Airway Obstruction ; complications ; surgery ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; etiology ; therapy ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the efficacy of oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) on evaluation the cardiopulmonary function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods The cardiopulmonary function of 54 stable COPD patients with the cardiopulmonary function of Ⅱ~Ⅳ were evaluated, following a symptom-limited Steep protocol with simultaneous respiratory gas measurement,they were performed exercise tests on a treadmill, simultaneously the oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2),peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), minute ventilation (VE), and respiratory gas exchange rate (RER) were measured. OUES was derived from the relation between VO2 and VE during incremental exercise and was determined by VO2=algVE+b, where a=OUES, to measure anaerobic threshold (VAT) meanwhile. Results OUES correlated with the VO2peak (P<0.001). 75% OUES, 90% OUES and 100% OUES were not significantly different (F=0.239, P=0.830). Conclusion OUES can respond the cardiopulmonary function in patients with COPD, 75% OUES from sub-maximal exercise can be an index for cardiopulmonary function.

Anoikis is a form of apoptosis induced upon cell detachment from extracellular matrix.It has been determined that acquisition of resistance to anoikis is a critical step for tumor cell metastasis.MiR-21,the most prominent oncomiR,plays an important role in tumor progression.In this study,we revealed that up-regulation of miR-21 in human esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival rate.Because of the established anti-apoptosis effect of miR-21,it is tempting to speculate that miR-21 might contribute to tumor metastasis by regulating anoikis,qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that miR-21 expression in OE33/AR cells (subpopulation of human EA OE33 cells that acquired resistance to anoikis) was significantly increased.Also,transfection of miR-21 mimics provided OE33 cells resisting to anoikis.By luciferase assays,we verified that PDCD4 and PTEN were the functional targets of miR-21.In mouse model,via tail vein injection experiment,we showed that the metastasis formation of OE33 cells in vivo could be mediated by changing the miR-21 expression pattern.Taken together,our findings suggested that miR-21 was involved in the regulation of anoikis in human EA cells.Targeting miR-21 may provide a novel strategy to prevent metastasis.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between recurrent intussusception and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (EMLNs) in children by ultrasound.Methods A total of 35 cases (a total of 75 relapse) with imaging features of recurrent intussusception were retrospectively analysed.The sequence,size,number,morphology and location of EMLNs were recorded.Results Twenty cases of EMLNs were found in 35 cases recurrent intussusception (57.1%,20/35).At least three EMLNs were found in and / or around the mesentery of intussusception.The imaging feature of recurrent intussusception was a " target" appearance on transverse scans and a "sleeve" sign on longitudinal scans .All the EMLNs were smooth and oval-shaped hypoechoic nodule.The largest longitudinal diameter of the EMLNs ranged between 7-20 mm ,the largest transverse diameter of the EMLNs ranged between 3-8 mm with the aspect ratio≥2.0.Conclusion The Enlarged mesenteric lymph node recurrence of intussusception in children is crucial factor.Ultrasound can not only accurately and timely diagnose and treat intussusception while scanning enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes,which can provide an important basis for reducing the recurrence of intussusception.

The aim of this study is to prepare hyaluronic acid (HA) modified core-shell liponanoparticles (pHA-LCS-NPs) as gene delivery system and investigate its gene transfection efficiency in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. The pHA-LCS-NPs was prepared by firstly hydrating dry lipid film with CS-NPs suspension to get LCS-NPs, then modifying the lipid bilayer with HA by amidation reaction between HA and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Its morphology, particle size and zeta potential were investigated. XTT assay was used to evaluate the cell safety of different vectors in vitro. The gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs modified with different contents of HA was investigated in ARPE-19 cells with green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) as the reporter gene. The results showed that the obtained pHA-LCS-NPs exhibited a clear core-shell structure with the average particles size of (214.9 +/- 7.2) nm and zeta potential of (-35 +/- 3.7) mV. The 24 h cumulative release of gene from pHA-LCS-NPs was less than 30%. After 48 h incubation, gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs/pEGFP was 1.81 times and 3.75 times higher than that of CS-NPs/pEGFP and naked pEGFP, respectively. Also no obvious cytotoxicity was observed on pHA-LCS-NPs. It suggested that the pHA-LCS-NPs might be promising non-viral gene delivery systems with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity.
Cell Survival ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; drug effects ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical outcomes rating scale for heart failure (HF) based on patients' report.

METHODSTCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF (TCM-HF-PRO) were evaluated based on 340 HF patients' report from multiple centers. The completion of the investigation was recorded. Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability were used for reliability analysis, and factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of the rating scale. Pearson correlation analysis was then used for criterion validity analysis. Discriminant analysis was used to assess the responsiveness of the scale. All 340 HF patients having complete TCM-HF-PRO data were assigned to the treatment group and the control group by central randomization. The total TCM-HF-PRO scores of the two groups were compared using paired t-test to reflect the longitude responsiveness of the scale before treatment and at week 2 after treatment.

RESULTS(1) The recycling rate of the scale was 100.0%. One of them was not filled completely, which was rejected thereby. So the completion rate was 99.7%. The completion time for TCM-HF-PRO scale ranged 15 to 25 min. (2) The Cronbach's α coefficient of rating scale was 0.903, split-half reliability was 0.844 and 0.849. (3) Confirmatory factor analysis showed that 7 factors and items formed according to maximum load factor basically coincided with the construct of the rating scale, 7 factors accumulated contribution rate was 43.8%. TCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF based on patients' report was relatively better correlated with the Minnesota living with HF questionnaire (r = 0.726, P < 0.01). (4) Discriminant analysis showed that the rating scale correctly classified more than 78.8% of case studies having confirmed initial differential diagnosis by experts. The total scale of the rating scale decreased more in the two group after treatment, with significant difference as compared with before treatment (P < 0.01.

CONCLUSIONTCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF based on patients' report had good reliability, validity and responsiveness, hence it could be used to assess clinical efficacy for HF patients.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Discriminant Analysis ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the origin of α-SMA positive cells in the outflow tract ridge of the embyonic mouse heart and to explore the ultrastructure change of the mesenchymal cells during the ridges fusion. Methods Sections of embryonic day 10(E10d) to E14d mouse embryonic hearts were stained by immunohistochemistry assay with monoclonal antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), α-sarcomeric actin(α-SCA) and in situ hybridization method with PlexinA2 probe. The outflow tract ridges fusion was observed by transmission electron microscopy at E12.5d. Results From E10d to E11d, PlexinA2 positive cells were seen in the neural tube with mesenchymes around it, the aortic sac and aortic arch. These cells also migrated into the outflow tract ridge along the aortic sac wall and part of them expressed α-SMA. At E12d, PlexinA2 was expressed in the spinal ganglia, the pharyngeal mesenchyme, the aorto-pulmonary septum and the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. The septum showed α-SMA strongly positive. But only a few of α-SMA positive cells were observed in the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. At E12.5d, two clusters of condensed mesenchymal cells in the outflow tract ridges formed and began to express PlexinA2 weakly and α-SMA strongly. When the ridges began to fuse, the endothelial cells formed a cellular seam, which rapidly broke into pieces and disappeared and were replaced by the sparsed mesenchymal cells containing a few of microfilaments. Two clusters of condensed mesenchymal cells gradully moved to merge. It was noted that some mesenchymal cells contained plenty of microfilament bundles, mitochondria and focal contacts between them. Some mesenchymal cells only had a few of microfilaments and plasma membrane fusion was seen between them. Conclusionα-SMA positive cells in the outflow tract cushion may be derived from cardiac neural crest. The endothelial cells might participate in the fusion of the outflow tract ridges by endothelial-mesenchymal transformation. Mesenchymal cells of the condensed cell mass contain plenty of microfilament bundles and focal contacts or membrane fusion, which contribute to the ridges fusion.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of blocking the JAK/STAT signal pathway on the activity of Caspase-3 in the synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis rats.MethodsFifty rat models of collageninduced arthritis,which had arthritis index more than 2 were divided into the model group,the low dosage of AG490 group,the medium dosage of AG490 group and high dosage of AG490 group.Inaddition,6 rats were treated as normal control group.Normal saline,AG490 1,5,10 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 were given by intraperitoneal injection.Then the volume claws and pathologic scores of the rat models were recorded and the activity of Caspase-3 in the synovial tissue were compared.The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD-t or Tamhane's T2 test.ResultsThe arthritis of the CIA models progressed fast,the volume of the claws and the pathological score of them were significantly higher than those of the control group.At the same time,no Caspase-3 positive express could be detected in the control group,whilethe model group had slightly increased expression.After different dosages of AG490 were applied,the swollen of joints was significantly improved compared with the model group.The histopathological score of the medium AG490 dosage of group and high dosage group(2.7±0.8,1.8+0.9) were remarkably decreased than those of the model group(4.3+1.2),the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01).In addition,the Caspase-3 expression in the low,medium and high AG490 dosage group ( 1.90±0.15,3.13±0.33,3.56+0.34) was significantly higher than that of the model group(1.48±0.18)(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ).ConclusionBlocking JAK/STAT signal pathway can increase the activity of Caspase-3,reduce the excessive proliferation of synovial tissue,and improve arthritis symptoms.

Objective To investigate the life quality in infants with food allergy before and after treatment by using of Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Parent Form(FAQLQ - PF). Methods The severity of eczema in 46 children with food allergy was determined by eczema area and severity index(EASI). The life quality of such infants was assessed by the FAQLQ - PF after 2 - months treatment. Results (1)Among the 50 subjects,46(92% )respon-ded to the tests;the average age was(4. 78 ± 1. 48)months. Twenty - nine(63. 04% )subjects had family history of allergic disease. Egg(73. 91% )was the most common allergen,followed by cow milk(43. 48% ),fish and shrimp (8. 70% ),and carrot(4. 35% ).(2)The scores of EASI,FAQLQ - PF in children with food allergy before treatment were 13. 20 ± 12. 86 and 2. 12 ± 1. 33,respectively,the scores after treatment declined(2. 02 ± 4. 40 and 1. 33 ± 1. 08, respectively),there was a statistical significance(t = 28. 070,4. 014,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(3)Compared with pre - treat-ment,the scores of emotional impact subscale and food anxiety subscale declined,from 2. 10 ± 1. 47 and 2. 63 ± 1. 83 to 1. 30 ± 1. 09 and 1. 68 ± 1. 37,respectively,and there were statistically significant differences(t = 5. 204,8. 818,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(4)There was a positive correlation between the EASI and FAQLQ - PF scores(ρ = 0. 205,P ﹤ 0. 05). Conclusions Food allergy adversely affects the quality of life in infants. The poor life quality is associated with more severe symptoms. The life quality in infants and parents can be improved by standardized treatment.

Objective To observe expressions of ?-smooth muscle actin(?-SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ,Ⅲ deposition in the liver tissues, and to evaluate potential mechanism of fibrosis in patients with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) by collagen synthesis. Method Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of ?-SMA and contents of type Ⅰ,Ⅲ collagen proteins, which were from the specimens of the biopsy liver in 9 cases with FCH associated with hepatitis virus B (HBV) developed following renal transplantation and in 5 cases without liver disease(control group), respectively. Results The expressions of ?-SMA and type Ⅰ,Ⅲ collagen proteins in the patients with FCH were significantly higher than those in the control group. The expression and distribution pattern of ?-SMA and type Ⅰ,Ⅲ collagen proteins were almost identical, and quantitative analysis showed a positive correlation (P