OBJECTIVETo study the expression and significance of structural proteins, VEGF and Ang-1 in cavernous venous malformations of the body surface.

METHODSTissue samples came from 25 cases of cavernous venous malformations, 12 cases of normal moderate veins and 12 cases of normal small veins. Envision immunohistochemical stain was used to investigate the expression of IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin, VEGF and Ang-1. The results were analyzed semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSThe distribution of structural proteins in cavernous venous malformations is similar to moderate and small veins, but the expression in venous malformations is less obviously. VEGF expression in cavernous venous malformations and small veins is stronger obviously than moderate veins. Ang-1 expression in small veins is stronger remarkably than cavernous venous malformations and moderate veins.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of structural proteins may be an important factor in etiopathology and progress of cavernous venous malformations. There is disturbance of blood vessel remodelling in the sinusoid of cavernous venous malformations, with which the less expression of Ang-1 may be related.

Angiopoietin-1 ; metabolism ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laminin ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Veins ; abnormalities ; metabolism

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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical pathology of cavernous venous malformations of the body surface.

METHODSTissue samples of cavernous venous malformations from 42 cases were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to observe the pathologic structure. The clinical manifestations and case history were summarized accordingly.

RESULTSThere was no distribution difference of the malformation in sex and body sides, but with obvious difference in anatomic sites. The malformation occurred most frequently at the head and neck, more frequently at extremities and least frequently at the trunk. According to pathologic structure, cavernous venous malformations of the body surface can be divided into three types: the cellular, the canaliform and the mixed.

CONCLUSIONThe cause of distribution difference in anatomic sites remains unclear. Internal hemorrhage and infection may account for the increased growth and ache of the lesion. The different pathologic structure of the malformation may cause different clinical manifestations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; complications ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infection ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; etiology ; Sex Factors ; Skin ; blood supply ; pathology ; Veins ; abnormalities

Objective To establish a scientific, operational monitoring and early warning index system for schistosomiasis, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting the scientification and standardization of early warning system in Poyang Lake Eco-economic Region. Methods Two rounds of Delphi experts’ interviews were applied to construct Index system. The weight value of each indicator was determined by the Analytic Hierarchy process and improvable proportionate allocation method. Reliability, validity of index system and the rationality of index weight distribution can be evaluated in site investigation. Results The Index system included 3 first-order indicators, 9 second-order indicators, and 35 third-order indicators. The 3 first-order indicators were endemic status, environmental and social factors, control measures, with the weight value of 0.531 0, 0.101 5 and 0.367 5, respectively. For the 9 second-order indicators, the highest weight value was for Infection status of human and livestock (0.179 5)and the lowest for social factors(0.050 6). During site investigation, the Cronbach’s alpha and spit half reliability of the total index system and three first-order indicators were all over 0.90, the Kendall W coefficient for the data collected in site investigation and Delphi consultation was 0.742 (P=0.018). Conclusions The Monitoring and Early Warning Index System for Schistosomiasis is suitable for the infection status of Poyang Lake Eco-economic region. The reliability and validity of index system are satisfactory, and the indicator weight distribution is rational.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have revealed that mast cells (MCs) may activate the protease-activated receptors and release of neuropeptides involved in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The levels of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) and tryptase can contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of IBS. METHODS: Colonoscopic biopsies were performed of 38 subjects (20 with IBS-diarrhea [IBS-D], eight with IBS-constipation [IBS-C], and 10 healthy volunteers). The mRNA and protein levels of tryptase and PAR-2 were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. The levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were measured by immunohistochemistry, and MCs were counted by toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Significant increases in the mRNA expression of tryptase (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and PAR-2 (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and in the tryptase protein level (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) were detected in IBS. Elevations of MCs, CGRP, VIP and SP (p<0.05, IBS-D vs control) were observed for IBS-D only. CONCLUSIONS: Tryptase levels may upregulate the function of PAR-2, resulting in the release of neuropeptide and they were correlated with clinical symptoms associated with IBS.
Biopsy ; Blotting, Western ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Mast Cells ; Neuropeptides ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, PAR-2* ; Receptors, Proteinase-Activated ; RNA, Messenger ; Substance P ; Tolonium Chloride ; Tryptases* ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The objective of this study was to investigate the curative effect of combined sibling umbilical cord blood and bone marrow transplantation in treatment of beta-thalassemia major. Combined umbilical cord blood and bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling were performed for 3 patients with beta-thalassemia major. The nucleated cells infused into 3 recipients were 19.5 x 10(7)/kg, 20.8 x 10(7)/kg and 23.3 x 10(7)/kg respectively. They accepted the conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan, cyclophosphamide, antithymocyteglobulin. The results showed that three patients gained protracted and stable engraftment. The time to achieve more than 0.5 x 10(9)/L neutrophils in three patients was 16, 18, and 17 days respectively; the time to achieve more than 50 x 10(9)/L platelet in three patients was 48, 50, and 49 days respectively. The speed of hematopoietic recovery was faster than that of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) only. Three patients all suffered from acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) of I grade. They had lived with free-thalassemia for 1.5, 2.0 and 2.1 years respectively. Their Hb had been maintained at normal level without transfusion. It is concluded that combined UCBT and BMT may be an effective and safe way to treat pediatric beta-thalassemia major.
Blood Donors ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Siblings ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the detection rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) from nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in children with pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 164 hospitalized children with pneumonia were enrolled. NPA and BALF of these children were collected within 24 hours of admission, and MP-DNA was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Venous blood samples of all these children were collected within 24 hours of admission and on days 7-10 of treatment, and serum MP-IgM was detected using ELISA.

RESULTSThe positive rate of MP-DNA in NAP of the 164 cases was 51.8% , which was lower than 63.4% as the detection rate of MP-IgM in serum (P=0.044), and the two detection rates were moderately consistent with each other (Kappa=0.618, P<0.01). The positive rate of MP in BALF was 71.3%, which was not significantly different with that of MP-IgM in serum (P>0.05), and the detection rates were well consistent (Kappa=0.793, P<0.01). The detection rate of MP in NPA was lower than that in BALF (P<0.01), with moderate consistency between two of them (Kappa=0.529, P<0.01). The median MP copy number in BALF was significantly higher than that in NPA (P<0.01). The MP detection rates in NPA and BALF were significantly different among different courses of disease (P<0.05). As the course of disease extended, the MP detection rates in both NPA and BALF showed a declining trend; children with MP pneumonia of 1-2 weeks' duration and 2-4 weeks' duration had a higher MP-DNA detection rate in BALF than in NPA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMP-DNA in BALF has a high sensitivity, with a great significance for early diagnosis of MP pneumonia, while NPA MP-DNA tests may lead to a missed diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nasopharynx ; microbiology ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the distribution of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, B and DRB1 allele and haplotype in cord blood samples preserved in Guangzhou Cord Blood Bank collected in the last 10 years.

METHODSThe HLA-A, B and DRB1 genotyping of 4194 cord blood samples were detected by Special Monoclonal Tray, PCR-sequence specific promer (PCR-SSP), PCR-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSO) and sequence based typing (SBT). Frequencies of HLA-A, B and DRB1 allele and haplotype were calculated by Arlequin software.

RESULTSThe total numbers of HLA-A, B and DRB1 alleles are 18, 43, 13 respectively. The obviously high frequency alleles are A*11, A*02, A*24, A*33, B*40, B*15, B*46, B*13, DRB1*12, DRB1*15, DRB1*09 and DRB1*04, with accumulative frequency of each locus being more than 50%. The most common haplotypes are A2-B46, B46-DR9, A11-DR12 and A2-B46-DR9.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of HLA-A, B and DRB1 allele and haplotype of cord blood in Guangzhou Cord Blood Bank has typical characteristics of southern Chinese Han population. Authors' data may help in searching for appropriate donors.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans

We investigated the endemic situation of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in Nileke County,Yili Prefecture,Xinjiang and its genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis.Human AE cases in the county were retrospectively investigated including their location and surrounding ecological conditions.Sequence detection and analysis of nad2,cob gene fragments of AE mtDNA from patients was used to identify genotype variation.Results showed that a total of 48 AE cases were diagnosed and the first AE patient was identified in 1989 in the county.The 45.8％ of AE cases were found in the recent 5 years (2011-2015) and annual prevalence was 1.7 per 100 000.The patients were distributed along the Kashgar River,particularly intensive in Wulasitai Township.The 38.6％ of the patients were aged arranged 35-44 years old,64.6％ were male and 95.8％ were farmers and herdsmen.AE cases were confirmed further and there was only one haplotype by sequencing analysis from 11 AE clinical patients in the county.It suggests that Nileke County is AE foci,and alveolar echinococcosis with sequences conserved is an emerging disease in the county.

To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of phloridzin, 3-hydroxy phloridzin and quercitrin in leaves of Malus halliana by ultrasonic-assisted ionic liquid coupled with RP-HPLC. An Agilent TC-C₁₈ (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) column was used, with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and 1% phosphoric acid-water (20∶80) by gradient elution at the detection wavelength of 270 nm. The flow rate was 0.8 mL•min⁻¹, and chromatographic column temperature was controlled at the room temperature. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges for phloridzin, 3-hydroxy phloridzin and quercitrin were 0.9-112.5 μg (r = 0.999 6), 0.093 2-11.65 μg (r = 0.999 1) and 0.097 2-12.15 μg (r = 0.999 8), respectively. The average recoveries of the three constituents were 99.35%, 98.80% and 98.19%, respectively. The method was environmental friendly, rapid, accurate and highly reproducible, and so suitable for the quantitative analysis of phloridzin, 3-hydroxy phloridzin and quercitrin in leaves of M. halliana.