OBJECTIVETo identify patients with SARS coronavirus infection who have only mild symptoms.

METHODEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum antibody against SARS coronavirus in the lysate of whole SARS coronavirus from 19 SARS patients and 200 medical staff members without obvious SARS symptoms after possible exposure to the virus during routine medical practice.

RESULTSSerum IgG antibody against SARS coronavirus was detected in all the 19 SARS patients, and among the 200 staff members, 20 (10%) were found positive for the antibody but with no obvious or only mild symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSerum IgG antibody against SARS coronavirus is positive in a small proportion (around 10%) of the medical staff members exposed to the virus in our hospital, but may not cause obvious symptoms, suggesting SARS coronavirus infection might in some cases have mild or even no clinical manifestations.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; Male ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; immunology ; transmission

BACKGROUNDCompensatory sweating (CS) is one of the most common postoperative complications after thoracic sympathectomy, sympathicotomy or endoscopic sympathetic block (ESB) for palmar hyperhidrosis. This study was conducted to examine the relevance between CS and the sympathetic segment being transected in the surgical treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, and thus to detect the potential mechanism of the occurrence of CS.

METHODSBetween October 2004 and June 2006, 163 patients with primary hyperhidrosis were randomly divided into two groups, T(3) sympathicotomy (78 patients) and T(4) sympathicotomy (85), who were operated upon under general anesthesia via single lumen intubation and intercostal video-mediastinoscopy (VM).

RESULTSNo morbidity or mortality occurred. Palmar hyperhidrosis was cured in all patients. Follow-up (mean (13.8 +/- 6.2) months) showed no recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis. The difference of rates of mild CS in groups T(3) and T(4) was of no statistical significance. The rate of moderate CS was significantly lower in group T(4) than in group T(3). No severe CS occurred.

CONCLUSIONThe rates of occurrence and severity of CS are lowered with the lower sympathetic chain being transected.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Prospective Studies ; Sweating ; Sympathectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

OBJECTIVEUsing polymerase chain reaction-reverse blot dot (PCR-RDB) technique to establish a new method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping and to study the distribution of HCV genotypes in Foshan area.

METHODSHCV primers and probes were designed in 5'-untranslated region (nt-1-nt-299) of HCV. HCV RNA in serum was isolated and purified, and its cDNA was obtained by reversed transcription. Nested PCR using biotin-labelled primers, was done. PCR products were hybridized with immobilized specific probes (genotype 1a to 3b) on Biodyne C membrane to genotype HCV by color development while adding POD and TMB. A certain judgment could be made according to the position of color reaction. The reliability of this new method was verified by sequencing. HCV RNA levels in serum were determined by real time fluorescent quantitative (FQ)-PCR. 60 FQ-PCR-positive HCV sera from Foshan area were genotyped using this assay.

RESULTSAll 60 sera could be successfully genotyped by PCR-RBD. 50 (83.3%) cases were found to be genotype 1b, 2 (3.3%) as genotype 1a and 2 (3.3%) as genotype 2a while 5 (8.0%) to be mixture of genotype 1a and 1b, and 1 (1.7%) to be mixture of genotypes 1b and 2a. No genotypes 2b, 3a and 3b were found. The results of PCR-RDB genotyping methods coincided with sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONNewly established HCV genotyping system was proved to be sensitive, specific, precise and economic, thus suitable for clinical and epidemiologic studies. The results of HCV genotyping showed that genotype 1b was the predominant genotype in Foshan area.

Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium ; Triterpenes ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study farm compost polluted water that may induce pharyngo-esophageal, gastric and liver carcinoma in chickens.

METHODS280 chickens were randomized into 4 groups: experiment group 100 chickens fed with compost water + NaNO(2) by stomach tube. The other 180 were evenly randomized into 3 control groups (60 each), fed with compost water, NaNO(2) and tap water in the same way. The farm compost was prepared with corn stalks, rice straws, excreta of men and livestock. The compost water, after being nitrosified and acidified, was fed through stomach tube 5 - 7.5 ml/session, twice a week. Besides, a solution consisting of the respective formula of each group added with 3 - 4 L water with pH adjusted to 3 - 4 by 1N HCL was given ad lib to all chickens in each group for 26.5 months.

RESULTSIn the experiment group, there were pharyngo-esophageal carcinoma 16 (16.3%), gastric adenocarcinoma 5 (10.4%) and liver carcinoma 3 (6.3%), in contrast to none in the 3 control groups, showing significant differences (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSuccessful simulation of the layout of esophageal carcinoma high morbidity area and the mimic of chicken gastric fluid strongly support our compost etiological hypothesis that the nitrosified and acidified compost water are carcinogenic, very well causing esophageal, gastric and liver carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Chickens ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Feces ; Female ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Male ; Pharyngeal Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Sewage ; adverse effects ; Sodium Nitrite ; toxicity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Water Pollution, Chemical ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVEUsing PCR-RDB to establish a new method for HBV genotyping, and to survey the distribution of HBV genotypes in the Foshan area.

METHODSBiotin-labeled primers for amplification of HBV region X (nt1550-1789) were used to amplify extracted HBV DNA. HBV was genotyped by hybridization of the PCR products with immobilized specific probes (genotype A to F) on C membrane. Color development was achieved by adding POD and TMB. A judgment was made according to color reactions. The reliability of this new method was verified by gene sequencing. 300 samples of HBV DNA-positive sera from the Foshan area were genotyped using this assay.

RESULTSOf the 300 sera genotyped by PCR-RBD, 147 (49.0%) cases were genotype B, 136 (45.3%) were genotype C, 1 (0.3%) genotype D, and 12 (4.0%) were mixtures of genotype B and C, and 4 (1.3%) were mixtures of genotype C and D. No genotype A, E or F were found. The results of PCR-RDB genotyping were consistent with the results obtained with sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONThis newly established HBV genotyping system proved to be sensitive, specific, precise and economic, and should be suitable for clinical practice and epidemic study. The results of HBV genotyping show that genotype B and C are the predominant genotypes in the Foshan area.

DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of intercostal video-mediastinoscopy (VMS) in treatment for mediastinal masses, malignant pleural effusion and palmar hyperhidrosis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 701 patients received intercostal VMS from November 2001 to June 2007 were summarized retrospectively. Forty-eight patients with mediastinal masses and 46 patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion underwent intercostal VMS pleural biopsy (39 cases with talc pleurodesis) and 607 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral intercostals VMS thoracic sympathectomy.

RESULTSNo mortality and morbidity were reported in this group. Definitive pathologic diagnosis had been made through VMS mediastinal masses biopsy in mediastinal masses and pleural biopsy in pleura effusion. The efficiency of talc pleurodesis was 100% for 39 cases. The symptoms of sweating of hands in 607 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis disappeared completely, all patients' hands became dry with a 1.5 degrees C to 3.0 degrees C increase of the skin temperature immediately after operation. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONVMS is a simple, convenient and alternative procedure for the treatment of mediastinal masses, malignant pleural effusion and palmar hyperhidrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; surgery ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Mediastinoscopy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pleurodesis ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sympathectomy ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficacy of three kinds of hybrid bioartificial liver support systems (HBLSS) in treating chronic severe hepatitis.

METHODSA bioartificial liver support system (BAL), comprising porcine hepatocytes and fiber tube style bioreactor, was constructed. Then three kinds of HBLSS were constructed: Molecular absorbent recirculating system (MARS) plus BAL; slow plasma exchange (SPE) plus continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and BAL; and SPE plus hemoperfusion (HP) and BAL. One hundred-twenty patients in middle or late stages of chronic severe hepatitis were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into 6 groups: H1 group was treated with BAL+MARS, H2 with BAL+SPE+CHDF and H3 with BAL+SPE+HP (as treatment groups); C1 group was treated with MARS, C2 with SPE+CHDF and C3 with SPE+HP (as control groups). The changes in the clinical symptoms, in the hepatic encephalopathy stages, and in the serum total bilirubin (TBIL), the serum albumin (ALB), the prothrombin activities (PTA), endotoxin, ammonia, creatinine and a-fetal protein (AFP) were all observed before the treatment, right after it and 72 hours later. The improving and curing rates and the rates of side effect occurrences in each group were observed.

RESULTSIn all 6 groups, the patients' clinical symptoms ameliorated; their TBIL, endotoxin and ammonia levels decreased (P<0.05), and their PTA and AFP levels lowered significantly (P<0.05). But in the H1, H2 and H3 groups they were more distinctive than in the control groups. In H1 and H2 groups creatinine and ammonia levels were decreased more significantly than in the H3 group (P<0.05). The improving and curing rates of each group were 65 % (13/20), 60% (12/20), 45% (9/20), 45% (9/20), 40% (8/20) and 20% (4/20) respectively. No serious side effects were observed during the treatment.

CONCLUSIONIn treating middle and late stage chronic severe hepatitis, the measures used in H1, H2 and H3 are better than those in C1, C2 and C3. Furthermore, H1 and H2 treatments can ameliorate hepatic and renal functions, prevent the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and are better than those used in H3.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Bioreactors ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Hemodiafiltration ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; blood ; therapy ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Failure, Acute ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Exchange ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of one dressing of porcine acellular dermal matrix on deep partial thickness burns.

METHODSFrom January 1997 to January 2004, sixty-seven cases of deep partial thickness total burned surface area (TBSA) from 50% to 90% burn wound were treated by a single dressing of porcine acellular dermal matrix (the porcine acellular dermal matrix group). Ten cases of deep partial thickness burned patients with the same TBSA treated by exposure method served as the exposure method group. The healing time of the wound was observed. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 2 years, and the scar proliferation was observed.

RESULTSThe deep partial-thickness wound would be healed without dressing change in the porcine acellular dermal matrix group, and the average healing time was (12.2 +/- 2.6) days. The average healing time of the exposure method group was (27.4 +/- 3.5) days. Follow up of the patients within 3 months to 2 years showed that scar proliferation in the porcine acellular dermal matrix group was much less than that in the exposure method group, even no scar proliferation was observed in some patients.

CONCLUSIONWithout tangential excision, autografting and dressing change, a single dressing of porcine acellular dermal matrix on deep partial thickness burn wound could shorten the healing time and inhibit scar proliferation.

Animals ; Biological Dressings ; Burns ; pathology ; therapy ; Cicatrix ; prevention & control ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

Objective: Converging evidence suggests that intestinal inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies on fecal calprotectin in Parkinson’s disease (PD) were limited by small sample sizes, and literature regarding intestinal inflammation in multiple system atrophy (MSA) is very scarce. We investigated the levels of fecal calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation, in PD and MSA. Methods: We recruited 169 subjects (71 PD, 38 MSA, and 60 age-similar nonneurological controls). Clinico-demographic data were collected. PD and MSA were subtyped and the severity assessed using the MDS-UPDRS and UMSARS, respectively. Fecal calprotectin and blood immune markers were analyzed. Results: Compared to controls (median: 35.7 [IQR: 114.2] μg/g), fecal calprotectin was significantly elevated in PD (median: 95.6 [IQR: 162.1] μg/g, p = 0.003) and even higher in MSA (median: 129.5 [IQR: 373.8] μg/g, p = 0.002). A significant interaction effect with age was observed; between-group differences were significant only in older subjects (i.e., ≥ 61 years) and became more apparent with increasing age. A total of 28.9% of MSA and 18.3% of PD patients had highly abnormal fecal calprotectin levels (≥ 250 μg/g); however, this difference was only significant for MSA compared to controls. Fecal calprotectin correlated moderately with selected blood immune markers in PD, but not with clinical features of PD or MSA. Conclusions Elevated fecal calprotectin suggests a role for intestinal inflammation in PD and MSA. A more complete understanding of gut immune alterations could open up new avenues of research and treatment for these debilitating diseases.