. Conclusions Two multiplex RT-PCR assays show high consistency with common RT-PCR. The multiplex RT-PCR assays were initially established.

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the changes of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins and the correlation of serum IL-16, IL-18 levels and immunoglobulins in children with asthma and aimed to explore the role of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of asthma.

METHODSThirty-four children with asthma and 21 age and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were determined using ELISA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were detected by immunoturbidimetry.

RESULTSThe levels of IL-16, IL-18 and IgE in patients with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. An increased IgG and a decreased IgA levels were found in asthmatic patients at the acute attack stage. There was a positive correlation between the IL-16 and IL-18 levels at both acute attack and convalescence stages of asthma (r=0.70, P < 0.01; r=0.70, P < 0.05). The IL-16 level correlated positively with the IgE level at acute attack stage of asthma (r=0.624, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIL-16, IL-18 and IgE may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The immunologic imbalance exists in children with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages. Anti-allergic therapy should be administered through the acute attack to the convalescence stages of asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Interleukin-16 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male

OBJECTIVETo find out the status of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in children under 14 years old with acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) in Guangzhou, analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics among the hMPV-infected children, and provide some basis for research of hMPV.

METHODSAll 521 throat and pharyngeal swabs were collected among the children with acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient departments and those admitted to the wards from September 2006 to August 2008. Then total nucleic acid was extracted from respiratory specimens. The 213 nucleosides of nucleoprotein gene were detected by RT-PCR and 16 strong positive samples were picked to compare with the sequence of hMPV in GenBank after the sequence of the amplification products were determined. Then applied statistical analysis to the data of the collected patients.

RESULTSAll 521 samples were detected by RT-PCR, and confirmed that N gene was positive in 39 samples with a detection rate of 7.49%, and the peak time was in October and April. The 16 amplification products were compared by using the analysis of gene sequence. The nucleocapsid protein (N) gene similarity to BJ1897 of Beijing was up to 99%, and to AY550156 of Thailand was up to 97%, genotype B was the most common genotype.

CONCLUSIONThere existed hMPV infection in children acute respiratory system diseases in Guangzhou areas, in which the children under the age of 6 years were accounted for the main group, however there was no difference in gender. The main symptoms of the patients with hMPV infection were high fever and cough symptom of catarrh. Co-infections other than respiratory virus with hMPV were detected as 41.03% of positive samples.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogens of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Guangzhou from 2006 to 2009.

METHODSA total of 1554 cases of ARI patients in Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College from September 2006 to September 2009, were recruited in the survey. The sample of throat and pharyngeal swab were collected from each patient.11 types of virus including influenza A (FluA), influenza B (FluB), adenovirus (ADV), human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 1, type 2, type 3 (HPIV1, HPIV2, HPIV3), human metapneumovirus (MPV) and human coronavirus (HCoV) type 229E, type OC43 were detected by Fluorescence Quota PCR method. The epidemic feature and clinical characteristic of each virus were then analyzed.

RESULTSVirus were found in 1024 samples in total, accounting for 65.9% (1024/1554). RSV was the most common virus, which was found in 261 samples (16.8%); and followed by HRV as 13.9% (216/1554), FluA as 11.6% (181/1554), MPV as 6.5% (101/1554), FluB as 6.4% (99/1554), HPIV as 4.9% (76/1554), ADV as 3.5% (55/1554) and HCoV as 2.3% (35/1554). HPIV and HCoV shared a similar infection ratio among different age groups. The infection ratio of FluA and FluB was highest among 15-24 years old group, accounting for 16.5% (29/176) and 7.4% (13/176) respectively. MPV, RSV and HRV were the main pathogens caused infection among children under 4 years old, accounting for 9.7% (49/503), 21.7% (109/503) and 18.9% (95/503). The infection ratio of ADV was 6.0% (19/318), which was the most common pathogen among 5-14 years old patients. The incidence rate of HPIV and HRV showed no obvious seasonal features; while the prevalence of FluA, FluB, RSV, ADV, MPV and HCoV changed significantly in different seasons.22.2% (227/1024) ARI patients co-infected other respiratory virus.90.1% (163/181) FluA patients, 88.9% (88/99) FluB patients and 92.7% (51/55) ADV patients had high fever symptoms.

CONCLUSIONRSV was the main pathogen of ARI, and the new-found virus MPV was also another crucial pathogen. Some pathogens' incidence rate were related to the season and patient's age. Co-infections of other respiratory virus were also detected in parts of ARI patients.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation between thrombosis and stability of atherosclerotic plaque within criminal vessels in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) by coronary angioscopy, to explore the clinical pathological basis for acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODSSixty-eight patients with UAP were enrolled, the patients with post-infarction angina pectoris and variant angina pectoris were excluded. There were 48 males and 20 females, aged from 40 to 73 (average 62.4 +/- 8.6) years. The criminal vessels of there patients were observed by coronary angioscopy during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapy.

RESULTSThere were 68 criminal vessels in 68 patients. Atherosclerotic plaques were observed in all criminal vessels. Among criminal vessels, thrombi and intimae lesions were detected in 63 cases and 46 cases, respectively. Among 68 cases with atherosclerotic plaques, there were 48 cases of yellow plaques (70.5%), 18 cases of light yellow plaques (26.5%) and 2 cases of white plaques (2.94%). Sixty-three thrombi cases were mural and on-occlusive, which included 11 cases of red or mixed thrombi (17.5%) and 52 cases of white or pink thrombi (82.5%). All intimae lesions were accompanied by thrombosis, which included 11 cases of red or mixed thrombi (23.9%) and 35 cases of white or pink thrombi (76.1%).

CONCLUSIONThe study has shown that the rupture of unstable yellow plaque and its thrombosis were the pathological basis of UAP. Therefore, stabilizing yellow plaque before its rupture may play critical role in prevention and treatment of ACS.

Adult ; Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; pathology ; Angioscopy ; Coronary Artery Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Coronary Thrombosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

To further reveal the risks of heroin abuse to human body, and to determine the injuries of oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals to heroin abusers, we determined and compared plasma values of lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE), β-carotene (β-CAR) and erythrocyte values of LPO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in 114 heroin abusers and 100 healthy volunteers. Using linear regression and correlation as well as stepwise regression and correlation, we also analyzed the effect of the abusing duration, and daily abusing quantity on the above-mentioned biochemical parameters in the heroin abusers. The results showed that, compared with the healthy volunteer groups, the average plasma values of LPO, and NO, and the average erythrocyte value of LPO in the heroin abuser group were significantly increased (P＜0.0001), and the average plasma values of VC, VE, and β-CAR and the average erythrocyte values of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were significantly decreased (P＜0.0001). Analysis of linear regression and correlation showed that with prolonged heroin abusing and with increased daily quantity in the heroin abusers, the plasma values of LPO, and NO, and the erythrocyte value of LPO were gradually increased (P＜0.001), whereas the plasma values of VC, VE, and β-CAR and the erythrocyte values of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were gradually decreased (P＜0.001). Analysis of stepwise regression and correlation indicated that the plasma values of NO, VC and VE were closely correlated with the abusing duration and daily abusing quantity. These results indicate that the balance between oxidation and antioxidation in the heroin abusers was seriously disturbed, and the injuries induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals, through oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation to the bodies of heroin abusers exacerbated. It is therefore necessary that in abstaining from heroin dependence, the heroin abusers should acquire sufficient quantities of antioxidants such as VC, VE and β-CAR.

Objective To explore the effect of tracking comprehensive rehabilitation nursing model on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the rural.Methods 92 stable COPD patients were randomly divided into two groups,46 in intervention group and 46 in control group.The intervention group,relying on new rural cooperative medical service station,received tracking comprehensive rehabilitation nursing model including training in respiratory function,exercise,nutrition intervention and psychological care in addition to conventional care,while the control group took only the conventional treatment and self-generated exercise.Lung function,symptoms (times of acute attack and in-patients) and quality of life rated by St George' s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were compared between two groups before and after 6 months' intervention.Results There was no significant difference in FVC and FEV1 pre％ between two groups before,but after 6 months' intervention,the FVC and FEV1 pre％ was (1.82 ± 0.14) L and (63.67 ±7.10)％ in the intervention group,obviously better than those in the control group [(1.67 ±0.11)L and (53.29 ± 6.93) ％],and the differences were statistically significant (t =5.54,6.90,respectively ; P ＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the score of SGRO between two groups before,but after 6 months' intervention,the score was (43.6 ±8.7) in the intervention group and (55.4 ±7.0) in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (t =6.96,P ＜ 0.01).27 patients had no acute attack in the intervention group and 12 in the control group.6 patients were hospitalized due to acute exacerbation in the intervention group and 15 in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =9.84,5.36,respectively ; P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Tracking comprehensive rehabilitation nursing mode can improve the lung function and quality of life of stable COPD patients in the rural.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of personal protective measures of health care workers (HCWs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSA case-control study from ten hospitals in Guangdong, with 180 non-infected and 77 infected staff members that accessed the isolation unit every day, and participated in direct first aid for severe SARS patients. All participants were surveyed about how they were using personal protective equipment (PPE), protective drugs and hygiene habits when caring for patients with SARS. Statistical analysis was done with either chi(2) or Fisher's exact test for univariate analysis, whereas we used forward stepwise selection (Waldesian) for logistic regression.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that mask, gown, gloves, goggles, footwear, "hand-washing and disinfecting", gargle, "membrane protection", "taking shower and changing clothing after work", "avoid from eating and drinking in ward", oseltamivir phospha tall had protective effects (P < 0.05), but stepwise logistic regression showed significant differences for mask (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.60 - 0.99), goggles (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10 - 0.41) and footwear (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39 - 0.86). Analysis for linear trend in proportions showed that dose response relationship existed in mask, gown, gloves, goggles, footwear, gargle, "membrane protection" and "taking shower and changing dree after work" (P < 0.01). The attack rate of HCWs who were rescuing severe SARS patients without any PPE was 61.5% (16/26). It seemed that the more the protective measures were used, the higher the protective effect was (P < 0.001), and could reach 100% if mask, gown, gloves, goggles, footwear, "hand-washing and disinfecting" were all used at the same time.

CONCLUSIONSNosocomial infection of SARS can be prevented effectively by precautions against droplets and personal contact. HCWs must take strict protection according to the guidance of WHO or Chinese MOH and pay attention to personal hygiene.

China ; Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Female ; Health Occupations ; education ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Protective Devices ; classification ; utilization ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo obtain the coronary artery and coronary sinus (CS) and its tributaries imaging with multislice computed tomography (MSCT), measure the distance between coronary artery and CS and its tributaries and analyze their spatial relationships.

METHODSThe MSCT scans of 117 patients (67 men, 50 women, age 56 +/- 10 years) were obtained, 3D image reconstructed and the vessels courses evaluated. The concomitant distances and spatial relationships of the vessels were determined.

RESULTSRight coronary artery domination was found in 107 cases (91.4%), left coronary artery domination in 7 cases (6.0%), and co-domination in 3 cases (2.6%). Left circumflex artery (LCX) was concomitant with CS or the great cardiac vein (GCV) in 81 cases (69.2%), intersected with left posterior vein in 62 cases (53.0%) and with middle cardiac vein (MCV) in 5 cases (4.3%), respectively. The dominant coronary artery branched out into the posterior descending artery (PDA) and the left posterior artery (LPA) in 112 cases (95.7%). PDA was concomitant with MCV in 93 cases (79.5%) and intersected with MCV in 44 cases (37.6%). LPA was intersected with MCV in 106 cases (90.6%), and concomitant with CS in 50 cases (42.7%).

CONCLUSIONSMSCT is a reliable tool to visualize the relationship between coronary artery and CS and its tributaries. Owing to the multiple possibilities inherent to this technique, MSCT has broad potential for more clinical use.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed