question of the questionnaire, indices of distinguishing the cases and controls were identified.

CONCLUSIONThe questionnaire verified in our study was a new, simple, valuable and feasible one for SpA prevalence study and in screening the potential SpA patients.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylarthropathies ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the change of melatonin receptor mRNA expression in paravertebral muscles in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and analyze its relationship with the etiology of AIS.

METHODSTwenty cases with average age of (15.1 +/- 2.2) years and average Cobb angle of 56 degrees +/- 16 degrees , including 10 cases with Cobb angle > 50 degrees and 10 cases with Cobb angle

RESULTSThe MT2 mRNA expression of paravertebral muscles on concave side was higher than that on convex side in AIS and CS groups (P < 0.05), but the MT1 mRNA expression showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In AIS group, the ratio of MT2 mRNA expression on concave side compared with convex side in cases with Cobb angle > 50 degrees and cases with Cobb angle 0.05). The MT1 and MT2 mRNA expression showed no significant difference in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe melatonin receptor expression in bilateral paravertebral muscles in AIS is asymmetric, which may be a secondary change and has no important role in the pathogenesis of AIS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Melatonin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Scoliosis ; metabolism