Objective To quantify the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),caspase-8 and caspase-3 in lichen planus (LP) lesions,and to investigate their significance.Methods Skin samples were collected from the lesions of 20 patients with LP and normal skin of 20 healthy human controls.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of TNF-αt,caspase-8 and caspase-3,and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique to evaluate the apoptosis in keratinocytes,in these samples.Results The expression levels (expressed in integrated optical density,IOD)of TNF-α,caspase-8 and caspase-3 were (12.58 ± 2.33) × 103,(11.69 ± 3.52) × 103 and (11.45 ± 2.82) × 103 respectively in LP lesions,significantly higher than those in the normal skin ((5.12 ± 1.78) × 103,(3.87 ± 3.36)× 103,(4.76 ± 1.93) × 103,t =11.38,7.19,8.76,respectively,all P ＜ 0.01).Elevated apoptosis index was noted in keratinocytes from LP lesions compared with those from normal skin (71.35 ± 7.93 vs.33.62 ± 8.75,t =14.29,P ＜ 0.01).In LP lesions,the expressions of both TNF-α and caspase-8 were positively correlated with the apoptosis index of keratinocytes (r =0.72,0.75,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01) and the expression of caspase-3 (r =0.68,0.73,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The up-regulated expressions of TNF-α,caspase-8 and caspase-3 may participate in the apoptosis in keratinocytes in LP.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of allopurinol in the treatment of chronic kidney disease.Methods:The databases of Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled trials of allopurinol in patients with chronic kidney disease. According to the Cochrane system evaluation method, two evaluators independently screened the literature and extracted the data, and analyzed the results with Revman 5.3 software.Results:Finally, 10 articles were included, including 940 patients (472 in the experimental group and 468 in the control group). Meta analysis showed that allopurinol treatment could reduce blood uric acid ( MD=-2.40, 95% CI: -2.74--2.05, P<0.01), 24-hour urinary protein ( MD=-0.61, 95% CI: -1.17--0.06, P=0.03) and increase estimation of glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) ( MD=2.51, 95% CI: 1.86-3.17, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the experimental group and the control group ( OR=1.40, 95% CI: 0.61-3.19, P=0.42), but allopurinol treatment could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events ( OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.38-0.89, P=0.01). Conclusions:Allopurinol treatment of chronic kidney disease can reduce urinary protein, improve eGFR, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Migrations of orthopedic wires to cardiovascular system are uncommon and rarely reported. We report a case of right ventricle embolization with the Kirschner wire that was used for right 2nd rib osteosynthesis 2 years and 8 months previously in a 50-year-old man. The patient was asymptomatic and migration of the Kirschner wire was discovered by routine chest X-ray. An 8 cm-long Kirschner wire was successfully retrieved from the right ventricle. The treatment strategy for Kirschner wire removal from right ventricle is discussed.
Bone Wires ; adverse effects ; Embolism ; etiology ; Foreign-Body Migration ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rib Fractures ; surgery ; Ribs

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection with the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), to compare the clinical manifestations and prognosis of BPD infants with or without Ureaplasma urealyticum infection.

METHODData were retrospectively collected between January 2004 and June 2011. All infants whose gestational age was ≤ 32 w and survived at 36 w were included in this study. Endotracheal aspirates were collected for UU polymerase chain reaction (PCR) within the first 48 hr of life. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS 11.5 software. The clinical characteristics of infants in the two groups were compared. The association of UU infection and BPD was analyzed and the clinical manifestations and prognosis of BPD in the two groups were compared.

RESULTThe results of PCR for UU were positive while that for other pathogens were negative in 168 infants whose chest X rays confirmed pulmonary inflammatory changes (UU group). The results of PCR for UU were negative in 393 infants (non-UU group). Except for premature rupture of membranes >24 hr, the rates of vaginal delivery, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and surfactant use, there was no significant difference in the demographics and other baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups. The incidence of BPD was higher in UU group than in non-UU group and there was statistically significant difference in severity of BPD (P = 0.044, 0.031). The infants had been followed up until they were 1 year old. Compared to infants in non-UU group, infants in UU group showed no significant differences in the rate of death of pulmonary infection in moderate and severe BPD infants, the same as the rates of BPD infants hospitalized again or hospitalized more than 2 times because of pulmonary infection or/and wheezing episode in the first year after birth.

CONCLUSIONPreterm infants infected with UU were more likely to have BPD than non-UU infants. BPD infants associated with UU infection were more severe than that in non-UU infants. Prognosis of BPD infants associated with UU infection was similar to that of the infants whose BPD was not associated with UU infection.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Ureaplasma Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of CD123 and its significance in lymphocytic leukemia.

METHODSCD123 expression in 139 lymphocytic leukemia patients and in lymphocytes from 10 normal bone marrows (BM) was analyzed by multi-parameter flow cytometry. Cytogenetic and minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis were performed in acute B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) patients.

RESULTSCD123 expression was absent in B lymphoid lineage stem-progenitor cells, mature B and T lymphocytes from 10 normal BM. Among 139 lymphocytic leukemia patients, CD123 was negative in 5 T-ALL and 23 B-CLL patients. However, among 111 B-ALL patients, CD123 was expressed in 106 (12 pro B-ALL, 57 common B-ALL and 37 Pre B-ALL) (95.49%) but not in 5 mature B-ALL patients. There was a positive correlation between CD123 and p-Akt expression, and CD123 expression was much higher in hyperdiploid than in non-hyperdiploid B-ALL patients. A statistically significant difference in relapse rate within 12 months (MRD positive group: 63.04% vs MRD negative group 21.56%)and in disease free survival (DFS) time was found beween patients with MRD\[(36.06 +/- 2.62)%\] or not \[(48.23 +/- 1.82)%\] (P < 0.01). Moreover, stable CD123 expression could be observed in B-ALL patients in relapse.

CONCLUSIONSCD123 was predominantly expressed in B-ALL patients and remained in patients in relapsec, indicating that it may be an useful MRD marker in B-ALL patients.

Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

OBJECTIVETo explore the Infant Neurological International Battery (Infanib) as a screening tool for early detection of gross motor developmental delay in preterm infants discharged from NICU, and to predict their later neuromotor dysfunction (cerebral palsy or motor retardation).

METHODSA cohort of preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between June 2008 and March 2010 were enrolled in the study. Infanib assessment was performed at corrected age 3-4 months and 6-7 months. Peabody Developmental Motor scale-2 (PDMS-2) and neuro-examinations were used to confirm the last motor retardation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Infanib were calculated.

RESULTSA total of 147 preterm infants were participated in this study, and 129 infants were followed up at correct age 12 months or more than 12 months. Eleven (8.5%) had celebral palsy, 28 (21.7%) had motor retardation, and 90 (69.8%) normal mortor development. The predictive validity of the Infanib at correct age 3-4 months (n=14) was: sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 75.6%, positive predictive value 60.0% and negative predictive value 91.9%. The predictive validity of the Infanib at correct age 6-7 months (n=117) was: sensitivity 100%, specificity 91.7%, positive predictive value 82.5% and negative predictive value 100%.

CONCLUSIONSThe Infanib can be used as an appropriate screening tool and validity measurement for early detection of gross motor developmental delay in preterm infants.

Child Development ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; physiology ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Motor Activity

Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Infant ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical outcome of short-course chemotherapy in retreating spinal tuberculosis after radical operation.

METHODSForty-six retreating patients with spinal tuberculosis were included in this series, 29 males, 17 females with the age from 27 to 61 years (average of 43.7 years). All patients were treated with radical operation and short-course anti-tuberculous chemotherapy from March 2005 to March 2008. The tuberculous focus located thoracic spine in 17 cases, thoracic-lumbar in 13 and lumbosacral vertebrae in 16 cases. Of them, 5 cases had sinuses of tuberculosis and 7 cases had incomplete palsy in lower limbs (Frankel C-D). CT or MRI showed obvious sequestra, cold abscess within spinal focus. Surgical procedures including debridement, auto-bone grafting, and one-stage internal fixation, was performed at the 4 to 6 weeks after chemotherapy. Chemotherapy regimes were 3HRZ/6-9HRE in majority of patients. Clinical effect and focus healing were evaluated at follow-up period.

RESULTSTuberculous symptoms and local pain of vertebral volume were obvious in all patients before chemotherapy,with average ESR 65.3 mm/h and average CRP 37.4 mg/L. After 4-6 weeks chemotherapy, tuberculosis symptoms and vertebral pain improved in all patients, and the average ESR decreased to 38.3 mm/1h, the average CRP decreased to 17.2 mg/L. Two to three months after operation, tuberculous symptoms and local pain relived in all patients,ESR and CRP became normal in 37 cases. Six to twelve months after operation, bonegraft complex in each patient became stable and there were no instrument loosening or deformity correction loss. Six patients with incomplete palsy recovered and 1 case improved from Frankel C to D grade. Focus healing was achieved in 44 cases (95.7%) after short-course chemotherapy (3HRZ/6-9HRE), and there were no resurgence in 2 to 4 years follow-up period. Drug fast 2 cases for RFP+INH cured at the 15 months after chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSRemoved tubercular focus for the treatment of retreating spinal tuberculosis can improve clinical effect and shorten chemotherapy course.

Adult ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; drug therapy ; surgery

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis-related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes were studied according to different levels of HbA1C.It showed that HPA axis was normal in HbA1C≤ 7% group[ACTH (18.03±8.39)ng/L,blood cortisol(49.22±8.68)μg/L],hyperactive in 7%11% group with weak feedback regulation[ACTH(26.08±15.41)ng/L,blood cortisol(55.64±24.27)μg/L].These results suggest that HPA axis-related factors in type 2 diabetic patients are different with different grades of glucose metabolic turbulence.

Objective To investigate the psychological pressure levels of pregnant women in late pregnancy and to analyze the influencing factors. Provide the basis for the intervention measures. Methods Totally 160 pregnant women in late pregnancy who took part in the antenatal examination were recruited and investigated using Pregnancy Pressure Scale (PPS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and demographic questionnaire. Results Total score of PPS was (53.06 ± 10.24) points. In order to protect the health and safety of the fetus in pregnant women caused by maternal psychological stress score ranked first in three pressure source bit highest score of (16.46 ± 5.16) points. Total score of PSQI was (7.51± 2.89) points. Compared with the different dimensions of sleep quality, the two dimensions of sleep time and falling asleep time were negatively correlated with pregnancy stress, and the rest were positively correlated. Age, pregnancy, parity, plan the actual sleep time, sleep disorders will be planned to as independent variables. In the late pregnant women psychological pressure as the dependent variable, multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, found that there are 3 variables into the regression equation: parity, pregnancy in plan, sleep disorders (P＜0.05). Conclusions Pregnant women have greater psychological pressure in late pregnancy, influenced by the conception, planning pregnancy, sleep disorders and other factors. Nursing staff should take care and guidance for the specific situation, so as to reduce the pregnancy pressure of pregnant women in late pregnancy, and better help them successfully pass the gestation period and delivery period.