Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; Uveitis, Anterior ; etiology

1:16) of the relative serum antibody has been observed in 80%, while none of this high level was observed in patients with Echovirus-25 and adenovirus dermatitis (

To construct, express and purify fusion protein containing HBcAg and HBsAg preS1 epitope peptide for the purpose of investigating a novel HBV vaccine with both prophylactic and therapeutic functions. Using DNA recombinant technology, prokaryotic expression plasmid pBTcs1 expressing HBcAg and HBsAg pre-S1 epitope peptide fusion protein was constructed. After expressed in E.coli. HB101, the production BTcs1 was purified by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and identified by SDS-PAGE, SEC, Western-blot and electron microscope. The results indicated that expression plasmid pBTcs1 was constructed successfully, and 20~25 mg purified BTcs1 fusion protein was obtained from 1L LB culture. Result of DOT-BLOT indicated that the distribution of BTcs1 was mainly in 30~50% sucrose, the purity of BTcs1 was greater than 95% by SDS-PAGE and SEC analysis. BTcs1 could probe with specific antibodies at 28 kDa by Western-blot, BTcs1 could also self assemble VLP by electron microscope analysis, its diameter was 30~34 nm approximately. The present study lay a foundation for further research functions and applications of BTcs1.

AIMTo determine clonidine in rabbit plasma by LC-MS.

METHODSThe LC-MS system consisted of Waters Alliance 2790 HPLC and Micromass ZQ-4000 MS. The HPLC was performed by using XTerra C18 (150 mm x 2.1 mm ID, 5 microm). The mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile/ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution, was maintained to a flow-rate of 0.2 mL x min(-1) and the linear gradient elution was adopted. Mass spectrum was obtained by using electrospray ionization interface and the m/z of SIM was 230.

RESULTSThe average recovery was high and the method was reproducible. The calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 1 - 80 microg x L(-1), the lowest limit of detection was 0.05 microg x L(-1). The Cmax, AUC0-t, and Tmax value of the pharmacokinetics parameter were (27 +/- 9) microg x L(-1), (5,352 +/- 1,121) microg x L(-1), (79 +/- 17) h.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that the method had high sensitivity, good selectivity, accuracy and precision. It is used to determine the clonidine concentration in plasma. The transdermal patch can deliver clonidine to the surface of rabbit skin stably for periods of up to 1 week after a single application.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Clonidine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of paroxetine on protein kinase PKA, PKC and CaMKII activities in different brain regions in a rat model of depression.

METHODSThirty-six adult male SD rats were randomized into 6 groups, including one control group (I) and 5 groups of depression model established by forcing the rats to swim for 4 weeks. The 5 depression groups received no treatment (II) or were treated with paroxetine at a single dose (III), for a week (IV), 2 weeks (V) or 4 weeks (VI). The radioactivity of PKA, PKC and CaMKII in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was quantitatively measured using a liquid scintillation counter.

RESULTSIn the rat hippocampus, PKA and CaMKII activities were significantly lower in groups II, III, IV, and V than in groups I and VI (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but comparable between groups VI and I (P>0.05). PKC activity was significantly lower in group II than in group I (P<0.01), but showed no significant difference between the paroxetine-treated groups and group I (P>0.05). In the prefrontal cortex, the activity of PKA in groups I, II, III, and IV was similar (P>0.05), but all significantly lower than that in groups V and VI (P<0.01). PKC activity was significantly higher in groups II and III than that in group I and other paroxetine-treated groups (P<0.01), and similar between groups IV and I (P>0.05); groups V and VI had significantly lower PKC activity than group I (P<0.01). Group I had the highest CaMKII activity among the groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONChronic administration of paroxetine can reverse chronic stress-induced inhibition of PKA, PKC and CaMKII activity in rat hippocampus, while the effects of paroxetine on the protein kinases can be more complex in prefrontal cortex.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Depression ; enzymology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Paroxetine ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats

Objective To evaluate the relationship between interleukin-18(IL-18) and insulin resistance, measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Forty-two young women with PCOS and 38 age-and body mass index (BMI)- matched control women were recruited in this study. A complete hormonal assay was performed and serum IL-18 level was determined in each subject. And euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test was completed in 41 of the above subjects. Results Serum IL-18 levels were increased in the PCOS women, as compared with the control (P=0.033). When all subjects were divided into lean and obese groups, the IL-18 levels were slightly increased in the obese subjects (P=0.902). IL-18 levels were negatively correlated with all the clamp parameters [mean glucose infusion rate (M), M-to-insulin ratio (M/I) and glucose metabolic clearance rate (MCRg), r =-0.419,-0.396,and-0.405,P=0.006,0.010 and 0.009 respectively], but were positively associated with HOMA-β index(r=0.334, P=O.035). Conclusion Serum IL-18 level was significantly increased in PCOS women and was strongly associated with the parameters obtained from the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, indicating that IL-18 may be an important mediator between inflammation and insulin resistance.

Objective To explore the relationship between dynamic changes in ultra-micro-structural of pulmonary arteries and endogenous hydrogen sulfide in rats with left-right shunt.Methods Rats in shunt group were subjected to an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt to create an animal model of pulmonary artery structural remodeling. After 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of experiment, the ultra-micro-morphologic changes of pulmonary arteries of rats were observed under electronic microscope and H_2S concentration in serum was evaluated by modified sulfide electrode method.Results The changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary arteries were progressively exacerbated, endothelial cells became swollen and large in size on 3 days, smooth muscular cells increased in size as well as the change of endothelial cells in 1 week, and they changed from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype in 4 weeks.Conclusions Shunt exhibited changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary arteries are accompanied by the changes of endogenous H_2S. It is suggested that endogenous H_2S might play a protective role in changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary artery.

OBJECTIVETachycardia induced cardiomyopathy (TIC), secondary to various tachyarrhythmias, is a reversible condition which can lead to cardiac enlargement and heart failure. The impairment of both structure and function of heart can be reverted completely or partially if tachyarrhythmias are ceased without delay. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics, therapeutic regimen and outcome of TIC in children.

METHODSClinical data of 12 children with TIC, who came from Peking University First Hospital from Feb. 2003 to Jun. 2009, were retrospectively analyzed and followed up. The echocardiogram data on admission were compared with those from 12 homochronous cases with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy matched with 12 TIC cases in age and gender.

RESULTSAtrial tachycardia is the commonest arrhythmia in 12 TIC cases (75%). Four cases underwent catheterization for radiofrequency ablation and all succeeded. The cardiac rhythm of 6 out of 8 cases treated with drugs became sinus rhythm after 3 days to 2 weeks antiarrhythmic drugs treatment. The remaining 2 cases still retained atrial rhythm, but the ventricular heart rates declined to normal. The left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions of the 12 cases were decreased compared with those of pretherapy [(37.5 ± 5.3) mm vs. (43.0 ± 5.7) mm, P < 0.01], and the left ventricular ejection fractions were increased [(60.5% ± 5.6%) vs. (33.7% ± 10.3%), P < 0.01], after (3.4 ± 2.3) months. In our (4.3 ± 2.4) year-follow-up, all cases were fine, except in one case the tachyarrhythmia relapsed because of discontinuation of the drug treatment by her parents. The left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions in 12 TIC cases were smaller than those of the 12 age- and gender-matched idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy [(43.0 ± 5.7) mm vs. (54.8 ± 7.5) mm, t = 7.9, P < 0.01], and the ejection fractions were higher [(33.7% ± 10.3%) vs. (21.8% ± 7.5%), t = 3.7, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of TIC should be considered for the children with tachycardia, cardiac enlargement and cardiac insufficiency. The degree of cardiac enlargement and cardiac insufficiency might be of value for the differential diagnosis between TIC and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The rhythm control and ventricular rates control could all result in a favorite therapeutic efficacy.

Cardiomyopathies ; diagnosis ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachycardia ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVEDuring the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) epidemic in China, children are the main group among people infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus, but few reports about children are available. The present study aimed to observe the clinical, laboratory features and to analyze therapeutic result.

METHODThe research subject were 93 children infected with influenza A (H1N1), 59 male and 34 female who were treated in Beijing Ditan Hospital from 15 May 2009 to 10 September 2009. The patients' data on symptoms, signs, chest X-ray, blood routine test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), liver function, renal function, helper T lymphocyte were collected and analyzed. The patients were treated with Oseltamivir, traditional Chinese medicine and symptomatic treatment.

RESULTThe main symptoms of children infected with influenza A (H1N1) are fever (84 cases, 90.3%), cough (62 cases, 66.7%), pharyngodynia (36 cases, 38.7%) and expectoration (19 cases, 20.4%) at onset, and fever (59 cases, 63.4%), cough (52 cases, 55.9%), pharyngodynia (23 cases, 24.7%) and expectoration (9 cases, 9.7%) were the mojor symptoms and signs while the patients visited our hospital. The main signs were fervescence, pharyngeal congestion (53 cases, 57.0%), tonsilar swelling (21 cases, 22.6%), and abnormal white blood count (WBC) was found in 32 cases, abnormal ESR in 10 cases, abnormal CRP in 10 cases, abnormal CD4 T lymphocyte count in 19 cases, abnormal liver function and renal function were found in very few patients. After treatment, the febrile duration and time to virus negative in patients treated with oseltamivir alone, traditional Chinese medicine alone, combined oseltamivir and traditional Chinese medicine as well as those who were neither treated with oseltamivir nor traditional Chinese medicine were respectively 1 - 6 days (median 1 day), 3 - 13 days (median 7 days), 1 - 6 days (median 1.5 days), 4 - 11 days (median 8 days), 1 - 5 days (median 1 days), 5 - 14 days (median 8 days), 1 - 5 days (median 2 days), 4 - 13 days (median 8 days).

CONCLUSIONClinical manifestations of 93 children cases were the same as those of adults. The traditional Chinese medicine could improve symptoms of children infected with influenza A (H1N1), but other clinical therapeutic effects need further study.

Adolescent ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oseltamivir ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo measure the range of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in children.

METHODSTotally 200 healthy children were classified into 4 groups based on age and sex: 7-14 years old group (n = 75, 43 boys and 32 girls), 15-19 years old group (n = 125, 64 boys and 61 girls). Plasma H2S level was detected by a modified sulfide electrode-based method.

RESULTSPlasma H2 S levels were (52.2181 +/- 17.9400) micromol/L in 7-14 years old boys, (51.9441 +/- 16.5448) micromol/L in 7-14 years old girls, (52.8771 +/- 14.1444) micromol/L in 15-19 years old boys, and (53.6551 +/- 14.5563) micromol/L in 15-19 years old girls (P > 0.05). In summary, the range of plasma H2S in children was about (52.8234 +/- 15.4339) micromol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe range of plasma H2S in children is about (52.8234 +/- 15.4339) micromol/L.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Blood Gas Analysis ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; Male ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors