Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the relationship of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-36α,IL-36β and IL-36γas well as their receptor antagonist IL-36Ra with disease severity in patients with psoriasis.Methods Venous blood samples were collected from 45 patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP),34 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV),and 37 healthy human controls.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the serum levels of IL-36α,IL-36β,IL-36γ and IL-36Ra.Nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was conducted to compare the levels of IL-36 and IL-36Ra among these groups,and Spearman's rank correlation analysis to assess the relationship between the serum levels of IL-36 and IL-36Ra and disease severity.Results No statistical difference was observed in the serum levels of IL-36 or IL-36Ra among the patients with GPP,patients with PV,and healthy human controls.The serum levels of IL-36β and IL-36γ (given as the median ± interquartile range) were significantly higher in 27 patients with GPP during episodes of pustules ((12.101 ± 11.315) ng/L and (34.541 ± 15.580) ng/L respectively) and in 7 patients with severe GPP ((11.218 ± 9.318) ng/L and (38.536 ± 17.332) ng/L respectively) than in the healthy human controls ((5.355 ± 9.020) ng/L and (23.052 ± 22.410) ng/L respectively,P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The serum level of IL-36γwas positively correlated with that of IL-36β in patients with GPP,patients with PV,and the healthy human controls (r =0.85,0.86,0.91,respectively,all P ＜ 0.01),and both IL-36β and IL-36γserum levels were lowly and positively correlated with the severity of GPP (r =0.33,0.41,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).A positive correlation was also observed between the serum level of IL-36β and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores in patients with PV (r =0.54,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The serum levels of IL-363 and IL-36γ are lowly and positively correlated with disease severity in patients with GPP,suggesting that IL-36β and IL-36γplay an important role in the pathogenesis of GPP.

The effect of nateglinide or sequential treatment with metformin on glycemic stability in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes was investigated. Thirty-four cases of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes received nateglinide therapy, or sequential treatment with metformin according to fasting and postprandial blood glucose, and were classified into isolated nateglinide therapy group(n=14) and sequentially treated with metformin group(n=20). Glycemic stability, reflected by mean amplitude of glycemic excursions(MAGE) and HbA1C, was determined in all patients before and after therapy for three months. HbA1C and MAGE in two groups were all improved after treatment(P＜0.05). The therapy of nateglinide alone or combined with metformin can significantly improve glycemic stability in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Objective To investigate the effect of thalidomide on the proliferation of as well as the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were divided into several groups to be treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (negative control group) and various concentrations (0.01nmol/L-100 μmol/L) of thalidomide (experimental groups) respectively for 20 to 24 hours.Subsequently,water soluble tetrazolium-1(WST-1) assay was performed to estimate cellular proliferation,real time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA expression of VEGF and TNF-α in HaCaT cells,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify the protein expressions of VEGF and TNF-α in the culture supernatants of HaCaT cells.Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance with least significant difference post hoc test.Results The survival rate of HaCaT cells was 74.3％,82.9％ and 90.8％ after 24-hour treatment with thalidomide of 100,10 and 1 μmol/L respectively,significantly lower than that in the negative control group (100％,all P ＜0.01).A significant decrease was induced in the mRNA expression (0.439-to 0.634-fold change,all P ＜0.01) and supematant level ((0.587-to 0.923-fold change,P ＜0.05) of VEGF in HaCaT cells by thalidomide of 0.01-100 nmol/L,as well as in the mRNA expression (0.493-to 0.587-fold change,P ＜0.05) and supernatant level (0.408-to 0.617-fold change,P ＜0.01) of TNF-α by thalidomide of 0.1-100 nmol/L.Conclusion Within a certain range of concentration,thalidomide could suppress the proliferation of,as well as the expression and secretion of VEGF and TNF-α by,HaCaT cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe the primary prevention role of Wuling Capsule (WC) on poststroke depression (PSD) patients.

METHODSAcute stroke patients were recruited and randomized into 2 groups by stratification, 55 in each group. All patients received same routine treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Patients in the experimental group additionally took WC (0.33 g each pill), 3 pills per day, three times per day; while those in the control group additionally took placebos, 3 pills per day, three times per day. Two weeks consisted of one therapeutic course. The diagnosis of PSD was performed once every other week. Those in accordance with PSD diagnosis discontinued any drug therapy. Those not in accordance with PSD diagnosis continued the drug therapy for 1-12 therapeutic course(s) (in total of 6 months). If they were still not in accordance with PSD diagnosis, then they discontinued the drug therapy. The morbidity of PSD, the average time of depression occurrence, Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score, and adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3-, and 6-month morbidity of PSD was 8%, 16%, and 34% in the experimental group, while they were 19.6%, 29.4%, and 54.9% in the control group. The occurrence rate was lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Besides, there was statistical difference in the 6-month occurrence rate between the two groups (chi2 = 4.465, P < 0.05). The average time of PSD occurrence was longer in the experimental group than in the control group (14.96 +/- 8.31 weeks vs. 9.36 +/- 6.06 weeks; t=6.762, P < 0.05). The HAMD score at the PSD occurrence was 11.96 +/- 2.14 in the experimental group, lower than that of the control group (14.57 +/- 4.24), showing statistical difference (t=5.641, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWC was superior to the placebos in lowering the incidence of PSD, delaying the occurrence time of PSD, attenuating the depression degree of PSD, and had certain preventive effect on the incidence of PSD.

Aged ; Capsules ; Depression ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Primary Prevention ; Stroke ; complications

Objective To determine the risk factors for emergence agitation (EA) during the recovery period after general anesthesia.Methods One thousand and thirty-four patients of both sexes aged 18-89 yr undergoing general anesthesia were divided into EA group and non-EA group.EA occurring during recovery from general anesthesia was assessed by using Riker sedation-agitation scale.Age,sex,complication,education,medical history,ASA physical status,type and duration of anesthesia and operation,volume of blood loss,fluid replacement,urine volume,duration of stay in PACU,number of drainage tubes and so forth were recorded.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of EA.Results Thirty-six patients developed EA during recovery from anesthesia.The incidence of EA was 3.5 ％.Logistic regression indicated that high risk operation,premedication with diazepam,induction of anesthesia without midazolom and fluid replacement during operation were the risk factors for EA (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion High-risk operation,premedication with diazepam,induction of anesthesia without midazolom and fluid replacement during operation are the risk factors for EA during recovery from general anesthesia.

Objective To obtain the economic data in the aspects of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of neonatal congenital hypothyroidism(CH) screening in Foshan City and to make assessment on the effect of screening works.Methods The economic related data were collected by the screening center,literatures,official resources and questionnaire investigation.The statistical tool and Tree Age Pro health decision analysis software were used to conduct the assessment on the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of screening works.Results The screening program invested 17.95 million Yuan in total during 2000-2007,and the gain benefits was 117.69 million Yuan,net benefit was 9 975.52 ten thousand Yuan.The cost-benefit ratio was 1.00∶6.56.Each investing 3 216 Yuan could avoid a disability-adjusted life year.Conclusion The CH screening item has good economic applicability and is worth investing more funding for further promotion and popularization.

This paper reports the hematology screening and parasite morphological features of one case of imported falci?parum malaria and reviews the relevant literature.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of dual stent placements for the treatment of occlusion/stenosis of subclavian artery associated with stenosis of adjacent vertebral artery initial site. Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with occlusion/stenosis of subclavian artery associated with stenosis of adjacent vertebral artery initial site were retrospectively analyzed. Stent implantations in the affected subclavian artery and vertebral artery were separately performed; the patients were followed up for 3-12 months after the treatment. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with the clinical symptoms and Doppler ultrasonic examination. Results Successful implantation of two stents was accomplished in all 9 patients, with the technical success rate of 100%. After the treatment, the blood flow in both the subclavian and vertebral arteries was unobstructed. Following-up examination showed that the subjective symptoms were obviously improved in all 9 patients, and no serious procedure-related complications occurred. Doppler ultrasound examination showed that no in-stent restenosis or stent displacement was observed. Conclusion For the treatment of occlusion/stenosis of subclavian artery associated with stenosis of adjacent vertebral artery initial site, dual stent placement technique is a safe and feasible means with satisfactory effect in improving vertebro-basilar arterial insufficiency.

Objective To evaluate the immunogenicity and immunoprotective effect of heat shock protein 60 kDa (SjHSP60) of Schistosoma japonicum in mice after immunization and challenge infection, and explore the mechanism. Methods B cell/an?tibody?related databases and analysis tools were used to predict B?cell epitopes of SjHSP60. The mice were immunized with the recombinant SjHSP60 and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae. SjHSP60?specific antibodies in serum were detected by ELI?SA. The level of splenocyte proliferation was determined by 3H?TdR incorporation. Ex vivo suppression assay was performed to in?vestigate the effects of CD4 +CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) induced by SjHSP60. Results SjHSP60 possessed multiple pre?dominant regions of B?cell epitopes. SjHSP60 induced a significant increase in both SjHSP60?specific IgG levels (P < 0.01) and splenocyte proliferation (P < 0.01) with a higher IFN?γ production (P < 0.01). However, the immunization with SjHSP60 resulted no significant reduction in adult worms (P > 0.05) and liver?accumulated eggs (P > 0.05) in S. japonicum?infected mice. Ex vivo assay showed that CD4+CD25+ Tregs from SjHSP60?immunized mice enhanced immunosuppressive activity. Conclusion SjH?SP60 has a dual role in host immune system, being involved in the induction of dominant humoral and cellular immune responses as well as in the enhancement of immunosuppression.