A 51-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of upper abdominal distending pain and 1-month history of cutaneous nodules and plaques on the neck, trunk and bilateral thighs. The patient underwent many gastrointestinal tract examinations in several local hospitals, and symptomatic treatment did not work. The biopsy of nodules on the abdomen revealed medium- to large-sized atypical lymphoid cells within numerous small vessels in lower dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue. Additionally, the atypical cells were present exclusively within vascular lumina. Immunohistochemical labeling showed the reactivity of neoplastic cells to CD2, CD99, CD3ε, CD43, CD56, Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBER), and cytotoxic proteins such as T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) and perforin, but not to CD4, CD8, CD20, CD79a,CD30, cytokeratin (CK), S100, or CD68. The endothelial cells lining the involved vessels exhibited the reactivity to CD31 and CD34. Based on the above findings, the patient was diagnosed with intravascular NK/T-cell lymphoma firstly manifesting as gastrointestinal tract symptom and complicated by skin lesions. Following combined chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and etoposide, the patient experienced a quick and satisfactory recovery and the follow-up still continued.

The 1.23 kb DNA fragment encoding the early protein EP0 of pseudorabies virus (PRV) Ea strain was amplified by PCR technique and cloned into pBluescriptII sk+.Three sequencing plasmids containing the partial fragment of the EP0 gene were constructed and the sequences were obtained by Sanger's sequencing technique. Compared with PRV InFh strain, there were multipile site-mutations and a deleted-mutation in the EP0 gene of PRV strain Ea，and the diversity of amino acid residues also existed.Then, the EP0 gene was inserted into an expression vector, pET-28a, fused into the downstream of the 6ΧHis-Tag in frame, to yield the expression plasmid pETEP0. After induction by IPTG, a high expression of fusion protein was obtained, SDS-PAGE analysis and Western blotting showed that the fusion protein was 62kD and the protein was specific to antisera against PRV Ea strain. This indicated that the EP0 gene be expressed in BL21(DE3) and the expression products have immuno-genicity.

Objective To detect brain natriuretic peptide(BNPs) level in serum in order to confirm its applical value.Methods Forty-eight patients with congestive heart failure(CHF) were chosen,which included 36 patients with pneumonia,12 patients with congenital heart diseases.Forty heathy children were chosen as control group.BNPs level of two groups were detected by enzyme label.Results The level of BNP in patients with CHF(that′s positive group) was obviously higher than that in control group in the stage of CHF and recoverty(t=14.30,20.38 all P0.05),this included that the cardiac function had significantly changes in the stage of CHF,at the same time,the level of BNP had negative correlation to CI and LVEF(r=-0.61,-0.79 all P

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of puerarin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in treating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and on the size of infarcted area and cytokines.

METHODSSeventy-nine patients with anterior AMI were randomly divided into three groups, they were treated with conventional Western medical treatment, but to the puerarin group (PG) and the G-CSF group (GCG) puerarin and G-CSF was given additionally, respectively. The infarcted size, plasma G-CSF, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe infarcted size was positively correlated to the levels of G-CSF, MMP-9, IL-6 and TNF-alpha before treatment ( r = 0.45, 0.42, 0.44 and 0.42, P<0.01 ). The infarcted size in the PG and the GCG decreased on the 28th day (P<0.01), the level of G-CSF, MMP-9, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the PG on the 7th day all decreased (P<0.05), but these indexes in the GCG increased (P<0.05), while those in the control group were unchanged (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPuerarin and G-CSF are effective in decreasing infarcted size, but their effects on cytokines are different entirely.

Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of the DNA repair gene ERCC2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 on male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, China.

METHODSUsing MassArray, we conducted a case-control study and genotyped three ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 for 351 males (aged 31.0 +/- 4.2 years) with idiopathic infertility and another 327 normal fertile men (aged 33.0 +/- 5.9 years) as controls.

RESULTSThe ERCC2 AnyG-anyA-anyA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of idiopathic infertility (OR 0.414, 95% CI 0.176 - 0.970), while the three single ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 showed no significant differences between the cases and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 play a role of interaction in male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, contributing to the risk of the disease.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; DNA Repair ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein ; genetics

Objective To explore the activation and function of Janus protein-tyrosine kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) signal transduction pathway in kidney,lung and brain of MRL/lpr mice.Methods MRL/lpr mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied at the age of 12 weeks up.Non-SLE MRL/lpr mice were used as controls.We used phosphospecific antibodies to detect STAT1 activation in kidney,lung and brain by immunohistochemistry and Western blots.Gene expression of the STAT induced feedback inhibitors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) was investigated by SYBR green I real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Phosphorylation of STAT1 protein was markedly activated in these three organs,although renal and pulmonary STAT1 activation were much more evidently activated.SOCS-1 gene expression increased in all three organs,while renal SOCS-1 gene expres- sion increased less than lung and brain.Conclusion The activation of JAK/STATI signal transduction path- way may be pathogenic in the organ involvement and progression of SLE.The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis may also be associated with the down-regulation of SOCS-1 feedback inhibition.

