Objective To investigate the effect of Interleukin(IL)-18,IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in hepatic injury in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP).Methods Sixty-two cases of ICP patients(ICP group),30 cases of normal pregnant women(control group)and 30 cases of hepatitis B(HBV) women (hepatitis group) were recruited. Serum IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-α were examined by ELISA. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were examined by automatic biochemical analysis instrument. Results ( 1 ) In hepatitis group, serum concentrations of IL-18,IL-12 and TNF-α were (256±51 ) ng/L, ( 122±96) ng/L and (207±3) ng/L; serum levels of ALT and AST were(363±174) U/L and (359 ±237) U/L, respectively. In ICP group, serum concentrations of IL18, IL-12 and TNF-α were (72±32) ng/L, (42 ±28) ng/L and (48±14) ng/L; serum levels of ALT and AST were (201 ±128) U/L and ( 132±87) U/L, respectively. While in control group, serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-α were (43 ± 13) ng/L, ( 10±3) ng/L and (33±9) ng/L; serum levels of ALT and AST were (13 ~ 4) U/L and (15 ± 3) U/L, respectively. Serum IL-18, IL-12, TNF-α, ALT and AST levels in hepatitis group were significantly higher than those in ICP group and control group ( P ＜0. 05 ).Serum IL-18, IL-12, TNF-α, ALT and AST levels in ICP group were significantly higher than those in control group(P ＜ 0. 05 ). (2) In severe ICP subgroup, serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-α were (81 ±32) ng/L, (50 ±25) ng/L and(50 ± 14) ng/L; serum levels of ALT and AST were (269 ± 111 ) U/L and (181±73) U/L In mild ICP subgroup, serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-α were (48 ±18 ) ng/L, (17 ± 4 ) ng/L and (40 ± 10 ) ng/L; serum levels of ALT and AST were (87±46) U/L and (50 ±21 ) U/L, respectively. Serum IL-18, IL-12, TNF-α, ALT and AST levels in severe ICP subgroup were significantly higher than those in mild ICP subgroup and control group (P ＜ 0. 05). And serum ALT and AST levels in mild ICP subgroup were significantly higher than those in control group(P ＜0. 05). (3) There were 16 cases with preterm birth (50%, 16/32 ) and 10 cases with meconium-stained amniotic fluid( 31%, 10/32 ) in severe ICP subgroup, significantly higher than those in mild ICP subgroup ( P＜ 0. 05 ), which contained 2 preterm births ( 7%, 2/30) and 1 meconium-stained amniotic fluid (3%, 1/30). While in control group, the numbers were 1(3%, 1/30)and 1(3%, 1/30),respectively. As for the cases of neonates whose 1 minute Apgar score were not more than 7, there were 2 cases, 1 case and 1 case in severe ICP subgroup, mild ICP subgroup and control group, respectively,which showed no significant difference(P＞ 0. 05). Conclusion Serum IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-α may be involved in the process of hepatic injury of ICP.

Balloon Occlusion ; adverse effects ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Contraindications ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of the CT perfusion for severe acute pancreatitis. Methods We performed CT perfusion scan on three groups of 9, 17and 41 cases with severe,mild and normal pancreatitis respectively, using 16 rows spiral CT, and got the perfusion data of the relevant groups including blood flow (BL), blood volume(BV), mean transit time( MTT), capillary permeability(PS)with perfusion package 3. We analize the data deviation between the groups mentioned above. Furthmore, we still adapt correlation test to compare the clinical biochemical indicators of MAP and SAP, with the variance BF. Results The mean values of BF, BV reduce significally in the groups of MAP, SAP compared to thenormal group(P＜0.01 ), only PS goes higher than that of the normal group(P＜0.05). At the same time,they are obviously higher in MAP group than in SAP group. In MAP group, the level of blood hemodiastase and BF are negatively correlated, on the contray, in SAP group, the level of the blood hemodiastase has no relation to BF. Conclusions CT perfusion techniques are of great significance in early diagnosis in SAP, and in guiding the clinical therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of aqueous extract of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (AETC) combined Erlotnib on the growth of A549 xenograft in nude mice and its mechanism.

METHODSThe xenograft model in nude mice was established by inoculating A549 cells subcutaneously. BALB/c nude mice bearing A549 xenograft were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the low dose Erlotinib group (A) , the standard dose Erlotnib group (B) , the low dose Erlotinib combined AETC group (C), the standard dose Erlotnib combined AETC group (D), the AETC group (E), the control group (F), 12 in each group. Different medication was performed for 7 successive weeks after 24 h. One mL blood was withdrawn and tumor tissues taken. The tumor inhibition rate was calculated. The combined effect was analyzed by Jin's Formula [Q = Ea + b/(Ea + Eb-Ea x Eb) ]. mRNA and protein expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in xenografts were detected using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with Group F, the xenograft weight was obviously lowered in Group B-E (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The q value was 0.92 in Group C and 0.96 in Group D, which was obtained by simple adding of the two drugs. Compared with Group F, EG- FR mRNA expression in Group D and E, COX-2 mRNA expression in Group A-E; Bcl-2 mRNA expression in Group B-D; COX-2 protein expression in Group B-E; Bcl-2 protein expression in Group C and D were obviously lowered with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAETC combined low dose and standard dose Erlotinib had synergistic effect on tumor inhibition. Its mechanism might be associated with down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; pharmacology ; Heterografts ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Taxus ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiology ; Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; pharmacokinetics ; Heart ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To explore the quality of life (QOL) and its influential factors among patients with 3 major rheumatic diseases. Methods A total of 216 patients with rheumatic diseases (84 patients with systemic lu- pus erythematosus, SLE, 83 with rheumatoid arthritis, RA, and 49 with ankylosing spondylitis, AS) were recruited. The information with regard to their quality of life, sociopsychological factors and the evaluation of disease activity were obtained by using the medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) and clinic documents. Results Patients with rheumatic diseases scored significantly lower with each subscale of SF-36 as compared to those of a healthy popu- lation in China (P

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical efficacy of Zero-profile implant for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and conventional titanium plate with cage internal fixation for the treatment of single segmental cervical intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODSFrom August 2011 to March 2014, clinical data of 139 patients with single cervical disc herniation treated with anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with internal fixation were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to its operation method. There were 63 patients in group A which performed anterior discectomy and interbody fusion with Zero-profile;76 patients in group B which performed anterior cervical discectomy and cage plate internal fixation. JOA score and Odom functional rating between two groups were compared before and after operation. Videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS) were used to evaluate thickness of prevertebral soft tissue. Bazaz dysphagia score were used to assess incidence of dysphagia. Postoperative AP X-ray and CT of cervical vertebra at 12 months were applied for evaluating bone graft fusion. Postoperative MRI was applied for evaluating the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration. Blood loss,operative time, preoperative and postoperative JOA score, Odom functional rating and VFSS score, Bazaz score, fusion rate between vertebral bodies and incidence of adjacent segment degeneration were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThere were no statistical meaning between two groups in JOA score, Odom functional rating before and after operation (P > 0.05); and no significant meaning in VFSS score between two groups before operation (P > 0.05); There were no significant difference in operative time and blood loss. There was statistical meaning in VFSS, Bazaz dysphagia score at 2 days, and 6 months after operation (P < 0.05). All patients obtained bone union at 1 year after operation, and no obvious meaning in fusion rate (P > 0.05). Eight patients (12.7%) in group A occurred adjacent segment degeneration and 19 patients (25%) in group B occurred adjacent segment degeneration, and there was significant meaning between two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth of Zero-profile implant for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and conventional cage internal fixation for the treatment of single segmental cervical intervertebral disc herniation could obtain satisfied clinical results. While Zero-profile implant for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has advantages of lower incidence of adjacent segment degeneration, and its mid and long term following-up results still further observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

Background Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)has been reported to have beneficial effect on cardiac dysfunction in post infarction and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.Objective To investigate the effects of G-CSF on cardiac remodeling in cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ).Methods Thirty-six male wild type mice(WT)were allocated randomly to receive subcutaneously G-CSF(10 ?g/kg per day, n=9),or Ang Ⅱ(2.88 mg/kg per day,n=9),or Ang Ⅱ plus G-CSF(Ang Ⅱ 2.88 mg/kg+G-CSF 10 ?g/kg,n =9)for 4 weeks with untreated WT(n=9)as controls.Blood pressure and cardiac function were measured. Heart weight/body weight ratio,myocyte cross-sectional area and fibrosis area were determined.The mRNA ex- pression of osteopontin(OPN)in myocardium was detected by RT-PCR.The expressions of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE),ACE2 and phosph-p70S6 kinase protein in myocardium were assessed by Western-Blot.Results Ang Ⅱ significantly elevated blood pressure(SBP,Ang Ⅱ:139.7?1.6 vs WT:108.7?2.3 mmHg,P0.05),but significantly attenuated the myocyte cross-sectional area(Ang Ⅱ+G-CSF:181.06?0.11 vs Ang Ⅱ:202.02?0.16 ?m~2,P

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ultrasonography

Objective To investigate status and epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in hospitalized children with respiratory tract infections from 2007 to 2013 in Suzhou region .Methods MP was determined by fluores‐cence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in 34 332 sputum specimens of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infec‐tions in the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from 2007 to 2013 .Results The total detection rate of MP was 19 .01% in children with respiratory tract infections in Suzhou from 2007 to 2013 .Annual MP infection rates from 2007 to 2013 were 5 .45% ,6 .95% ,14 .06% ,18 .51% ,4 .85% ,25 .94% and 28 .68% respectively ,among which the infection rates of MP in 2012 and 2013 were significantly higher than that in other years (P<0 .05) .The infection rates of MP in female children(21 .01% )was higher than that in male children(17 .81% ) ,there was statistically significant difference(P<0 .05) .The infection rates of MP in children <1 years old ,1- <4 years old ,4- <7 years old and 7-14 years old were 8 .88% ,18 .05% ,35 .28% and 52 .39% respec‐tively ,and significant differences of infection rates of MP were observed among the age groups(P<0 .05) .The infection rates of MP in spring ,summer ,autumn and winter were 15 .96% ,28 .38% ,21 .71% and 11 .01% respectively ,and significant differences of in‐fection rates of MP were observed among the seasons(P<0 .05) .Conclusion MP is one of the most common pathogens responsible for respiratory tract infection in children ,which shows gender ,age and season differences in infection rate .Children aged 7 to 14 years old are susceptible to be infected by MP in summer and autumn ,especially in July and August ,so it is necessary to strengthen the prevention of MP infection .