OBJECTIVE: To study the role of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in the pathogenesis of childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and the correlation between them. METHODS: A total of 36 children with newly-diagnosed HSP were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: HSP nephritis (HSPN) group with 11 children and non-HSPN group with 25 children according to the presence or absence of HSPN. Another 15 children who underwent physical examination at the outpatient service were enrolled as the healthy control group. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of Tfh cells (CD4CXCR5ICOS) in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood and the serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of serum Gd-IgA1 concentration with Tfh cells and related factors expression in the children with HSP. RESULTS: Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher proportion of Tfh cells and expression levels of IL-21 and IL-6 in peripheral blood than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significant increases in the above indices compared with the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). In the children with HSP, serum Gd-IgA1 level was positively correlated with Tfh cells proportion and IL-21 and IL-6 levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Tfh cells and related cytokines and serum Gd-IgA1 are involved in the development of HSP/HSPN. Tfh cells may mediate the increased production of Gd-IgA1.
Child ; Galactose ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Receptors, CXCR5 ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Tongxinfang on coronary collateral formation and stent-restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease after stenting.Methods61 patients with coronary artery disease were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=30), and control group (n=31). Patients of the treatment group were taking Chinese medicine Tongxinfang for six months, but cases of the control group only received basic treatment. Coronary collateral formation, stent-restenosis and ejection fraction (EF) of patients of two groups were assessed through aniograms and echocardiography before treatment and after six months.ResultsCoronary collateral formation and EF of patients of the treatment group improved significantly compared with cases of the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but the minimal lumen diameter and percent of diamter stenosis were not significantly different between two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionTongxinfang can improve coronary collateral formation and EF.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yiqihuoxue recipe on left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods40 patients with AMI were randomly divided into treatment group and control group with 20 cases in each group and received Yiqihuoxue recipe or fasinopril respectively for 6 months. Changes of clinical symptoms, the level of plasma angiotensin Ⅱ(ATⅡ), aldosterone (ALD), endothelin (ET) and echocardiographical indexes: left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular mass index (LvmassI), wall motion index (WMI), wall thick (WT), E/A were assessed before discharge, and in the end of 3rd and 6th month after AMI.ResultsClinical symptoms of patients of treatment group improved significantly (P<0.01). EF and E/A of all patients in two groups increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), LvmassI and WT reduced (P<0.05), but there were no significantly differences between two groups in LVEDVI, LVESVI, EF, LvmassI, WMI, E/A and WT(P>0.05). The level of plasma ET decreased in treatment group (P<0.05), the level of plasma ATⅡ and ALD of control group decreased more than that of treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionYiqihuoxue recipe can significantly improve clinical symptoms, cardic function, and left ventricular remodeling, showing a better clinical efficacy.

Background Experimental data have shown tnat polymorpnisms in tne angiotensm-converting en- zyme 2(ACE2)gene are related to echocardiographically determined parameters of left ventricular mass,structure or function in the general population whether ACE2 genotype influences the effect of angi0tensin Ⅱ receptor blocker which improve left ventricular remodeling and function is unknown.Objective To investigate the association be- tween ACE2 gene G9570A polymorphism and the effect of irbesartan on left ventricular structure and function in hy- pertensive patients.Methods Two hundred and five male patients and 190 female patients who were preliminaryly diagnosised with mild and moderate essential hypertension were treated with irbesartan for 48 weeks with initial dose of 150 mg/d and titrated to 300 mg/d to reach the targed BP.Gene polymorphisms of ACE2 G9570A were detected by PCR-RFLP methods.The association between changes in the SBP,DBP,parameters of left ventricular struc- ture and function and genotypes of the ACE2 gene locus were analyzed.Results Irbesartan reducted in blood pres- sure in all patients(P

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects

According to the National Scheme of Shistosomiasis Surveillance,the endemic situation in 8 national surveillance sites in Jingzhou City were monitored and analyzed.The results showed that the average human infection rate in 8 sites was 0.93%,and the rates in residents above 40 years old were high.People with positive results in fecal examination were all farmers,with an infection rate of 1.16%.The average infection rate of cattle was 6.26%.The total snail area was 1 511.50 hm~2,among which an area of 0.98 hm~2 was newly discovered and the area with infected snails was 1.17 hm~2.It concludes that the endemie situation in surveillance sites decreases year by year.However,the infection rate of earle still remains high and the snail status is still severe,which suggests that the control should be strengthened further.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of suberselective uterine arterial embolization for uterine fibroids.Methods Uterine arterial embolization with golyvimylalcohol(PVA) particles or Iodized oil and Gelfoam or Pingyangmycin lipiodol and Gelfoam was performed in 182 patients with uterine fibroids.Results Bilateral and unilateral superselective uterine arterial embolization were performed in 173 cases and 9 cases respectively. 6～28 months (mean 11 months) after the procedure, complete disappearance of tumor(16 cases), an average shinkage of 67% in tumor volume(152 cases) and a mean 42% reduction of uterine volume were obtained in 168 followed-up cases. The clinical symptoms were relieved significantly.The main side effets were hypogastic pain(135/182).Conclusion Superselection uterine arterial embolization is an effective and microinvasive method in treating uterine fibroids.

Objective To develop the method of 16S rRNA gene clone library for tick bacterial flora analysis, and to analyze the detection effective of pathogens in tick and capacity of bacterial flora diversity. Methods Primers were designed according to the specific gene of Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and templates were choosen by positive PCR result to amplify the DNA extracted from the ticks. One set of primers targeting 16S rRNA gene conserved region were chosen to amplify certain fragments, DNA extraction, PCR reaction, cloning and sequencing. Nucleotide sequences were compared with GenBank database. Calculated Coverage values of clone library and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Results Sixteen defined genus-or species-bacteria were detected in 103 valid sequences. Eight species were edge type (Clone No. > 5). Three kinds of pathogens were identified (Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae and Rickettsia sp). Three kinds of pathogens were not edge type(Clone No. < 5). Coverage value was 96.11%, and Shannon-Wiener index was 2.40. Analysis results of cloning sequence showed that tick-parasitic bacteria mainly were α and γ deformation mycetes which accounted for 56.25% (9/16). Conclusions The 16S rRNA gene sequences technology could make relative quantitative of bacterial flora, and detect many kinds of pathogens in tick. It's a good method for detection of pathogens and bacterial flora analysis.

Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications

Objective To summarize the manifestation and treatment of acquired hemophilia A in pa- tients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Method A case was investigated retrospectively and the lit- erature was reviewed.Results A 25-year-old woman with a 5 year history of SLE was admitted to hospital due to abdominal pain.She was diagnosed with acquired factorⅧinhibitor deficiency based on a prolonged activated partial-thromboplastin time(APTT,135.3 s),reduced factorⅧactivity(0.9%)and factorⅧin- hibitor(26.1 BU/ml).Sonography and magnetic nuclear resonance of the abdomen confirmed the presence of a retro-uterine hematoma.The patient was initially treated with intravenous pulse and oral corticosteroids,factorⅧplasma concentrated and intravenous immunoglobulin.Clinical and biological improvement was promptly obtained.Conclusions Attention should be paid to the association between SLE and acquired hemophilia A. Combination therapy may be recommended as initial therapy for the management of acquired hemophilia A in patients with SLE.But no standardized treatment can be recommended at present.