Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,relationship between treatment and prognosis of sarcoidosis and relationship of relapse to prednisone.Methods The clinical data of 165 patients with sarcoidosis were collected.The clinical characteristics,treatment process and prognosis,relationship of relapse with prednisone maintenance dose and course of treatment were retrospective analyzed.Results Among them,the most common involved systems were lung and lymph nodes.The involvement rates of lung,extra-thorax lymph nodes,cutaneous,ocular,salivary glands,liver & spleen,kidney and nervous system was 87.3％,51.5％,6.7％,6.1％,6.1％,4.2％,1.2％ and 1.2％ respectively.Unilateral tonsil,breast,ovary and bone involvement was seen in only 1 patient respectively with an involvement rate of 0.6％.A retrospective analysis was made for 114 cases with complete follow-up data.The mean follow-up period was (11.7 ± 5.7) (5-32) years.And 46 cases had no symptom on routine medical examinations.The most common consulted departments were respiratory,dermatological and general surgery departments.Among 74 patients on prednisone,48 patients (64.9％) were cured while 13 patients (17.6％) relapsed.Whereas in the observation group,25/38 patients (65.8％) remitted spontaneously and only 1 patient (2.6％) had recurrence.Relapse occurred more often in prednisone therapy group than in observation group (P ＜ 0.05).Longer prednisone 10-15 mg daily maintenance and a longer total course of treatment were associated with fewer recurrence(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis vary and many patients have a self-limiting course.The most common involved systems are lung and lymph nodes.Stage Ⅰ / Ⅱ disease should be observed before prednisone therapy.Prednisone 10-15 mg daily for at least 6 months and a total course of treatment over 18 months may prevent relapse.

2', 3', 5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline)adenosine (WS070117) is a derivative compound of natural product cordycepin. It has significant lipids regulating activity and low toxicity which has been proved by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In this study, 1H NMR-based metabolomics was used to investigate the dose-related effects of WS070117 on hyperlipidemia of high-fat-fed hamsters. The hyperlipidemic hamsters were administrated with six different doses of WS070117, including 3, 12, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). 1H NMR spectra of hamster serum were visually and statistically analyzed using two multivariate analyses: principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). As a result, WS070117-treated groups showed dose-related regulation of metabolites associated with lipid metabolism, choline metabolism and glucose metabolism. The dose of 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 only exhibited a little lipids regulating activity. However, the doses of 12 and 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 both regulated the contents of metabolites to reverse significantly toward normal levels. When the dose of WS070117 reached 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), it was more effective than positive control drugs. The work suggested that NMR-based metabolomics might be a valuable approach to evaluate dose-related effects of lipids regulating compounds.
Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cricetinae ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolomics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate mutations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in Chinese children with neuroblastoma (NB).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from 22 cases of paraffin-embedding NB tumor tissues. Gene mutations in the exons 20-26 which were mutational hotspots of ALK were analyzed by PCR-DNA direct sequencing.

RESULTSA novel synonymous mutation C3586T (Leu1196Leu) and a known synonymous mutation C3375A (Gly1125Gly) were found and located at exon 23 and exon 21 of ALK respectively. There were 10 cases (46%) of known synonymous mutation C3375A in 22 cases of NB. The C3375A allelic frequency was 27%. No statistically significant correlation was found between mutation C3375A and clinical parameters of NB such as age, sex, metastasis and tumor differentiation. Mutation was not found in the other 5 exons.

CONCLUSIONSA novel ALK gene synonymous mutation C3586T was identified using PCR-DNA sequencing. A known mutation C3375A in ALK was successfully identified in children, and its incidence is not influenced by the clinical features of childhood NB.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Neuroblastoma ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the effect of a novel orthopedic biomaterial,graded composite zireonia(ZrO2)hydroxyapatite(HAP)on activity of rat osteoblast ceils(OB)cultured in vitro. Methods The pure zirconia material was used as control to measure surface roughness of the composite material that was examined by using scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray diffraetometer (XRD).The rat osteoblast cells were cultured on the two materials.Alkali phosphatase(ALP)of the two groups was measured and ELISA was used to detect IL-6 and TGF-?eoncentration of the supematant of OB cells.Tumor growth factor-?(TGF-?)mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.SEM was used to observe OB cells on the two materials.The extract of the composite material was used for a eytotoxicity test to cal- culate the relative proliferation rate(RGR)and classify the toxicity.Results The surface roughness of the gradual composite materials was significantly higher than that of the control materials(P＜0.01). The ALP of the gradual material group was markedly higher than that of the control group at different in- tervals.There was significant difference of the IL-6 and TGF-?concentrations 2-4 days after culture be- tween two groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The mRNA level of TGF-?of the two OB groups also showed marked statistical difference(P＜0.01).The ossification of the OB cells on the composed material was marked after 14 days.The MTT color experiments showed no statistic significance between materials group and negative group,with the toxicity at levelⅠand 0(P＜0.05).Conclusion Graded composite ZrO2 HAP can significantly promote proliferation and differentiation of OB cells cultured in vitro and has good biocompatibility.

Finland is acknowledged as an international leader in the children's health care by the World Health Organization, especially in the formulation and planning of children's health care policies. In the article, we introduces Finnish service mode and management experience in the whole-process medical care for children, including successful operation of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment, key role of public health nurses in the whole-process management, significant influence of social and family environment on the healthy development of children, and integration of children's health and welfare services through multi-sectoral cooperation. We make some suggestions and recommendations for the construction of children's health service capacity in China in strengthening the laws and policies in the children's health, improving the network construction and three-level connection of maternal and child health care system, taking the construction of pediatric integrated health care system as the breakthrough point to further promote hierarchical diagnosis and treatment, improving the multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism, and maximizing the influence of information technology and family.

Objective To observe the seasonal changes in serum levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and melatonin (MT) in Bizheng rat model, and explore the relationship between MT and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods One hundred and sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups in summer (n=80) and winter (n=80) respectively:normal group, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model group, operation group, and sham-operation group (n=20 in each group). The CIA model group was injected with collagen emulsion at the base of the tail to induce arthritis. The rats in the operation group received pineal gland resection, and 7 days after the first operation, underwent testectomy or oophorectomy. The rats in the sham-operation group were operated to ligature the sagittal sinus, without extracting the pineal gland. After the operations, the operation group and the sham-operation group both were immunized as the CIA group was.The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and MT in different groups were measured by radioimmunoassay.
Results Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of IL-1βand IL-6 increased in the CIA model, operation, and sham-operation groups both in summer and in winter (IL-1βin summer, P=0.008, P<0.01, P=0.012; IL-1β in winter, P=0.019, P<0.01, P=0.027; IL-6 in summer, P=0.028, P<0.01, P=0.024;IL-6 in winter, P=0.006, P<0.01, P=0.008). In the operation group, the serum levels of IL-1βand IL-6 in winter were higher than in summer, but with no statistically significant differences (P=0.844, 0.679). Compared with the normal group, the serum level of MT significantly increased in summer and winter in both the CIA model group (P=0.002, 0.008) and the sham-operation group (P=0.003, 0.007), while significantly decreased in the operation group (P=0.023, 0.003). There was no significant difference in MT level in the operation group between summer and winter (P=0.947).
Conclusions The increase of serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 may exacerbate the inflammatory reaction and cause a more severe condition in the rheumatoid arthritis. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and MT correspond with the change of seasons, confirming that there are connections between nature and human body.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of γ-glutamyl hydrolase gene (GGH) 452C/T genotype and allele frequency in children with acute leukemia (AL) and healthy children.

METHODSBone marrow samples from 92 children with AL and peripheral blood samples from 124 healthy children were obtained to prepare complementary DNAs (cDNAs). The cDNAs were analyzed for a GGH 452C/T polymorphism by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (RT-PCR-DGGE) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequencies of the AL patients with TT, CT and CC genotypes were 2.2%, 13.0% and 84.8%, and the frequencies of the control children were 1.6%, 16.9% and 81.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in GGH genotype or T allele frequency between the two groups (P> 0.05). However, the T allele frequency in Han Chinese children was significantly different from those reported in Japanese, Mexican and African-American populations.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of 452C/T polymorphism of GGH gene in Han Chinese children has been determined. The results suggested that an ethnic difference may exist.

Acute Disease ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase ; genetics

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.