Objective:To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with cognitive dysfunction.Methods:Ten wild type mice and 20 MRL/lpr mice were applied for the research.MRL/lpr mice were randomly assigned to a MRL/lpr group and a MRL/lpr + dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) group.Interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum and hippocampus were detected.The protein phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P-PI3K),protein kinase B (P-Akt),NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (P-IκBa) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B p65 (P-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blot,the level of P-NF-κB p65 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Treatment with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) alleviated the cognitive dysfunction and decreased the levels of IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α in serum and hippocampus,and reduced the levels of P-PI3K,P-Akt,P-IκBa and P-NF-κB p65 in hippocampus in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion:Dexamethasone may play a protective role in the cognitive function by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1 β in the hippocampus of MRL/lpr lupus mice.

Objective To investigate the dynamics and development trends of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis after water improvement in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city, Inner Mongolia and to provide a scientific evidence for the development of countermeasures. Methods We mainly selected Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu in Xinbaerhuyouqi of Hulunbeir city as the two monitoring points after water improvement in 2000 -2009. Of these, 1 sample of centralized water supply source water and 3 samples of tap water and 5 samples of noncentralized water supply source water according to water well locations of east, west, south, north and center were collected and the levels of water fluoride were tested; the prevalence of dental fluorosis of school children aged 8 to 12 were examined; from 2002 onwards, the urine samples of 30 children aged 8 to 12(five age groups, six urine samples for each age group) were collected, and all urine samples were collected in the case of less than 30, and urine fluoride was tested. Dental fluorosis was diagnosed using Dean method; water fluoride was tested using fluoride ion selective electrode(WS/T 106-1999); urinary fluoride was tested by determination of fluoride in urine using ion-selective electrode(WS/T 89-1996). Results In 2000 - 2009, the mean levels of fluorine in drinking water in Adunchulusumu and Kerlunsumu were 1.79 - 4.35 mg/L and 1.38 - 3.18 mg/L, respectively; the detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were 45.24％(19/42) - 89.78％(123/137) and 40.00％ (28/70) - 74.47％ (70/94), respectively; the median urinary fluoride of them were 2.30 - 4.15 mg/L and 2.73 - 4.55 mg/L, respectively. ConclusionsThe detection rate of children's dental fluorosis remains high in Xinbaerhuyouqi during the past 10 years after changing water. The endemic fluorosis remains a serious disease. Effective prevention and control measures must be taken to control the occurrence of fluorosis in the future.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of lymphatics in bacterial translocation from intestine of rats with burn.

METHODSEscherichia coli (E. coli) labeled with chloromethylbenzamidodialkylcarbocyanine (CM-DIL) were prepared. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into scald group and sham injury group according to the envelope method, with 30 rats in each group. Rats in both groups were gavaged with 0.5 mL fluid containing CM-DIL-labeled E. coli. Rats in scald group were inflicted with 30% TBSA deep partial-thickness scald (verified by pathological section) and resuscitated with fluid. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured by bathing in 25 degrees C water for 10 s (verified by pathological section) and also received with fluid infusion. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN), liver, mesenteric lymph fluid (MLF), and liver vein blood (LVB) were harvested at post injury hour (PIH) 2, 24, and 72. Bacteria translocation was detected with fluorescent tracing technique and bacteria culture. The endotoxin content in above-mentioned four kinds of specimens was quantitatively determined with chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate. The carrying capacity of endotoxin in MLF and LVB was calculated. Data were processed with t test or one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) Living bacteria were in short-stick form, and they were seen moving in single or in doubles or triples in sample fluid. Dead bacteria were in irregular aggregates. Labeled bacteria in small amount were detected in sham injury group, their number peaked at PIH 24. A large amount of labeled bacteria were detected in scald group at PIH 2, which peaked at PIH 24 and decreased at PIH 72. The largest amount of labeled bacteria were found in MLN in scald group as compared to those in the other samples, and the number peaked at PIH 24 [(5872 +/- 1976) x 10(3) CFU/g], which was obviously higher than that [(216 +/- 110) x 10(3) CFU/g, t = 30.129, P = 0.000] in sham injury group. The number of bacteria decreased at PIH 72, but it was still significantly different from that in sham injury group ( t = 4.323, P = 0.000). The number of bacteria in LVB was the smallest. (2) 29 (24.2%) samples out of the 120 samples in sham injury group were positive for bacteria. 72 (60.0%) samples out of the 120 samples in scald group were positive for bacteria. No alive bacterium was detected at any time point in LVB sample in both group; the other three samples were detected with alive bacteria since PIH 2. There were more alive bacteria detected in MLN and liver as compared with the other two kinds of samples in scald group. The amount of bacteria in MLN, liver, and MLF in scald group were higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 4.353, 4.354, 4.965, P values all equal to 0.000). (3) The endotoxin level in each kind of sample at each time point was obviously higher in scald group than that in sham injury group, and it peaked at PIH 2 in liver and MLF. The difference of endotoxin level among 4 kinds of samples in scald group at PIH 2 was statistically significant ( F = 258.47, P = 0.000), and the endotoxin level was higher in liver, MLN, and MLF. They were obviously higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 43.378, 43.123, 22.423, P values all equal to 0.000). The endotoxin level in MLF was 9 times of that in LVB. (4) The carrying capacity of endotoxin in LVB and MLF at each time point in scald group was higher than that in sham injury group.

CONCLUSIONSCM-DIL marked bacteria can reflect the microbial translocation condition. The lymphatic route is an important pathway for bacteria translocation.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Burns ; microbiology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; microbiology ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Lymphatic System ; microbiology ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

This article reviews a large number of recent years' literatures about surgical treatment for children with spinal tuberculosis on the characteristics of children with spinal tuberculosis, and analyzes the development of surgical treatment for children with spinal tuberculosis. Then it summarizes the indications of surgical treatment for children with spinal tuberculosis, and analyzes the clinical effect of various surgical methods of spinal tuberculosis, assesses that anterior debridement combined with anterior and posterior interbody autografting can be a good growth rate and deformity correction. Pedicle fixation on the children with spinal tuberculosis is safe and feasible. The positive early surgery can control children kyphosis. Minimally invasive surgery is the development direction of treatment for children spinal tuberculosis.
Child ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spine ; surgery ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; surgery

Objective Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a cardiopulmonary supportive therapy. Since 2004, our institution has adopted venoarterial ECMO for adult patients who otherwise could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and patients experiencing postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and/or pulmonary dysfunction unresponsive to conventional treatment algorithms. In this study, we reviewed our experience with ECMO support and tried to identify measurable values which might predict in-hospital mortality. Methods From January 2004 through December 2008, 50 of 21,298 adult patients received VA ECMO. We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of these 50 consecutive patients. Demographics, preoperative measurements, clinical characteristics at the time of ECMO implantation, ECMO related complications and in-hospital mortality were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate predictors of mortality. A p value ≤0. 05 was accepted as significant. Results Mean ECMO duration was ( 110 ± 17 ) hours. 38 patients were weaned from ECMO and 33 patients survived upon discharge. The overall survival was 66%. In univariate analyses, duration of ECMO support, receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to ECMO setup, ECMO setup in ICU, pre-ECMO plasma lactate level, infection, lower limbs ischemia, renal failure, experiencing at least one ECMO related complications were all associated with in-hospital death. In a multiple logistic regression adjusted for other factors mentioned above, blood lactate level before initiation of ECMO was a risk factor associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1. 27 95% CI 1. 042-1. 542 ). To evaluate the utility of pre-ECMO lactate in predicting mortality, a conventional receiver operating characteristic curve was produced. Sensitivity and specificity were optimal at a cut-off point of 12.6 mmol/L, with an AUC of 0. 752. The positive and negative predictive values were 73.3% and 83.9% respectively. Conclusion ECMO is a justifiable alternative treatment for postoperative refractory cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction which could rescue more than 60 percent of otherwise fatal patients. Patients with pre-ECMO lactate above 12.6mmol/L are at higher risks for in-hospital death. Evidence based therapy for this group of high risk patients is needed.

Amino Acids ; blood ; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain ; blood ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Phytotherapy

Aim To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate on spleen injury induced by gamma radiation in mice and the related mechanism. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank control group, radiation model group and DMF administration group, which were administered once at 12 h before irradiation and once at 0. 5 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after irradiation. The 30-day survival rate, body weight and pathological injury of spleen were measured after a one-time total body irradiation of Co 7 rays (8 Gy). TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis of spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunoassay ( ELISA) was applied to detect the contents of TNF-a, IL-1 p, IL-6, IL-18, NLRP3 and AIM2 in spleen. Western blot test and immunofluorescence staining test was employed to verify the changes of NLRP3 and AIM2 contents in spleen tissue after irradiation. Results DMF could obviously improve the survival rate of irradiated mice, improve the weight loss of irradiated mice, re-duce the pathological injury of spleen, and inhibit the apoptosis of spleen cells after irradiation. ELISA results showed that DMF could significantly inhibit the increase of spleen inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-lp, IL-6, IL-18 and inflammasome components NL-RP3 and AIM2 induced by irradiation. Western blot and tissue immunofluorescence staining also confirmed that DMF could inhibit the increase of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome protein levels caused by irradiation. Meanwhile, NLRP3 agonist and AIM2 agonist could antagonize the radiation protection effect of DMF on spleen cells. Conclusion DMF can ameliorate spleen injury of Co 7-ray injured mice, and its mechanism is closely related to NLRP3/AIM2 inflamma-somes, which can be used as a potential protective drug for radiation injury.

Hematemesis is a rare manifestation of a ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) in the mediastinum. It is difficult to diagnose a ruptured BAA presenting as hematemesis, because it can be confused with other diseases, such as Boerhaave's syndrome, variceal disease, or a perforated ulcer. In this report, we describe a case of BAA resulting in hematemesis and mediastinal hemorrhage.
Aneurysm* ; Bronchial Arteries* ; Esophagus ; Hematemesis* ; Hemorrhage* ; Mediastinum ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptor on apoptosis in thymus during early post-burn stage in rat with severe burns.

METHODSFifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham scald group (SS, n = 10) and burn group (n = 40). The apoptosis in thymus in rats was detected with annexin V/FITC-PI double staining at 4, 12, 24, 48 post-burn hours (PBH). The expression of TRAIL death receptor DR5, DR4 and its decoy receptor DcR1, DcR2 in thymus were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot at above time-points.

RESULTSCompared with that in SS group (6.7 +/- 0.8)%, the apoptosis in the thymus in burn group started to increase at 4 PBH [(17.1 +/- 0.4)%], peaked at 12 PBH [(25.2 +/- 1.1)%], and it was still evidently higher than that in SS group at 48 PBH (P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference in the apoptosis rate in rats in burn group among all the time-points. The expression of DR5 in burn group at each time-points was significantly higher than those in SS group, while that of DcR2 shown an opposite tendency (P < 0.05). The expression of DR4, DcR1 was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONThe marked increase in apoptosis rate in rat thymus at early post-burn stage, and the significant change in the expression of DR5 and DcR2 show that TRAIL pathway may participate in apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; External Fixators ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; therapy ; Splints