OBJECTIVETo study the development of pulmonary function of healthy children between 1-48 months.

METHODSA total of 295 healthy children at ages of 1-48 months were classified into 7 groups according to their age, i.e., 1-2 months, 3-4 months, 5-7 months, 8-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months, and 37- 48 months. Pediatric pulmonary function laboratory type 2600 (Sensor Medics Corporation USA) was used to detect tidal flow volume curve, which can partially replace the maximum expiratory flow volume curve and reflect airway ventilation function. Passive expiratory flow volume technique was used to examine respiratory system static compliance and total airway resistance. Open nitrogen washout method was used to measure functional residual capacity.

RESULTSThe values of tidal, peak tidal expiratory flow, and respiratory system static compliance functional residual capacity increased with the increasing age and were significantly different among the 7 groups. However, respiratory rate and total airway resistance decreased with the increased age. The value of each parameter of tidal flow volume curve was stable during 1-48 months.

CONCLUSIONSThis study displayed the developmental characteristics of pulmonary function of healthy children at ages of 1-48 months, which is useful to observe the changes of pulmonary function in respiratory diseases.

Age Factors ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Functional Residual Capacity ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; physiology ; Male ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in childhood asthma, and to evaluate the clinical value of continuous monitoring of FeNO.

METHODSTwenty children with mild to moderate asthma were enrolled from the special outpatient clinic for asthma. Follow-up was performed at 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 weeks after treatment. At each follow-up, asthmatic symptoms were recorded, pulmonary function was evaluated and FeNO was measured.

RESULTSThe mean FeNO decreased rapidly 8 weeks after treatment and slowly afterwards. It decreased significantly 8,16,24 and 40 weeks after treatment (P<0.01). It increased significantly during acute attacks of asthma and decreased rapidly during periods of remission. There was significant negative correlation between FeNO and forced expiratory volume in one second (r =-0.193 P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve of FeNO showed that FeNO had a sensitivity of 87.9% and a specificity of 80% for uncontrolled asthma when FeNO was 35.5 ppb, and that it had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 27.1% when FeNO was 20.5 ppb.

CONCLUSIONSmonitoring of FeNO can be used to evaluate the control level of airway inflammation in childhood asthma. When FeNO is less than 20.5 ppb, airway inflammation may be well controlled. When FeNO is more than 35.5 ppb, airway inflammation may be out of control. A sharp increase in FeNO suggests the possibility of acute asthma attack in children.

Asthma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Breath Tests ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; ROC Curve

This study was purposed to investigate the immunoregulatory effect of endothelial cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The human MSC was induced to differentiate into endothelial cells for one week. The phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry, the cell morphologic feature was observed by invert phase-contrast microscope and analysis of capillary formation was performed by using the in vitro angiogenesis kit. The immunoregulatory effect was detected by lymphocyte transformation test. The result indicated that during the differentiation cells grew fast and there was no significant change in the phenotypes, i.e. CD73, CD105, HLA-ABC were positive and CD34, CD80, CD86, HLA-DR, CD31 were negative. Immunofluorescence analysis showed typical expression of the von Willebrand factor. Differentiated MSCs formed capillary-like structure. Endothelial cells derived from MSC also revealed immunosuppressive effect on T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that endothelial cells derived from MSC also harbor immunoregulatory effect on T lymphocytes.
5'-Nucleotidase ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathological changes of livers in idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH).

METHODSLiver specimens from 29 cases with idiopathic portal hypertension were studied. Histological preparations of the livers were stained with haematoxylin eosin and Masson's trichrome; reticular fibers in the liver tissues were demonstrated. The slides were also stained using some immunohistochemistry methods, and the pathological changes of the livers were analyzed.

RESULTSThe characteristic changes found in these IPH livers were dense portal fibrosis; obliteration, with or without phlebitis, of the branches of the portal vein; dilatation of the sinusoids; atrophy and nodular hyperplasia of liver cells.

CONCLUSIONSHistopathological changes of the livers in IPH are dense portal fibrosis, portal vein branch obliteration and nodular hyperplasia of liver cells. These are the main features for a histopathological diagnosis of IPH.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEHepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) is one of the most serious complications after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Endothelial injury, leading to deposition of coagulation factors in the terminal hepatic venules, is believed to the key event in the pathogenesis of HVOD. This study was designed to explore the efficacy of low-dose heparin and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in the prevention of HVOD after allo-SCT in children with beta-thalassemia major.

METHODSForty-three children with beta-thalassemia major received allo-SCT. For the prevention of HVOD, 23 of the 43 patients received low-dose heparin (100 IU/kg.d) and also received PGE1 (7.2 microg/kg x d) by continuous intravenous infusion (study group) from the beginning of conditioning treatment to the 30th day after allo-SCT. Patients who received continuous infusions of PGE1 (7.2 microg/kg x d) alone were used as the control group (n=20).

RESULTSHVOD occurred in 6 patients (26.1%) in the study group (3 mild, 3 moderate). Twelve patients in the control group had HVOD (60.0%) (3 mild, 3 moderate, 6 severe)(P < 0.05). In the study group, 5 cases of HVOD were treated successfully and one died from other complications. Of the 12 cases of HVOD in the control group, 10 patients were treated successfully and two patients died from HVOD. There were no obvious drug adverse effects in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSLow-dose heparin and PGE1 is more effective than PGE1 alone for the prevention of HVOD after allo-SCT.

Adolescent ; Alprostadil ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Heparin ; administration & dosage ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Transplantation, Homologous ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Jiangya Yishen granules(JYG)combined with amlodip-ine on elderly patients with essential hypertension(EH)and its impact on serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)and renalase protein.Methods:A total of 125 elderly EH patients treated in our hospital were selected.According to random number table,they were divided into amlodipine group(n=40),JYG group(n=40)and combined treatment group(n=45,received amlodipine combined with JYG).Each group received corresponding treatment for eight weeks.Therapeutic effect,antihypertensive effect,serum levels of renalase protein and HbA1c were compared among three groups before and after treatment.Results:Total effective rate of combined treatment group was significantly higher than those of amlodipine group and JYG group(88.9％vs.65.0％vs.70.0％),P＜0.05 or＜0.01;compared with amlodipine group and JYG group after treatment,there were significant improve-ments in blood pressure variability indexes(P＜0.05 or＜0.01),significant rise in renalase protein level[(1380.17 ±120.13)pg/ml vs.(1480.17±110.93)pg/ml vs.(1845.43±112.38)pg/ml],and significant reduction in HbA1c level[(5.92±0.35)％vs.(5.83±0.36)％vs.(5.31±0.35)％]in combined treatment group,P=0.001 all.Conclusion:Jiangya Yishen granules combined with amlodipine can strengthen antihypertensive effect,reduce HbA1c level and increase renalase protein level in elderly patients with essential hypertension,which can benefit the patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine (N) and epirubicin (E) as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

METHODSFrom September 2001 to December 2004, 158 patients with LABC were treated with NE chemotherapy before operation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy containing vinorelbine (N), 25 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) and epirubicin (E), 60 mg/m(2) (days 1) was administered every 3 weeks for three cycles before local treatment.

RESULTSResponse in the breast: the clinical objective response was 81.6% [23.4% (37/158) cCR and 58.2% (92/158) PR], 16.5% (26/158) SD and 1.9% (3/158) PD. Pathological complete response was found in 29 cases (18.3%). Eighteen cases (26.5%) who have positive FNA result in the axillary lymphnode before chemotherapy showed negative result in the surgery specimen. The most common toxicities were neutropenia, alopecia and nausea/vomiting. Neutropenia grade 3 - 4 was reported in 111 patients (70.3%) and there was no toxic deaths.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of vinorelbine and epirubicin is a very active and well-tolerated regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the LABC.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Treatment Outcome ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

Objective To analyze the difference of teaching modes of course of digital signal processing for the undergraduates and postgraduates.Methods The teaching modes were compared from the aspects of educational objective,teaching content, teaching method,examination mode and etc.Results Differentiated teaching modes contributed to the satisfactory education of the undergraduates and postgraduates. Conclusion The differentiated teaching modes for the undergraduates and postgraduates provide references for the high-level education in universities and colleges of science and technology. [Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2018,39(5):87-89,102]

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes and significance of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in left ventricular remodeling in FVB/N mice. METHODS: A total of 54 FVB/N mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: 0 d group with 8 mice, 7 d group with 10 mice, 14 d group with 16 mice, and 21 d group with 20 mice. A model of cardiac remodeling was established by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol (ISO) at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg, and the 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d groups were injected for 7, 14, and 21 consecutive days respectively. The 0 d group was given intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of normal saline. Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole (dLVPW) and the ratio of heart weight to tibia length (HW/TL) was measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to measure left ventricular myocardial fiber diameter. Picric-Sirius red staining was used to measure myocardial collagen deposition area in the left ventricle. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of ASK1, type I collagen (collagen I), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The mortality rate was observed for each group. RESULTS: There were gradual increases in HW/TL, myocardial fiber diameter, and dLVPW after 0, 7, and 14 days of ISO injection (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in HW/TL ratio and dLVPW from days 14 to 21 of ISO injection (P>0.05), while there was a significant reduction in myocardial fiber diameter (P<0.05), which was similar to the value on day 7 (P>0.05). There were significant increases in myocardial collagen deposition area and the mRNA expression of collagen I, ASK1, and BNP after 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of ISO injection, which reached the peaks on day 21 (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of ASK1 was positively correlated with myocardial collagen deposition area and the mRNA expression of collagen I and BNP and had a weak correlation with HW/TL, myocardial fiber diameter, and dLVPW. There was a significant increase in the mortality rate of the mice over the time of ISO injection. CONCLUSIONS The expression of ASK1 in the myocardium is closely associated with left ventricular remodeling. The increase of ASK1 expression may lead to the aggravation of left ventricular remodeling, and the mechanism of which needs further study.
Animals ; Isoproterenol ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 ; Mice ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of dopamine receptor (DR2) activation on hypoxia/reperfusion injury (HRI) in the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSThe hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) injury model was established in primarily cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and randomly assigned: control, H/R, bromocriptine (Bro) and haloperidol (Hal) groups. The cell apoptosis was detected using inverted microscope, transmission electron microscope and flow cytometry (FCM). The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cell medium were analyzed. The expression of mRNA and protein of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Fas, Fas-L, Cyt C and Bcl-2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, apoptosis rate, LDH activity, MDA content and the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and anti-apoptotic factors were increased, but SOD activity was decreased in H/R group. Compared with the H/R group, all index above-mentioned were down-regulated or reversed in Bro-group, and had no obvious differences in Hal-group.

CONCLUSIONThe neonatal rat cardiomyocytes injury and apoptosis caused by hypoxia/reperfusion can be inhibited with DR2 activation, which mechanism is related to scavenging oxygen radical.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; metabolism