OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cases of anaphylactic death cases and explore the standards of judicial expertise of anaphylactic death for providing evidence for judicial expertise. METHODS: Fifty-nine cases death due to allergic reaction in Shanghai were collected. And details of medical history, clinical manifestation of anaphylactic reaction and postmortem examination findings were reviewed for all cases. RESULTS: In the 59 cases, there were 58 cases died from drug allergy, including 77.6% of them were antibiotics. The rates of treating in standard hospital and illegal clinic were 37.3% and 61.0%, respectively. The allergic symptoms were dyspnea and facial cyanosis. The time from contacting allergens to death ranged from 1 min to 3 d. The concentration of total serum IgE ranged from 50 to 576.92 IU/mL. The results of clinical manifestation and pathological anatomy had obviously changes. CONCLUSION Based on the exclusion of all other cause of death and synthetically analysis of details of cases, medical history, clinical manifestation and anatomy, the conclusion of anaphylactic death can reached. The details of cases including clinical history, exposure to allergens, and clinical manifestation play an important role in diagnosis of anaphylactic death.
Anaphylaxis/mortality* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Autopsy ; China ; Drug Hypersensitivity/mortality* ; Forensic Sciences ; Humans

Seven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax japonicus var. major by chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by their physical and chemical properties and spectral data analysis as 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyl flavone (1), ginsenoside Rs2 (2), quinquenoside R1 (3), ginsenoside Rs1 (4), notoginsenoside Fe (5), ginsenoside Rd2 (6) and gypenosiden IX (7). Among them, compound 1 was obtained from the Panax genus for the first time, and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo assemble the full-length of human resistin gene in vitro by using oligonucleotides and to construct its eukaryotic expression vector.

METHODSAccording to the gene sequence of resistin (GenBank: AF323081), 10 oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized, followed by a touch down PCR to assemble the full-length gene. The PCR products were cloned into pSecTag2B vector and confirmed by sequencing.

RESULTSThe band of PCR products and gene sequencing showed the insert fragment in pSecTag2B vector was identical to that as designed.

CONCLUSIONThe full-length of human resistin coding sequence was successfully assembled and amplified by touch down PCR, and a resistin-expressing eukaryotic vector was constructed.

Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genes, Synthetic ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Resistin ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the expression of octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT4) in glioma tissues and its relationship with prognosis of patients.Methods:From March 2015 to June 2016, 168 patients with glioma and 72 normal brain tissues in the Second People's Hospital of Nanyang were collected.The expression levels of OCT4A and OCT4B were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of glioma patients was analyzed.Results:The relative expressions of OCT4A(2.28±0.85) and OCT4B(2.84±1.29) in 168 glioma tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues [(1.05±0.41), (1.18±0.46)] ( t=11.649, 14.798, all P<0.01), and there was a positive correlation between OCT4A and OCT4B in glioma tissues( r=0.682, P=0.001). The expression levels of OCT4A and OCT4B in glioma patients with different pathological stages, pathological types, degree of differentiation and depth of invasion had statistically significant differences( t=14.695, 11.309, 16.038, 13.721, 17.216, 15.083, 14.871, 15.417, all P<0.01). Taking the median value of OCT4A and OCT4B mRNA expression as the cutoff value, the patients were divided into low expression group and high expression group.The overall survival of patients with low expression of OCT4A and OCT4B was (24.17±3.41)months and (25.30±4.16)months, which were significantly longer than (15.80±2.93)months and (15.94±3.07)months of high expression patients, the differences were statistically significant( t=15.639, 16.143, all P=0.000). Cox regression model analysis showed that the expression levels of OCT4A and OCT4B were independent factors affecting the prognosis of glioma patients.The hazard ratio (95% CI) was 1.731(0.804-3.181) and 1.605(0.795-2.942), respectively. Conclusion:The expression levels of OCT4A and OCT4B in glioma tissues are abnormally elevated, which is closely related to the severity of the disease.The patients with high expression of OCT4A and OCT4B have a shorter overall survival period, which has a certain predictive value for the treatment effect and prognosis of glioma.

Objective To evaluate the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF)polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA)- nanoparticles (NP) on PC12 cells induced by Aβ1-40 Methods The emulsion polymerization method was used to prepare the NGF-PBCA-NP. Morphology of the NGF-PBCA-NP was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of NGF-PBCA-NP were measured by means of ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The effects of NGF-PBCA-NP on proliferation and cell apoptosis of β1-40-PC12 cells were observed by MTT and FCM methods. Results The NGF-PBCA-NPs were uniform spheres with drug entrapment efficiency of 80.87％ and loading efficiency of 19.88％.Compared with the cells in the NGF group,cells in the NGF-PBCA-NP group exhibited a significantly better proliferation rate and a significantly lower apoptosis rate (P＜0.05). Conclusion NGF-PBCA-NPs obtained by emulsion polymerization method are uniform in morphology and possess a high drug entrapment efficiency and a high loading efficiency.They can restrain significantly the in vitro growth of Aβ1-40-PC12.

Objective:To investigate the relations of serum hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) and miR-21 expressions with cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) after interventional embolization.Methods:One hundred and seventy-four patients with aSAH underwent interventional embolization in our hospital from October 2017 to June 2019 were prospectively selected. DSA examination was performed 4 d after surgery, and severity of cerebral vasospasm was evaluated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of serum HIF-2α and reverse transcription-PCR was employed to detect the serum miR-21 expression before and 3 and 7 d after interventional embolization. The clinical data and changes of serum HIF-2α and miR-21 expressions in patients with different degrees of cerebral vasospasm were compared. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relation of HIF-2α expression with miR-21 expression 3 and 7 d after interventional embolization. Receiver operating characteristics curve was used to analyze the diagnostic values of serum HIF-2α and miR-21 levels in cerebral vasospasm 3 d after interventional embolization.Results:There were 100 patients without vasospasm, and 20, 38 and 16 patients with mild, moderate and severe cerebral vasospasm, respectively. The serum levels of HIF-2α and miR-21 in patients with mild, moderate and severe cerebral vasospasm increased successively 3 and 7 d after interventional embolization, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Positive correlation was noted between expressions of HIF-2α and miR-21 in serum 3 and 7 d after interventional embolization ( P<0.05). Area under the curve (AUC) of HIF-2α in diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm was 0.748 ( 95%CI: 0.615-0.883, P=0.000) 3 d after interventional embolization. AUC of serum miR-21 level in diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm was 0.715 ( 95%CI: 0.590-0.842, P=0.000). AUC of serum HIF-2α combined with miR-21 in diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm was 0.893 ( 95%CI: 0.792-0.985, P=0.000). When diagnostic critical points of HIF-2α and miR-21 were 82.75 pg/mL and 1.15, the sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value of HIF-2α combined with miR-21 in the diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm were higher than those of HIF-2α or miR-21 alone. Conclusion:The expressions of serum HIF-2α and miR-21 in patients with aSAH after interventional embolization can effectively predict the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm, and may be involved in the occurrence and development of cerebral vasospasm.

BACKGROUNDThere is still a paucity of data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype prevalence in North China based on sequencing of large-size samples. In addition, whether HBV genotypes impact drug-resistance-associated and HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-loss-associated mutations in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is still under investigation. This study aimed to disclose clinical prevalence of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes in North China and the clinical implications of HBV genotype classification in respect to HBeAg loss and drug-resistant occurrence.

METHODSSera were collected from 1301 nucleos(t)ide analog-experienced CHB patients. Viral DNA was extracted and used as template for HBV genome amplification by nested PCR. DNA sequencing was performed for the analysis of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes, drug-resistance-associated mutations in polymerase gene and HBeAg-loss-associated mutations in precore/basal core promoter (BCP) regions.

RESULTSHBV/B, HBV/C, and HBV/D were detected in 190 (14.6%), 1096 (84.2%), and 15 (1.2%) patients, respectively. HBV/B2 (182/190), HBV/C2 (1069/1096), and HBV/D1 (12/15) were predominant subgenotypes within individual genotypes. By contrast, C2 prevalence is relatively lower in Beijing area (77.2%) than in other north areas (84.9% - 87.4%). HBV/C-infected patients had an older age and a lower serum albumin level but similar HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to HBV/B-infected patients. HBV/C infection had a higher incidence of lamivudine-resistant mutations rtM204I/V (44.9% vs. 30.2%, P < 0.01) and BCP mutations A1762T+G1764A (65.8% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.01) compared with HBV/B infection.

CONCLUSIONSC2 is the most prevalent HBV subgenotype followed by B2 in CHB patients in North China; and HBV genotype prevalence is influenced by immigrant population. HBV/C infection is likely to have longer disease duration and severer liver functional impairment and might be more susceptible to develop lamivudine resistance compared to HBV/B infection.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation

Ginger, one of worldwide consumed dietary spice, is not only famous as food supplements, but also believed to exert a variety of remarkable pharmacological activity as herbal remedies. In this study, a ginger constituent, 12-dehydrogingerdione (DHGD) was proven that has comparable anti-inflammatory activity with positive control 6-shogaol in inhibiting LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, prostaglandin (PG) E₂, nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, without interfering with COX-1 in cultured microglial cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies indicate that 12-DHGD may inhibit neuro-inflammation through suppressing the LPS-activated Akt/IKK/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, 12-DHGD markedly promoted the activation of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf)-2 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and we demonstrated that the involvement of HO-1 on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α by using a HO-1 inhibitor, Zinc protoporphyrin (Znpp). These results indicate that 12-DHGD may protect against neuro-inflammation by inhibiting Akt/IKK/IκB/NF-κB pathway and promoting Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.
Dietary Supplements ; Ginger ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; Interleukins ; Microglia* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Spices ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Zinc

BACKGROUNDAccurate assessment of intra- as well as extra-cardiac malformations and radiation dosage concerns are especially crucial to infants and children with interrupted aortic arch (IAA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography with low-dosage techniques in the diagnosis of IAA.

METHODSThirteen patients with suspected IAA underwent prospective ECG-triggered DSCT scan and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Surgery was performed on all the patients. A five-point scale was used to assess image quality. The diagnostic accuracy of DSCT angiography and TTE was compared with the surgical findings as the reference standard. A nonparametric Chi-square test was used for comparative analysis. P <0.05 was considered as a significant difference. The mean effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated.

RESULTSDiagnostic DSCT images were obtained for all the patients. Thirteen IAA cases with 60 separate cardiovascular anomalies were confirmed by surgical findings. The diagnostic accuracy of TTE and DSCT for total cardiovascular malformations was 93.7% and 97.9% (P > 0.05), and that for extra-cardiac vascular malformations was 92.3% and 99.0% (P < 0.05), respectively. The mean score of image quality was 3.77 ± 0.83. The mean ED was 0.30 ± 0.04 mSv (range from 0.23 mSv to 0.39 mSv).

CONCLUSIONSIn infants and children with IAA, prospective ECG-triggered DSCT with low radiation exposure and high diagnostic efficiency has higher accuracy compared to TTE in detection of extra-cardiac vascular anomalies.

Aorta, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Radiation Dosage

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of imaging techniques in determining the death cause and injury manner. METHODS: One case due to high fall was fully examined using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), 3-D imaging creation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The systemic and detailed autopsy was subsequently performed to compare with the results from imaging studies. The advantages and disadvantages of autopsy and imaging studies were then analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the important information such as trauma, fracture and hemorrhage could be obtained by imaging techniques. Furthermore, imaging methods can predict injuries in internal body before autopsy and be minimal or non-invasive to the cadaver. However, the imaging techniques probably also can not find some details in comparison to autopsy in forensic practice and need to improve in their future application. CONCLUSION Application of imaging techniques can be used as the guidance and complimentary for the forensic autopsy in the identification of injury manner. In addition, the application can even be used to replace autopsy in some special circumstances.
Autopsy ; Cervical Vertebrae/pathology* ; Craniocerebral Trauma/pathology* ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Fractures/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology*