Objective To analyze the clinical, radiological, pathological and microbiological features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) to improve clinical management.Methods Retrospective analysis of 20 pathologically and/or microbiologically confirmed IPA cases in our hospital from January 2005 to August 2008. Results Group A (with underlying diseases) included 13 patients (underlying malignancy in 9 patients, including 5 cases of hematological malignancy, COPD in 2 patients, pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis in 1 each). Group B (without underlying disease) included 7 patients (2 patients with a long time of fluffy toy contact, another 1 had exposure to moldy rice, and 3 had exposure to polluted water). All these 20 patients had pulmonary invasion revealed by CT imaging. Multiple changes were identified in 16 patients. Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and/or consolidation were revealed in 7 patients. Multiple nodules were seen in 9 patients. Four patients had solitary lesions, including isolated nodules in 2 patients and segment consolidation in the other 2 patients. Pulmonary cavity without fluid level was found in 8 patients (40.0%). Eighteen cases received antifungal therapy. The overall efficacy rate was 55.6%. The efficacy rate in group A and B was 45.5% and 5/7 respectively. The average time to symptomatic relief was (12.0±2.8) days. The time to lung lesion improvement on CT was (17.4±2.9) days. The time to significant CT improvement was (34.3±9.9) days. The time to the resolution of active lesion was (56.4±6.2) days.Conclusions IPA may occur in immunocompetent patients without underlying disease. Most IPA patients have bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules and cavities on CT. The time to the resolution of active pulmonary lesions is about 6 weeks.

OBJECTIVETo study the impacts of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on liver function in rats.

METHODSTwenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group and radiated group. The rats in normal group were not radiated, those in radiated group were exposed to EMR 4 h/ d for 18 consecutive days. Rats were sacrificed immediately after the end of the experiment. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and those of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue were evaluated by colorimetric method. The liver histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and the protein expression of bax and bcl- 2 in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick and labelling (TUNEL) method was used for analysis of apoptosis in liver.

RESULTSCompared with the normal rats, the serum levels of ALT and AST in the radiated group had no obvious changes (P>0.05), while the contents of MDA increased (P < 0.01) and those of GSH decreased (P < 0.01) in liver tissues. The histopathology examination showed diffuse hepatocyte swelling and vacuolation, small pieces and focal necrosis. The immunohistochemical results displayed that the expression of the bax protein was higher and that of bcl-2 protein was lower in radiated group. The hepatocyte apoptosis rates in radiated group was higher than that in normal group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe exposure to 900 MHz mobile phone 4 h/d for 18 days could induce the liver histological changes, which may be partly due to the apoptosis and oxidative stress induced in liver tissue by electromagnetic radiation.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Phone ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Liver ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Staining and Labeling

The aim of the present study was to observe whether protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) was involved in the regulation of ventilatory responses of peripheral chemoreflex. The experiments were performed on anesthetized, immobilized and artificially ventilated rabbits. Peripheral chemoreflex was elicited by ventilating the animal with 10% O2-balance 90% N2. Changes in the peak amplitude and frequency of integrated phrenic nerve activity were observed. The ventilatory responses of peripheral chemoreflex following 0.1 microl microinjection within the NTS of either PTK inhibitor genistein (10 mol/L), AMPA glutamate receptor inhibitor CNQX (10 mol/L),or inactive PTK inhibitor daidzein (10 mol/L) were recorded. The results are as follows: Both genistein and CNQX attenuated the ventilatory responses of peripheral chemoreflex, while no changes occurred following daidzein. The amplitude of integrated phrenic nerve discharge and the phrenic burst frequency were decreased by (-21.77+/-6.93)% and (-24.70+/-7.61)% respectively after administration of genistein. CNQX resulted in similar decreases in the amplitude of phrenic nerve discharge (-27.13+/-7.63)% and the burst frequency (-21.34+/-4.88)%. In addition, the inhibitory effects of CNQX and genistein were the same whether they were applied alone or one after another, indicating that they had no cooperative effects. The results obtained suggest that PTK within the NTS regulates the peripheral chemoreflex control of respiration and that this regulation of PTK may be mediated through the phosphorylation of AMPA receptors in NTS neurons.
Animals ; Brain Stem ; enzymology ; physiology ; Chemoreceptor Cells ; physiology ; Female ; Male ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Receptors, AMPA ; physiology ; Respiration ; Solitary Nucleus ; enzymology

BACKGROUND: Visual-spatial neglect (VSN) is a neuropsychological syndrome, and right-hemisphere stroke is the most common cause. The pathogenetic mechanism of VSN remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) changes in patients with or without VSN after right-hemisphere stroke. METHODS: Eleven patients with VSN with right-hemisphere stroke (VSN group) and 11 patients with non-VSN with right-hemisphere stroke (non-VSN group) were recruited along with one control group of 11 age- and gender-matched healthy participants. The visual-spatial function was evaluated using behavioral tests, and ERP examinations were performed. RESULTS: The response times in the VSN and non-VSN groups were both prolonged compared with those of normal controls (P < 0.001). In response to either valid or invalid cues in the left side, the accuracy in the VSN group was lower than that in the non-VSN group (P < 0.001), and the accuracy in the non-VSN group was lower than that in controls (P < 0.05). The P1 latency in the VSN group was significantly longer than that in the control group (F[2, 30] = 5.494, P = 0.009), and the N1 amplitude in the VSN group was significantly lower than that in the control group (F[2, 30] = 4.343, P = 0.022). When responding to right targets, the left-hemisphere P300 amplitude in the VSN group was significantly lower than that in the control group (F[2, 30] = 4.255, P = 0.025). With either left or right stimuli, the bilateral-hemisphere P300 latencies in the VSN and non-VSN groups were both significantly prolonged (all P < 0.05), while the P300 latency did not differ significantly between the VSN and non-VSN groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Visual-spatial attention function is impaired after right-hemisphere stroke, and clinicians should be aware of the subclinical VSN. Our findings provide neuroelectrophysiological evidence for the lateralization of VSN.
Adult ; Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; physiopathology ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; Perceptual Disorders ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Reaction Time ; genetics ; physiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Stroke ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the suppressive effect of LRRC4 gene on human glioma U251 cells and further investigate its biological functions.

METHODSH&E, DNA and AgNORs stainings were performed on LRRC4-transfected U251 cells, mock-transfected U251 cells and non-transfected U251 cells, respectively. Quantitative analysis including cell morphometry, DNA content, DNA ploidy, silver stained argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were investigated by image analysis. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the difference of cell cycle distribution and MTT staining was used to elucidate the activity of the LRRC4-transfected U251 cells.

RESULTSThe morphological cell parameters such as area, perimeter and diameter, DNA content, chromosomal aneupoloidy, mean area of AgNORs particles and mean nucleus area of the LRRC4-transfected U251 cells were remarkably decreased compared to those of the mock-transfected and non-transfected U251 cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, significant accumulation of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase but decrease of cells in S and G(2)/M phase, was observed in transfected U251 cells compared to those of the mock-transfected and non-transfected U251 cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). MTT staining showed that proliferation activity of both the mock- and non-trasfected U251 cells was significantly higher than that of the U251 cells transfected with LRRC4 gene (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLRRC4 gene might be involved in tumor suppression by restraining DNA synthesis and the nucleoli organizer regions-associated proteins, keeping the cell cycles in phase G(0)/G(1) and reducing proliferation activity of the glioma cells. Morphometry combined with other techniques such as flow cytometry and MTT staining can well elucidate the biological function of novel genes.

Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

AIMTo observe the effects of sustained electrical stimulation at Bötzinger complex (Böt. c) on phrenic nerve discharges.

METHODSSustained electrical stimulation (10--50 microA, 40-100 Hz, 0.3 ms, for 15-30 s) of Böt. C on 30 urethane anaesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated rabbits.

RESULTSSustained electrical stimulation of Bot. C produced the inhibition or "inspiratory off-switch" of phrenic discharge during the stimulation. The inhibition of the phrenic discharges showed intensity and frequency dependence. Habituation was shown during the stimulation, showing the magnitude of the phrenic nerve discharge increased gradually. Post-stimulus rebound exhibited upon the cessation of the stimulation, showing the magnitude of the phrenic activity increased significantly. Short-term memory was shown in the habituation of the phrenic activity.

CONCLUSIONNon-associative learning is involved in the central control of respiratory modulation in the Böt. C and synaptic plasticity may exist in the respiratory neurons of Böt. C.

Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Facial Nerve ; physiology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Phrenic Nerve ; physiology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of replication-competent adenovirus-mediated interleukin-12 gene to chemotherapeutic sensitivity on gastric cancer cell.

METHODSReplication-competent adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus- mediated interleukin- 12 gene was constructed and expanded separately. The mortality of gastric cancer cell caused by the CNHK200- mIL- 12, Onyx- 015 in combination with different dosages of chemotherapeutic agents were evaluated by MTT assay at the same viral titer with a series of different dosages of chemotherapeutic agent,or at a series of different viral titers with the same dosage of chemotherapeutic agent. The curative effect to the xenografts gastric tumor in nude mouse was also observed by two viruses solely or together with 5-Fu.

RESULTSThe lytic activity of replication-competent adenovirus to gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was relatively poor at MOI value of 0.5, but it could be improved significantly when combined with chemotherapeutic agents of ADM, 5-Fu or CAP compared to the simple chemical therapy (P< 0.05). Chemotherapeutic agent 5- Fu could not effectively kill SGC-7901 when used at a relatively low dosage of 10microg/ml,whereas its activity could be improved when combined with a replication-competent adenovirus,and the killing rate was much higher than that with replication-competent adenovirus solely (P< 0.05). The gastric tumor xenografts was prevented and killed by replication adenovirus solely or combined with 5-Fu.

CONCLUSIONThe replication- competent adenovirus- mediated interleukin- 12 gene can increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity on gastric cancer cell. There is synergetic effect between the replication adenovirus and the chemotherapeutic agents in killing gastric cancer cell.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Viral Vaccines ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo explore the status of child neglect among rural areas children aged 0 - 6 years in China.

METHODSA total of 7411 rural children aged 0 - 6 years old who were composed of two age groups (3315 children aged 0 - 2 years old and 4096 children aged 3 - 6 years old) were multistage stratified randomly sampled from 84 villages which were representative of 10 provinces of China, in accordance with sex and age in November 2010. To identify the child neglect based on the Neglect Norms for Children Aged 0 to 2 and 3 to 6 Years Old in Rural Areas of China, SPSS 13.0 was employed for analyzing neglect frequency and degree for every group of different age, sex and neglect type (including physical, emotional, educational, medical, safety and social neglects). χ(2) test and analysis of variance were also used.

RESULTSThe degree of child neglect for the children aged 0 - 2 years old was 45.01 ± 7.56, the neglect frequency was 54.9% (1819/3315); the degree of child neglect for the children aged 3 - 6 years old was 44.42 ± 7.57, the neglect frequency was 53.8% (2203/4096). The neglect frequency of children aged 0, 1, 2 years old were 58.5% (654/1117), 52.2% (597/1144), 53.9% (568/1054) (P < 0.05). For children aged 3 - 6 years old, the degrees of emotional and safety neglect for males (44.60 ± 7.86, 36.82 ± 9.03) were higher than females (44.03 ± 7.72, 36.25 ± 9.05) (P < 0.05); and the frequencies of emotional and social neglect for males (16.8% (349/2072), 28.3% (586/2072)) were also higher than females (14.1% (286/2024), 24.8% (503/2024)) (P < 0.05). All children of two age groups suffered neglect mainly on one of the six neglect types (incidences were 20.6% (683/3315) and 22.7% (931/4096)). For 0-2 age groups, the higher neglect frequencies happened in the single-parent family and the remarried family (62.5% (15/24) and 63.2% (12/19)), but for children aged 3 - 6 years old groups, it happened in the single-parent family (60.0%, 27/45).

CONCLUSIONDegree and frequency of child neglect among children aged 0 to 6 years old in the rural areas of China are high, and we should find out risk factors and provide efficient prevention measures.

Child Abuse ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the "hot spot" of BRCA1/2 gene mutations in Chinese mainland breast cancer population.

METHODSThe known BRCA1/2 gene mutations in author's previous studies were reanalyzed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing method in 177 patients with early onset breast cancer or affected relatives and 426 sporadic breast cancer patients from four breast cancer centers in China.

RESULTSThree cases were found with BRCA1 5589del8 mutation out of 247 hereditary-predisposing breast cancer patients (70 patients in previous study and 177 patients in current study) and 2 cases with BRCA1 5589del8 mutation out of 426 sporadic breast cancer patients. They had similar even same haplotype.

CONCLUSIONBRCA1 5589del8 mutation is likely to be the "founder mutation" in Chinese population, but it should be confirmed by further studies.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; BRCA1 Protein ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Breast Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation