Objective To investigate the variation of morbidity and clinical features of Henoch-Seh(o)nlein purpura (HSP) in childhood in recent years.Methods The clinical data of 901 cases with HSP admitted to our hospital from January 1,1995 to December 31,2005 were retrospectively analyzed.The constitute rate of admission,the initial clinical presentations,specific manifestations such as multi-system 23/2165(1.06%),29/2098(1.38%),24/1973(1.22%),39/2008(1.94%),54/2433(2.22%),86/2611(3.29%),94/2724(3.45%),99/3014(3;28%),138/2900(4.76%),143/3177(4.50%)and 172/3500(4.91%),resp-sixty-five of 901 HSP children (1 8.3%) had no palpable purpura at onset, 90 cases initially manifested as abdominal pain and (or) gastrointestinal bleeding,14 of them was diagnosed by gastroendoscopy which demonstrated mucous membrane vasculitis.Sixty-three cases manifested as arthritis/arthralgias,6 cases presented as renal involvement,1 case with neurological symptoms and 5 cases with other symptoms at their pancreatic involvement was present in 3 cases,cardiac involvement in 47 Cases and one case had lung hemorrhage.Conclusion The morbidity of HSP has increased in recent years.The diagnosis in patients who do not have palpable purpura at onset and patients who present with the cerebral,pulmonary,cardiac and pancreatic involvement as the initial manifestations is difficult.Special attention should be paid to this group of patients.Gastrointestinal endoscope is valuable in diagnosing HSP in patients whose initial symptoms are abdominal pain and (or) gastrointestinal bleeding.

The present study is to establish Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells and investigate the transport capability of PLGA nanoparticles with different surface chemical properties across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells. PLGA-NPs, mPEG-PLGA-NPs and chitosan coated PLGA-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as carrier material with surface modified by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan. The particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Coumarin 6 was used as a fluorescent marker in the transport of nanoparticles investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The transport of furanodiene (FDE) loaded nanoparticles was quantitively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Colchicine and nocodazole were used in the transport study to explore the involved endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticles. Distribution of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 was also analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles dispersed uniformly. The zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative, the mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral and the CS-PLGA-NPs was positive. The entrapment efficiency of FDE in all nanoparticles was higher than 75%. The transport capability of mPEG-PLGA-NPs across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells was higher than that of PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. Colchicine and nocodazole could significantly decrease the transport amount of nanoparticles. mPEG-PLGA-NPs could obviously reduce the distribution of ZO-1 protein than PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. The transport mechanism of PLGA-NPs and mPEG-PLGA-NPs were indicated to be a combination of endocytosis and paracellular way, while CS-PLGA-NPs mainly relied on the endocytosis way. PEG coating could shield the surface charge and enhance the hydrophilicity of PLGA nanoparticles, which leads mPEG-PLGA-NPs to possess higher anti-adhesion activity. As a result, mPEG-PLGA-NPs could penetrate the mucus layer rapidly and transport across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Carriers ; Furans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; HT29 Cells ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo characterize the genetic background of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) from China, and the population structure of this pathogen.

METHODSA previously reported MLST scheme was applied to a collection of 33 multidrug-resistant strains of A. baumannii from China, and the data of all the strains in the A. baumannii MLST database were downloaded for the population structure analysis. The sequence types and clonal complexes were identified, the presence or absence of recombination was analyzed for each MLST locus, and the values of I(A)(S), and recombination/mutation ratio were calculated for the whole strain collection. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using all the allelic profiles in the database.

RESULTSA total of six sequence types were identified from the 33 Chinese strains tested, and 29 of these strains belonged to the CC92 clonal complex. Three (gdhB, gpi, and rpoD) of the seven MLST loci (gltA, gyrB, recA, cpn60, gdhB, gpi, rpoD) had undergone recombination with statistical evidence. For all allele profiles in the MLST database, the I(A)(S) value was 0.155 and the recombination/mutation ratio was 6.083. Sequence types from each clonal complex were grouped closely in the phylogenetic tree, which gave an overview of the microevolution of this pathogen.

CONCLUSIONThe spread of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in China was closely related to the CC92 clonal complex. A. baumannii had an 'epidemic' population structure, i.e., a superficially clonal structure with high levels of recombination, in which successful epidemic clones arise especially including worldwide dissemination of the CC92 clonal complex to cause a widespread occurrence of multidrug-resistant infections.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVEGas chromatography (GC) was used to investigate the cellular fatty acid (CFA) composition of 141 Acinetobacter baumannii and 32 A. calcoaceticus isolates from different locations in China and to find chemical markers to differentiate these two closely related bacteria.

METHODSWhole cell fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were obtained by saponification, methylation, and extraction for GC analysis, followed by a standardized Microbial Identification System (MIS) analysis.

RESULTSAll A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus strains contained some major fatty acids, namely, 18:1 ω9c, 16:0, Sum In Feature 3, 12:0, 17:1ω8c, 3-OH-12:0, 17:0, Sum In Feature 2, 2-OH-12:0, and 18:0 compounds. Although most of the total CFAs are similar between A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus strains, the ratios of two pairs of CFAs, i.e., Sum In Feature 3/18:1 ω9c versus 16:0/18:1 ω9c and Sum In Feature 3/18:1 ω9c versus unknown 12.484/18:1 ω9c fatty acids, could differentiate these two closely related bacteria. A. baumannii could be easily classified into two subgroups by plotting some ratios such as Sum In Feature 3/16:0 versus 17:0 and Sum In Feature 3/2-OH-12:0 versus 17:0 fatty acids.

CONCLUSIONThe ratios of some CFAs could be used as chemical markers to distinguish A. baumannii from A. calcoaceticus.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; classification ; cytology ; metabolism ; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ; classification ; cytology ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Species Specificity

This article demonstrates the necessity and feasibility of setting up the ophthalmology information management system. It expounds the system's configuration, main functions and hardware, especially the key designing points of the information interfaces.
Management Information Systems ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Ophthalmology ; statistics & numerical data ; Software ; Software Design

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of retrovirus mediated heme oxygenase (HO)-1 gene on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) resistance cell apoptosis induced by nilotinib (AMN107).

METHODSHigh titer viral particles of pQCXIP-EGFP-HO-1 were prepared, and K562/A02 cells stably transfected with HO-1 gene was established. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was detected by RT-PCR. After treated with AMN107 for 24 h, HO-1 mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; Cell proliferation by MTT assay; bcr-abl fusion gene by RQ-PCR, and the apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry.

RESULTSRecombinant retrovirus vector was constructed successfully and K562/A02/HO-1 cells were successfully set up. The expression of HO-1 in K562/A02 cells was expressed clearly. After three groups cells treated with AMN107 for 24 h, the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in either empty vector or no-transfected group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cell proliferation ofs was inhibited, but the cell viability was significantly higher in gene-transfected group than in other two groups. The difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05); After treated with 10 µmol/L AMN107 for 24 h, the CT values of bcr-abl fusion gene were (18.15 ± 0.18) in K562/A02/HO-1 group, being significantly higher than that in K562/A02/LXSN (20.32 ± 0.20) and K562/A02 (20.51 ± 0.21) group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rate were (17.26 ± 0.23)%, (39.47 ± 0.17)%, and (41.84 ± 0.09)%, respectively in three groups, and were (3.74 ± 0.03)%, (5.91 ± 0.08)% in K563/A02/HO-1 untreated with drug and K562/A02 untreated with drug group. The number of G(0)/G(1) phase and S phase cells markedly decreased. The cells were arrested in G(2)/M phase. But cell cycle in gene-transfected group did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONAMN107 inhibits proliferation of CML resistance cells and induces cell apoptosis. HO-1 gene can protect CML resistance cells to apoptosis. There was a relationship between HO-1 gene and the growth of CML resistance cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence and distribution of cervical node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx and evaluate the efficacy of selective neck dissection (SND) on the treatment of the neck metastases.

METHODSA retrospective review was performed for 63 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx from January 1990 to December 2004. Lymph nodes were clinically negative in 17 patients and positive in 46 patients. There were 15 unilateral SND, 22 bilateral SND and 16 modified radical neck dissections (MRND). Ipsilateral MRND or radical neck dissections (RND) and contralateral SNDs were performed in 10 cases. Forty-eight patients were followed up and the follow-up interval ranged from 24 to 143 months and the median was 41 months.

RESULTSLymph nodes were pathologically negative (pN0) in 22 and positive (pN +) in 41 patients. A total of 106 positive nodes were found in 95 neck dissections. The distribution of the positive nodes were as follows: Level II 47.2% (50/106), Level III33.0% (35/106), Level IV11.3% (12/106), Level V2.8% (3/106), Level VI 5.7% (6/106). Contralateral nodal metastases and recurrence were observed in both cN0 and cN + cases. There were 18 neck recurrent cases. High incidence of neck recurrence after SND was found in level II and III. The 3-year estimated survival rate analysis were 58.1% for the pN0 and 44.9% for pN1 and 41.1% for pN2 patients. Cox regression analysis suggested N stage was the most important prognostic factor. The risk ratio was 1.7 in pN1 and 2.2 in pN2.

CONCLUSIONSLymphatic metastases was the most significant prognostic factor of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Bilateral selective neck dissection, when carefully indicated, offers functional advantages without oncologic compromise.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression on cell growth and apoptosis in imatinib resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells (K562/A02-IM), and explore the relationship between HO-1 gene and CML.

METHODSThe expression of HO-1 in 20 drug-resistant CML patients was detected by RT-PCR. Different concentrations of hemin were used to induce HO-1 expression of K562/A02-IM, HO-1 expression at different time was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI staining, and MTT assay was used to detect viability of K562/A02-IM cells after induction or inhibition of HO-1 gene by hemin and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP).

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that HO-1 was expressed in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs). When treated with hemin at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40 µmol/L) for 16 h, the expression of HO-1 in K562/A02-IM was increased in a dose-dependent manner, and peaked at 20 µmol/L of hemin for 16 h. The apoptosis rates were (17.61 ± 0.01)%, (12.13 ± 0.11)%, (7.94 ± 0.03)% and (4.62 ± 0.15)% at 0,10, 20 and 40 µmol/L of hemin respectively for 16 h and were (14.7 ± 0.05)%, (8.1 ± 0.07)% and (16.3 ± 0.13)% at 20 µmol/L of hemin treatment for 8,16, and 24 h respectively. Hemin induced apoptosis of K562/A02-IM cells in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of HO-1 was induced in K562/A02-IM cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the survival of K562/A02-IM cells was significantly increased as compared to that of control group. When HO-1 was inhibited by ZPP, the cells survival was sharply decreased compared to that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHO-1 was expressed in the BMMNCs. It is a kind of molecules whose expression can be induced and can promote the growth of drug-resistant cells. Inhibition of HO-1 expression probably be used for the treatment of drug-resistant CML.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzamides ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; genetics ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; K562 Cells ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology

To investigate the effects of particle size, mPEG molecular weight, coating density and zeta potential of monomethoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) nanoparticles on their transportation across the rat nasal mucosa, mPEG-PLGA-NPs with different mPEG molecular weights (M(r) 1 000, 2 000) and coating density (0, 5%, 10%, 15%) and chitosan coated PLGA-NP, which loaded coumarin-6 as fluorescent marker, were prepared with the nanoprecipitation method and emulsion-solvent evaporation method, and determine their particle size, zeta potential, the efficiency of fluorescent labeling, in vitro leakage rate and the stability with the lysozyme were determined. The effects of physical and chemical properties on the transmucosal transport of the fluorescent nanoparticles were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The result showed that the size of nanoparticles prepared with nanoprecipitation method varied between 120 and 200 nm; the size of nanoparticles prepared with emulsion-solvent evaporation method varied between 420 and 450 nm. Nanoparticles dispersed uniformly; the zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative; mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral; chitosan coated PLGA-NPs was positive; and the efficiency of fluorescent labeling were higher than 80%. In vitro leak was less than 5% within 4 h and nanoparticles were basically stable with lysozyme. The CLSM results show that the transportation efficiency of mPEG-PLGA-NPs with a high PEG coating density and high mPEG molecular weight was significantly higher than that of uncoated PLGA nanoparticles and also that of chitosan coated PLGA-NPs (P < 0.05). The hydrophilcity, zeta potential and particle size of nanoparticles play important roles on the efficiency of mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles to transport across the rat nasal mucosa.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Molecular Weight ; Nanoparticles ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Particle Size ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genotype and phenotype correlation in the hemoglobin E (HbE) carriers, and to investigate the effect of HbE on hematological parameters.

METHODSThe capillary electrophoresis was used to screen total 14 141 samples and blood cell analysis was further processed to the HbE carrying samples. Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization method were used for the detection of Chinese common mutation of α and β thalassemia.

RESULTSThere is a statistical difference in hematological phenotype index (HGB, MCV, MCH, HbE, HbA(2)) between samples of HbE heterozygous (53 samples), HbE homozygous (2 samples), HbE composite α thalassemia (α-thal, 7 samples) and HbE composite β thalassemia (β-thal, 8 samples). Among the four groups, HbE heterozygous \[HGB (122.7 ± 19.99) g/L, MCV (78.65 ± 5.03) fl\] and HbE composite α-thal \[HGB (113.6 ± 22.68) g/L, MCV (73.50 ± 7.73) fl\] had slight effect on hematological parameters, but HbE composite β-thal \[HGB (76.4 ± 12.30) g/L\], MCV (59.23 ± 5.28) fl\] had the heaviest effect on hematological parameters.

CONCLUSIONCo-existence of HbE heterozygous and other type thalassemias showed variation in their hematological phenotype, so patients should be informed of genetics in prenatal diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Hemoglobin E ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Thalassemia ; blood ; genetics ; Young Adult