Objective To investigate the efficacy of initial polytherapy in the patients with newly diagnosed infantile spasm by evaluating the ambulatory electronecephalogram (EEG) profiles and serum neuron specific enolase ( NSE ) level.Methods Data from 108 cases of newly diagnosed infantile spasm from Sep.2007 to Nov.2010 in the Department of Pediatrics,the First Hospital of Jilin University,were respectively analyzed for the EEG profiles and serum NSE level.The patients were treated with multiple drugs.Results ( 1 )After treatment,EEG showed normal shape in 56 cases ( 62.2％ ),sporadic sharp and slow waves without hypsarrhythmia in 32 cases( 35.6％ ),and hypsarrhythmia in 2 cases (2.2％).The overall effective rate was 97.8％.(2) Serum NSE in 35 seizure-free cases were examined at the time points of hospital admission,48 hours and one month after seizure cessation,respectively.NSE level was significantly decreased at 48 hours after seizure control than that at hospital admission ( t =6.54,P ＜ 0.05 ) ; NSE at one month after seizure free was further decreased compared with that at admission point ( t =9.29,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Polytherapy for infantile spasms can ameliorate the abnormal EEGs.NSE level is decreased after seizure cessation.Intelligence is improved 6 months after seizure free and polytherapy may improve the prognosis of the children with infantile spasms.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)/MyD88/NF-KB signaling pathway is an important pathway in the body's inflammatory system. It is widely distributed in various tissue cells and participates in the regulation and regulation of various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases, allergic diseases, etc. The TLR is a transmembrane protein that recognizes multiple types of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (such as lipopolysaccharide, sodium urate crystals, viral double-stranded RNA, etc.), causing an inflammatory immune response in body, and all TLRs are activated. The MyD88-dependent pathway thereby activates NF-κB, which ultimately leads to the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines and acts as an anti-inflammatory immune regulator. At present, the research on TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is more in-depth, and has witnessed more progress. This article starts with the mechanism of action of TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in body and reviews its regulation in different diseases.

The effect of magnetic Fe3O4 particles on cellulase in the enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower seed hull was studied in different adding ways and additive amount. In the process of enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower seed hull, the variations of cellulase activity, reducing sugar concentration and cellulose conversion were evaluated. After the reaction, the analysis of pH and surface tension of hydrolysate were also used to determine the mechanisms of cellulase by the magnetic effect. The results indicated that after adding magnetic Fe3O4, the cellulase activity, reducing sugar concentration and conversion of cellulose had an increased between the 0.5 g/L and 2.0 g/L cases after 48 h. When the additive amount of magnetic Fe3O4 was 2 g/L, the cellulase activity at 60 h was improved significantly by 25.9%. It was found that the concentration of reducing sugar was increased from 6.950 mg/mL to 8.775 mg/mL with magnetic Fe3O4 1.5 g/L. Simultaneously, compared with the blank, which the conversion of cellulose was 47.932%, the maximum celluloseconversion of samples with adding magnetic Fe3O4 was 60.531%. Besides, the stability of cellulase activity adding in times was better than in one time. After the reaction, the final surface tension of hydrolysate with 1.5 g/L magnetic Fe3O4 was the lowest in comparison with the blank. However, no significant differences were observed in the final pH of the hydrolysate.

OBJECTIVESTo further assess the clinical antifibrotic efficacy of Cpd 861 on chronic hepatitis B related fibrosis and early cirrhosis using a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled clinical trial.

METHODSTotal 136 patients with HBV-related fibrosis and early cirrhosis were allocated randomly into Cpd 861 treatment group and placebo group for 24 weeks treatment. Serum fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid (HA), IV collagen (IV-C), amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP), and laminin (LN) and serum MMP1, 2, 9, TIMP1, 2 level were determined before and after 24 weeks treatment. Liver biopsies before and after 24 weeks of treatment were assessed according to modified Scheuer and Chevallier's scoring system.

RESULTSTotal 52 patients in Cpd 861 treatment group and 50 patients in placebo-controlled group completed the 6 months. ALT level decreased from 68.2 U/L+/-68.6 U/L to 45.9 U/L+/-26.1 U/L, AST level decreased from 60.4 U/L+/-62.6 U/L to 46.7 U/L+/-39.0 U/L (P < 0.05) after 24 weeks treatment, whereas there was no significant change in placebo group (ALT: 65.3 U/L+/-48.3 U/L to 85.4 U/L+/-115.5 U/L; AST: 60.4 U/L+/-44.6 U/L to 77.6 U/L+/-89.6 U/L, P > 0.05). Serum fibrosis markers, including HA, IV-C, PIIIP, and LN were decreased after treatment, but there is no statistically significant compared with placebo group. Compared with placebo group, serum TIMP1 and MMP9 level decreased significantly (TIMP1 172.0 ng/ml+/-79.6 ng/ml vs 133.5 ng/ml+/-66.8 ng/ml; MMP9 116.1 ng/ml+/-88.2 ng/ml vs 80.4 ng/ml+/-79.0 ng/ml), and the ratio of TIMP1/MMP1 (48.3+/-96.3 vs 19.9+/-28.0) were also decreased after 861 treatment. In patients treated with Cpd 861, hepatic inflammatory score (from 14.0+/-6.0 to 10.2+/-6.1), fibrosis score (from 11.9+/-6.5 to 8.2+/-4.5), and relative content of collagen (from 18.9%+/-9.5% to 14.9%+/-8.4%) decreased significantly. In contrast, there was no significant change in placebo group. The reversal (fibrosis score decrease > or = 2) rate of fibrosis in Cpd 861 group was 38.9% in S2, 53.3% in S3 (precirrhotic) and 78.6% in S4 (cirrhosis), significantly higher than those in placebo group (14.3%, 25.0%, and 41.7%, respectively). The overall reversal rate was 52.0% in Cpd 861 group, and 20.0% in placebo group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse effects were observed during Cpd 861 treatment.

CONCLUSIONLiver fibrosis and early cirrhosis due to HBV infection in man could be definitely reversed by herbal remedy Cpd 861.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of serum metalloproteinase with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation.

METHODSA total of 88 patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis were enrolled from six hospitals. Serum fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid (HA), IV collagen (IV-C), aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP), laminin (LN), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1, 2, 9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1, 2 levels were determined. Liver biopsies were assessed according to a modified Scheuer and Chevallier's scoring system.

RESULTSSerum TIMP1 (r=0.540) and MMP2 (r=0.314) were correlated positively with the degree of hepatic fibrosis, whereas serum MMP1 (r=-0.495) was correlated negatively. By receiver operating curve analysis (ROC), the sensitivity to distinguish the fibrosis stage 2 from stage 1 was 90.5% and the specificity was 52.0% if the cut-off value of MMP1 was 13.96 ng/ml, and the sensitivity was 91.6% and the specificity was 64.0% if the cut-off value of TIMP1 was 76.84 ng/ml. The sensitivity to distinguish cirrhosis (stage 4) from fibrosis (stage 3) was 70.7% and specificity was 80.9% if the cut-off value of MMP1 was 6.86 ng/ml, and the sensitivity was 60.5% and the specificity was 92.3% if the cut-off value of TIMP1 was 210.04 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONSerum TIMP1, MMP1, MMP2 levels and TIMP1/MMP1 ratio could be used as serum fibrosis markers.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; blood ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood

The HPLC method was established to simultaneously determine the contents of myricetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol in Wikstroemia indica ( L. ) C. A. Mey. The method was carried out on a Diamonsil C18 column (4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm) eluted with the mobile phases of water containing 0.15% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in gradient mode. The UV detection wavelength was 365 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL · min(-1) and the column temperature was set at 30 °C. All the standard compounds showed a good linearity in the range of 0.100 8-1.008 (r = 0.999 2), 0.484 8-4.848 (r = 0.999 0) , 1. 354-13. 54 (r = 0.999 6), 0.316 8-3.168 mg · L(-1) (r = 0.999 0) for myricetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol, respectively. The average recoveries of these four flavonoids were 98.5%, 100.9%, 99.7% and 98.9% with RSD 1.2%, 1.7%, 0.81% and 1.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the method is simple, rapid and accurate. It can be applied for the quality control of Wikstroemia indica.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Wikstroemia ; chemistry

Objective To analyze the outcomes of adjustable and set-pressure valves in the management of communicating hydrocephalus in children. Methods A retrospective study reviewing the medical records of 66 children with communicating hydrocephalus who received ventriculoperitoneal shunt at our center from January 2003 to December 2009 was performed. All the patients were divided into 2 groups: Codman Hakim adjustable valve group (n=27) and Medtronic set-pressure valve group (n=39). Rate of appearing complication and shunt survival time were analyzed between the 2 groups.Results The rate of shunt infection, proximal or distal obstruction, subdural hematoma and subdural hygroma showed no statistical significance between patients of the adjustable and set-pressure valve groups (P=1.000, P=0.727, P=0.455, P=0.691, respectively). The average shunt survival time of children in the adjustable valve group was 52.551 months (38.169-66.852, 95% CI) and that of children in the set-pressure valve group was 42.327 (31.636-53.019, 95%CI); no statistical significance on the average shunt survival time between these 2 groups was noted (x2=0.763, P=0.382).Conclusion The adjustable valve is not superior to set-pressure valve in the treatment of communicating hydrocephalus in children.

OBJECTIVEHepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected from infants whose mothers were negative for all HBV markers and the fathers were HBV carrier, the homology of HBV sequence of fathers and fetus was high, and HBV mutations concentrated on some points, and the transmission of HBV from father to fetus was also identified in some reports. The present study aimed to study HBV transmission from father to infant.

METHODSThe study enrolled 16 pairs of fathers who were HBV carriers and infants whose mothers were negative for HBV markers. The infants had evidences for intrauterine HBV infection. The five HBV serum markers HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc were detected with ELISA. The positive results for HBsAg and/or HBeAg were regarded as markers of HBV infection. Amplification of HBV DNA was done using a nested PCR method. The first amplification was carried out using primer C1 (nt 2394-2370), and primer C3 (nt 1730-1754). The second amplification was carried out using primer C2 (nt 1955-1974) and primer C6 (nt 2348-2330). Both primers were designed to amplify the part of sequence coding for the hepatitis B C antigen. The size of the amplified fragment obtained by the nested PCR was expected to be 394 bp. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gels, which were then stained with ethidium bromide and observed with ultraviolet transillumination. When 394 bp specific band was detectable, the sample was designated positive. Then the positive samples were identified by dot blot. The second PCR products were extracted by phenol-chloroform and 70% ethanol precipitation, then resuspended in TE buffer (pH8.0), and used as the template for cloning. The template was connected into pGEM-T vector by ligase. The ligated products were cloned into fresh competent JM109 cells, and incubated for 90 minutes at 37 degrees C on roller drum. Finally several dilutions were plated on plates containing ampicillin, X-Gal and IPTG, and incubated at 37 degrees C overnight. The white colony on plates was used for identification by the nested PCR with the above primers. When the 394 bp band was detectable by electrophoresis of PCR products in 1.5% agarose gels, the colony was designated positive; a positive colony was incubated in LB medium for 8 to 12 hrs, then plasmid was extracted using the Wizard Plus SV Minipreps DNA Purification System Kit (Promega). The purified plasmid was sent to Beijing Saibaisheng Company for sequencing. The homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence was compared between fathers and infants.

RESULTSThe homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence were 99% - 100% in 16 pairs of fathers and infants. The results were referred to the published sequence of HBV adw/adr clones, and the nucleic acid databases were searched for homology by using BLAST tool on Internet. HBV of the sixteen pairs of father/infant was closely related to the Japan strain (Genebank accession number AF121249), but there were still 17 more mutations at nucleotide positions 2029, 2034, 2044, 2059, 2078, 2095, 2104, 2154, 2161, 2169, 2189, 2201, 2233, 2251, 2284, 2288, 2293. Moreover the mutations at positions 2189, 2288 resulted in the substitution of the encoded amino acid (corresponding to amino acid positions 97 and 130, respectively), the other mutations at the position were nonphenotypic. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene caused 97, 130 amino acid substitution for isoleucine to leucine and proline to threonine. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene were detected in 6 (37.5%) of 16 pairs of fathers and infants.

CONCLUSIONThe HBV transmission from father to infants did exist. The main HBV C gene mutation strains also existed in the transmission.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Father-Child Relations ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental dysfuntion of nervous system characterized by social interaction and communication disorders, restricted interests and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. The incidence of ASD has been increasing through the world. Some studies have shown that early reasonable individualized comprehensive intervention can obviously improve the prognosis of children with ASD. The etiology of ASD is unclear now, and behavioral and developmental intervention is the main therapy for ASD. The reasonable application of some drugs can improve the efficacy of the behavioral intervention for concomitant symptoms in ASD. With the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of ASD, bumetanide, oxytocin, vitamin D and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been found to be promising for the improvement of core symptoms of ASD. This article reviews the research advances in the behavioral and developmental intervention and drug therapy for ASD.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Behavior Therapy ; Child ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Interpersonal Relations ; Vitamin D ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the distribution of mononucleotide polymorphism of five regulation regions of alpha-IFN among HLA-DRB1*11 gene episodes and the therapeutic effects of alpha-IFN treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODSOne hundred seven chronic hepatitis patients from Nanjing Second Hospital who were treated by alpha-IFN for 12 months and then followed at least six months without the treatment were randomly selected for this regressive analysis. They were grouped into a continuous responsive group and a non-continuous responsive group. Hepatitis B virus X interacting protein gene locus was searched in NCBI. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) gene locus was detected based on a pooling sequencing method. Primer and TaqMan-MGB probes referring to different mononucleotide loci were designed respectively to detect SNP in five regulation regions of alpha-IFN. Then gene sequencing differences between the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 107 cases there were 30 cases (28.0%) in the continuous responsive group and 77 cases (71.9%) in the non-continuous responsive group. CT occupation rate in five regulation regions of IFN reached 18.0% in the continuous responsive group and 23.8% in the non-continuous responsive group. AG occupation rate reached 10.8% in the former group and 15.8% in the latter group. The differences in CT and AG between the two groups were significant.

CONCLUSIONSThe distribution of mononucleotide polymorphism of five regulation regions of alpha-IFN among HLA-DRB1*11 gene episodes affects the IFN anti-virus treatment. Detecting the gene distribution of mononucleotide in five regulation regions of alpha-IFN helps in predicting the therapeutic effects of alpha-IFN.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; Genotype ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Regression Analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult