Objective To investigate the modulation of EPCs by interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and the pathogenesis resulting from their dysdifferenfiation after trauma.Method Thirty pigs were divided into a control group (n = 15) and a multiple organ dysfimction syndrome (MODS) group (n = 15), the latter of which were subjected to a "two-hit" injury including hemon'hagic shock and endotoxemia. Phosphorylation of p38MAPK in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was monitored by western blotting. The concentration of IL-1β in peripheral blood plasma was determined by ELISA and the numbers of EPCs with FCM in peripheral blood plasma were monitored. The morbidity rates in the two groups were compared by chi square test. The levels of phosphorylation of p38MAPK in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the concentmtions of IL-1β in peripheral blood plasma and the numbers of EPCs in the peripheral blood were compared between groups using with Student's t lest. Results The level of p38MAPK phosphorylation was more augmented and the concen-tration of IL-1β higher in peripheral blood mononuelear cells and plasma from MODS pigs compared with those from control pigs; nevertheless the mauler of EPC conspicuously decreased in the peripheral blood (P <0.01). The morbidity rate in the MODS group was much higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). There were fewer EPCs in the peripheral blood of animals in group M than in the peripheral blood of animals in group C (P <0.01). Conclusions p38MAPK phosphorylation is important for the pathogenesis of MODS. p38MAPK phospho-rylation might cause the concentration of IL-1β in the peripheral blood plasma to rise and could cause a drop in the numbers of EPCs, thereby aggravating the inflanmmatory reaction in MODS.

Objective To assess the feasibility of double phase subtraction angiography with second generation (128-slice )dual-source CT in low dose Flash spiral scan mode for the evaluation of cerebral vessel,compared with dual-energy subtraction angiogra-phy.Methods 60 patients underwent double phrase CT angiography were divided into group A (n = 30,with Flash spiral scan mode),group B(n=30,with dual-energy scan mode).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),the contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and the av-erage radiation of double phrase subtraction images were measured in two groups,respectively.The double phase subtraction images quality were graded by 2 independent readers on a 5-point scale(5=excellent)in double-blind,according to various degrees of the re-sidual bones,the vessel displayed and luminal integrity,respectively.Differences between two groups were analyzed by Mann-whit-ney test and t test.Results The double phrase image SNR showed no difference to both two groups(P >0.05).The image CNR of arterial and venous phase in group A were higher than that of group B(40.89±8.89 and 40.27 ±9.90 in group A vs 35.28 ±8.43 and 34.89±8.66 in group B;P <0.05)respectively.There were no singnificant difference in the bone removal image scores of doub-le phase and in the vessel image scores of venous phase to both two groups respectively(P >0.05).The vessel image scores of arterial phase were higher in group A than that of group B(4.93±0.25 vs 3.87±0.97;P <0.05).Some internal carotid in the base of skull has not good luminal integrity in group B.The mean dose length product (DLP)in group A was lower than that of group B,with a 39 percent reduction[(226±5.69 )mGy/cm vs (368 ± 21.35 )mGy/cm,P < 0.05 ].Conclusion With the roughly similar image quality to dual-energy double phase subtraction angiography,the cerebral vessels can be assessed using dual-source CT subtraction angiography in Flash spiral scan mode and a lower radiation dose.

AIM: To investigate the roles of nitric oxide/L-arginine(NO/L-Arg) pathway and urotensin-Ⅱ(UⅡ) in the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia in rats.METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=10): normal control group(A),hypoxia-hypercapnia+saline group(B),hypoxia-hypercapnia+L-Arg liposome group(C) and hypoxia-hypercapnia+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) group(D).Contents of UⅡ,UⅡ mRNA and receptor of UⅡ(UT) mRNA in pulmonary arterioles were measured with immunohistochemistry analysis and in situ hybridization,respectively.Change of small pulmonary vascular microstructure was also investigated.RESULTS:(1) The mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP) and the weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum [RV/(LV+S)] in B and D groups were all higher than those in A group(respectively,P

Objective: To evaluate the association of smoking with the risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods: A total of 16 383 186 AS-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 378 smoking initiation associated SNPs and 126 lifetime smoking score-associated SNPs were collected from three large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The association of smoking phenotypes with the risk of AS was examined using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) with AS as a outcome variable, smoking initiation and lifetime smoking score as exposure factors and SNPs with strong associations with smoking as instrumental variables, and sensitivity analyses were performed with maximum likelihood-based method, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test and MR-Egger regression analysis. Results: A 33.5% increased risk of AS was found among genetically predicted smokers relative to non-smokers (OR=1.335, 95%CI: 1.059-1.682), and an increase in predicted lifetime smoking by per standard deviation resulted in a 101.4% increased risk of AS (OR=2.014, 95%CI: 1.341-3.024). The maximum likelihood-based method and MR-PRESSO test showed consistent correlated effect estimations and MR-Egger regression analysis identified no evidence of pleiotropy. Conclusion It is genetically predicted that smoking is associated with an increased risk of AS.

Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction ; Heart ; Mice

OBJECTIVEExperiences and lessons of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP ) perioperative management, especially causes of postoperative tracheotomy, were analyzed, and related strategy was raised to have a better perioperative management and to avoid tracheotomy.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty eight cases of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndromes (OSAHS) diagnosed with polysomnography (PSG) were treated with modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). The perioperative management was summarized. Patients were divided into two groups according to the perioperative management: without or with perioperative comprehensive management. In group A, there were 32 patients, without comprehensive management, and in group B there were 226 cases with comprehensive management. Sixty eight cases in group B whose apnea hypopnea index over 50 times per hour and the lowest arterial oxygen saturation was less than 0.5 were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 1 to 3 weeks. For all the 258 cases, perioperative management includes treatment of medical complications, treatment with antibiotics 2 or 3 days before the operation. None of these cases had tracheotomy before surgery.

RESULTSIn group A, three of 32 patients had postoperative tracheotomy, two because of bleeding, and another one because of laryngeal spasm. In group B, none of 226 patients underwent tracheotomy, which owing to modified operative apparatus and effective perioperative and postoperative treatment (chi2 = 21.35, P < 0.001). In group A, 5 of 32 patients had oral pharynx bleeding after 24 hours of the operation. While 26 of 226 patients in group B did so (chi2 = 0.15, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONComprehensive perioperative management can effectively lower down the complication rate for patients receiving uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Adult ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Palate ; surgery ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Tracheotomy ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome ; Uvula ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and to compare the differences of the results detected by the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) in Chinese and American urban children.

METHODSA total of 854 children aged 3 to 5 years were randomly sampled from 5 districts in Changsha City and their parents completed the Conners PSQ.

RESULTSThe assessment by the norm of PSQ in American urban children demonstrated that the average prevalence of behavior problems was 20.4%, with 28.1% for boys and 12.4% for girls. There were significant differences between boys and girls (P<0.01). The factor score of anxiety in girls was markedly higher than that in boys (P<0.01). Learning and psychosomatic problems were the main problems in the children. The prevalences of conduct problems and impulse-restlessness, and abnormal restlessness index detected by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were higher than those detected by the American norm. The prevalences of conduct problems and psychosomatic problems in boys by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were significantly lower than those detected by the American norm, while the total prevalence of behavior problems was higher than that detected by American norm. There was a poor consistency in the assessment results of most factors of the PSQ and the total prevalence of behavior problems detected by the Chinese and American norms (KappP<0.4).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of behavior problems especially learning problems and psychosomatic problems in children aged 3 to 5 years is higher in Changsha. The consistency of assessment results is poor between the norms of China and America. It is recommended to use the China norm of PSQ in Chinese children aged 3 to 5 years because the Chinese norm is in line with China's national conditions and cultural background.

Child Behavior Disorders ; diagnosis ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United States ; Urban Health

The crude extracts of the fermentation broth from a marine sediment-derived actinomycete strain, Saccharothrix sp. 10-10, showed significant antibacterial activities against drug-resistant pathogens. A genome-mining PCR-based experiment targeting the genes encoding key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites indicated that the strain 10-10 showed the potential to produce tetracenomycin-like compounds. Further chemical investigation of the cultures of this strain led to the identification of two antibiotics, including a tetracenomycin (Tcm) analogs, Tcm X (1), and a tomaymycin derivative, oxotomaymycin (2). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS spectra. Tcm X (1) showed moderate antibacterial activities against a number of drug-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) pathogens, with the MIC values in the range of 32-64 microg x mL(-1). In addition, 1 also displayed significant cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines, including HL60 (leukemia), HepG2 (liver), and MCF-7 (breast) with the IC 50 values of 5.1, 9.7 and 18.0 micromol x L(-1), respectively. Guided by the PCR-based gene sequence analysis, Tcm X (1) and oxotomaymycin (2) were identified from the genus of Saccharothrix and their 13C NMR data were correctly assigned on the basis of 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis for the first time.
Actinomycetales ; chemistry ; genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Benzodiazepinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Data Mining ; methods ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Enterococcus faecalis ; drug effects ; Fermentation ; Genomics ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Marine Biology ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure ; Naphthacenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; drug effects

This study was aimed to observe and analyze the effectiveness of platelet transfusion. The platelet count of 1786 patients before transfusion and on 20-24 hours after transfusion was determined by using Auto-Hematology Analyzer, the percent platelet recovery (PPR) was calculated, the platelet transfusion efficiency (PTE) was evaluated by PPR and hemorrhage presentation after platelet transfusion, and the PTE was statistically analyzed according to disease cause, transfusion frequency, platelet type and once transfusion amount. The results showed that the total PTE of 1786 patients was 52.5%. The comparison of PTE among groups of disease cause showed that PTE in leukemia and aplastic anemia (AA) was lowest, as compared with that of other diseases (P < 0.05), while PTE in operation group was highest. The comparison of PTE among groups of transfusion frequency revealed also statistical difference (P < 0.01), meanwhile PTE decreased with increasing of transfusion frequency. The comparison of PTE among groups of platelet type (platelet phoresis or platelet concentrate) showed statistical difference (P < 0.01). The comparison of PTE among groups of platelet concentrate of once transfusion amount showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the PTE closely relates with disease cause of patients, moreover transfusion frequency also associates with PTE, the more frequency of transfusion, the higher possibility of transfusion refractoriness. The PTE of platelet pheresis is obviously superior to that of platelet concentrate, while PTE of platelet concentrate not significantly relates with once adequate or not.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia, Aplastic ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Transfusion ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Failure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the relationship between collagen degradation and cervical ripening by detecting dynamic expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 8 (MMP-8) in rat cervix.

METHODSPF rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6), namely non-pregnancy estrus interval group, gestational days 10, 16, and 19 groups, and immediately postpartum group. The wet weight of the cervix was measured and HE staining was used to display the general structure of the cervix. VG staining was applied to visualize the collagen fibers and muscular fibers. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in the cervix.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the rat uterine cervix consisted mainly of fibroblasts and fibrous connective tissues. A small quantity of neutrophils could be seen in the cervix stroma of the rats immediately after immediately parturition, but not at the other time points. The wet weight of the antepartum cervix had increased, and a more obvious increase was seen in the wet weight of the cervix immediately after parturition. The collagen fibers of the cervix consisted of collagen fibers and smooth muscle fibers, and their proportions showed no significant variation at the time points around the parturition. Immediately after parturition, the collagen fibers and muscular fibers in the cervix became loosened as compared with that before parturition. MMP-2 expression was found in the cervical stroma but not in the squamous epithelium in nonpregnancy, term pregnancy, and immediately after parturition; the smooth muscle cells, vascular wall, and stromal fibroblasts showed positive expression of MMP-2. Enhanced intensity of MMP-2 staining was seen in term pregnancy and postpartum group in comparison with that in the other groups. MMP-8 expression was observed in the cervix of rats immediately after parturition, with scattered neutrophils positive for MMP-8 spotted in the stroma of the ripened cervix. MMP-8 expression was not detected in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONRipened cervical fibrous tissue becomes loose and broken, and cervical ripening is accompanied by infiltration of neutrophils from exogenous vessels. These changes are particularly evident after parturition. MMP-2 and MMP-8 cooperate to degrade the cervical fibers, leading to cervical softening and expansion.

Animals ; Cervical Ripening ; metabolism ; Cervix Uteri ; enzymology ; Female ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley