AIM:To evaluate the role of inhaling N 6-phenyl-2R-isopropyl-adenosine (R-PIA) on the airway resistance and pulmonary compliance of experimental asthmatic guinea-pigs. METHODS: Experimental model of asthmatic guinea-pigs were made. Inhaling R-PIA 5 mg/mL( 5 mg R-PIA in 1 mL 0.9% saline). The airway resistance, pulmonary compliance and NO- x, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP),tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed. RESULTS: Compared with asthma group, after inhaling R-PIA, the airway resistance of experimental asthmatic guinea-pigs increased ( P 0 05). CONCLUSION: Inhaling R-PIA could constrict the airway of experimental asthmatic guinea-pigs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and subclinical target organ damage in essential hypertensive (EH) patients.

METHODSA total of 317 EH patients were divided into 3 groups according to BNP levels, namely normal (BNP<600 ng/L) group (n=102), moderate (600-883.5 ng/L) group (n=116), and elevated BNP (>883.5 ng/L) group (n=99). The blood pressure, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery, the plaque size in the coronary artery (CS) and microalbuminuria levels were analyzed in these patients.

RESULTSThe EH patients with moderate and elevated BNP showed significantly higher LVMI, IMT, CS and microalbuminuria levels than those with normal BNP level (LVMI: 102.8∓23.12 and 123.9∓26.47 vs 91.09∓18.71 g/m2; IMT: 0.95∓0.32 and 1.16∓0.37 vs 0.84∓0.28 mm; microalbuminuria: 31.36∓20.55 and 36.73∓22.07 vs 23.21∓18.68, P<0.01). After adjustment, BNP was positively correlated to LVMI, IMT, CS and microalbuminuria level (r=0.45, 0.43, 0.39 and 0.41, respectively, P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, systolic blood pressure, BNP, FPG, and microalbuminuria, LDL-C, and BMI were all related to the occurrence of subclinical target organ damages.

CONCLUSIONBNP is positively correlated to subclinical target organs damages in EH patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Albuminuria ; pathology ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; pathology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the molecular characteristics of the newly isolated two Japanese encephalitis virus strains (JEV) in Wuhan.

METHODSThe mosquitoes were collected in Wuhan from April to October in 2009. The envelope (E) protein gene of JEV was detected using RT-PCR and sequenced. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis were conducted using DNAstar and MegAlign.

RESULTSTwo Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strains (WHJX09-9, WHJX09-10) were isolated from Culex tritaeniorhynchus among 16 mosquito pools and identified as genotype I. The result showed that the homology of the two strains was 98. 9% in nucleotides and 100% in deduced amines. The comparison between the new genotype 1 JEV strains and live attenuated vaccine strain SA14-14-2 in E gene showed that the homology of nucleotide sequence was 87.4% and 87.9%, the homology of amino acid was 96.9% (total 15 amino acid were different) in E gene. The mutation sites of amino acid distributed among three different coding domain, but no antigen binding site and neurotoxin-involved site of amino acid were changed.

CONCLUSIONWuhan had appeared a new genotype of JEV which was different from the former strain isolated in Wuhan, the new JEV strains still had neurotoxicity but had high homology with the vaccine strains adopted in Wuhan. The vaccine could still be adopted to prevent Japanese encephalitis if steps were take to eradicate mosquitos at the same time. laboratory surveillance were also an important task to build an early-warning mechanism against JEV.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cell Line ; China ; Culicidae ; virology ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Insect Vectors ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo measure the vertical height of mesio-distal marginal ridge to cusp in posterior teeth, which may be helpful to brackets positioning.

METHODSThe study groups comprised of 60 patients (30 men, 30 women, mostly aged 12-14 years) who underwent orthodontic treatment without tooth extraction and matched the Andrews normal occlusion standard after treatment. Study model of each patient was made. Three-dimensional laser measurer was used to evaluate the vertical height of mesio-distal marginal ridge to mesial cusp in posterior teeth. The data were stored in a personal computer and submitted to statistical analysis of paired t test.

RESULTSNo statistical significant difference was found in the same teeth between men and women. Not only in maxilla but also in mandible, there was no significant difference between the left and the right (P>0.05). The average vertical height of maxillary first premolars was (1.70+/-0.50) mm, the maxillary second premolars was (1.24+/-0.45) mm, and for maxillary first molars, the result was (0.83+/-0.40) mm. The difference between each result was statistically significant (P9< 0.01). The average vertical height of mandibular first premolars was (2.25+/-0.45) mm, the mandibular second premolars was (1.55+/-0.45) mm, and for mandibular first molars, the result was (1.18+/-0.40) mm. The difference between each result was statistically significant (P<0.0 1).

CONCLUSIONThe vertical height of brackets position in posterior teeth should be considered to guarantee that mesio-distal marginal ridges of deferent posterior teeth located in the same plane, so that satisfying goal could be achieved, If the vertical height in the first molar was X mm, the vertical height in the second premolar should be (X+0.5) mm, and (X+1.0) mm might be suit for the first premolar.

Bicuspid ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Tooth ; Tooth Extraction ; Tooth Movement Techniques

Using the weight-average molecular weight 50 000 polylactic acid (PLA) as a carrier, and a certain proportion of erythromycin (EM) and prednisone acetate (PNA) to mixed prepare the compound erythromycin sustained release preparation (sustained-release tablets). Using ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect separately the release amount of EM and PNA in vitro medium. The sustained-release tablets release for about 21 days, the average content of EM is 99.7 mg/table, RSD = 0.82%; and the average content of PNA is 10.03 mg/table, RSD = 0.93%. Within 21 days, the cumulative releases of EM and PNA are 86.1% and 78.3%, respectively. The drug release is steady and slow after 5 days, the burst release phenomenon in early stage is more significant. The results showed that the sustained-release tablet preparation method is feasible, the release performance is good and the clinical efficacy is significant.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Combinations ; Erythromycin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; administration & dosage ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Sinusitis ; drug therapy ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of rosuvastatin on left ventricular cardiac function, arteriosclerotic plaque and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in hypertensive patients with mild elevation of LDL-C.

METHODSSeventy-nine patients with a SBP of 140-179 mmHg and/or a DBP of 90-109 mmHg and mild elevated LDL-C were treated with rosuvastatin for 12 months (n=40) or not (n=39). The changes of hs-CRP, arteriosclerosis plaque and cardiac function at the end of the 12-months treatment relative to the baseline levels were analyzed.

RESULTSAfter 12 months of treatment, LDL-C was decreased by 33.2% in rosuvastatin group but remained unchanged in patients without rosuvastatin treatment. The left ventricular peak filling rate (LVPFR) increased significantly from 1.85 to 2.59 (P<0.05) and the serum levels of hs-CRP reduced significantly (P<0.05) after rosuvastatin treatment. The size of the plaques reduced significantly after a 12-month rosuvastatin therapy.

CONCLUSIONRosuvastatin therapy on the basis of conventional anti-hypertensive drugs can obviously improve the left ventricular diastolic function and produce favorable effects on arteriosclerotic plaques.

Aged ; Arteriosclerosis ; complications ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter.

METHODSThe clinical data of two cases of synchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. In case 1, a 68-year-old man with hematuria for a month, imaging modalities revealed a right renal pelvis tumor and a right distal ureter tumor. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and excision of the bladder cuff. Case 2, a 60-year-old man with the complaint of lower abdominal pain and left flank pain for a month, was diagnosed as left distal ureteral stone in another hospital. Ureterolithotomy was performed and a ureteral tumor was found at the lower site of the stone intraoperatively. The pathological report demonstrated SCC, and the patient was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. We found a left renal mass invading the left hemicolon during surgery, and nephroureterectomy was performed with a bladder cuff excision, left hemicolon resection, and also complete lymph node dissection. Neither of patients received adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy.

RESULTSModerately differentiated SCC was reported in both of renal pelvis and ureter in case 1 and the tumor invaded the subepithelial connective tissue in the renal pelvis and superficial muscle in the ureter. In case 2, moderately differentiated SCC of the left renal pelvis with colon metastasis and poorly differentiated SCC of the ureter was reported with two retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. The two patients died from tumor recurrence and metastasis 5 and 6 months after the surgery, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSynchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter are rare and has high likeliness of early recurrence and metastasis, often with poor prognosis.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology

Aliquots of venous blood from healthy donor were collected in plastic blood storage bags with ACD, GMA or antioxidant solution (superoxide dismutase, SOD), respectively, and stored at 4 degrees C. After storage for varying periods, the parameters of the blood were detected in the blood samples. Results showed that the parameters of the blood stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days in SOD group were following: the recovery of RBC-Hb was 87.2%, plasma-Hb (mg/L) was 193.2, P50 (mmHg) was 34.0 (normal value was 33.1); deformability (DImax) was 0.2413 (74.3% of normal value). There was no evident hemolysis, color change, air bubble and clots. It was concluded that human RBC stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days with SOD solution, recovery of levels of RBC-Hb and plasma-Hb were accorded with the requirements of "Basic Demands of Blood Station" in China.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cold Temperature ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; drug effects ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hemoglobins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDSepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care units. The late inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), plays a critical role in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the serum HMGB1 levels and the severity of organ injury in the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in rats.

METHODSTo produce an animal model of sepsis with different degree of organ injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg), and the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum HMGB1 were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle injection, meanwhile the biochemical and histopathological indicators for the severity of organ injury were assessed.

RESULTSThe level of HMGB1 had a positive, high correlation with the abnormal changes of serum cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as the pathologic scores of heart, lung, liver and kidney.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum HMGB1 is highly correlated with the severity of sepsis in rats, suggesting that HMGB1 could serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.

Animals ; HMGB1 Protein ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological characteristics, related risk factors, measures for its control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSData on epidemiological features, pathogens and measures for control were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSSince Jan 2003, infectious atypical pneumonia (AP) has become epidemic in Guangzhou city. The first autochthonous case was identified on Jan 2nd. Number of cases started to increase since February and reached peak in the early 10 days of February. Hereafter the epidemic tended to decline in March and since early April, the average number of new cases began to decrease, less than 10 per day. Epidemiological studies revealed that the number of cases aged between 20 and 50 was higher than that below the age of 20. Of the total 966 cases, 429 were males versus 537 females. Geographically, the epidemics covered all 13 districts of Guangzhou, but 95% of the cases concentrated in 7 urban districts. As for professional distribution, health care workers accounted for 28.67% of the total cases. There were 36 deaths, aged from 5 to 89, with half of them older than 60. Out of the victims, 38.9% of them had complications as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and COPD etc. Data regarding the clustering features of cases showed that there were 42 families having 2 or more cases in one family, while 277 health workers suffered from SARS were concentrated in 28 hospitals. Only one outbreak took place in a public setting but no outbreak was reported in schools. Relevant research also indicated that SARS could be classified as an air-borne infectious disease, transmitted through aerosol and droplets, but close contact also played an important role in the mode of transmission. The disease was highly infectious, suggesting that people who had close contact with patients in the place with poor ventilation was in greater risk of getting infection. The incubation period ranged from 1 to 11 days (mainly from 3 to 8 days), with an average of 5 days. According to our observation, the following measures might be effective such as: early diagnosis, isolation and treatment provided to the patients, and suspected cases under medical observation should also be put in separate places. Improving ventilation and regular disinfection over air and stuff in hospital wards were also recommended. In order to prevent iatrogenic infection, sense on self-protection among health care workers must be strengthened. Patients were not allowed to be visited by any one other than hospital staff.

CONCLUSIONSARS is a preventable disease and can be under control. It is of great importance to prevent clustered SARS cases and the prevention of iatrogenic infection is essential.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; Disease Outbreaks ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control