OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among serum leptin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidema in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSEighty-two patients with NAFLD were divided into mild, moderate and severe NAFLD groups according histological examination results of the liver. Twenty healthy volunteers were chosen as the normal control (NC) group. Fasting insulin, glucose, leptin and lipid levels were measured in the 82 patients with NAFLD and the BMI calculated. IR index of the patients was calculated according to the HOMA method.

RESULTSLeptin, HOMA-IR index, BMI and dyslipidemia showed significant differences between NAFLD and NC groups (P<0.05 or 0.01). Leptin and HOMA-IR index increased with the exacerbation of NAFLD, both of which were positively correlated with the severity of NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONIncreased leptin level, HOMA-IR, BMI and dyslipidemia can be important risk factors of NAFLD, and serum leptin level and HOMA-IR are positively correlated with the severity of NAFLD.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Dyslipidemias ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the patients younger than 18 years old infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant, and to provide a basis for determining the chest CT changes and efficacy of COVID-19 caused by Omicron virus variant in patients younger than 18 years old. Methods　The clinical and imaging data of 30 cases of patients younger than 18 years old infected with COVID-19 Omicron variant, who admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen from February 11 to March 26, 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations, imaging features and dynamic changes of lesions were summarized. Results A total of 41 intrapulmonary lesions in 30 patients with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The main manifestations were patchy or nodular ground-glass opacities and/or consolidation, with focal subpleural distribution, lesions mainly occur in the right lung (70.73%, 29/41). There were 42 lesion morphologies, with 22 (52.38%) striped shadows and 16 (38.10%) nodular shadows, with small lamellar and patchy shadows predominating. There were 36 lesion density variations, with ground glass shadows being the most common, with a total of 24 ground glass shadows (66.66%) in each lobe of the lung, and also 6 consolidation lesions (16.67%) and 6 mixed ground glass opacity and consolidation lesions (16.67%). With the progression of the disease, lesions gradually enlarged, appeared on the 2nd day (312.93 mm3), peaked on the 9th day (1 837.18 mm3). The average absorption time of the lesions was (16±3) days, and there was no significant difference between the absorption time of patchy and nodular lesions (ground glass and/or consolidation) (t=0.853, P>0.05). The lesions showed focal ground-glass opacity in the early stage, 77.78% lesions were absorbed after treatment in the late stage. Inflammatory nodules were absorbed slowly (9-19 days), without residual fibrotic changes. Conclusions　The imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in patients younger than 18 years old infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant have certain characteristics, showed patchy or nodular ground glass opacities and/or consolidation, mainly distributed in the subpleural area, with small and few lesions and slow change, didn't remain fibrosis. Being familiar with its clinical and imaging manifestations can assist in early diagnosis, but confirming the diagnosis requires a combination of epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and radiological manifestations.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the alteration of nestin intervals in the experimental traumatic brain injury and investigate its relation to the injury intervals. METHODS: The rat brain contusion was conducted by falling impact injury. After various survival interval (0.5, 6, 12 h and 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 d), immunohistochemical SP method was used for observing the expression of nestin in the cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus and the corpus callosum on injury side. RESULTS: Expression of nestin positive cells increased at 0.5 h and reached the maximum level in 7 d after brain contusion, then the expression decreased gradually. The intensity of nestin staining in the the cortex and the hippocampal dentate gyrus decreased to normal on 28 d. As to the corpus callosum of injury side it remained weak on 28 d. CONCLUSION The changes of nestin immunohistochemical staining can be used as an index for forensic estimation of early injury time.
Animals ; Brain/metabolism* ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intermediate Filament Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Nestin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of airway inflammation and recurrent wheezing induced by recurrent respiratory virus infection after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

METHODSSixty-four female BALB/c mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: control, RSV, Poly(I:C), and RSV+Poly(I:C) (n=16 each). The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected on the 3rd day after Poly(I:C) administration, and the total cell number and differential counts in BALF were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pulmonary pathological changes. The airway responsiveness was detected. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-13 (IL-13), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in BALF.

RESULTSCompared with the other three groups, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group had significant increases in the total number of inflammatory infiltrating cells in the airway, airway responsiveness, and MMP-9 level in BALF (P<0.05). The RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed more severe pulmonary tissue injuries compared with the control and RSV groups (P<0.01). Compared with the RSV group, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed significant reductions in the levels of IL-4 and TIMP-1 in BALF (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSViral re-infection in the late stage of RSV infection may cause an imbalance of MMP-9/TIMP-1 expression and thus contribute to aggravated airway inflammation.

Animals ; Asthma ; etiology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Female ; Lung ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; complications ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo survey the dose of glucocorticosteroids administered in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and assess the effect of glucocorticosteroid doses in improving the patients' lung function.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 225 SARS patients treated in our in 2003. Oxygenation index was used as the effectness index, and the criteria for effectiveness was defiend as increase of the value of OI by 20% or above.

RESULTSGlococoticostecoids were used in 59.56% of the SARS cases. The average value of OI before intravenous use of glucocorticosteroids was 237.08 mmHg, and that after the administration was 335.08 mmHg. The glucocorticosteroid doses that produce better effects were 1-3 mg/kg and 160-240 mg daily, with the total accumulative dose of 1000-2000 mg. The optimal duration of glucocorticosteroid use was 8-14 days.

CONCLUSIONSFor SARS treatment, Glucocorticosteroids can effectively ameliorate the SARS patients' lung symptoms and improve the lung function. The appropriate daily dose of glucocorticosteroids is 1-3 mg/kg or 160-240 mg/d for a duration of 8-14 d; the accumulative dose should be controlled around 1500 mg.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To identify the promoter of human nicastrin (NCT) gene, a major component of gamma-secretase which is closely related with pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Promoter of human Alzheimer's disease related gene, nicastrin, a 1768 bp fragment was firstly isolated from human genomic DNA by PCR. This fragment's 3 flanking end was 4 bp upstream to the start codon ATG (+1) of the gene. This fragment was used as template, a series of deleted fragments were amplified and constructed to the pGL3-Enhancer plasmid with the artificial designed linkers. The relative activity of their promoter in Hela cells was studied by dual-luciferase assay. RESULTS: The 420 bp fragment showed the strongest activity, and the 237 bp fragment was the minimal fragment in length with activity. CONCLUSION The promoter of NCT is located at -432/-133 region upstream the translational start codon, while its basal promoter is between -359/-90 that drives the transcription of reporter gene in Hela cells.
Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

Aim To explore he preventive and therapeutic effects of Tongbu-fangchan prescription on aceylcholine-calcium chloride (Ach-CaCl

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of blood pressure and serum lipids, and examine the relationship between hypertension and hyperlipidemia in Hei Yi Zhuang Chinese living in Guangxi.

METHODSA total of 1056 people of Hei Yi Zhuang ethnicity were studied. Blood pressure, body height, body weight, and serum levels of lipids and apolipoprotein were measured. The data were compared with those in 925 people of Han ethnicity, who live in the same region.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension and hypertension was also significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (Apo) B, and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia were significantly lower in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the Apo A1 to Apo B ratio were significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hypertension in Hei Yi Zhuang Chinese was positively associated with triglycerides (r = 0.425, P < 0.05), whereas the prevalence of hypertension in Han Chinese was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.623, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe present study revealed a significant difference in blood pressure and serum lipids between Hei Yi Zhuang and Han ethnic groups, and an association between hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; Blood Pressure ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Sampling Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo compare the sensitivity of mammogram and breast dedicated MRI in detecting ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvaion (DCIS-MI) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions, and to further investigate the independent predictive factors of mammogram and MRI sensitivity.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to November 2011, 122 consecutive confirmed breast cancer patients who had received operations were recruited for this clinical research. These patients were divided into two groups including DCIS (72 cases) and DCIS-MI (50 cases) based on pathologic reports. All the patients were female, with mean ages of 52.6 years and 54.4 years. Preoperative bilateral breast mammogram, breast dedicated MRI depictions and reports as well as histopathological reports were collected.

RESULTSSensitivity of MRI outstood mammogram in each subgroups: 84.7% vs. 42.4% in DCIS (χ(2) = 27.028, P = 0.000), 94.0% vs. 80.0% in DCIS-MI group (χ(2) = 4.540, P = 0.040). And further analysis showed that MRI was more sensitive to high nuclear grade DCIS and DCIS-MI lesions than low nuclear grade ones (OR = 3.471, P = 0.031).

RESULTSof logistic regression analysis proved microcalcification was an independent predictive factor of mammogram sensitivity (OR = 11.287, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSSensitivity of breast dedicated MRI is superior to mammogram in detecting DCIS and DCIS-MI groups. Lesions with microcalcifiation is an independent predictive marker which meant that mammogram would achieve high detection rate in cancers presented calcification on mammogram image when compared with non-calcification. Diagnostic performance of breast MRI is less affected by clinical and pathological characteristics of the early stage breast cancer patients but further increased detection rate is observed in DCIS and DCIS-MI with high nuclear grade lesions which indicated that MRI could detect more early stage cancers with relative more aggression biological behaviour and provide these patients with early surgical interventions before possible progression to invasive breast cancers.

Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Calcinosis ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Gout is the second largest metabolic disease in China， which can cause joint tissue damage and a variety of chronic diseases， and seriously affect human life and health. The increase in uric acid caused by disorder of purine metabolism or abnormal uric acid excretion is the biochemical basis of its pathogenesis. Western medical treatment mainly uses anti-inflammatory drugs such as colchicine， non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs， and uric acid lowering drugs such as febuxostat and benzbromarone， which have obvious effects， but there are problems such as easy to recurrence after drug withdrawal and more adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history in the treatment of gout， and has the advantages of multi-channel， multi-target， and multi-level symptomatic treatment. It exerts therapeutic effects through lowering uric acid， anti-inflammatory， anti-oxidation， and protecting the kidneys. Its curative effect is obvious and the adverse reaction rate is low. In recent years， there have been many studies on the mechanism of TCM for gout animal models. Based on the review of relevant literature in recent years， this article has systematically sorted out the pathogenesis of gout， the mechanism of TCM for gout and related experimental design. The paper summarized and analyzed the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of gout from the aspects of regulating the level of inflammatory factors， inhibiting oxidation reaction， reducing uric acid and regulating signaling pathway， so as to provide reference for the research and development of drugs for gout.