OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamics and clinical significance of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels during the terminal phase of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) with different hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-seven patients with terminal ACLF were tested for HBeAg status by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and serum HBV DNA levels by real-time PCR at three chronological time ranges, representing increasing severity of disease phases prior to death (day 0): 29-56 d, 15-28 d, and 0-14 d.

RESULTSIn the 37 HBeAg(+) patients, HBV DNA levels at above-mentioned phases were 6.10+/-1.63, 5.61+/-1.50, and 5.29+/-1.96 log10 copies/mL. In the 70 anti-HBe(+) patients, HBV DNA levels were 4.63+/-1.82, 5.81+/-1.78, and 4.93+/-1.73 log10 copies/mL. Phase to phase comparisons revealed that the HBV DNA level in the HBeAg(+) group was significantly higher than that in the anti-HBe(+) group at 29-56 d (P less than 0.05), and that 15-28 d and 0-14 d were not significantly different (P more than 0.05). Intragroup comparisons of phases revealed no significant differences in the HBeAg(+) group (P more than 0.05), but a significant difference between 15-28 d and 0-14 d (P less than 0.05) for the anti-HBe(+) group.

CONCLUSIONSerum levels of HBV DNA in patients with HBeAg positivity are higher than those in patients with anti-HBe positivity as the disease phase of ACLF nears fatality. Following the deterioration to liver failure, the HBV DNA load in HBeAg(+) patients remains stable while that in anti-HBe(+) patients decreases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; End Stage Liver Disease ; blood ; virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics and the plasma levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) and investigate their association in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).

METHODSTwenty-six patients with HPS undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were enrolled in this study with 20 patients without hypoxemia as the control group. Blood samples were taken one day before OLT to measure the plasma levels of iNOS and ET-1 using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and radioimmunoassay, respectively, with 10 healthy volunteers serving as the healthy control group. Before the operation for OLT, the parameters of systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics were monitored after anesthesia induction.

RESULTSThe systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients without hypoxemia was characterized by high cardiac output and low resistance, and by comparison, the patients with HPS showed even higher cardiac output and lower mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance. The two patient groups had comparable plasma iNOS and ET-1 levels, which were both higher than those in the healthy control group.

CONCLUSIONThe hemodynamics in patients with end-stage liver disease exhibit a pattern of high cardiac output and low resistance, which is more obvious in HPS patients possibly in association with elevated plasma levels of iNOS and ET-1.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; blood ; Pulmonary Circulation ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish the liver-depression and spleen-deficiency syndrome model in rats to screen the optimal extraction method of small compound Yueanjian on the basis of pharmacodynamic and chemical indicators.

METHODThe PMS liver-depression and spleen-deficiency syndrome model were established by the chronic restraint stress method and treatment with Yueanjian extracted by three methods: water-extraction, steam-distillation and alcohol-extraction. Behavioral performances and the contents of estradiol and progestin in serum were determined before and after the administration of the three extracts. The contents of salvianolic acid B in these three extracts were detected by HPLC. The optimal extraction method of Yueanjian was selected according to pharmacodynamic results.

RESULTThe contents of estradiol and progestin in groups treated with steam distillations and alcoholic extraction were higher than the model group. In the open field test, the group treated with steam distillations showed much higher scores than the model group. HPLC showed that the content of salvianolic acid B extracted by steam-distillation was higher than the other two extracts.

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of pharmacodynamic and chemical results, the steam-distillation was proved to be best extraction method of Yueanjian.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Distillation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Progestins ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to compare the prevalence of mental disorders and services for people with mental health problems in Shaoxing city between 1991 and 2001 in order to provide scientific bases for prevention and treatment.

METHODSA population size of 339 651 were investigated in the urban and rural areas with "Psychosis Index Investigate Schedule" plus visit to their homes.

RESULTSThe overall prevalence rates of mental disorders were 10.17 per thousand and 13.85 per thousand and the point prevalence rates of mental disorder were 9.15 per thousand and 12.77 per thousand, respectively in 1991 and 2001. The point prevalence rates in the population aged 15 years and above were 11.70 per thousand and 14.60 per thousand. Prevalence rates of neurosis and alcohol dependence and drug dependence increased significantly from 1991 and 2001. The anterior three mental disorders were neurosis, schizophrenia and dementia in all mental disorders. Situation was better in the city than in the rural areas in terms of receiving care for mental disorder, their work ability, economy condition and gardianship.

CONCLUSIONThere was an increase of prevalence on mental disorder in Shaoxing city during the ten-year period. The increase in the prevalence of mental disorder was related to local economy, socialization and culture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Dementia ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; Mental Health Services ; organization & administration ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Schizophrenia ; epidemiology ; Substance-Related Disorders ; epidemiology

Objective To analyze the effect of night-shift work, anxiety and their interaction on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among electronics manufacturing employees. Methods A total of 2 676 employees from 58 electronic manufacturing enterprises in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The Basic Situation Survey Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale and Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Disorders were used to assess night-shift work, anxiety and the prevalence of WMSDs in employees. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the effects of night-shift work, anxiety and their combined effects on the risk of WMSDs. Results The proportion of night-shift work was 30.3%, and the detection rates of anxiety and WMSDs were 26.8% and 41.3%, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that night-shift work and anxiety were independent risk factors of WMSDs in the research subjects, after excluding the influence of confounding factors such as age, marital status, enterprise size and length of service [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 1.307 (1.092-1.564) and 3.282 (2.739-3.934), respectively, both P<0.01]. Compared with those without night-shift work or anxiety, the risk of WMSDs was higher in individuals with only night-shift work, only anxiety, or both night-shift work and anxiety [OR and 95%CI were 1.347 (1.091-1.663), 3.395 (2.727-4.227) and 4.117 (3.072-5.519), respectively, all P<0.01]. Conclusion Both night-shift work and anxiety can increase the risk of WMSDs among electronic manufacturing employees, and these two factors exhibit a synergistic effect in increasing the risk of WMSDs.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo summarize and compare the short-term and long-term clinical efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary stent (PTBS) in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice.

METHODS210 cases of malignant obstructive jaundice underwent interventional therapy, of which 161 cases of drainage catheters placement and 49 cases of metallic stent implantation. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone review or check-up records.

RESULTSThe technical success rate of technique was 100%. At 3 - 5 days after treatment, the serum total bilirubin in 15 metallic stent-treated patients was decreased by (178.04 +/- 42.32) micromol/L, and direct bilirubin by (83.97 +/- 23.63) micromol/L. Compared with those of 28 cases treated with drainage catheters: (95.67 +/- 34.28) micromol/L and (49.84 +/- 28.21) micromol/L, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.017 and P = 0.035). At 6 - 9 days after treatment, the serum total bilirubin in 28 cases of metallic stent group was decreased by (188.22 +/- 79.90) micromol/L, and that in 126 cases of drainage catheter group decreased by (141.39 +/- 65.32) micromol/L. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.014). But the decline value of direct bilirubin had no significant difference. The median patency period and the median survival time of the drainage catheter group were 60 and 148 days, respectively, those of metallic stent group were 197 days and 245 days. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that the short-term and long-term efficacies of metallic stent implantation are better than those of catheter drainage technique.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; complications ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Drainage ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; complications ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; blood ; etiology ; therapy ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; complications ; Stents ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Intestinal and lymphoid tissues constitute an important part of intestinal immunity, which plays an important regulatory role in spleen deficiency and hydronephrosis. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on T lymphocyte subsets in lymph nodes of rats with spleen deficiency, and to investigate the correlation of spleen deficiency with intestinal immunity and the mechanism of acupuncture for spleen deficiency syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: model, acupuncture and blank control groups. The rat model of spleen deficiency was established by fatigue-induced spleen injury plus abnormal diet for 31 days. Afterwards, the rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36).Urine D-xylose excretion rate was detected during modeling and treatment.Then, the mesenteric lymph nodes were removed, and the changes in T lymphocyte subsets in the mesentericlymph nodes were observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Urine D-xylose excretion rate under spleen deficiency in the modeling and acupuncture groups was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); after acupuncture, the urine D-xylose excretion rate was significantly increased compared with the modeling group (P < 0.01), but still lower than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05). The count of CD4+T lymphocytes, count of CD8+T lymphocytes and ratio of CD4+/CD8+T lymphocytes were ranked as follows: blank control group >acupuncture group>modeling group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).These results suggest that acupuncture at Zusanli can improve the urine D-xylose excretion rate, regulate the balance of T lymphocyte subsets in mesenteric lymph node of rats with spleen deficiency, thus improving the intestinal immune function, spleen deficiency systems, disorder of intestinal digestive function, intestinal digestion and absorption, as well as anorexia, loose stool, diarrhea and other symptoms of the digestive system.

Objective To study the spatiotemporal trend of Japanese encephalitis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between 1989 and 2006.Methods Retrospective space-time permutation scan statistic and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation were employed to detect the spatiotemporal trend of Japanese encephalitis in Guangxi,from the year 1989 to 2006.Results The spatiotemporal pattern of Japanese encephalitis was divided into four phases by IDW interpolation maps,from 1989 to 2006.The first phase was spatiotemporal cluster located in southeast region,from 1989 to 1996.The second phase showed discrete distribution from 1997 to 1998.The third phase of spatiotemporal cluster located in Lingshan county,Pubei county and Bobai county,in 1999.And the last phase was spatiotemporal cluster located in northwest region from 2000 to 2006.Three statistically significant spatiotemporal clusters were detected by retrospective space-time permutation scan statistic.The primary cluster appeared in 1999 (LLR=253.25,P=0.001,RR=4.62),with 109°54′ E,22°28′ N (located in Pubei county) as its center and radiated 45.24 km.From 2000 to 2006,the secondary cluster showed in northwest (LLR=75.91,P=0.001,RR = 1.88),with center located at 105°23′ E,24°68′ N (Longlin county),and radiated 199.85 kn.From 1989 to 1996,the other secondary cluster appeared in the southeast area(LLR=46.29,P=0.001,RR= 1.16),with center located at 110°94′ E,24°03′N(Zhaoping county) and radiated 229.12 km.Conclusion Space-time permutation scan statistic and geographical information system could be applied to quantitatively detect the potentially spatiotemporal trend of the disease.The spatiotemporal cluster shifted from southeast to northwest,from 1989 to 2006.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human adenovirus p53 gene therapy (rAd-p53) in the rabbit VX2 liver cancer model using different interventional therapy approach.

METHODSThirty New Zealand rabbits implanted with VX2 tumor in the liver were randomized into five groups with six of each. The tumor volumes (V1) were measured by MRI and CT scan 11 days after tumors implanted. The interventional therapy scheme performed as below: intraarterial 0.9% saline solution perfusion in group A, transcatheter arterial embolization with 0.5 ml ultrafluid lipiodol in group B, intraarterial rAd-p53 gene perfusion in group C (1 x 10(6)/VP); intraarterial rAd-p53 gene perfusion (1 x 10(6)/VP) in combination with transcatheter arterial embolization (ultrofluid lipiodol, 0.5 ml) in group D and intratumoral rAd-p53 gene (1 x 10(6)/VP) injection in group E. The tumor volumes (V2) were measured by MRI and CT scan, and the tumor growth ratios were calculated 14 days after interventional procedures. Then all animals were sacrificed.

RESULTSThe tumor tissues were explanted for immunohistochemistry to observe the expressions of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and factor VIII. Microvessel density (MVD) of the tumor tissues was assessed by factor VIII immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, apoptotic index was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The tumor volumes before therapy were (79.4+/-8.2), (75.3+/-7.8), (74.6+/-6.6), (78.7+/-9.1), (75.8+/-8.4) mm(3) respectively, without differences found among them (F = 12.248, P = 0.0636). But the tumor volumes after therapy were (564.7+/-96.7), (176.5+/-83.2), (239.6+/-42.8), (159.8+/-58.6), (334.7+/-32.6) mm(3) respectively (F = 24.537, P = 0.0218). The tumor growth ratios were 6.9, 2.6, 3.1, 1.6 and 4.1 respectively. The mean apoptosis index were 12.0%+/-1.1%, 14.5%+/-2.1%, 17.6%+/-2.3%, 18.6%+/-2.3% and 19.6%+/-2.5% respectively. with significant differences in group E in comparison with the other four groups. Mean positive ratio of VEGF was 50.0%, 83.3%, 83.3%, 50.0% and 50.0% respectively, with significant differences observed in group B and group C compared with the other three groups (F = 7.84, P = 0.019). The differences of VIII factor positive expression ratio among each group were significant (F = 0.854, P = 0.018). Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the expression of VEGF and MVD (r = 2.400, P = 0.0233).

CONCLUSIONThe rAd-p53 has effective treatment outcomes in VX2 rabbit liver cancer, and intra-arterial rAd-p53 gene perfusion in combination with transcatheter arterial embolization is the best approach in comparison with intra-arterial rAd-p53 gene perfusion, transcatheter arterial embolization and intratumoral rAd-p53 gene injection alone.

Adenoviruses, Human ; genetics ; Animals ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Therapy ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Treatment Outcome