OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and lung injuries by assessing their clinical manifestations and characteristics.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to April 2012, 91 UC patients presenting to Longhua Hospital who met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this retrospective study. According to the scores of disease activity index, the patients were divided into the mild, moderate, and severe groups. Meanwhile, the records of pulmonary symptoms, chest X-ray image, and pulmonary function were reviewed.

RESULTSSixty-eight (74.7%) patients had at least 1 pulmonary symptom, such as cough (38.5%), shortness of breath (27.5%), and expectoration (17.6%). And 77 (84.6%) had at least 1 ventilation abnormality. Vital capacity value was significantly lower in the severe group than that in the mild group (91.82%±10.38% vs. 98.92%±12.12%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLung injury is a common extraintestinal complication of UC. According to the theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine that the lung and large intestine are related, both the lungs and large intestine should be treated simultaneously.

Adult ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vital Capacity

Abstract?AlM: To evaluate the visual impairment in cerebral palsy children with series objective indicators, and conclude their clinical features of visual function.? METHODS: Objective tests including following pursuing test, optokinetic nystagmus(OKN) drum test, refractive error examination, fundus examination, ocular deviation examination, pattern visual evoked potential ( P-VEP ) tests and brain magnetic resonance imaging ( MRl) were carried out in 43 cerebral palsy children ( 86 eyes ) with ocular visual dysfunction; The visual impairment data of the cerebral palsy children were collected, and the clinical features and possible mechanism were analyzed.?RESULTS: 1. Of the 43 cerebral palsy children ( 86 eyes) with the visual impairment presented diversified, 25 ( 50 eyes, 58. 1%) of refractive error, 24 ( 48 eyes, 55. 8%) of strabismus, 12 ( 24 eyes, 27. 9%) with nystagmus, 19 ( 38 eyes, 44. 2 %) of optical nerve atrophy or hyperplasia, 35 ( 70 eyes, 81. 4%) of VEP abnormality. Among children with spastic cerebral palsy, the incidence of visual impairment was statistically significant difference compared with other groups (P<0. 01). 2. There were 16 cases (32 eyes,37. 2%) with esotropia, 6 cases ( 12 eyes, 14. 0%) with exotropia and 2 cases ( 4 eyes, 4. 7%) with vertical deviation. Strabismus was most common in spastic cerebral palsy children, totally 13 (26 eyes, 30. 2%) with esotropia, and exotropia was common in hypotonia and other types cerebral palsy children; 3. 23 ( 46 eyes, 53. 5%) with hyperopia, 8 ( 16 eyes, 18. 6%) with myopia, 16 ( 32 eyes, 37. 2%) with astigmutism and 14 cases (28 eyes, 32. 6%) with anisometropia;4. Cerebral palsy children were usually with decreased VEP amplitude and prolong latency, and poor wave formation, mostly in spastic cerebral palsy children; 5. Visual abnormality was most common in occipital cortex damage and periventricular leukomalacia ( PVL ) . The incidence in PVL and occipital cortex had no statistically significant difference ( P > 0. 05 ), no nystagmus in patients with severe occipital cortex damage.?CONCLUSlON: Cerebral palsy children were usually with visual impairment, and presented with special clinical features; Comprehensive objective visual tests are accurate and reliable for evaluation of the visual function in cerebral palsy children.

Objective To evaluate the association between total fluid intake and the time of urination per day and the risk of bladder cancer. Methods A population-based case-control study was conducted in urban Shanghai, China, during January 1996 to December 1998. The study included 608 incident cases of bladder cancer and 607 age- and sex-matched controls. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios(ORs)and their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)for bladder cancer associated with frequency of urination, after adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, history of occupation with high risk, history of bladder infections, body mass index and other confounding factors. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05(two-sided). Results No significant trend was observed for the association between total fluid intake, time of nighttime urination and the risk of bladder cancer. Increasing time of urination during daytime was associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer(P for trend=0.014). ORs(95%CIs)for subjects who voided 4 times, 5 times and 6 or more times per day[0.72(0.49-1.05),0.60(0.41-0.87)and 0.62(0.43-0.90), respectively], when compared with those with less than 4times per day after adjustment of confounding factors. Data showed that smokers and nonsmokers who voided at least 6 times per day had the ORs of 0.72(95%CI: 0.45-1.15)and 0.46(95%CI:0.25-0.87)when compared to their counterparts who voided 3 times or less per day during the daytime. Subjects who urinated at least 6 times per day and consumed more than 1500 ml of total fluid per day experienced a significant 57% reduction in risk compared to subjects who urinated 3 times or less and consumed less than 750 ml of total daily fluid intake. Conclusion Increased urination frequency and total fluid intake, especially among those who never smoked might be associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer.

To research the effect of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata compatibility on cardiac toxicity in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and explore the endogenous markers and molecule mechanism. Different compatibility of Shenfu decoction were given to male Wistar rats at dosage of 20 g · kg(-1) for 7 days, collected the serum, and analyze the endogenous metabolites effected by Shenfu formulation by principal component analysis and partial least-squares analysis. Results showed that content of glutathione, phosphatidylcholine and citric acid decreased in mixed-decoction group, while ascorbic acid, uric acid, D-galactose, tryptophan, L-phenylalanine increased. The results showed cardiac toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in Shenfu mixed-decoction. Shenfu co-decoction group showed a similar or weaker trend compared with control group, but most of them do not have a statistically significant. The results indicated the scientific basis of Shenfu compatibility by comparison of co-decoction group with mixed-decoction group. Shenfu compatibility can reduce cardiac toxicity induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and citric acid, glutathione, phosphatidyl choline, uric acid might be regarded as potential markers of cardiotoxicity.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cardiotoxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Glutathione ; blood ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Male ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and clinical value of radionuclide imaging in hepatic impact injuries in rabbits.

METHODSRabbits were experimentally impacted on the liver with BIM-IV bio-impact machine. Liver imaging was performed with 99mTc labeled sodium phytate. Liver blood pool imaging was performed with 99mTc-stannous pyrophosphate labeled red blood cells. The results of radionuclide imaging were compared with the anatomic results.

RESULTSThere was significant difference between the images of the injured liver and the control. Radio diminution and defect were shown in the injured liver areas. Various sorts of abnormal radioactivity distribution were observed with hepatic blood pool imaging. The results of the liver imaging and liver blood pool imaging were accorded with the results of the anatomic findings.

CONCLUSIONSRadionuclide imaging may well display the changes of hepatocellular structures and functions after injury, which is valuable in locating the concrete injured position and differentiating the injured degrees of liver.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Injury Severity Score ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Male ; Rabbits ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate ; Wounds and Injuries ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo optimize the formulation of immediate release tablet.

METHODThe immediate release tablet was prepared by using dry granules. The preparation was optimized by using orthogonal design which took the flow property of granules, the hardness, the disintegrating time and the dissolution rate of the tablet as indices.

RESULTThe optimized formulation contained 40% microcrystalline cellulose, 10% sodium carboxymethyl starch and 15% dextrin. The hardness disintegrating time and T50 of the tablet were 4.5 kg, 3 min, 5 min respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is successful to prepare on immediate release tablet using the optimized formula above.

Cellulose ; Dextrins ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo study molecular epidemiology of norovirus (NV) infections, stool specimens collected from children with acute diarrhea were tested by TaqMan real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the viral specific nucleic acid segments.

METHODSFecal samples from a total of 1260 children who had watery diarrhea seen from December 2006 to December 2007 in Guangzhou were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The primers and probes used for rapid detection and typing of NV strain target NV sequences were at the ORF1-ORF2 junction, a highly conserved region of the NoV genome. The positive specimens were determined by nested PCR and sequenced.

RESULTSTotally 257 specimens were positive for NV with a positive rate of 20.40%. Shedding of NV type GI was detected in 6.90%, type GII in 16.98% respectively, while the positive number of mixed infection with GI and GII was 44. Of the NV strains that were cloned and sequenced, GI was GI-3, GI-2 and GI-4 detected in positive specimens respectively; meanwhile, GII-4 was most commonly seen in genome II, followed by GII-3 and GII-7. In addition, the average age of children infected with NV was less than 2 years. An epidemic occurred during the winter and early spring (December through the next March).

CONCLUSIONNV was one of the important pathogens for acute diarrhea among children in Guangzhou, which suggested GII-4 was the prevalent strain.

Caliciviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; etiology ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Basidiomycete PM2, a lignin-degrading white rot fungus, produces lgnin peroxidase (Lip) and manganese peroxidase (Mnp) in nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures. This fungus was selected for its ability to decolorize azo group of dyes. In order to improve production of the peroxidases and rapid dye decolorizing activity by basidiomycete PM2, the addition of veratryl alcohol or Tween 80 to nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures were tested. It was found to have a large stimulatory effect on Mnp activities and decolorization rate of azo dyes. A maximum Mnp activities of 254.2 u/L with veratryl alcohol and 192.2 u/L with Tween 80 were achieved respectively. These values were about 3.4-fold and 2.5-fold higher than that obtained in the control cultures (without alcohol or Tween 80), whereas the levels of Lip activity detected were very low (about 12 u/L)in all the cultures. In further experiments using three kinds of azo dyes of congo red, orange G and orange IV, enzyme activities and dye decolorization were investigated in the above-mentioned cultures. The results showed that Mnp activities and decolorization were notably higher than those obtained in the control cultures in the presence of azo dyes. Cultures supplemented with Tween 80 were more adequate for dye decolorization. The rates of the decolorization with Tween 80 of congo red (95.4%), orange G (98.5%) and orange IV (54.4%) after 24 hours of dye incubation were higher than that supplemented with veratryl alcohol. According to the results, Mnp activities secreted by basidiomycete PM2 play an essential role in the process of dye decolorization. Tween 80 was the main factor affecting the decolorization. The analysis of structure of the three kinds of azo dyes indicats that the extent of decolorization is affected by the dye molecular structure. The types and quantity of the substituted groups on the aromatic ring of azo dyes have effect on the percentage of biological decolorization.
Azo Compounds ; metabolism ; Basidiomycota ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Benzyl Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Coloring Agents ; metabolism ; Oxygenases ; biosynthesis ; Peroxidases ; biosynthesis ; Polysorbates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological effects of anti-beta(3) adrenoceptor (beta(3)-AR) autoantibody in the serum of patients with heart failure, which may contribute to a new therapeutic clue for heart failure.

METHODSThe synthetic peptide of the second extracellular loop of the beta(3)-AR was used as the antigen to screen sera of patients with heart failure and of healthy controls by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG in the patients group of positive autoantibody sera was prepared by using a MabTrap Kit (Amersham) following the manufacturer's instructions. The effects of IgG per each group both on contractile response of adult isolated cardiomyocytes and on beating frequency of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were observed.

RESULTSThe positive rate of anti-beta(3)-AR autoantibody was 26.7% (mean antibody titer: 1:43.27 +/- 2.71) or 11.0% (mean antibody titer: 1:14.59 +/- 1.61) in patients or healthy subjects, respectively P < 0.05. Compared with the control group, the autoantibody against beta(3)-AR from the patients group decreased cell shortening amplitude/cell shortening 3.84% +/- 0.33%, the velocity of shortening -0.47 microm/s +/- 0.07 microm/s and relengthening 0.17 microm/s +/- 0.02 microm/s in adult isolated cardiac myocytes, respectively. The autoantibody in the patients group decreased the beating rate in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes by 47.1 beats/min +/- 8.11 beats/min, which could have a 6-hour continuance. This decreasing was not modified by Nadolol (beta(1)-AR and beta(2)-AR antagonist) in pretreating myocytes, but was nearly prevented by Bupranolol (nonselective beta-AR antagonist) or beta(3)-AR specific antigen.

CONCLUSIONIt seems reasonable to state that a high titer of the autoantibody against beta(3)-AR in the serum in patients with heart failure, which could have a negative inotropic and chronotropic effect, may be a part of pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure.

Adult ; Animals ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Heart Failure ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; immunology