Renal transplant (RT) recipients have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.However,the effects of renal transplantation on the development of arteriosclerosis have been controversial.The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and diameter (CD) are important indicators of vascular remodeling and arteriosclerosis.In this study,31 patients with hemodialysis (HD),31 RT recipients and 84 age-and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled.Their CIMT and CD were measured by ultrasonic radiofrequency tracking,and the linear regression models and Z test were used to identify the progression of arteriosclerosis and the risk factors.Compared with HD group,RT group had significantly lower CIMT and CD.CIMT was found to be associated with age,body weight,resistance index and diastolic velocity,while CD was associated significantly with age,body weight,pulsatility index,end diastolic velocity and diastolic blood pressure (DBP),respectively.The correlation curves between CIMT and age showed the slopes of curves were decreased successively in control,RT and HD groups,and the curves between CD and age showed the slopes were decreased in order of RT ＞ control ＞ HD groups.It was concluded that CIMT and CD were significantly correlated with age in RT and moderately with age in HD patients.RT could reduce the progress of arteriosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: With mechanical ventilation widely used in intensive care unit, the ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) has become a common and serious complication in critically ill patients. Compared with adults, the incidence of VAP and the mortality are higher in children in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) because of immune deficiency, severe basic diseases, and increased use of artificial airway or mechanical ventilation. Hence it is of significance to study the epidemiology and changes of antibacterial susceptibility in order to reduce the incidence and mortality of VAP in children. METHODS: From January 2008 to June 2010, 2758 children were treated in PICU of Wuhan Children's Hospital. Among them, 171 received mechanical ventilation over 48 hours in PICU, and 46 developed VAP. The distribution and drug-resistance pattern of the pathogenic bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract aspirations were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 119 pathogenic microbial strains were isolated. Gram-negative bacilli (G-) were the most (65.55％), followed by fungi (21.01％) and gram-positive cocci (G+, 13.45％). Among them, the most common pathogens were Acinetobacter baummannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, candida albicans and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated that the multiple drug-resistances of G- and G+ to antibiotics were serious. Most of G- was sensitive to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, imipenem, meropenem, cefoperazone-sulbactam and piperacillin-tazobactam. The susceptibility of G+ to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid were 100％. Fungi were almost sensitive to all the antifungal agents. The primary pathogens of VAP were G-, and their multiple drug-resistances were serious. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice we should choose the most sensitive drug for VAP according to pathogenic test.

BACKGROUND: With beta-lactam drugs and immunosuppressants widely used, the infection caused byAcinetobacter baumannii (Ab) has become more and more serious with multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAb) emerging and worsening rapidly. Compared with other patients, the incidence and multidrug resistance of MDRAb are higher in children in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) because of immune deficiency, severe basic diseases, prolonged hospitalization and invasive operations. Hence it is significant to study the epidemiology and changes of antibacterial susceptibility in order to reduce the incidence of MDRAb in children. METHODS: A total 115 patients with MDRAb pneumonia and 45 patients with negative MDRAb (NMDRAb) pneumonia who had been treated from January 2009 to August 2011 were studied retrospectively at the PICU of Wuhan Children's Hospital. Clinical data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. RESULTS: In 176 clinical strains ofAcinetobacter baumannii isolated, there were 128 strains of MDRAb, accounting for 72.73％. Drug susceptibility tests showed that the resistance rates of β-lactam antibiotics were more than 70％ except for cefoperazone sulbactam. The rates to carbapenems were higher than 90％. They were significantly higher than those of NMDRAb. Amikacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and minocycline had the lowest drug-resistance rates (<20％). Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that ICU stay, the time of mechanical ventilation, anemia, hypoproteinemia and the use of carbapenems were independent risk factors for MDRAb pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: MDRAb is an important opportunistic pathogen to pneumonia in PICU, and its drug-resistance is severe. It increases significantly the mortality of patients. It is important to take the effective prevention measures for controlling it.

Adult ; Dapsone ; adverse effects ; Drug Eruptions ; Humans ; Male ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo compare of strain of mental workers by characteristics.

METHOD851 participants were sampled with stratified cluster random methods from various kinds of occupations, including teachers in primary and middle schools, doctors, bankers and environmental protection officers. The psychological strain was measured with SCL-90 and General Well-being Schedule (GWB). The physiological strain were assessed by Plasma sugar, TG, HDL, VLDL, LDL, CHOL, cortisol and ACTH level, neurobehavioral reaction function.

RESULTSThe subjects at age of 40-years exhibited the highest scores of SCL-90 significantly among three groups. Likewise, 20-years service group were higher than 10- and under 10 years groups. However females' GWB scores were higher than males'. It tended to be higher in postgraduate and undergraduate teachers than others groups, indicating the greater psychological strain increased, the higher age and service were. Plasma sugar, LDL, TG and CHOL level were compared; Subjects 40- years group were higher than 30- and 20 age groups, as well as senior versus minor. Female teachers were lower than males. Meanwhile single subjects were lower than married. As HDL level, 30-age group were lower decreased than 40-years group; 10-service group were responsible for lower HDL level than 20-years group; Divorced and spouse-lost teachers were higher concentration than single and married. VLDL level in under 10 years service were lower than 10-years group; The senior was the highest level of VLDL among three groups and the minor was the lowest. The tendency was equal to increased professional title; Married and spouse-lost groups were higher than single groups. It had no individual difference in plasma cortisol and ACTH. But reaction sensitivity in 40- and 30-age groups were lower than 20-age group. Likewise, 20- years service teachers had lower reaction and action sensitivity than 10- and under 10 years groups; Senior group was lowest among three groups; However 40- years old group were lower than 20- years group, postgraduate and undergraduate teachers were higher than others groups in muscle endurance. It indicated that reaction and action sensitivity had descent tendency with increased age and service length.

CONCLUSIONPsychological strain is higher with increased age, length of service and education career. The trend is the same as plasma sugar, TG, CHOL, HDL, LDL and VLDL, but neurobehavioral reaction function is decreased. In addition general well-being feeling of females is lower than males.

Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Burnout, Professional ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Sampling Studies ; Stress, Physiological ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of wuling Capsule combined with Pinaverium Bromide in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODSSixty-four IBS patients were randomized into two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 32 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took wuling Capsule (0. 33 g/capsule, 3 times per day) and Pinaverium Bromide (50 mg/tablet, one tablet each time, 3 times per day) , while those in the control group only took Pinaverium Bromide (50 mg/tablet, one tablet each time, 3 times per day). The therapeutic course for all was 6 weeks. IBS symptom score questionnaire, IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) , Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) , and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were assessed before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were also observed.

RESULTSThe improvement of abdominal pain, stool frequency, and stool properties, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The improvement of dysphoria, body image, concerns for health, and dietary restriction of IBS-QOL, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The improvement of SDS and SAS, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). No severe adverse reaction occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONCombination therapy of wuling Capsule and Pinaverium Bromide could improve abdominal pain and defecation, attenuate depression and anxiety of IBS patients with higher safety.

Anxiety ; Anxiety Disorders ; Biomedical Research ; Capsules ; Defecation ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Morpholines ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo analyze the reliability and validity of Instrument zur stre beta bezogenen Tätigkeitsanalyse 6.0 (ISTA 6.0).

METHODS991 participants were sampled with stratified cluster randomly methods from various kinds of occupations, including teachers in primary and middle schools, doctors, bankers and environmental protection officers in order to study the reliability and validity of ISTA 6.0 with inter-item consistency and construct validity.

RESULTSThe Cronbach's alpha coefficient of ISTA 6.0 was over 0.7 with exception of Cooperation closeness (KOP) and Cooperation requirements (KER). Single factor analysis of construct validity of ISTA showed that the first and fifth subitem of Complexity (AK), the fifth subitem of Task control (HS) and Work organization problems (AOP) had lower factor loading (P < 0.05). The multilevel confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit index and factor loading were significantly greater except KER of Regulation possibilities (RR) and Cooperation possibilities (KSP) of Regulation possibilities (RP). The non-normed fit index (NNFI) and Comparative fit index (CFI) were lower than 0.9, possibly because of irrationality of some subitems and lower factor loading of KER and KSP factor. It implied that Chinese edition of ISTA6.0 needed further improvement according to the modification index (MI) and the special knowledge for higher construct validity.

CONCLUSIONISTA 6.0 can measure truthfully occupational stressors. Owing to the difference of culture, economy and custom, some subitems of ISTA 6.0 does not fit in with Chinese situation. Therefore it will be revised further for use in China.

Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; China ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sampling Studies

OBJECTIVENucleic vaccine of pVVP3IL-18HN expressing apoptin gene, Newcastle disease virus HN gene and IL-18 gene were constructed to observe the combinative antitumor effect of the above three genes.

METHODSEukaryotic expression plasmid pVVP3IL-18HN was constructed by inserting apoptin gene and fragment comprising fused IL-18HN gene and IRES promoter into the downstream of CMV promoter of vector pVAX1. The expression of inserted gene was identified by RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence and Western-blot. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into Hep-2 cells by liposome, then suppression rate of Hep-2 of different time and different quantity was calculated according to MTT results.

RESULTThe recombinant plasmid of pVVP3IL-18HN suppressed Hep-2 successfully and its suppression rate was up to 61.9% with 20 microg/ml, incubation of 72 hours.

CONCLUSIONThe nucleic vaccine constructed pVVP3IL-18HN had antitumor effect on Hep-2. It may can be used to the therapy and research of laryngeal carcinoma.

Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; HN Protein ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; genetics ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Newcastle disease virus ; immunology ; Plasmids ; Transfection ; Vaccines, DNA ; biosynthesis

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of monoammonium glycyrrhizinate (MAG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced acute lung injury (ALI) and its anti-inflammatory mechanism in mice. All male ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups: LPS group; control group; MAG 3, 10, and 30 mg x kg(-1) groups; and dexamethasone (DXM) 5 mg x kg(-1) group. Lung dry weight and wet weight percentage and permeability were detected. Neutrophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues was detected by cell count and morphological analysis. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in lung were detected by ELISA. MPO activity was determined followed the specification. MAG induced a decrease in lung wet weight/dry weight ratio, and significantly decreased in total leucocyte number and neutrophil percentage in the BALF, and MPO activity of lung in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, It could up-regulate the IL-10 level and down-regulate the TNF-alpha level in the lung tissue of ALI mice. These results suggested that the protective effect of MAG in mice on LPS induced ALI was associated with the regulation of TNF-alpha/IL-10 balance, and MAG maybe a potentially treatment for ALI/ARDS.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Count ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neutrophils ; pathology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo separate the cell subpopulation with high tumorigenic ability and study the biological characteristics of this subpopulation in laryngeal carcinoma cells.

METHODSHuman laryngeal carcinoma cells were obtained by primary tissue culture technique. CD44 and CD133 molecules were used as markers to isolate the CD44(+), CD133(+), CD44(+)CD133(+) and CD44(+)CD133(-) cell subpopulations from the laryngeal carcinoma cells by flow cytometry. A nude mouse tumor xenograft model was developed for the study of the tumorigenic effects of the different cell populations. 1 x 10(6), 1 x 10(5), 1 x 10(4) and 1 x 10(3) cells were injected into the left flank of the mice, respectively. The mice were observed for palpable tumor formation and were sacrificed at 4 weeks later to assess the tumor formation rate, tumor volume and tumor weight. Boyden chamber migration assay was used to determine the migration ability and immunochemistry was used to detect the expression of stem cell antigen SCA-1 and beta1-integrin. Semi-quantities RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression level of Bmi-1 in the different cell subpopulations.

RESULTSThe growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice showed that a tumor can be generated with 1 x 10(3) CD44(+)CD133(+) cells. When the same dose of 1 x 10(6) CD44(+)CD133(+) cells was injected into the mice, both the average weight and volume of the tumors were significantly higher than those generated from other cell subpopulations. Boyden chamber migration assay showed that the invasion ability of CD44(+)CD133(+) cells was significantly higher than that of other cell subsets. The results of immunochemical analysis showed an abundant expression of stem cell antigen SCA-1 and beta1-integrin in the CD44(+)CD133(+) cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis provided strong evidence that the Bmi-1 expression in CD44(+)CD133(+) and CD133(+) cells was very significantly higher than that in CD44(+), CD44(+)CD133(-) and control cells (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur findings demonstrate that CD44(+)CD133(+) subset cells in laryngeal carcinoma posses some biological characteristics of tumor stem cells, which may be the original cells of laryngeal carcinoma and may become a new target of tumor therapy.

AC133 Antigen ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, Ly ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Integrin beta1 ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peptides ; analysis ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Cells, Cultured