Objective To investigate the effect of glucocorticosteroids on pulmonary oxygenation function in severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)patients.Methods Two hundred and twenty-five SARS patients in 2003 were analyzed retrospectively.Oxygenation index(OI)was considered as the marker of glucocorticosteroids therapeutic effects.The criteria of effectiveness was that OI increased 20%or more than pre-treatment.The therapeutic effects of glueocorticosteroids were analyzed by analysis of variance and chi-square test.Results Glucocorticosteroids were used in 59.6%(134/225)of SARS cases.The average OI before and after glucocorticosteroids intravenous treatment was 237.08 mm Hg and 335.08 mm Hg,respectively.The average OI increased 110.26 mm Hg(46.4%)after treatment.In 96 SARS patients whose blood gas analysis results were available,85 cases(88.5%)had administrative indication.The average OI increased 103.14 mm Hg(44.4%),which was lower than 190.91 mm Hg(66.8 0A)in patients without administrative indication.There was no significant difference between these two groups of patients.The OI difference before and after glueocorticosteroids treatment was decreased with the increasing OI before treatment,the increase was minimum in patients with OI≥300 mm Hg.Conclusions The SARS patients could obtain pulmonary symptoms and function improvements with appropriate glucoconicosteroids treatment,especially for those who are in accord with acute lung injure or acute respiratory distress syndrome,and OI less than 300 mm Hg before treatment.

Currently,the toxicity study of traditional Chinese medicine is faced with the following problems. Firstly,the evaluation in vitro cannot fully reflect the true state of the body. Secondly,the traditional method is not sensitive enough to the early toxicity. Lastly,the toxicity evaluation indexes cannot determine whether the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine produces toxicity or increases toxicity systematically. The paper proposed a synthesized early evaluation research method for target organ toxicity induced by traditional Chinese medicine:screening,validation,optimization and application. This method mainly inoolves early target organ toxicity biomarkers in screening,optimi?zation,validation,biological significance explanation,and application to the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility based on the metabolic dynamic fingerprint spectrum in order to obtain biomarkers of target organ toxicity that are sensitive and precede conventional biochemical indices for early evaluation . We attempted to analyze the pattern of chang of the biomarkers for animals acted by″18 incompatible medicaments″compatibility combination. We found that Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata with cardiotoxicity were compatible with Rhizoma Pinelliae,and that Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim,Fritillaria,Ampelopsis Radix and Bletilla striata without non-cardiotoxicity produced and increased cardiotoxicity systematically.

More and more studies have shown that NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has become the regulatory factor of inflammatory response and protective immunity, and the assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes are closely related to the anti-tumor immunity effect. Depending on the cell type and stimuli, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can induce immune cells to become polarized, hyperactive, or pyroptotic, releasing interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, which leads to cascade immune or inflammatory responses, and its role in tumor immunity has received extensive attention. Here, we review the mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome enhancing CD8⁺ T cells-mediated anti-tumor immunity by inducing the pyroptosis of tumor cell, the pyroptosis or hyperactive state of dendritic cells (DCs), and the pyroptosis or polarization of the macrophages. Different anti-tumor immune roles of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in tumor cells and immune cells provide new directions for future research and may influence the development of next-generation immunotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of erythromycin and azithromycin sequential therapy with single azithromycin treatment on pediatric mycoplasma pneumonia .Methods One hundred and fourteen cases of pediatric mycoplasma pneumonia were randomly divided into two groups, with 57 cases in each group.Patients in the treatment group were treated with erythromycin combined with azithromycin , and those in the control group were treated with azithromycin , and the treatment lasted for 3 weeks.The data of clinical efficacy , clinical symptoms and hospitaliza-tion time of two groups were compared after treatment . Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 96.49%, significantly higher than that of control group ( 77.19%) ( P<0.01 ) . The time points that fever , cough and lung rales disappeared and hospi-talization time of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of control group ( P<0.01 ).The rate of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 7.02% and 3.51% in control group but without statistical difference ( P>0.05).Conclusion Erythromycin combined with azithro-mycin treatment for pediatric mycoplasma pneumonia is notably effective .

OBJECTIVETo prepare sustained-release capsules of cinnamon oil with stearic acid, polyethylene glycol 6000 and gluceryl monostearate.

METHODSAfter the solid dispersion of cinnamon oil was prepared by melting method, the effects of the process variables and formulation variables on solid dispersion and dissolution were investigated. The formulation and preparation process of cinnamon oil solid dispersion were optimized by orthogonal design, and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to detect the possible molecular interaction between cinnamon oil and the adjuvants.

RESULTSThe in vitro release percentage of the optimized formula complied with the Higuchi equation, and the preparation allowed drug delivery for 12 h. Analysis with FTIR spectroscopy revealed interactions between cinnamon oil and the adjuvents and formation of the solid dispersion.

CONCLUSIONThe solid dispersion capsules prepared through this simple and well reproducible process allow obviously sustained release of cinnamon oil.

Capsules ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Compounding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

PURPOSE: Little is known about the importance of lipid transfer protein (LTP) sensitization in China. In this study, we investigated the relationship between LTP sensitization and the severity of clinical symptoms in a population of patients with mugwort pollen-related food allergy. METHODS: Food-induced symptoms were evaluated in 148 patients with mugwort pollen allergy by a standardized questionnaire. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to Art v 1, Art v 3, Pru p 3, Ara h 9 and Cor a 8 were quantified by ImmunoCAP. Immunoblotting of peach extracts were performed with sera from peach-allergic patients. RESULTS: In total, 72% (107/148) of the study population experienced food allergy. Forty-eight percent (51/107) of patients with mugwort pollen-related food allergy experienced at least 1 episode of food-induced anaphylaxis. Food allergy correlated with IgE reactivity to Art v 3, but not to Art v 1. Sensitization to Pru p 3, Ara h 9 or Cor a 8 was prevalent (80%, 69 or 63%, respectively) among individuals with food allergy. Food allergic patients with systemic reactions (SR) had higher values for Pru p 3, Ara h 9 and Cor a 8 than patients with oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Furthermore, the strong IgE reactivity detected in immunoblots of peach extracts indicated that Pru p 3 was the major allergen and was more prevalent in patients with SR than in patients with OAS (100% vs. 55%). CONCLUSIONS: LTPs are major food allergens for mugwort pollen-related food allergy in China, and may contribute to SR.
Allergens ; Anaphylaxis ; Artemisia* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; China ; Food Hypersensitivity* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Objective To evaluate the corrosion resistance of a new titanium alloy for dental restoration in artificial saliva. Methods In simulated oral environment, the electrochemical behavior of a new titanium alloy(Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn) for dental restoration based on the d-electron alloy design method with high elastic modulus, high mechanical and good biological safety properties was investigated together with that of Ti-6Al-4V and TA2 as control groups. The anodic polarization curve and polarization resistance of these alloys were analyzed and the element release of Ti-12.5Zr-3Nb-2.5Sn and Ti-6Al-4V alloy after immersion in artificial saliva for 1,2,3,5,7,15 d were measured. Results Polarization curve indicated that Ti-6Al-4V alloy had lower breakdown potential(0. 8 V) than Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy did (>2. 5 V) . Ti-6A1-4V alloy showed higher passivation current density (1.45 × 10-4 -1.09 × 10-3 A/cm2) than Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy(3. 32 × 10-6-3.46 × 10-5 A/cm2) and TA2(5. 03 × 10-6-2. 65 × 10-5 A/cm2) did. Polarization resistance results showed that polarization resistance volume of TA2, Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy and Ti-6Al-4V alloy were 371.0, 252.0, and 60. 1 kΩ · cm2 respectively. With the increasing of dipping time in artificial saliva, the ion release of Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy and Ti-6Al-4V alloy increased to different degrees. Ti-6Al-4V alloy always showed more ion release than Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy did in the experiment. Conclusions Data from this study indicated that Ti-12. 5Zr-3Nb-2. 5Sn alloy, as a dental restoration material, had good corrosion resistance in artificial saliva.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sanitary working status in the districts for locating residents after earthquake in Dujiangyan municipality.

METHODSSome immediate measures were taken after the earthquake including water source surveillance, restoring immunization system and epidemic surveillance. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to collect information in 107 locating districts of 18 towns.

RESULTSGenerally, the sanitary working status was good. Temporary sheds in most districts were Tents (75.70%, 81/107) and simple sheds (19.63%, 21/107), and 69.16% (74/107) districts could use water supply and 94.39% (101/107) arrange specialized persons to disinfect the environment and kill pests. The fly density was 2 per eye-view. The proportions for the correct responds to health knowledge, action adopted and attitude of residents were all above 90%. According to the epidemic surveillance system and mobile syndrome surveillance system in disaster area, there was no increasing trend for the incidences of contagious diseases.

CONCLUSION20 days after earthquake, the whole situation of disease prevention in disaster area is stable.

China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Emergency Medical Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Health Care Surveys ; Humans ; Sanitation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universal Precautions

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of 3D liver acquisition volume acceleration (3D-LAVA) integrated with array spatial sensitivity encoding technique (ASSET) in liver dynamic-enhancement scanning.

METHODSOne hundred forty-seven patients underwent conventional plain and contrast enhancement liver MR imaging. 3D-LAVA and 2D fast spoiled gradient recalled echo were used for contrast enhancement liver MR scanning in 90 and 57 patients respectively. In the 3D-LAVA group, integrated ASSET was used in 72 out of the 90 patients. Of the 57 patients who underwent examinations using 2D fast spoiled gradient recalled echo, portal vein CE-MRA was performed on 20. The ability of 3D-LAVA to detect the lesions and the advantage to shorten the acquisition time after integrating with ASSET were analyzed. Original images of 60 patients in the 3D-LAVA group were processed using MIP to illustrate the anatomy of the portal vein. They were compared with those shown by CE-MRA to evaluate the illustration abilities of the two approaches.

RESULTS3D-LAVA is more sensitive than 2D-FSPGR in detecting metastatic hepatic carcinomas. In the 3D-LAVA group integrated with ASSET, earlier and peak arterial phase images were acquired in 34 cases; and earlier, peak and late arterial phase images were acquired in 23 cases. The illustrations of the portal vein anatomy by 3D-LAVA were similar to those shown by portal vein CE-MRA.

CONCLUSION3D-LAVA integrated with ASSET can obtain higher quality multi-phase dynamic enhancement images of the liver in a shorter time, and in the meantime also shows the vascular anatomy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

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