Objective To investigate the potential roles of pattern recognition receptor in the pathogenesis of asthma,the concentrations of serum nucleotide -binding oligomerization domain like receptors 1 (NOD1 )and Toll like receptor 1(TLR1)and Dectin and sCD14 protein were determined.Methods Blood samples were obtained from 45 cases of severe asthma(asthma group)during acute attack and convalescent period,the concentrations of serum NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and compared with 30 healthy children(control group).Results The concentrations of NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were significantly higher in acute attack period of the asthma group[(65.53 ±19.95)ng/mL,(10.46 ±3.35)ng/mL, (80.38 ±19.51)ng/mL,(4.51 ±1.29)ng/mL]than those in the control group[(25.57 ±9.64)ng/mL,(5.54 ± 1.49)ng/mL,(47.37 ±15.16)ng/mL,(2.21 ±0.68)ng/mL](t =11.57,8.63,7.82,9.95,all P <0.01).Moreo-ver,the concentrations of serum NOD1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were dramatically decreased in convalescent period of the asthma group[(39.67 ±11.25)ng/mL,(60.04 ±16.76)ng/mL,(3.38 ±0.97)ng/mL]compared with acute asthma attack period(t =8.19,6.32,5.42,all P <0.01),while the concentration of serum TLR1 was not different between this two period (9.51 ±3.19)ng/mL(t =1.27,P >0.05).Furthermore,level of NOD1 was positively corre-lated with sCD14(r =0.49,P <0.01).Conclusion Levels of serum NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were increased in acute severe asthma,whereas,they were decreased in convalescent period.The elevation of them indicated that pattern recognition reception has synergistic function in the pathogenesis of asthma attack.

Objective To investigate the effect and safety of a low-dosed urokinase combined with fosinopri plus leflunomide and prednisone on treatment of moderate and severe IgA nephropathy (IgAN).Methods Fifty-seven patients with IgAN confirmed by biopsy combining with clinical presentations were enrolled,with their ages ranged from 15 to 55,proteinuria excretion ≥ 1.0 g/24 h,serum creatinine (SCr) ≤ 265.20 μmol/L,grade Ⅲ or above in Hass histologic grading systems for renal biopsy.The patients were randomly divided into trial group( n =28 ) and control group( n =29 ) and received treatment for six months.The patients in trial group were treated with a low-dosed urokinase combined with fosinopri plus leflunomide and prednisone,while those in control group were treated with prednisone and fosinopril.Results ( 1 ) After 6 months of treatment,the rates of complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) were 52.0％ and 40.0％ respectively in trial group,and 20.8％ and 54.2％ respectively in control group.The total remission rate(TR)and CR in trial group were significantly higher than those in control group ( TR x2 =0.47,P ＜ 0.05 ; CR x2 =5.11,P ＜ 0.05 ).( 2 ) The SCr level was decreased in trial group ( [ 115.83 ± 16.78 ] μmol/L v.s.(93.29 ±12.41 ) μmol/L,P ＜ 0.05 ),while increased in control group ( [ 112.79 ± 12.79 ] μmol/L v.s.( 136.99 ±25.97 )μmol/L,P ＜ 0.05 ).The two groups had significant difference on SCr clearance rate after treatment( P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups on the endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) ( P =0.52 ),and no significant difference within trial group ( [ 79.34 ± 6.09 ] ml/min v.s.[ 85.12 ±12.26] ml/min,P =0.05)and within control group( [80.18 ±6.51 ] mi/min v.s.[84.22 ±8.39] ml/min,P =0.67 ).The levels of 24-hour proteinuria excretion after 6 months were decreased in both groups ( trial group:[1.93 ±0.55]g/24 hv.s.[0.78 ±0.42]g/24 h,P＜0.05;control group:[1.85 ±0.51]g/24 h v.s.[1.30±0.35 ] g/24 h,P ＜ 0.05 ),and the treatment effect was better in trial group ( P =0.04 ).Conclusion Treatment of moderate and severe IgA nephropathy with low-dosed urokinase combined with fosinopri plus leflunomide and prednisone is effective and safe by improving renal function and decreasing proteinuria.

Objective To explore the effects of the neotype hand-arm sling on shoulder subluxation and transferring movement in hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke survivors with shoulder subluxation and poor elbow flexor muscle tone (＜2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale).were selected and randomly divided into three groups.Group 1 was trained in static upright standing,plus 10 min of sit-to-stand training and 20 min of walking training with no support for the hemiplegic,subluxed shoulder.Group 2 did the same training using a bagtype shoulder sling,and group 3 used the neotype hand-arm sling.Index finger palpation was used to evaluate the degree of shoulder subluxation,and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSST) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) times for the three groups were compared.Results In the static standing training,both the bag-type sling and the neotype hand-arm sling could effectively reduce shoulder subluxation.However,after 10 min of sit-to-stand training the neotype hand-arm sling was found to be significantly superior to the bag-type shoulder sling in improving shoulder subluxation,with the latter having no effect on shoulder subluxation.In the 20 rin of walking training,the neotype hand-arm sling provided significantly more effective support than the bag-type shoulder sling,although both could support the shoulders.Those using the neotype sling had shorter FTSST times,though there were no significant differences in the average TUG times.Conclusions The neotype slings can more effectively counter shoulder subluxation in upright stance,especially during sit-to-stand maneuvers and walking.It might have positive effects on transferring ability.

