Objective To investigate the mRNA and protein expression levels of interferon(IFN)-?in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),to analyze the relationship between IFN-?and disease activity,and to evaluate the role of IFN-?in the pathogenesis of lupus.Methods SYBR green dyeⅠbased real-time quantatives PCR method was used to compare the mRNA expression levels of IFN-?in the peripheral blood leucocyte of SLE patients and healthy controls.Surum levels of IFN-?were measured with ELISA method.Results IFNA1 mRNA expression level in SLE patients(2.8?3.5)was signifi- cantly lower than that of normal controls(12.7?10.7,P=0.000).There was no significant difference between patients treated with glucocorticoid and those without in the expression level of IFNA1(P=0.549).Serum levels of IFN-?in SLE patients was significantly higher than that of normal controls(P=0.003).The SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA antibody correlated positively,and complement components C3,C4 and leukocytes correlated negatively with serum concentration of IFN-?.IFN-?level correlated with the presence of fever and rash. Conclusion The close relationship between IFN-?serum level and disease activity in SLE patients suggests that IFN-?might be of importance in the disease process.

Objective No study has been reported on the association between the abnormal methylation of drug metabolic enzymes and anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (ATLI). This article aimed to investigate the relationship of ATLI with the methylation of the CpG islands in the promoter regions of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and glutathione s-transferase M1 (GSTM1) in Chinese Mongolian patients with tuberculosis (TB). Methods This retrospective study included 93 cases of TB diagnosed and treated in the TB prevention and treatment institutions of Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, between September 2016 and December 2017, which were divided into an ATLI (n = 31) and a non-ATLI group (n = 62), the former with and the latter without ATLI within 6 months after anti-TB medication. We compared the methylation levels of the CYP2E1 and GSTM1 genes between the two groups of patients and analyzed the risk factors of ATLI. Results In comparison with the non-ATLI controls, the patients of the ATLI group showed significantly lower methylation levels in the promoter regions of CYP2E1 (0.759 ± 0.066 vs 0.694 ± 0.091, P < 0.05) and GSTM1 (0.207 ± 0.093 vs 0.187 ± 0.092, P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the main risk factors of ATLI included alcohol consumption (OR = 5.329, 95% CI: 1.442-19.697, P < 0.05) and methylation in the CYP2E1 promoter region (OR = 0.312, 95% CI: 0.165-0.591, P < 0.05) in the TB patients. Conclusion ATLI is associated with the methylation level in the promoter region of the CYP2E1 gene in Chinese Mongolian patients with tuberculosis, indicating that the methylation of CYP2E1 could be used as a biomarker in the prevention and control of ATLI.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of gambogic acid ( GA) on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced acute lung injury ( ALI) .Methods ALI model was established by the injection of lipopolysaccharide into the tail vein of mice(4mg/kg, iv).The mice were randomly divided into control group (control), model group (model), GA group(GA), and pretreatment with GA of ALI group (GA+LPS).After six hours, the wet/dry weight ratio ( W/D) of the lung, myeloperoxidase ( MPO) activity in lung tissue , total proteins and number of white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were determined .Tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods .Results Compared with control group, the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of the lung, MPO activity in lung tissue, levels of total pro-teins and number of white blood cells in BALF of LPS group obviously increased , in addition the level of lung tissue TNF-αand IL-1βin LPS group were significantly higher (all P<0.01), while in GA pretreatment groups alleviated all the changes in ALI mice .Conclusions GA pre-treatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI , possibly by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines production so as to decrease the recruitment of neutrophils , reduce pulmonary edema .

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of the POSSUM scoring system in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODSTwo hundreds and sixty-five consecutive PDs were performed between January 2005 and December 2007. POSSUM scores which relied on 12 physiologic and 6 operative variables were prospectively calculated for each case. Expected morbidity and mortality were estimated based on POSSUM scores and were compared with observed morbidity, which were diagnosed according to the Clavien complication scheme and domestic reference criteria respectively, and mortality.

RESULTSPhysiologic scores of 265 cases ranged from 12 to 24,the mean was 15. Operative scores ranged from 14 to 24, the mean was 17. The overall POSSUM scores ranged from 0.24 to 0.88. Average expected morbidity was 43.8%, expected cases were 116. Observed morbidity rate was 39.6% (105/265). The expected and observed morbidities and cases had no significantly differences. All patients were classified to 1 of 4 strata based on their individual POSSUM scores and subsequent risk of morbidity. Predictive value was the highest when scores ranged from 0.4 to 0.8. POSSUM exhibited less predictive value for mortality, but if POSSUM was more than 0.5, it was useful for mortality predicting.

CONCLUSIONSPOSSUM scoring system has high value for predicting the risk of morbidity in PD and can be helpful in guiding surgery and postoperative management decisions.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUNDEffects of icariin on airway inflammation in asthmatic rats and the intervention of LPS induced inflammation are interfered with the machanism of icariin. Our study aimed to observe the effect of icariin on ovalbumin-induced imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and its mechanism.

METHODSSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (PBS), asthma group (ovalbumin (OVA)-induced), dexamethasone group, and OVA+icariin low, medium and high dose groups (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, respectively). Each group had ten rats. The model of OVA sensitization was a rat asthma model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to observe the effects of icariin on interleukin-4 (IL-4) and inerferon γ (IFN-γ) in rats' lung tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect the intervention effects of icariin on T cells (T-bet) and gatabinding protein 3 (GATA-3) in rat pulmonary tissue. Realtime RT-PCR was used to observe the intervention effects of icariin on T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Western blotting was used to observe the icariin intervention effects on T-bet, GATA-3 and nuclear factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein expressions in rat pulmonary tissue.

RESULTSThe ELISA results from pulmonary tissue showed that IL-4 expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the IFN-γ expression increased but not significantly when we compared OVA+icariin medium and high dose groups with the asthma group. Immunohistochemical staining of pulmonary tissue showed that the GATA-3 decreased significantly while the T-bet staining did not change in the OVA+icariin high dose group. In pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expressions were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in icariin treatment groups compared with the asthma model group. GATA-3 and T-bet mRNA in rat spleen lymphocytes in the asthma group were higher than in the control group. GATA-3 mRNA expression in pulmonary tissue significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while T-bet mRNA expression decreased but not significantly in the icariin treatment group compared with the asthma group. T-bet and GATA-3 protein expressions in pulmonary tissue increased significantly compared with the asthma group, which meant that icariin could inhibit the increase of GATA-3 protein, but not of T-bet. The bronchus, blood vessels and periphery pulmonary tissue had infiltration of inflammatory cells in the OVA+icariin high dose group while NF-κB p65 cells were reduced, and expression of NF-κB p65 in this group was less than in the asthma group. The expression of total p65 protein decreased with icariin treatment while the expression of cytoplasmic p65 protein increased.

CONCLUSIONSIcariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue. Icariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 associated transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Icariin could inhibit the activation of NF-κB p65 protein in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDDoppler color echocardiography is a common method for detecting coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the diagnostic accuracy for the whole coronary artery lesions is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and Doppler color echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery lesions caused by KD.

METHODSSixteen patients, 12 with typical KD and 4 with atypical KD, underwent DSCT and Doppler color echocardiography. The position and internal diameter of each coronary artery lesion was measured. Correlation analysis was used to compare the diagnostic value of the two imaging modalities.

RESULTSIn the typical KD group, seven patients did not have any coronary artery lesion as confirmed by both DSCT scans and Doppler color echocardiography; in four patients proximal coronary artery injuries were identified by both modalities; in one patient an aneurysm in the middle and distal segments of the coronary artery was detected by DSCT but was negative in Doppler color echocardiography. In the atypical KD group, three cases showed the same results with both modalities, while one case with coronary artery stenosis in the middle segment was identified by DSCT but not detected by Doppler color echocardiography. There was a good correlation between the two imaging modalities (Kappa value, 0.768 (>or= 0.75)).

CONCLUSIONDSCT coronary artery angiography is an accurate, non-invasive, and valuable technique for detecting and following up coronary artery lesions in patients with KD.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo compare the postoperative complications and survival of standard pancreatoduodenectomy (SPD) and extended pancreatoduodenectomy (EPD) in patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

METHODSBetween January 1994 and December 2011, 165 patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were treated in West China Hospital, among whom 93 underwent SPD and 72 had EPD. Complications and survival after the surgery were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe median operation time of the EPD group was longer compared with the SPD group (375 minutes vs.310 minutes, P<0.01), the volume of blood transfusion was larger (700 mL vs.400 mL, P<0.05), while the median hospital stay (13.5 days vs.12 days, P=0.79) and the total complication rates were comparable (34.7% vs.32.4%, P=0.93). The total recurrence rates of the SPD and EPD groups were not significantly different (52.7% vs. 43.1%, P=0.83). No significant differences were found between the SPD and EPD groups in 1-year (81.7% vs. 86.1%), 3-year (38.7% vs. 43.1%), 5-year (16.7% vs. 19.4%), and median survivals (19.8 months vs. 23.2 months, P= 0.52).

CONCLUSIONThe postoperative complications and survival donot differ significantly between SPD and EPD.

Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; epidemiology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo clarify the outcome of surgical reconstruction for renal artery in Takayasu arteritis-induced renal artery stenosis (TARAS).

METHODSA retrospective chart review was conducted on 33 consecutive patients with TARAS, who underwent aortorenal bypass (ARB) with autologous saphenous vein graft. There were 9 male and 24 female patients, with a mean age of (25 ± 11) years. The effects on blood pressure and renal function were analyzed. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates were determined. The effects of various factors on primary patency rate were analyzed. All patients showed hypertension. The mean blood pressure was (175 ± 26)/(100 ± 19) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). The mean antihypertensive dosage was (2.1 ± 0.6) defined daily dose (DDD). Seventeen patients showed intractable hypertension. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was (78 ± 5) ml/min. One patient was dialysis-dependent, and 3 patients were combined with congestive heart failure.

RESULTSARB was performed for the 39 renal arteries, including 27 unilateral and 6 bilateral bypasses. Postoperative morbidity was 15.2%. All patients survived. During follow-up of mean (56 ± 18) months, two graft occlusions and four graft restenoses occurred. All graft restenoses were eliminated successfully with percutaneous angioplasty, but one patient experienced restenosis again six months later. At 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, primary patency was 92%, 89%, and 79%, respectively, primary assisted patency was 95%, 95%, and 91%, respectively, and secondary patency was 95%, 95%, and 91%, respectively. ARB resulted in a decrease in mean blood pressure to 139/85 mmHg (one month post-ARB, P = 0.000) and 136/80 mmHg (last follow-up, P = 0.000), and a reduction in mean antihypertensive dosage to 1.4 DDD (one month post-ARB, P = 0.084) and 0.6 DDD (last follow-up, P = 0.000). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate increased to 82 ml/min (P = 0.458) one month post-ARB, and 91 ml/min (P = 0.044) at last follow-up, respectively. The dialysis-dependent patient no longer required hemodialysis, and left ventricular dysfunction resolved in all of the three patients.

CONCLUSIONARB using the autologous saphenous vein graft is safe, effective and durable for treating TARAS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aorta ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery ; surgery ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Saphenous Vein ; transplantation ; Takayasu Arteritis ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Coronary Sinus ; surgery ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of extensive Whipple's resection to the adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas on the survival, complications, and surgical mortality.

METHODNinety three patients who received Whipple's surgery between January 1995 and March 2003 were divided into classical group (n = 51) and extensive group (n = 42). Their short-term outcome and survival rate were compared retrospectively.

RESULTSThe postoperative complication rate and mortality in classical group and extensive group were 19.61%/3.92% and 16.67%/2.38%, respectively. And 1- and 2- year survival rates in classical group and extensive group were 58.82%/20.59% and 63.33%/23.33%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative complications and mortality will not increase in extensive Whipple's resection for adenocarcinoma of head of pancreas. However, whether extensive Whipple's resection will improve long-term survival still requires further investigation.

Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate