This study aimed to investigate viral infections and the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Shijiazhuang, China, in 2011 and to provide a scientific basis for the diagnosis and control of respiratory tract infections. Throat swab specimens were collected from 483 cases of ILI who were outpatients in the influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Shijiazhuang between January and December 2011. All specimens were examined by multiplex RT-PCR for the following 15 respiratory tract viruses: adenovirus (ADV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human parainfluenza virus (PIV types 1-4), influenza virus A (FluA), influenza virus B (FluB), human enterovirus (HEV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-A and -B), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV-229E/NL63 and -OC43/HKU1), and human bocavirus (HBoV). Among the 483 cases of ILI, 214 (44.31%) were positive for viruses, including ADV (8.7%), HEV (8.7%), RSV-A (8.07%), HRV (7.45%), FluA (5.38%), HCoV-OC43/ HKU1 (2.9%), PIV-3 (2.9%), HMPV (1.86%), PIV-1 (1.24%), HCoV-229E/NL63 (1.04%), PIV-2 (1.04%), HBoV (0.83%), and FluB (0.41%). Twenty-six (5.38%) of all cases were co-infected with two or more viruses, most commonly HEV/HRV with other viruses. Cases of viral infection were detected throughout the year, with peaks in January and February. ADV and HRV were detected throughout almost the whole year without obvious seasonality. HEV was detected between April and November, with a peak of prevalence in summer and autumn. FluA and FluB reached epidemic levels mainly in winter and spring. All cases of RSV were identified to be subtype A. PIV infection was mainly caused by PIV-3. The positive rate of HCoV-OC43/HKU1 infection was significantly higher than that of HCoV-229E/NL63. The leading five viruses that resulted in ILI Shijiazhuang in 2011 were HEV, ADV, RSV-A, HRV, and FluA, and these viruses have different epidemiological features.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Virus Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of cell apoptosis in patients of chronic gastritis with different tongue pictures and its mechanism of formation.

METHODSThe tongue picture, apoptosis index (AI) of lingual epithelial cells, apoptosis related gene proteins, such as p53, Bcl-2 and Fas in 109 patients of chronic superficial gastritis were observed.

RESULTSAI was different in patients with different tongue proper and tongue coating, those with pale white tongue and white thick coating had the maximum value of AI. (2) The p53, Bcl-2 and Fas expression positive rates in patients with different tongue pictures had corresponding changes, which were related not only with color of tongue, but also with color and thickness of tongue coating.

CONCLUSIONThe formation of tongue picture is closely related with cell apoptosis, p53, Bcl-2 and Fas take part in the regulation of cell apoptosis, which constitute together the cytologic basis of tongue picture in the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Gastritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tongue ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against enoyl-CoA hydratase 1 (ECH1).

METHODSNormal human liver tissues were homogenized, and the mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation. The total mitochondrial proteins were used to immunize BALB/c mice to prepare mAbs by routine hybridoma technique. The mAbs were characterized by ELISA, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The specificity of the antibody was identified by mass spectrometry (MS) following immunoprecipitation (IP) and confirmed by Uni-ZAP expression library screening.

RESULTSOne clone of the hybridoma BGB095 secreting specific mAb against ECH1 was obtained. The mAb was identified to belong to Ig subclass IgG1 and could be used in ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation.

CONCLUSIONA hybridoma cell line stably secreting specific mAb against ECH1 has been established. The specific mAb against ECH1 can be of great value for functional and distribution studies of ECH1.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Enoyl-CoA Hydratase ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitochondria ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study systematically the factors which affect separation and purification of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine with X -5 macroporous resin.

METHODWith the content of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine as parameters, the optimum condition of absorption and elution were studied in the process of the purification with X -5 macroporous resin.

RESULTThe X - 5 macroporous resin yielded the best separating efficiency when the concentration of the extracted solution was 1 g raw material per 1 mL, pH 12.0, the absorptive time of 6 hour and the volume of 95% ethanol (7BV pH 8) as the eluant; X -5 macroporous resins was used five times in a reproducible way. The rate of extraction and content of the total alkaloid were 80% and 30% respectively after purification with X - 5 macroprous resin.

CONCLUSIONThe method can increase the purity of mesaconitine and total alkaloids.

Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo characterize the clinical and angiographic features in children with renovascular hypertension.

METHODClinical data of 14 children (7 male, 7 female; age 0.8-14 years, mean 8.7 years), who were diagnosed with renovascular hypertension by renal angiography in our institute from January 2005 to December 2012 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTThe mean blood pressure at the diagnosis was 187/127 mm Hg. Chief complaints of symptomatic patients were headache (29%, 4/14), hypertensive encephalopathy (36%, 5/14), signs of congestive heart failure (14%, 2/14) and hematemesis (7%, 1/14). Renovascular hypertension was found incidentally in 14% (2/14) of patients who were asymptomatic. Conventional renal angiography elucidated the anatomical distribution of lesions in the renal arterial system. It was found that 14% (2/14) of patients had bilateral disease, 50% (7/14) had single stenosis at main or accessory renal artery, while multiple stenoses was seen in 43% (6/14) of children, with involvement of segmental renal artery and small interlobar or arcuate vessels. Compared with catheter angiography, 50% (7/14) of patients with renovascular hypertension, especially intrarenal arterial disease, were missed on computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance angiography.

CONCLUSIONIt is mandatory to emphasize blood pressure measurement in pediatric clinical practice for early recognition of renovascular hypertension. As children with renovascular hypertension display involvement of multiple arteries, including in smaller intrarenal arteries, digital subtraction angiography is the only method that can reliably diagnose pediatric renovascular hypertension.

Adolescent ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fibromuscular Dysplasia ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Infant ; Kidney ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Renal Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of endostatin and doxycycline on microcirculation patterns in melanoma and their molecular mechanisms.

METHODSTo establish mouse B16 melanoma model by subcutaneous injection of B16 melanoma cell suspension. The mice were divided into 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. To treat the mice in the 3 experimental groups with endostatin, doxycycline, endostatin and doxycycline, respectively, and the control group without any treatment. The tumor volume was measured and recorded to make comparison of their growth rate. To assess the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 by immunohistochemical staining. The three microcirculation patterns of endothelium-dependent vessels, mosaic vessels and vasculogenic mimicry were counted. The activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 between different groups was examined by gelatin zymography.

RESULTSTumor growth in the three experimental groups was statistically significantly slower than that in the control group. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in each treated group was significantly different with that in the control group. The amount of three microcirculation patterns in three experimental groups was less than that of the control group, and the amount of MV and VM in each experimental group was significantly less than that in the control group. By gelatin zymography, the enzyme activity of MMP-9, actived-MMP-2 and MMP-2/proMMP-2 in ES, DOX and ES + DOX group was lower than that in the control group, but the enzyme activity of pro-MMP-2 among the four groups was not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONThe combined use of doxycycline and endostatin in melanoma can inhibit the expression of MMPs, influencing the formation of different microcirculation patterns in melanoma.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxycycline ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Synergism ; Endostatins ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Melanoma, Experimental ; blood supply ; enzymology ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo analyze the safety and efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in treatment of severe pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (PSLE).

METHODThe diagnosis of PSLE was made according to the criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 1997. Severe cases with PSLE was selected by the following criteria: age ≤ 16 years, number of important organs involved > 1, SLEDAI score > 10 points and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. These patients received 2 doses of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab (RTX), 2 weeks apart. Clinical, laboratory findings and drug side effects were recorded at RTX initiation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after infusion.

RESULTA total of 20 patients. Male to female ratio was 1:3, were enrolled. They were 5-16 years old. The course of disease was (3.0 ± 2.5) years (range: 1 month-7 years), patients were followed up for 12 - 36 months [median: (27.0 ± 7.8) months]. Delirium and cognitive disorders were significantly improved in 10 cases of lupus encephalopathy after 1 month. Lupus nephritis in children were eased slowly, 14/15 patients with lupus nephritis were improved after 2-3 months. Four cases of lupus pneumonia were significantly improved within 1 month. Decreased blood cells counts were relieved at 1 month in 16/18 cases. Cellular immune function was assessed 2 weeks after application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; we found B-cell clearance in 19 patients (95%). B lymphocyte count of 18 patients (90%) was restored within one year. SLEDAI score was reduced obviously. Dose of corticosteroid ranged from (45.0 ± 4.7) mg/m(2) before drug use to (12.0 ± 2.7) mg/m(2) 12 months later (P < 0.001). After the drug use, 5 patients had pneumonia within 6 months; 2 cases who suffered from aspergillus pneumonia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia respectively were severe. They accepted mechanical ventilation and anti-inflammatory support after being transferred to the intensive care unit, and their conditions improved at last. No death occurred. In 2 patients the disease recurred with B-cell recovery after 15 months and 18 months. Administration of another cycle of rituximab resulted in remission again in one case but not in the other.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective and safe in treatment of severe PSLE. But severe infections may occur in some cases. Focusing on prevention and early treatment can reduce the probability of adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lupus Nephritis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; pathology ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rituximab ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAlthough balloon angioplasty (BA) has been performed for more than 20 years, its use as a treatment for native coarctation of the aorta (CoA) during childhood, especially in young infants, remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the effects and potential role of percutaneous transcatheter BA for native CoA as an alternative therapy to surgical repair in young infants.

METHODSThe 37 patients aged from 6 days to 6 months with severe CoA in congestive heart failure or circulatory shock were admitted for BA. Patient's weight ranged from 2.4 to 6.1 kg. All 37 patients were experiencing cardiac dysfunction, and eight patients were in cardiac shock with severe metabolic acidosis. Eleven patients had an isolated CoA, whereas the others had a CoA associated with other cardiac malformations. Cardiac catheterization and aortic angiography were performed under general anesthesia with intubation. Transfemoral arterial approaches were used for the BA. The size of the balloon ranged from 3 mm × 20 mm to 8 mm × 20 mm, and a coronary artery balloon catheter was preferred over a regular peripheral vascular balloon catheter.

RESULTSThe femoral artery was successfully punctured in all but one patient, with that patient undergoing a carotid artery puncture . The systolic peak pressure gradient (PG) across the coarctation was 41.0 ± 16.0 mmHg (range 13-76 mmHg). The mean diameter of the narrowest coarctation site was 1.7 ± 0.6 mm (range 0.5-2.8 mm). All patients had successful dilation; the PG significantly decreased to 13.0 ± 11.0 mmHg (range 0-40 mmHg), and the diameter of coarctation significantly improved to 3.8 ± 0.9 mm (range 2.5-5.3 mm). No intraoperative complications occurred for any patients. However, in one case that underwent a carotid artery puncture, a giant aneurysm formed at the puncture site and required surgical repair. The following observations were made during the follow-up period from 6-month to 7-year: (1) The PG across the coarctation measured by echocardiography further decreased or remained stable in 31 cases. The remaining six patients, whose PGs gradually increased, required a second dilation. No patient required further surgery because of a CoA; (2) in two cases, an aortic aneurysm was found with an angiogram performed immediately postdilatation and disappeared at 18 and 12 months of age, respectively; (3) tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension improved in all patients; (4) all patients were doing well and were asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous BA is a relatively safe and effective treatment for severe native CoA in young infants, and should be considered a valid alternative to surgery because of its good outcome and less trauma and fewer complications than surgery.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Aortic Coarctation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEBalloon angioplasty is an alternative to surgical repair for coarctation of the aorta in children. However, its role in the treatment of neonates and infants younger than 3 months old remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon angioplasty for native coarctation by comparing children in different age groups.

METHODThis is a retrospective clinical study including 37 children treated with balloon angioplasty for native coarctation from January 2006 to December 2012. A total of 37 patients consisting of 26 boys and 11 girls underwent the procedure, with median age 10 months (range from 7 days to 6 years) and the mean body weight was 6.3 (2.5-17.0) kg. The indication of the procedure includes discrete native coarctation without aortic arch hypoplasia and a peak-to-peak systolic pressure gradient > 20 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) across aortic coarctation. During one year follow-up, the approach artery injury, recoarctation and aneurysm formation were particularly assessed.

RESULTWe classified these patients into two groups according to their age. Group A consisted of 25 patients younger than 3 months and Group B of 12 patients older than 3 months. There was no significant difference between the two groups in systolic pressure gradient before balloon angioplasty (P > 0.05). The mean peak systolic gradient decreased from (38 ± 18) mmHg to (12 ± 11) mmHg immediately after angioplasty in group A and from (47 ± 18) to (17 ± 12) mmHg in group B (P = 0.000 for both). Meanwhile, the mean diameter of the coarctation segment increased from (1.8 ± 0.7) to (3.7 ± 1.1) mm after angioplasty in group A and from (2.6 ± 1.5) to (5.5 ± 1.8) mm in group B (both P = 0). The initial successful balloon angioplasty (immediate postangioplasty peak pressure gradient < 20 mmHg) was achieved in all the 37 patients; 32 patients (86.5%) have been followed up for one year. Approach arterial complications occurred in 3 patients (9.4%), all of whom were in Group A (P = 0.537). Two patients had decreased femoral artery pulse and one required surgical repair for a postoperative pseudoaneurysm at left carotid artery. At follow-up, 8 patients (25.0%) developed recoarctation, with 6 cases in Group A and 2 in Group B. There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the recoarctation rate (P = 1.000). Among them, 7 patients underwent repeat balloon angioplasty, and all showed successful relief of coarctation, and one patient required surgical repair. Two patients (2/37, 5.4%) had small aneurysms of the descending aorta immediately after balloon angioplasty, with one patient in each group (12/25 vs.1/12, P = 0.755).Late aneurysm development has not been observed in the 17 patients who have had a follow-up CTA or MRA study.

CONCLUSIONBalloon angioplasty of discrete native coarctation is effective and safe in children both younger and older than 3 months with similar incidence of approach arterial complication, recoarctation and aneurysm formation.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; Aortic Aneurysm ; epidemiology ; Aortic Coarctation ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome