AIM: To investigate whether Fas promoter-670 polymorphism is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in Southern Chinese. METHODS: 103 SLE patients and 110 controls were studied. Fas promoter -670 polymorphism was typed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found when Fas promoter -670 genotype and allele frequencies were compared between the SLE and the controls. Similarly, no significant differences were seen between the male and female SLE and the controls, the SLE with lupus nephritis (LN) and the controls, the SLE with LN and the SLE without LN. CONCLUSION: Fas promoter -670 polymorphism does not appear to be associated with susceptibility to SLE in Southern Chinese. [

OBJECTIVE To investigate the reasons of infusion reaction. METHODS The liquid and disposable infusion tubes were tested by limulus amebocyte lysate(LAL).Blood samples were collected when infusion reaction occurred and the bacteria in blood culture were detected. RESULTS A total of 58 cases of infusion reactions within two years were from clinical department.LAL of liquid infusion was positive in 5 cases.Two isolations were identified from liquid infusion respectively.LAL was negative and no isolation for the unsealed bottle of liquid drugs with same batch number.LAL was negative for samples of same lot infusion tubes.The main drugs caused infusion reaction were refined medical herbs,large molecule substance,blood products and the medicine contained potassium ion.53.4% infusion reactions occurred in autumn.The seniles had high incidence.Bacteria were isolated from 5 patients in blood culture after liquid infusion. CONCLUSIONS More than one reason that cause infusion reaction.It is important to reduce incidence of infusion reaction through quality control of infusion tubes and aseptic process in infusion.

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP, 50 mg/kg 7d, ig) could enhance the episode duration of slow-wave sleep (SWS) in normal rats, and restore the sleep parameters in the insomniac rats induced by caffeine ( 1 2. 5 mg/kg 7 d,ip)nearly to the normal level. It (50 mg/kg 3 d,ig) also increased significantly thetotal time of SWS and paradoxical sleep (PS) in the swimming rats (water temperature 25?1℃, swimming time 30 min). These results suggest that TGP probably improve the sleep of rats under the different states.

There are many factors which may interfere with HbA1c measurement.Hemoglobin variant is one of the most important factors.Different hemoglobin variants may interference with different HbA1c measuring systems,resulting in HbA1c analytic interference or clinically misleading because of the values do not reflect the true glucose levels.This may affect clinical dignosis and disease monitoring.

Objective To report our clinical experience on laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary suture.Methods From March 1992 to December 2006,669 cases of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary suture were carried out in our hospital.Cholangioscopic lithotomy,electrohydraulic lithotripsy,biliary dilation,bile duct drainage,or biliary stenting were performed on the patients.Results The surgeries were completed successfully in 643 of the 669 cases(96.1%).Biliary leakage was observed in 17(2.5%) cases after the operations,and was cured by nasobiliary and intra-abdominal drainage.2(0.3%) patients developed mild stenosis of the bile duct without showing any symptoms.4(0.5%) had residual stones and were cured by a second laparoscopic surgery.The fine duct fell off in 2 cases(0.3%),and was re-fixed by a re-operation.581 of the cases achieved a 6- to 48-month follow-up(mean,25.6 months),during the period,no patient developed biliary leak,and stenosis or hemorrhage of the common bile duct.Conclusion Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary suture is safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods Forty-two non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis adult patients were enrolled in this study [mean age was (48.2± 12.3) years,50％ was male].CIMT was determined by carotid ultrasound.Patients were divided into two groups according to CIMT:CIMT normal group (CIMT ＜ 0.9 mm) and CIMT thickening group (CIMT≥0.9 mm).HbAlc,2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) and other factors of the patients were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation and multiple linear regression.Results CIMT was correlated with age,2hPBG,LDL-C,TG,TC,HbA1c in non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients (r =0.355,0.373,0.416,0.345,0.351,0.456,all P ＜ 0.05).Multiple linear regression showed that HbA1c was the most powerful influence factor of CIMT(β =0.459).Conclusion HbA1c level is positively correlated with CIMT and may be a predictor of carotid atherosclerosis in non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective To investigate the survival rate and the influencing factors in lupus nephritis (LN) patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Methods Clinical characteristics and biochemical markers of 78 patients including 59 variances were analyzed. Patients were followed up from the onset of NPSLE to death. Patient survival rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was used to analyze influencing factors. Results Sixteen (20.5%) of 78 patients died of SLE or its complications. Infection was the main cause of death (31.3%). One-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 83.2%, 81.7%, 76.7% and 76.7%, respectively. Hypertension (RR =6.965,95% CI:1.578-30.746, P= 0.010), pulmonary infection (RR=8.171,95% CI:1.954-34.177, P=0.004)and acute renal failure (RR=6.978,95%CI:2.063-23.609, P=0.002) were risk factors of mortality, while cyclophosphamide (CTX) impulse therapy (RR =0.130,95 % CI:0.031-0.541, P=0.005) and resolution of NPSLE (RR= 0.169, 95%CI:0.042-0.679,P=O.012)were protective factors. Conclusions Infection is the main cause of death in patients of LN complicated with NPSLE. Survival rate of LN patients with NPSLE in this study is lower than those of LN and NPSLE alone reported by other authors. Hypertension, pulmonary infection and acute renal failure are risk factors of mortality, while CTX impulse therapy and resolution of NPSLE reduce the mortality and improve the prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that continuous administration of 1×107 of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s can induce immune tolerance in rats undergoing kidney transplantation, but it is not yet found clinical y that curcumin exerts an on immunomodulatory effect on kidney transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of curcumin on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s-induced immune tolerance in rats after kidney transplantation.
METHODS:Rat model of kidney transplantation was made, and rat models were randomly divided into four groups:transplantation group with no treatment;bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s group (cel group) injected with 1×107/kg bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s via the left iliac vein (before peritoneal suture) and tail vein (from the 2nd day) for 10 days;bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s+low/high dosage of curcumin groups (low/high dosage curcumin groups) injected intragastrical y with 2 or 10 mg/kg curcumin combined with injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s for 10 days. Transforming growth factor-β1 protein expression in the kidney tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The concentrations of interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 in serum were detected by ELISA assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After kidney transplantation, the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in renal tubular epithelial cel s and renal interstitial cel s as wel as the concentrations of interleukin-2and interleukin-6 in serum were significantly higher in the transplantation group than the other groups (P<0.05). Compared with the cel transplantation group, the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 as wel as the concentrations of interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 reduced significantly in the low/high dosage curcumin groups (P<0.05). These findings indicate that simultaneous administration of curcumin and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s can effectively inhibit immune rejection reaction and improve renal function in rats after kidney transplantation.

A modified dye test with microplate was to be established to detect Toxoplasma antibodies with cell-cultured Toxoplasma gondii. Numbers of stained and unstained tachyzoites were estimated in every 100 tachyzoites in each well after dyeing with methylene blue. The dilution with 50% tachyzoites stained was used as final dilution. Better results of the microplate dye test has been received when the concentration of tachyzoites in suspension reaches 109/ml with 1% sodium citrate as accessory factor.

Objective To investigate the kinds of isolates and the causes of bloodsream infection.Methods A total of 4 459 blood samples were cultured by BacT/Alert 3D240. The isolates were identified by API system.Results 247 strains were isolated from 246 patients. The isolates included Gram-negative bacteria (66.0%), Gram-positive bacteria (30.4%) and fungi(3.6%). E. coli, Salmonella paratyphi A , Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus sp. not-Staphy. aureus were the main pathogen. The causes of bloodstream infection resulted from non-surgical disease, surgical disease, and others were 82.5%, 4.1% and 13.4%, respectively. The major symptom of blood infection was fever, which was presented in 41.5% of positive blood culture cases. 77.6% of Salmonella sp. was isolated from the patients of the department of respiratory and the department of emergency. E. coli was mainly isolated from the patients of the department of nephrolgy, haemotology and surgical department. Staphycoccus sp.not-Staphy. aureus was mainly isolated from the patients of the department of respiratory and pediatrics. The positive blood culture rate in 12,24,36,48,72,96 h were 24.4%,74.0%,87.4%,93.1%,97.2%, and 99.2% respectively.The coincidence rate of positive blood culture detected under microscope and identified by API system was ~99.6%. Conclusion Automated blood culture systems were important apparatus for diagnosis of bloodstream infection.