Objective To explore the clinical significance of urinary leukotriene E4(LTE4) in children with respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) bronchiolitis.Methods Forty infants with bronchiolitis were enrolled for the identification of RSV-Ag from the nasopharyngeal secretions.Forty cases who were found to be positive of RSV were put into RSV bronchiolitis group.According to the severity of illness,the infants in RSV bronchiolitis group were separated into 2 subgroups:mild illness group (24 cases) and moderate illness group (16 cases).Thirty healthy children were chosen as healthy control group.Urine of the patients in RSV bronchiolitis group was collected in acute phase (on the 1st day) and recovery phase (on the 7th day after the admission).Urine of children in control group was collected .Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assay the level of urinary LTE4.Results The levels of LTE4 in healthy control group (M,Q) were 1.28 pmol?mmol-1,1.72 pmol?mmol-1,while the levels of LTE4 in acute phase in RSV bronchiolitis group (M,Q were 30.52 pmol?mmol-1,23.56 pmol?mmol-1,and the levels of LTE4 in recovery phase in RSV bronchiolitis group (M,Q) were 3.98 pmol?mmol-1,3.43 pmol?mmol-1.Urinary LTE4 levels in acute phase in RSV bronchiolitis group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group (P

Objective To investigate the bid gene expression and cell death in brain after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal rats and the effects of dexamethasone(DEX)on bid gene expression,so as to elucidate the possible mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of DEX pretreatment on rats following cerebral hypoxia-ischemia.Methods Twenty-four SD neonatal rats were divided randomly into hypoxia-ischemia brain damage(HIBD),normal,dexamethasone-pretreated and 9 g/L NaCl(NS)control group.The animal models of HIBD were made.Total RNA from ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was extracted.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to evaluate the level of bid gene expression after hypoxia-ischemia.Cerebral apoptosis was determined by terminal-deoxynucleotidy transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results The levels of bid mRNA were higher in HIBD rats than those in normal rats.The number of positive apoptosis cells significantly increased in HIBD group(P

Objective To explore the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1(cIAP1)gene expression and Caspase-3 activity in brain after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal rats and the influence of dexamethasone(DEX)on cIAP1 gene expression and Caspase-3 activity,so as to elucidate the possible mechanism of the neuro-protective effect of DEX pretreatment on rats following cerebral hypoxia-ischemia.Methods Twenty-four SD neonatal rats were divided randomly into hypoxic-ischemic brain damage group(HIBD group),normal group(NS group),dexamethasone-pretreated group(DEX group)and 9 g/L NaCl control group(NS group).The animal models of HIBD were made.Total RNA from ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was extracted.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to evaluate the level of cIAP1 gene expression after hypoxia-ischemia.Caspase-3 relative activity of brain tissue was determined by colorimetric assay.Results The levels of cIAP1 mRNA were lower in HIBD group than those in NS group.Caspase-3 relative activity significantly increased in HIBD group(P

Background Inherited retinal degeneration,one of the major causes of blindness worldwide,comprises a large number of disorders characterized by a slow and progressive retinal degeneration.Interleukin-1 (IL-1)was recognized to be involved in inherited retinal degeneration.Whether IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can arrest retinal degeneration is worthy of investigation.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of IL-1ra on photoreceptor apoptosis in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.Methods The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The SPF RCS rats aged 9,15,16,25,30,35,40,50 and 60 postnatal days were collected,with 9 rats for each age group.Retinal sections were used for the TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) cell apoptosis assay.1 μl of IL-1ra (1.8 g/L) was intravitreally injected in the right eyes of 9 RCS rats aged 15 postnatal days and PBS was used in the same way in the fellow eyes.The injection procedure was repeated on the 20 th and 25 th day,respectively.The rats were sacrificed on the 30 th day and retinal sections were prepared for the TUNEL assay.The differences in the percentage of the positive cellular nuclei area among different ages of rats were compared by one-way ANOVA,and the differences in retinal layer thickness between IL-1ra injection group and PBS injection group were assessed by paired t test.Results Photoreceptor apoptosis appeared in 20-day-old RCS rats and progressed and peaked in 30 and 35-day-old rats and then reduced,showing a significant difference among rat of various age groups (F=28.020,P＜0.01).Images from TUNEL assay showed a weaker and less TUNEL staining in the IL-1ra injected eyes than the PBS injected eyes in 30-day-old rats.The total area and relative area of TUNEL positive nuclei were (223.052±153.092) μm2 and (2.206±1.531) ％ in the IL-1ra injected group,and those in PBS injected group were (1235.050±359.767) μm2 and (7.269± 1.624) ％,with a significant difference between them (t =4.370,t=3.250,P＜0.01).The cone and rod thickness was (15.324±9.035) μm in the IL-1ra injected group and (49.566±4.605)μm in the PBS injected group,showing a significant difference (t =22.674,P＜0.01).However,no significant difference was seen in the outer nuclear layer thickness between the two groups (t =0.268,P＞0.05).Conclusions IL-1 participates in the pathogenesis and development of inherited retinal degeneration of RCS rats.The use of IL-1ra might be a potential approach in the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of combination of Zhuanyindan (ZYD, a self-made Chinese herbal preparation) and hormone in treating male infertility with positive antisperm antibody and its influence on nitric oxide (NO) level.

METHODSEighty-two patients were randomly divided (according to the digital list) into the WM group (n = 20, treated with prednisone), the TCM group (n = 28, treated with ZYD) and the ICWM group (n = 34, treated with prednisone plus ZYD). The clinical effect, negative converting rate of antisperm antibody, changes of NO level in semen and various parameters of sperm motion before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the ICWM group was 88.2%, that in the TCM group 75.0% and in the WM group 65.0%. Significant difference was seen in the ICWM and TCM group before and after treatment in NO level, sperm motion parameters, including linear motion speed, linearity, propulsion, whip frequency, sperm vitality and mean moving angle, and quality of semen (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In the WM group, significant difference in comparison before and after treatment was seen in NO level, propulsion, whip frequency, mean moving angle and quality of semen, including vitality and survival rate (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCombination of Chinese herbs and hormone could lower the NO level in semen and improve the quality of sperm.

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Semen ; metabolism ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; immunology

Objective Toinvestigate the metabolic characteristics of triglyceride (TG) in the plasma of rabbitswith steroid?induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and the therapeutic effect of Gushiling Capsule. Methods Rabbit model of femoral head necrosis induced by hormone was established. The level of plasma TG was detected by HPLC/MS and the relationship between the changes of plasma TG level and local histomorphology of femoral head was analyzed. Results Compared with the normal control group, significant changes of plasma TG levels were observed in the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group at each time point (P<0.01). However, no significant difference was found between the traditional Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group. Compared with the model group, only a small amount of high signal joint imaging and central signal of the femoral head were found by the MRI examination in the traditional Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group. Pathology assay results showed the degree of femoral head osteonecrosis in the Chinese medicine group was milder than that in the Western medicine group. Conclusion Gushiling Capsule and western medicine Simvastatin have the similar effect of reducing plasma TG, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying Gushiling Capsule preventing steroid?induced femoral head necrosis.

To clone cDNA of human leptin gene and obtain leptin protein for future study on leptin binding proteins. The cDNA of human leptin with 6 x his-tag was cloned by over-hang extension PCR protocol using human genomic DNA as template, and subcloned into in vitro expression vector pIVEX2.3MCS, and the fusion protein was expressed in vitro by Rapid Translation System (RTS) (RTS500 cycle primer Kit and RTS500 ProteoMaster of Roche company). The apparent molecular weight(19.46 kD) and the immuno-specificity of the fusion protein were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the expressed fusion protein stayed mainly in the supernatant of the reaction mixture in soluble form. This work provides us solid basis for further study on new leptin-associated proteins.
Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Leptin ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEDetecting the atrioventricular annular velocity along the long axis of ventricle by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a useful modality to quantitatively assess global myocardial function. The present study was designed to quantitatively assess ventricular function in healthy children by TDI and to evaluate the clinical effect of growth and echocardiographic parameters on TDI velocities during childhood.

METHODSThe study enrolled 242 healthy children aged 3 days to 17 years and they were divided into 8 groups: < 1 month of age group (37 cases), 1 month-of age group (28 cases), 7 months-of age group (21 cases), 1 year-of age group (36 cases), 4 years-of age group (40 cases), 7 years-of age group (26 cases), 10 years-of age group (28 cases) and > or = 13 years of age group (26 cases). Pulsed wave TDI velocities were obtained at the lateral mitral annulus (MA-L), basal septum (MA-S) and lateral tricuspid annulus (TA) during ventricular systole (Sa), early diastole (Ea) and late diastole (Aa), and Ea/Aa and E/Ea were obtained. Conventional echocardiography performed done and the parameters of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the transmitral and transtricuspid flow E wave and A wave velocities and E/A ratio were obtained. TDI parameters were compared with demographic and echocardiographic variables.

RESULTSSa, Ea and Ea/Aa were the lowest in children < 1 month of age [MA-L: Sa (4.8 +/- 0.7) cm/s, Ea (6.6 +/- 1.1) cm/s; MA-S: Sa (4.1 +/- 0.6) cm/s, Ea (5.0 +/- 0.8) cm/s; TA: Sa (6.2 +/- 1.2) cm/s, Ea (6.4 +/- 1.0) cm/s], and increased with age. The increase was significant from 1 month- to 1 year-of age group 1 year-of age group: MA-L: Sa (8.5 +/- 2.0) cm/s, Ea (16.3 +/- 2.6) cm/s; MA-S: Sa (7.2 +/- 0.8) cm/s, Ea (12.2 +/- 1.6) cm/s; TA: Sa (12.6 +/- 2.3) cm/s, Ea (14.7 +/- 2.6) cm/s. Ea and Sa of TA reached the older children's value earlier than those of the mitral annulus did. Aa increased in the 1 month-of age group compared to < 1 month of age group and remained stable beyond 1 year-of age group. Mitral annulus E/Ea ratio was high among neonates to 7-months-old children (MA-L: 9.2 +/- 2.1, MA-S: 12.1 +/- 2.9), and decreased with age, and there was a significant decrease in 1 year-of age group (MA-L: 5.9 +/- 1.2, MA-S: 7.8 +/- 1.3). In these healthy children, all the above TDI parameters except Aa were influenced by age, body surface area (BSA), LVEDD and heart rate. The influence of age and BSA showed a logarithm model. LVEDD was the main factor that influenced Sa and Ea of MA-L and MA-S, and it was the only single factor that influenced E/Ea ratio at mitral annulus.

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that the left and right ventricular function developed with age in childhood, and it developed most rapidly during infancy and toddler period. The right ventricular function matured earlier than that of the left ventricle. Cardiac growth, age, and heart rate had important clinical effects on TDI velocities during childhood, and LVEDD had the most important influence on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Aging ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Myocardial Contraction ; physiology ; Reference Values ; Tricuspid Valve ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Ventricular Function ; physiology

Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution and drug resistance of the isolated bacteria from children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Dalian.

METHODSBetween January 2006 and February 2007, 930 children with ARI were enrolled, including 364 with acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), and 566 with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI). The AURI children, who did not receive antimicrobial agent treatment or received oral antimicrobial agents 1-2 times, had bacterial cultures of pharyngeal swab. The ALRI children, who received intravenous antibacterial agents more than 3 days, had bacterial cultures of sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Isolated bacteria were identified by the ATB system (Bio-Merieux, France). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of Kirby-bauer.

RESULTSA total of 404 isolates (43.4%) were identified. Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 22.5%, 12.1% and 7.4% respectively. In the isolates from AURI, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 43.9%, 22.0% and 9.1% respectively; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Nonfermenters accounted for 4.5%, 8.3% and 3.0% respectively. In the isolates from ALRI, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 12.1%, 7.4% and 6.6% respectively; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Nonfermenters accounted for 16.9%, 13.2% and 21.8% respectively. The resistant rates of Haemophilus to ampicillin and TMP-SMZ were 29.3% and 32.9% respectively, and to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefalotin, cefaclor, cefuroxime and cefotaxime were 12.1%, 10.0%, 10.0%, 11.4% and 5.7%, respectively. The resistant rate of Haemophilus to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefaclor, tetracycine and TMP-SMZ in the ALRI group were significantly higher than that in the AURI group (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn Dalian, Haemophilus was the main isolate of children with ARI. The distribution of bacteria was different between ALRI and AURI. In ALRI, Gram-negative bacilli were in a higher proportion, and the resistant rates of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefaclor were higher.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology