OBJECTIVE To study the quantitative bacteriology of sputum in patients with lower respiratory tract infection. METHODS A total of 1534 samples were collected from 1351 patients.Bacterial culture,drugs sensitive test and quantitative analysis were carried out.The pathogens were confirmed by VITEK-32 and API system.MIC test was adopted to analyze drug resistance. RESULTS The 1605 strains were isolated of the 1534 samples.The common pathogens were Escherichia coli 24.3%,Klebsiella pneumoniae 20.7%,Streptococcus pneumoniae 20.7%,Enterobacter cloacae 10.9%,Staphylococcus aureus 10.4%,Haemophilus influenzae 8.7%,Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5.9%,and Moraxella catarrhalis 4.0%. CONCLUSIONS Sputum cultures usually can not accurately reflect the etiology.Diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection is based on clinical symptoms.A sputum Gram staining may show many mononuclear or polymorphonuclear cells in viral or bacterial infections,respectively.

MicroRNAs are the endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by mediating gene post-transcriptional silence.Among them,miR-21,miR-17-92,miR-214,miR-26a,miR-221,miR-222and so on mainly suppress the expression of PTEN phosphohydrolase through targeting PTEN mRNA 3'-UTR.PTEN plays an important role in cell proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion,and its low expression will induce tumorigenesis.

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic efficacies of pricking Sifeng (EX-UE10), spine pinching, and the combination of pricking Sifeng and spine pinching in treating infantile dyspepsia.MethodBy simple randomization, ninety-six patients were divided into a pricking group (n=32), a spine pinching group (n=32), and a combination group (n=32). One-month treatment was considered as a course. Before treatment and after 1 treatment course, the 3 groups were evaluated by symptom scale and the criteria of symptom and therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine to determine the therapeutic efficacy. ResultThe total symptom score decreased significantly in the three groups after treatment (P<0.01), indicating that the three treatment protocols were all effective; according to the paired comparison of the post-treatment total symptom score by using Chi-square test, the score of the combination group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups (P<0.05). The improvement of body weight and height was statistically insignificant in the three groups (P>0.05); while the improvements of appetite, vitality, sleep, hyperidrosis, infection, irregular defecation, abdominal bloating, and hairglossiness were statistically significant in the three groups (P<0.01). The recovery and markedly-effective rate was 51.6% in the pricking group, 48.4% in the spine pinching group, and 77.4% in the combination group; the therapeutic efficacy of the combination group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionThe three treatment protocols, i.e. pricking Sifeng, spine pinching, and the combination of the two methods, all can effectively improve the symptoms of infantiledyspepsia, while the therapeutic efficacy of the combination protocol is superior to the two methods usedseparately.

Objective To investigate the activation mechanism of matrix metalloproteinase-13 zymogen (pro-MMP-13) induced by nitric oxide (NO). Methods Human chondrosarcoma cells (SW1353) were grouped and treated with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), SNAP + NO scavenger oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb), and SNAP + tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase material -2 (TIMP-2) respectively. After stimulation, matrix metalloproteinase -13 ( a-MMP-13 ) expression level was detected. Besides, the expression levels of MT1- MMP were detected after SW1353 cells stimulated with SNAP and SNAP + OxyHb, respectively. At last, the activities of the recombinant MMP-13 (r-MMP-13) were detected after r-MMP-13 stimulated with SNAP, recombinant MT1-MMP (r-MT1-MMP) and r-MT1-MMP + TIMP-2,respectively. Results SNAP increased human chondrocytes a-MMP-13 expression, OxyHb and TIMP-2 inhibited a- MMP- 13 expression. SNAP also increased the expression of MT1- MMP levels, OxyHb inhibited the expression of MT1-MMP. r-MT1-MMP activated the r-MMP-13, but SNAP did not, TIMP-2 inhibited the activity of r-MMP-13 induced by r-MT1-MMP. Conclusions NO can not directly activate pro-MMP13 by the role of S-nitroso-(S nitrosylation). MT1-MMP mediates the activiation of pro-MMP-13 induced by NO.

In this paper the last study of the role of nitric oxide(NO) in the development of osteoarthritis is reported. The study of dependability of the content of NO in the inflamed tissue and development of osteoarthritis showed that NO had an important role in the damage of cartilage,and that the inhibition of excess release of NO could improve the repair of cartilage,and that the effective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase might cure osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND:It is confirmed that the onset of osteoarthritis is closely related to inflammatory cytokines. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis and their correlation with the severity of osteoarthritis. METHODS: Synovial fluid specimens of 78 patients were harvested to detect the levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 using ELISA assay. The severity of osteoarthritis was estimated by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to explore the pairwise correlations between interleukin-6, matrix metaloproteinase-3 and HSS score. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 in the synovial fluid were (13.1±5.7) and (989.3±429.5) μg/L, respectively; the HSS score was (56.4±12.0) points. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 had a significant positive correlation (r=0.70,P< 0.001); the levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 had a negative correlation with the HSS scores (r=-0.70,r=-0.75,P < 0.001). Experimental findings show that there is a positive correlation between interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 in the synovial fluids, and these two cytokines also have a positive correlation with the severity of osteoarthritis, indicating that to measure interleukin-6 and matrix metaloproteinase-3 levels in the synovial fluids of osteoarthritis patients is important for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.

