OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of self-made Kirschner wire hook in the treatment of severely displaced proximal humerus fractures in children.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to February 2012,35 children with severely displaced proximal humerus fractures were treated with self-made Kirschner wire hook fixation,including 25 boys and 10 girls with an average age of 13.2 years old ranging from 5 to 17. The duration from injury to operation was 1 to 10 days with an average of 4.5 days. Preoperative diagnoses were confirmed by X-ray films as type III in 26 cases and type IV in 9 according to the Neer-Horwitz classification of the proximal humerus fractures. All fractures were close fracture without nerve or vascular injuries. Anatomical reduction was achieved by open reduction and the fractures were fixed by self-made Kirschner wire hook. Intra-operative and postoperative complications, postoperative radiographic examination, upper extremity length and range of shoulder motion were observed and recorded. Neer score system was used to evaluate shoulder function.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 18 months with an average of 12.1 months. The mean Neer score of the injured side was 94.2 +/- 4.8 (ranged, 84 to 99), 30 patients got an excellent result and 5 good according to the Neer scores. The X-ray showed all the fractures healed without shortening deformity or epiphyseal arrest at early stage. There were no complications related to the implant including loosening or breakage of the self-made Kirschner wire hook. The range of shoulder motion in the injuried side was similar to the normal side, except in abductor lift. All the patients could participate in normal physical activities.

CONCLUSIONThe method of open reduction and fixed with self-made Kirschner wire hook is a safe,effective,convenient treatment for severely displaced proximal humeral fractures in children.

Adolescent ; Bone Wires ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phosphines ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVEA qualitative research was conducted to investigate the problems on the family management of asthmatic children and the needs for family health services in order to provide basis for family-centered care.

METHODSFifteen caregivers of children with asthma were interviewed with open-ended questions. The collected data were studied using Colaizzi's seven-step method of phenomenological analysis.

RESULTSThe problems of family management and the needs for family health services were shown as follows: insufficient knowledge to prevention and treatment of asthma, poor compliance, ignoring psychological effects of asthma on children, a family's failure to cope with the distress and financial burden.

CONCLUSIONSIt is important to provide asthma education and prevention program for caregivers and encourage them to participate in the design of medical program for asthmatic children. Individual asthma education and guides are also necessary for caregivers.

Adult ; Asthma ; psychology ; therapy ; Caregivers ; education ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needs Assessment ; Patient Education as Topic ; Qualitative Research

Objective To observe the influence of coal burning fluorosis on learning and memory ability in rats and reveal its possible mechanisms. Methods Healthy 48 SD rats were divided into control, low-fluoride and high-fluoride group. All rats in fluoride exposed groups were fed with the eom polluted by drying processes with burning coal containing high level of fluoride obtained from the endemic fluorosis area to produce the animal model of fluorosis. The experiment period were 3,6 mouths, respectively. The ability of leaning and memory was measured by Morris test and cholinesterase activity detected by photometric method at 3 or 6 month after experiment, respectively. Results Fluoride contents signifieantlly influenced the escape latency, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms(the value of F was 29.29,6.47,6.50, respectively, P<0.01).In addition, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms were influenced by the exposed time(the value of F was 16.11,45.59, P<0.01). Furthermore, the fluoride contents and the exposed time had an interaction between the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms (the value of F was 4.67,5.68, P<0.05 or<0.01). Three months after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency [(14.71± 4.85)s] of rats in highly fluoride exposed group were significantly prolonged as compared with controls [(9.28±4.22)s]; 6 month after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency[(12.42±8.03)s, (17.48± 8.05)s] of rats in both groups exposed to fluoride were significantly prolonged as compared to controls [(7.04± 3.29)s, P<0.05]. The decreased numbers of crossing the platforms[(1.62±0.87)number] and the declined time of staying the platforms[(16.70±5.02)s] were found in the rats exposed to high fluoride as compared to controls [(3.53±1.67 )number, (23.33±5.35)s, P<0.05]. The fluoride contents obviously influenced the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 12.83,13.27, P<0.01). On the other hand, the times of breeding also influnced the activities of butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 16.26, P<0.01). In 3 months of the experiment, the activities of butylcolinesterase [(0.55±0.12)kU/g] in low fluoride exposed group were significantly decreased in comparison with controls[(0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The activities of acetylcholinesterase[(0.62±0.42)kU/g] and butylcolioesterase[(0.58±0.10)kU/g] in high fluoride group were significantly decreased as compared to eontrois[(1.41±0.52), (0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the cholinesterase and the escape latency(r=-0.68, P< 0.01), and a positive correlation between the cholinesterase and the time of staying the platforms(r=0.57, P< 0.01). Conclusions The ability of learning and memory in rats with coal buring fluorosis was decreased, which might be connected to the decreased activity of cholinesterase in a dose-effect correlation.

Objective To investigate the influences of Chinese herbal remedies (CHR) with the actions of replenishing qi and nourishing yin, and resolving mass and freeing the collateral vessels on renal nephrin-mRNA and ultrastructure in rats with early diabetes. Methods All SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups including group 1 (with nephrectomy), group 2 (model), group 3 (with irbesatan), group 4 (with low-dose CHR), group 5 (with mid-dose CHR) and group 6 (with high-dose CHR). The relevant drugs or CHR were given intragastrically to different groups respectively. At the end of 6th week the quantity of 24-hour urine protein (UPro) and kidney function were detected. The pathological changes of renal cortex were observed by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) after HE staining. The expression of nephrin was determined by applying RT-PCR.Results There were pathological changes of diabetic nephropathy observed by the light microscope and TEM in group 2 and 1, which were alleviated in other 4 groups. The quantity of UPro decreased significantly in group 3, 4 and 5 compared with that in group 2 and 6 (P<0.05). The renal function was improved significantly in all treatment groups compared with that in group 2 (P<0.05). In group 3, 4, 5 and 6 the expression of nephrin-mRNA increased significantly compared with that in group 2 (P<0.05).Conclusion CHR with the actions of replenishing qi and nourishing yin, and resolving mass and freeing the collateral vessels have a protective effect on kidney in rats with diabetic nephropathy induced by STZ.

Cell Line ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to investigate whether 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) could exert effect of inducing differentiation on myeloma cells. A myeloma cell line CZ-1 secreting lambda light chain protein was used as an object of study. The CZ-1 cell morphology was observed by Wright's staining, the CD49e expression on cell surface after treatment with 2ME2 was detected by flow cytometry, the concentration of lambda light chain protein in the supernatant was assayed by immuno-scattering turbidity method. The results showed that treatments with 0.1-0.5 micromol/L 2ME2 for 72 hours resulted in some mature morphological changes of CZ-1 cells, such as the ratio of karyoplasms going down, nucleolus reducing or disappearing, chromatin getting rougher and more compacted; the CD49e positive CZ-1 cells increased by 2ME2 with concentrations of 0.1 micromol/L to 0.5 micromol/L in a concentration-dependent manner. The statistical difference from the control group was significant; the concentration of lambda light chain protein increased from control group 29.3 +/- 2.77 microg/ml to 35.97 +/- 2.6 microg/ml (P < 0.05) after exposure to 0.1 micromol/L 2ME2 for 72 hours, and the treatment of 0.5 micromol/L 2ME2 up-regulated lambda light chain protein to 79.67 +/- 1.88 microg/ml (P < 0.01) continuously. It is concluded that 2ME2 at low-concentration can induce differentiation of the CZ-1 cells to mature, which provides a new, and safe strategy for myeloma therapy.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains ; biosynthesis ; Integrin alpha3 ; biosynthesis ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo further study the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a) on the activation of human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) LX-2, and to analyze the differences on the protein expression in LX-2 induced by I IFN beta-1a.

METHODSCultured LX-2 cells were treated with 2000 U/ml IFN beta-1a for 48 h. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed to compare protein patterns of the control (untreated) and IFN beta-1a treated LX-2 and for quantitative and qualitative analyses of protein expression. A rat liver fibrosis model was established and the rats were sacrificed and their various tissues were obtained for the same analyses. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to validate the expression of the changed proteins after treatment of IFN beta-1a in LX-2 cells and of various tissues of the rats.

RESULTS708 +/- 25 spots were detected in control LX-2 cells and 804 +/- 32 spots in IFN beta-1a-treated LX-2 cells. A match rate of 73%-82% was achieved. The results also showed that 31 protein spots displayed quantitative changes in expression after IFN beta-1a treatment. Of the 31 spots, 21 proteins were identified, of which, one was newly found, two were enhanced in abundance and 18 showed lower expressions. The newly found protein was glia maturation factor beta (GMF beta). The treatment of LX-2 with IFN beta-1a increased the production of GMF beta(GMF beta) protein in comparison with the untreated cells (t=1.81, P < 0.01). The expression of GMF beta protein (1.81 vs 0.10) and mRNA (0.85 vs 0.12) were more in the normal liver tissues than in the cirrhotic liver tissues (t=2.53, 2.13 respectively, P < 0.01). The expressions of GMF beta protein and mRNA were weak in rat heart and lung tissues, however, they were strong in rat liver, kidney, spleen and brain tissues (t=1.91, 1.94 respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant difference of protein expression levels between IFN beta-1a untreated and treated LX-2 cells. These proteins, especially GMF beta, may be involved in an inhibition process of IFN beta-1a on activation and apoptosis of LX-2 cells. This proteome study may be useful in further studies of the relationship of IFN beta-1a treatment and human liver diseases.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Female ; Glia Maturation Factor ; metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon beta-1a ; Interferon-beta ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; Proteome ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the possible immunological mechanism of wheezing attack in children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

METHODSA total of 25 under-5-year-old children with wheezing following CMV infection were enrolled. The expression of serum regulatory T cells (Treg)/T helper 17 (Th17) cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and IL-17, and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were determined. Twenty age-matched healthy children were selected as the control group.

RESULTSThe wheezing group had a significantly reduced serum IL-10 level, significantly increased IL-6 and IL-17 levels, significantly reduced levels of natural killer cells, and significantly increased levels of CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells, as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONSWheezing children with CMV infection have Treg/Th17 imbalance and cellular immune dysfunction, which may be an important immunological mechanism of the development of wheezing in children after CMV infection.

Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; blood ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Respiratory Sounds ; etiology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

Objective To explore epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)antigens that are potentially useful for cancer early detection and therapy.Methods A high quality cDNA library derived from ascites tumor cells of EOC patients(3 cases of serous EOC,1 case of mucinous EOC,and 1 case of endometrial carcinoma of ovary)was constructed,and the method of combining serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries(SEREX)and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH)was used for screening cDNA library.All of the positive clones were sequenced and bioinformatics analysis with BLAST software in GenBank was performed.Serological mini-arrays of recombinant tumor antigens(SMARTA)was used to investigate the prevalence of autoantibodies to these antigens in both 96 ovarian cancer patients and 96 cancer-free controls.Results Fifty-five positive clones encoding different antigenic genes of EOC recognized by IgG and(or)IgM were obtained.It showed that these 55 clones derived from 45 distinct genes and these genes could be grouped into 6 classes as following according to homology with known expressed sequence tag(EST):(1)known ovarian carcinoma related genes:BARD1,et al;(2)homologous genes with other tumors:TM4SF1,et al;(3)homologous genes with special tissues:ILF3,FXR1,et al;(4) homologous genes with special function:TIZ,C1 D,et al;(5)embryo originating genes:PKHD1,et al; (6)novel genes:OV-189,et al.SMARTA results showed that the positive ratio of five EOC antigens TM4SF1(28% vs 9%),CID(21% vs 6%),BARD1(23% vs 5%),FXR1(23% vs 8%),OV-189 (31% vs 13%)which reacting with their IgG autoantibodies,three antigens TIZ(26% vs 8%),FXR1 (28% vs 11%),and OV-189(18% vs 7%)which reacting with their IgM autoantibodies in patients was higher than in controls(P