This study was aimed to screen antibacterial agents against 9 pathogenic bacteria from 240 extracts of 60 traditional Chinese medicinals ( TCM ) . And the minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) test was applied on extracts with positive results. The disk diffusion was employed to screen the antibacterial activity preliminar-ily among 240 extracts. The MICs of active extracts were tested by liquid culture method (double dilution method). The results revealed that 104 extracts show antibacterial activity on one or more strains, 20 of them show strong inhibition on three commonly seen bacteria ( MIC < 0 . 2 mg/mL ) . It was concluded that ethanol , acetone and hexane extracts of 11 TCMs including Salvia miltiorrhiza, Cnidium monnieri, Polygonum tinctorium, Taraxacum mongolicum, Morus alba, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Curcuma longa, Arnebia euchroma, Lobelia chinen-sis , Chrysanthemum indicum and Buddleja officinalis show strong inhibition on Bacillus subtilis , Bacillus cereus , Staphylococcus aureus .

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Yi medicine Acanthopanax trifo-liatus alcohol extract on the contents of IL-1β, IL-6,IL-10,NO,TNF-αand PGE2 in serum of adjuvant-induced arthritis(AA)rats. METHODS:60 SD rats were randomly divid-ed into normal control group (distilled water),model group (distilled water),positive control group (nimesulide,0.03 g/kg), A. trifo-liatus high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups [7,3.5,1.75 g(medicinal material)/kg]. Except for normal control group,other groups were given 0.1 ml Freund’s complete adjuvant on posterior right toe to induce AA model. After modeling, those groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically,once a day. The contents of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,NO,PGE2 in rat serum were measured 30 days later. The pathological morphology of the rat ankle was also observed. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,NO and PGE2 in serum increased in model group while the content of IL-10 decreased,with statistical significance (P<0.01);compared with model group,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,NO and PGE2 in serum decreased in A. trifo-liatus high-dose groups while the content of IL-10 decreased,with statistical significance (P<0.05). The pathology results showed that part of the slice synoviocytes mild thickening,fibrous tissue mild hyperplasia,in-flammatory cells infiltration at varying degrees,macrophages mild hyperplasia in A. trifo-liatus groups. Those changes were not found in normal control group. CONCLUSIONS:A. trifo-liatus alcohol extract has an obvious anti-inflammatory action to AA mod-el rat,by a mechanism of decreasing the contents of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,NO and PGE2,and increasing the content of IL-10.

Objective To observe the effects of ICB orthopedic sole combined with rehabilitation training on balance and walking function in stroke survivors.Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited and divided into a study group (n =15) and a control group (n =15) by using a random number table.Both groups took exercises based on the principles of a motor relearning program and conducted core stability control training,and the study group additionally undertook hemiplegic lower extremity weight-bearing exercises and walking with ICB orthopedic sole used in daily living.The program was administered 20 min twice per day for 4 weeks.All patients were evaluated with Rest Calcaneus Standing Position (RCSP),Malleolar Position (MP),Forefoot Position (FP),Berg Balance Scale (BBS),l0 m Maximum Walking Speed (MWS) and walking section of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS)before and after the program.Results After 4 weeks of intervention,all the measurements except the FP in both groups improved significantly,and significant differences were observed between the two groups.After 4 weeks of training,the average RCSP (1.78 ± 0.32) ° and MP (13.33 ± 2.51)° were improved significantly compared to those of the control group [(2.58 ± 0.59) ° and (12.45 ± 3.31) °,respectively].Moreover,the average BBS,MAS and MWS improved significantly compared to the control group.Conclusions ICB orthopedic sole combined with rehabilitation training can improve the weight-bearing,balance and ambulation abilities of stroke survivors.

AIM:To evaluate the effect of mycoplasma on the rRNA composition of mature ribosomes in human cell lines.METHODS:We isolated ribosome nascent-chain complex ( RNC) from multiple mycoplasma-positive-negative human cell lines.RNC-RNA was acquired from each cell line through RNA extraction, followed by agarose gel separation, fluorescent visualization and gray-scale value measurements on the rRNA bands.Western blot analysis was performed to in-vestigate the MAPK pathway alterations.RESULTS:In various human cell lines derived from different tissues, we found that as compared with mycoplasma-negative cells, mycoplasma-positive cells showed aberrant RNC-rRNA band patterns, featured by the decreases in 28S and 18S eukaryotic rRNAs and the increases in 16S and other unknown prokaryotic rRNAs.When cultured without ciprofloxacin, mycoplasma-negative HBE cells acquired mycoplasma contamination as ob-served with such characteristic abnormal rRNA bands.The ciprofloxacin treatment was able to recover the RNC-rRNA bands of the mycoplasma-contaminated cells to the normal pattern.The results of Western blot analysis on total and phos-phorylated proteins indicated that p38 pathway was significantly deactivated in mycoplasma-infected A549 cells, while ERK1/2 pathway was not significantly altered.CONCLUSION:Mycoplasma contamination severely alters the RNC-rRNA composition via p38 MAPK pathway, thus seriously impacting on the host cell translational behaviors.

Objective To evaluate super-selective renal arterial embolization(SRAE)in treating severe renal hemorrhage when conservative treatment had failed. Methods SRAE was performed in 111 patients with severe renal hemorrhage who had failed to respond the conservative management.The clinical data,the way of embolization,the medication and the follow-up findings were retrospectively analyzed.Results Excellent results were obtained in all patients after SRAE and no serious complications occurred.The technical successful rate with single session was 95.5%(106/111).Gross hematuria disappeared within 1-4 days after the treatment.Two patients developed shock after renal embolization and had to receive surgery after the shock was controlled.Three patients had a recurrence of hematuria,the blood urine subsided after SRAE was employed again.A follow-up with a mean period of 37.4 months was carried out in 92 patients,and the follow-up checkups showed that the renal function was well preserved in all patients.Conclusion Super-selective renal artery catheterization and embolization is a safe and effective treatment for severe renal hemorrhage,it can maximally preserve the healthy renal parenchyma as well as the renal function.Therefore,this technique should be regarded as the treatment of first choice for patients with severe renal hemorrhage.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the implication of ultrasonographic features of primary breast cancer tumors and axillary lymph nodes in predicting axillary lymph nodes metastasis in patients with breast cancer.MethodsA total of 108 patients with breast cancer were underwent examination of primary breast tumors and axillary lymph nodes by high frequency linear-array probes of ultrasound.The ages of patients,locations of primary tumors,numbers of tumors,maximum diameters of tumors,the longitudinal transverse axis ratio of tumors,mass boundary,ultrasonic patterns,micro-calcification,classification of blood supply,color pixel density(CPD),peak systolic velocity,resistance index,the longitudinal transverse axis ratio of axillary lymph nodes and maximum cortical thickness of axillary lymph nodes were recorded.ResultsOut of 108 patients with breast cancer,the longitudinal transverse axis ratio of tumor were greater than 1 in 75 (69.4 ％ ),micro-calcification in 57(52.8 ％ ),classification of blood supply were Ⅱ - Ⅲ in 57 (52.8％ ),CPD were greater than or equal to 10％ in 48 (44.4％),maximum cortical thickness of axillary lymph node were greater than or equal to 3 mm in 51 (47.2％),and longitudinal transverse axis ratio of lymph nodes were less than 1.5 in 59 (54.6％).Univariate analysis revealed that these six parameters were correlated to the axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer ( P ＜0.05).However,ages of patients,location of tumor in the breast,numbers of tumors,maximum diameters of tumors,mass boundary,ultrasonic patterns,peak systolic velocity and resistance index were not related to the axillary lymph node metastasis( P ＞0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that CPD (OR:16.337,95％ CI:4.537- 58.826),longitudinal transverse axis ratio of lymph nodes (OR:3.754,95％ CI:1.269- 11.108) and microcalcificationand (OR:3.033,95 ％ CI:1.040 - 8.840) were risk factors of axillary lymph nodes metastasis in patients with breast cancer.ConclusionsThe application of ultrasonography in patients with breast cancer is useful in predicting axillary lymph nodes metastasis.

Objective: To analyze the long-term prognosis of re-operation in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) after left sided valve replacement (LSVR) and hence evaluate the optimal timing of mentioned re-operation. Methods: A total of 59 FTR patients who had re-operation after their prior LSVR in our hospital from 1999-01 to 2013-01 were analyzed. The clinical information and post-operative follow-up results were recorded in all patients. Results: There were 5/59 (8.5%) patients died in peri-operative period and the overall post-operative mortality was 11.9% (7/59). The follow-up data of 54 survivors were available for the mean time of 51.1 (21-188) months. There were 19/54 (35.2%) patients suffered from MACE and 30 (55.6%) were beneifted by improved cardiac function. Uni-variable analysis indicated that pre-operative NYHA class IV (P=0.008), pre-operative right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (P=0.037), concomitant left-sided redo-operation (P=0.017) and TVR operation (P=0.002) were associated with all cause mortality of tricuspid re-operation. Multi-variable Cox regression analysis showed that pre-operative RV dysfunction was the only independent risk factor of long term MACE-free accumulating survival rate (HR=3.0, 95% CI 1.11-8.2,P=0.031); while TVR operation (HR=12.8, 95% CI 1.53-107.02,P=0.019) and pre-operative NYHA class IV (HR=5.3, 95% CI 1.20-24.51,P=0.032) were the independent risk factors for long-term mortality in patients after tricuspid re-operation. Conclusion: Patients with compensatory RV function showed better long term prognosis after secondary tricuspid operation. Aggressive re-operation before the occurrence of right ventricular dysfunction could be beneficial for relevant patients.