Anti-phospholipid antibody and lupus anticoagulant appear in the blood of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection,which result in the increased levels of von Willebrand factor and D-dimer,and decreased the levels of protein S,protein C,antithrombin and heparin cofactor,and thus rgsult in hypercoagulation status.In addition,the HIV infection itself and secondary opportunistic infections may also cause endothelial injury.Both hypercoag ulation status and endothelial injury may promote the occurrence of thrombotic diseases.

Objective:To detect the expression of EGFR and NF-ΚB and the relationship between the two fac-tors and radiosensitivity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods The expression of EGFR and NF-ΚB were detected with immunohistochemical staining SP methods in forty-one patients. The radiotherapy effect was assessed by follow up visit and clinical judgement. All of the forty-one patients were divided into three groups: the complete response group,the partial response(or the stable disease)group and the progressive disease group. Result:The ex-pression of EGFR and NF-ΚB were detected in human nasophaTyngeal carcinoma tissues, which were not in normal ones. EGFR and NF-ΚB were significant difference of the radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues (P< 0. 05). The expression of EGFR and NF-ΚB in the complete response-group and the partial response(or the stable disease)-group were lower than the progressive disease-group(P<0. 05),and there was no significant difference between the complete response-group and the partial response(or the stable disease)-group(P>0. 05). The two factors'expression had negative correlation with radiosensitivity. Conclusion: EGFR and NF-ΚB, as important tar-gets, could predict the radiosensitivity of NPC, which could be helpful for targeting treatment and promote the effect of radiotherapy of NPC.

Objective To study the renal protective effects of superfine powder of Rhodiola rosea in diabetic nephropathy (DN)rats.Methods The DN rats model was established by one side nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).Then rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham-operation group,model group,Rhodiola rosea common powder groups(3 g/kg·d-1),and superfine powder of low,medium and high dose groups (0.75、1.5、3.0 g/kg·d 1),10 rats in each group.Rats were given the relevant drugs respectively for 7 weeks.Finally the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG),serum total cholesterol (STC),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr) and urinary protein (Upro) were detected.The kidney tissue was taken for histopathological observation.Results Compared with DN modelgroup [FBG,STC,BUN,Cr and Upro was (24.78±3.66)mmol/L,(4.07±1.32)mmol/L,(22.36±2.54)mmol/L,(86.78±7.47) μmol/L,(50.23±6.82)mg respectively],the rats in DN model group after treatment with common and superfine powder (medium and high dose groups) of Rhodiola rosea appeared different levels of improvement ofFBG [(18.67±2.74) mmol/L,(17.21 ±3.17)mmol/L,(15.48±2.46) mmol/L],STC [(3.33±0.87) mmol/L,(3.42 ± 0.74) mmol/L,(3.21 ±0.92)mmol/L],BUN [(15.43±2.04)mmol/L,(16.56±1.85)mmol/L,(12.44±1.36)mmol/L],Cr [(66.17 ± 4.43) μmol/L,(68.42 ± 5.06) μmol/L,(61.33±4.21)μmol/L] and Upro [(37.47±5.64) mg、(35.66 ± 4.72) mg,(27.37± 3.92) mg],P＜ 0.05.The pathologic changes of kidney tissue were improved,too.Conclusion Rhodiola rosea has a good renal protective effect in rats with DN.Furthermore,the superfine powder is more effective than the common powder in renal protective effects.

Objective To study the erythrocytic morphological changes in unwashed autologous drainage blood after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), on account of the postoperative anemia status that was poorly improved after reinfusion. Methods 20 patients (34 knees) underwent TKA from November 2000 to March 2001. There were 6 males and 14 females, whose average age was 66 years (range, 32-79 years). TKA was performed unilaterally in 6 patients, and bilaterally in 14 patients. The disorders were diagnosed as OA in 17, RA in 2 and AS in 1 respectively. All of them received unwashed autologous drainage blood reinfusion, using CBCⅡ Consta VacTM blood salvage system. Blood routine tests were performed preoperatively and on the second and seventh day postoperatively. Blood routine and blood smear tests were also performed on the preoperative blood samples, the postoperative venous blood and drainage blood samples at the first and sixth hour respectively. Erythrocytic morphological changes in these samples were observed under light and electric microscope. Results In the unilateral TKA group, the blood loss in the operation was 208.3 ml, the mean volume of drainage blood was 910 ml,of which 708.3 ml was reinfused; One patient received 800 ml of allogenic bank blood due to postoperative anemia. In the bilateral TKA group, the blood loss, the mean volume of the drainage blood and reinfused volume of blood were 296.4 ml, 1718.2 ml and 1370 ml respectively; Five patients received a total amount of 2200 ml of allogenic bank blood, the average volume was 440 ml. Anemia of different degrees was found at the 2nd and 7th day postoperatively. Compared to venous blood, the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower in shed blood, and more erythrocytes were deformed. Conclusion The relatively large number of deformed erythrocytes is one of the important reasons that the anemia status is poorly improved postoperatively after reinfusion.