Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA) syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory bone disease, which caused by proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1) gene mutations.Due to a lack of awareness of it among clinicians, PAPA syndrome is hard to diagnose and easy to be misdiagnosed or miss-diagnosed clinically.In this paper, twin brothers with recurrent fever and joints pain were reported.They were diagnosed with suppurative arthritis by many hospitals, but after receiving the joint cavity incision operation with negative pressure drainage for several times and antibiotics treatment, their conditions were not improved.Genetic tests showed that the twin brothers had a heterozygous mutation p. E250K (NM003978.3; c.748 G>A; p.Glu250Lys) on the PSTPIP1 gene.They were finally diagnosed with PAPA syndrome and improved with glucocorticoid therapy.

Objective To study the dynamic changes of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and to assess its role in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic fever(HFRS) with renal syndrome. Methods A total of 30 patients with HFRS(case group) and 20 healthy subjects (control group) from Worker Hospital of Finance & Commerce of Qiqihar city were included in the study during 2006 - 2007. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the level of sICAM-1 in serum samples. Results The serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with HFRS in early stage, critical stage, convalescent stage were(47.56±6.51), (94.23±15.36), (54.19±8.42)ng/L,respectively. The serum level of sICAM-1 in control group was (22.63±3.40)ng/L. The above values were compared between any two groups, differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The serum level of urea nitrogen in patients with HFRS in early stage, critical stage, convalescent stage were (5.16±0.12), (33.84±9.24),(8.20±1.30)mmol/L, respectively. The serum level of urea nitrogen in control group was (4.20±0.56)mmol/L.The above value were compared between any two groups, the differences were statistically significant (all P< 0.01). Conclusions sICAM-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of HFRS as protective factors. Cellular immune playes an important role in the pathogenesis of HFRS.

Objective To investigate the change of eNOS,the spermatogenic cell proliferation,apoptosis in mouse testis exerted by alcohol. Methods The immunohistochemical staining method for detecting of eNOS,PCNA,TUNEL method for detecting of apoptotic cells and the satistics analysis were used in the present study. Results With the increase of alcohol concentration,the structure of seminiferous tubule changed,the diameter of seminiferous tubule decreased,the surface density of postive eNOS cells increased gradually,and the number of positve PCNA cells and apoptosis cells also increased.There were significant difference in 15% alcohol concentration group compared with the other groups(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of pain associated with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in the rat model of prostatic inflammation.

METHODSThirty-six male SD rats were equally randomized to an experimental and a control group, the former injected with 50 μl of 3% λ-carrageenan into the ventral prostate to make the model of non-bacterial prostatic inflammation, while the latter with the same volume of sterile saline solution. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the prostate, L6-S1 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord were harvested for examination of the expressions of the nerve growth factor (NGF), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP in the prostatic tissue were all significantly increased in the experimental group as compared with the control (P <0.05), with a gradual decrease with the prolonging of time (P <0.05). In the L6-S1 DRG and spinal cord, the expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP exhibited no significant differences between the experimental and control groups at 1 week after modeling (P >0.05) and kept at high levels in the experimental group at 2 and 4 weeks, though not significantly different from those at 1 week (P >0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the expressions of the three proteins in the experimental rats among different time points (P <0.05), but not between the two groups at any time point (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe molecular mechanism of CP/CPPS can be evaluated in the rat model of prostatic inflammation established by injecting λ-carrageenan into the prostate. TRPA1 may play an important role in connecting the upstream and down-stream pathways of CP/CPPS-associated pain.

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Carrageenan ; Chronic Disease ; Chronic Pain ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pelvic Pain ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; TRPA1 Cation Channel ; TRPC Cation Channels ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare differences of clinical therapeutic effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion with different doses for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODSSixty cases of IBS were randomly divided into a saturated-dose group (30 cases) and a traditional-dose group (30 cases). Heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied in both groups. The acupoints that had the strongest heat-sensitive feeling were selected and treated by warm and suspended moxibustion with moxa stick. Disappearance of heat-sensitive feeling was taken as the sign of treatment time in the saturated-dose group, while the traditional-dose group was treated for 15 min each time. The treatment in both groups was given twice a day for first 5 days, and from the sixth day it was given once a day for continuous 25 times, totally 30 days. Clinical symptom scores and therapeutic effect before and after treatment in two groups were observed.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate was 75.0% (21/28) in the saturated-dose group, which was inferior to 44.4% (12/27) in the traditional-dose group (P < 0.05). The clinical symptom scores, including diarrhea, abdominal distension and pain, were obviously reduced in two groups compared with those before the treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the traditional-dose group, the symptom scores of diarrhea and abdominal distension in the saturated-dose group were obviously decreased (0.87 +/- 0.13 vs 1.27 +/- 0.21, P < 0.01; 1.12 +/- 0.41 vs 1.32 +/- 0.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion featured with disappearance of heat-sensitive feeling and saturated dose has better therapeutic effect than that with traditional-dose for treatment of IBS. As individual dynamic amount of moxibustion, disappearance of heat-sensitive and quantitation varies from person to person, which is one of the key factors to obtain the best curative effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The brain modulates the immune system in an asymmetrical way, as shown by the association between paw preference and immune response in the mice. The purpose of the present work was to study the relationship between plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and brain lateralization. In the study, paw preference test was used to select right-pawed, left-pawed and ambidextrous mice. Mice were classified as the right-pawed if the right paw entry (RPE) score was equal to or greater than 30 (30-50), as the left-pawed if the score was equal to or less than 20 (0-20), and as the ambidextrous if the score was between 21 and 29. One week after the paw preference testing, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with either sterilized 0.9% saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 microg/0.5 ml NS) and were killed 2 h later. Plasma was collected from each mouse. The level of plasma TNF-alpha was measured with ELISA kits provided by ENDOGEN. NO and NOS levels of plasma were detected with kits from Juli Biotechnology Company. The results showed that (1) in the normal mice, ambidextrous mice had higher NO levels compared with left-pawed mice (P<0.05). After the injection of LPS, plasma level of TNF-alpha was lower in left-pawed mice compared with those of the right-pawed and ambidextrous mice; plasma level of NO was higher in ambidextrous mice compared with those of the right- (P<0.01) and left-pawed (P<0.05) ones, and there was no significant difference in the plasma levels of NOS among ambidextrous, right- and left-pawed mice. (2) Immune parameters were correlated with the RPE scores. The shape of the curve describing this relation was similar to a parabola. In general, the levels of TNF-alpha, NO, NOS rose along with the increase of RPE if the scores were in the score range of left-pawed mice.After that, they reached a peak if the scores were in the score range of ambidextrous mice. Then they declined along with the increase of RPE if the scores were in the score range of right-pawed mice. In conclusion, plasma levels of TNF-alpha, NO and NOS were associated with brain lateralization, suggesting that the activities of Mo/Mphi were influenced by brain lateralization, and that the immune parameters were correlated with the RPE scores.
Animals ; Brain ; physiology ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; physiology ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the influence of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) on cardiac output (CO) value and parameters of hemodynamics monitored by transpulmonary thermodilution technique in critical patients. Methods A prospective cohort study was conduced. Sixty-two critical patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Zunyi Medical College Affiliated Hospital from January 2011 to October 2015 were enrolled. All of the patients received CVVH through femoral vein puncture catheter. The CO value was monitored before CVVH operation, immediately after CVVH operation (8 ℃ normal saline was injected immediately after the output of blood from the arterial end), 5 minutes after operation, the time at the sudden interruption (press pause key after 10 minutes of operation) and resumed immediately, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after operation by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) with transpulmonary thermodilution method. The changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and blood temperature were observed at all time points. Results From CVVH before start to 5 minutes thereafter, CO values were not significantly changed in patients, fluctuating in 6.96 (7.33, 8.67)-6.98 (6.43, 7.45) L/min. When CVVH was suddenly interrupted, CO value was immediately increased to the peak 8.04 (7.36, 8.77) L/min, which showed statistically significant difference as compared with other time points (all P < 0.01). Immediately after the CVVH recovery from interruption, the CO value dropped to 4.71 (4.14, 7.26) L/min, and it was significantly lower than those at other time points (all P < 0.01). With the CVVH recovery, the patients' CO value was gradually restored to the stable operation ahead of interruption [4.71 (4.14, 7.26)-6.85 (6.08, 7.26) L/min]. During CO monitoring, HR, MAP, CVP and blood temperature of the patients were at the same level, and no significant changes were founded. Conclusions CVVH interruption of immediate PiCCO monitoring CO value were significantly increased, immediately after the CVVH recovery the CO value were significantly reduced, and the normal operation of CVVH did not affect the CO value monitoring. Hemodynamics and blood temperature of all patients were stable during CVVH.

The genotypes of extended spectrum β-laetamases(ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases produced by Enterococcus gallinarum isolated from chloebia gouldiae were determined to elucidate the evolution mechanism of the resistant genes.The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 18 antibacterial drugs against the Enterococcus gallinarum were detected with two dilution method,and the ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases from the bacterium were amplified by PCR using the primers of TEM,SHV,CTX-M,ACC,CIT,DHA,EBC,FOX and MOX,respectively.The PCR products were cloned and then the cloned fragments were sequenced to identify their genotypes and subtypes.The bacterium was proved to be a ESBL-producing and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacterium,showing severe resistant to the other drugs,except the third and forth cephalosporins,carbopenems and fosfomycin.Compared with that of AJ847364 (TEM-116),the sequence of the TEM-type was characterized by two nucleotide mutations (512T→A and 695A→C),which led to two mutations of amino acids(17111e→Lys and 232Lys→Thr),showing that the detected TEM-type was a new genotype,the sequence of the AmpC β-lactamase was similar to that of EF078894 (ACT-like type)with a 97% homology.The genotype of ESBLs of Enterococcus gallinarum was a new TEM-type derived from the TEM-type ESBLs of klebstella pneumoniae isolated from the same avian.The genotype of AmpC lactamase was ACT-type,which probably concerned with β-1actam antibiotics used.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum 25 (OH)D level and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods Totally 113 AD impatients were enrolled in this study.Their serum 25 (OH) D2,25 (OH) D3,and total 25 (OH) D levels were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Patients were divided into Vitamin D severe deficiency group [25 (OH)D level≤25 nmol/L],deficiency group [25 (OH)D levels:25-50 nmol/L],insufficiency group [25 (OH) D level:50-75 nmol/L],and sufficiency group [25 (OH) D level ≥ 75 nmol/L] according to the criteria proposed by US Institute of Medicine.The cognitive function was assessed by MMSE score.The association between serum 25 (OH) D level and cognitive function was systematically analyzed.Results The serum levels of 25 (OH) D,25 (OH) D2,and 25 (OH) D3 were (27.08 ± 15.33) nmol/L,(1.23 ± 0.93) nmol/L and (24.50 ± 13.04) nmol/L in AD patients.The proportions of severe deficiency,deficiency,insufficiency,and sufficiency were 60.18％ (68/113),30.97％ (35/113),7.97％ (9/113),and 0.88％ (1/113),respectively,among these AD patients.A positive correlation was found between serum 25 (OH) D concentration and MMSE score in AD patients.Conclusions Impatients with AD often have severe vitamin D deficiency and need vitamin D supplementation.Serum 25 (OH) D concentration is associated with cognitive function,and therefore vitamin D supplementation may improve cognitive function.

Adult stem cells from skeletal muscle cells were induced to differentiate into cardiocytes to see if stem cells from another different but histologically-comparable tissues can differentiate to the target cells. Skeletal muscles-derived stem cells (MDSCs) were isolated from adult skeleton muscle tissues by differential adhesion, and immunocytochemically identified by using Sca-1. In order to induce the proliferation but not differentiation of MDSCs, the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12 (DMEM/F12) supplemented with 1:50 B27, 20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), 20 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a suspension for 6 days. Then these stem cells were treated with 5 mumol/L 5-azacytidine for 24 h in an adherence culture. The characteristics of induced cells were examined by immunocytochemistry, quantitative real time RT-PCR and morphological observation of cell phenotype. Our results showed that the appearance of some cells gradually changed from spindle-shape into polygonal or short-column-shape. Some of these post-treated cells could contract spontaneously and rhythmically. The expression of GATA-4 and cTnT was increased 1 and 2 week(s) after the treatment. And about 16.6% of post-treated cells were cTnT-positive. Therefore, we are led to conclude that skeletal muscle-derived stem cells could differentiate into cardiocyte-like cells, which exhibited some characteristics of cardiocytes.