Objective To explore the manifestations of chest multi-slice spiral CT in patients with initial infection of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV). Methods The chest multi-slices spirals CT images of 19 firstly diagnosed patients with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) in our institution were retrospectively studied. CT manifestations were evaluated by three experienced radiologists. Location, appearance of lung abnormalities, abnormal distribution, pleural effusion and others (pericadiaum, lymphadenopathy and pleural thickening) were observed and quantitatively analyzed. The correlation of ground-glass and consolidation CT scores with the fever time was studied. Results The abnormal CT findings were observed bilaterally in 18 of 19 subjects including ground-glass (n= 3), consolidation (n=3 ), consolidation accompanied with ground-glass (n=12). Most of these lesions were distributed diffusively (n=14) while the others located in the middle and low lobes (n= 4). Unilateral (n=3) or bilateral (n=2) pleural effusion were observed. Lymphadenopathy (n=2), effusion of pericadium (n=1), pleural thickening (n=1) and cardiac enlargement (n=2) were also found in patients with H1N1. CT scores of ground-glass were 4. 25(n=2),3.75 (n=1),2.25(n=1),1.75(n=1),1.00(n=6),0.75(n=2), 0.50(n=2),0(n=4).CT scores of consolidation were4.25(n=1),4.00(n=1),3.75 (n=1), 2.75(n=1),1.25(n=3),1.00(n=2),0.75(n=2),0.50(n=1),0.25(n=3),0(n=4). CT scores of ground-glass were significantly correlated with the fever time (r= 0.776, P < 0.01), CT scores of consolidation had no correlation with the fever time(r=0.322,P > 0.01). Conclusions The most common CT findings in patients with S-OIV infection are diffuse distribution of bilateral ground-glass opacities with or without associated focal or multifocal areas of consolidation. The increasing of ground-glass's range could be the marker of progression of H1N1 pulmonary infection at initial stage.

Objective To summarize the clinical effect of urethroplasty using acellular dermal matrix patch for the treatment of anterior urethral stricture caused by lichen sclerosus.Methods The clinical data was analyzed retrospectively from 15 patients with anterior urethral stricture caused by lichen sclerosus treated with aeellular dermal matrix patch.Results The patients were followed up for 8-40 months.The urethral silicone stent was removed 4 weeks after operation in 15 cases and all the patients voided well 2 months after operation.The urinary peak flow rates ranged from 17.6 to 41.7 ml/s(mean,28.6ml/s).Urethral stricture occurred in 2 patients 3 months after operation undergoing discontinuous dilatation within 3 to 6 months,the patients voided very well.Conclusion It is feasible,safe and relatively simple to use acellular dermal matrix patch for anterior urethral stricture caused by lichen sclerosus.

AIM: To investigate the effects of uric acid sodium salt (UANa) as adjuvant on humoral and cellular immune response in BALB/c mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with trichosanthin (TCS) as antigen together with UANa suspension as adjuvant. The antibody titers of IgG were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dendritic cells (DC) were induced in vitro, the phenotypes of DC were analyzed by flow cytometry and the effect of UANa on DC maturity was evaluated. A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used to analyze the effect of UANa on cellular immune responses in vivo. The in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes was determined by ConA stimulation. RESULTS: Freunds adjuvant greatly enhanced the antibody response of mice to TCS, while UANa adjuvant failed to promote the antibody response but significantly reduced the antibody response as compared to TCS only. No effect of UANa on the expression of CD11c and CD83 in DC was observed by flow cytometry analysis. However, UANa significantly enhanced the expression of MHC II molecule. In the DTH model, UANa enhanced the degree of allergen-induced ear swelling and promoted the ability of lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSION: UANa suspension as adjuvant significantly enhances the cellular immune response but inhibits the humoral immune response to a certain degree, suggesting that UANa has potential application in the vaccine research.

The concept of modern medicine in treating chronic heart failure (CHF) has changed markedly in recent years. To improve the quality of life and prolong life, the treatment goal is no longer just temporary improvement of symptoms, more importantly, is to prevent and delay the occurrence and development of ventricular remodeling. Long-term chronic over-activation of sympathetic system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and other neuroendocrine factors promotes myocardial remodeling, increases myocardial injury and deteriorates cardiac function. Despite short-term use can significantly improve the blood flow dynamics, long-term use of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulators and phosphodiesterase inhibitors does not prolong life, but increases the rate of sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmia. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers have become the preferred drugs in treating chronic heart failure. In fact, after long-term use, beta-blockers can significantly improve ventricular remodeling, enhance ventricular function and reduce the incidence of sudden death of patients with CHF. In traditional Chinese medicine practice, short-term use of drugs for warming yang and reinforcing qi can improve symptoms of CHF, but long-term use may have adverse effects, for these medicines can stimulate sympathetic system. Early treatment with medicines of cold and cool property may be more favorable to patients with CHF, except the advanced patients who need special intervention. Eliminating heat and nourishing yin may play more active role in controlling the occurrence and development of CHF. Drugs with good efficacy and value in treating CHF may be developed from the Chinese herbal medicines with eliminating heat and nourishing yin property.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of Tanreqing injection in combination with Piperacillin sodium and Amikacin sulfate for hospital-acquired pneumonia.METHODS:104 cases of hospital-acquired pneumonia were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive Tanreqing Injection+Piperacillin Sodium+Amikacin Sulfate(treatment group,n=52) or Piperacillin Sodium+Amikacin sulfate(control group,n=52) for 7～10days.The clinical indexes including the total effective effect,cardinal symptoms,physical signs,and chest X-ray film in two groups after treatment were observed.RESULTS:The total effective rate in the treatment group was 86.54% as compared 67.31% in control group(P

AIM:To investigate the effects of uric acid sodium salt (UANa) as adjuvant on humoral and cellular immune response in BALB/c mice. METHODS:BALB/c mice were immunized with trichosanthin (TCS) as antigen together with UANa suspension as adjuvant. The antibody titers of IgG were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dendritic cells (DC) were induced in vitro,the phenotypes of DC were analyzed by flow cytometry and the effect of UANa on DC maturity was evaluated. A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used to analyze the effect of UANa on cellular immune responses in vivo. The in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes was determined by ConA stimulation. RESULTS:Freund's adjuvant greatly enhanced the antibody response of mice to TCS,while UANa adjuvant failed to promote the antibody response but significantly reduced the antibody response as compared to TCS only. No effect of UANa on the expression of CD11c and CD83 in DC was observed by flow cytometry analysis. However,UANa significantly enhanced the expression of MHC II molecule. In the DTH model,UANa enhanced the degree of allergen-induced ear swelling and promoted the ability of lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSION:UANa suspension as adjuvant significantly enhances the cellular immune response but inhibits the humoral immune response to a certain degree,suggesting that UANa has potential application in the vaccine research.

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of intrarectal application of indomethacin on hyperamylasemia and acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP ) .Methods 180 patients who underwent ERCP were randomly divided into the indomethacin group, somatostatin group and control group.The serum amylase levels were measured before ERCP, 3 and 24 hours after the drug application.The incidences of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis were observed.Results Serum amylase levels before and 3h after ERCP of three groups had no differences.The serm amylase levels of control group 24 h after ERCP (228.50 ±121.72) U/L was significantly higher than that of indomethacin group (94.09 ±68.45) U/L (P <0.01) and somatostatin group (76.53 ±74.47) U/L (P <0.05), while there was no difference between indomethacin group and somatostatin group.Compared with before ERCP, the serum amylase levels significantly increased in both control group 3 and 24h after ERCP (P <0.01), as well as in both indomethacin group and somatostatin group 3h after ERCP (P <0.05), but there were no apparent differences between pre-ERCP and 24 h after ERCP in both indomethacin group and somatostatin group.The incidences of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia in both indomethacin group and somatostatin group ( 10.00%, 11.67%) respectively was much lower than that in control groups (35.00%, P<0.01).The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in indomethacin group (3.33%) was also lower than that in control group (15.00%, P<0.05), whlie there was no difference between indomethacin group and somatostatin group (5.00%).Conclusion The intrarectal application of indomethacin can effectively prevent acute pancreatitis after ERCP, which has the same effect as intravenous application of somatostatin.It is also convenient, economic and safe.

Digoxin ; poisoning ; Heart Aneurysm ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rupture ; chemically induced

AIMTo investigate whether free fatty acid impair insulin signaling proteins to inhibit insulin action in rat islet cells.

METHODSAfter rat islet cells were incubated with palmitate (0.25 mmol/L) or oleate (0.125 mmol/L) for 12 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours, western bolt was used to assess the protein abundance of cPKCalpha, Grb2 and FERK2.

RESULTSThe protein content of cPKCalpha were significantly upregulated and the protein abundance of Grb2 and ERK2 was decreased comparing with control in rat islet cells after incubated with free fatty acids.

CONCLUSIONSFree fatty acids may inhibit insulin activity in rat islet cells through up-regulating the expression of cPKCalpha or down-regulating the expression of Grb2 and ERK2.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; GRB2 Adaptor Protein ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Islets of Langerhans ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the effects of intratumoral implantation of ~(32)P-CP-PLLA seeds on the normal canine liver tissue and to exolore the metabolism of ~(32)P-CP-PLLA seeds implanted in the liver of experimental dogs.Methods Twelve beagles were enrolled in this study.The dogs were randomly and equally divided into four groups:group A(185 MBq),group B(370 MBq),group C(740 MBq)and group D(0 MBq).By using laparotomy procedure ~(32)P-CP-PLLA seeds were implanted into dog's liver.CT scan was performed before operation as well as before the dog was sacrificed.All dogs were sacrificed three months after the implantation.Before the procedure and 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks after the procedure the blood tests and serum biochemical tests were conducted.One dog from group B and group C was selected respectively and was fed in a metabolic cage.Within one month after the procedure the cpm in feces and in urine was determined every 24 hours.One dog was picked out from each of the three groups and was punctured to get its liver tissue for pathologic exam each time at 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks after the implantation,and SPECT imaging was also performed at the same time.Pathologic study,both macroscopic and microscopic(including optical and electronic microscopy)was made to observe the liver damage after the dog was sacrificed.The statistical analysis was processed by using SPSS 13.0 software and the measuring data were expressed with mean±standard deviation((x)±s).Results Two months after the procedure,serological examination found that the serum alkaline phosphatase(BKP)in both group Band group C was significantly higher than that in other groups,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05),and the BKP levels returned to normal in three months.The postoperative 30-day inspection of the urine showed that the radioactive particles slowly released into the body and eliminated from the body with the urine and feces,mainly through the renal excretion.The 30-day cumulative percentage of eliminated radioactive dose in the urine and in the feces was 6.34% and 11.64% respectively.No sign of particle displacement was found on SPECT imaging.On autopsy three months after the implantation,the size of the radioactive seeds became smaller and fragile.With the radioactive dose used increasing,the area of liver damage at the site of seed implantation became bigger,which was demonstrated on CT scan,macroscopic exam and pathologic study.The local damaged focus of the liver caused by ~(32)P-CP-PLLA seeds was manifested as a spherical lesion which was encysted by a layer of fibrous tissue with an edematous zone peripherally.Conclusion The implantation of ~(32)P-CP-PLLA seeds in dog's liver causes only localized hepatic damage with no general adverse effects.The implanted seeds can slowly release the radioactive dose and will not immigrate to other organs in the body.Besides,the seeds possess excellent stability,targeted orientation and safety.