Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in children with MP pneumonia(MPP).Methods From Jun.2008 to Jan.2009,153 cases hospitalized with pneumonia were enrolled,and 30 cases without respiratory infection were enrolled as control group.Their respiratory secretion (including nasopharyngeal secretion,sputum,bronchialalveolar lavage fluid or pharyngeal swab) samples were collected for fluorescent quantitative PCR for MP.And their single or paired serums were collected for specific MP antibody detection.Results There were 123 cases confirmed with MPP by serology,among whom 114 cases were MP PCR positive.The quantitation of MP DNA was among 1.20?106-3.66?1010 gene copys/L. There were 30 cases with pneumonia negative with MP by the paired serum serology,among whom 2 cases were MP PCR positive,and the quantitation of MP DNA was (1.08-3.02)?107gene copys/L.All cases of control group were MP PCR negative.During the first and second weeks of the MPP onset,the sensitivity of MP-IgM from the first single blood samples were 66.7% and 83.9%,respectively.While the sensitivity and specificity of MP PCR were 92.7% and 93.3%,respectively.From the third week of the disease onset,the sensitivity of MP-IgM from the first single blood samples increased to 90.9%-100%.The clinical manifestations of MPP were nonspecific.Conclusions PCR is superior to serology for early diagnosis on MP infection.Combination of the 2 methods may be helpful to early and accurate diagnosis on MP infection.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis ( HOKPP).Methods PCR amplification and DNA sequencing were used to screen candidate genes of the HOKPP family members (CACNA1S, SCN4A, KCNE3), and the clinical features were carefully analyzed at the same time.Results The sequencing analyses of the SCN4A gene in the proband identified three nucleotide sequence mutations, which influenced the amino acid sequence of the skeletal sodium channel.One of the mutations was identified as a C/T heterozygous pattern at the 2111th nucleotide position in exon 13, resulting in a change from Thr to Met at the 704th amino acid position of the sodium channel protein.All affected patients carried the Thr704Met mutation, whereas unaffected family members did not.Clinical symptoms in this family followed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.Muscles weakness, pain and hypokalemia in the period between attacks were seen in all patients.Paralytic symptoms occurred early, lasted longer and recurred frequently, while cold was the main predisposing factor.With the progress of the disease, patients represented persistent weakness and atrophy in proximal muscles.Conclusions Mutation (Thr704Met) in the SCN4A gene should be responsible for this family.This mutation causes severe HOKPP and progressive muscle atrophy.

Objective:To observe the recent effects and toxicity of thermochemotherapy on malignant hydrothorax or hydroperitoneum,to evaluate the changes of the immunological functions,and to investigate the mechanism of thermochemotherapy.Methods:Fifty-two patients were treated with weekly intracavitary chemotherapy,and then combined with local endogenetic thermotherapy twice a week.As the control,another 50 patients received weekly intracavitary chemotherapy.The treatment lasted for two weeks and was followed by one-week rest,and then the recent effects and toxicity were observed.The T cell subset,NK cells and VEGF levels in serum,hydrothorax or hydroperitoneum were tested.Results:Overall response rates of the malignant hydrothorax were 86.9% vs 60.0%(P

Objective:Position emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) is a new bio-imaging system which is combined metabolic with anatomic imaging.This study was to compare the accuracy of conventional staging methods(including computed tomography,ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging,and detection of bone marrow) with that of PET/CT for lymphoma staging and re-staging. Methods:A total of 42 patients with lymphoma diagnosed by operation or biopsy,received conventional and PET/CT staging.The accuracy of these two methods and their impact on lymphoma staging were compared.Results:The accuracy of PET/CT scan was 95.2%(40/42),and that of conventional staging was 78.6%(33/42).The detection rates of internal lymph node were 97.1%(66/68) and 88.2%(60/68),respectively.The detection rates of outer lymph node were 91.7%(22/24) and 58.3%(14/24),respectively.Compared with conventional staging methods,7 cases were up-staged and 2 cases were down-staged by PET/CT,which led to the change of therapy in 8 cases.Conclusion:PET/CT scan is more sensitive and accurate than conventional staging methods in staging and restaging of lymphoma.

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and coronary artery lesions.

METHODPotential risk factors were studied in 341 patients underwent coronary angiography.

RESULTS(1) Coronary angiography showed coronary artery lesions in 214 patients (lesion group), and no lesion in 127 patients (non-lesion group). There was significant difference in age, past history of diabetes, family history of CHD, smoking history, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C (TC/HDL-C), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], fibrinogen (Fbg) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) between two groups (P < 0.05). (2) There was significant correlation between severity of coronary artery lesions and hs-CRP, Lp(a), TC/HDL-C, Fbg, hyperlipidemia, TC, LDL-C and TG (with coefficients of correlation of 0.338, 0.250, 0.241, 0.207, 0.167, 0.147, 0.140 and 0.139; respectively, P < 0.05). (3) Analysis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for patients with coronary angiography and risk factors for CHD showed that the areas under ROC curve were 0.810, 0.669, 0.626, 0.625, 0.619 and 0.618 for hs-CRP, TC/HDL-C, Lp(a), Fbg, LDL-C and past history of hyperlipidemia, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPast history of hyperlipidemia was a predictor for occurrence of CHD. Ratio of TC/HDL-C and blood level of Lp(a) could be used as predictors in screening for high blood lipid, which were much stronger than others. It is suggested that hs-CRP had an excellent predictive value in current coronary inflammatory lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Naoyikang (NYK) on expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brain of rats with Alzheimer' s disease (AD).

METHODBilateral infusions of Ibotenic acid (IBO) into nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) using hamilton syringe and stereotaxic apparatus were adopted to establish the rat model of AD. After intragastrically administrated with different solution for 28 days, immunohistochemistry and Western-blot were adopted to study the expression of ChAT in frontal cortex of AD rats.

RESULTNYK could improve the morphology and increase the number of ChAT immunoreactive neurons, and significantly promote ChAT protein expression.

CONCLUSIONNYK may be able to increase the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) through elevating the expression of ChAT protein, thus improving the level of brain ACh so as to protect central cholinergic neurons.

Alzheimer Disease ; enzymology ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of MspI polymorphism of Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene and smoking to the susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSThe genotypes of CYP1A1 MspI site were detected using the methods of polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 349 cases with CAD and 404 non-CAD as controls. CAD diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiograms. Genetic risk of CYP1A1 genotypes was analyzed by smoking index (SI).

RESULTSThe frequency of the predominant homozygotes TT, heterozygotes TC and the rare homozygotes CC in CAD group were not different with that of the controls (chi(2) = 3.224, P = 0.200). But in the smokers, the frequency of CC in CAD group was higher than that of non-CAD group (P = 0.002), while its odds ratio was 3.142 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.481 - 6.668]. The odds ratio of genotype CC and heterozygote TC was 2.215 (95% CI 1.087 - 4.510) in the low dose cigarette smoking group, and was 1.407 (95% CI 0.709 - 2.791) in the high dose cigarette smoking group.

CONCLUSIONBoth MspI polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene and smoking exposure promote the development of CAD.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Smoking ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Uighur medicine gu-jing-mai-si-ha tablet (GJMSHT) for treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) and to explore part of its mechanism.

METHODSThe condition of patients was scored by related questionnaire, and the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was observed before and after GJMSHT treatment, with the blood levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) detected in PE patients as well. The results were compared with those in the control group.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of PE and IELT, as well as the levels of NO and PGF2alpha, all increased significantly compared to those before treatment in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, all the parameters were insignificantly changed (P>0.05). Therefore, the difference of these parameters between the two groups after treatment all showed statistical significance (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGJMSHT could treat PE effectively, its mechanism is possibly by strengthening the coordination of the related smooth muscles through increasing the blood levels of NO and PGF2alpha, and the endurance of patients to the cavitary effect of prostatico-urethral pressure, thus postponing the arrival of urgent ejaculatory feeling.

Adult ; Dinoprost ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ejaculation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo study a kind of surgical instrument for the treatment of ankle fractures in elderly patients.

METHODSFrom October 2007 to May 2009, 14 patients (9 males and 5 females,ranging in age from 58 to 81 years, averaged 69.3 years) with ankle joint fractures of type A and B were treated with modified 1/3 tubular plate combined with lag screws. According to the Danis-Weber classification, 6 patients were type A and 8 patients were type B. The AOFAS criteria was used to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up ranged from 12 to 18 months and healed. The time of union of fractures ranged from 10 to 16 weeks. According to the clinical assess standard of AOFAS, the average score was 88.0 +/- 2.1.

CONCLUSIONIt is one of good choices to use modified 1/3 tubular plate and lag screws to treat ankle joint fractures in elder patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged