Antibodies ; analysis ; Biopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Progression ; Drug Resistance ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Kidney Glomerulus ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Nephrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Steroids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Objective To explore the effect of Melatonin(MT) on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (CD4+CD25+Tr)and airway inflammation in asthmatic rat.Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,8 rats in each group.Asthmatic group:rats were immunized on day 1 and 7 by intraperitoneal inject of mixture of ovalbumin(OVA) and aluminumhydroxide.From day 14,the animals were allenged with aerosolized OVA for 20 min per day for 7 consecutive days.MT group:OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mg/kg MT 30 min before each OVA challenge.Dexamethasone group:OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg Dexamethasone 30 min before each OVA challenge.Control group:OVA for inhalation and MT for intraperitoneal injection was replaced with saline.After the last challenge,peripheral blood was stained to count the percentage of eosinophil(EOS).Then the rats were lavaged and total leukocytes counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were performed after staining with Wright-Giemsa staining.The EOS counts around the airway was counted after the histological section of lung staining with hematoxylin and eosin staining.The serum level of immunoglobulin E(IgE) was detected by immunoenhancement.The change of CD4+CD25+Tr was assessed with flow cytometry.SPSS 10.0 software was applied to analyze data. Results In asthmatic rats,the CD4+CD25+ Tr/ CD4+T cells ratio had significant negative relationship with the EOS counts around the airway and the total leukocytes counts in BALF (r=-0.73 P0.05).There was a significant decrease in the percentage of the eosinophils in peripheral blood,the eosinophil counts around the airway,the total leukocytes counts in BALF and the serum level of IgE in MT group compared with asthmatic group (Pa

Objective To explore the relationship between X - linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDL) gene escaping X chromosome inactivation( XCI) and SEDL phenotype. Methods RT - PCR was performed on total RNA which was isolated from blood samples of patients, female carriers and controls. Patients and female carriers were selected from the pedigree with SEDL caused by the mutation (IVS2 - 2A→C) of the gene. cDNA was analyzed by polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis(PAGE). Results PAGE data indicateed that female carriers expressed both normal and mutant SEDL mRNA,meaning the SEDL gene escaping XCI. Family investigation showed carrier females in the SEDL pedigree presented no symptoms. Conclusions The SEDL gene escaping X chromosome in-activation is firstly identified from human body. This may explain that carrier females present no symptoms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of the patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Between June,1992 and January,1995, 110 patients with Stage Ⅲ , Ⅳ a nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( 92 stage system) at random received one course of chemotherapy [cisplatin 20 mg· (m2· d)-1 iv on days 1-5 and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg· (m2· d)-1 iv on days 1-5.] before radiotherapy (which started 3 days after the first cycle of chemotherapy ) and three to five cycles of postradiotherapy chemotherapy (chemotherapy/radiotherapy: including 55 patients) or radiotherapy alone (radiotherapy group:including 55 patients). The methods and time/dose schedule of radiotherapy were similar in the two groups. Results: The 5-year survival rate was 65.5％ in the chemotherapy/radiotherapy as compared with 34.5％ in the radiotherapy group (P=0.0012). The primary lesion control rates were 69.1％ (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) and 43.6％ (radiotherapy group), respectively(P=0.0071). The cervical lymph node control rates were 67.3％ (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) and 45.4％ (radiotherapy group), respectively (P=0.021). The distant metastatic rate was 21.8％ (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) versus 41.8％ (radiotherapy group), respectively (P=0.0243). There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of acute mucositis between the two groups during radiotherapy. Conclusion:This prospective study has demonstrated that alternating cisplatin/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy and early administration of locoregional radiotherapy can improve the survival and local disease control , and delay the distant metastasis in the patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Adult ; Female ; Hip Dislocation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hip Joint ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The clinical data of one case of infantile myofibromatosis of left mandibular angle were analyzed, and the clinicopathological characteristics, imaging diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of infantile myofibromatosis were discussed.
Humans ; Myofibromatosis ; congenital

BACKGROUNDSeveral million subclavian-vein catheters are placed in patients each year to enable caregivers to administer chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, or long-term antibiotics or to manage preoperative fluids. Subclavian venipuncture requires the position of a deep vein to be identified with only surface landmarks. But the traditional right subclavian vein (RSV) catheterization (primitive procedures) is not the answer for all patients. The precise location of the vein is not known, and it is important to select the most appropriate method to achieve central venous access safely in any given patient. To modify the primitive procedures of the RSV catheterization for greater success and reduce the complications, anatomic studies and ultrasonography were conducted and clinical applications were validated.

METHODSAnatomical observation and measurement of the RSV and its adjacent structures were performed on 20 adult cadavers according to modified procedures. The RSV catheterization of 2900 cases was carried out by the modified procedure, 500 of these cases were observed by ultrasonography after the operation.

RESULTSThe anatomical studies and clinical application showed that the insertion point differs from the bodily form of fatness or leptosome. The clinical data revealed that in the 2900 cases which were performed with the modified approach, the success rate was 98.90% (2868 cases), the failure rate was 1.10% (32 cases), and the complication rate is 0.79% (23 cases), and the catheterization time is (31.2 +/- 10.5) minutes. Five hundred and sixty cases of the RSV catheterization were carried out by the recommended insertion procedure; the results were compared with the modified approach and the traditional approach. The successful rate of the traditional approach was 73.0%, of which the complication rate was 6.1%; the two approaches were significantly different (successful rate: chi(2) = 626.642, P < 0.01; complication rate: chi(2) = 80.708, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe modified RSV catheterization is characterized with a higher success rate and less complications, and the insertion procedure differs from the bodily form of fatness or leptosome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Child ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Vein ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors influencing the compliance, discontinuation and switching of finasteride medication in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the electronic clinical data of 655 outpatients with BPH treated with finasteride from January 2008 to June 2010. Using the medication possession ratio (MPR), we measured their medication compliance and the rates of discontinuation and switching after an average observation of 12 months. We identified and evaluated the influencing factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe crude rates of medication compliance, discontinuation and switching were 32.4%, 58.0% and 9.6%, respectively. In those aged > or = 60 years, combination therapy of finasteride with alpha-receptor blockers and chronic comorbidities were positively associated with good compliance, while younger age was significantly associated with drug discontinuation or switching. Finasteride monotherapy was significantly associated with discontinuation of the drug.

CONCLUSIONPatients aged < 60 years and those receiving monotherapy were less likely to be compliant with newly initiated finasteride medication, and therefore more efforts should be made to increase their medication adherence.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDEnvironmental toxins can destroy the physiological process of spermatogenesis and even lead to male infertility. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural phytoalexin with a wide range of biological activities. Some recent researches have demonstrated that RES can increase sperm output and protect sperm from apoptosis caused by physical damage. However, there is no evidence indicating that it can also exhibit a similar activity in testis injury caused by environmental toxins. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of resveratrol on testis damaged by environmental toxins and to elucidate the possible mechanism of its protective effect.

METHODSIn this study 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD) was used as the injury agent. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. During the first 5 weeks, group A was raised normally, groups B, C, D and E were exposed to 1% 2, 5-HD; during the following 9 weeks, group C, D, E received intragastric administration of different concentrations of resveratrol (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), while groups A and B were treated by carboxymethylcellulose. Physical signs, body weight gain and testis weight were comparatively observed. Numbers and diameters of seminiferous tubules were analyzed following HE staining. In addition, expression of the c-kit protein and gene in spermatogenic cells in every group was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blot or RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe 2, 5-HD treatment resulted in physical signs that became worse and in emarciated testis. HE staining and immunohistochemistry showed that seminiferous tubules became emarcid, obsolete spermatogonia being stagnant and expression of c-kit protein being depressed. After oral administration of resveratrol, the 2, 5-HD-induced physical signs were improved and close to the normal rats. The gain of body weight increased (P < 0.01). The recovery of testis weight was significant (P < 0.01). At the histological level, the seminiferous epithelia began to differentiate (P < 0.01); and even the physiological process of spermatogenesis restarted. Moreover, expression of c-kit protein and gene function resumed, although its expression remained different from the normal group. The diameter of and number of seminiferous tubules and the expression level of c-kit protein and gene activity were much closer to the normal group with increased doses of the resveratrol through oral administration.

CONCLUSIONSResveratrol could ameliorate markedly the dyszoospermia induced by 2, 5-HD and induce spermatogenesis. The expression of c-kit, which is a specific marker protein of spermatogenic cell membranes, could be regulated by resveratrol.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Testis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the point mutations of mitochondrial DNA in the families with hereditary ataxia.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) were used to analyze the mitochondrial DNA extracted from human peripheral white blood cells from the families with HA and 35 normal controls. Sequencing was performed to search the point mutations in mitochondrial DNA of those subjects whose results of SSCP were abnormal.

RESULTSA mitochondrial DNA point mutation 11893(A>G) was identified in 2 patients and 1 family member without symptoms.

CONCLUSIONA new point mutation 11893(A>G) of detected mitochondrial DNA may be relative to hereditary ataxia.

Aged ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Spinocerebellar Degenerations ; genetics