Objective To investigate the expression levels and the roles of IL-17 and IL-23 in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia. Methods One hundred and three children with pneumonia admitted to pediatric department from February to May in 2012 were divided into MP pneumonia group and non-MP pneumonia group according to the results of MP antibody tests. Meanwhile, 42 healthy children were chosen as normal controls. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-23 and MP antibodies were measured in all children. Immunoglobulin, C reactive protein, total white blood cell count and granulocyte count were detected in children with pneumonia. Results The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were signiifcantly different among three groups (P<0.05). The children in MP pneumonia group had higher levels of IL-17 and IL-23 than those in non-MP pneumonia group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were higher in two pneumonia groups (P<0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in levels of IL-17 and IL-23 between pneumonia patients with normal and with abnormal levels of immunoglobulin (P>0.05), while IL-17 and IL-23 levels were both positively correlated with granulocyte count (P<0.05).Conclusion IL-17 and IL-23 may be involved in the immune response of MP pneumonia and may contribute to the clearance of pathogens.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal in TURP patients. Methods From 2009 to 2011,140 patients received TURP were enrolled in this study.Patients were divided into perfusion group (70 cases with bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal) and control group (70 cases without perfusion). Results Comparing with the control group (33.1 ± 5.4) min,the time waiting for urination was shorter in perfusion group ( 3.7 ± 0.2 ) min ( P ＜0.05 ).The recovering time to normal urination was shorter in perfusion group (7.7 ± 1.2 ) d than in control group (11.7 ± 1.3) d (P ＜ 0.05 ) as well.In the first urine after catheter removal and first urine on the next day morning,white blood cell count of 2 groups (4.5 ± 0.1 ) vs ( 6.9 ± 3.5 ) ; ( 3.7 ± 0.2 ) vs (4.3 ±0.5) had significant differences ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal in TURP patients is simple and effective for the restoration of normal voiding.

Objective To assess the feasibility of using PET molecular imaging to evaluate the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine FuZhiSan (FZS) on the model of aging Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods Twenty aged AD rats (Sparague-Dawley rats,male) were randomly divided into FZS treated group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Another 10 healthy adult rats were as blank controls. Morris water maze record system was used for cognitive function assessment. Before and after FZS treatment 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11 C-2- [4'-(methylamino) phenyl] benzothiazol-6-ol ( PIB )PET imaging was undertaken. After post-treatment imaging procedures the brain tissues of all animals were taken for histochemical study,such as staining with HE,congo red,amyloid β (Aβ) immunofluorescence,5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence and NeuN immunofluorescence. Paired t-test was performed with SPSS 13.0 software for the data analysis. Results The cognitive dysfunction of aging AD rats was improved after FZS treatment. The escape latency in FZS treated group was significantly shorter than that of control group ((32.5 ±10.8) s vs (102.6±8.8) s,t =15.7987,P=0. 0001). Diffuse neuronal loss and Aβ deposition were detected in the hippocampus and cortex in the aged AD rats. The imaging data showed that brain glucose metabolism was amended in FZS treated group while the abatement of amyloid deposition was not significant. Immunofluorescence results indicated that the neuronal proliferation was more remarkable in FZS treated group. Conclusions It may be feasible to use PET imaging as a method to evaluate the therapeutic effect in AD rats. FZS may ameliorate memory dysfunction of aged AD rats. Its mechanism may be partly contributed to the enhancement of the neuronal proliferation and survival.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological features of the index cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in different cities in Guangdong province and to trace for the source of infection.

METHODSStandardized individual case inventory was adopted to conduct investigation on index cases and on persons who had close contact with index cases in Guangdong province. Data on the epidemiological characteristics, secondary cases and the links among index cases were analyzed.

RESULTSBetween November 16, 2002 and April 16, 2003, there had been 13 index cases of SARS including 3 cadres, 3 farmers, 2 retirees, 2 workers and 1 shop attendant, reported from 13 cities in Guangdong province. Between November 2002 and January 2003, there had been 7 cities reported to have identified index cases of SARS with 6 of them being infected in their own cities and 1 imported from Guangzhou city. All of the cases had no close contacts to similar patients but 6 of them later caused 2nd or even 3rd generation cases of SARS. Most cases hit young people (7/13) with a sex ratio of 1:0.6. The fatality rate of index cases was high (4/13).

CONCLUSIONNo evidence showed that there was direct transmission among the index cases. Data regarding the geographical origin of those index cases led to the assumption that the infection had started in six cities of Pearl river delta region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; Female ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; transmission

BACKGROUNDDiffusion weighted imaging (DWI), with the applying of intravoxel incoherent motion model, has showed promising results in obtaining additional information about microperfusion and tubular flow associated with morphologic changes in chronic kidney diseases. The study aims to evaluate the potential of T2-weighted signal intensity (SI) and DWI with mono- and bi-exponential models to reflect the serial changes on cisplatin (CP) induced rat renal fibrosis models.

METHODSMagnetic resonance exams were performed prior to and 2 nd day, 4 th day, 6 th day, 8 th day, 2 nd week, 3 rd week and 4 th week after CP injection at a 3.0T with an animal coil. Besides T2-weighted images (T2WI), DWI of 13 b values from 0 to 1500 s/mm 2 was acquired. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fluid fraction f, pure diffusivity D and pseudodiffusivity DFNx01 values were calculated. The regions of interest were placed on cortex (CO), outer stripe of the outer medulla (OM) and inner stripe of the outer medulla (OM), parameters were measured and compared among different time points. Five rats were scarified at each time point for pathological examination.

RESULTSOM revealed remarkable hyperintense and broadened before it became an obscure thread, while CO demonstrated moderate hyperintense and IM didn't show significant change on T2WI. On all three stripes, ADC values decreased firstly then kept increasing since the 4 th day; f values decreased on all stripes; D values had a tendency to increase with fluctuations but the changes didn't achieve statistical significance; DFNx01 values increased at the 2 nd day then tended to be steady thereafter. Pathological findings revealed tubules epitheliums swelling followed by inflammation cells infiltration, interstitial fibrosis was observed since the 2 nd week.

CONCLUSIONSAll of T2-weighted SI, ADC, and biexponential models parameters vary during fibrotic process; biexponential model is superior to monoexponential model in separating changes of microperfusion together with tubular flow from pure diffusion.

Animals ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Disease Progression ; Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).

METHODTFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.

RESULTTFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of applying sirolimus-eluting stents in emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods In total,220 patients with AMI were enrolled in this study at Shanghai Tongji Hospital, divided into two groups,one with bare-metal stent and the other with sirolimus-eluting stent.Cardiovascular fatality,major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) were observed one and six months after PCI in the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in overall fatality and MACE in the 1~(st) or 6~(th) months after PCI between the two groups.Three cardiogenic deaths occurred in bare-metal stent group with a fatality of 2.8 percent,and five deaths in sirolimus-eluting stent group with a fatality of 4.5 percent in six months after PCI.However,rate of restenosis in those with sirolimus-eluting stents was significantly lower than that of bare-metal stents (6.0 percent vs 16.1 percent,P

king condition before pregnancy were associated with the development of polydactyly and syndactyly.

Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among all women's malignant tumors worldwide.Surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy are three major treatments,while most patients showed adverse effects or complications during or after the treatment,including lymphedema,gastrointestinal reactions and leukopenia,which cause severe impact on patients' recovery and quality of life.Moxibustion has been used and certified to alleviate adverse effects of surgery or chemoradiotherapy for breast cancer.We have summarized literatures in recent years and suggest more systematic research in the future for the underlying mechanism.

OBJECTIVESTo understand the epidemiological characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks in some areas of Guangdong province and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control measures against it.

METHODSStandardized questionnaire was used on individual cases. Data on the epidemiological characteristics as time, place, persons and aggregation status of SARS cases, development of the epidemics, were analyzed with software EPI 6.0.

RESULTSThe incidence of SARS in Guangdong province was 1.72/100,000 with case fatality rate as 3.64%. Most cases of SARS occurred between the last ten days of January and the first ten days of February with the peak (61.88% of the patients) occurred in the first ten days of February. As to the distribution of place, Pearl river delta region-economically developed with great number of mobile population-was heavily affected areas (account for 96.66% of the total patients). The majority of patients were young adults and medical staff seemed to be the most affected subgroup (account for 24.9% of the patients in total). Family and hospital aggregation of patients comprised the another two important characteristics of SARS (account for 37.1% of the total patients).

CONCLUSIONCurrent knowledge on SARS suggested that it was an air-borne infectious disease with human beings served as the source of infection. The incubation period of the disease was from 1 to 12 days with a median of 4 days. Respiratory secretions and close contact contributed to person-to-person transmission. Most cases were distributed in Pearl river delta region, an area famous for its economic development and heavy flow of mobile population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; Disease Outbreaks ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Surveys and Questionnaires