Objective To explore the changes of cardiac muscle enzymogram and heart function before and after transactheter closure of ventricular septal defect(VSD).Methods The serum levels of cardiac troponin(cTnI),carcatine kinase(CK),lactie dehydrogenase(LDH),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were detected by two-dimensional echocardiography,and the change before and after intervention was analyzed.Results The serum level of cTnI in VSD patients after treatment was markedly higher than that before intervention[(0.29?0.17)?g/L vs(0.02?0.01)?g/L,t=9.0 P0.05).Conclusion Catheterization to treat VSD may have influence on enzymogram and the heart function,which may be related to the minor myocardial damage during the operation.

BACKGROUNDPulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal event, occurs more frequently in cancer patients than in the general population. To offer an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to such patients in China, we analyzed the incidence rate and clinical features of pulmonary embolism in patients with solid tumor hospitalized in the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was made of the hospitalized patients with solid malignancies complicated with pulmonary embolism who had been admitted into the PUMC Hospital from January 2002 to December 2008.

RESULTSThe incidence of pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients with solid malignancies was 0.27% (120/43 967). The median age at diagnosis was 57.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.0:1.4 (49:71). Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituted the largest proportion of the 120 patients (37.5%), followed by patients with breast (9.2%), ovarian (8.3%), pancreatic (6.7%), and liver cancer (6.7%). Eighty patients (66.7%) had stage IV cancer. Bone was the most common site of distant metastasis (46.3%). D-dimer level was elevated in 90.9% of the 66 tested patients. The incidence of bleeding due to anti-coagulation therapy was 3.6%. Thirty-six (30.0%) of the 120 patients had concurrent deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities. Seventeen patients developed acute pulmonary embolism within 2 weeks after surgery, 3 of whom died suddenly. Four patients presented with deep venous thrombosis and 1 with pulmonary embolism prior to the identification of malignancy.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with cancer of the lung, ovarian, breast, pancreas, and liver are more likely to be complicated with pulmonary embolism than those with other types of solid tumors. Patients with distant metastasis are at a higher risk of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism without concurrent deep venous thrombosis is more frequently observed than concurrence of both disorders in the clinical setting.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of puerarin on infarction size, fatty acids metabolism, inflammatory response and atherosclerotic plaque stability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSSixty-one patients with AMI were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 30) and the treated group (n = 31). All were treated with conventional treatment, but to the treated group, puerarin injection was given additionally by injecting 500 mg per day for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed, and the size of infarction was determined by Ideker QRS scoring method.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the size of infarction was positively correlated to the levels of FFA, MMP-9 and CRP (r = 0.43, 0.42 and 0.39, respectively, all P<0.01). As compared with those before treatment, after treatment, the three parameters lowered by 30%, 41% and 23%, respectively and the size of infarction significantly reduced in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, no significant change was found (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPuerarin treatment could significantly reduce the size of infarction in patients with AMI, the mechanism is possibly related with its effects in lowering plasma levels of FFA, inhibiting inflammation and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque.

Aged ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and the correlation between BNP levels and the heart function.

METHODSForty-three children with KD and thirty healthy children were enrolled. Serum levels of BNP were measured using ELISA. KD children received an echocardiographic examination, including measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shorten fraction (LVSF), cardiac index (CI) and left ventricular inflow velocity through the mitral annulus.

RESULTSMean serum level of BNP at the acute stage in children with KD was significantly higher than that at the recovery stage as well as the control group (p<0.01). The LVEF, LVSF and CI levels at the acute stage were significantly lower than those at the recovery stage in children with KD (p<0.05). The linear regression analysis showed that the BNP level was negatively correlated with the levels of LVEF, LVSF and CI (r=-0.63, -0.52, -0.53, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe serum BNP levels increase significantly in KD children at the acute stage, and are negatively correlated with the levels of LVEF, LVSF and CI. Measurement of serum BNP level is useful for the early diagnosis of KD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood