Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and to provide a convenient methodological basis for the diagnosis and treatment of COPD and the determination of its efficacy. Methods A total of 81 COPD patients and 40 healthy controls were selected from the respiratory department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2020 to February 2022 as the research subjects. The COPD patients were divided into 41 cases in the acute exacerbation group and 40 cases in the remission group according to their status. All participants underwent lung function detection, venous blood and EBC collection, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in EBC and venous blood were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and correlation analysis was performed by Pearson correlation analysis method. Results The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in EBC of in the acute exacerbation group, the healthy control group, the remission group were (5.16±0.18) pg/μL and (7.75±0.27) pg/μL, (2.66±0.31) pg/μL and (2.41±0.24） pg/μL, (3.61±0.29) pg/μL and (3.17±0.38) pg/μL, respectively. Compared with the healthy control group, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in EBC in the COPD acute exacerbation group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group and the COPD remission group (F=9.451, 8.217, P<0.001). Serum tests were consistent with this result. Correlation analysis showed that the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in EBC were significantly positively correlated with the level of serum inflammation levels (P<0.001), while significantly negatively correlated with lung function (P<0.001).  Conclusions TNF-α and IL-1β in EBC are potential biomarkers of inflammation in patients with COPD, and their detection can be used to effectively assess lung function in patients with COPD. 

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Clerodendrum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Urinary Tract Infections ; drug therapy

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression vector of pcDNA3.1(+)/NOR1 and analyze the effect of NOR1 on the liver cancer cells. Methods NOR1cDNA was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+), recombinant eukaryotic expressing plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/NOR1 was transiently introduced into human liver cancer cell line HepG2 mediated by cation iron lipofectamin.The biology effect of NOR1 on the liver cancer cells was analyzed through the MTT test, trypan blue exclusion assay and flowcytometric analysis. Results The eukaryotic expression vector of pcDNA3.1(+)/NOR1 was successfully constructed.The liver cancer cell growth rate was obviously slow after it was transfected by recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/NOR1 and the cell cycle from G0/G1 to S distinctly prolong.Conclusions Recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/NOR1 can express in HepG2 cells and affect the growth of HepG2 cells.

Objective To investigate the levels of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and its role in the pathogenesis of the patients with hepatic diseases.Methods The levels of serum PDGF-BB in 30 chronic patients (hepatitis B,26; hepatitis C,4),24 patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis,30 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma,and 20 normal controls were measured by ELISA.The levels of PDGF-B mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The serum levels of PDGF-BB and the levels of PDGF-B mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were significantly higher in the patients with hepatic diseases (F=1774.40,1037.42,P

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Hexanones ; urine ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective: To assess the effect of balloon angiopl asty on circulating endothelin (ET) and TNF-α levels and tissue endothelin in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits. Methods: After 20 New Z ealand rabbits had a high cholesterol diet for at least 8 weeks, successful ball oon angioplasty was performed in rihgt iliac arteries in 18 rabbits. Circulatin g levels of ET and TNF-α were measured before as well as immediately and 24 h after balloon angioplasty. Tissue endothelin immunoreactivity in atherosclerotic iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty was assessed by immunohistochemica l technique. Results: Plasma levels of ET and TNF-α were signi ficantly increased immediately after ballon angioplasty (76.40±13.58)pg/ml vs (92.67±11.38) pg/ml and (31.35±6.23) U/ml vs (56.26±7.37) U/ml, resp ectively (P<0.05) .There was no change in plasma ET and TNF-α levels 24 h after balloon angioplasty (77.13±12.87) pg/ml vs (76.40±13.58) pg/ml and (33.41±6.79) U/ml vs (31.35±6.23) U/ml， respectively (P>0.05). T issue endothelin immunoreactiuvity was markedly increased in right iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty than that in opposite iliac artery wall. Conclusion: The increase of plasma ET, TNF-α levels and tissue ET-IR in iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty may be associated with the injury of l ocal vascular intima, suggesting that ET and TNF-α may take part in the corona ry constriction and the development of coronary restenosis after percutaneous tr ansluminal coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of meatoplasty with the pedicle flap in the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 32 cases of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis treated by meato- plasty with the pedicle flap. All the patients had a history of chronic balanitis and had received meatal dilatation or simple ventral mea- totomy without significant effect. Their mean maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) was (4.3 ± 2.4) ml/s. During the operation, A "/\"-shaped incision was made in the healthy epidermis and a flap was harvested from the frenulum. After complete removal of the scar, the flap was placed into the urethral wall, followed by reconstruction of the external urethral orifice.

RESULTSThe patients were fol- lowed up for 6 to 30 months, which revealed smooth urination in all the patients with Qmax of (26.7 ± 4.5) ml/s and normal erectile function and uresiesthesis.

CONCLUSIONWith little invasiveness and few complications, meatoplasty with the pedicle flap is an ideal surgical method for the treatment of meatal stenosis secondary to chronic balanitis. However, there might be some change in the normal appearance of the balanus postoperatively, and its long-term effect needs further observation.

Balanitis ; complications ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; surgery ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; surgery ; Urination

Objective To explore the clinical applicating and efficacy of free fibula osteomyocutane- ous flap in mandible defect reconstruction in osteoradionecrosis patients.Methods The mandible defects were reconstructed by free fibula flaps with or without muscle cuff.The soft tissue defects were repaired by skin paddles.Status of osteotomy in fibula and flap survival was recorded.The complication in recipient site and donor site,as well as mouth opening and occlusion were reviewed.Facial contour and chewing function after reconstruction were evaluated.Results Patients were followed up 3-16 months.4 free fibula flaps with muscle cuff and 5 without muscle cuff survived well.The size of mandible defects covered from 6cm to 17cm. And the harvested fibula flaps with length of 8.6-17cm were cut into 3 segments in 2 cases,and 2 segments in 5 cases.Fibula flap was divided into 2 segments and overlapped in 2 cases.No serious complication was oh- served in recipient site and donor site.Satisfying esthetic result and normal occlusiong of heath mandible were obtained in all cases.The degree of mouth opening was 2.5-3.3cm.Fair chewing function was revealed in re- constructive region after prosthesia repaired.Conclusion Free fibula osteomyocutaneous flap is relatively ideal reconstruction material of mandible defect in osteoradionecrosis patients for its high survival rate and well esthetic results.

Objective:To observe the effect of percutaneous tr ansluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on coronary circulating tumor necrosis fa ctor-α (TNF-α) activity. Methods: Plasma TNF-α levls were measured with radioimmunoassay and bioactive assay respectively. Result s: Plasma TNF-α activity in femoral artery (AO) was significantly incr eased immediately after PTCA ［(15.86±3.75) U/ml vs （41.32±4.36） U/ml， P<0.01］, and plasma TNF-α activity in coronary sinus was remarkably incre ased immediately after PTCA　［(16.72±4.14） U/ml vs （65.61±6.25） U/ml, P<0.01］. There was no change in plasma TNF-α activity in AO 24 h after PT CA ［(18.32±5.12） U/ml vs （15.86±3.75） U/ml, P>0.05］. Conclu sion: The increase in plasma TNF-α activity after PTCA may be associat ed with the injury of coronary artery caused by PTCA, suggesting that TNF-α ma y be involved in the coronary occlusion and the development of coronary restenos is after PTCA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the spectrum of pathogens for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, and to provide a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of CAP.

METHODSRespiratory secretions and venous blood samples were collected from 1560 children with CAP aged from one month to 9 years within 2 hours after admission, for detection of multiple pathogens. Respiratory virus antigens in nasopharyngeal swab specimens were detected by immunofluorescence. Sputum was used for bacterial culture. Levels of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)-IgM and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP)-IgM in venous blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSA total of 579 strains of bacteria were isolated from all respiratory secretions, including 213 (36.8%) Gram-positive strains and 366 (63.2%) Gram-negative strains. The five most common strains were Haemophilus influenzae (7.50%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (6.73%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.35%), Moraxella catarrhalis (5.19%), and Escherichia coli (3.46%), wherein the beta-lactamase-producing strains accounted for 3.3% of all strains. The non-bacterial pathogens mainly included respiratory syncytial virus (12.88%), MP (7.88%), and CP (8.91%). Mixed infection of pathogens was serious, and the mixed infection of respiratory syncytial virus with Haemophilus influenzae infections were the most common. For most pathogens, the infection rate was higher in children aged under one year than in those aged over one year.

CONCLUSIONSHaemophilus influenzae, respiratory syncytial virus, MP and CP are the main pathogens for children with CAP. For most pathogens, the infection rate is higher in children aged under one year than in those aged over one year. Mixed infection rate of pathogens is high.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coinfection ; etiology ; microbiology ; Community-Acquired Infections ; etiology ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; microbiology