s: The onset of Crohn’s disease (CD) is the interaction of environment, heredity, infection, immune and other factors. It is also closely related to abnormal immune functions. Without special treatment, CD is identified as a modern refractory disease. By syndrome differentiation and treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can effectively relieve disease conditions, improve the quality of life and reduce side effects of modern medication. The core compatibility ofBai-Zhu andFu-Ling can reinforce spleen-qi and dispel dampness, which met the common pathogenesis of CD. Therefore, the combination is comprehensively used in the compound prescription. Our previous study found thatBai-Zhu Fu-Ling decoctioncan reduce the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) of animal model of spleen-qi deficiency, downregulate VIP receptors, decrease the affinity of VIP receptors and improve animal model’s sIgA. To further clarify the effects about neurotransmitters and their correlation with the immune system in the pathogenesis of CD and the intervention mechanism treated by different proportional compatibility ofBai-Zhu Fu-Ling decoction, we studied influences of the decoction on related transmitters of nerve- immune network and functions of receptors, as well as cytokine secretion and signal transduction of TLR4-NF-κB. Our studies can provide references and foundations to further explore TCM treatment of CD.

Objective To evaluate contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions.Methods Seventeen patients with a variety of leptomeningeal lesions were analyzed.The MRI protocol included un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI,Comparisons between contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and T_1WI and between un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were made to determine which sequence better depicted the lesions.Results Leptomeningeal lesions showed as either diffusely or locally abnormal hyper-intensity along sulci or cistern on three sequences.Comparison between contrast-enhanced FLAIR and T_1WI showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 7,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 2 ,and both were conspicuous in 7. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,diffuse abnormalities of sulci were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR, abnormalities of cisterns were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Comparison between un- enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 9,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 3,and both were conspicuous in 4. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,abnormalities of cisterns were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR,diffuseabnormalities of sulci were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were superior to un-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions. Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images are helpful and should be considered when findings on un-enhanced FLAIR images and/or contrast-enhanced T,WI are inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different concentrations of glucose on the differentiation of 3T3-L(1) and the expression of insig-1 and insig-2 mRNA, and to explore the effect of insulin-induced gene in the differentiation and formation of adipocytes and lipogenesis. METHODS: The 3T3-L(1) cells were induced to differentiate in high glucose concentration (25 mol/L G.S), low glucose concentration (5.5 mol/L G.S), and mannitol (19.5 mol/L Mannitol +5.5 mol/L G.S), respectively. The differentiation of 3T3-L(1) cells was examined by oil red "O" straining, and the expression of insig-1,insig-2 mRNA and AP2 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: With the differentiation of 3T3-L(1) cells, the expression of insig-1 and insig-2 mRNA was gradually up-regulated. The expression of insig-1 and insig-2 mRNA significantly increased while AP(2) mRNA decreased in the low glucose concentration inducing group and mannitol inducing group. In the high glucose concentration inducing group, the cell differentiation was poor (P<0.05). There was no difference between the low glucose concentration and the mannitol group in the differentiation of 3T3-L(1) cells, and in the expression of insig-1 and insig-2 and AP(2) mRNA. CONCLUSION Different concentrations of glucose may influence the cell differentiation and the low glucose concentration promotes insig-1 and insig-2 gene expression, which may lead to the inhibition of the differentiation and lipogenesis of preadipocytes.
3T3-L1 Cells ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution characteristics of adiponectin gene +45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in Chinese children, and to determine the role of adiponectin gene +45 polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity.

METHODSA total of 147 Chinese obese and 118 healthy children were randomly selected and enrolled to identify adiponectin gene SNP+45 polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Plasma adiponectin levels were determined using ELISA. Waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), percentage of body fat (%BF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma fasting insulin (FINS), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured.

RESULTSThe allelic frequency of adiponectin gene SNP+45 in children with obesity and healthy controls were 40.5% and 25.4%, respectively. There were significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and the allelic frequency between the two groups (P<0.05). The plasma adiponectin levels were significantly higher, in contrast, %BF, HOMA-IR, TC and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in obese children with TT genotype than those in obese children with TG or GG genotype.

CONCLUSIONSThe adiponectin gene SNP+45 polymorphism may be associated with pathogenesis of obesity in children. T→G variance may be associated an increased risk of childhood obesity and result in a decreased level of adiponectin.

Adiponectin ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the basis of distinctive function of acupoint through observing the effects of acupuncture at the areas of acupoint and non-acupoint on functional connectivity of different brain regions.

METHODSTwenty-one healthy volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: 12 cases in the acupoint group and 9 cases in the non-acupoints group. Bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and its lateral 3-4 mm were punctured with twirling manipulation in the acupoint group and the non-acupoints group respectively. Before and after 25 minutes treatment, data of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was taken from bilateral cingulate gyrus (seed point) to analyze the functional connectivity in both groups.

RESULTSBrain functional connectivity was demonstrated widely in both acupoint group and non-acupoint group after acupuncture. Comparing with the non-acupoint group, in the acupoint group, brain functional connectivity with posterior cingulate gyrus was found more intensively in the bilateral tonsil, right dentate nucleus, bilateral uvula, left declive and right tuber of cerebellum, as well as in the left inferior frontal gyrus, right middle temporal gyurs, bilateral paracentral lobule, left cingulate cortex, right superior temporal gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus etc., however, its connectivity was less in the bilateral medial frontal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus.

CONCLUSIONBoth acupoint and non-acupoint can evoke brain functional connectivity that is similar on the most of regions, but the intensity of this connectivity in the acupoint group is higher than that in the non-acupoint group.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Radiography ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the common types, surgical treatment and effects of tracheal stenosis in children.Methods:A total of 23 children with tracheal stenosis in our hospital from December 2017 to August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed, including 14 males and 9 females. The mean age at operation was(8.9±5.8)months(range: 2-3 months) and the mean weight was(6.4±2.3)kg(range: 4.2-10.5 kg). The common types of tracheal stenosis were complete tracheal ring in 9 children, tracheomalacia in 10 and subglottic membranous annular hyperplasia in 4. The type of congenital heart diseases included 10 patients of pulmonary artery sling, 1 of tetralogy of Fallot, 5 of ventricular septal defect, 1 of pulmonary atresia, and 1 of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery. Slide tracheoplasty was performed in 9 patients, external splint in 8, endotracheal stent in 2 and tracheal dilation in 4. All children were followed up after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of operation with CT and bronchoscopy.Results:There was 1 death in all 23 patients and the mortality was 4.3%, which died of granulation tissue hyperplasia after slide tracheoplasty. Reoperation was performed in 1 patient with endotracheal stent. All patients were followed for 1 to 24 months. Clinical symptoms of tracheal stenosis disappeared and the results of CT and bronchoscopy were satisfied.Conclusion:Slide tracheoplasty is the effective surgical method for complete trachea ring. 3D printing bioresorbable external splint is a promising method for the treatment of tracheomalacia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of clinical manifestation, laboratory examination and imaging changes for pyogenic spondylitis and to summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with pyogenic spondylitis.

METHODSThe clinical data, of 20 patients with pyogenic spondylitis were diagnosed by histopathological examination from March 2012 to March 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged from 43 to 72 years old with an average of 58.9 years. Included 3 cases of cervical vertebrae, 7 cases of thoracic vertebrae, 10 cases of lumbar vertebrae. Patients of blood analysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C reactive protein(CRP), X rays, CT and MRI were performed before treatment. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain of patients suffering from vertebral pain.

RESULTSAll the patients had suffered from vertebral pain before treatment. VAS was 9 points in 4 cases, 8 points in 6 cases, 7 points in 1 case, 3 points in 6 cases, and 2 points in 3 cases. Among them, 7 patients complicated with neurological symptoms, 11 with aggravating night pain, 10 with fever. WBC and Neutrophil count (NEU) of 5 cases were increased and other 15 cases were normal;CRP of 19 cases were increased and 1 case was normal;ESR of all 20 cases were increased. X rays showed the intervertebral space narrowing in all 20 cases, 13 cases complicated with destruction of vertebral body; CT showed the lesions of vertebral body in the 20 cases and complicated with destruction, sclerosis of sclerotin; MRI showed that the lesions of the vertebral body in the T1 image had uneven medium low signal, in the T2 image of the 16 cases had uneven high signal and 2 cases had uniform and high signal, 2 cases had main high signal compliated with mixed signal. Thirteen patients underwent surgical treatment and 7 patients received conservative treatment, and the patients left hospital while VAS had significantly improved after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSPyogenic spondylitis is easy to be misdiagnosed or missed in clinic. It can be combined with the clinical manifestations, laboratory examination and imaging characteristics in order to make a definite diagnosis for purulent spondylitis in early.

OBJECTIVESTo confirm previous whole-genome scan results of mapping type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes in chromosome 1 in Northern Chinese Han population by conducting a new genome scan with both an enlarged number of type 2 diabetes families and a new set of microsatellite markers.

METHODSA genome scan method was applied. After multiplexed PCR, electrophoreses, genescan and genotyping analysis, size informations for all loci were obtained, and a further study was done using both parametric and non-parametric linkage analysis to calculate the P-values and Z-values of these loci.

RESULTSA total of 34 microsatellite markers distributed within 5 regions along chromosome 1 were surveyed, and 12,000 genotypes were screened. Evidence of linkage with diabetes was identified for 8 of the 34 loci (all the P-values of the 8 loci distributed in 3 regions were lower than 0.05, and the highest Z-value was 2.17). Interestingly, all the 5 markers at the P terminal 1p36.3-1p36.23 region, spanning a long range of 16.9 cM, suggested to be linked with the disease. The results of the other two regions were not consistent with the previous ones.

CONCLUSIONSThe study results have confirmed those gained in the previous genome-wide scan. The fact that all 5 loci at the P terminal region displayed linkage with diabetes suggests that more than 1 susceptibility gene may reside in this region.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Testing ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the audiological characteristics of newborns and infants who failed hearing screening.

METHODSOne hundred and six infants failed hearing screening received follow-up study with routine audiological evaluations (auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission, tympanometry and visual reinforcement audiometry).

RESULTSSixty-five infants (61.3%) of this group were normal hearing subjects and 39(36. 8% ) of the infants had hearing loss. Two cases (1.9%) received follow-up by phone. Fifteen cases (14.2%) with conductive hearing loss and 24 cases (22.6%) with sensorineural hearing loss. Thirteen (12.3%), 14 (13.2%), 6 (5.7%), and 6 (5.7%) cases were found to be mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss respectively. Diagnosis of hearing loss in the thirty-nine infants conducted a prevalence of 0.264% (39/14 785) of congenital hearing loss (both binaural and monaural). The hearing level of those cases with severe and profound hearing loss basically did not change, but that of cases with mild and moderate hearing loss changed.

CONCLUSIONSEarly identification and intervention of infants with severe and profound hearing loss by 6 months of age were successful. Infants with mild and moderate hearing loss should be followed up to six or eight months and received routine audiologic evaluations.

Audiometry, Evoked Response ; China ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neonatal Screening ; Prevalence