Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Rickets ; prevention & control ; Vitamin D ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the prevalence of human bocavirus(HBoV)among children with acute respiratory tract infection(ARTI)in Guangdong Province.Methods Four hundred and forty-seven nasopharyngeal aspirates or swabs samples from children with ARTI in Guangdong Province were collected from June 2007 to May 2008.HBoV capsid protein VP gene fragments were detected using polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Positive PCR products were sequenced.The DNA and translated amino acid sequences were aligned with known HBoV sequences in GenBank and phylogenetic analysis was also done.Results The positive rate of HBOV was 5.1%of samples from 447 ARTI cases.Ten samples were positive for both HBoV and other respiratory virus,which was 43.5%of positive samples.The main diagnosis for HBoV positive children included wheezing pneumonia,bronchiolitis and bronchial pneumonia.HBoV positive children ranged from 42 days to 6 years old,and most of them were younger than one year.HBOV infection was more common during summer,early autumn and late spring.Through sequence alignment and phylogenetie analysis,the DNA sequences and amino acid sequences of VP gene fragments of isolated HBoV strains showed 97.8%-98.8%and 99.3%-100.0%identity with ST1,respectively.Conclusions HBoV is one of the important pathogens of lower respiratory tract infection in children in Guangdong Province,which is more prevalent in infants younger than one year.Although VP gene fragment of HBoV is conservative in general,there are still some missense mutations.

To observe the effect of calycosin on the proliferation and activation of primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in rats, and prove calycosin shows the effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The results indicated that calycosin could inhibit HSC proliferation and expressions of activation marker smooth muscle actin-α and type I collagen. With the increase in HSC activation time, FXR expression reduced, but with no notable impact from calycosin. Calycosin could up-regulate PPARγ expression and its nuclear transition in a concentration-dependent manner. Its prohibitory effect on HSC activation could be blocked by PPARγ antagonist. In conclusion, calycosin could inhibit HSC activation and proliferation, which may be related with the up-regulation of PPARγ signal pathway.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiguan Decoction (YGD) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro.

METHODSRat BMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherent method. The properties of BMSCs were identified by analyzing the expression of surface cytokines by flow cytometry. The third passage cells were differentiated into fat cells to identify their features. BMSCs were incubated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plus fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) or YGD containing serum YGD for 21 days. The mRNA expression of alpha-fetoprotein (alphaAFP), albumin (Alb), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) were detected by real time PCR. Expression of AFP and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Glycogen synthesis was observed using periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS). CK18, Wnt 3alpha, and alphacatenin protein expressions were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSHigh expression of CD90, CD29, and CD44, and low expression of CD34 and CD11b were observed in BMSCs isolated by whole bone mar- row adherent method, and numerous lipid droplets were observed in BMSCs using oil red O staining. Both YGD containing serum and growth factor stimulated the expression levels of Alb, AFP, HNF4alpha mRNA and CK18 protein. The down-regulated expression of Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin could be detected at 21 days after induction. The synthesized glycogen granule could be seen. Down-regulated Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin expression could also be observed.

CONCLUSIONYGD could induce the differentiation of rat BMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which was related to down-regulating Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Objective To study the immune responses of Th1 and Th2 subsets of T cells in 26 children with mycoplasma pneumo-niae pneumonia(MPP).Methods ELISA was used to detect the levels of interferon- ?( IFN- ?) and interleukin-4(IL-4) in the serum in 12 healthy children as normal controls and 26 patients of acute stage as acute stage MPP group, 9 of whom in recovery stage were as recovery stage MPP group. Results IFN - ? level in acute stage MPP group was significant higher than that in normal controls (P 0.05); and IFN - 7/IL - 4 ratio was significant higher than that in normal controls( P0.05).Conclusion Thl responses increase and Th2 responses decrease in children with MPP,and this kind of response persists during the recovery stage.

Objective To explore the changes of interleukin-10(IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-?1)in 26 children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP).Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-10 and TGF-?1 in the serum of 12 healthy children as normal controls and 26 patients of acute stage as acute stage MPP group,9 of acute stage MPP group in recovery stage as recovery stage MPP group.The levels of IL-10 and TGF-?1 were compared between the three groups.Results IL-10 level in acute stage MPP group was significantly lower than that in normal controls(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance of HBV large protein (LHBs) in diagnosis of hepatitis B, we detected the LHBs, HBV DNA, PreS1 and other hepatitis B viral markers (HBV M) in the serum of patients infected with HBV.

METHODSHBV DNA was quantitatively detected using RT-PCR, LHBs, PreS1 and HBV M were analyzed by ELISA in totally 385 serum samples.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference between the positive rate of LHBs (86.97%) and PreS1 (49.5%) in the 307 serum positive for HBV DNA (P less than 0.05). There was a correlation between the levels of LHBs and the logarithm of HBV DNA (r=0.935). In the serum specimens of patients negative for HBeAg, there was no significant difference between the positive rate of LHBs (76.92%) and the HBV DNA (67.95%), but the positive rate of PreS1 (45.73%) was lower than that of LHBs or HBV DNA.

CONCLUSIONThere was a close correlation between the copies of HBV DNA and the levels of LHBs, both the positive rate and the coincidence rate of LBHs and HBV DNA were higher than those of PreS1. LHBs can reflect the replication status of HBV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; blood ; Young Adult

Objective To detect EIA factor expression in human rectal cancer and normal tissue and to determine whether it is correlated with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer. Methods Real- time RT-PCR was used to detect E1AF expression in matched rectal cancers and normal tissues from g6 in- patients.Results Among the 86 rectal cancer samples tested,55 cases E1AF mRNA overexpression was ob- served. The mRNA expression of E1AF in the sample group was remarkably different from that in the control group.In carcinomas,E1AF mRNA expression correlated significantly with histological type,depth of inva- sion,lymph node and distant metastasis and advanced Duke stage.Conclusion E1AF is correlated signifi- cantly with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer and may be an important factor in the invasion and metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of low-dose cyclophosphamide and prednisone (CP) metronomic chemotherapy on microvessel density of bone marrow, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

METHODS54 refractory or relapsed MM patients were treated with CP metronomic chemotherapy consisted of oral cyclophosphamide (CTX, 50 mg/d) and prednisone (Pred, 15 mg/d). Bone marrow and peripheral blood of each patient were collected before and 2, 4, 6 months after treatment. Among the 37 assessable patients, 30 cases were responsive with the response rate of 81.08%. Another 17 cases were follow-uped less than 6 months or failure to obtain serum samples or lost to follow-up. Microvessel density of bone marrow was measured by immunohistochemistry and serum VEGF/PDGF-BB expression was analyzed by ELISA in the 37 assessable patients.

RESULTS2, 4, 6 months following CP metronomic chemotherapy, microvessel densities of bone marrow in the responders were 33.1 ± 4.8/HP, 24.8 ± 3.7/HP, 19.7 ± 2.1/HP respectively; the expressions of VEGF were (394 ± 57) ng/L, (268 ± 32) ng/L and (217 ± 20) ng/L respectively; the expressions of PDGF-BB were (304 ± 31) ng/L, (274 ± 31) ng/L and (196 ± 22) ng/L respectively. After CP metronomic chemotherapy, there were significantly lower of microvessel density, VEGF and PDGF-BB levels than pretreatment \[MVD 48.5 ± 5.9/HP, VEGF (517 ± 60) ng/L, PDGF-BB (484 ± 60) ng/L\]in the responders (P < 0.01). While in the non-responders, after treated by CP metronomic chemotherapy for 2 months, microvessel density, the expression of VEGF and the expression of PDGF-BB were 32.5 ± 4.7/HP, 512 ± 39 ng/L and (452 ± 39) ng/L respectively. There were no significant changes of MVD, VEGF and PDGF-BB levels compared with pretreatment \[MVD 33.2 ± 5.6/HP,VEGF (498 ± 55) ng/L, PDGF-BB (488 ± 44) ng/L\] (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggested that continuous low-dose CP metronomic chemotherapy could decrease microvessel density of bone marrow in MM patients. Furthermore, it down-regulated expression of serum VEGF and PDGF-BB to exert its anti-angiogenesis in MM.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical feature, imaging and their diagnostic value for Joubert syndrome (JS).

METHODThe clinical data, imaging feature, and 31 references from China Biomedical literature database (CBMdise) were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTThe age of onset of 32 patients including male 20 and female 12 ranged from 3 days to 6 years (mean 2.2 years). All the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "slow growth" and "reduced muscle tension", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "gasp for breath", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "unusual motion of eyeball", 2 cases (6.3%) showed additional fingers (toes), 6 cases (18.8%) showed stretching tongue with agape. The typical imaging features of Joubert syndrome included "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" between cerebellar hemispheres and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle, all the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "midline cleavage", "molar tooth sign" was present in 29 cases (90.1%), and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle in 30 cases (93.8%).

CONCLUSIONJoubert syndrome is a rare congenital brain malformation. The typical clinical manifestations included "gasp for breath", "reduced tension of muscle", "slow growth" and "unusual motion of eyeball", and at the same time the patients had the following typical imaging features of brain: "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; Cerebellar Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Child ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Retina ; abnormalities ; physiopathology