Animals ; Birds ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; pathogenicity ; Influenza in Birds ; complications ; prevention & control ; virology ; Influenza, Human ; etiology ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the risk factors on children with coronary artery lesions (CAL) secondary to Kawasaki di-sease(KD). Methods One hundred and forty - five patients with KD from January 1999 to December 2001 were collected. Among them, 93 cases without CAL and 52 cases with CAL. The test results, therapeutic methods and prognosis were analyzed in two groups. Results The duration of fever was longer and mean value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) higher in group with CAL than those m the group without CAL(P0.05).The incidence of CAL was 18.8% (18/96) in patients of IVIG treatment within 10 days from onset, and 69.4% (34/49) in patients without IVIG treatment (P

Objective To study the mechanism of effects of estrogen receptor (ER) on T and B lymphocytes in patients with SLE and synergistic effect of T and B lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of SLE.Methods Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of ER-α,interleukin 10 (IL-10) and B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)from 40 SLE patients and 40 normal human controls. The clinical and laboratory correlation with the levels of these parameters was analyzed. Results A significant increase was observed in the relative expression levels of ER-α, IL-10 and BLyS mRNA in SLE patients compared with the normal human controls (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ), in active SLE patients compared with inactive SLE patients (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the 3 parameters were significantly correlated with the presence of renal damage, proteinuria, arthritis, etc. No statistical difference was observed in the mRNA expression levels of these parameters between female and male patients or between female and male normal controls. Conclusions IL-10 and BLyS appear to be correlated with the disease activity and severity of SLE, and ER-α may play an important role in the action mechanism of T and B lymphocytes in SLE.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; virology

Proteins extracted from two varieties of Chinese roses leaves were separated by two- dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) with immobilized pH gradient (IPG). Many difference proteins were isolated with molecular weights ranging 10-30 kDa and pI5-6. Three proteins of high levels observed in a gel were excised and identified using peptide mass fingerprinting and MS-MS. A summary of the identified proteins and their putative functions are presented. They are identified as eIF-5A、LEA protein and Hsp17. 5. Functions of these proteins in plant tolerance to high temperature were discussed.

A clinically reliable non-invasive test for endometriosis is expected to reduce the diagnostic delay. Although varieties of biomarkers have been investigated for decades, and cancer antigen-125, cancer antigen-199, interleukin-6, and urocortin were the most studied ones among hundreds of biomarkers, no clinically reliable biomarkers have been confirmed so far. Some emerging technologies including "omics" technologies, molecular imaging techniques, and microRNAs are promising in solving these challenges, but their utility to detect endometriosis has yet to be verified. New combinations of researched indicators or other non-invasive methods and further exploration of the emerging technologies may be new targets and future research hotspots for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. In conclusion, researches of biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis are still ongoing and may benefit from novel molecular biology, bioinformatics methods and a combination of more diverse monitoring methods. Though it will be a daunting task, the identification of a specific set of diagnostic biomarkers will undoubtedly improve the status of endometriosis.

Objective To discuss the value of digital tomosynthesis for detection of pulmonary nodules. Methods Thirty patients suspected of having pulmonary nodules underwent chest radiography, digital tomosynthesis and CT examination. Above image data were transferred to postprocessing work station and were reviewed by 2 radiologists with 3 years of chest-radiology diagnosis experience in a double-blind method. The number, location and size of nodules were recorded. Then, 2 radiologists reviewed the all images once more, and discuss in consensus. The sensitivities of chest radiography and digital tomosynthesis for detection of pulmonary nodules were respectively calculated according to the CT results. Chi-square test was used for radiography, digital tomosynthesis and CT examination. Results Of 30 patients, 21 were detected having pulmonary nodules by X-ray radiography and 9 were negative, the total number of 40 nodules was detected, while 89 nodules in 26 patients were detected by digital tomosynthesis, and only 4 patients were negative. CT demonstrated 102 nodules in 27 patients, and 3 patients were negative. Taking CT as "gold standard", the sensitivities of X-ray radiography and digital tomosynthesis were 27.4%(28/102)and 87.2%(89/102), X~2=4.35, P<0.05, respectively. Conclusion Digital tomosynthesis has a high sensitivity for detection of pulmonary nodules compared with X-ray radiography, and could be an excellent and necessary supplementary technique of X-ray radiography.

BACKGROUND:C2 transpedicle screw fixation for Hangman fractures has been paid more attention due to reliability and no loss of physiological function.However,there are lacks of biomechanical evidences for indication treatment because the fixation is single segmental.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical stability of C2 transpedicle screw fixation for Hangman fractures.DESIGN,TIME and SEITING:This was a contrast study which was performed at the General Key Laboratory of Biomechanics,First Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from May to August 2004.MATERIALS:AO-universal titanium alloy transpedicle screw of 18 25 mm in length and 3.5 mm in diameter was adopted in this study.Six fresh C1-C4 cervical vetebrae samples were ordiually made into type Ⅰ,ⅡA,and Ⅱ Hangman fracture models.METHODS:After transpedicle screw fixation.Hangman fracture models were measured by non-destroyed style with spinal anterior flexion/posterior extension,left/right lateral curvature,and left/right axial direction.Loading/unlonding circulation was performed three times during each testing.Kinematics indicators were measured on the 3rd circulation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Spinal motor images at zero load and maximal load were obtained with laser photoscanning(0.1% in precision),and the corresponding systematic software was adopted to calculate 3D range of movement.RESULTS:The relative stability of type Ⅰ Hangman fracture models after C2 transpedicle screw fixation was 100.62%(inflexion),96.91%(posterior extension),99.19%(lateral curvature),and 97.12%(rotation)as compared to control group (P＞0.05).The relative stability of type Ⅱ Hangman fracture models after C2 transpedicle screw fixation was 47.84%(inflexion),21.29%(posterior extension),65.98%(lateral curvature),and 41.69%(rotation)as compared to control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Biochemical evaluation suggests that type Ⅰ and Ⅱ A Hangman fractures do fit for C2 transpedicle screw fixation,and the fixation may generate well physiological fixation or stability.However,stability of type Ⅱ Hangman fracture is poor,so it is not suitably adopted single transpedicle screw fixation.

Objective To investigate the effect of VPA and molecular hydrogen(H2)on phenotypes of microglia treated with hypoxia. Methods Mouse hypoxic BV2 microglia were treated with VPA or H2. The levels of phenotypic markers of supernatant and cells were detected by ELISA, flow cytometry and real?time PCR,respectively. Results Hypoxia significantly increased mRNA level of M1 marker(iNOS)and reduced mRNA levels of M2 markers(CD206 and TGF?β)in BV2(P<0.05). Besides,the ratio between the mRNA levels of M1 increased(P<0.05). VPA significantly reduced protein level(CD16/32)and mRNA production(iNOS)of M1 markers in hypoxia?treated BV2(P<0.05). The ratio be?tween the mRNA levels of M1 markers and M2 markers(CD16:CD206,CD32:CD206,iNOS:CD206 and iNOS:TGF?β)were also significantly decreased(P<0.05). H2 significantly reduced both protein levels(TNF?α,CD16/32 and iNOS)and mRNA production(iNOS)of M1 markers and increased secretion of M2 marker(IL?10)in hypoxia?treated BV2(P<0.05). The ratio between the mRNA levels of M1 markers and M2 markers(CD16:CD206,iNOS:CD206 and iNOS:TGF?β)were also highly declined(P<0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia can induce microglial cells toward pro?inflammatory phenotype. Both VPA and H2 can inhibit hypoxia?induced inflammatory effect on microglia.

The Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, many studies have revealed its prominent neuroprotection function. The active ingredients in Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis could protect the nervous system in a multi-path and multi-target manner. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis shows the neuroprotective effect by resisting oxidation, scavenging free radicals, modulating neurotransmitters and their related receptors, regulating the inflammatory factors and their related pathways, attenuating neuron apoptosis, reducing intracellular Ca2+ overloads and mitigating neurodegeneration. In this paper, the authors summarized the advance in studies on neuroprotective mechanisms of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Uncaria ; chemistry