Adolescent ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cell Aggregation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytodiagnosis ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; Meningitis, Viral ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To explore the correlation between-173G/C gene polymorphism of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) and Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN) in children in Jiangxi Province.Methods One hundred and thirty-one ethnic Han children with HSP were enrolled,including 80 children with concurrent nephritis(HSPN group) and 51 children without nephritis(HSP without nephritis group).One hundred and five healthy children were used as the healthy control group.Germline DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by Promega blood genomic DNA kit.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) was used for genotyping the-173G/C polymorphism of MIF.Genotype distribution and allele frequencies were obtained by direct counting.Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 11.5 software.Allele and genotype distribution were compared by using the chi-square test.The relative risk of allele was described by odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence intervals(95%CI).Results Three genotypes(GG,GC,CC) were detected in MIF-173 G/C.GG,GC genotypes were detected in HSP without nephritis and healthy control group.GG,GC and CC genotypes were detected in HSPN group.Mutant genotype(37.5%) and C allele frequency(20.0%) in HSPN group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group(20.0% and 10.0%,respectively)(?2=6.964,7.400,Pa

Objective To explore the role of stromal interaction molecule 1(STIMI)on prohteration and intra- cellular Ca~(2+)change in vascular smooth muscle ceils(VSMC).Methods Rat VSMC were isolated from SD rats and primary cultured.Ad-si/rSTIM1 and Ad-hSTIM1 were transfected into VSMC.The protein of STIM1 was measured by Western blot,the proliferation of VSMC was analyzed by ~3H-thymidine(~3H-TdR)incorporation and cell count,the intracellular Ca~(2+)change was assessed By Aquaeosmos system.Ruselts Fourty-eight hours after transfection,as compared with Ad-hSTIMI group,the Ad-si/rSTIMI VSMC had lower expression of STIM1 protein (P

Holmium ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Ureteroscopy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of Integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating SARS.

METHODSBy controlled paralled design, 49 patients of SARS were studied, they were divided into the control group (n = 29) and the ICWM group (n = 20). The former was treated according to the "Recommended Program for Treatment of SARS" provided by Health Ministry, by administering of such drugs as Ribavirin, Levofloxacin, Thymopentin, Azithromycin, etc, the latter was treated with the ICWM protocol for SARS of "Special Technological Action to Prevent and Treat SARS" provided by Science and Technology Ministry.

RESULTS(1) The time for improving symptom in the ICWM group was 5.10 days and that in the control group was 7.62 days, the difference between them was significant (P < 0.05); (2) The days and amount for use hormone before subtract in the two group were similar, with insignificant difference (P > 0.05); (3) The days and amount for use hormone after subtract in the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05); (4) The time for improving peripheral WBC count and absolute value of lymphocyte, as well as for absorption time of shadow in chest film were not different significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn treating SARS, ICWM was superior to the treatment with western medicine alone in aspects of improving clinical symptom, promoting recovery of immune function and absorption of lung inflammation, decreasing the dosage of hormone used and shortening the therapeutic course.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVEFebrile seizure is a very common emergency in children. Although researchers home and abroad constantly pay close attention to studies on brain damage and lesion possibly caused by febrile seizure, studies of effects on motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory are relatively seldom. In our study, Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized for the purpose of the exploration of effects of febrile seizures on their motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory.

METHODSSixty 21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing (50 +/- 5) g were divided randomly and equally into febrile seizure group (FS), febrile control group (FG) and normal control group (NG). Febrile seizure animal model was induced by hyperthermal bath with 45 degrees C water. Febrile seizure was induced twice a day, thus ten times within five days in FS group. Rats of FG group were immersed in the same hyperthermal water for 2 minutes. Nothing special was performed on NG group. The abilities of motor and behavior of every rat in these 3 groups were tested in inclined plane test (IPT), overhanging test (OHT) and open field test (OFT) to show their varieties. Furthermore, Morris water maze was applied to evaluate the effects by febrile seizure on spatial learning and memory in rats during the place navigation test and spatial probe test.

RESULTSIn the present experiments, febrile seizures were altogether induced 192 times with the mean latency being (4.25 +/- 0.98) minutes and the mean duration being (1.06 +/- 0.59) minutes. The experiments confirmed that multiple febrile seizures could lead to decreases of abilities in all tests in which analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences between febrile seizure group and the other two (P < 0.01). In inclined plane test, the turning ability of the rats was weakened. The mean turning time was (9.1 +/- 2.6) seconds for FS, (5.3 +/- 2.1) seconds for FG and (5.3 +/- 2.0) seconds for NG. In overhanging test, the overhanging time was shortened: (33.4 +/- 18.1) seconds for FS, (50.1 +/- 20.3) seconds for FG and (59.0 +/- 20.7) seconds for NG. In the open field test, the rats became less active with the scores (5.1 +/- 2.0) for FS, (10.4 +/- 3.0) for FG and (13.2 +/- 2.3) for NG. Meanwhile, the authors discovered the decreases of the abilities of spatial learning and memory in rats caused by febrile seizures many times. In the place navigation test, the mean escape latency for the rats' looking for hidden platform was prolonged; the efficiency of their search strategy decreased; the swimming time the animals spent in platform region decreased [(44.02 +/- 5.25) seconds for FS, (51.75 +/- 5.28) seconds for FG and (57.07 +/- 5.36) seconds for NG; analysis of variance, P < 0.01.]; the number of times they crossed the platform area decreased [(6.07 +/- 1.77) times for FS, (9.25 +/- 2.07) times for FG and (11.34 +/- 2.37) times for NG; analysis of variance, P < 0.01]; the percentage of their swimming time fell (36.68% for FS, 43.13% for FG and 47.56% for NG).

CONCLUSIONThe experiments confirmed that multiple febrile seizures could result in damage and lesion of motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory in rats.

Animals ; Male ; Maze Learning ; physiology ; Memory ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures, Febrile ; physiopathology ; Spatial Behavior ; physiology

Adult ; Antibodies ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferons ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture combined with Dalitong granule for gastroesophageal reflux disease and to explore the therapeutic mechanism.

METHODSFive hundred cases diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease were randomly divided into a combination group, an electroacupuncture group, a Dalitong granule group, and a western medication group, 125 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC 6), Tai-chong (LR 3) and Gongsun (SP 4), once daily for 6 weeks; the Dalitong granule group was treated with oral administration of Dalitong granule 6 g, three times daily; the combination group was treated with above two methods; the western medication group was treated with oral administration of Mosapride 5 mg, three times daily, Omeprazole 20 mg, twice daily and Amitriptyline 25 mg, twice daily. The total refluxing times, times of long-term reflux, percentage of upright time, percentage of supine time, percentage of total time of the 24-hour intraesophageal pH < 4 or bilirubin absorbance value (Abs) > or = 0.14, symptom score, endoscopic score, life quality score and adverse reaction were observed before treatment, at the end of treatment and 48 weeks after treatment in four groups.

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, esophageal acid reflux, bile reflux, endoscopic score and symptom score were decreased significantly at the end of treatment in four groups (all P < 0.01), while score of life quality was increased significantly (all P < 0.01). The improvements of above indices in the combination group were superior to other groups (all P < 0.05). Compared with the end of treatment, changes of above indices were not obvious in both of combination group and electroacupuncture group 48 weeks after treatment (all P > 0.05), but these indices all recurred significantly in other two groups (all P < 0.5). The short and long-term total effective rates in the combination group were superior to other groups (P < 0.5, P < 0.1). No serious adverse reaction occurred in four groups.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture and Dalitong granule can both inhibit esophageal acid reflux and bile reflux, decrease endoscopic score, alleviate the symptom of gastroesophageal reflux and improve life quality, but the effect of combination is much better with safety and long-term efficacy, which is correlated with their acid inhibition, gastrointestinal motility and antidepressant effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

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 investigate the total alkaloids content profile and diversity of medicinal materials of Tripterygium.

METHODThe total alkaloids were extracted by organic solvent and purified by column chromatography (aluminium oxide), and determined by UV spectrometry.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloids content in phloem was 2 to 5 times richer than that in xylem, and their changes had shown concordance. For the different species/types, the content from high to low in order was T. hypoglaucum, Tripterygium F, T. wilfordii and T. regellii, but in each type, the disparity among different populations content was very small. The populations with higher content were in Suichuan, Jiangxi Province, Huangshan, Anhui Province, Jingning, Zhejiang Province and Kunming, Yuannan Province; which came from T. hypoglaucum and Tripterygium F. The degree of difference of total alkaloids content among individuals in each population was different. The populations, which had a rich content diversity, were in Jingning, Zhejiang Province, Taining, Fujian Province and Kunming, Yunnan Province. They will be used for good germplasm selecting. The thickness of medicinal materials did not affect the total alkaloids content in the same plant. The total alkaloids content in xylem changed with seasons: the highest in March, then declining from June to December, the lowest in December, While this did not happen in phloem.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Tripterygium ; chemistry