Objective To investigate the effect of exercise therapy on I° adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods 70 cases with I°AIS were included. 32 patients correcting posture themselves for 0.5 year or above were as control group, and the other 38 cases who accepted exercise therapy for 0.5 year were as treatment group. Their X-ray of spine before and after treatment were compared. Results The Cobb's angle, rotation of the spine, and compensatory improved after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.01), but no significant improvement was obsereved in the control group after 0.5 year. Conclusion Exercise therapy is safe and effective on I° AIS.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of green fluorescent protein gene and immunogenicity of ES312 vaccine both mediated by Starburst polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers in vivo.

METHODSThe complex of green fluorescent protein or ES312 gene with Starburst PAMAM dendrimers were injected intramuscularly in Balb/c mice. The expression level and distribution of green fluorescent protein gene was detected by flow cytometer, Western blot and immunofluorescence assay. The immunogenicity of DNA vaccine was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe expression of green fluorescent protein mediated by Starburst PAMAM dendrimers was found in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain and injected muscle from 2 hours to 7 days after the vaccination. The highest expression level of the gene was detected in kidney, as well as in endothelial cells. The antibody response evoked by the DNA vaccine carried by the Starburst PAMAM dendrimers was significantly higher than that of the net DNA vaccination. Vaccination with Starburst PAMAM dendrimers elicited higher expression level of the gene in brain and kidney than with the net gene itself.

CONCLUSIONAs a novel non-viral DNA carrier with low self-antigenicity, Starburst PAMAM dendrimers have potential to mediate DNA transfer and expression in vivo.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; pharmacology ; Dendrimers ; Drug Carriers ; pharmacology ; Female ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacokinetics ; Malaria Vaccines ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Polyamines ; pharmacology ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins ; Psoriasis/drug therapy*

BACKGROUND: There have been few real-life dose-comparing studies on the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Chinese patients with plaque psoriasis. We conducted a real-life cohort study to investigate the efficacy and safety of secukinumab 150 and 300 mg in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were included in this study. Patients received either secukinumab 150 mg or secukinumab 300 mg according to patients' weights and severity of psoriasis. The treatment continued for at least 24 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated by improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores. The safety was also analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (55.7%) were treated with secukinumab 300 mg and 47 patients (44.3%) were treated with secukinumab 150 mg. After 12-week treatment, PASI75/90/100 responses were achieved in 100%, 97.8%, and 95.7% of patients, respectively, in secukinumab 150 mg group, and the efficacy was maintained to week 24. In secukinumab 300 mg group, PASI75/90/100 responses were achieved in 93.2%, 81.4%, and 76.3% of patients, respectively, at week 12. In this group, PASI75/90/100 responses reached 91.5%, 86.4%, and 79.9%, respectively, at week 24. Biologic-experienced patients had lower responses than biologic-naïve patients. Secukinumab 150 and 300 mg were well tolerated. Five patients discontinued treatment due to poor response, adverse event, or economic reasons. CONCLUSIONS This real-life study demonstrated that high PASI 90 and PASI 100 responses were achieved in Chinese psoriasis patients receiving secukinumab 150 or 300 mg. Biologic-naïve was associated with better clinical efficacy.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose: Central lymph node metastasis (CNM) are highly prevalent but hard to detect preoperatively in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients, while the significance of prophylactic compartment central lymph node dissection (CLND) remains controversial as a treatment option. We aim to establish a nomogram assessing risks of CNM in PTC patients, and explore whether prophylactic CLND should be recommended. Materials and Methods: One thousand four hundred thirty-eight patients from two clinical centers that underwent thyroidectomy with CLND for PTC within the period 2016–2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to examine risk factors associated with CNM. A nomogram for predicting CNM was established, thereafter internally and externally validated. Results: Seven variables were found to be significantly associated with CNM and were used to construct the model. These were as follows: thyroid capsular invasion, multifocality, creatinine > 70 μmol/L, age < 40, tumor size > 1 cm, body mass index < 22, and carcinoembryonic antigen > 1 ng/mL. The nomogram had good discrimination with a concordance index of 0.854 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.843 to 0.867), supported by an external validation point estimate of 0.825 (95% CI, 0.793 to 0.857). A decision curve analysis was made to evaluate nomogram and ultrasonography for predicting CNM. Conclusion A validated nomogram utilizing readily available preoperative variables was developed to predict the probability of central lymph node metastases in patients presenting with PTC. This nomogram may help surgeons make appropriate surgical decisions in the management of PTC, especially in terms of whether prophylactic CLND is warranted.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and to identify homeobox D13 (HOXD13) gene mutation of the affected individuals in a Chinese synpolydactyly (SPD) kindred.

METHODSClinical data and peripheral blood samples of SPD family members were obtained through field investigation. For every member of this pedigreeìthe fragment containing mutational hot spots of HOXD13 was amplified by PCR for mutation screening. To examine whether there is any other mutation within coding sequence of HOXD13, exon 1 and exon 2 of HOXD13 were also amplified by PCR. All the amplified fragments were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gels and then the mutant fragments were electrophoresed on 5% polyacrylamide gels to be separated. Purified PCR products of normal and selected mutant alleles were directly sequenced.

RESULTSComparing the HOXD13 coding sequence of the affected individuals with HOXD13 sequence in the GenBank and with that of the unaffected, an inserted segment coding 8 alanine residues within HOXD13 was found segregating with the disorder. This mutation is also termed polyalanine expansion. The 8-alanine expansion can be interpreted as a reduplication of normal alanines 5-12.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that synpolydactyly in this kindred may be caused by polyalanine expansion in HOXD13.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Syndactyly ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and feasibility of duodenojejunal bypass(DJB)on non-severe obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).

METHODSThe body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose(FPG), 2h-postprandial plasma glucose(2hPG), fasting insulin(F-ins), fasting c-peptide(F-CP), glycated hemoglobin and hypoglycemic agents dose changes were tested in 7 patients with non-severe obese T2DM undergoing DJB, preoperatively and within 24 weeks after surgery during the follow-up. Data were collected and the clinical outcomes of T2DM were analyzed.

RESULTSIn 7 cases of non-obese T2DM who underwent DJB, one patient was weaned off hypoglycemic agents with normal FPG, 2hPG and HbA1c postoperatively. Five required significantly lower dosage. No significant improvement in 1 case. Complete remission rate of hyperglycemia was 1/7, effective rate was 6/7, and effective rate of HbA1c was 5/7. No significant changes in BMI were observed between the preoperative and postoperative phases.

CONCLUSIONPlasma glucose level can be markedly reduced by duodenojejunal bypass in non-obese T2DM, independent of weight loss, and the mechanism remains unclear.

Adult ; Aged ; Bariatric Surgery ; methods ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Duodenum ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jejunum ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected with Delta variant, so as to provide further references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A real-world study was conducted to analyze the characteristics of 166 COVID-19 patients infected with Delta variant at Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University.Results:The study enrolled 5 asymptomatic cases, 123 non-severe cases (mild and moderate type), and 38 severe cases (severe and critical type). Among these patients, 69 (41.6%) were male and 97 (58.4%) were female, with a mean age of 47.0±23.5 years. Thirty-nine cases (23.5%) had received 1 or 2 doses of inactivated vaccine. The incidence of severe COVID-19 cases was 7.7% in 2-doses vaccinated patients, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients. The proportion of severe cases in 2 dose-vaccinated patients was 7.7%, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose vaccinated patients and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The most common clinical symptom was fever (134 cases, 83.2%), and 39.1% of cases presented with high-grade fever (≥39 °C); other symptoms were cough, sputum, fatigue, and xerostomia. The proportion of fever in severe cases was significantly higher than that of non-severe cases (97.4% vs. 76.4%, P<0.01). Similarly, the proportion of severe cases with high peak temperature (≥39 ℃) () was also higher than that of non-severe cases (65.8% vs. 30.9%, P<0.01). The median minimal Cycle threshold (Ct) values of viral nucleic acid N gene and ORFlab gene were 20.3 and 21.5, respectively, and the minimum Ct values were 11.9 and 13.5, respectively. Within 48 h of admission, 9.0% of cases presented with decreased white blood cell counts, and 52.4% with decreased lymphocyte counts. The proportions of increased C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin 6, and interleukin 10 were 32.5%, 57.4%, 65.3%, and 35.7%, respectively. The proportions of elevated C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in severe cases were significantly higher than those in non-severe cases ( P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that older age and higher peak temperature were associated with a higher likelihood of severe cases ( OR>3, 95% CI: 2-7, P<0.01). In terms of treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was used in 97.6% of non-severe cases and 100% in severe cases. Other treatments included respiratory and nutritional support, immunotherapy (such as neutralizing antibodies and plasma of recovered patients). The median times from admission to progression to severe cases, of fever clearance, and of nucleic acid conversion were 5 days, 6 days and 19 days, respectively. No deaths were reported within 28 days. Conclusions:The symptoms of Delta variant infection in Guangzhou are characterized by a high proportion of fever, high peak temperature, long duration of fever, high viral load, a long time to nucleic acid conversion, and a high incidence of severe cases. The severe cases exhibit a higher percentage of elderly patients, a longer duration of fever and have a higher fever rate and a higher hyperthermia rate than non-severe cases. Age and hyperthermia are independent risk factors for progression to severe disease. The combination of TCM and Western medicine can control the progression of the disease effectively.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the related epidemic factors of rabies and to provide basic evidence for developing rabies control and prevention programs in China.

METHODSPossible factors that causing rabies epidemics in the southern part of China were obtained through collecting both epidemic and surveillance data of rabies in 2005, and to analyse every factor by software of Excel 2002.

RESULTSThe number of rabies cases was 2548 in 2005. Among 885 cases being investigated, 60.56%, 49.04%, 96.16% had not had any chance to receive treatment, vaccine or immunoglobulin. Among the exposed persons, 89.95% received treatment on wounds and 94.93% were immunized, and 8.56% received immunoglobulin. 94.86% of them accomplished the full rabies post-exposure prophylaxis course, but 8.56% of them did not accomplish it. 88.50% of the cases and 92% of the persons under exposure were bitten by dogs. The density of dogs was 3.20-13.37 per 100 persons. The vaccination coverage rates among dogs were 5.31% -75.11% with a positive rate of 2.93 % -6.40%.

CONCLUSIONFactors as: low rate of post-exposure prophylaxis and failed to have finished the necessary post-exposure treatment (PET) of the cases, nonstandard PET in hospital or local clinic, low rabies vaccination coverage and high infectivity of rabies virus in animal host (mainly for dog) might be responsible for rabies epidemics in China, in 2005.

Animals ; Bites and Stings ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dogs ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis ; Rabies ; epidemiology ; Rabies Vaccines ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the one year effect of modified Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGP) in the treatment of non-obese type 2 diabetes and to investigate the reasonable indications for surgery.

METHODSTotally 72 patients diagnosed as type 2 diabetes underwent RYGP from May 2009 to June 2010. There were 45 male and 27 female patients, with an average age of (47 ± 10) years. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 18.69 to 31.22 kg/m(2), average (26 ± 4) kg/m(2). The follow-up data included fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h plasma glucose after oral glucose challenge (2hPG), weight, BMI and medication usage in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperative; hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting C-peptide (C-P), fasting serum insulin (Fins) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in 6 and 12 months postoperative, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the preoperative, FPG, 2hPG, weight and BMI in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were improved (t = 7.014 to 10.254, P = 0.000), while HbA1c, C-P and HOMA-IR in 6 and 12 months after surgery were improved (t = 1.782 to 7.789, P = 0.000 to 0.103) and there was no significant difference in Fins (P > 0.05). The rates of complete remission in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were gradually improved to 22.2%, 27.8%, 36.1% and 60.6%, respectively, and the rate of remission in 1 year was 94.3%. The complete remission of 1 year after surgery was associated with normal C-P, insulin antibody and oral antidiabetic drugs (χ(2) = 11.730, P = 0.003; χ(2) = 7.131, P = 0.028;χ(2) = 6.149, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONSModified RYGP is safely and effectively in the treatment of no-obese type 2 diabetes patients. The function of islet cells is significantly improved after operation. Especially for the patients of whom C-P is normal, insulin antibody is negative before surgery, the rate of complete remission after 1 year is better.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; C-Peptide ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Weight Loss