Objective To investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic experience in children with ulcerative colitis(UC) from clinical data.Met-hods The literature on UC in children publicated from 1995 to 2004 were retrieved by CBM,CNKI and VIP database.The clinical manifestations,X-ray,endoscopic and histologic features,management and prognosis of 172 patients in this hospital correspond with the inclusion criteria were retrospectively investigated and a definite diagnosis with UC was made.Results Of 172 patients,the ratio of maleold female was 1.07:1.0,and the age of patients ranged from 2 months to 15 years old.Thirty-six patients(36.7%)were less than 3 years-old;the course ranged from 3 days to 4 years.One patient had family history.The main manifestations were chronic diarrhea,mucus bloody stool,bloody purulent stool and abdominal pain.The systemic symptoms were fever,weight loss,malnutrition and anemia,no enteral symptoms and complications.The lesions were mainly seen in the whole colon with moderate to severe degree.The therapies based on salicylaxosulfapyridine(SASP) or 5-acetylsalicylic acid(5-ASA) together with corticosteroid in the short period have clinical remission in different levels.From long follow-up,the complete remittence was less than one third.Conclusions It is not rare to see UC in infantile.The clinical characteristics of UC in children are different from those in adults,the same is true before and after 3 year-old.The UC in children has high misdiagnosis and is difficult to manage.It is very necessary to establish a diagnostic and therapeutic guideline for children with UC in China.

Objective To investigate the effect and possible signal pathway of brain - derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on apoptosis of rat embryo brain cells suffering from intrauterine hypoxic - ischemic injury. Methods The uterine arteries of the pregnant rats were clamped for 30 minutes in both experimental group and control group. BDNF(2 ?g) was injected into rats in experimental group while saline was injected into rats in control group through caudal veins. The samples were collected at 24, 48 and 72 hours re-spectively after artery clamping. Neuroapoptosis of different groups induced by ischemic damage was measured by TUNEL assay. The expression of extracellular signal - regulated kinase(ERK)and c - Jun - N - terminal kinase(JNK) were observed by immunohisloche-mistry.Results The number of apoptosis cells after hypoxic - ischemic injury increased progressively with time.The apoptosis cells number in experimental group were much lower in number than those of ischemic control group.The expression of ERK increased while the expression of JNK decreased in experimental group, comparing with that of the ischemic control group, with statistical signif-icance (P

Introduction:The 2010 targets of the China Hepatitis B Prevention Programme were a prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) less than 1.0% for children less than five years old and less than 6.0% for the total population. This survey assessed the prevalence of Hepatitis B infection in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China in 2009–2010.Methods:Multistage sampling was used with 2372 subjects among 17 selected villages. Blood specimen collection and testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbnet assay (ELISA) were completed using the following markers for hepatitis infection: HBsAg and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs); hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe); and hepatitis B core antibody (total anti-HBc). The data were analysed with Epi Info, version 3.3.2.Results:The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.8–3.0; Adjusted Prevalence [AP] 2.9%); anti-HBs prevalence was 51.1% (95% CI: 49.1–53.1; AP 49.2%) and total anti-HBc prevalence was 41.7% (95% CI: 39.8–43.7; AP 45.5%). The prevalence of HBsAg and total anti-HBc positivity increased from young to older age groups, yet the prevalence of anti-HBs positivity decreased from young to older age groups (P< 0.001 for all). There was no difference in the prevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBs among females and males (P= 0.108 and 0.089), but females had a higher prevalence than males for total anti-HBc positivity (P< 0.001). Discussion: This survey showed that in 2010 the prevalence of HBsAg among children aged less than five years was lower than the national target of 1.0% and that the prevalence of HBsAg for the total population was lower than the national target of 6.0%.

BACKGROUNDCataracts is considered be formed because of an abnormal glucose metabolic pathway or oxidative stress. We explored the damaging role of ONOO- and antagonism of cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 (CCK-8) in diabetic cataractal rat lenses.

METHODSA diabetic cataractal animal model was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocine (STZ). Thirty-six normal SD rats were taken as control group; seventy-two were given STZ (45 mg/kg) and then divided into STZ group and CCK-8 group (peritoneal injection CCK-8). STZ induced diabetic rats were treated with CCK-8 for 60 days. Lenses were examined with slit lamp at 20, 40 and 60 days. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analysis were used for determining nitrotyrosine (NT, a marker for ONOO-). PT-PCR and gene array analysis were used for determining the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase mRNA (iNOS mRNA) in lens epithelium (LEC).

RESULTSSTZ group rats developed lens opacity by 20 days that reached a high level by 60 days after STZ injection. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. There was no distinct expression of NT and iNOS mRNA in control group. In STZ group, there were distinct expression of NT and upregulation of iNOS mRNA; however, CCK-8 group showed weak expression of NT and downregulation of iNOS mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSNT, which may be a new form of oxidative stress, was expressed in diabetic rat LEC although CCK-8 could reverse NT damage in LEC. The results suggested that CCK-8 might be a useful therapeutic agent against diabetic cataract. The antagonizing mechanism of CCK-8 may be related to direct antagonism of ONOO- as well as its inhibition of the expression of iNOS mRNA for production of NO and therefore decrease in the formation of ONOO-.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cataract ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sincalide ; pharmacology ; Streptozocin ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between methylation status of APC gene in both peripheral blood and tumor tissues and clinical-pathology characteristics in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC), and to study the dynamic change of APC methylation in peripheral blood in the perioperative period.

METHODSReal-time MSP technique was used to detect methylation status of APC in tumor tissues, adjacent normal tissues and peripheral blood on the day before the surgery, intraoperative, postoperative day 7 in 76 cases with ESCC. Sixty healthy volunteers matched by age and gender were randomly selected as controls.

RESULTSThe methylation rate of APC in tumor tissue and peripheral blood was 44.74%(34/76) and 42.11%(32/76), respectively, which were significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissue and controls [6.58%(5/76) and 1.67%(1/60), P=0.000]. The methylation rates showed good agreement between tumor tissues and peripheral blood, which could be verified by ROC curve(A Zeta=0.849, P=0.000). APC methylation rate was significantly related to pathological staging, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, and invasion of nerve and vessel (P<0.05). The results demonstrated that family history of cancer was independently associated with APC methylation in peripheral blood(P<0.05). DNA methylation rates in peripheral blood showed an initial increase and then decreased in the preoperative period, intraoperative and postoperative.

CONCLUSIONThe methylation rates of APC among free DNA in peripheral blood in patients with ESCC reflect tumor progression, and decrease with the solid tumour resection.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Methylation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic,non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease.Traditional drug therapy includes aminosalicylates,glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents,and their long-term use will induce multiple side effects,and having high recurrence rate and poor efficacy in critically ill patients.Studies have shown that biological agents are effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with IBD,promoting mucosal healing,and improving the quality of life.With the in-depth study of pathogenesis of IBD,researches on the development of novel biological agents have been performed widespreadly.This article reviewed the advances in study on novel biological agents in treatment of IBD.

Objective To assess the clinical values of MR angiography(MRA)in the detection of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs.Methods Two-dimensional time of flight(2D TOF)MRA was performed in thirty patients who were suspected of having deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.The findings of MRA were compared to that of digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Results twenty-five cases showed deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs,the MRA findings included venous filling defect (14 cases),occlusions and interruptions of veins(8 cases),venous recanalizations(3 cases),collateral veins(25 cases).Taking the results of DSA as a golden standard,MRA detected all of the affected cases with only one case as the false positive.Conclusion 2D TOF MRA is a method of choice in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs.

The present study was designed to observe if puerarin decreases lens epithelium cell (LEC) apoptosis induced partly by peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). One hundred and eight rats were randomly divided into control group (n=36), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=36) and STZ + puerarin group (n=36). The rats in the control group intraperitoneally (i.p.) received 0.5 ml of saline. The rats in STZ group and STZ + puerarin group received intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Three days later, the rats in STZ + puerarin group were given puerarin (140 mg/kg per day, i.p.). On days 20, 40 and 60 of the experiment, morphologic changes of lenses were observed with slit lamp. Then the animals were sacrificed for further analysis. The amount and percentage of apoptotic LECs were determined by flow cytometry. Nitrotyrosine (NT, the foot print of ONOO(-)) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis-related genes (iNOS, etc.) were analyzed by gene array. The results showed that in the control group, all the lenses were clear. In STZ group, gradually severe opacity of the lens was observed on days 20, 40 and 60. But in STZ + puerarin group, mild opacity of the lens was observed on day 20 and more severe on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. In the control group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ group, time-dependent increase in apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ + puerarin group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of NT in the lens in the control group, but an increased expression of NT in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of NT was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of iNOS in the lens in the control group, but continuous up-regulation of iNOS expression in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of iNOS was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. Except the changes of iNOS related to NO production, the other apoptosis-related genes, including BCL-2 and SOD were down-regulated, while NF-kappaB and TNFR1-FADD-caspase signal transduction way were up-regulated in STZ group. The results were opposite in STZ + puerarin group and the control group. These findings show that NT is expressed in diabetic rat lens, which proves that LEC apoptosis in diabetic lens is partly induced by ONOO(-) which may be a new oxidative damage way to form cataract. Puerarin partly decreases LEC apoptosis induced by ONOO(-) and is a potential medicine for therapy of diabetic cataract. The mechanism of puerarin dealing with diabetic cataract may be related to its direct inhibition of LEC apoptosis and antagonism of ONOO(-) in diabetic rats.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cataract ; chemically induced ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Rats ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC patients.

METHODSReal-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to determine the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa of 81 cases. Immunohistochemical technique was applied to detect the expression of p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). The association of miRNA-106a expression with clinicopathological features, expression of related proteins, and prognosis of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 81 cases, under-expression of miRNA-106a gene was found in 48 cases (59.3%), normal expression in 22 cases (27.2%), and overexpression in 11 cases (13.6%). The expression of miRNA-106 gene was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, and nerve invasion (all P < 0.05), significantly associated with expression of p53 (P = 0.006), and not significantly associated with expressions of HER-2, Topo II and MRP proteins (all P > 0.05). The expression of miRNA-106a gene was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.032), but not significantly with overall survival (OS, P = 0.486). The results of Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the PFS of ESCC patients was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.029), but not correlated with the age, gender, tumor length, T stage, degree of differentiation, nerve invasion, and miRNA-106a expression (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, the miRNA-106a gene is under-expressed, with tumor suppressor function, and may be regarded as a biological marker to assess the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism