OBJECTIVETo test the infeciton efficiency of recombinant adenoviral vector carrying HBsAg-HSP70 chimeric gene and to abserve its biological characteristics.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from healthy blood donor and they were infected by Ad-HSP70-HBsAg on the first day of isolation. DCs were induced in medium with cytokines IL-4, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha in vitro. The biological characteristics of DC induced were analyzed by inverted fluorecent microscope, RT-PCR, flow cytometer (FACS), and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR).

RESULTSThe traced gene-GFP were abserved in DCs by inverted fluorecent microscope and HSP70-HBsAg gene mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR after the Ad-HSP70-HBsAg infection. FACS analysis shown that the expression of CD1a, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR on surfece of two groups of DCs were similar. MLR showed that there are not a statitic difference of stimulated index (SI) between two groups.

CONCLUSIONResults indicated that Ad-HSP70-HBsAg can effectively infected DCs without affecting its biological characteristics.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; virology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence, clinical features and prognostic implications of ischemic hepatitis in hepatitis B related liver cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

METHODSBy retrospective review of the medical records of all 264 inpatients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage of hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis from January 1st 2007 to November 30th 2008, 11 patients with ischemic hepatitis (IH) were identified. The clinical features and prognostic implications were compared between the IH patients and 30 patients without ischemic hepatitis (control group).

RESULTSThe incidence of ischemic hepatitis was 4.17% in hepatitis B related liver cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The patients in IH group were younger than those in control group, the average age was (43.1+/-5.7) in IH group and (52.3+/-11.1) in control group (P=0.013). The serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased more than 20-fold above the upper limit of normal values, and returned to normal values within 10 days. Compared to the control group, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphates, gamma-glutamyltransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and white blood cells were increased, while serum cholinesterase was decreased in IH group (P<0.05). The fatality rate of ischemic hepatitis was much higher than that of control group (54.5% vs 16.7%, P=0.041). The main causes of death in IH group were infection, hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic encephalopathy. The patients in IH group lost 200 to 3600 milliliter blood, and hemorrhagic shock occurred in 63.6% (7/11) of IH patients. Therefore the bleeding volume was not correlated with the occurrence rate of ischemic hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONIschemic hepatitis may occur secondary to upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis. The risk factors of ischemic hepatitis in cirrhositic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage are young and with hemorrhagic shock, and poor liver function. It is important to use antibiotics in time to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; complications ; Hepatitis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Humans ; Ischemia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Liver ; blood supply ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: Falls is a risk factor for fracture. The FRAX® predicts fractures. Whether the FRAX® is associated with fall in both gender is inconclusive. The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between FRAX scores and falls. METHODS: The cross-sectional study set from 2009 to 2010 included 1200 community-dwelling people who were systematically sampled in central Taiwan. The 1200 participants (men: 524; women: 676; ≥40 years old) completed questionnaires about socioeconomic status; lifestyle; medical and fall history were completed. FRAX scores with and without bone mineral density (BMD) were calculated by using the Taiwan calculator. RESULTS: A total of 19.8% participants fell down. Binary regression models showed that diabetes mellitus history (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.03–2.52), the FRAX without BMD in a continuous major score (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.09), continuous hip score (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05–1.16), categorical major score ≥ 10% (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.25–2.61), and categorical hip score ≥ 3% (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.30–2.50) were independent risk factors for falls. FRAX with BMD in a continuous major score (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02–1.06), continuous hip score (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02–1.09), categorical major score ≥ 10% (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.09–2.12), and categorical hip score ≥ 3% (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.13–2.09) were also independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that FRAX® scores with and without BMD were unanimously correlated with falls in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly males and females.
Accidental Falls* ; Aged* ; Bone Density ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Taiwan

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of a solitary megadose protocol of ionizing radiation (IR) to parotid gland on the structured and function changes of bilateral parotid glands in miniature pig.

METHODSFourteen minipigs were subjected to either 15 or 20 Gy to one parotid gland with a linear accelerator, while another four minipigs served as non-IR controls. Salivary flow rates and salivary chemistries were measured pre-IR, and 4 and 16 weeks post-IR. A quantitative assessment of gland weight and acinar area, and detailed serum chemistry and hematological analyses, were also performed.

RESULTSParotid gland weights were significantly decreased in the 15 and 20 Gy groups at 4 and 16 weeks post-IR. The acinar cell area in glands of both IR groups was significantly reduced. Parotid flow rates decreased by 60% with 15 Gy at 16 weeks post-IR. In the 20 Gy group, salivary flow rates were reduced by 80% at 16 weeks post-IR. Additionally, parotid flow rates significantly reduced in contralateral glands with 20 Gy at 16 weeks, while structure and weight did not changes in parotid glands.

CONCLUSIONStructural changes in salivary gland parenchyma occurred relatively early after IR, while the alterations in salivary output were relatively delayed. Further, reductions in salivary flow were not proportional to acinar cell area loss. There isn't a significant structured change of contralateral glands, but significant reduction of parotid flow rate at this time.

Animals ; Parotid Gland ; radiation effects ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of antibiotics in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in multiple regions of China, and to provide a reference for CAP standard treatment and rational antibiotic use in children. METHODS: The medical data of 1 383 children with CAP who were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics in 10 grade A tertiary hospitals from 9 cities between April 14, 2014 and January 1, 2016 were reviewed, to analyze the status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children in North China, Northeast China, East China, and South China. RESULTS: The overall rate of antibiotic use in children with CAP was 89.08%, with 88.7% in North China, 95.5% in Northeast China, 83.3% in East China, and 86.6% in South China. The main types of antibiotics used were cephalosporins, macrolides, compound preparations of β-lactam antibiotics, polyphosphoric broad-spectrum antibiotics and other β-lactam antibiotics. The selection of antibiotics was generally rational, but antibiotics were still used in some patients with viral infection alone or a combined use of ≥2 kinds of antibiotics were noted in some patients with infection caused by one kind of pathogen. Irrational antibiotic use was observed in 131 children (10.63%). CONCLUSIONS There are high rates of antibiotic use and irrational use of antibiotics among children with CAP. Standard management of antibiotic use in children with CAP should be strengthened.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; China ; Community-Acquired Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors