Objective To summarize the causes of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and to analyze the relationship between infectious diseases and FUO,in order to provide envidence for experiential therapy.Methods Clinical data of 374 FUO inpatients at He'nan Provincial People's Hospital from June 1,2009 to May 31,2013,including gender,age,diagnosis and department were analyzed retrospectively.Results Three hundred and twenty-seven cases among the overall 374 FUO patients (87.4％) were eventually etiological diagnosed based on supplementary examinations or diagnostic treatment.As for the causes of fever,209 were infection,accounting for 55.9％,among which 78 cases (20.9％) were diagnosed with tuberculosis,23 cases (6.1％) brucellic diseases,19 cases (5.1％) rickettsia infection.Meanwhile,the noninfectious diseases,such as connective tissue diseases (47,12.6％),hematonosis (37,9.9％) as well as the solid tumors (13,3.5％) also constituted considerable shares of the causes for FUO.However,the causes of 47 cases (12.6％) were not identified before discharge.Conclusions Infectious diseases are the main cause of FUO,in which tuberculosis accounts for the majority.Brucellosis and rickettsia infection also account for a considerable proportion.The causes of most FUO cases could be identified through detailed analysis of clinical data and supplemental examinations.

Objective With awareness, attitudes, and rice-intake behavior of Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) and the analysis of the factors that influence KBD related rice-intake behaviors among resident's in Aba,this research could provide evidences for KBD-Control, and benefit the policy development related to KBD-Control.Methods Villages were chosen by proportional stratified random sampling from KBD monitoring villages among agriculture areas, pastoral areas, and farming & pastoral areas in Aba, Sichuan, in July 2009. Interview questionnaire of household survey, designed by research associates of this project, was used in this research for residents in endemic area of KBD in Aba. The questionnaire covered demographic and socio-economic characteristics, KBD knowledge and diet habits. Multi-level Variance Component Analysis was used to explore factors which would influence the KBD related rice-intake behaviors. Results A total of 1029 permanent residents were recruited in this research, among which the detection rate of KBD was 48.01％ (482/1004). Most of the patients lived in farming & pastoral areas(84.44％, 407/482). Pastoral residents had the least knowledge of KashinBeck disease, and the composition ratios ofGeneral andGood were 15.87％ (33/208)and 3.36％ (7/208),respectively. Still, people who were willing to have rice as staple food were 93.13％(935/1004). It indicated that only (50.40 ± 23.68)％ on average, of research subjects had the life style of rice intake. Ethnic, work status,language situation and attitudes to rice intake were influencing factors for rice-intake behavior. Conclusions The percentage of rice intake in Aba KBD epidemic areas is low. And to prevent KBD, the advocacy actions should be targeted at ethnic, work status, language situation, and attitudes to rice intake.

OBJECTIVETo explore method of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM mineralization protein-1 (LMP-1) in transfecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), and to observe the effect of gene LMP-1 on proliferation effect and expression of BMSC.

METHODSSix clean SD rats aged 4 weeks were selected, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions and cultured to the third generation, then divided into three groups:control group (the third generation of BMSC), lentiviral vector transfection group (PGC-FU-GFP and Polybrene were injected into the third generation of BMSC) and recombinant gene transfection group (PGC-FU-LMP-1-GFP and Polybrene transfection were injected into the third generation of BMSC). After 48 hours' transfection, fluorescent expression were detected under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; lentiviral transfection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry; effect of lentiviral transfection on BMSC were evaluated by MTT; gene expression of transfected cells were determined by Western Blot.

RESULTS1) The third generation of BMSC was cultured successfully,and transfected with MOI:100. After 48 hours, green fluorescent expression were detected and transfection efficiency was 67% under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; 2) Compared to control group, there were no statistical differences between control group and other two groups; 3) Western blot teast showed that 72KDa specific band was observed in recombinant gene transfection group and its size was similar to LMP-1 fusion protein (50 kDa+28 kDa=78 kDa).

CONCLUSIONThere is no effect of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM on BMSC, and can effectively influence the expression of LMP-1.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Osteoporosis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Antimicrobial peptides, a cluster of small peptides secreted by the majority of creatures, have been demonstrated with activity against a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, viruses and even tumor cells. These peptides have some features such as broad spectrum , high effi-cacy and stability, little drug resistance. A lack of new antibiotics combined with emerging multi-drug resis-tance issues demands that new antimicrobial strategies be explored for treating these infections. It has been proposed that the antimicrobial peptides might form the foundation for a new class of clinically useful an-timicrobials. We review the advantages of these molecules in construction features and bioactivity, with the focus on the mechanism and clinical applications.

To investigate the function of ALK3 gene, the gene regulation and the signaling pathway related to ventricular septum defect during heart development. The model mice with ALK3 gene knock-out via alpha-MHC-Cre/lox P system were bred. The mRNA expression level of control group was compared with that of experiment group and ALK3 downstream genes were screened using PCR-select cDNA subtraction microarray. The mRNA of control group was extracted from E11.5 normal mouse hearts, and that of experiment group, from E11.5 hearts of mice with alpha-MHC Cre(+/-) ALK3(F/+) genotype. It was found that the mice with ALK3 gene knock-out produced heart defects involving the interventricular septum. The platelet-activating factors acetylhydrolase and the transcription factor Pax-8 and so on, were down-regulated. However, the Protein Tyrosine Kinase (PTK) of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) subfamily and beta subtype protein 14-3-3 were up-regulated in the alpha-MHC Cre(+/-) ALK3(F/-) mice. These data provide support that ALK3 gene played an important role during heart development. The platelet-activating factors acetylhydrolase and Pax-8 genes could be important ALK3 downstream genes in the BMP signaling pathway during interventricular septum development. PTK and beta subtype protein 14-3-3 might be regulatory factors in this pathway.
1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase ; genetics ; metabolism ; 14-3-3 Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genotype ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; PAX8 Transcription Factor ; Paired Box Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic response under high glucose ( HG) by measuring muscle tension of coronary arterial ring and recording voltage -gated K +channel ( Kv) current of coronary artery smooth muscle cells by whole cell patch clamp .METHODS:The coronary rings from the normal SD rats were acutely isolated , and then divided into 6 groups:(1) control group;(2) HG group;(3) HG+low dose (3 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(4) HG+moderate dose (10 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (5) HG+high dose (30 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(6) HG+C6303 (PKC inhibitor) +high dose of quercetin group.Determinations of coronary artery response to vasoconstrictor (60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619) or vasodilator (Ach at 10 -9 ~10 -5 mol/L) were performed, and the percentage of coronary ring tension was calculated using the contraction as 100%caused by 60 mmol/L KCl.The rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells were acutely isolated for recording the Kv current using whole cell patch clamp .RESULTS:Compared with control group , the contraction amplitudes to 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619 were significantly increased under HG incubation .Quercetin intervention concentration-dependently re-duced the coronary artery contraction amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of querce-tin.Compared with control group , the diastolic amplitude to Ach decreased significantly in HG group , and quercetin inter-vention concentration-dependently increased the coronary artery diastolic amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .Compared with control group , HG incubation inhibited Kv current of coronary ar-tery vascular smooth muscle cells significantly , and quercetin intervention attenuated the inhibitory effect of HG on Kv cur-rent intensity .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .CONCLUSION: Quercetin has a protective effect on myogenic response of coronary artery under HG and the effects is related to the increase in Kv cur -rent and the activation of PKC in vascular smooth muscle cells .

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional needling technique was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Touqiaoyin (GB 11) and Zhigou (TE 6) on the affected side. The treatment was given 5 times each week. Totally, the treatment of 6 weeks was required. In the warming-promoting needling group, on the basic treatment as the conventional acupuncture group, the warming-promoting needling technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). In the medication group, the intravenous drop with salvia injectio and mecobalamin was prescribed, once per day, for 10 days totally. Meanwhile, Erlong Zuoci Wan was prescribed for oral administration, 8 pills each time, three times a day for 30 days continuously.

RESULTSAll of the three therapeutic methods achieved the effect on ISHL. The total effective rate was 89.2% (66/74) in the warming-promoting needling group, which was better than 62.5% (35/56) in the conventional acupuncture group and 53.4% (31/58) in the medication group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe warming-promoting needling techinque achieves the significant efficacy on ISHL. The hearing improvement is superior to that treated with either the conventional needling technique or medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To study the role of Cx43 in inhibi-tion of AngII-induced vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation by farrerol. Methods The primary VSMCs were isolated and cultured by direct adherent culture methods. VSMCs were identified by immunohistochemstry. The cells were divided into the following groups:control group,AngII group,AngII+Farrerol group. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 cell vitality test. The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by the methods of Edu. The cell cycle of VSMCs was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of Cx43 were measured by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of Cx43 were measured by Western blot. Results 60 μmol·L-1farrerol could significantly de-crease the cell viability and EdU rate of VSMCs in-duced by AngII(P<0.05),which could also prevent the transformation of VSMCs from G0/G1phase to S phase. The results of real-time PCR and Western blot showed that,compared with the model group,Farrerol could significantly reduce the mRNA and protein ex-pression level of Cx43(P <0.01). After the interfer-ence of Cx43 by siRNA, the inhibition of proliferation by farrerol decreased significantly. Conclusion Far-rerol inhibits AngII-induced VSMCs proliferation signif-icantly, which might be associated with reducing the expression of Cx43.

BACKGROUNDIn bone marrow transplant patients, the microenvironment in bone marrow is damaged after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Subsequent to allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with clinically successful engraftments, the source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remains controversial. To further verify the stimulatory effect of the simultaneous transplantation of cells from second donors on engraftment success for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in support of donor MSCs engraftments, the aim of this study is to monitor the dynamics of the engraftment of bone marrow-derived MSCs in patients after transplantation with mismatched-sex hematopoietic stem and third-party cells.

METHODSIn this study, the hematopoietic stem cells from 32 clinical donors of different sexes that resulted in successful engraftments were selected for transplantation and were classified into three groups for research purposes: group A consisted of 14 cases of transplantation with bone marrow and recruited peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, group B contained 8 cases of simultaneous re-transfusion of MSCs from the second donor, and group C contained 10 cases of simultaneous re-transfusion of umbilical blood from the second donor. The bone marrow from 32 patients with successful engraftments of hematopoietic transplantation were selected and sub-cultured with MSCs. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to measure the expression of surface antigens on MSCs. Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in combination with polymerase chain reaction amplification of short tandem repeats (STRPCR) was used to measure the engraftment status of fifth-generation MSCs in patients. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed the sex origin of the fifth-generation MSCs in 32 patients. Dynamic examinations were performed on patients receiving donor transplantations.

RESULTSThe progenies of fifth-generation MSCs were successfully cultured in 32 cases. The results of FCM demonstrated that the expression levels of CD14+ and CD45+ cells were lower than 0.04% in the fifth-generation MSCs. The analysis using DHPLC and FISH showed similar results. One patient from group B also received a temporary transplantation of MSCs from the donor. The MSCs in the remaining 31 patients all originated from the patients themselves.

CONCLUSIONSAfter transplantation, the MSCs present in patients originated from the host. In patients transplanted with MSCs from a second donor, the phenomenon of temporary chimerization of MSCs was observed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy, safety and possible mechanism of rhIL-11 in the management of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in acute leukemia.

METHODSThirty-two acute leukemia patients were enrolled in the study. rhIL-11 was given when platelet count dropped below 30 x 10(9)/L after chemotherapy, at 1.5 mg/d, ih, for 7-14 days or withdrawn when the increase of platelet count was more than 50 x 10(9)/L. Serum IL-11 level was determined by ELISA, IL-11R alpha gene expression by RT-PCR. Efficacy and safety data were collected and their correlation with serum IL-11 and IL-11Ralpha expression were analyzed.

RESULTSThe platelet counts on day 7 and 14 after medication were (63.40 +/- 7.24) x 10(9)/L and (98.70 +/- 9.37) x 10(9)/L for 32 patients in IL-11 group [26 complete remission (CR), 2 partial remission (PR), 4 non-remission (NR)] and (42.50 +/- 6.38) x 10(9)/L and (70.30 +/- 7.12) x 10(9)/L for the control group (20 CR, 3 PR, 5 NR). There were 10 patients who received platelet transfusion (16-32 U) in IL-11 group and 19 patients (32-48 U) in control group. Compared with the IL-11 group a delay of platelet recovery was observed in controls (P < 0.05). IL-11 was generally well tolerated. Five experienced transient atrial arrhythmia and relieved after extenuation or withdrawal. The responders' serum IL-11 level of pre-medication was (21.81 +/- 1.88) ng/L, lower than that of non-responders (P < 0.05). IL-11Ralpha level was 0.3552 +/- 0.0224, higher than that of non-responders (P < 0.05). No correlation was observed among serum IL-11, IL-11Ralpha expression, platelet count, and megakaryocyte number.

CONCLUSIONSrhIL-11 can safely accelerate the recovery of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in acute leukemia. The serum IL-11 level and IL-11Ralpha of mononuclear cells might predict the efficacy of rhIL-11.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-11 ; therapeutic use ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy