OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using plasma trypsinogen activation peptides (TAP) and serum interleukin-6(IL-6) as early markers for predicting the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis.

METHODSNinety male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into five groups: edema pancreatitis group, treated with retrograde ductal infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate solution; necrosis pancreatitis group, treated with retrograde ductal infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate solution; treatment pancreatitis group, treated with retrograde ductal infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate solution and ulinastatin intravenous infusion half an hour later; control pancreatitis group, treated with 0.9% normal saline retrograde ductal infusion; and sham operation group, treated with sham operation. Rats in each group were equally randomized into three subgroups, which were killed by exsanguination 3, 6, or 24 hours after infusion, and blood specimens were obtained. Serum amylase, plasma TAP, and serum IL-6 were determined. The severity of pancreatitis was scored by two blinded pathologists under microscope.

RESULTSAt 3 and 6 hours after infusion, plasma TAP concentration of necrosis pancreatitis group [(4.798±0.169) and (3.999±0.299)nmol/L, respectively]were significantly higher than those of edema pancreatitis group [(2.416±0.148) and (3.356±0.211)nmol/L, respectively] (P<0.01); at 6 hours after infusion, serum IL-6 level of necrosis pancreatitis group [(1339.51±56.43)pg/ml]was significantly higher than that of edema pancreatitis group [(619.07±42.25)pg/ml] (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn this acute pancreatitis model, the peak levels of plasma TAP and serum IL-6 may appear earlier in rats with severer disease. Serum TAP level may be used as a marker for the accurate early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Oligopeptides ; blood ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo understand the molecular mechanism and find out the responsible genes for liver cancer by exploring the regulation of gene expression during hepatocarcinogenesis in tree shrew induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

METHODSThe tissues from tree shrew of different stages during the pathogenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer tissue, para-cancerous tissues, pre-cancerous liver tissues, liver tissues of the same stage from normal controls and the liver tissues taken before AFB1-treatment were analyzed for gene expression by cDNA array.

RESULTSFour patterns of gene expression were observed during AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. They were: genes up-regulated in HCC tissue and para-cancerous tissue, especially in HCC tissues; genes with similar expressing level in both HCC tissue and para-cancerous tissue, but higher than that in pre-cancerous tissue; genes down-regulated in HCC tissue; genes up-regulated before HCC appeared but down-regulated after HCC appeared.

CONCLUSIONDynamic observation of gene expression will be beneficial to elucidate the mechanisms of AFB1- induced hepatocarcinogenesis and locate the responsible genes.

Aflatoxin B1 ; toxicity ; Animals ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Tupaiidae

OBJECTIVE To observe the efficiency of the method of soothing liver,calming nerves,descending adverse qi and protecting membrane in treating patients with non-erosive reflux gastroesophageal disease(NERD) and its role in reducing the expression of CGRP and SP.METHODS 37 patients were randomly divided into treatment group(20 cases) and control group (1 7 cases).Patients in the control group were treated with omeprazole and domperidone,whereas those in the treatment group were further added with Chinese formula.Questionnaire concerning reflux diseases was used to evaluate the symptoms before and after treatment.Two biopsy samples were taken from the lower esophageal for immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of CGRP and SP.RESULTS ①No evident differences were detected in the two groups when it came to the total scores of questionnaire concerning reflux diseases(P >0.05) before treatment.Both the total symptom scores and the symp-tom scores of burning,chest pain and reflux of gastric contents in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group(P <0.05),with no evident differences being detected in sour taste/bitter taste in the mouth(P >0.05)after treatment. The total curative rate of the treatment group was 75%,which was higher than 47% of the control group(P <0.05).②Im-munohistochemical test showed that the expression of CGRP and substance P in the treatment group after treatment was lower than that before treatment(P <0.05),while no significant changes were noticed in the control group(P >0.05).CONCLU-SION The method of soothing liver,calming nerves,descending adverse qi and protecting membrane combined with western medicine therapy can efficiently relieve the symptoms and enhance curative efficiency in patients with NERD,whose action mechanism might be related to the inhibition of CGRP and substance P expression,so as to decrease esophageal hypersensitivi-ty,protect the esophageal mucosa and increase its barrier function.

OBJECTIVE To explore the biological effects of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy(ESWL) on kidney dam-age as well as the preventive and therapeutic effects of Niaoshi No.2 Formula.METHODS 60 cases with kidney stone who re-ceived ESWL surgery were randomly divided into two groups.Patients in the control group were given the routine treatment including giving large volume of water,resisting infection,removing urinary stone based on body position and dealing with the symptoms,while those in the treatment group were given Niaoshi No.2 Formula from three days before ESWL surgery to the seventh day after the surgery.Changes of urinary NAG,gamma-GT,serum beta2-MG,NAG and CysC were detected before ESWL and 24 h,72 h,and 1 68 h after operation in the two groups.RESULTES The contents of urinary NAG,γ-GT,serumβ2-MG,NAG and CysC obviously increased 24 h after surgery when compared with the situations before(P <0.01);Urinary NAG and serum NAG in the treatment group were evidently lower than those of the control group 24 h and 72 h after ESWL surgery(P < 0.05 ~ 0.01).Ureases of both groups were able to return to normal situation within 1 68 hours after surgery. CONCLUSION ESWL surgery can cause damage to kidney,which is reversible within a certain time and scope.Chinese medi-cine Niaoshi No.2 Formula has swift and good effects on kidney damage in patients after receiving ESWL surgery.

A boy, aged 6 years, attended the hospital due to global developmental delay for 6 years and recurrent fever and convulsions for 5 years. The boy was found to have delayed mental and motor development at the age of 3 months and experienced recurrent fever and convulsions since the age of 1 year, with intermittent canker sores and purulent tonsillitis. During the fever period, blood tests showed elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which returned to normal after the fever subsides. Electroencephalography showed epilepsy, and genetic testing showed compound heterozygous mutations in the GPAA1 gene. The boy was finally diagnosed with glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis deficiency 15 (GPIBD15) and periodic fever. The patient did not respond well to antiepileptic treatment, but showed successful fever control with glucocorticoid therapy. This article reports the first case of GPIBD15 caused by GPAA1 gene mutation in China and summarizes the genetic features, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, which provides a reference for the early diagnosis and treatment of GPIBD15.
Humans ; Male ; Fever ; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols/genetics* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Mutation ; Rare Diseases ; Seizures ; Child

Humans ; Lung ; Pneumoconiosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

INTRODUCTIONAlthough there have been several phylogenetic studies on Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi), only cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene analysis has shown some geographical differentiation between the isolates of different countries.

METHODSPhylogenetic analysis of locally acquired P. knowlesi infections, based on circumsporozoite, small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA), merozoite surface protein 1 and COX1 gene targets, was performed. The results were compared with the published sequences of regional isolates from Malaysia and Thailand.

RESULTSPhylogenetic analysis of the circumsporozoite, SSU rRNA and merozoite surface protein 1 gene sequences for regional P. knowlesi isolates showed no obvious differentiation that could be attributed to their geographical origin. However, COX1 gene analysis showed that it was possible to differentiate between Singapore-acquired P. knowlesi infections and P. knowlesi infections from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.

CONCLUSIONThe ability to differentiate between locally acquired P. knowlesi infections and imported P. knowlesi infections has important utility for the monitoring of P. knowlesi malaria control programmes in Singapore.

Electron Transport Complex IV ; genetics ; Genetic Markers ; Geography ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaysia ; Phylogeny ; Plasmodium knowlesi ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Singapore ; Thailand

Background: and Purpose Various imaging paradigms are used for endovascular treatment (EVT) decision-making and outcome estimation in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aim to compare how these imaging paradigms perform for EVT patient selection and outcome estimation. Methods: Prospective multi-center cohort study of patients with AIS symptoms with multi-phase computed tomography angiography (mCTA) and computed tomography perfusion (CTP) baseline imaging. mCTA-based EVT-eligibility was defined as presence of large vessel occlusion (LVO) and moderate-to-good collaterals on mCTA. CTP-based eligibility was defined as presence of LVO, ischemic core (defined on relative cerebral blood flow, absolute cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume maps) <70 mL, mismatch-ratio >1.8, absolute mismatch >15 mL. EVT-eligibility and adjusted rates of good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) based on these imaging paradigms were compared. Results: Of 289/464 patients with LVO, 263 (91%) were EVT-eligible by mCTA-criteria versus 63 (22%), 19 (7%) and 103 (36%) by rCBF, aCBF, and CBV-CTP-criteria. CTP and mCTA-criteria were discordant in 40% to 53%. Estimated outcomes were best in patients who met both mCTA and CTP eligibility-criteria and were treated with EVT (62% to 87% good outcome). Patients eligible for EVT by mCTA-criteria and not by CTP-criteria receiving EVT achieved good outcome rates of 53% to 57%. Few patients met CTP-criteria and not mCTA-criteria for EVT. Conclusions Simpler imaging selection criteria that rely on little else than detection of the occluded blood vessel may be more sensitive and less specific, thus resulting in more patients being offered EVT and arguably benefiting from it.

Background: and Purpose Various imaging paradigms are used for endovascular treatment (EVT) decision-making and outcome estimation in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aim to compare how these imaging paradigms perform for EVT patient selection and outcome estimation. Methods: Prospective multi-center cohort study of patients with AIS symptoms with multi-phase computed tomography angiography (mCTA) and computed tomography perfusion (CTP) baseline imaging. mCTA-based EVT-eligibility was defined as presence of large vessel occlusion (LVO) and moderate-to-good collaterals on mCTA. CTP-based eligibility was defined as presence of LVO, ischemic core (defined on relative cerebral blood flow, absolute cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume maps) <70 mL, mismatch-ratio >1.8, absolute mismatch >15 mL. EVT-eligibility and adjusted rates of good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) based on these imaging paradigms were compared. Results: Of 289/464 patients with LVO, 263 (91%) were EVT-eligible by mCTA-criteria versus 63 (22%), 19 (7%) and 103 (36%) by rCBF, aCBF, and CBV-CTP-criteria. CTP and mCTA-criteria were discordant in 40% to 53%. Estimated outcomes were best in patients who met both mCTA and CTP eligibility-criteria and were treated with EVT (62% to 87% good outcome). Patients eligible for EVT by mCTA-criteria and not by CTP-criteria receiving EVT achieved good outcome rates of 53% to 57%. Few patients met CTP-criteria and not mCTA-criteria for EVT. Conclusions Simpler imaging selection criteria that rely on little else than detection of the occluded blood vessel may be more sensitive and less specific, thus resulting in more patients being offered EVT and arguably benefiting from it.

BACKGROUND: The importance of identifying osteoporotic vertebral endplate or/and cortex fracture (ECF), which primarily includes endplate fracture (EPF) and vertebral anterior cortex buckling, has been recognized. However, some old traumatic ECFs with healing process in the elderly may be mistaken as osteoporotic. This study analyzes the radiological features of traumatic EPF. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 194 spine trauma patients with 263 vertebral fractures (mean age: 42.11 ± 9.82 years, 118 males and 76 females). All patients had traumatic EPF identified by X-ray/CT/MRI. RESULTS: The involved vertebra was mostly L1 (29.7%), followed by T12 and L2. Except EPFs involved both superior and inferior endplates (12.6%), only 1.9% involved inferior endplate alone, with the majority involved superior endplate. If each endplate was divided into five segments of equal lengths (from anterior to posterior: a1, a2, m, p2, p1), the most depressed point of superior EPFs was mostly at segment-a2 (approximately 45%), followed by segment-a1 (approximately 20%) or segment-m (approximately 20%), and very rarely at segment-p1. The upper 1/3 of anterior vertebral wall was more likely to fracture, followed by middle 1/3 of anterior wall. For posterior vertebral wall fracture, 68.5% broke the bony wall surrounding the basivertebral vain. 58.6%, 30.0%, and 11.4% of vertebral fractures had <1/5, 1/5-1/3, and >1/3 vertebral body height loss. As the extent of vertebral height loss increased, the chance of having both superior and inferior EPFs also increased; however, the chance of having inferior EPF alone did not increase. CONCLUSION Traumatic EPF features are characterized, which may help the differentiation of traumatic and osteoporotic EPFs.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Thoracic Vertebrae