OBJECTIVETo study the value of bedside lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 49 neonates who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital in March 2017 with respiratory symptoms as the chief complaint were enrolled. Bedside lung ultrasound was performed within 24 hours after admission. A retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data and lung ultrasound findings. The value of bedside lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia was evaluated.

RESULTSAccording to the gold standard for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia, of all 49 neonates, 44 were diagnosed with pneumonia. According to the criteria for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia based on lung ultrasound findings, 38 neonates were diagnosed with pneumonia. In the neonates with respiratory symptoms, lung ultrasound had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 45% in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia. Among the 44 cases of neonatal pneumonia diagnosed by the gold standard, the lung ultrasonic images showed B-lines in all 44 neonates (100%), 75% had pleural line abnormalities, 36% had patchy or local hypoechoic area in the lung, 27% had alveolar-interstitial syndrome, and 20% had air bronchogram.

CONCLUSIONSAs a new diagnostic technique in clinical practice, bedside lung ultrasound has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia and can thus be used as a tool for the diagnosis of this disease.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regular pattern of the distribution of skin epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in the different parts of a healthy human body, and to evaluate the feasibility of the identification of ESCs by P63 and CD29 with single and double labeling.

METHODSFull-thickness skin samples from 21 parts (including scalp, dorsum of foot, sole of foot, pubic region, and scrotum) of 5 healthy persons were harvested for the study. Immunohistochemistry method with biotin-streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (SP) was employed with P63 and CD29 as the first antibody to carry out single and double labeling. The staining results were subjected to image analysis. The distribution of the ESCs in the skin from the above parts was observed and expressed as positive unit (PU) value.

RESULTSIt was found by P63 single labeling and P63 and CD29 double labeling that the PU value in the dorsum of foot was the lowest while that in the scalp was the highest among all the parts of a healthy body. It was also found by CD29 single labeling that the PU value in the dorsum of foot was the lowest [(11.9 +/- 1.5)%] while highest in the scalp [(29.1 +/- 5.0)%]. The PU value in the hairy region of a human body was evidently higher than that in the non-hairy region (P < 0.01), when examined by P63 and CD29 single and double labeling. But there was no difference in the PU values between the trunk and limbs by means of P63 and CD29 single and double labeling (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are more ESCs in the skin from the scalp, mons pubis and scrotum than other parts of the body. Single P63 or CD29 labeling exhibits higher sensitivity but lower specificity in the identification of ESCs. While the double labeling method exhibits higher specificity but lower sensitivity. Above all, it seems that the double labeling may be a simple and effective method for the identification of ESCs.

Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrin beta1 ; Male ; Skin ; cytology ; Stem Cells

The outcome and influencing factors in the reversion of impaired glucose regulation(IGR)to normal glycemia(NG)after health education for one year were analyzed by the criterion of American Diabetes Association 2003.The results showed that the improvement of glucose regulation well accorded with the improvement of insulin resistance and islet 13-cell function.Fasting plasma glucose,fasting insulin,triglycerides, insulin resistance and islet?-cell function were the influencing factors for the reversion of IGR to NG.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of phosphorylated Smad2 (P-Smad2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.

METHODSThe expressions of P-Smad2 and PTEN were detected using Envision immunohistochemical technique in 31 cases of HCC tissues, 25 cases of HCC adjacent liver tissues and 13 cases of non-hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

RESULTSThe positive expression and staining intensity of PTEN in the cytoplasm of HCC cells (64.5%, 4.19+/-3.31) was significantly lower than those of the cells of the cancer adjacent tissues and non-cancerous tissues (96.0%, 7.88+/-0.93; 100%, 7.77+/-0.93). The staining intensity of PTEN in the cytoplasm of Edmondson pathologic grade III HCC cells was lower than those of the Edmondson grade I. The expression of PTEN was negatively correlated with intrahepatic vascular cancer thrombi (r=-0.43) and the expression of PTEN in the nuclei or cytoplasm of liver cells was negatively correlated with the liver disease progressions (r=-0.34). The positive rate and expression intensity of phosphorylated Smad2 in nuclei of HCC cells were the same as those in cancer adjacent and non-tumor liver tissues. The expression was mostly in the nucleus and cytoplasm of Edmondson grade I HCC cells, cancer adjacent liver tissue cells and non-tumor liver tissues, but its expression was only in the nuclei of Edmondson grade II and III HCC cells. The phosphorylated Smad2 expression appeared in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of liver cells and it was positively correlated with the severity of the tumor pathology (r=0.22). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between PTEN and phosphorylated Smad2 in HCC tissues (r=-0.73).

CONCLUSIONSThe aberrant expressions of PTEN and phosphorylated Smad2 and their interaction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of aerosols on the expression of cyclin B(1), cyclin C and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in wound tissue healing of burned rat models.

METHODSSprague Dawley (SD) rats were inflicted as the deep partial thickness burn models. Rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group were treated with aerosols. Samples were collected in 1 approximately 10 postburn days. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis methods were conducted to examine the expression of cyclin B(1), cyclin C and PCNA in both experimental and control groups.

RESULTSThe expression of cyclin C in experimental group was detected in nucleus of skin basal cell on the second postburn day, increased evidently at the fifth days and sustained at high expression level up to the tenth days after treatment. The expression of cyclin C in experimental group was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA was first observed in skin basal cell nucleus and hair follicle cell nucleus in both experimental and control group on the third postburn day. The expression of PCNA increased evidently at the fifth days in experimental after treatment and that increased evidently at the seventh days in control group, which showed there were lots of active proliferation cell. And the difference of the expression of PCNA between experimental and control group was significant (P < 0.01). The expression of cyclin B(1) was detected in nucleus and cytoplasm of skin basal cell in both groups on the third postburn day, and no difference between the experimental and control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAerosols can up-regulate the expression of cyclin C and PCNA in skin basal cell nucleus. Therefore the aerosols can accelerate wound tissue healing.

Aerosols ; Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; therapy ; Cyclin B ; biosynthesis ; Cyclin B1 ; Cyclin C ; Cyclins ; biosynthesis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; methods ; Female ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of pravastatin on the proliferation and invasion of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line.

METHODSThe effects of pravastatin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay, Boyden chamber assay and motility assay. p38 activity was measured, and the expression of p-p38, MKP-1, RhoC and MMP-2 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSPravastatin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. The intracellular p38 activity and expressions of p-p38, RhoC and MMP-2 were decreased, while MKP-1 expression was elevated in pravastatin treated cells. In addition, pravastatin inhibited the invasion and motility.

CONCLUSIONPravastatin can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pravastatin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of citrus reticulata blanco extract on the proliferation and collagen metabolism of fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar.

METHODSHuman hypertrophic scar fibroblasts from two burn patients obtained from plastic surgery were cultured in vitro and divided into experimental group (n = 12, with basic culture medium and 2.5, 5.0, 10.0,25.0 mg/L citrus reticulata blanco extract, respectively, 3 bottles for each concentration of citrus reticulata blanco extract ), control group 1 (n = 3, with basic culture medium) , and control group 2 ( n = 3, with basic culture medium and 5% ethyl alcohol). The cell proliferation in each group was observed with MTT method, then the inhibition rate was calculated. Apoptosis and its index ( AI) in each group were determined after TUNEL staining . The changes in the content of ICTP and PINP in each group were observed by radioimmunity.

RESULTSThe inhibition rate in the experimental group with the citrus reticulata blanco extract in concentration of 2. 5, 5.0, 10.0, 25. 0 microg/ ml were (7. 100+/-0.038)% , (8. 100+/- 0. 048)% , (10. 900+/-0. 055)%, (15.900+/-0. 097) %, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in other two groups ( P <0.05 ). The Al (69. 7% , 71.7%, 86.4% , 95.2% ), ICTP [(17.2+/-0.6), (18.3+/-0.6), (19.8+/-0.5), (23.2+/-0.6) microg/L] and PINP [ (101.7+/-1.4) , (107. 8+/-1. 1) , (111.6+/-1.2) , (124. 6+/-1.3) microg/L] in experimental group with the citrus reticulata blanco extract in concentration of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 , 25.0 mg/L were also obviously higher than other two control groups( P <0.05) ,but these indices in control 1 group were similar to those in control 2 group( P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe citrus reticulata blanco extract might be beneficial for the management of hypertrophic scar through inhibition of the proliferation of fibroblasts in hypertrophic scar, by promoting apoptosis and collagen degradation.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans

This study was undertaken to observe the effect of acute stress on seizure occurrence in chronic period of epileptic model rats. Lithium-pilocarpine (LiCl-PILO)-induced epileptic rat model was constructed. At the spontaneous recurrent seizure period, acute stress stimulations such as cat's urine and foot electrical shock were applied to observe the behavioral changes and seizure occurrence. The results showed that after the cat's urine stimulation, the self-directed behaviors of the epileptic model rats decreased significantly, while the risk assessment behaviors increased significantly. The seizure occurrence, however, was not observed during the 45 min after the stimulation. Applying electrical foot shocks also did not evoke seizures in epileptic model rats. On the contrast, intra-peritoneal injection of low dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 30 mg/kg) evoked seizure more efficiently, and the duration of seizure activity was extensively prolonged in epileptic model rats than that of control rats. Taken together, these results indicate that although applying stress stimulations such as cat's urine and electrical foot shock cause several behavioral changes, they are not severe enough to evoke seizure in epileptic model rats.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Lithium Chloride ; adverse effects ; Pentylenetetrazole ; adverse effects ; Pilocarpine ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Seizures ; physiopathology ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential correlation between creatine kinase and the long-term patency of coronary drug eluting stents.

METHODSThe clinical data of 74 patients who had undergone coronary computed tomography angiography after drug eluting stents implantation were retrospecpectively analyzed. Based on the computed tomography angiography findings,these patients were divided into patency group and non-patency group. The mean follow-up time was (20.5 ± 13.1) months. The serum levels of creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme were measured to determine the relationship of stent patency with these oxidative-related biomarkers after long-term follow-up. The T test or non-parametric test was adopted to compare the intergroup difference of measurement data,whereas chi-square test was conducted to test the difference of enumeration data. Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the biochemical indexes and clinical information. Only variables with a P value of less than 0.05 in the univariable analyses entered the multivariate Logistic regression model.

RESULTSPatients in the non-patency group had significantly higher serum creatine kinase level compared with patients in patency group [(115.5 ± 51.5)U/L vs.(75.9 ± 29.4)U/L, P=0.012] and significantly higher level of creatine kinase isoenzyme [(3.5 ± 5.3)U/L vs.(1.7 ± 1.3)U/L,P=0.034]. Furthermore,the Logistic analysis showed that serum creatine kinase level (odds ratio=1.573,95% CI=1.022-2.421, P=0.039)was an independent predictor of stent patency.

CONCLUSIONCreatine kinase is an independent risk factor associated with stent non-patency.

Chi-Square Distribution ; Coronary Angiography ; Creatine Kinase ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Risk Factors ; Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential correlation between apolipoprotein (Apo) levels and coronary atherosclerosis and investigate its predictive value for coronary artery lesions in asymptomatic population without diabetes.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from 401 asymptomatic patients who took health check-ups. They were divided into atherosclerosis group (n=224)and control group (n=177) based on the outcome of CT angiography and blood biochemical findings. The risk factors, lipid profiles, and Apo levels were compared between these two groups. The best biochemical indicators for predicting the coronary atherosclerosis were explored.

RESULTSThe levels of ApoB, ApoC2,ApoC3,and ApoE and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis group than in the control group (all P<0.01), whereas the ApoA1,ApoA2, and lipoprotein a levels showed no such significant difference (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, male, hypertension,ApoC3(OR=1.572,95%CI 1.200-2.061) and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (OR=1.767,95% CI 1.335-2.338) were independently correlated with coronary atherosclerosis (all P<0.01). In the prediction of the presence of plaque, ApoB had the largest area under curves, and the optimal cutoff point was 1.005 g/L.

CONCLUSIONSApoC3 is closely associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis,while the decrease of ApoA1 level is not obvious during this period. Compared with other lipid indicators, ApoB is the strongest predictor for coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic non-diabetic population.

Angiography ; Apolipoproteins ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors