OBJECTIVETo lessen the occurrence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), the preventive measures of CIN were reviewed.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were from PubMed with relevant English articles and from Chinese Knowledge Information (CNKI) published from 1989 to 2009. The search terms were "contrast medium", "contrast-induced nephropathy" and "prevention". Articles involved in prevention of CIN were selected.

STUDY SELECTIONCIN is the third most common cause of acute kidney injury and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The best treatment is prophylaxis because CIN can not be reversed or ameliorated.

RESULTSThirty articles were included. Among various preventive measures, pericatheterization hydration is almost universally accepted as an appropriate and safe measure to prevent CIN, although there is no agreement as to composition, amount, and timing of hydration. Based on the use of concomitant nephrotoxic agents or high doses of contrast medium (CM) is one of risk factors for CIN, discontinuation of potentially nephrotoxic drugs 2 - 3 days before and after the procedure until renal function recover, and using the lowest possible dose of CM can decrease the risk of CIN. It is promising that removing the majority of CM from the coronary sinus, before it enters the systemic circulation, during coronary angiography can reduce the risk for CIN in animal studies and in limited clinical trials. Inconsistent data exist with respect to application of some vasodilators (endothelin antagonists and adenosine antagonists) and antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and statins) in preventing CIN in high-risk patients, and new vasodilators and antioxidants continue to be tested.

CONCLUSIONSPericatheterization hydration, discontinuation of nephrotoxic drugs, and using the lowest possible dose of CM are effective measures to lessen the risk for CIN. Other prophylactic strategies and some drugs are promising, but further confirmation is required.

Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Iodine ; adverse effects ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; prevention & control

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ in cytoplasm of peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in cytoplasm of peripheral CD3(+) lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometry in 25 cases of de novo AA patients and 20 cases of AA after immunosuppressive therapy. The results showed that the positive rates of CD3(+)/TNF-α(+) and CD3(+)/IFN-γ(+) in de novo AA patients were (5.97 ± 6.78)% and (15.20 ± 11.28)% respectively, and (1.56 ± 0.87)% and (1.76 ± 0.87)% in normal controls respectively. There was significant difference between de novo AA patients and normal controls (p < 0.05). The positive rates of CD3(+)/TNF-α(+) and CD3(+)/IFN-γ(+) in immunosuppressive therapy group were (1.67 ± 1.26)% and (4.35 ± 4.33)% respectively. The difference between immunosuppressive therapy group and de novo AA group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the levels of intracellular TNF-α and IFN-γ in AA patients are higher than those in normal controls. Immunosuppressive therapy significantly reduces the expression of intracellular TNF-α and IFN-γ. Its relationship with the clinical treatment is worth further observing.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; therapy ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; surgery ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of hematidrosis.

METHODSDetailed clinical manifestations and natural history of a patient with hematidrosis were presented. A series of laboratory examinations were performed, and skin pathohistologic features and ultra microscopic structures were observed.

RESULTSThe episodes of skin bleeding occurred on any site of the body spontaneously and promptly. The skin surface bloody extravasation has identical cell components as that of peripheral blood. All the results of laboratory tests were normal except a positive Trousseau's test. Skin pathohistological study revealed some intradermal bleeding and emphraxised capillaries. No abnormality was found in sweat glands, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

CONCLUSIONThe pathological basis for hematidrosis might be a distinctive vasculitis.

Child ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; pathology ; Humans ; Skin ; blood supply ; pathology ; Skin Diseases ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiology and etiologic characteristics of a Dengue fever outbreak in Fuzhou from the beginning of September to the end of October in 2004 in order to understand the source of infection.

METHODSData on descriptive epidemiology was collected to study the characteristics and related factors to the epidemic. Dengue virus was isolated through the use of C6/36 cell line while viral serotypes were identified by indirect immunofluorecent assay with type-specific monoclonal antibody. The sources of infection were traced by nucleotide sequencing.

RESULTSDuring the epidemic, 93 cases occured consistently with the region entomoplily growth and decay. The viruses of 6 strains isolated from 10 patients' blood specimens were identified as dengue virus type 1. Phylogenetic evidence suggested that the viral isolate had high genetic relation with the isolates from Kampuchea (DENV-1/KHM/2001; GenBank Accession No. L0904278).

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic was caused by introduction of patients migrating into Fuzhou.

China ; epidemiology ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; Dengue Virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Disease Outbreaks ; Emigration and Immigration ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics, image findings, laboratory examination, the therapeutic methods and clinical outcomes of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in pediatric patients.

METHODTwenty-six pediatric patients with BO were reported. All data were collected from cases who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College from June 1(st), 2009 to the April 30(th), 2011, and infectious agents, clinical manifestations, risk factors, changes in imageology, laboratory examination, therapeutic methods and treatment responses were analyzed.

RESULTThe ranges of age at onset was 4.5 months-8 years in 26 cases (18 boys and 8 girls). The course of disease was (6.2 ± 3.5) months. The period of followed-up ranged from 2 to 24 months. The common clinical characteristics were persistent wheezing of different severity (26 cases, 100%), cough (24 cases, 92%), intolerance to exercise (22 cases, 85%), short of breath (21 cases, 81%), retraction (20 cases, 77%), wheezy phlegm (16 cases, 62%), keeping with crackles (10 cases, 38%), cyanosis around the mouth (3 cases, 12%) and no clubbed fingers (toes). In 18 cases the etiology was detected, mycoplasma (11 cases, 42%), respiratory syncytial virus (4 cases, 15%), parainfluenza virus (2 cases, 8%), influenza virus A (2 cases, 8%) and influenza virus B (2 cases, 8%), human bocavirus (HBoV) (1 case, 4%). There were 8 cases (31%) with combined infection. Chest X-ray in 10 cases indicated changes suggestive of bronchopneumonia (38%), in only 1 case there was an image of interstitial pneumonia disease (4%). All the patients were diagnosed by high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). All cases were demonstrated to have air retention, poor blood perfusion in lung, just like "Westemark sign" with HRCT. In 19 cases antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was determined and 10 patients (53%) were positive for P-ANCA, and 8 cases (42%) were positive for C-ANCA. All patients received oral corticosteroid and low doses azithromycin. In 13 cases (50%) the treatment effectively reduced the severity of disease and the frequency of cough and wheezing. The average number of days for symptom improvement was (7.1 ± 4.8) days.

CONCLUSIONRespiratory infection plays an important role in BO in children. The chronic and persistent wheezing, cough, intolerance to exercises, short breath, retraction were the main clinical manifestations. But these symptoms are non-specific. Chest X-ray can not provide enough information for diagnosis. Classical "Westemark sign" with HRCT is an important sign. ANCA with a high positive rate (approximately 50%) suppose immuno-lesion in BO. Oral corticosteroid and methotrexate may relieve clinical symptoms.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome