BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine (SCr) is the most commonly used parameter to estimate renal function impairement, but there are some shortcomings. Many factors including age, gender, drug, diet, muscle mass and metabolic rate can influence SCr, leading to an inaccurate estimation of kidney impairment. Studies have shown that cystatin C (CysC) is not affected by factors such as muscle mass, age, gender, diet, inflammation or tumor. The present study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of CysC and SCr in evaluating renal function impairment at early stage of shock. METHODS: Seventy-one patients aged 38.3±21.4 years, who had been treated at the Emergency Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between February 2006 and June 2007, were studied. They were divided into groups A, B, C, and D according to the shock time. Serum sample was drawn from each patient at 1, 2, 3, 4 hours after shock to determine SCr and CysC. CysC and SCr were determined again at 72 hours and 7 days after shock. RESULTS: CysC increased earlier than SCr in the 71 patients, and CysC decreased slower than SCr when shock was corrected. CysC increased at 1 hour after shock. There was a negative correlationship between CysC, SCr and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), especially at early stage of shock. CONCLUSIONS: There is renal injury at early stage of shock. CysC is more sensitive than SCr in assessing renal function at the early stage of shock.

Objective To investigate molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella spp. isolates recovered from the stool samples of children with diarrhea. Methods Seventy-two isolates of Salmonella spp. were collected from children with diarrhea. The serum type of Salmonella spp.was determined by serology agglutinating method. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by K-B disk diffusion method and MICs of cefotaxime and ceftazidime were measured by agar dilution method for Salmonella spp. isolates. PCR and DNA sequencing were used for detecting ESBL, ISEcpl and AmpC genes; The transfer of cefotaxime resistance was determined by conjugation experiments. PFGE was performed for determining the homogeneity of the S. typhimurium isolates. Results A total of 72 isolates of Salmonella spp. were collected, among which S. typhimurium accounted for 86 % (62/72) and was the main serum type. S. typhimurium isolates and S. thompson isolates were often resistant to most of clinically used antimicrobial agents. Resistance of S. thompson isolates to ampicillin was the highest (90%, 56/62),followed by tetracycline (81%, 50/62), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (74%, 46/62) and chloramphenicol (66%, 41/62). Seventeen S. typhimurium isolates (27%, 17/62) and two S. thompson isolates were resistant to cefotaxime. Forty-nine S. typhimurium isolates and two S. thompson isolates were positive for blaTEB-1b and resistant to ampicillin. Thirteen ESBL-producing S. typhimurium isolates (21%, 13/62) were positive for blaCTX-M (eight for blaCTX-M-14, three for blaCTX-M-15, one for blaCTX-M-55, one for both blaCTX-M-14 and blaCTX-M-55). All isolates harboring blaCTX-M genes were positive for upstream insert sequence ISEcpl. blaDHA-1was detected in a cefoxitin-resistant S. thompson isolate. Two main clones (PFGE type A and D) accounting for 19% (12/62) and 50% (31/62) respectively were found among 62 S. typhimurium isolates. Seven CTXM-producing isolates belonged to PFGE type D. Conclusions The multi-resistance to antimicrobial agents and high prevalence of blaCTX-M genes are found among S. typhimurium and S. thompson clinical isolates. blaCTX-M-55 is first found in S. typhimurium isolates and blaDHA-1 is found in S. thompson isolates. Clonal spread is responsible for the dissemination of S. typhimurium isolates.

Objective To analyze the clinical and CT manifestations of lung involvement of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Methods The clinical manifestations,laboratory ANCA examinations and CT features of 16 patients with lung involvement of MPA were retrospectively reviewed. Results (1) Clinical manifestations: 11 cases had hemoptysis or bloody sputum. Eight cases, who first presented with lung symptoms, were misdiagnosed with other lung diseases. All cases had mulfiorgans injuries involved kidney, cardiovascular and endocrine system, etc. (2) Laboratory examinations: all cases were pANCA positive and 14 cases were MPO-ANCA positive. (3) CT examinations: all cases had interstitial changes, 15 cases were interstitial predominately and 1 case was parenchymal predominately. Eight cases had pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and 11 cases had consolidation and 6 of them had both interstitial and consolidation. Two case had accompanied multiple nodulesand one of them had multiple cavitates. Six cases had mediastinal lymphoadenopathy. Conclusions Most of MPA patients have clinical manifestations of hemoptysis and bloody sputum, the CT examination show interstitial lung disease. Middle or advanced age population presented with above-mentioned manifestations should be alert to MPA, whether or not they have kidney and other organs injury.

Adolescent ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dystonic Disorders ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo detect the expressions of CCR5 and CCR7 on dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in different phases of disease activity, and explore the relationship between the disease activity and the expression of chemokine receptors.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with low, moderate and high disease activity and 10 normal control subjects were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood was obtained from the subjects and the DCs were isolated. The expression of CCR5 and CCR7 on DCs were detected by flow cytometry, and the serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP) and anti-CCP antibody (ACPA) were assessed. The correlation of the expressions of CCR5 and CCR7 to serum RF, CRP, and ACPA levels of the RA patients were analyzed.

RESULTSCompared to the normal control group, RA patients showed enhanced expressions of CCR5 and CCR7 on the DCs. A linear correlation was noted between CCR5 and CCR7 expressions on the DCs and the serum levels of RF and CRP, but not ACPA, in the RA patients.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of CCR5 and CCR7 on the DCs may correlate to the disease activity of RA, and may serve as valuable indices in monitoring the disease activity and the efficacy of the treatment.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR7 ; metabolism

Background and purpose:Carcinoma of the kidney is the most common malignant renal parenchymal carcinoma;its biological behavior is extremely complicated and is not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Studies have shown that the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1-? and HIF2-? are related to the occurrence and development process of the clear-cell carcinoma of kidney.So,we intend to construct psilencer3.0-HIF-? siRNA recombinant plasmid in this study through RNA interference method,thereby providing an effective tool for further exploration of the role of HIF in the occurrence and development of clear-cell carcinoma of kidney.Methods:Design and chemically synthesize the DNA fragments of coding HIF-1? and HIF-2? siRNA and make them up into siRNA expression vector through gene recombination.Adopting the real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot tested the inhibitive effect of the constructed siRNA expression vector on mRNA and protein levels on the target gene expression.Results:After 786-0 cells transfecting with psilencer3.0-HIF-1?siRNA and psilencer3.0-HIF-2?,the inhibitory rate of mRNA expression of HIF-1? and HIF-2? reached 82.1% and 87.4% respectively,and OS-RC-2 cells transfecting psilencer3.0-HIF-1? siRNA and psilencer3.0-HIF-2?,the inhibition rate reached 91.2% and 81.2% respectively.The protein expression of the experimental group with 786-0 cells and OS-RC-2 cells transfecting HIF-1? interference plasmid and HIF-2? interference plasmid were lower at different levels than that from the blank control group.Conclusions:The constructed siRNA expression vector can effectively inhibit the expression of target gene HIF-1 and HIF-2 at mRNA and protein levels.

Objective To explore the effect of reconstructing unilateral cleft lip by changing the arc-shaped incision, combined with the 3D reconstruction of upper lip muscles.Methods Twenty unilateral cleft lip patients were treated by using a new surgical operation, the 3D reconstruction of upper lip muscle, to restore normal anatomy and stress of the mucous membrane, muscle and skin.Operation scar was designed for straight line, located on the philtral ridges of the contour line;phitrum and philtral ridges were rebuilt, and postoperative scar reduced.Results A lot of 20 patients had no local infection, hemorrhage, complex crack, and were stage I incision healing.Followed up for 1-8 months postoperatively, the patient's lip bow line continuity was good, with symmetrical shape and good phitrum and philtral ridges;scar was hidden on the philtral ridges of the contour line, and no obvious upper lip scar contracture found through the follow-up period.Conclusions This improved method is simple in the incision design, and less scar hidden on the philtral ridges of the contour line after operation, which can maximize the recovery of the appearance of nose and upper lip with satisfactory effect.It is a feasible improvement method of repairing unilateral cleft lip.

UNLABELLEDTo investigate the effect of sinomenine on the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors of dendritic cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in vitro.

METHODSThe peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from 8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were induced to differentiate into dendritic cells with GM-CSF and IL-4. The dendritic cells were exposed to sinomenine at high (5 mmol/L), moderate (2 mmol/L), and low (1 mmol/L) concentrations or treated with the control medium. The expression of CCR5 and CCR7 on the surface of the dendritic cells were measured by flow cytometry, and the CCR5 and CCR7 mRNA expressions were detected by semi-quantitative PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the expressions of CXCL9 (MIG), CXCL10 (IP-10) and CXCL11 (ITAC).

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, the dendritic cells treated with sinomenine, especially at high and moderate concentrations, showed significantly lowered mRNA and protein expressions of CCR5 and CCR7. Similar results were observed in the expressions of CXCL9 (MIG) and CXCL10 (IP-10), but not in CXCL11 (ITAC).

CONCLUSIONSinomenine produces therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis possibly by inhibiting the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in the dendritic cells to suppress the chemotactic migration of the dendritic cells.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Chemokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Morphinans ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine ; metabolism

Background The diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis are knotty.There is no quantitative method to identify the disease and judge the therapeutic effect of the antifungal agent.Studies have determined that serum (1,3-) β-D-glucan level can sensitively and specifically reflect the state of systemic mycotic-causing diseases.However,whether (1,3-) β-D-glucan level in tear can monitor and diagnose mycotic keratitis is unclear.Objective Purpose of this study was to investigate the change of tear (1,3-) β-D-glucan level following the administration of antifungal drug in fungal keratitis patients,and evaluate the diagnosis and monitor value of (1,3-) β-D-glucan in tears for fungal keratitis.Methods Sixty patients who were diagnosed as fungal keratitis by fungal culture were analyzed in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College from July 2010 to May 2012.The patients received the topical administration of antifungal drug for 28 days.Thirty healthy volunteers without eye disease served as normal controls.The tear of 50 μl was collected from each subject for the detection of (1,3)-β-D-glucan before the therapy,7,14,28 days after therapy and 7 days,14 days after the drugs were stopped,respectively.The dynamic changes of (1,3-) β-D-glucan levels in tears were evaluated and compared with the manifestation of the lesions under the laser scanning confocal microscope.The patients without hyphal by the laser scanning confocal microscopy and tear (1,3-)β-D-glucan level less than 20 ng/L were subsequently treated for another 7 days,and the following-up duration was 2 months.The informed consent was obtained before any medical examination was performed from each subject.Results (1,3-)β-D-glucan level in tears (Log value) was (6.37 ±0.48)ng/L in the patient group,and was significantly higher than (2.00±0.31) ng/L in the normal control group (t =2.89,P＜0.01).The lesion was smaller with the gradually clear border,and the number of mycelia was decreased under the laser scanning confocal microscope 7 days after treatment.(1,3-) β-D-glucan level in tears was gradually declined in a time-dependent manner after treatment.The (1,3)-β-D-glucan level in tears (Log) was (5.19 ± 0.42),(4.16 ± 0.33),(2.99 ±0.42),(2.91 ±0.39),(2.80±0.40) ng/L 7,14,28 days after treatment,and 7 days,14 days after the drugs were stopped,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in comparison with (6.37±0.48)ng/L before treatment (P＜0.01).(1,3)-β-D-gluean level in tears remained a lower level till the end of follow-up,and no recurrence of lesion was found in the patient group.Conclusions Detecting (1,3)-β-D-glucan level in tears is of good diagnosis and monitor value in the evaluation of fungal keratitis.

Adult ; Aged ; Chyle ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Lymphatic Diseases ; surgery ; Lymphatic System ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Urine ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; methods