Serum triglyceride ( TG ) , total cholesterol ( TC ) , low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) , high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) , uric acid ( UA) levels and fasting blood glucose ( FBG) were measured in 67 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria ( CSU ) and 66 healthy subjects ( controls).Results showed that the rates of increased serum TG and FBG levels in CSU patients were higher than those in controls ( 19% vs.6%,χ2 =5.309, P <0.05; 12% vs.1%,χ2 =4.194, P <0.05, respectively);however, there were no significant differences in abnormal rate of TC(7%vs.3%) , LDL-C (4%vs.1%), HDL-C(6%vs.3%)and UA(6%vs.1%) between CSU patients and healthy controls(all P>0.05).The rate of rising FBG in CSU patients accompanied by angioedema(4/9)was higher than that in CSU patients without angioedema(7%,χ2 =7.181,P<0.05).

Objective To explore the clinical features and endoscopic manifestations of eosinophilic gastroente-ritis(EG)in children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical manifestation,laboratory examination,endoscopy(upper and/or colonoscopy)performance,diagnosis and treatment of 49 cases of patients who were diagnosed as EG in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2013 to July 2015.Results The common clinical manifestations of EG in children were hematochezia(23 cases),diarrhea(20 cases),vomiting(18 cases)and abdominal pain(15 cases).The ages of children admitted to hospital for the first time ranged from 1 month and 7 days old to 13 years and 7 months old,and the mean age was 59.4 months old,in which most patients were younger than 1 year old,accounting for 38.77％(19 cases)of all.Peripheral blood eosinophilia was present in 20 cases(40.82％)of the patients,and only 6/18 cases(33.33％)of the patients had elevated serum IgE.Upon endoscopic analysis,the lesions involved esophagus(4 cases),stomach(14 cases),duodenum(20 cases),small intestine(15 cases),colon(28 cases)and rectum(6 cases),and the most common manifestation under gastroscopy was mucosal hyperemia edema(27 cases)and erosion(9 cases),while the most common manifestation under colonoscopy was mucosal hyperemia edema(25 cases)and nodular hyperplasia(24 cases).All patients improved with food restriction,in which 8 cases were treated with glucocorticoid while 9 cases with oral Singulair and 9 cases with oral Loratadine.All children with symptoms were alleviated somewhat,but 5 cases of them relapsed after drug withdrawal.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of EG in children varied and were mainly hematochezia,vomiting,diarrhea and abdominal pain.Some patients had the elevated peripheral blood eosinophilia and serum IgE.The most common manifestations under gastroscopy were mucosal hyperemia edema and erosion while the most common manifestations under colonoscopy were mucosal hyperemia edema and nodular hyperplasia.

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a key enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step of de novo nucleotide synthesis in vivo. In recent years, it has become a therapeutic target for anti-virus, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-parasitic and other diseases. IMPDH inhibitors have been shown to inhibit viral prolife-ration in host cells by depleting guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP), the raw material required for viral replication in host cells, with broad-spectrum antiviral properties. In order to find novel anti-coronavirus drugs, this study screened 22 potential IMPDH inhibitors from 70 000 natural small molecule libraries based on IMPDH protein structure using molecular docking and ROC calculation for virtual screening. With ribavirin as the positive control drug, Huh7 cell and H460 cell models were used to verify the anti-coronavirus HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 activities of 22 selected target compounds. Among them, compounds 11, 12, 15 and 16 showed inhibitory activity against coronavirus HCoV-229E. The compounds 4, 12, 13 and 15 showed inhibitory activities against coronavirus HCoV-OC43. 12 and 15 showed significant inhibitory activity against both two coronaviruses, and their efficacy was similar to ribavirin at the same dose, which can be further studied as a lead compound for IMPDH inhibitors.

Objective To investigate the clinical epidemiological features of femoral neck frac-tures. Methods The clinical data of patients with femoral neck fractures admitted to Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2003 to 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into children group (age < 16 years) , adult group (age ranged from 16 to 60 years) and older group (>60 years). The types of the femoral neck fractures included 31-B1, 31-B2 and 31-B3 according to AO classification. The gender, age, fracture type and injury causes were analyzed. Results A total of 2 064 patients (971 males and 1 093 females) with femoral neck fractures were involved in the study.There were 356, 381, 397, 454 and 476 patients respectively in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.There were 74 patients (3.59%) in the children group, 979 (47.43%) in the adult group and 1 011 (48.98%) in the older group. There were 960 patients (46. 51%) with type 31-B1 fractures, 860 (41. 67%) with type 31-B2 fractures and 244 (11. 82%) with 31-B3 fractures. Conclusions Form 2003 to 2007, the incidence of femoral neck fracture shows a trend of increase, with the highest incidence in the old persons. The male patients with femoral neck fractures are more than female patients in adult group, while the female patients with femoral neck fractures are less than male patients in older group.The dominant fractures type according to AO classification are type 31-B2 fractures in children and adult groups, but type 31-B1 fractures in older group.

The aims of this study were to analyze the composition of umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC), to examine the characteristics of dendritic cells (DC) before and after culture, to search the method of differentiation and increase of DC in vitro and to appraise surface antigen from UCBC. Twelve units of umbilical cord blood were collected from May 2002 to September 2002. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 9 cases were collected from healthy adult donors. The nature of UCBC was freshly determined and then UCBC were cultured for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks with granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF) and EPO. Method of flow cytometry was used to determine the number of DC and cell surface antigens before and after culture by using monoclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies included CD4, CD8, CD19, CD34, CD38, CD83, CD1a, CD11c and CDw123. The results showed that amounts of CD34+ progenitors in peripheral blood cells were 0.02 x 10(5)/ml, and amounts of CD34+ progenitors in human UCBC were 0.22 x 10(5)/ml. UCBC cultured for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks with GM-CSF, IL-3, EPO and SCF were shown to differentiate into CD1a+ CD11c+ CD83+ CDw123+ DC. Numbers of DC from UCBC remarkably generated in 2-4 weeks and then decreased in number. By culture with cytokines DC increased up to (10.6 - 28.2) x 10(5)/ml in actual numbers. It is concluded that the mononuclear cells of UCB are able to differentiate into CD1a+, CD83+, CD11c+ and CDw123+ DC when UCBC are cultured with proper cytokines of GM-CSF, SCF, EPO and IL-3 for 2-4 weeks. These DCs as antigen presenting cells are possibly effective in cancer immunotherapy.
Antigens, CD1 ; blood ; Antigens, CD34 ; blood ; Blood Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVETo determine whether long-term treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with methylphenidate influences the growth in height and weight of children.

METHODSAnalyses were performed on 146 school age children (126 boys) diagnosed as ADHD and treated with methylphenidate [0.27-0.64 mg/(kg.day)] for methylphenidate group and 29 children with ADHD who did not receive any medication for ADHD (controls). These children were followed-up for 2-4 years. Changes in height and weight after long-term treatment with methylphenidate were recorded and the factors affecting growth of height, weight, and height velocity were analyzed.

RESULTSThe change of difference between patients' height and mean height in methylphenidate group and controls was (-1.86 +/- 0.82) cm (paired t test, t = 27.335, P < 0.001) and (-0.26 +/- 0.51) cm (P < 0.05), respectively; the change of height standard deviation score (SDS) in methylphenidate group and controls was -0.14 +/- 0.23 SD (paired t test, t = 7.326, P < 0.001) and +0.05 +/- 0.10 SD (P < 0.05), respectively. When the height change and height SDS change in methylphenidate group and controls were compared by using independent-samples T-test, the t value was -10.078 and -4.262 respectively, P for both was < 0.001. Both of bivariate correlation analysis and stepwise multiple-regression analysis indicated that the duration of treatment contributed significantly to the variance in change of height (P < 0.001); but age, sex, DSM-IV type, NJ22 degree and dose of methylphenidate did not contribute significantly to the variance of height. The mean height velocity from 1st to 4th year was 4.28 cm/year, 4.90 cm/year, 4.98 cm/year and 4.95 cm/year, respectively. With Friedman test, Chi-square = 253.673, P < 0.001. The change of difference of patients' weight to weight for height after methylphenidate was (-0.14 +/- 1.25) kg (paired t test, t = 1.326, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSmall but significant deceleration of height velocity is the identified long-term side effect of methylphenidate, the magnitude of height deficit is related to duration of treatment. The height velocity was significantly attenuated in the first year. Methylphenidate had no significant influence on weight.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; Body Height ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child Development ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylphenidate ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Regression Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the associated risk factors, clinical characteristics and laboratory abnormalities of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver.

METHODSThe data of type 2 diabetes cases with fatty liver were collected in our hospital. 63 cases of type 2 diabetes without fatty liver were selected randomly as control during the same period. The associated variables were analyzed by using logistic regression model. The clinical data and liver function were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of obesity and hyperlipidemia was higher in type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver than without fatty liver. Body mass index (BMI) (OR: 4.392) was positive correlation to fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (OR: 0.000) and regular insulin treatment (OR: 0.058) were negative correlation to it. The abnormal frequencies of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 16.0%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 25.2%), the ratio of AST/ALT less than 1 (52.8%) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT, 31.9%) of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver were significantly higher than those without fatty liver (3.2%, 6.4%, 36.5% and 11.1% respectively).

CONCLUSIONObesity and insulin resistance might increase the risk of fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients of type 2 diabetes with fatty liver show higher serum lipid level and more obvious damages of liver function than those without fatty liver

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; complications ; Insulin Resistance ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEVasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin were previously shown in animal models of adventitia injury. We investigated the contribution of angiotensin II (AngII)/AngII receptors and oxidative stress to vascular contractility and reactivity in this model.

METHODSWistar Kyoto rats were divided into 3 groups: normal (n = 6, no any intervention, only for measuring the serum AngII concentration), vehicle (n = 12, collared), and valsartan (n = 12, collared + valsartan 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)). After one week of treatment, adventitia injury was induced by positioning a silicone collar around the right carotid artery for one week. Blood flow and vascular reactivity to serotonin were determined one week after injury, the blood from left ventricle was taken to measure the serum AngII concentration by ELISA, and carotids were harvested for morphometry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSAdventitia injury induced lumen cross-sectional area reduction (-44% vs. -5%), media diameter increase (62% vs. 10%), blood flow reduction [(2.79 ± 0.22) vs. (4.33 ± 0.84) ml/min] were significantly attenuated by valsartan. The increased vascular reactivity sensitivity to serotonin in vehicle group was also significantly reduced in valsartan group. Serum AngII concentration was significantly increased in vehicle group [(45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml vs. (19.83 ± 0.5) pg/ml in normal rats, P = 0.0148] and the expression of AngII type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, AngII type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, as well as p22(phox) in collared arteries were significantly upregulated. Valsartan did not affect the AT(1) receptor expression but further increased serum AngII concentration [(89.73 ± 20.44) pg/ml vs. (45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml, P = 0.001], and AT(2) receptor expression, while downregulated p22(phox) expressions.

CONCLUSIONSCollar-induced adventitia injury resulted in chronic vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin via increased serum AngII level, upregulated AngII receptors expression in the vascular well, and activated local oxidative stress. These changes could be blocked by valsartan suggesting a crucial role of AngII/AngII receptors on vascular contractility and reactivity changes in this model.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Connective Tissue ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

Aged ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Vertebroplasty ; methods