Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of thyroid disease in patients with primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome (pSS).Methods A total of 81 pSS patients were retrospectively investigated for thyroid dysfunction and the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb),antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb).Sex,age,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),white blood cell count,and serum immunoglobulins were also analyzed.Results Thirty-one patients were identified as having thyroid dysfunction,including 3 with hyperthyroidism,18 with hypothyroidism,and 10 with subclinical hypothyroidism.There were no significant differences in the incidences of some clinical manifestations between patients with or without thyroid dysfunction,such as dry mouth,dry eyes,joint pain,Raynaud's phenomenon,palpable purpura,peripheral neuropathy,interstitial lung disease,liver involvement,and renal tubular acidosis.Differences were not statistically significant for ESR and CRP between two groups.Also,the titers of anti-nuclear antibody,anti-SSA antibody,antiSSB antibodies,and rheumatoid factor between two groups showed no significant differences.However,white blood cell count [(5.65 ± 0.49 vs 7.22 ± 0.48) × 109/L,P＜0.05] and hematoglobin [(110.50 ± 3.64 vs 122.80 ± 3.02) g/L,P＜0.05],as well as the titers of TGAb [(587.30 ± 204.30 vs 58.76 ± 13.78) U/ml,P＜0.05] and TPOAb [(213.70 ± 39.64 vs 29.57 ± 8.49) IU/ml,P ＜ 0.05] were significantly different between the two groups.Conclusions Thyroid diseases are frequently associated with pSS.Therefore,extended screening for existing thyroid diseases during the routine assessment of pSS patients is recommended.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infection due to its intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. In the host,glutathione(GSH) ,one of the most important intracellular antioxidants,provides protection against high levels of oxidative stress. A decrease in GSH levels in tissues infected with P. aeruginosa has been observed while interactions between pyocyanin and GSH maybe partially attribute to P. aeruginosa infection. In this review,the relationship between GSH and the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa has been discussed based on the author's own research results and the latest literature.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis.

METHODThe separation was carried out by polyamide and silica gel chromatography, and the compounds were identified by means of physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods.

RESULTSEight compounds were isolated from the plant and identified as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (I), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside (II), hyperoside (III), isorhamnetin (IV), kaempferol (V), quercetin (VI), d-sesamin (VII) and 9(R)-hydroxy-d-sesamin (VIII).

CONCLUSIONCompounds IV and VII were isolated from Cuscuta for the first time, and I, II and VIII were characteristic constituents for this vegetable drug.

Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Flavonols ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Seeds ; chemistry

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and gene mutations of 56 patients with congenital hyperinsulinism(CHI)and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHI.Methods Fifty-six children who were diagnosed as CHI between February 2002 and January 2016 in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were selected as research subjects.A retrospective study was done about the clinical data and the treatment procedures of the 56 patients,such as perinatal conditions,clinical manifestations,laboratory data,treatments,prognosis and so on.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-DNA technology or next-generation sequencing technology was used to analyze the CHI relevant genes of the 56 patients.Results Thirty of the 56 patients carried CHI gene mutation.(1)Twenty-three of 56 patients(41.0％)carried ABCC8/KCNJ11 gene mutations:4 of 23 patients carried complex heterozygous mutation,1 of 23 patients carried both ABCC8 and KCNJ11 gene mutation,1 of 23 patients carried maternally inherited ABCC8 gene mutation,12 of 23 patients carried paternally inherited ABCC8 gene mutation,1 of 23 patients carried paternally inherited KCNJ11 gene mutation,3 of 23 patients carried de novo ABCC8 gene mutation,1 of 23 patients had unknown genetic way,19 of 23 patients were treated with Diazoxide,2 of 19 patients were responsive to Diazoxide,7 of 19 patients were unresponsive to Diazoxide and 10 of 19 patients were uncertain to Diazoxide.(2)Five of 56 patients(8.9％)carried GLUD1 gene mutation,4 of 5 patients were treated with Diazoxide and they were all responsive to Diazoxide.(3)One of 56 patients(1.7％)carried de novo GCK gene mutation,responsive to Diazoxide treatment.(4)One of 56 patients(1.7％)carried maternally inherited SLC16A1 gene mutation,responsive to Diazo-xide treatment.Conclusions The ABCC8 gene and GLUD1 gene mutation are the main causative genes of CHI.The GCK gene and SLC16A1 gene mutation are in the minority.Most ABCC8 gene and KCNJ11 gene mutation are unresponsive to Diazoxide treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the expression of PPAR-gamma gene in the adipogenesis in hemangioma evolution.

METHODSRoutine immunohistochemistry staining of Perilipin A, the marker antigen of adipocytes, was performed to observe the adipogenesis in hemangioma. Immunofluorescence staining of PPAR-gamma, the important transcription factor in promoting adipogenesis, was carried out to observe its location in hemangioma tissue, with the co-staining of alpha-SMA and CD31. And RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of PPAR-gamma gene in hemangioma in different stages.

RESULTSIn the evolution of hemangioma, the number of adipocytes increased continuously. And the tumor was replaced by fibrofatty tissue finally. PPAR-gamma was located in the nuclei of perivascular cell in hemangioma tissue. The expression of PPAR-gamma gene in hemangioma increased in the evolution of hemangioma, but still was lower than that in normal fat tissue from children.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PPAR-gamma in the perivascular cells suggests that they may contribute to the adipogenesis in hemangioma involution.

Adipogenesis ; Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESalvia miltorrhiza Bunge (SMB) is a traditional Chinese herb, which is considered to promote blood flow and remove blood stasis. This study examined whether SMB can alleviate injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in human kidney proximal tubular cells-2 (HK-2 cells).

METHODSThere were 3 experimental groups: control, H/R injury and SMB-treated H/R injury. H/R injury of HK-2 cells was induced by first covering the cells with and then removing liquid paraffin wax. Different concentrations of compound SMB solution (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15% or 0.20%) were administered to the SMB-treated H/R injury group before the hypoxic injury. After 4, 12 and 24 hrs of hypoxia and 4, 12, 24 and 48 hrs of reoxygenation, morphologic changes of HK-2 cells were observed under an inverted microscope. Cell viability was measured by the MTT method. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture supernatants was assayed using biochemical methods; TNF-alpha levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSThe number of HK-2 cells was significantly reduced in the H/R injury group after hypoxia, and reached a nadir 24 hrs after hypoxia treatment. Various concentrations of SMB-treated groups showed significantly greater number of HK-2 cells than the H/R injury group. SMB solution (0.10%) produced the best effect. The levels of LDH and TNF-alpha in the H/R injury group were significantly increased, and reached a peak between 24 hrs of hypoxia and 4 hrs of reoxygenation when compared to the control group. Pre-treating with 0.10% SMB resulted in significantly lower levels of LDH and TNF-alpha than in the untreated H/R injury group at various time points of H/R.

CONCLUSIONSSMB has protective effects against H/R injury of HK-2 cells, possibly through inhibition of inflammatory cytokines.

Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoprotection ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; drug effects ; pathology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

Objective To detect the positive rates of antibodies against avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 among people in poultry occupations in Guangdong province and to analyze the transmission of various subtypes of AIV from poultry to human contacts for the prevention and control of novel AIV infection in human beings.Methods Serum specimens were collected from 1066 peo-ple in poultry occupations ( occupational group) and 205 people not in poultry occupations ( non-occupational group) in 10 cities of Guangdong province.The inactivated AIV strains, isolated from poultry or environment of Guangdong province, were used as antigens to detect antibodies against AIV subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 by using the hemagglutination inhibition ( HI) assay.Results The positive rates of antibodies against AIV subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 carried by people from the occupational group were respectively 0.44%, 0%, 0.30%and 0.30%in 2013 and 1.08%, 0.0%, 0.0%and 0.27%in 2014.Only the anti-H9 anti-bodies were detected in serum samples collected form people in the non-occupational group in 2013 with a positive rate of 0.95%.No significant differences with the positive rates of anti-AIV antibodies were found between the occupational group and the non-occupational group.However, the geometric mean titer ( GMT) of anti-AVI antibodies in people from the occupational group was higher than that of the non-occupational group.Conclusion Although a grand spread of AIV from avian to human is not likely to happen yet, con-tacting with poultry is the risk factor for AIV infection in Guangdong population.A long-term surveillance of anti-AIV antibodies in serum should be strengthened among people in poultry occupations for the timely pre-vention and control of novel AIV outbreak.

To identify the related substances of fusidic acid by LC-MS,separation was performed on an Agilent Extend-C18column(150 mm ×4. 6 mm,3. 5 μm)by linear gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of methanol,acetonitrile and formic acid. Electrospray positive ionization high resolution TOF/MS was used for the determination of the accurate mass and elemental composition of parent ions of the related substances;triple qua-drupole tandem mass was employed for the mass spectra determination of the product. The structures of the related substances were then figured out through the elucidation of the fragment ions. Fusidic acid and its related sub-stances were adequately separated under the established HPLC conditions. Nineteen major related substances of fusidic acid were detected and speculated by hyphenated techniques. Eleven of them were recorded in European Pharmacopoeia,while the others have not been previously reported. The established LC-MS method is effective for the separation and identification of the related substances of fusidic acid and the results are useful for its storage conditions and quality assurance.

Objective: To study and design a software system of filling out and submitting on line for the utilization rate of medical equipment so as to realize automatic analysis for the utilization rate of medical equipment in accordance with the time slot. Methods: SQL Server2000 was used as backend database, and Visual Studi2005 that was object-oriented language was adopted as procedure software to research this system. The filled data of client-side were saved in internal storage array of client, and the array of internal storage could be visited through Socket C of client, and then all of these data were disposably send to server. The Socket of server saved these received data in array of internal storage through the link of Socket C at client-side. And server was used as bridge between client and database through to link active data object of Sql serve2000 database, and it saved these received data of client and visited these data of database, and then returned to client and displayed them at client. Results: The software system realized submission on line for the service situation of medical equipment and saved the times of department that used medical equipment and statistic staff who count utilization rate. Through statistic analysis of computer, the system tremendously reduced the error rate and enhanced the accuracy and work efficiency of statistic work for the utilization rate of medical equipment. Conclusion: The software system can effectively replace the manual filling and calculate the utilization situation of medical equipment, and it can enhance timeliness and accuracy of statistic analysis for the utilization of medical equipment.

OBJECTIVEThe strong relation between type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity with acanthosis nigricans is widely concerned. This study investigated the pancreatic beta-cell function in obese children with acanthosis nigricans, so as to find out the role of insulin secretion and insulin resistance in obese children with acanthosis nigricans.

METHODSThirty-five obese children with acanthosis nigricans (19 males and 16 females with mean age 12.8 +/- 1.5 years) were enrolled in this study. Thirty-eight obese children (21 boys and 17 girls with mean age 11.9 +/- 2.6 years) and 39 normal children (20 boys and 19 girls with mean age 11.2 +/- 2.2 years) were recruited as obese and normal control groups. The levels of serum fasting insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin and true insulin were measured in all the subjects. The ratios of proinsulin/insulin and proinsulin/C-peptide were calculated. Homeostasis model assessment was applied to assess the status of insulin resistance and basic function of pancreatic beta-cell.

RESULTSThe levels of fasting insulin, C-peptide proinsulin, true insulin, the ratios of proinsulin/insulin and proinsulin/C-peptide, insulin resistance index and insulin secretion index of obese children with acanthosis nigricans, obese control children and normal control children were: 18.5 (5.0-60.5) pmol/L, 12.4 (6.1-35.8) pmol/L and 5.1 (2.0-32.8) pmol/L; 3.9 (1.3-14.0) microg/L, 2.4 (1.1-4.0) microg/L and 1.1 (1.0-4.2) microg/L; 28.8 (9.9-64.2) pmol/L, 9.5 (2.2-34.5) pmol/L and 4.2 (2.0-16.0) pmol/L; 33.0 (6.2-66.0) pmol/L, 10.6 (4.8-29.4) pmol/L and 4.5 (1.3-30.1) pmol/L; 1.2 (0.4-8.9), 0.9 (0.2-1.9) and 0.8 (0.4-2.0); 6.9 (2.5-36.6), 4.7 (1.2-12.3) and 3.6 (1.2-9.6); 5.0 (0.8-14.1), 2.6 (1.3-8.1) and 1.2(0.4-6.9); 303.3 (52.2-1,163.8), 213.6 (84.6-572.0) and 51.1 (19.1-561.4). The levels of fasting insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, true insulin, the ratios of proinsulin/insulin and proinsulin/C-peptide, insulin resistance index and insulin secretion index in obese children with acanthosis nigricans were significantly higher than those in obese children (P < 0.001) and normal children (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONObese children with acanthosis nigricans had higher insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction; acanthosis nigricans may be a skin sign of high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Acanthosis Nigricans ; complications ; Adolescent ; C-Peptide ; blood ; Child ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Islets of Langerhans ; physiopathology ; Male ; Obesity ; complications ; physiopathology ; Proinsulin ; blood