Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety as well as the effects of rituximab on B-lymphocytes and anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies,in patients with steroid-resistant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP).Methods Twelve steroid-resistant ITP patients,16 to 54 years old,received intravenous rituximab at the dose of 375 mg/m2 once-weekly for 4 weeks.Lab studies included CBC,serum concentrations of IgG,IgM and IgA.CD+3,CD+4,CD+8,CD+19,CD+20 cell numbers were assayed by flow cytometry and anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies(GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a,GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ)were assayed by monoclonal antibody-specific immobilisation of platelet antigens prior to and following rituximab therapy.Results A complete response(platelet counts ≥100×109/L)was observed in 4 cases,a partial response (platelet counts between 50 and 100×109/L)in 3 cases,a minor response(platelet counts between 30 and 50×109/L)in 2 cases,and non response(platelet counts＜30×109/L)in 3 cases.Responses were sustained 0.5 to 12 months(median 5 months).After 4 weeks of rituximab therapy,anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies(GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a,GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ)disappeared except one NR patient and CD+19/CD+20 cells were almost depleted in all patients(295.0±86.4)×106/L vs(4.1±2.2)×106/L(P＜0.01).As expected,the T cell counts,and the serum concentrations of IgG,IgM and IgA were not changed after therapy.No severe side effects were observed.Conclusion Rituximab may be an effective and safe treatment for adults with steroid-resistant ITP.

Referring to the rules for agricultural seed testing (GB /T 3543-1995) issued by China, the test of sampling, seed purity, weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture, seed viability and germination rate had been studied for screening seed quality test methods of Pesudostellaria heterophylla. The seed quality from different collection areas was measured. The results showed that at least 6.5 g seeds should be sampled and passed through 10-mesh sieve for purity analysis. The weight of 1 000 seeds was determined by using the 500-seed method. The phenotypic observation and size measurement were used for authenticity testing. The seed moisture was determined under the higher temperature (130 ± 2) degrees C for 5 hours. The seeds were dipped into 0.2% TTC sustaining 1 hour at 40 degrees C, then the viability could be determined. The break dormancy seeds were cultured on sand at 10 degrees C. K cluster analysis was applied for the data analysis, the seed quality from different collection areas grading of P. Heterophylla was described as three grades. The seed quality of each grade should reach following requirements: for first grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 86%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.59 g, purity ≥ 87%, moisture ≤ 13.1%; for second grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 70%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.40 g, purity ≥ 77%, moisture ≤ 14.3%; for third grade seeds, germination rate ≥ 41%, 1 000-grain weight ≥ 2.29 g, purity ≥ 76%, moisture ≤ 15.8%. The seed testing methods for quality items of P. heterophylla had been initially established, as well as the primary P. heterophylla seed quality classification standard.
Caryophyllaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Germination ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Water ; analysis

Objective Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides a treatment for patients with acute heart-lung failure. However, as an invasive procedure, it associated with high incidence of complications. It is important to a-vert and reduce the complications for improving the success rate in critically ill patients. We investigate the complications associated with ECMO after cardiac surgery and their management. Methods Clinical data from 117 postoperative patients[32 male, mean age (48.7 ± 16.5) years]supported with ECMO in the cardiovascular intensive care unit( ICU) from March 2005 to June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. The cardiac operations they had undergone included coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 20), coronary artery bypass grafting and remodeling of left ventricle(n =9), coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular operation(n =5), repair of ventricular septal perforation following acute myocardial infarction(n =2), valvular operation( n = 46), heart/lung transplantation (n = 20/1), correction of congenital heart defects ( n = 10), and aortic operations ( n = 4). Venoarterial bypass was established in 110 patients by cannulation of the right atrium and femoral artery, and that of the right atrium and ascending aorta in 5 cases. Left atrial drainage to ECMO was added in 2 cases. Venovenous bypass was established in 2 patients with hypoxemia following cardiac surgery. Heparin was infused for maintaining the activated coagulation time (ACT) at 160 to 200 seconds for centrifugal pump(114 cases),and 200 to 250 seconds for roller pump(3 cases) to avoid thrombotic events until decannulation was achieved. Results The mean ECMO duration was 61 hours (range 3 to 225 hours). 48(41.0% ) patients died, 18 of them died of complications after weaning from circulatory assistant successfully. Complications occurred in 74 (63.2% ) patients included reoperation for hemostasis (n = 24), renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (n =29), nosocomial infections ( n = 32) , ischemia in the extremities(n = 5), plasma leakage of oxygenators ( n = 29), gastroenteral hemorrhage ( n = 14), hemolysis ( n = 7 ), neurological complications ( n = 4) and centrifugal pump failure (n =1). Conclusion Bleeding is an early complication associated with ECMO support. The risk of nosocomial infection, renal failure and plasma leakage of oxygenators increases with the duration of ECMO support.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue decoction(the function of decoction is to tonify Qi,nourish Yin and enhance blood circulation)on salivary gland response attribute to radiotherapy.Methods This study,carried between January 2005 and December 2005,focused on the effect of Chinese herbs on salivary gland response attribute to radiotherapy.In the treatment group,30 cases took Chinese herbs during the duration of radiotherapy,while in the control group 30 cases were given routine therapy.Results Both groups had finished the radiotherapy,however,in the control group,there were 5 cas- es with a break for 1～2 weeks.For the comparison of the salivary gland change in acute stage,there was no variance(x~2=2.387,P=0.122);the latency for the salivary gland change in treatment group was longer than that in control group(x~2=13.106,P=0.000).For the comparison of Karnofsky after radiotherapy,the KS was superior in the treatment group than that in control group(x~2=12.685,P=0.013);For the comparison of objective effect after radiotherapy,the remission rate in treatment group was 90 %,and it was 86.7 % in control group(x~2=0.638,P=0.727).Conclusion The decoction can remit the salivary gland response caused by radiotherapy in clinic,prolong the latency for acute radioactive response;release the pain of the pa- tients,increase the achievement ratio for radiotherapy,and improve the patients'living condition.To combine with radiotherapy,Chinese herbs is a good supplemental therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To study histone acetylation patterns in peripheral boiood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from type 2 diabetic patients PBMC form 12type 2 diabetic patients and 12 healthy contrcl subiects were collecyed The global histone H3/H4 acetylation was determined by assay kit The differetial expression of the histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases were measured by real time PCR.Results increased H3/H4 acetylation was observed in PBMC of type 2 diabetic patients compared with control subjects (H3:0.134±0.035vs0.181±0.032,p<0.05;H4:0.266±0.070VS0.324±0.062,P<0.01).the mRNA levels of p300,CREBBP,HDAC2,HDAC7,and STRTL in patients PBMC compared with healthy control subieects were 3.11±0.38,2.78±0.45,3.55±0.30,0.77±0.37 and 0.40±0.25 folds respectively conclusion histone acetylation appears abnormal in PBMC of type 2 diabetic patients.

In this paper, five different methods were carried out for DNA extraction directly from soil. The result shows that all five methods could generate DNA with more than 15 kb in size. They were subsequently used as templates for PCR amplification with success, using primers of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and Shiva-1 gene encoding an antibacterial peptide. However, method 5 is more suitable for DNA extraction directly from a small amount of soil sample as it produced a good yield of DNA in high integrity with reliable reproducibility.

Actins ; metabolism ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Myofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Stomach ; chemistry ; pathology ; surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

We designed a locator for puncture under CT examination.Thirty-three patients of both sexesaged 16-76 yr weighing 46-80 kg undergoing bilateral thoracic or lumber sympathetic nerve block under CT examination were enrolled in this study.One side was punctured under the guidance of the locator,while the other side was punctured by conventional technique.The time consumed during puncture,CT scan adjusting time,the deviation of the needle from the targets and the incidence of puncture complications were recorded.The results showed that compared with the conventional technique,with the locator the time consumed during puncture was significantly shorter,the number of attempts and the deviation of the needle from the target were significantly reduced.The procedure was successfully performed on both side in all patients without serious complications such as hemothorax and pneumothorax.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs12979860 and rs8099917 in IL28B gene and the response to interferon treatment in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 82 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving interferon treatment, including 38 with favorable response to the treatment and 44 without response. IL28B gene was amplified from the chromosomal DNA, and rs8099917 SNP was genotyped based on PCR-RLFP and rs12979860 SNP by sequencing.

RESULTSIn the responsive patients, the distribution frequencies of TT and TG+GG genotypes and allele G in SNPrs8099917 were 81.6% (31/38), 18.4% (7/38), and 9.2% (7/76), as compared to the frequencies of 97.7% (43/44), 2.3% (1/44), and 1.1% (1/88) in nonresponsive patients, respectively. The frequencies showed significant differences between the responsive and nonresponsive patients (P=0.014 for genotypes and P=0.025 for allele G). The distribution frequencies of CT genotypes and allele T in SNPrs12979860 showed no differences between the responsive and nonresponsive patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONrs8099917 SNP is probably associated with the response to interferon treatment in HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B, and Allele G may be predictive of the treatment success.

Adult ; Alleles ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

A simple and sensitive Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) method was established to provide a new alternative for clinical diagnosis of Avian influenza A H5N1 virus. The method employed a set of six specially designed primers that recognized eight distinct sequences of the target for amplification of nucleic acid under isothermal conditions. In current study, fifty-one experimentally infected animal specimens and viral cultures that had been tested were analyzed by RT-LAMP for NA gene and HA gene, respectively. The amplification process of LAMP was monitored in real-time by the addition of SYBR Green dye. Meanwhile, the result showed high correlation between nested PCR and RT-LAMP. The specificity of the RT-LAMP assay was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing of the amplified product. When the sensitivity of this assay was tested by serial 10-fold dilutions of RNA molecules from specimens, it was found that the RT-LAMP method achieved theoretically a sensitivity of 10 RNA molecules. Thus, we concluded that the RT-LAMP assay has potential usefulness for rapid detection of the Avian influenza A H5N1 virus.
Animals ; Birds ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; diagnosis ; virology ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity