ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effectiveness and adverse effects following low doses versus traditional doses of amphotericin B liposome (L-AmB) in the treatment of patients with invasive pulmonary fungal infections (IPFI) after renal transplantation.MethodsA total of 26 postrenal transplantation patients with IPFI between Jan. 2005 and Mar. 2011in Zhujiang hospital received L-AmB treatment identified low doses group (0.2-0.5 mg·kg-1·d-1,n =19) or traditional doses group (1-5 mg· kg-1,d-1,n =7) were reviewed.ResultsThe treatment duration in low doses group and traditional doses group was 20.3 +12.7 and19.3 ±13.2 days respectively (P＞0.05).The effective rate in low doses group and traditional doses group was 84.2％ and 57.1％ respectively (P＞0.05).The overall dosage was significantly less in the low doses group (414.7 ± 241.7 mg) than in the traditional doses group (1158.8 ± 928.0 mg) (P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse effect was significantly lower in the low doses group than in the traditional doses group (21.1％ vs.85.7％,P＜0.05).ConclusionThe effectiveness of low doses of L-AmB protocol in the treatment of IPFI postrenal transplantation patients was similar to that of traditional doses of L-AmB protocol,but the incidence of adverse effects in low doses of L-AmB protocol was significantly lower.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the resting heart rate (RHR) and target organ damage (TOD) in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods 264 elderly patients with MS were divided into four groups according to the level of RHR: RHR1 group, RHR<65 beats/minute (bpm) (46 cases) ;RHR2 group, 65≤RHR<75 bpm (77 cases);RHR3 group, 75 bpm≤RHR<85 bpm (89 cases);RHR4 group, RHR≥85 bpm (52 cases).Electrocardiography, echocardiography, carotid uhrasonography, crcatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and quantitative assay of 24 hours' albuminuria were performed. Results (1) Compared with RHR1, RHR2 and RHR3 groups, RHR4 group showed higher levels of carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT), carotid arterial diameter (CAD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and albuminuria(P< 0.05 or P<0.01), and lower levels of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Ccr (all P< 0.01). (2) The IMT, CAD, LVMI and albuminuria were positively correlated with RHR (r=0.33, 0.23, 0.61, 0.58, respectively, all P<0.01). However, the LVEF and Ccr were negatively correlated with RHR (r=-0.59, -0.51, all P<0.01). (3) Logistic multivariate analysis showed that RHR and pulse pressure (PP) had effects on myocardial hypertrophy, coronary heart disease, heart failure, cerebral stroke and renal dysfunction(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Except heart failure, PP played a more important role than RHR. Coneinsions RHR may be an independent risk factors for TOD in elderly patients with MS,and RHR regulation is important for the development of MS in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that conversion from cyclosporine A (CsA) to tacrolimus (FK 506)-based regimen can improve renal allograft function and survival rate. But little is known about whether the conversion from CsA to tacrolimus(FK 506) plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based regimen exhibits the same or similar clinical efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of converting CsA to FK506 plus MMF in treatment of different types of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observational and controlled trial was performed at the Center for Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2005 to October 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen-nine enrolled patients received CsA-based regimen after renal allografting. Following pathological confirm and typing, all patients were assigned to two groups: CAN with chronic rejection (CR, n = 31) and CAN without chronic rejection (non-CR, n = 28). FK 56 was purchased from Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., Japan. MMF was sourced from Shanghai Roche Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China. METHODS: When patients were diagnosed CAN, the CsA regimen was conversed to FK506 plus MMF regimen. FK506 initiated at a dose of 0.08 mg/kg per day and then was adjusted to achieve steady-state whole blood trough levels of approximately 5-8 μg/L. MMF was used at a fixed dosage, 1.0 g/d, twice a day, only if relative adverse events occurred. All patients were followed up at least 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum creatinine(Scr), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), 24-h proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and complications. RESULTS: All initial 59 patients were included in the final analysis. At 6 months after regimen conversion, the levels of Scr, TC, TG, LDL, and 24-hour proteinuria were significantly reduced in non-CR, in particular CR, groups, compared with prior to conversion (P< 0.05). GFR was markedly increased in both the CR and non-CR groups (P< 0.05). In the CR group, 20 patients obtained improved results, 7 got stable results, and 4 showed ineffective results. The effective rate of regimen conversion was 64.5% and 32.1% in the CR and non-CR groups, respectively, and significant difference existed between the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with prior to conversion, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipemia was significantly decreased after regimen conversion (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in diabetes mellitus, opportunistic infection, and malignancy between prior to and after regimen conversion. CONCLUSION: FK506 plus MMF-based regimen can markedly improve the function of renal graft of CAN, in particular CR, patients.

Animals ; Diet ; adverse effects ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; etiology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Physical Conditioning, Animal

Objective To compare the effect of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS),magnetic resonance chlangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of suspicious intermediate choledocholithiasis.Methods One hundred and eighty-six patients with suspicious intermediate of choledocholithiasis successively received MRCP,EUS,and ERCP examination.The stone taking out by endoscopic as diagnositic standard,and the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in different methods was compared.Results Sensitivity and accuracy of EUS was significantly higher than that of MRCP [97.5％(155/159) vs.92.5％(147/159),97.3％(181/186) vs.91.9％(171/186)](x2 =4.21,5.30,P =0.04,0.02).There was no statistically significant difference between EUS and ERCP in specificity [96.3％(26/27) vs.88.9％ (24/27)] (x2 =115.40,P ＜ 0.05).Sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of ERCP was 98.9％(184/186),98.7％(157/159) and 100.0％(27/27),and there was no difference between EUS and ERCP in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions EUS is similar with ERCP for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.By performing EUS or MRCP first,ERCP may be avoided in patients with suspicious intermediate choledocholithiasis.

Objective To investigate the molecular and cell signal transduction mechanisms by Lactobacillus cell wall extract(LCWE)inducing human-β-defensin-2(hBD-2)expression in human vaginal epithelial cells.Methods The induction of hBD-2 in human vaginal epithelial cells(WZV-1)by LCWE was observed using real-time PCR and Western blot.After stimulating WZV-1.the activation of NF-κB and p38MAPK signaling pathways were determined by Western blot.The induction of hBD-2 in WZV-1 cells by LCWE was observed with signaling pathways inhibitors of NF-κB and p38MAPK using real-time PCR and Western blot.Results The results showed that LCWE significantly upregulated hBD-2 expression in the time and dose-dependent manner.The maximal stimulatory effect of LCWE on the expression of hBD-2mRNA in WZV-1 cells were observed at the concentration of 50μg/ml after treatment for 8 h.After stimulation by 50μg/ml LCWE,Western blot analysis demonstrated that the phosphorylation of p38MAPK increased at 0.5 h significantly,peaked at 1 h,moreover the concentration of NF-κB in nucleus increased at 0.5 h significantly(P<0.05),peaked at 2 h.Blocking with inhibitor of NF-κB and(or)p38MAPK pathways results in decreased levels of HBD-2 expression.Conclusion These findings suggest that p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways play the important roles in induction of hBD-2 expression by LCWE in human vagihal epithelial cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects on the mineral bone disorder using different calcium concentration citrate-based dialysate in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.To compare the concentrations of intact parathyroid hormone(PTH) with biointact PTH(1-84) in these patients.Methods Citrate dialysate with different calcium concentration (DCa 1.75,DCa 1.5,DCa 1.25 mmol/L)were used in turn in 15 stable MHD patients each week.Serum tCa and iCa were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer.The concentrations of iPTH and bio-iPTH were compared.Results (1) The patients treated with DCa 1.75 citrate dialysate had increased serum iCa and tCa after dialysis,and PTH did not change significantly as compared to those findings before the dialysis.With the DCa 1.5 citrate dialysate,serum iCa and tCa were kept stable and PTH level was increased.With DCa 1.25 citrate dialysate,serum iCa and tCa decreased significantly and PTH decreased.(2)iPTH and bioPTH had excellent correlations.Variation of bio-iPTH was more correlated with the changes of calcium than iPTH.Conclusions Serum levels of iPTH,tCa and iCa can be kept stable in MHD patients treated with DCa 1.75 ～ 1.5 citrate dialysate.Bio-iPTH is a more sensitive marker for mineral bone disease than iPTH.

Objective To evaluate the value of covered self-expending metallic stent in the management of malignant esophageal and duodenal strictures or fistulas and explore the treatment for the associated common complications.Methods With interventional procedure under fluoroscopic guidance,95 self-expending mesh stents were implanted in 87 patients,including esophageal carcinoma(50 cases),esophagogastric anastomotic stenosis(23 cases),gastroduodenal malignant stenosis(5 cases),esophagobronchial fistula(3 cases),esophagogastric anastomotic fistula(6 cases).Results Stent placement was successful in all patients at the first trial,having no instant complication except one acute bleeding during the procedure and all of them with relief of stenostic complaint,restoration of clictelic function and closure of fistulas.The long-term curative effect showed something to do with different kind of disease,and the related treatment.Conclusion Self-expending metallic covered mesh stent is safe,effective and less complication;and could be further promoted with addition of radiotherapy and(or)chemotherapy.

Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Stress, Physiological