Objective To preliminarily test the value of gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q) in auxiliary diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) in infants and young children.Methods From January 2011 to February 2014,148 infants and 87 young children with suspected GERD symptoms were enrolled in the outpatient and inpatient departments of Wuhan Women and Children's Medical Care Center.The diagnosis of GERD were made through 24 h esophageal pH monitoring and upper gastrointestinal hysterosalpingography.Those with any examinations being positive were brought into GERD group,and the others into the control group.All cases had been surveyed with GERD-Q.Using SPSS17.0 statistical software,the ratio was compared with chi-square test,and the difference of the scores between groups with t test.Results In infants (1 to 11 months),the individual symptom scores (ISS) of the 6 symptoms in the GERD group (n =111) were all higher than those in the control group (37 cases) (P ＜ 0.05),and the composite and symptom scores (CSS) [(131.43 ± 66.56) scores] in the GERD group was higher than that [(33.70 ± 40.03) scores] in the control group (t =8.42,P ＜ 0.05).In young children (1 to 3 years old),the ISS in the GERD group(55 cases) were all higher than those in the control group(32 cases),and the CSS[(98.58 ± 66.75) scores] in the GERD group was also higher than that [(28.50 ± 35.95) scores] in the control group(t =5.49,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions There is a good correlation for age-specific GERD-Q to distinguish GERD symptoms in infants and young children,which is suitable for the assessment of GERD.

Objective To study the effect of age and sex on circadian rhythms of renin-angiotensin system(RAS) .Methods 96 SPRD rats were divided into three groups.The levels of renin(Ren)activity,angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)and angiotensin-converting-enzyme(ACE)in plasma or serum were respectively determined.Results The plasma or serum levels of renin,ACE,and angiotensin-Ⅱ in adult male group(D group)were significantly increased in comparison with elderly male group(M group)and elderly female group(F group).There were not significantly different between F group and M group in the levels of Ren activity,AngⅡ and ACE.The three substances presented typical circadian rhythms in three groups(P

Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; complications ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Thymus Gland ; abnormalities

Background The condition of the sclera is associated with many ocular diseases.The measurement of human scleral thickness in vivo is helpful for us to understand the features of the sclera and related diseases.Objective The present study was to measure the anterior sclera thickness(AST) in patients with senile cataract and to analyze the relationship among AST and other associated ocular parameters.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to examination.One hundred and five senile cataract patients were recruited in this study.Central corneal thickness (CCT),corneal curvature (CCV) and axial length were measured using ultrasonic pachymeter,keratometer,and A-scan unit,respectively.The AST was measured at 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur in the temporal meridian using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).The differences of CCT,CCV,ocular axial length and AST between bilateral eyes and the different sexes were compared by the Paired test and independent sample t test.The correlations among various parameters were assessed by the Pearson linear correlation analysis.The differences of CCT and AST among different axial length groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA.Results No significant differences were found in the CCT,CCV,axial length and AST between bilateral eyes (t =0.584,P =0.561 ; t =1.161,P =0.248 ; t =0.140,P =0.889 ; t =0.342,P =0.773).Temporal AST at 2 mm posterior to the sclera spur was (0.589 ±0.051)mm in the right eyes.An insignificant decline in CCT was found in the male group compared with the female group (right eyes:t =0.469,P =0.641 ; left eyes:t =0.465,P =0.643).However,compared with the female group,the increase of axial length,reduction of the mean CCV value and enhancement of the mean AST were observed(right eyes:all P＜0.01 ;left eyes:all P＜0.01).CCV showed a negative correlation with ocular axial length (r =-0.50,P＜0.01),but no significant correlation was found among age,CCT,ocular axial length and AST(P＞0.05).No remarkable differences were found in CCT and AST among the various axial length groups (CCT:F =0.998,P=0.372;AST:F=1.919,P=0.383).Conclusions In senile cataract patients,correlation is not found between AST and CCT;the increase of axial length is not associated with the thinning of the eyeball wall to a certain extent.Differences exist in some ocular parameters between different sexes.

Background A close relation between sclera thickness and glaucoma has been determined.Clinical features vary in different types of glaucoma patients,which hints that the scleral thickness might be distinct among these patients.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of central corneal thickness(CCT),anterior scleral thickness(AST) and axial length in glaucomatous patients.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to the examination.A retrospective descriptive study was designed.One hundred and sixty consecutive patients were recruited from March,2009 to November,2010 in First Hospital of Peking University,including 35 eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG) (35 cases),34 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma POAG) (34 cases),37 eyes with normal tension glaucoma(NTG) (37 cases)and 17 eyes of ocular hypertension OHT) (17 cases).Thirty-seven eyes of 37 subjects with incipient cataract served as the control group.CCT and ocular axial length were measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and A-scan unit,respectively,and AST at the temporal quadrant 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur was measured by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM).The measuring parameters among different groups were compared by analysis of covariance,and the correlations of AST,CCT with ocular axial length were analyzed using Pearson linear correlation and linear regression.The differences and correlation of CCT,AST and AL among five groups were analyzed.Results The CCT values in PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were (535.54 ± 5.20),(550.47 ± 5.28),(521.61 ± 5.07),(575.75 ± 7.76) and (535.06± 5.06) μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =9.560,P =0.000),and the CCT value of OHT group was increased in comparison with POAG group,PACG group,NTG group and control group(all P =0.000).The CCT of the POAG group was thicker than that in the PACG group,NTG group and control group(P=0.046,0.000,0.040).No significant difference was found in CCT among NTG group,PACG group and control group(P=0.950,0.060).The AST values of PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were(0.593±0.050),(0.600±0.050),(0.592-±0.060),(0.610-±0.060) and(0.604±0.060) mm,respectively,showing a insignificant difference among them (F =0.700,P =0.590).The axial length in the patients with PACG was shorter than that of the POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group (all P =0.000).The Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlation between CCT and AST in POAG group and NTG group(r=0.445,P=0.008;r=0.400,P=0.014).Conclusions This study confirms that there is dissimilarity in CCT but not in AST among different types of glaucomatous patients.The changes of CCT and AST are consistent in POAG and NTG patients.

Objective To construct a recombinant plasmid pGEX-TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 of Taenia solium,to obtain purified recombinant protein TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 and to prepare rabbit antiserum against the recombinant fusion protein.Methods TSO45W-4B and TSOL18 encoding genes were connected with hydrophobic (Gly4Ser)3 linker.TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 fusion gene was synthesized and cloned into an expression vector pGEX-1λT to construct a recombinant plasmid pGEX-TSO45W-4B-TSOL18.The positive recombinants were transformed into Escherichia(E.) coli ArcticExpress (DE3),and the expression of recombinant protein was induced with isopropylβ-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).The expressed recombinant fusion protein was purified through affinity chromatography.The purified recombinant protein was mixed with complete Freunds adjuvant at a dosage of 0.5 mg.Rabbit was intramuscularly and subcutaneously immunized in the hind leg and the back,respectively.After 2 weeks the rabbit was boosted with purified recombinant protein which was mixed with incomplete Freunds adjuvant at the same dosage.Rabbit can be boosted every 10 days until an adequate response was achieved.At the 6th day after the last immunization,blood was collected from the rabbit heart.Serum was separated to purify and prepare the antiserum.ELISA was applied to determine the titer of the antiserum and Western blot assay was used to determine the specificity of the antiserum.Results The size of the synthesized fusion gene TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 was 789 bp.The results of restriction enzyme digestion showed that the recombinant plasmid pGEX-TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 was successfully constructed.DNA sequencing showed that the size of the fusion gene TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 was 789 bp,which was consistent with expected result.As demonstrated by SDS-PAGE,relative molecular mass of the expressed recombinant fusion protein was approximately 55 × 103,and its purity was 85％ after purification with affinity chromatography.Titer of the antiserum against the recombinant protein was 1 ∶ 512 000 in ELISA assay and the specific rabbit antiserum against the purified recombinant protein TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 could specifically bind to the recombinant fusion protein in Western blot assay.The relative molecular mass of the specific band was about 55 × 103,which was consistent with expected size.Conclusions The recombinant plasmid pGEX-TSO45W-4BTSOL18 of Taenia solium is successfully constructed.High quality recombinant fusion protein TSO45W-4B-TSOL18 and high titer rabbit antiserum are successfully prepared.

Objective To detect the characteristics of benign infantile seizures.Methods Fifty seven cases of benign infantile seizures were analyzed.Results All patients had a normal development before and after the onset of the seizures.The age of onset was from 1.5-30 months.The main manifestations included tonic clonic seizure,staring and motion arrest,64.9 % occurred in clusters.A family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures was present in 6 cases.Interictel electroen cephalograms were normal.The seizures were easily ceased after taking phenobarbital,carbamazepine or valproate.Antiepileptic drugs(AEDs)were discontinued in 51 patients.The mean ages of seizure stopping were 12.8 months and mean seizure′s durations were 4.1 months.Conclusion The benign infantile seizures can be easily controlled with a single AEDs for short time with favorable prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo verify the regulatory effects of acupuncture on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.

METHODSThirty cases of COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (16 cases) and a placebo group (14 cases). Based on specified aerobic exercise, acupuncture was applied in the treatment group and placebo acupuncture was used in the placebo group. The acupoints included Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) and so on. The needle did not penetrate into the skin for the placebo group. The treatment was required for 2 to 3 times per week for totally 5 weeks. The indices of exercise tolerance, including 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), exercise time, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum ventilatory volume (MVV), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) were observed in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Exercise tolerance: the differences of 6-MWD and exercise time were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (both P<0.01); the VO2max was significantly increased after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05). (2) Pulmonary ventilation function: the differences of FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and MVV% were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (3) SGRQ: the SGRQ was significantly improved after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture could improve the exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stable phase, and shorten the onset time of aerobic exercise. Besides, acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise could effectively improve the pulmonary function.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy

ostic sensitivity and specificity of EUS are high in distinguishing benign and malignant character of upper digestive tract GIMTs. EUS plays an important role in guiding the clinical management of upper digestive tract GIMTs.

OBJECTIVE:To study the anti-inflammatory effect of Xinfeng capsule on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. METH-ODS:70 SD rats were randomized into a normal control group(isovolumetric normal saline),a model control group(isovolumet-ric normal saline),a positive control TCM group [Qufeng zhitong capsule 0.4 g(crude drug)/kg],a positive control chemical medi-cine group(Leflunomide tablet 2.1 mg/kg)and groups of low,middle and high doses of Xinfeng capsule,which were respectively marked as groups A,B,C,D,E,F and G. All groups of rats except for Group A were given freund’s complete adjuvant intracu-taneous injection to establishe AA models,and from the 12th day after the inflammation was induced,were given the correspond-ing drug,ig,for 28 consecutive days. The degree of toe swelling and arthritis index were determined and calculated for all groups of rats before and after the administration. The contents of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in serum and synovial membrane of all groups of rats were determined 24 h after the last administration,and pathomorphological changes of their ankles were observed by light microscope. RESULTS:Compared to group A,group B demonstrated higher degree of toe swelling,arthritis index and contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and synovial membrane,with statistical significance(P<0.01). After the administration,the degree of toe swelling and arthritis index of groups C,D,E,F and G reduced,with statistical signifi-cance(P<0.05). Compared to group B,groups C,D,E,F and G showed lower degree of toe swelling,arthritis index and con-tents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and synovial membrane,with statistical significance(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Synovial membrane hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were noted in the ankle tissue of the rats in group B,and such symptoms were not so serious in groups C,D,F and G. CONCLUSIONS:Xinfeng capsule has anti-inflammatory effect for AA rats by a mechanism which may be related to accelerating synoviocyte apoptosis and inhibiting synovial membrane hyperplasia.