Objective To study the best way of airway humidity therapy on patients with tracheotomy.Methods Fifty patients with tracheotomy were randomly divided into two groups.In the cantrol group 25patients were given continuous airway humidity by pumping humidification fluid into the trachea with infusion pumps while in the experiment group 25 patients were added the modified oxgen-drive atomizing based on the control group.The difference between two groups in humidification effect,the complication,the number of daily suctioning,the duration of endotracheal intubation,and the influence for oxygen saturation of blood were compared.Results The experimental group showed better effect on airway humidity than that in the controlgroup(P<0.05).The complication occurred fewer in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.05).The number of daily suctioning and the time of endotraeheal intubation were less in the experimentalgroup than that in the control group(P<0.01).However,there was no significant difference in the influence on the oxygen saturation of blood(P>0.05).Conclusions Continuous oxygen-drive atomizing is more effective on airway humidity than pumping humidification fluid into the trachea for patients with traeheotomy.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of plasma membrane-related Ca(2+)-ATPase-1 (PMR1) gene on the insulin secretion in islet beta cells NIT-1 in vitro.

METHODSA small interfering RNA duplex (siPMR1) corresponding to the nucleotides 337-357 of mouse PMR1 cDNA was introduced into NIT-1 cells via liposomes. The gene silencing effect was assessed by RT-PCR, and the total insulin level in the transfected cells was measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSTransfection with siPMR1 resulted in obviously reduced PMR1 expression and increased insulin secretion in NIT-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe synthesized siPMR1 can significantly silence the expression of PMR1 and promote the secretion of insulin in the islet cells in vitro, which shed light on further studies of RNAi-based therapy of diabetes.

Animals ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; deficiency ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; metabolism ; secretion ; Mice ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the angiogenesis in unstable and stable plaques and to investigate the potential role of neovessels in creating vulnerable sites for atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSpecimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 52 autopsy cases with acute coronary syndromes. Plaque morphology was studied by use of stained slides. 922 tissue blocks of late-stage lesions were classified into two groups: (1) unstable plaque (n = 153), the plaque was characterized by a large extracellular lipid core (more than 40% of the plaque area); (2) stable plaque (n = 769), lipid core less than 40% of the plaque area. Forty blocks were selected randomly from each group and serial sections were stained immunohistochemically with a polyclonal antibody against F VIII RAg. Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, the occurrence of neovessels was more frequent and the neovessel density (number/mm(2)) was significantly increased as compared to that of stable plaques (frequency: 80.4% vs 66.6%, P < 0.01; shoulder: 22.16 +/- 19.96 vs 10.04 +/- 11.52, base: 21.68 +/- 20.44 vs 9.68 +/- 11.52, fibrous cap: 3.80 +/- 5.32 vs 1.48 +/- 2.28, P < 0.05). Most neovessels were located in the shoulder region and at the base of plaques.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that neovessels in coronary atherosclerotic plaques are closely associated with the decreased stabilization of the plaques.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the relationship between oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), angiogenesis and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries; and to investigate the role of oxLDL in creating vulnerable sites in atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSamples of coronary arteries were obtained at autopsies of 42 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eighty randomly selected blocks were studied by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against oxLDL and endothelial cells (factor VIII). Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, percentage of immunoreactive areas for oxLDL was significantly higher than that in stable plaques. Most of the oxLDL were located in shoulder region of these plaques, as compared to the fibrous cap and basal regions. The details of distribution of oxLDL were as follows: shoulder region (20.43 +/- 3.12 for unstable plaques and 17.65 +/- 4.22 for stable plaques), fibrous cap (4.77 +/- 2.03 for unstable plaque and 2.80 +/- 0.22 for stable plaques) and basal region (5.65 +/- 1.65 for unstable plaques and 3.22 +/- 1.02 for unstable plaques). OxLDL was also a main component in the lipid core. In the shoulder region, there was a significant positive correlation between neovascularization and oxLDL (r = 0.8247, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe amount of oxLDL is significantly higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, especially over the shoulder region. OxLDL in coronary atherosclerotic plaques is thus an important factor in determining stabilization of the plaques. OxLDL may induce influx of inflammatory cells which subsequently leads to decreased plaque stabilization.

Angina, Unstable ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for determining the content of alpha-lipoic acid in New Zealand rabbit plasma.

METHODSAlpha-lipoic acid in the plasma samples was purified by solid-phase extractor and analyzed on an HYPERSIL C18 column with isocratic mobile phase consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate-acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and detection wavelength of 230 nm.

RESULTSThe standard curve was linear in the range of 5-100 microg/L (r=1) and the average recovery was 77.4%-82.1%. The relative standard deviations of intra-day and inter-day assay were within 1.5%-8.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is sensitive, accurate and simple for determining plasma alpha-lipoic acid levels in New Zealand rabbits.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Rabbits ; Thioctic Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sustained-release alpha-lipoic acid tablets (SRLA) on blood lipid, glucose and insulin levels in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet + SRLA (300 mg/tablet) group with corresponding feed. At the beginning and 4 weeks after the feeding, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTSFour weeks after feeding with high-fat diet, the insulin levels was elevated and the ISI lowered in the New Zealand rabbits, indicating successful establishment of the animal model of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the high-fat diet group, the serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the ISI was significantly increased (P<0.05) in high fat diet + SRLA group. But no statistically significant difference was found in the blood glucose among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSRLA can significantly correct blood lipid and insulin disorders in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits and prevent the occurrence of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thioctic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular genetic mechanism of mucopolysaccharidosis type IV A(MPS IV A), and reveal the relationship between the genotype and phenotype, and provide a basis for prenatal gene diagnosis in the future.

METHODSA preliminary diagnosis was made by qualitative detection of urinary glycosaminoglycans of the suspected MPS IV A proband. Then, mutation detection was performed on the proband and her family members with PCR and direct sequencing of the PCR products. After a novel c.1567T to G mutation was detected, Xsp I restriction enzyme digestion and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) fast specific identification were established to analyze the sequences of exon 14 in GALNS gene, including 110 randomly selected healthy controls, the proband and other pedigree members. At the same time, bioinformatic approaches for protein secondary, tertiary structure prediction were applied to identify the novel pathologic mutation.

RESULTSThe proband's urine GAGs test was a weak positive(± ), and a c.1567T to G heterozygous termination codon mutation in exon 14 and a c.374C to T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 4 were found. The proband was compound heterozygous of the two mutations, so was her younger sister. Her mother was a carrier with only a c.1567T to G heterozygous mutation in exon 14. Her father had a heterozygous mutation of c.374C to T in exon 4. After Xsp I restriction enzyme digestion, healthy controls had three bands including 28 bp, 120 bp and 399 bp, while the proband and her mother had four bands consisting of 28 bp, 120 bp, 148 bp and 399 bp. For amplification by ARMS specific primers, it was negative for the controls, while it was positive for the proband and the carrier. The results of protein secondary and tertiary structure prediction showed that the c.1567T to G mutation located in the stop codon, resulted in stop codon (TAG) changing to glutamic acid (GAG), with the peptide chain extending 92 amino acid residues, and secondary and tertiary protein structure change, which were not found in the controls. The result of enzyme assay showed that the activity of GALNS enzyme in the affected child was 8.3 nmol/17h/mg pr, which was obviously lower than the normal value (the normal range is 41.9-92.1 nmol/17h/mg pr).

CONCLUSIONThese results illustrate that the c.1567 T to G is a novel pathologic mutation, which is the main cause of the disease in this family.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Chondroitinsulfatases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mucopolysaccharidosis IV ; enzymology ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Protein Conformation ; Sequence Alignment

OBJECTIVETo provide rapid and accurate prenatal genetic diagnosis for a fetus with high risk of Morquio A syndrome.

METHODSBased on ascertained etiology of the proband and genotypes of the parents, particular mutations of the GALNS gene were screened at 10th gestational week with amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), and direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSDHPLC screening has identified abnormal double peaks in the PCR products of exons 1 and 10, whilst only a single peak was detected in normal controls. Amplification of ARMS specific primers derived a specific product for the fetus's gene, whilst no similar product was detected in normal controls. Sequencing of PCR products confirmed that exons 1 and 10 of the GALNS gene from the fetus contained a heterozygous paternal c.106-111 del (p.L36-L37 del) deletion and a heterozygous maternal c.1097 T>C (p.L366P) missense mutation, which resulted in a compound heterozygote status.

CONCLUSIONThe fetus was diagnosed with Morquio A syndrome and a genotype similar to the proband. Termination of the pregnancy was recommended. Combined ARMS, DHPLC and DNA sequencing are effective for rapid and accurate prenatal diagnosis for fetus with a high risk for Morquio A syndrome. Such methods are particularly suitable for early diagnosis when pathogenesis is clear. Furthermore, combined ARMS and DHPLC are suitable for rapid processing of large numbers of samples for the identification of new mutations.

Base Sequence ; Chondroitinsulfatases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mucopolysaccharidosis IV ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; genetics ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDChildren with anisometropic amblyopia are often noncompliant with traditional treatment including spectacules and contact lenses. This study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for children with high anisometropic amblyopia.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of 24 children with high unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, who underwent LASIK during the period between August 2000 and September 2005 in our hospital, was conducted. The mean age of these children was (7.4 +/- 1.9) years (range 5 - 14 years) and the mean follow-up period was (33.3 +/- 14.2) months (range 18.5 - 74.2 months). After LASIK, visual acuity, refraction and far or near stereoacuity were analyzed. Near stereoacuity was measured by the random-dot butterfly stereogram and the pre-school random-dot stereogram, while far stereoacuity was measured by the synoptophore with Yan's random-dot stereogram.

RESULTSMean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.06 +/- 0.05, while mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was elevated to 0.43 +/- 0.33. Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 0.26 +/- 0.22, while mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was elevated to 0.67 +/- 0.40. For patients with myopic anisometropia, preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was (-8.01 +/- 2.70) D while postoperative value significantly reduced to (-1.32 +/- 2.47) D. For patients with hyperopic anisometropia, preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was (+7.35 +/- 1.55) D while postoperative value significantly reduced to (+3.30 +/- 0.86) D. These results demonstrated that there was statistical difference in these parameters between preoperative and postoperative tests. At the last follow-up, 20 patients had near stereoacuity, and the mean near stereoacuities measured by the random-dot butterfly stereogram and the preschool random-dot stereogram were (149.00 +/- 152.93)'' and (201.05 +/- 235.94)'', respectively. In contrast, 11 patients had far stereoacuity, and the mean far stereoacuity measured by the synoptophore was (210.91 +/- 217.51)''. Three cases of patients developed mild corneal complications.

CONCLUSIONLASIK for the correction of high anisometropia in children with monocular amblyopia may be safe and effective, and this can help effectively conduct postoperative amblyopia training and improve the cure rate.

Adolescent ; Amblyopia ; surgery ; Anisometropia ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVEThe objective was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate hepatic metastases using computed tomography (CT) virtual noncontrast (VNC) spectral imaging in a retrospective analysis.

METHODSForty hepatic metastases patients underwent CT scans including the conventional true noncontrast (TNC) and the tri-phasic contrast-enhanced dual energy spectral scans in the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases. The tri-phasic spectral CT images were used to obtain three groups of VNC images including in the arterial (VNCa), venous (VNCv), and equilibrium (VNCe) phase by the material decomposition process using water and iodine as a base material pair. The image quality and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of metastasis of the four groups were compared with ANOVA analysis. The metastasis detection rates with the four nonenhanced image groups were calculated and compared using the Chi-square test.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in image quality among TNC, VNCa and VNCv images (P > 0.05). The quality of VNCe images was significantly worse than that of other three groups (P < 0.05). The mean CNR of metastasis in the TNC and VNCs images was 1.86, 2.42, 1.92, and 1.94, respectively; the mean CNR of metastasis in VNCa images was significantly higher than that in other three groups (P < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was observed among VNCv, VNCe and TNC images (P > 0.05). The metastasis detection rate of the four nonenhanced groups with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe quality of VNCa and VNCv images is identical to that of TNC images, and the metastasis detection rate in VNC images is similar to that in TNC images. VNC images obtained from arterial phase show metastases more clearly. Thus, VNCa imaging may be a surrogate to TNC imaging in hepatic metastasis diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods