Objective To explore the high risk factors, pathogenesis and methods of early diagnosis of periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) in premature infants.Methods The history of intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia was investigated in premature infants;TORCH-IgM antibodies in cord blood of premature infants were measured by ELISA; Nitric oxide (NO) levels in their cord blood were determined by nitric acid reducing enzyme means. Results Thirty-nine of 52 premature infants in PVL group had a history of intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia; TORCH-IgM antibody positive rate in cord blood of premature infants in PVL group was significantly higher than that in control group(P

0.05).The serum PICP of tubercular meningitis children after 4 neeks glucocorticoid therapy (108.85?46.13) ?g/L was significantly lower than that in control group((154.38)?47.98) ?g/L and glucocorticoid- pretreatment (152.99?44.78) ?g/L (P

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

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle on analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the impacts on the post-surgical flatus time.

METHODSUnder static absorptive composite general anesthesia, 90 cases of LC were randomized into three groups, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the analgesia was not applied after LC. In the analgesia-pumper group, the patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used. In the needle-retaining group, the electric acupuncture stimulator was used. The needles were inserted transversely at Riyue (GB 24), Qichong (ST 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and fixed with sterile sticker. Separately, in 8 h and 24 h after surgery, the electric acupuncture stimulation with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz frequency was applied continuously for 30 min. Visual analogue scale (VAS), adverse reactions such as vomiting and nausea and the postoperative flatus time in 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h after surgery were observed and recorded in the three groups.

RESULTSIn 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after surgery, VAS scores in the needle-retaining group and the analgesia-pumper group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The analgesia effect at the above time points in the needle-retaining group was better than that in the analgesia-pumper group (all P < 0.05). There was not adverse reaction in the needle-retaining group. But there were 3 cases of somnolence, 6 cases of nausea and 3 cases of vomiting in the analgesia-pumper group, and 2 cases of nausea and 1 case of vomiting in the control group. The flatus time was quite earlier in the needle-retaining group as compared with the other two groups [(14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.50 +/- 4.22) h, P < 0.01; (14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.17 +/- 4.69) h, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle is safe and effective in analgesia after LC. It avoids the adverse reactions of analgesics and promotes postoperative flatus.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETuberculosis remains a severe public health issue, and the Beijing family of mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is widespread in East Asia, especially in some areas in China, like Beijing and Tianjin. This study aimed at determining the mutation patterns of drug-resistant Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from Tianjin, China.

METHODSA total of 822 M. tuberculosis isolates were screened for drug resistance by an absolute concentration method and the genotype was identified by PCR. 169 drug-resistant isolates of the Beijing family were analyzed for the potential mutations in the rpoB, katG, inhA promoter region and in rpsL, rrs and embB genes, which are associated with resistance to rifampin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM) and ethambutol (EMB) respectively by PCR and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFifty-eight out of 63 RFP-resistant isolates were found to carry the mutations within the 81-bp RFP resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene and the most frequent mutations occurred at codon 531 (44.4%), 526 (28.6%), and 516 (7.9%) respectively. 16 mutation patterns affecting 12 different codons around the RRDR of rpoB were found. Of 116 INH-resistant isolates, 56 (48.3%) had the mutation of katG 315 (AGC-->ACC) (Ser-->Thr), 3 (2.6%) carried S315N (AGC-->AAC) and 27 (16.0%) had the mutation of inhA-15A-->T. 84 out of 122 SM-resistant isolates (68.9%) displayed mutations at the codons 43 or 88 with AAG-->AGG (Lys-->Arg) of the rpsL gene and 22 (18.0%) with the mutations at positions 513A-->C, 516C-->T or 905 A-->G in the rrs gene. Of 34 EMB-resistant isolates, 6 had mutation with M306V (ATG-->GTG), 3 with M306I (ATG-->ATT), 1 with M306I (ATG-->ATA), 1 with D328Y (GAT-->TAT), 1 with V348L (GTC-->CTC), and 1 with G406S (GGC-->AGC) in the embB gene.

CONCLUSIONThese novel findings extended our understanding of resistance-related mutations in the Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis and may provide a scientific basis for development of new strategies for diagnosis and control of tuberculosis in China and other countries where Beijing strains are prevalent.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Primers ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell apoptosis.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cell growth inhibition was measured by the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of cytochrome c, caspase-3, AIF, Bcl-2 and Bax expression.

RESULTSNCTD inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The cells treated with NCTD showed the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of caspase-3, cytochrome c, AIF, and Bax were up-regulated after NCTD treatment at different doses. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased after treatment with NCTD.

CONCLUSIONSNCTD could induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. The activation of the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the process of NCTD-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODSA total of 246 patients with chest pain to hospital time < 24 hours were followed up to 30 days. Admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured by point-of-care. Endpoints included death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and new onset of congestive heart failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prognostic value of BNP and GRACE score. The logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic contribution of BNP level and GRACE score.

RESULTSThe mean age was (67.6 +/- 12.0) years (61.8% males) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 135 patients (54.9%). During the follow up, 34 endpoints (13.8%) were recorded including 9 deaths (3.7%). The systolic blood pressure [(121 +/- 29) mm Hg vs. (130 +/- 23) mm Hg, P = 0.034; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] was significantly lower while the heart rate and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group. TNI and CRP levels were similar between the two groups. The BNP level at admission (median 883.5 ng/L vs. 216.5 ng/L) and GRACE score (median 164.5 vs. 142.0) were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group (all P < 0.05). The prognostic criteria for BNP level (area under cure, 0.704) was 194.5 ng/L determined by ROC (P = 0.043). For GRACE score, the predictive value for endpoints was 0.742 (P = 0.003) and the cut-off point was 158. In the logistic regression model, BNP concentration (> 194.5 ng/L, OR = 3.174) and GRACE score (> 158, OR = 4.031) were independent predictors of endpoints in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONBoth BNP level at admission and GRACE score were independent predictors for endpoints at 30 days in patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; analysis ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo approach the associated mechanism by which alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) might regulate the metabolism of dopamine.

METHODSA DNA fragment, located at -495 to +25 of the human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene, was amplified by PCR and inserted into the pGL(3)-Basic luciferase reporter vector. The recombinant plasmid pGL(3)-THprom was transfected into a dopaminergic cell line MES23.5 or a alpha-Syn over-expressed MES23.5 (named MES23.5/halpha-Syn(+)). The promoter activity was detected by the Dual Luciferase Assay System.

RESULTSThe luciferase activities in the MES23.5 cells transfected with pGL(3)-Basic, pGL(3)-THprom, and pGL(3)-Control vectors were 5.60+/-0.67, 26.80+/-4.11, and 32.90+/-4.75, respectively. On the other hand, the luciferase activity of pGL(3)-THprom in the MES23.5 (26.80+/-4.11) was significantly higher than that in the MES23.5/halpha-Syn(+) (14.40+/-0.61) (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the - 495 to +25 region in the TH gene possesses promoter activity for controlling the gene expression, and that alpha-Syn may negatively regulate the metabolism of dopamine by affecting the function of TH promoter as a trans-acting factor.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dopamine ; biosynthesis ; Down-Regulation ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; genetics ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hybridomas ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Mice ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Rats ; Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional ; genetics ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Transfection ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; alpha-Synuclein ; genetics

Objective To help the medical student to master the principle and operation of magnetic resonance imaging instrument.Methods The imaging principle,structure and functions of HT-3DNMR-25 magnetic resonance imaging instrument were described,and its application to experiment teaching was introduced including one-dimension imaging,two-dimension imaging,free induction decay signal observation and etc.Results The instrument facilitated the student to master technical principle,imaging method as well as parameters setup and regulation,and could be a supplement to clinical practical teaching.Conclusion The instrument plays an irreplaceable role in teaching,and thus is worthy promoting in colleges.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy and value of the placement of metallic clips during colonoscopy in the localization of colorectal cancer and incision selection.

METHODSA total of 30 patients received metallic clip placement by colonoscopy before operation. Abdominal plain film (supine and upright position) was taken and incision was determined by the projection of clips on the abdominal wall.

RESULTSThe inaccuracy rate of localization by colonoscopy was 30%(9/30). Colonoscopy combined with the placement of metallic clips achieved an accurate incision rate of 100% (30/30).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a considerable rate of inaccuracy for localization in colonic cancer by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy combined with placement of metallic clips should be considered in order to select a reasonable incision.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colon ; surgery ; Colonic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Instruments