Objective To investigate the clinical features of Kawasaki disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 272 children diagnosed as Kawasaki disease from 2002 to 2006.Clinical data,laboratory findings and auxiliary examination results were collected for these patients.Results The male-to-female ratio Was 2.58:1.Onset ages between 1 to 3 years accounted for 59.2%of patients.Of these patients,100%had a fever for more than 5 days,76.1%transient polymorphous exanthema,74.6% bilateral conjunctival hyperemia,47.8%flare and fissure on the oral lip,58.5%strawberry tongue,22.8% firm swelling of hands and feet as well as flushing of palms and soles,3 1.2%subacute desquamation at the junctional site between nail bed and skin,36%cervical lymphadenopathy.Laboratory findings showed a significant increase in the count of peripheral blood leukocytes and pefipheral blood platelets as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 80.5%,87.5%and 96.2% of Patients,respectively.Additionally,81.6%of these patients were positive for C reactive protein and the frequency of coronary aaery involvement was 54.3%.All patients were treated with aspirin,and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin was given to 258 patients.Fever relieved and the condition was controlled in all patients with an average hospitalization period of 8.9 days.Conclusions Kawasaki disease should be suspected in Patients with exanthematous lesions,fever lasting for more than 5 days and poor response to antibiotic therapy.Peripheral blood platelet count and cardiac ultrasound are of great value in the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease.Aspirin iS the first choice in treating Kawasaki disease,and adjunctive high-dose intravennous immunoglobulin treatment may facilitate the quick control offever.

The rats were assigned to blank control group, classical induction group, and drynaria total flavonoid group. Whole bone marrow culture method was applied to isolate and purify rats bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Akaline phosphatase activity, calcium nodes, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 secretion in the process of bone mesenchymal stem cells osteogenic differentiation were detected. The results showed that compared to the blank group and classical group, drynaria total flavonoid promoted osteogenic differentiation accompanied with increased TGF-β1 and BMP-2 secretion (all P＜0. 05). Drynaria total flavonoid may promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via upregulating TGF-β1 and BMP-2 expressions, and play an active role in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Objective To observe therapeutic effects of HuGanJieXian decoction on rats hepatic fibrosis induced by tetrachloride. Methods Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of tetrachloride.HuGanJieXian decoction composed of low, middle, and high dose curcumin were given to these rats respectively at the same time. Sho-saiko-to compound treatment group and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treatment group were made as positive control groups. After twelve weeks, all rats were executed. Serum samples were kept for measuring serum levels of PC-Ⅲ, LN, and HA. Left livers were extirpated for pathologic examination including H.E and Masson stainings. Grade of hepatic fibrosis were evaluated according to SSS system. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of supematant centrifugated from hepatic tissue homogenate were detected. Results Serum levels of PC-Ⅲ, LN, and HA were depressed obviously in decoction groups compared with those of fibrotic group (P<0.05) , especially in the low-dose curcumin group.HuGanJieXian Decoction could increase the level of SOD and decrease the level of MDA (P<0.05) , especially in the low-dose curcumin group. Staining of H. E and Masson showed that degrees of hepatic fibrosis in decoction groups were improved obviously compared with that of the fibrotic group. Conclusion HuGanJieXian Decoction can improve rat hepatic fibrosis, the mechanism of this effect may be associated with protecting hepatic cell membrane and anti- peroxidative damage.

[Summary] Graves'ophthalmopathy ( GO) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves disease ( GD) . It is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder. The estimated incidence of GO in the general population is 16 women and 3 men per 100,000 population every year. Approximately 3%-5% of patients with GO are exposed to the potential of losing their sight and requiring optimized medical intervention. For the clinicians it is helpful to assess the degree of activity and severity of GO;both are important in deciding whether a patient requires intervention and which type of intervention is indicated. These interventions include management of hyperthyroidism, measures to relieve local symptoms, immunosuppressive therapies for active moderate and severe GO, and finally rehabilitative surgery for inactive patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of NGF on apoptosis of HSC in vitro and explore the possible mechanism.MethodsHSC was incubated with different concentrations of NGF.HSC apoptosis was identified by FCM.The expressions of apoptosis-regulating proteins Caspase-3,p53 and Bcl-2 of HSC after apoptosis induced by NGF were examined by immunohistochemical staining.Expressions of NGF and p75NTR were detected by immunofluorescence.ResultsApoptosis index of HSC was higher than that of control group [(22.36±9.51)％ vs (5.88±1.36)％] after treated with NGF (100 ng/ml) (P＜0.05).After incubating with 100 ng/ml NGF for 24 h,the positive expression rates of p53 and Caspase-3 of HSC increased significantly than those of control group [(78.41±4.00)％ vs (34.96±3.84)％,(39.26±1.57)％ vs (9.27±1.01)％,P ＜0.05].The positive expression rate of Bcl-2 protein of HSC significantly decreased compared with that of control group (18.12±1.38)％ vs (91.53±2.98)％ (P＜0.05).When HSC was stimulated with 100 ng/ml NGF for 24 h,the average optical density of NGF increased significantly than control group (6.53±1.40 vs 1.77±0.17) (P＜0.05),while the expression of p75NTR was not significantly changed (3.52±0.36 vs 4.24±0.38) (P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe mechanism of NGF to induce HSC apoptosis may be associated with the up-regulating expression of Caspase3,P53 and down-regulating expression of Bcl-2 on HSC.NGF could be used as an initiating factor and effect factor to increase the expression of NGF on HSC,but it had no significant effect on p75NTR expression.

Objective:To observe the effect of Kechuanning on Th cytokine expression in pediatric virus-induced asthma.Methods:120 cases of pediatric virus-induced asthma were randomly divided into Kechuanning group(treatment group,n =60,treated with Kechuanning) and Western medicine group(control group,n=60,treated with virazole).The change of Th1 cytokine IL-12 and Th2 cytokine IL-4 in blood serum were detected and analyzed.Results:Kechuanning could increase IL-12 but decrease IL-4 level in the patient's blood,therefore regulate Th cell subset,and the effect was more obvious than in control group.Conclusion:The mechanism of Kechuanning in curing pediatrics asthma induced by virus was related with increasing IL-12 and decreasing IL-4 level.

Objective To develop a new treament strategy for Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.Methods Three infants who were diagnosed with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome and suffered from thrombocytopenia as well as bleeding and clotting disorders were treated with percutaneous selective digital subtraction angiography combined with transarterial hardened embolization under general anesthesia.Sclerosing agents included bleomycin A5 (4.0 mg),iodized oil (1.5 ml),dexamethasone (2.5 mg) and iopamidol (3 ml).Polyvinyl alcohol mixed with iopamidol (at a volume fraction of 0.5) served as the embolic material.Results All the three patients were successfully treated by the minimally invasive surgery.The amount of blood platelet returned to normal within 24 hours after the operation.On the fourth day,all the patients were discharged from hospital with the restoration of coagulation function.Revisits at one month and three months after the operation showed that hemangiomas markedly shrank and even subsided,and blood platelet count was maintained within normal range.Conclusions Percutaneous selective digital subtraction angiography combined with transarterial hardened embolization can result in a recovery of blood platelet count and shrinkage of hemangioma,and may serve as a minimally invasive treatment option for Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

Sixty-one newly-diagnosed diabetic patients from high altitude area were treated individually plus metformin 1.5 g/d for 14 days. The difference of oxygen partial pressure was 3.5 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0. 133kPa) between altitude 2 260 m and 2 780 m districts. In these patients, their serum lactic acid was increased before treatment. At altitude 2 780 m district, serum lactic acid in middle-aged and elder groups were even higher [(3.90±0.85 vs 3.65±0.70), (4. 67±0.80 vs 3.69±0.78) mmol/L, both P＜0. 05＝. After 14-day treatment, serum lactic acid in middle-aged diabetic patients remained statistically unchanged [(4.50±0.50 and 3.79±0.62 ) mmol/L, P＞0.05], while that in elder patients was increased significantly [(5.59±0.55 and 5.27±0.43 ) mmol/L,P＜0. 05]. The results suggested that metformin should not be used or be used carefully in elder diabetic patients at high altitude area.

We revisited the "Xiao Chaihu Decoction event (XCHDE)" occurred in late 1980s in Japan and the Bupleuri Radix related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in China After careful review, comparison, analysis and evaluation, we think the interstitial pneumonitis, drug induced Liver injury (DILI) and other severe adverse drug envents (ADEs) including death happened in Japan is probably results from multiple factors, including combinatory use of XCHDE with interferon, Kampo usage under modern medicine theory guidance, and use of XCHD on the basis of disease diagnosis instead of traditional Chinese syndrome complex differentiation. There are less ADE case reports related to XCHD preparation in China compared to Japan, mostly manifest with hypersensitivity responses of skin and perfuse perspiration. The symptoms of Radix Bupleuri injection related ADEs mainly manifest hypersensitivity-like response, 2 cases of intravenous infusion instead of intramuscular injection developed hypokalemia and renal failure. One case died from severe hypersensitivity shock. In Chinese literatures, there is no report of the interstitial pneumonitis and DILI associated with XCHDG in Japan. So far, there is no voluntary monitoring data and large sample clinical research data available. The author elaborated the classification of "reevaluation" and clarified "re-evaluation upon events" included the reaction to the suspected safety and efficacy events. Based on the current status of the clinical research on the Radix Bupleuri preparations, the author points out that post-marketing "re-evaluation upon suspected event" is not only a necessity of continuous evaluation of the safety, efficacy of drugs, it is also a necessity for providing objective clinical research data to share with the international and domestic drug administrations in the risk-benefit evaluation. It is also the unavoidable pathway to culture and push the excellent species and famous brands of TCM to the international market, in that it enhances the pharmaceutical manufactures the ability to control enterprise risk and eliminate the negative impact on traditional Chinese medicine. With the widely used and ADR report concentrated Radix Bupleuri injection as an example, the author provide a new approach to post-marketing clinical research.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing ; methods ; Safety

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect and the possible mechanism of Jiexiao Oral Liquid (JXOL) in preventing and curing virus induced asthma in children.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty patients of acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI) with asthma history were randomly divided into 2 groups. JXOL was given to the treated group within 24 hrs after occurrence of AURTI symptoms, and virazole of 10-15 mg.kg-1.d-1 was given to the control group, the therapeutic course for both groups was 7 days. Changes of clinical symptoms, signs, therapeutic effect, pulmonary function and immuno-globulin in patients were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the treated group was 83.8%, the clinical control rate was 48.8%, while those in the control group were 62.5% and 23.8% respectively, showing significant difference between them (P < 0.01). JXOL could obviously improve the indexes of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF), reduce the level of IgE, as compared with those before treatment, the difference was significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); it also showed significant difference as compared with those in the control group after treatment. The changes of IgA, IgG and IgM after treatment showed insignificant difference.

CONCLUSIONJXOL was effective in preventing and curing virus induced asthma in children, it also shows pulmonary function improving and immune regulating effects.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; virology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; virology