OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of electroacupuncture (EA) on onset time and symptom improvement for treatment of different types of functional constipation.

METHODSThirty-eight cases of constipation were selected, including 9 cases of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 10 cases of slow transit constipation (STC), 10 cases of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and 9 cases of inadequate defecatory propulsion (IDP). The electroacupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and so on in abdominal and lumbosacral area, 5 times per week, 10 times as a treatment course. The onset time, score of clinical symptoms of constipation and improvement of every symptom in each group were compared.

RESULTS(1) The onset time was (1.78 +/- 0.83) days in IBS-C type, (3.11 +/- 1.90) days in IDP type, (4.10 +/- 1.85) days in STC type and (4.30 +/- 2.00) days in PFD type, indicating statistical differences between IBS-C type and STC type, IBS-C type and PFD type (both P < 0.05). (2) Compared before the treatment, the total scores of symptoms on the onset day in each group were all improved (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and score of IBS-C type was superior to the rest 3 types (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) EA improved desire to defecate or frequency of defecation in each type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), in which both were improved in STC type and PFD type, and the improvement of defecation frequency was more significant in STC type (P < 0.01). EA relieved unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling in each type (all P < 0.05), in which both were improved in IBS-C type (both P < 0.05). EA relieved abdominal distension and pain in IBS-C type, STC type and PFD type (all P < 0.05), while its effects were not obvious on defecation difficulty, defecation time and defecation texture (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture for treatment of 4 types of constipation is characterized by rapid onset; the improved symptoms are not identical in the electroacupuncture treatment plan for each type of defecation; the main improvement of symptoms are lied on desire to defecate and frequency of defecation, unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling and abdominal distension and pain. Meanwhile the improvements of defecation texture, defecation difficulty and defecation time were not signi-ficant.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo improve inversion-polymerase chain reaction (I-PCR) in detection of factor VIII (FVIII) intron 22 inversion for gene diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A (HA).

METHODSThe modified I-PCR was applied to detect FVIII intron 22 inversion in 8 families with HA. The prenatal diagnosis was performed for 2 pregnant women in the families. The fetal blood samples were obtained by cordocentesis at 22 and 26 weeks gestation respectively.

RESULTSFour of 8 HA families were diagnosed to be FVIII intron 22 inversion. Two fetuses were identified to be normal and one of them was born normal.

CONCLUSIONThe modified I-PCR enables the gene diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of FVIII intron 22 inversion more accurately and rapidly.

Chromosome Inversion ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Female ; Hemophilia A ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) mRNA in peripheral blood of colorectal carcinoma and to discuss its clinical value.

METHODSReal-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the CK20 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of 51 patients with colorectal carcinoma and 30 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS27.45% of the patients showed CK20 mRNA expression, while it was 6.67% for the control group (P<0.025). With the progress of Dukes' stages, the expression level of CK20 mRNA increased, but there was no statistic significance (P<0.05). More samples in Dukes'C and D than in Dukes'A and B stages showed >10 copies/ml.

CONCLUSIONThe detection of CK20 mRNA expression in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal carcinoma may be helpful to identify early shedding tumor cells. It is also useful to monitor the progression of the disease and observe the effect of clinical treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Keratin-20 ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of hypothermia therapy on serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) levels in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODSSixty-four HIE neonates were enrolled in this study. Thirty-three neonates with mild HIE were given conventional treatment and 31 neonates with moderate or severe HIE received conventional treatment and hypothermia therapy. Serum levels of GFAP and UCH-L1 were measured using ELISA before treatment and 6-12 hours after treatment.

RESULTSSerum levels of IL-6, IL-8, GFAP and UCH-L1 in the moderate/severe HIE group were significantly higher than in the mild HIE group (P<0.05) before treatment. Serum GFAP level was positively correlated with serum IL-6 (r=0.54; P<0.05) and IL-8 levels (r=0.63; P<0.05), while negatively correlated with Apgar score (r=-0.47, P<0.05). After treatment, serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and UCH-L1 in the moderate/severe HIE group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while serum GFAP levels increased significantly (P<0.05). The patients with abnormal neurological development showed higher serum GFAP levels than those with favourable prognosis (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis demonstrated that the area under curve (AUC) of GFAP and UCH-L1 were 0.714 and 0.703 respectively. At a cut-off value of 0.07 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of GFAP for the diagnosis of HIE were 77% and 78% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSHypothermia therapy can decrease serum UCH-L1 levels and increase serum GFAP levels in neonates with HIE. Based on their diagnostic value of brain injury, GFAP and UCH-L1 are promising to be novel biomarkers for HIE.

Biomarkers ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; blood ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; blood ; therapy ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; blood

This study is aimed at establishing a sensitive approach to detect disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood and evaluate its clinical significance. A total of 198 blood samples including 168 from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients and 30 from healthy volunteers were examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA. CEA mRNA was detected in 35.8% of patients and 3.3% of controls, CK20 mRNA in 28.3% of patients and 6.7% of controls, and CK19 mRNA in 41.9% of patients and 3.3% of controls. CEA and CK20 mRNA positive ratio increased with the advancing Dukes stages, but there was no significant difference in positive ratio between any two stages (P>0.05). Also, relatively high positive ratio of CEA, CK20 and CK19 mRNA expression was observed in some CRC patients with earlier Dukes stages. A higher positive ratio was obtained when two or three detection markers were combined compared to a single marker. Our study indicates that quantitative real-time RT-PCR detection for CEA, CK20 and CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood is a valuable tool for monitoring early stage dissemination of CRC cells in blood circulation.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; blood ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; Keratins ; biosynthesis ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The aim of this study is to investigate the critical factor affecting the properties of PLGA microspheres fabricated by a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion technique with BSA as a model protein. Prior to encapsulation, the BSA microparticles were fabricated by a modified freezing-induced phase separation method. The microparticles were subsequently encapsulated into PLGA microspheres by S/O/W emulsion method, then Motic BA200 biological microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope, scanning electron microscope were used to observe the structure of S/O/W emulsion and PLGA microspheres. The protein content extracted or released from BSA microspheres was measured by Bradford protein assay method. It was found that NaCl added in the outer aqueous phase effectively suppressed material exchange between the inner and outer phase of S/O/W emulsion. Then, the structure and permeability of obtained microspheres were influenced. As a result, with the increase of NaCl concentration in the outer aqueous phase, the encapsulation efficiency of microspheres significantly increased from 60% to more than 85%, the burst release of microspheres reduced from 70% to 20%, and the particle size decreased from 103 microm to 62 microm. Furthermore, the rehydration of encapsulated protein was also retarded and then integrity of BSA was successfully protected during encapsulation process. In vitro release test showed that BSA released from PLGA microspheres in a sustained manner for more than 30 days.
Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Compounding ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microspheres ; Oils ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Sodium Chloride ; chemistry ; Water

OBJECTIVESTo detect CEA mRNA levels in benign and malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSSamples of pleural and peritoneal effusions from 58 patients with malignant diseases and 76 patients with benign diseases were collected and total RNAs were prepared and subjected to real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR to determine the CEA mRNA levels in these samples. The positive rate of this examination was compared with that of shed cell pathological examination.

RESULTSNineteen samples (32.8%) of pleural and peritoneal effusions from the 58 patients with malignant diseases showed positive results in shed cell examination, while the number of CEA mRNA >1 CN was 46 (79.3%) (chi(2) = 21.81, P = 0.000). Nineteen samples of pleural and peritoneal effusions from the 76 patients with benign diseases showed CEA mRNA > 1 CN (25.0%), which was significantly different from that of the patients with malignant diseases (chi(2) = 38.85, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONCEA mRNA levels in pleural and peritoneal effusions can be quantified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, which is more sensitive than shed cell pathological examination. This technique is helpful in discrimination of benign and malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions.

Ascitic Fluid ; chemistry ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; chemistry ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infection among close contacts to SARS patients and the level of sera IgG antibody in SARS cases.

METHODSSpecific IgG antibody against SARS-CoV in serum samples from contacts to patients, five months before an SARS outbreak in Beijing. Neutralized test, ELISA and immunity adherence test were studied. Samples were collected after clinical onset of patients or close contacts to patients, for 22 - 24 weeks. 19 close contacts and 13 cases were included in the study.

RESULTSIn close contacts, all tests were negative on three methods. All SARS cases were positive except one by immunity adherence test. The neutralized antibody levels were from 1:16 to 1:203, with medium level of 1:43.

CONCLUSIONAccording to our survey, there was no latent infection among close contacts. IgG antibody in sera continued to be at higher levels among SARS cases 22 - 24 weeks after onset.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; immunology

Chuangxinmycin (CM) from Actinoplanes tsinanensis was an antibiotic discovered by Chinese scientists about 40 years ago. It contains a new heterocyclic system of indole fused with dihydrothiopyran, whose biosynthetic mechanism remains unclear. CM is used as an oral medicine in the treatment of bacterial infections in China. The simple structure makes CM as an attractive candidate of structure modification for improvement of antibacterial activity. Recently, we analyzed the secondary metabolites of Actinoplanes tsinanensis CPCC 200056, a CM producing strain, as a natural CM analogue. We discovered the first natural CM analogue 3-demethylchuangxinmycin (DCM) as a new natural product. Compared to CM, DCM exhibited a much weaker activity in the inhibition of the bacterial strains tested. The finding provides valuable information for the structure-activity relationship in the biosynthesis of CM.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; China ; Indoles ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Micromonosporaceae ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in children.

METHODSA total of 14 children (7 females and 7 males) with ARVC were involved. The cases underwent electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac CT or MRI examinations. All cases were treated with sotalol or amiodarone in combination with propranolol. In 2 cases with drug-refractory ventricular extrasystoles, catheter ablation treatment was performed. In 6 cases with obvious impaired ventricular function, additional pharmacological therapy including vasodilators, diuretics, and digitalis were given.

RESULTSVentricular extrasystoles occurred in all 14 cases and ventricular tachycardia in 8 cases. Ten cases showed Epsilon wave on electrocardiography. All 14 cases had enlarged right ventricle and reduced right ventricular ejection fraction. CT or MRI examination showed right ventricular dilatation and a thinned wall of right ventricle in 10 cases. Ventricular extrasystoles or tachycardia disappeared in 7 cases and was reduced in 4 cases after treatment. The two children receiving catheter ablation treatment did not present ventricular extrasystoles or tachycardia in a 3-month follow-up. The heart function was improved in the 6 children with obvious impaired ventricular function after pharmacological therapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical manifestations are diverse in children with ARVC. A definite diagnosis of ARVC should be based on a combination of electrocardiography and echocardiography examinations. Pharmacological therapy is effective partially. Catheter ablation treatment appears to be a promising option in patients with drug-refractory ventricular extrasystoles.

Adolescent ; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed