Objective To investigate the effect of intraurethral irrigation with honeysuckle water-decoction on formation of bacterial biofilm on the surface of the catheter. Methods Eighty male patients,who had no history of catheterization and no urinary infection with negative results of urine bacterial culture,were enrolled in the study. All patients were randomly divided into 4 groups with 20 cases in each: group A (patients underwent intraurethral irrigation with honeysuckle water-decoction); group B (intraurethral irrigation with 25% PVP); group C (intraurethral irrigation with normal saline ) and group D (no intraurethral irrigation). The urethral catheters were removed at the 7th day and the bacterial biofilm on the surface of the catheter was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results SEM demonstrated uneven- distributed matrixes coated on the surface of the catheter, and bacteria adhered to the matrixes. The average thickness of biofilm in group A, B, C and D was (17.876 ±11.788)μn, (31.090±15. 006)μm,(33.716±11.927)μm, (67.762±23.588)μm, respectively. The average thickness of biofilm in group A, B, C was significantly thinner than that in group D (P<0.01), and the thickness in group A was thinner than that in group B and C (P<0.01), but there was no significance difference between group B and group C (P>0.01). Conclusions Intraurethral irrigation with honeysuckle water-decoction can effectively reduce the formation of bacterial biofilm on the surface of the catheter.

Objective To explore the changes of serum albumin and globulin levels andalbumin-globulin ratio in patients with cerebral infarction,and their prognostic value.Methods Onehundred and twenty patients with acute ischemic stroke,admitted to our hospital from June 2006 to June2010,were chosen as Group Ⅰ; Group Ⅱ included 110 subjects matched with Group Ⅰ for age,medications,and clinical risk factors of stroke; and Group Ⅲ was composed of 90 healthy volunteers,matched for agewith Group Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Serum albumin and globulin levels,albumin-globulin ratio,fibrinogen level andnumber of peripheral blood cells in the 3 groups were compared; and the prognosis of subjects with analbumin-globulin ratio above 1.45 or less were compared between each 2 groups after 2-year-follow-up.Results Serum globulin,fibrinogen and leucocyte levels in Group Ⅰ were significantly higher than thosein Group Ⅱ and Ⅲ,and those in Group Ⅱ were obviously higher than those in Group Ⅲ (P＜0.05).Serumalbumin level and albumin-globulin ratio in Group Ⅰ were significantly lower than those in Group ⅡⅡ andⅢ,and those in Group Ⅱ were obviously lower than those in Group Ⅲ (P＜0.05).To the end of follow-up,the incidence of recurrent cerebrovascular disease were 24.1％,18.5％ and 2.3％ in Group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,respectively(P＜0.05).Subjects with albumin-globulin ratio less than 1.45 in Group Ⅰ and Ⅱ had 3.6 timesof risk for a subsequent vascular event as compared with their counterparts with albumin-globulin ratioabove 1.45.Conclusion Serum albumin and globulin levels and albumin-globulin ratio have a closecorrelation with cerebral infarction.The patients with low albumin-globulin ratio have increased risk ofcerebrovascular disease as compared with subjects of normal albumin-globulin ratio in subjects with cerebral infarction and high-risk cerebrovascular disease.

ObjectiveTo unify the definitions of colonoscopic characteristics of Crohn disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis ( ITB),and to evaluate colonoscopic and clinical features in the differential diagnosis of CD and ITB.MethodsA collaborative group composed of 10 experts from 5 hospitals voted to identify and confirm the colonoscopic characteristics.Clinical and colonoscopic characteristics were analyzed,thereafter,characteristics were scored based on different diagnostic specificity.ROC curve was used for determining the cutoff point to differentiate CD from ITB.ResultsFirstly,standard endoscopic images and descriptions were determined.Secondly,colonoscopic parameters which were significantly different between the CD and ITB patients included the follows:involvement of more than four intestinal segments,anorectal involvement,longitudinal ulcers,cobblestone appearance and transverse ulcers.Clinical findings which were significantly different between the CD and ITB patients included active pulmonary tuberculosis,PPD-test strong positive,anal fistula/perianal abscess and extra-intestinal manifestations in CD.4.4％(6/136) patients were confirmed by histological evidence of caseating granulomas.By using our scoring system,39.7％ (54/136) confirmed diagnoses and 18.4％ (25/136) suspected diagnoses were made in patients without histological evidence.ConclusionIdentification of colonoscopic characteristics and unification of the colonscopic diagnostic criteria were helpful in the differential diagnosis between CD and ITB.The differential diagnosis rate could he improved by using the scoring system.Half cases could not be confirmed even with combined pathology and the scoring system,so a more comprhensive scoring system would be warranted.

Comparing to Chitosan, Chitosan-oligosaccharides have several special functions, such as water-soluble, antitumor activity, immunostimulating effects, and antimicrobial activity. The chitosan-oligosaccharide, the molecular weight of which was about 5000, was used as research model. According to the agarose gel electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometer it was proved that electrostatic interaction was playing a very important role in the formation process of chitosan-oligosaccharide/DNA complex. The potential of adsorbing DNA on chitosan-oligosaccharide was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometer, and it was indicated that chitosan-oligosaccharide can improve the storage and structure stability of DNA. To check its protection ability to DNA by DNase I digestive experiment, the result showed that chitosan-oligosaccharide could load with plasmid effectively and protect DNA from being digested by DNase I. It was proved that chitosan-oligosacchide was safe and effective for gene delivery and will have a very good future in the field of gene therapy.
Chitosan ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Oligosaccharides ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simvastatin(Sim) and losartan(Los) on cardiac fibrosis and myocardial expression of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA in pressure overloaded rat hearts.

METHODSThe pressure overload model was induced by descending aortic constriction (DAC) in rats. SD rats were randomized into 6 groups (n = 20 each): normol control group, control sham group, DAC group, Los group (DAC + Los, 5 mg/kg), Sim group (DAC + Sim, 2 mg/kg), Los + Sim group (DAC + Los + Sim, Los 5 mg/kg, Sim 2 mg/kg). Water, Los or Sim drug was administrated by gavage daily beginning from day 5 after operation for 30 days. Collagen was measured on Masson stained myocardial sections, and the level of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA in left ventricle were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCollagen volume fraction (CVF) in DAC group was significantly higher than the normal control and sham groups (P < 0.01) which could be significantly reduced by Los and Sim (P < 0.05), especially in DAC + Los + Sim group (P < 0.01). The levels of myocardial MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA were also significantly higher in DAC group than in normal control and sham groups (P < 0.01). Treatment Sim and Los alone and especially in combination significantly decreased the TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA expressions (P < 0.01) while MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUpregulation of myocardial MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA expressions might contribute to myocardial fibrosis in this model, Sim and Los significantly inhibited myocardial fibrosis possibly by downregulating myocardial TIMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-2 mRNA expressions in this model.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

Objective To explore the clinical outcomes of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the thalamus received stereotactic combined with microsurgical treatment,and find the best treated method. Methods Forty-three patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the thalamus,admitted to our hospital from October 2009 to March 2011,were selected in our study; these patients were divided into stereotactic combined with microsurgical treatment group (observation group,n=22) and direct surgery group (control group,n=21).Preoperative hematoma,and hematoma at 1 week and 1 month after the treatments under CT were compared; clinical curative effect at 1 month after the treatments and activities of daily living (ADL) 3 months after the treatments were compared. Results The hematoma in the observation group 1 week and 1 month after the treatments was statistically different as compared with that in the control group (P＜0.05).Clinical curative effect in the observation group (average rank=18.022) was better than that in the control group (26.166) with significant differences (P＜0.05); the total effective rate in the observation group was 77.3％ and that in the control group was 52.4％ with significant differences (P＜0.05).ADL scale indicated that the ability of the observation group (average rank=18.363) were better than that in the control group (25.809) with significant differences (P＜0.05).The postoperative complication rate in the observation group (22.7％) was lower than that in the control group (42.8％) with significant differences (P＜0.05). Conclusion Stereotactic combined with microsurgical treatment in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the thalamus is safe and effective; this treatment can improve the postoperative living quality and enjoy few complications,which is worth in the clinical application.

Embolization therapy has been used as the initial treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) only for certain patients or in certain medical institutions due to its minimal invasiveness, but the recurrence of embolization remains a clinical challenge. The recurrent patient usually exhibits a gradual onset of symptoms and progressive deterioration of neurological function. Developing paraplegia several hours after embolization is commonly seen in patients with venous thrombosis-related complications, for which anticoagulation therapy is often administered. This article reports on a SDAVF patient who had weakness of both lower extremities before embolization and developed complete paraplegia several hours after embolization therapy, later confirmed by angiography as fistula recurrence. The symptoms were relieved gradually after second embolization. The pathophysiology of this patient is also discussed.
Aged ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Humans ; Paraplegia ; diagnosis

This study was purposed to investigate the differences of cyto biological characteristics and protein expression levels between bortezomib-resistant T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia cell lines JurkatB containing PSMB5 G322A mutation and their parent cell line Jurkat, The cytotoxicities of bortezomib and chemotherapeutic drugs to JurkatB5 cells (end selection concentration of bortezomib was 500 nmol/L), JurkatB8 (end selection concentration 800 nmol/L) and Jurkat cells were analyzed. The cell growth curves were drawn with viable cell counts by trypan blue assay, the colony formation rate were assayed by soft-agar colony culture, and the cell distributions in cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry, mRNA expression levels of multidrug resistance (MDR) genes MDR1, LRP and MRP were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR, the differences of protein expression levels were detected by SpringBio antibody microarray containing 720 proteins. The results showed that the drug resistance multiples for 48 hours of JurkatB5 and JurkatB8 cells (relative to Jurkat) to bortezomib were increased by 33.52 and 39.04 times, respectively. JurkatB5 and JurkatB8 cells did not display significant cross-resistance to daunorubicin, adriamycin, vindesine, and etoposide after exposure for 48 hours. There were no significant differences in the cell growth curve, colony formation rate and cell distributions in cell cycle between JurkatB5, JurkatB8 and Jurkat cells (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences of mRNA expression levels of MDR1, LRP, MRP between JurkatB5 and Jurkat cells (p > 0.05). There were 264 analyzable expression points detected by antibody microarray. Among them, 252 protein expression levels were not significantly different between JurkatB5, JurkatB8 and Jurkat cells (< 2-fold), including 15 drug resistance-related proteins. 12 proteins were detected at higher or lower expression levels in JurkatB5 or JurkatB8 cells then that in Jurkat cells (cell division cycle protein 34, cell division cycle protein 37, CD34 Type II, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tenascin, Golgi complex, involucrin, histone deacetylase 1, perforin, prolactin, retinoic acid receptor β, integrin β-1), but no proteins were detected in JurkatB5 and JurkatB8 cells with higher or lower expression levels than that in Jurkat cells. It is concluded that there are no significant differences in the characteristics of cellular biology between Jurkat and JurkatB with bortezomib-resistant and PSMB5 G322A mutation. There are no significant phenotype change of MDR and overexpression of genes related to MDR in PSMB5 mutated cells. There are no significantly differential expressions of a majority of known proteins related to drug resistance, tumor cells growth, proliferation, apoptosis, malignancy degree, aggressiveness.
Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Mutation ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; genetics ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

Adult ; Aged ; Brugada Syndrome ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of different types of samples, including throat swabs, stools, bloods in pandemic A (H1N1) influenza diagnosis and virus shedding patterns.

METHODSFrom May to June in 2009, 135 samples were collected from 23 confirmed cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 99 throat swabs, 14 stools, 11 bloods, 1 respiratory tract washing from 13 confirmed cases and 10 blood samples from other confirmed cases. The virus was detected by real-time RT-PCR, the antibody was detected by haemagglutination inhibition assay.

RESULTSFor 99 throat swabs of 13 patients, the median time of the first positive real-time RT-PCR was 1 day (ranged from 0 to 7 days) after the onset of the symptoms of illness; the median length of time duration of positive real-time RT-PCR results from throat swabs was 3 days (ranged from 1 to 15 days). Four cases intermittently released virus. One respiratory tract washing sample was positive. In 14 stools, 8 stools were real-time RT-PCR positive, the positive rate was 57.14%. The median time of the positive real-time RT-PCR was 3 days (ranged from 1 to 4 days) after the onset of the symptoms of illness. In 21 blood samples collected at 2 to 9 days of onset, 1 blood sample was real-time RT-PCR positive, the positive rate was 4.76%. All these 21 blood samples were antibody negative.

CONCLUSIONThroat swabs and stools samples can be used as A (H1N1) influenza early diagnosis. The length of time duration of positive real-time RT-PCR in throat swabs was longer than stool samples and intermittently releasing of virus were found in throat swabs. Influenza A H1N1 cases showed the presence of small amount of viremia and antibody was negative in early blood samples (< 9 days).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Virus Shedding ; Young Adult