Objective To investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of acute hepatitis E (AHE).Methods All the data of AHE patients from April 2005 to October 2011 were collected and their epidemiological features were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups:patients with single hepatitis E virus (HEV ) infection and patients with HEV/hepatitis B virus (HBV ) coinfection,to compare the biochemical parameters and outcomes and to find out the risk factors for AHE related liver failure.Kruskal-Wallis test,Chi square test,and Logistical regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results A total of 621 cases were included in the present study and most patients were elderly male and happened from February to May every year.The incidence of AHE related liver failure and mortality was 18.68% and 1 .93%,respectively.Compared to the single HEV group (n=331 ),the HEV/HBV group (n = 280 )had a longer hospital stay (46 d vs 40 d,Z = - 4.591 ,P < 0.01 ),a significantly lower prothrombin activity (55 .5 % vs 78.7%,Z =-7.998,P <0.01 )and a significantly higher incidence of AHE related liver failure (30.7% vs 9.1 %,χ2 =46.229,P <0.01 ).In single HEV related liver failure group (n=30),the percentages of early-stage,interim-stage and end-stage live failure were 53.33%,23.33% and 23.33%,respectively.While in the HEV/HBV related liver failure group (n=86),the corresponding numbers were 34.88%,31 .40% and 33.72%,respectively.The differences were not statistically significant (χ2 = 3.176,P = 0.204 ).Additionally,the clinical outcome between these two groups was also comparable (83.33% vs 91 .86%,χ2 =0.945 ,P = 0.331 ).The Logistic analysis showed that age over 50 years (OR=2.080,P =0.002)and coinfection with HBV (OR=5 .632, P <0.01)were risk factors for AHE related liver failure.Conclusions AHE is seasonal and mainly occurs in elderly male.Advanced age and HBV coinfection may be risk factors of severe AHE.

Wound combined with total body irradiation (TBI) injury results in impairment of tissue repair and delayed processes of healing, so it has been considered as an important and representative model of impaired wound healing, but the mechanism is not fully clarified. Fibroblasts in wound are the most important cells participating in tissue repair, whereas its radiosensitivity is not high. To understand whether TBI injury has direct damaging effects on fibroblasts in wound, fibroblasts in wound combined with TBI injury and in wound of simple incision injury were isolated and cultured, and parameters associated with tissue repair were determined. The results showed that the abilities of proliferation, attachment and adhesion of fibroblasts isolated from wounds combined with TBI injury significantly decreased as compared with those of simple incision injury, nevertheless, apoptotic ratio of fibroblasts isolated from wounds combined with TBI injury increased significantly. These data suggest that TBI injury may cause direct damaging effects on fibroblasts in wounds, which might be one of the dominant reasons for impairment of wound healing when it is combined with TBI injury.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; injuries ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biocompatibility of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) for culturing bFGF gene-transfected bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and assess the feasibility of this cell complex for repairing cartilage defect in rabbits using tissue engineering method.

METHODSBMSCs transfected by bFGF gene were cultured on PLGA matrix to assess the biocompatibility of PLGA. The cell complex was then implanted into the cartilage defect in rabbits, and its effect in cartilage defect repair was evaluated by histological observation and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSBMSCs transfected by bFGF gene grew normally on PLGA matrix. After implantation, the complex showed good effect for cartilage defect repair in rabbits.

CONCLUSIONPLGA has good biocompatibility with the transfected BMSCs, and the cell complex can be used for repairing rabbit cartilage defect and may potentially serve as a substitute of cartilage autograft.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cartilage, Articular ; injuries ; surgery ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Implants, Experimental ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Male ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate approach and possibility of transferring basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene into rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression vectors harboring bFGF cDNA were constructed and transfected into rabbit BMSCs mediated by liposome. The transcription and expression of bFGF gene in the transfected BMSCs were detected by means of morphological observation, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR. The changes in the biological characteristics of the transfected MSCs were also observed.

RESULTSStable overexpression of bFGF protein was detected in the transfected BMSCs, which showed differentiation towards chondrocyte lineage.

CONCLUSIONStable expression of bFGF gene in transfected BMSCs can induce cell differentiation into chondrocyte lineage.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo observe the toxicity of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel saponins (PRS) against Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis).

METHODSO. hupensis snails were exposed to 40% and 80% of 24 h LC50 of PRS for 24 h, and then choline esterase (CHE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in cephalopodium and liver of snails were determined. Niclosamide (NIC) was used as the reference molluscicide. Zebra fish lethality test was evaluated to non-target aquatic species of PRS.

RESULTSThe molluscicidal activity of PRS (LC50 at 24 h: 0.48 mg/L) was similar to that of NIC (LC50 at 24 h: 0.16 mg/L). Significant alterations about CHE, ALP, and ALT activities both in the cephalopodium and the liver of snails were observed when O. hupensis was exposed to 40% and 80% LC50 of PRS or NIC for 24 h. PRS and NIC could not affect LDH activity in the cephalopodium and the liver. Lower toxicity to fish of PRS was observed up to the highest concentration tested than NIC.

CONCLUSIONPRS, as compared with the reference molluscicide NIC, is thought to be used for the control of harmful vector snails safely.

Animals ; Molluscacides ; pharmacology ; Pulsatilla ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Snails ; drug effects

AIM To prepare Guizhi Fuling transdermal patch.METHODS With kinds of pressure-sensitive adhesive and penetration enhancer,kind and consumption of solvent,drug loading as influencing factors,appearance,formability and viscidity of patch,extract dispersion as evaluation indices,single factor test was applied to optimizing the preparation.And subsequent in vitro transdermal absorption test was performed to investigate the steady-state permeation rates of paeoniflorin,cinnamic acid and paeonol onto rat skins.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be Duro-Tak 87-2677 polyacrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive (matrix),1 ∶ 0.5 for ratio of extract to propanediol (solvent),3％ azone as a penetration enhancer,and 20％ for drug loading,the obtained transdermal patch demonstrated both ideal initial adhesion force and holding adhesion force.These three constituents' average transdermal rates were 34.32,1.684,72.90 μg/(cm2 · h) with the average release rates of 26.81,1.523,111.8 μg/(cm2 · h),respectively,whose in vitro transdermal permeation curves conformed to Higuchi equation.CONCLUSION Guizhi Fuling transdermal patch processed with simple and stable preparation technique exhibits good in vitro transdermal permeation performance.

This article describes the preparation of the N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) liposomes and their related characteristics. The PBN liposomes were prepared by film dispersion-supersonic method and the formula of liposomes was optimized by orthogonal uniform design. RP-HPLC was used to qualify the amount of PBN that entered into the hepatoma cells. Necrosis rate was also investigated by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) after PBN liposomes transfection. Result showed that the mean particle size, entrapment efficiency, and polydispersity of the resulting PBN-liposome were 137.5 nm, 71.52% and 0.286, respectively. PBN liposomes can enter into the tumor cell stably and they have higher affinity to hepatoma cell compared with free PBN resulting in a higher necrosis rate after transfection. These results provide a potential method for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer using specific spin trapping probe targeting tumor cells.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cyclic N-Oxides ; chemistry ; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Spin Labels ; Spin Trapping ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVESTo analyze retrospectively the formation and histological changes of sclerosis rim in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and to study the relationship between bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP4) and sclerosis rim, so as to acquire experimental and theoretical basis on individualized treatment for ONFH patients.

METHODSFrom November 2005 to November 2007, 184 hips of steroid-induced ONFH inpatients were collected. The mean age was (47 ± 7) years, the patients were divided into high (more than 54 years old), middle (40 - 54 years old) and low (less than 40 years old) age groups. Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively according to gender and age. Parts of the femoral heads were selected for the study, including 18 hips in high age group, 11 hips in low age group and 20 hips in middle age group. Each 10 hips were selected with or without sclerosis rim. The femoral heads were cut along middle coronal plane, their weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas were used for the study. The specimens were processed by routine HE staining and picric acid-Sirius red staining and electron microscopy preparation and immunohistochemistry stain. The average optical density of BMP4 protein was calculated by image analysis software.

RESULTSThe trabecular of sclerosis rim was thickening and disorder. But its osteocytes were normal and with high secretion. The ratio of sclerosis rim was 71.4% (105/147) in middle age ONFH patients, which was significantly higher than the low age group patients (45.5%, 5/11) and high age group patients (38.5%, 10/26) (P < 0.01). The optical density of BMP4 in middle age ONFH patients was 0.32 ± 0.14, which was significantly higher than the low age group 0.20 ± 0.17 and high age patients 0.19 ± 0.27 (P < 0.05). The optical density was 0.16 ± 0.11 in ONFH patients without sclerosis rim, which was significantly lower than with sclerosis rim (0.28 ± 0.13) (P < 0.01). The time from hip pain to joint replacement in patients with sclerosis rim was (49 ± 11) months, and (15 ± 2) months without sclerosis rim. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe formation of sclerosis rim is positively related to the expression of BMP4, and high expression of BMP maybe promote the formation of sclerosis rim.

Adult ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; metabolism ; Female ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; pathology ; Femur Head Necrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the symptomatic criteria for diagnosis in children with functional constipation(FC) in North China.

METHODSA screening program for FC in children was carried out in 5 northern cities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin) of China according to symptoms using Rome III( criteria. Random clustered sampling of the inhabitants was carried out under stratification of city, region and school or kindergarten. Sample size of each area was in proportion to the population of the area. The range of age was 4-14. All the subjects were requested to fill in a questionnaire distributed by the teacher. The screening program was carried out immediately after a plot survey. A total of 20,000 questionnaires were distributed and 19,638 retrieved. According to the result of the screening, a small number of patients who fulfilled the criteria were further selected to undergo detail clinical examinations in the hospital including laboratory examination, colonic transit time, defecography or/and barium enema, electromyogram and anorectal manometry to exclude organic disease of the colon. A detailed questionnaire was filled in with the assistance from a trained doctor or a medical student. Potential risk factors and the relative symptoms were explored by comparing frequencies between FC group and non-FC group using χ2 and Logistic analysis.

RESULTSEighteen symptoms (defecation less than 3 times per week, dry hard sausage-shape stool, difficulty in defecation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, etc) could exist in control group, but FC group had a higher frequency. The difference was statistically significant. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that defecation less than 3 times per week, hard sausage-shape feces, difficulty in defecation, and the need for laxative were associated with FC. The absence of other symptoms had no influence on diagnosis of FC. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of symptomatic standard diagnostic test based on Rome III( criteria in FC children showed that ≥2 items had the best diagnostic accuracy but moderate sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSIONThe symptomatic criteria for FC diagnosis in children are suggested as follows: (1) defecation frequency less than 3 times per week; (2) dry, hard, sausage-shape stool in most defecation; (3) difficulty in most defecation; (4) use of medication or digital evacuation. FC can be considered when 2 of the above 4 criteria are met and the symptoms last at least 2 months.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Constipation ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Reference Standards ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective Functional constipation (FC) is a common complaint in childhood but the prevalence still remains unclear, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of FC in childhood in the northern parts of China. Methods A screening program on FC in childhood was carried out in 5 northern cities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin) of China according to symptoms under the Rome Ⅲ criteria. Random clustered sampling of the inhabitants was carried out under stratification of cities, geographic zones, schools or nurseries.Sample size of each area was in proportion to the population of the area. The range of age was 4-14. All subjects under study were requested to fill in a questionnaire distributed by the teachers. The screening program was carried out immediately after a section survey was completed. All together, 20 000 questionnaires were distributed with 19 638 retrievals. According to the result of the screening, a small number of patients who met the criteria were further selected to undergo a detailed clinical examination in the hospital including laboratory examination, colonic transit time, defecography or/and barium enema, electromyologram and anorectal manometry to exclude organic disease of the colon. Simultaneously, a detailed questionnaire was requested to fill under the assistance of trained doctors or medical students.Prevalence of FC of the population was adjusted by the rate of correct diagnosis from the detailed study. Results The adjusted point prevalence of FC in 5 northern cities of China according to Rome Ⅲ criteria was 4.73% with higher prevalence rate of FC seen in the Beijing area (5.02%) than in other cities (4.82%, 4.76%, 4.27%, 4.40%, with P＜0.001 ). Male to female ratio was 1.26:1 with majority of the FC fell in the 4-6 year olds (5.76%). Conclusion FC appeared a common disorder in childhood in the northern parts of China which called for greater attention. Higher prevalence was noted in the age groups of 4-6.