Objective To confirm the distribution of high arsenic drinking water and the situation of endemic arsenism in Hubei Province, to provide reference basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic disease. Methods Using typical investigation and sample investigation in 2006 and 2007, the arsenic content of water was detected sampled from 19 counties(cities or communities). And those water samples which were close to or exceeded the stipulated standard were rechecked by the national standard method. Furthermore, the situation of endemic arsenism was investigated in the cities having high arsenic contents of water. Results In 2006,10 028 water samples of 446 villages in 6 counties (cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic (> 0.05 mg/L) were found in 5 counties (cities or communities) and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 5.29%(530/10 028); In 2007,19 086 water samples of 1282 villages in 17 counties(cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic were found in 11 counties(cities or communities), and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 1.74%(333/19 086). In these two years, 29 114 water samples were tested, in which 863 water samples were exceeding the stipulated standard. The 2.96% of total wells exceeded stipulated standard and mainly distributed in 179 villages of 12 counties(cities or communities). And the highest arsenic content of water sample was 2.012 mg/L. In the endemic arsenism area, 2 critical, 1 moderate and 1 mild arsenism patients had been found. Conclusions The water of high arsenic content are scattered in Hubei Province and the situation of endemic arsenism disease is mild. Improving water aiming at decreasing arsenic and establishing patient files should be carried out immediately.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To establish a method performance verification project and experimental method for the clinical chemiluminescence immunoassay.Methods Referring to CLSI evaluation protocols and pertinent literature,and by combining our actual works,we designed a verification procedure and experimental method.By Using these above,the precision,accuracy,analytical sensitivity,analytical measurement range,clinical reportable range and biotic interval of AFP on the Bayer Centaur 240 chemiluminescence immunoassay system were verificated.Results would be compared with the declaration of the manufacturer or desirable specifications derived from biologic variation.Results The results showed that the between-day inaccuracy on AFP levels at 77.4 ng/ml and 168.0 ng/ml was 5.70% and 4.84% respectively,these were consistent with manufacturer's inaccuracy claimed.The relative bias between the results measured for calibrator at four levels and target value was less 5.0%,and the relative bias between the results measured for EQA control sample at five levels and target value was-3.4% to 11.9%.Lower limit of detection was 1.04 ng/ml,lower slightly manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claimed.Biologic limit of detection was 2.65 ng/ml-3.53 ng/ml,functional sensitivity was 3.53 ng/ml.Analytical measurement range was 3.53-912.00 ng/ml,within manufacturer's liner range claimed.Clinical reportable range was 3.53-182 400.00 ng/ml.Reference interval was 0.6-7.7 ng/ml,within manufacturer' s claimed.Conclusions The main performances of the detection system are accorded with the declaration of the manufacturer.The performance verification procedure and experimental method of our research ars simple and practical,which has important significations for building medical laboratory and laboratory accreditation, improving quality of the chemiluminescence immunoassay.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction (, MDBD) on adraimycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

METHODSThirty-two male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, model, and two treatment groups, with 8 in each group. Nephropathy was induced in the latter 3 groups by intravenous injection of adriamycin. Rats in the two treatment groups received intragastric administration of benazepri (a positive control) or MDBD, which is composed of extracts of Radix Angelicae sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge and Rhizoma chuanxiong. Serum albumin, blood lipids, 24-h urine protein and urine N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured every 2 weeks. The ratio of kidney to body weight was measured. The expressions of extracellular matrix proteins in the renal cortex, including colleagen IV (Col-IV) and fibronectin (FN), were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the transcription of genes encoding transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the end of the 8-week treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated rats in the model group, MDBD significantly increased serum albumin, lowered the blood lipids and decreased the ratio of kidney to body weight. MDBD significantly reduced the excretion levels of urinary protein and NAG as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), including Col-IV and FN, in the renal cortex. Further, MDBD decreased TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 gene expressions and increased MMP-9 gene expression in the kidney.

CONCLUSIONSMDBD was effective in treating the rat model of nephropathy. The clinical benefit was associated with reduction of renal fibrosis. The antifibrotic effect of MDBD may be mediated through the regulation of TIMP-1, MMP and TGF-β1 gene expressions.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; urine ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of invasive candidiasis in children and the risk factors for Candida bloodstream infection.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 134 children with invasive candidiasis and hospitalized in 5 tertiary hospitals in Urumqi, China, between January 2010 and December 2015. The Candida species distribution was investigated. The clinical data were compared between the patients with and without Candida bloodstream infection. The risk factors for Candida bloodstream infection were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSA total of 134 Candida strains were isolated from 134 children with invasive candidiasis, and non-albicans Candida (NAC) accounted for 53.0%. The incidence of invasive candidiasis in the PICU and other pediatric wards were 41.8% and 48.5% respectively. Sixty-eight patients (50.7%) had Candida bloodstream infection, and 45 patients (33.6%) had Candida urinary tract infection. There were significant differences in age, rate of use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and incidence rates of chronic renal insufficiency, heart failure, urinary catheterization, and NAC infection between the patients with and without Candida bloodstream infection (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that younger age (1-24 months) (OR=6.027) and NAC infection (OR=1.020) were the independent risk factors for Candida bloodstream infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of invasive candidiasis is similar between the PICU and other pediatric wards. NAC is the most common species of invasive candidiasis. Candida bloodstream infection is the most common invasive infection. Younger age (1-24 months) and NAC infection are the risk factors for Candida bloodstream infection.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Candidiasis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fungemia ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish an optimal method for serum-free and feeder layer-free culture of human keratinocytes and to investigate their biological characteristics.

METHODSThe keratinocytes were harvested from human foreskin of 5 children (aged 5-10 yr) and 5 adults (aged 20-30 yr). The samples were isolated by two-step digestion and the quantities of primary harvested HKCs were determined. The HKCs were then cultured in KCS serum-free culture medium. The morphology of HKCs were observed under light microscope. The HKCs and their growing speed were observed and identified under fluorescent microscope. The growth curve of HKCs was detected with MTT method, and the cell cycle was determined with flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe number of harvested HKCs from children [(1.780 +/- 0.010) x 10(6)/cm(2)] was obviously higher than that from adults [(1.490 +/- 0.120) x 10(6)/cm(2)], (P < 0.01). Freshly isolated primary HKCs were round and transparent, and 94% of them were trypan blue resistant. The adherent speed and rate and lucent degree of multiply passaged HKCs increased followed by each passage. Under the fluorescent microscope, the cells exhibited strong Kelly fluorescence in the cytoplasm and with no staining in the nucleolus, thus the cells were identified as HKCs. The HKCs from children for skin could be passaged for more times [(11.0 +/- 1.2) times] than that from adults [(9.2 +/- 0.8) times], (P < 0.05). There was no clear sign of incubation period in the growth curve of HKCs, and both cellular proliferating speed and rate of proliferation were high. The percentage of cells in G1, G2 and S phase and the proliferation index was 36.15%, 25.17%, 38.68% and 63.85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSerum-free and feeder layer-free culture seems to be an ideal method for the cultivation of HKCs.

Adult ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct the multi-probe ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) template set to be used for detecting expression patterns of MD-2, TLR4, CD14 mRNAs in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODSThe designed cDNA fragments of the three genes were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers and directionally cloned into EcoR I and Hind III sites of expression plasmid pSP72 containing the T7 promoter, the linearized plasmids was used as template to synthesize anti-sense RNA probes. Then we extracted total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and detected the dynamic expression patterns of the three genes with RPA method.

RESULTSThe proper sequence and orientation of the template set were confirmed by sequencing and the template set was successfully used to assay TLR4, MD-2 and CD14 mRNAs in human PBMC. The results showed that the three detected genes decreased transiently 1-3 hours after 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation.

CONCLUSIONSThese new RPA multi-probe set provided valuable tool for the simultaneous quantitative determination of expression of TLR4, CD14 and MD-2 mRNAs in both constitutive and inducible types.

Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; Base Sequence ; Biological Assay ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; analysis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Lymphocyte Antigen 96 ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; RNA Probes ; analysis ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; analysis ; Receptors, Immunologic ; analysis ; Ribonucleases ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of BCG vaccine on initially treated pulmonary tuberculosis and its controlling effect on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

METHODSAll 360 volunteers with initially treated pulmonary tuberculosis of positive smear and culture were divided into immunotherapy group (180 cases, also BCG group) and control group (180 cases) at random pair. The patients in BCG group were treated with chemotherapy of a regimen of 2HRZ/2HR and immunotherapy with BCG for 4 months,and the first BCG vaccine was given a month after chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the patients in the control group were treated with chemotherapy of 2HRZ/4HR only.

RESULTS(1) The negative conversion rate of sputum smear in BCG group was 98.3% (177/180), and it was 97.2% (175/180) in control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups both at the ends of 4 and 6 months after treatment (chi2 = 0.1278, P > 0.05). (2) The positive conversion rate of sputum smear in BCG group was 2.3% (4/177), and it was 6.9% (12/175) in control group followed up for 5 years. The successful rate was 96.1% (173/180) in BCG group, and it was significantly higher than that of 90.6% (163/180) in control group (chi2 = 4.4643, P < 0.05). (3) In the 5-year follow up, bacteriologic result was similar to that of X-ray. (4) The occurrence rate of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was 2.3% (4/177) in BCG group,significantly lower than that of 7.3% (13/178) in the control group (chi2 = 4.9513, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs an adjunct chemotherapy,immunotherapy with BCG vaccine should be helpful for patients with initially treated pulmonary tuberculosis. It would further strengthen the effects of chemotherapy and reduce the occurrence rate of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; BCG Vaccine ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; prevention & control ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and characteristics on molecular biology related to HCV among patients who were enrolled in a Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan.

METHODSSerum samples from 332 injection drug users (IDUs) were obtained and anti-HCV IgG was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbrent assay(ELISA), together with 86 anti-HCV positive specimens genotyped. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) assay using conserved primers deduced from the core-envelopel (C-E1) region of the HCV genome was employed to amplify a 474 bp fragment. Phylogenetic analysis of the C-E1 sequences was conducted by direct sequencing of the RT-nPCR products and alignment with determined by nucleotide sequencing followed by composition of a phylogenetic tree.

RESULTSThere were 313 cases (94.3%) appeared positive anti-HCV IgG in the 332 patients from a Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan. It was demonstrated that there were four different subtypes of HCV in that clinic in Wuhan, including 6a--71 cases (82.5%), 3b--7 cases (8.2%), 1a--5 cases (5.8%) and 1b--3 cases (3.5%).

CONCLUSIONInfection of 6a genotype HCV was predominant in patients from the Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan, followed by HCV 3b, 1a and 1b.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; China ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders ; drug therapy ; rehabilitation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and side effects of nedaplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and cisplatin plus 5-Fu for treatment of stage III-IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSA total of 100 patients with NPC proved by histopathology were divided into nedaplatin plus 5-Fu group (NF group) and cisplatin plus 5-Fu group (PF group), 50 cases in each group. NF group: nedaplatin 30 mg/m(2), d1-d3, 5-Fu 500 mg/m(2) d1-d5, repeated every 3 weeks for 2 cycles. PF group: cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) d1-d3, 5-Fu 500 mg/m(2) d1-d5, repeated every 3 weeks for 2 cycles. χ(2) test was used to compare the efficacy and side-effects of the two groups.

RESULTSAll the 100 cases were evaluable and their clinical data in the two groups were comparable. Six patients with complete response were observed, 3 cases in NF group and 3 in PF group. The overall response rates were 86.0% in NF group and 84.0% in PF group, with no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.078, P = 0.779). The rates of leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, impairment of hepatic and renal function were similar whereas more patients in the PF group than in the NF group suffered from nausea and vomiting (88.0% vs. 56.0%, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSNedaplatin plus 5-Fu is an effective treatment regimen for NPC. When compared with PF regimen, the response rate is similar. However, NF regimen shows a significant superiority in reducing nausea and vomiting.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction ; Vomiting ; chemically induced