Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of a clustering infection caused by human adenovirus-B type 7 (HAdV-B7) which occurred in one military camp located at the southeastern coastal region in January 2014.Methods All clinical characteristics of the 70 patients were collected for analysis,including clinical symptoms and signs,chest computer tomography (CT) scans and laboratory results.Throat swabs were collected and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect viral nucleotide.Results The prominent symptoms of these patients with HAdV-B7 infection included fever (100.0％,70/70),cough (82.9％,58/70),productive cough (72.9％,51/70) and sore throat (61.4％,43/70).All patients showed posterior pharyngeal wall linear congestion with ovoid follicle.Fifty-four (77.1 ％) patients had enlarged tonsils and 46 (65.7 ％) patients had tonsils covered by white secretions.Fifty-eight (82.9 ％) patients had pharyngeal follicular hyperplasia.Fifty-one (72.9 ％) patients had abnormalities on chest radiograph,including lung-marking fuzzy,pulmonary interstitial inflammation and parenchymal serous exudation.Of the 54 throat swabs from patients,34(63.0％) were identified as HAdV-B7.All patients were cured.Conclusions The clinical features of patients with HAdV-B7 infection are different from other viral infection.HAdV-B7 is easy to cause clustering infection in particular populations.Early detection and early intervention are needed to avoid exacerbation and transmission.

Objective To prospectively analyze the impact of frailty on the short-term outcomes of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its related factors.Methods A total of 505 patients aged ≥65 years,with diagnosis of CHD in Cardiology Department and Geriatrics Department in our hospital were selected.Clinical data including geriatrics syndromes were collected by using Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment (CGA).Frailty was defined according to the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS).The impact of the comorbid conditions on the risk was quantified by the coronary artery disease-specific index.Patients were followed up by clinic visit or telephone consultation.Following-up items included recurrence of all-cause mortality,recurrence of cardiovascular events,and unscheduled returned visit.The impact of frailty on the prognosis of coronary heart disease was analyzed by Cox regression.Results Of the 505 patients,221 patients (43.76％) were considered to be frail elderly,in whom 126 patients (24.95％) were assessed as moderately to severely frail elderly.The incidences of comorbidities and geriatrics syndrome including incontinence,fall history,visual impairment,hearing impairment,constipation,chronic pain,sleeping disorder,dental problems,anxiety or depression,and delirium were higher in frail patients than in non-frail patients[51.1％ (113/221) vs.30.6％ (87/ 284),31.2％ (69/221) vs.19.0％ (54/284),43.9％ (97/221) vs.29.9％ (85/284),49.3％ (109/221) vs.29.6％ (84/284),60.2％ (133/221) vs.33.8％ (96/284),62.0％ (137/221) vs.46.8％ (133/284),49.3％ (109/221) vs.37.7％ (107/284),79.2％ (175/221) vs.55.6％ (158/284),11.3％ (25/221) vs.6.0％ (17/284),2.7％ (6/221) vs.0 (0/284),x2=21.831,10.053,10.510,20.519,34.894,11.481,6.886,30.695,4.624,7.803,respectively,all P＜0.05].After adjusting for sex,age,severity of illness and other coexist factors,the Cox survival analysis showed that frailty was the independent risk predictor for the all-cause mortality and unscheduled return visit in CHD patients (HR=2.881 and 1.835,95％CI:1.591-5.215 and 1.458-2.311,both P＜0.001).Conclusions Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment and Clinical Frail Scale are useful to evaluate the clinical features in elderly CHD patients.Frailty is the independent risk predictor for the short-term prognosis including all-cause mortality and unscheduled return visit in elderly CHD patients.

Objective To evaluate the absolute quantification of brain metabolites concentrations using external standard MRS in acute hypoxia ischemia encephalopathy (HIE) piglet model. Method Eight 7-day-old healthy piglets were subjected to insult of hypoxia ischemia (HI). The animals and an external standard phantom containing detectable metabolites of known concentrations were studied on a 1.5 T GE Signa scanner. The single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) data were processed using LCModel software, and the quantification of N-acetylaspartate ( NAA), creatine (Cr) and lactate (Lac) were accomplished. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to compare the NAA, Cr, Lac concentration differences in the brains of piglets pre- and post-HI (0h). In addition, the dynamic changes of brain metabolites concentrations of 2 HIE piglets were observed at the time points of 0 h and 2 h. Results One piglet was excluded because it was over anesthetized to death. Seven piglets' data were analyzed. The concentrations of NAA pre- and post-HI were ( 6. 86 ± 0. 49 ) mmol/kg and ( 5.73 ± 0. 88 ) mmol/kg respectively, they were ( 4. 65 ± 0. 73 ) mmol/kg and ( 4. 40 ± 0. 80 ) mmol/kg for Cr; and were 0. 00 mmol/kg and (0. 43 ± 0. 39) mmol/kg for Lac. After HI, decreased NAA concentration immediately was observed, and it was of statistical significance ( F = 8. 608, P = 0. 013 ). The concentration of Cr was insignificantly decreased ( F = 0. 379, P = 0. 550). The concentration of Lac was increased, and the difference was of statistical significance ( F = 8. 600 ,P = 0. 013 ). Dynamic observation showed a Lac peak immediately after HI and it decreased after 2 h post-HI. Conclusions External standard MRS using LCModel has great value in the quantitative analysis of brain metabolites. The changes of NAA and Lac concentrations are sensitive to reflect the early metabolic change of acute HIE.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in primary peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma (PPPSC).Methods Ten postmenopausal female cases of pathologically diagnosed PPPSC from March 2009 to October 2011 were retrospectively reviewed (age range:61-81 years,mean:(69.4±6.2) years).All cases underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT.The CT characteristics and SUVmax of lesions on PET images were analyzed.Serum CA125 levels were measured before or after PET/CT within one week.The patterns of PPPSC on PET/CT were compared with histopathological results.Linear correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the CA125 and the maximum SUVmax of lesions presented in parietal peritoneum,greater omentum or mesentery.Results The PET/CT uptake pattern of the 10 PPPSC cases was described as floccus,multi-nodular or cake-like in greater omentum (SUVmax =6.32±2.87),and as diffuse or localized nodules,or non-uniform strip-like thickening in 9 parietal peritoneum and 8 mesentery cases (SUVmax =5.96±2.14 and 5.70± 1.69,respectively).The most commonly involved sites were pelvic wall of peritoneum and mesentery of small intestine.All 10 cases had different degrees of ascites,mainly intrapelvic and perihepatic.Hypermetabolic ovarian enlargement (all ＜5 cm) was bilateral in 2 patients and right-sided in 1 patient.Four patients had retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis and others were found with punctate calcifications in metastatic lymph nodes,small pleural effusions,liver metastasis,as well as portal node metastasis.CA125 concentration was elevated in all cases ((51.25±26.40) ×104 U/L),but there was no significant correlation between CA125 and the maximum SUVmax of lesions found in parietal peritoneum,greater omentum or mesentery (r=0.05,P＞0.05).Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT could show the positions and metabolic status of PPPSC lesions.It may be an effective imaging modality in the diagnosis and assessment of PPPSC.

Objective The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive pectus repair.The aim of this study was to explore the changes in quality of life in patients who underwent a Nuss procedure.Methods 96 patients,who underwent a Nuss procedure in our institution,were interviewed at preoperation,1 year after operation with the bar in place,and before the planned bar removal.The Nuss Questionnaire modified by George Krasopoulos et al,which evaluates psychosocial and physical well-being,was independently used by patients.Results Most of the scoring of the individual questions and the total score of individual patients revealed a significant improvement,both in preoperation vs.1 year after operation and 1 year after operation vs.before the planned bar removal.Conclusion The Nuss procedure has been shown to improve the quality of life in patients with pectus excavatum deformity in the short term.

Objective To construct a rating scale on the knowledge,attitude,and practice of geriatrics for 8-year clinical medical students and undergraduate nursing students,and to test the reliability and validity of the scale.Methods The Knowledge,Attitude,Practice(KAP)theory was used as a guided framework,relative literatures were reviewed,and topics for question answering were discussed by experts group.Then,a questionnaire was initially constructed.Five methods,including discrete trend method,Cronbach coefficient,t-test,correlation analysis,and factor analysis,were used to screen the attitude and practice items.The knowledge items were evaluated by experts.Items with over three exclusion criteria were deleted when combining the literal questions.The construct validity of the integrated scale was assessed by factor analysis.A pilot research was conducted by 100 eight-year medical students and nursing undergraduates selecting question entries,and the reliability and validity of the scale were examined.Results The scale consisted of three dimensions.A 43-item initiate questionnaire on the scale included 13 items for knowledge,11 for attitude,and 19 for practice.Two knowledge items were deleted according to expert evaluation.Seven items with more than three exclusion criteria were deleted after statistical analyses.Eventually,34 items were included in the questionnaire.The Cronbach α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.702.And three common factors were extracted according to exploratory factor analysis.Conclusions The reliability and validity of Geriatrics Knowledge,Attitude and Practice scale for eight year medical students and nursing undergraduates are acceptable,but the knowledge items should be recomposed.

Purpose To compare the characteristics of targeted ultrasound contrast agents of ovarian carcinoma xenograft tumor at different stages with SonoVue serving as the contract, and to explore the application value of targeted ultrasound contrast agents in diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. Materials and Methods Fifty BALB/cNude nude mice were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 in each group to establish subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of ovarian carcinoma. According to different inoculation time (14, 21, 28, 35, 42 d), 5 groups of nude mice underwent common contrast-enhanced ultrasound (MBc) and targeted ultrasound contrast (MBt) examination. The peak intensity (PI) and time to peak (TTP) of xenograft tumors were calculated by time-signal intensity curves, and their angiographic features were dynamically observed. Results PI in MBt group was higher than that in MBc group at different times, the difference of which was all statistically significant (P<0.05); TTP was shorter than that of MBc group, the difference between 14, 21 and 28 d was statistically significant (P<0.05); TIC curve was steeper at the early stage of inoculation. The difference between PI and TTP in MBt group was statistically significant (P<0.05). The difference of PI between 14 and 21 d, 21 and 28 d, 28 and 35 d were all statistically significant (P<0.01); differences of TTP between 14 and 21 d, 28 and 35 d were all statistically significant (P<0.01); the difference of PI and TTP compared within MBc group had no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion In the early stage of inoculation, the contrast parameters PI and TTP carrying MMP-2 antibody-targeted ultrasound contrast agents are more advantageous than sonovue, which is helpful for the early diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo establish an everted intestinal sac method for determining absorption ingredients of yuanhuzhitong pill and study absorption characteristics of major chemical constituents of yuanhuzhitong pill.

METHODThe everted intestinal sac model was adopted. Intestinal sac fluid samples at different time points after administration of three concentrations of Yuanhuzhitong pill were collected and determined by HPLC. The accumulative absorbed doses of active constituents were calculated, while the proportion between samples of yuanhuzhitong pill and absorption ingredients was compared.

RESULTEight ingredients of Yuanhuzhitong pill can be detected in intestinal sac, they are protopine, palmatine, coptisine, imperatorin, berberine, byakangelicin, alpha-allocryptopine and tetrahydropalmatine. The absorption rate constants (Ka) of eight constituents increased in jejunum and ileum with the increase in concentration of Yuanhuzhitong pill extracts (P < 0. 05), indicating a passive absorption.

CONCLUSIONAs ingredients are selectively absorbed in intestinal sac, the everted intestinal sac method is selected to assess the intestinal absorption characteristics of ingredients of Yuanhuzhitong prescription.

Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRs) were recently recognized to be important for immune cell differentiation and immune regulation. However, whether miRs were involved in allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) remains largely unknown. This study sought to examine changes in miR-146a and T regulatory cells in children with persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) after 3 months of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). METHODS: Twenty-four HDM-sensitized children with persistent AR were enrolled and treated with SCIT (n=13) or SLIT (n=11) for 3 months. Relative miR-146a and Foxp3 mRNA expression, the TRAF6 protein level, and the ratio of post-treatment to baseline IL-10+CD4+ T cells between the SCIT and SLIT groups were examined in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AR patients using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis, respectively. Serum levels of IL-5 and IL-10 were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: After 3 months of SIT, both the TNSS and INSS scores were significantly decreased compared to the baseline value (P<0.01). The relative expression of miR-146a and Foxp3 mRNA was significantly increased after both SCIT and SLIT (P<0.01). The ratio of post-treatment to baseline IL-10+CD4+ T cells and the serum IL-10 level were significantly increased in both the SCIT and SLIT groups (P<0.01), whereas the TRAF6 protein level and serum IL-5 level were significantly decreased (P<0.01). No significant differences in these biomarkers were observed between the SCIT and SLIT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that miR-146a and its related biomarkers may be comparably modulated after both SCIT and SLIT, highlighting miR-146a as a potential therapeutic target for the improved management of AR.
Biomarkers ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Differentiation ; Child* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-5 ; MicroRNAs ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; Rhinitis* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6

Objective: To observe the relationship between impaired myocardial untwisting and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with autoimmune diseases (AD). Methods: In this retrospective study, 95 AD patients (27 males, (38.6±14.2) years old) were enrolled as AD group and 71 gender and age matched healthy subjects (24 males, (37.6±12.2) years old) were enrolled as control group, all underwent transthoracic echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in our hospital between January 2014 and June 2018. Left ventricular untwisting and diastolic function parameters were measured. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the diagnosis value of untwisting parameters for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients. Results: Compared with control group, left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (58(47, 66)% vs. 67 (62, 71) %, P<0.001), E/e′ was higher (10.78 (7.28, 13.65) vs. 6.30 (5.55, 7.25) , P<0.001), isovolumic relaxation time was longer (73.5 (56.5, 88.0) ms vs. 62.0 (58.0, 68.5) ms, P<0.001),and untwist slope during isovolumic relaxation period (USIR) was lower (31.92 (14.09, 54.92) °/s vs. 59.90 (40.09, 87.18) °/s, P<0.001) in AD group than in control group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed heart rate (OR=0.885, 95%CI 0.840-0.931, P<0.001), E/e′ (OR=0.655, 95%CI 0.537-0.798, P<0.001) and USIR (OR=0.986, 95%CI 0.974-0.998, P=0.020) were independently related with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients. ROC curve showed that area under the curve (AUC) was 0.919 (P<0.001), sensitivity was 87.6%, and specificity was 88.7%, when combining the heart rate, E/e′, and USIR as assessment parameters for the diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients at a cutoff of 0.51. Conclusions Impairment of myocardial untwisting indicates the presence of early stage left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients. USIR may be a sensitive parameter to evaluate early stage left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in AD patients.