This study aimed to analyze the etiology of the encephalitis outbreak in Longyan, Fujian Province, China in 2010, in order to provide valuable information for this prevention and control of this disease. Pathogens were confirmed from cerebrospinal fluid samples with fluorescent RT-PCR, virus isolation (RD cells), and neutralization tests. Then, the VP1 fragments or whole genome nucleotide sequences were determined for four virus strains using PCR. Homology was assessed using the MegAlign software, and a phylogenetic evolutionary tree was drawn using Mega 4.0 software. The results confirmed that the etiology of the outbreak was the ECHO6 intestinal virus, and the nucleotide sequence of the VP1 segment indicated that the C2 subtype was responsible. The genome sequence consisted of 7407 nucleotides, and resembled the genome of other ECHO and CoxB viruses with homology levels of 78.5%-87.3%. The encephalitis outbreak in Longyan in 2010 was caused by the ECHO6 C2 subtype intestinal virus, and its complete genome sequence length is similar to the standard strain (U16283) with a sequence homology of 80.4%.
Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Echovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

Background and Objective:Cytokine-induced killer(CIK)cells have high anti-tumor activity for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Whether CIK cell therapy can eradicate residual cancer cells and prevent or postpone tumor relapse after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)should be testified.This study was to evaluate the efficacy of CIK cell therapy combined with TACE on HCC.Methods:A total of 146 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC were divided into combination group (72 patients trealted with CIK cell therapy combined with TACE) and TACE group(74 patients treated only with TACE).The progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were analyzed.Results:The 6-month,1-year,and 2-year PFS rales were 72.2%, 40.4%, 25.3%in combination group, and 34.8%,7.7%,2.6%in TACE group.The median time to progression was 11 months[95%confidence interval(CI),8-1 4 months]in combination group and 5 months(95% CI,4-7 months)in TACE group.The estimated 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year OS rates were 90.3%, 71.9%. 62.4%in combination group,and 74.6%,42.8%,18.8%in TACE group.The median OS was 31 months(95%CI,27-35 months)in combination group and 10 months(95% CI,7-13 months)in TACE group.The times of TACE,ECOG performance status, and CIK cell therapy were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS.Conclusion:Adjuvant immunotherapy with CIK cells could greatly improve the efficacy of TACE on HCC,and plays an important role in prolonging the PFS and OS of HCC patients after TACE.

OJBECTIVETo investigate the predictive value of the qualitative assessment of general movements (GMs) for adverse outcomes at 24 months of age in full-term infants with asphyxia.

METHODSA total of 114 full-term asphyxiated infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 2009 and 2012 and took part in follow-ups after discharge were included in the study. All of them received the qualitative assessment of GMs within 3 months after birth. The development quotient was determined with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 24 months of age.

RESULTSThe results of the qualitative assessment of GMs within 3 months after birth showed that among 114 infants, 20 (17.5%) had poor repertoire movements and 7 (6.1%) had cramped-synchronized movements during the writhing movements period; 8 infants (7.0%) had the absence of fidgety movements during the fidgety movements period. The results of development quotient at 24 months of age showed that 7 infants (6.1%) had adverse developmental outcomes: 6 cases of cerebral palsy and mental retardation and 1 case of mental retardation. There was a poor consistency between poor repertoire movements during the writhing movements period and the developmental outcomes at 24 months of age (Kappa=-0.019; P>0.05). There was a high consistency between cramped-synchronized movements during the writhing movements period and the developmental outcomes at 24 months of age (Kappa=0.848; P<0.05), and the results of predictive values of cramped-synchronized movements were shown as follows: predictive validity 98.2%, sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 99.1%, positive predictive value 85.7%, and negative predictive value 99.1%. There was a high consistency between the absence of fidgety movements during the fidgety movements period and the developmental outcomes at 24 months of age (Kappa=0.786; P<0.05), and its predictive values were expressed as follows: predictive validity 97.4%, sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 98.1%, positive predictive value 75.0%, and negative predictive value 99.1%.

CONCLUSIONSCramped-synchronized movements and absence of fidgety movements can predict adverse developmental outcomes at 24 months of age in full-term infants with asphyxia.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; physiopathology ; Child Development ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Movement ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Qualitative Research

Through protein-protein BLAST of homologous sequences in different species in NCBI database and preliminary simulating molecular docking and molecular dynamics by computer software discovery studio 3.1, three amino acids R25K26K27 of natural human parathyroid hormone (1-34) with Q25E26L27 were mutated and the biological activity of the mutant peptide was evaluated. Result showed that: root mean superposition deviation RMSD value between PTH (1-34)-(RKK-QEL) and PTH (1-34) peptide main chain was 2.509 3, indicating that the differences between the two main chain structural conformation was relatively small; the interaction energy between PTH (1-34)-(RKK-QEL) and its receptor protein PTH1R had been enhanced by 7.5% compared to nature PTH (1-34), from -554.083 kcal x mol(-1) to -599.253 kcal x mol(-1); the number of hydrogen bonds was increased from 32 to 38; PTH (1-34)-(RKK-QEL) can significantly stimulate the RANKL gene expression (P < 0.01) while inhibiting the OPG gene expression (P < 0.01) in UAMS-32P cells; in the co-culture system of UAMS-32P cells and mouse primary femur bone marrow cells, PTH (1-34)-(RKK-QEL) stimulated the formation of osteoclasts (P < 0.01) and had a higher biological activity than PTH (1-34) standard reagents.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; Mice ; Mutant Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Mutation ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Teriparatide ; pharmacology

Using the absorbent resin, silica gel and ODS column chromatography as well as semi-preparative HPLC, ten compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of tubers of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright, and their structures were elucidated as trigoneoside XIIIa (1), parvifloside (2), trigoneoside IVa (3), deltoside (4), protobioside (5), lilioglycoside k (6), zingiberensis newsaponin I (7), deltonin (8), prosapogenin A of dioscin (9), and trillin (10) on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis. Among these compounds, 1, 3, 5 and 6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In the screening test on platelet aggregation, compounds 7 and 8 exhibited induction effect on platelet aggregation, while compound 9 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in vitro.
Animals ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the value of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT imaging combined with continual detection of CA_(125)in serum for diagnosis of early recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Twenty six patients received PET-CT imaging,who were all diagnosed as primary epithelial ovarian cancer of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ and had complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and multiple courses of chemotherapy in Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital.After a steady period,all patients experienced progressive rising of CA_(125)values 3 times in 2 months.But no positive lesion was found by CT, or although suspicious positive focus was found,the recurrent and(or)metastatic extent was not definite. Out of 26 patients,16 were delivered rechemotherapy and(or)radiotherapy,and 10 received re- cytoreductive surgery.Results(1)Of 26 patients,the value of CA_(125)was more than 35 kU/L in 17,and in 14 of 17,pelvic or abdominal cavity recurrence was diagnosed by CT and PET-CT,and 4 showed simuhaneously distant metastasis on PET-CT.In the remaining 3 patients of which CT findings were negative,2 had pelvic and abdominal cavity recurrence,and one had bone metastasis on PET-CT.Of 9 patients with progressive rising CA_(125)levels but the value was less than cut-off(

Objective To investigate the present status of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) in Qingzhou at present, and provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease. Methods According to The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007, children aged 7 to 12 were chosen to receive clinical and X-ray examination in 3 villages of 2 towns in Qingzhou. Local adults aged 16 years and older were clinically diagnosed in 10 villages of 4 towns and divided into different groups according to the clinical degrees and their ages. The Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995) was carded out by clinical and X-ray diagnosis. Results Two hundred and sixty school children aged 7 to 12 were clinically diagnosed, and the patients of I degree upwards of KBD were not detected. One hundred and ninety-eight school children aged 7 to 12 were examined by X-ray, and the detectable rate was 0(0/198). In 7099 adults aged 16 years old upwards clinically tested, 502 patients of degree I and higher of KBD were detected and the detectable rate was 7.07%(502/7099). The patients distributed mainly in the population aged 36 years old and older, accounting for 99.00% (497/502). Conclusions Although KBD in children have been controlled in Qingzhou, it is still serious in adults. So the monitoring of KBD should be carried on and prevention and control for KBD in adults should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mito chondrial K(ATP) channels (mitoK(ATP)) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate(5-HD) on chronic hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension (CHPAH) rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSForty-eight male SD rats were equally divided into 4 groups randomly (n=12): normal group, hypoxia group, hypoxia + 5-HD group, hypoxia + Diazoxide group. Except the first group, the other three groups were put into hypoxic [O2 (10.0% +/- 0.3%] and nonrmobaric chamber for four weeks to establish chronic hypoxic model and received different interference. When the interference completed, right heart catheter was used to detect the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of each rat and PKC-alpha mRNA expression in pulmonary arteries was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein expression by Western blot.

RESULTS(mPAP was much higher in hypoxia group than that in normal group (P < 0.01) while in hypoxia + 5-HD group and hypoxia + diazoxide were decreased significantly compared to hypoxia group (P < 0.01). (2) The protein and mRNA levels of PKC-alpha in the hypoxic group were higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION5-HD plays a protective role on CHPAH. The mechanism of its effect may be attributed to inhibiting MitoK(ATP).

Animals ; Decanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Hydroxy Acids ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of microwave radiation on GC-2spd cells.

METHODSWe exposed cultured GC-2spd cells to microwave radiation at the average power densities of 0, 10 and 30 mW/cm2 for 15 minutes and, from I to 24 hours after the exposure, we observed the changes in cell proliferation, histology and ultrastructure, cell apoptosis, and cAMP content by MTIT, light microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the GC-2spd cells showed a significant decrease in proliferation ability at 1 -24 hours after 10 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation, except at 12 hours after 30 mW/cm2 radiation (P <0.05 or P <0.01), with reduced length and number of cell enation and increased intra cytoplasm vacuoles. The rate of cell apoptosis (%) was significantly increased in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 hours (4.56 +/- 2.09 vs 14.59 +/- 1.09 and 8.48 +/- 1.73, P <0.05 or P <0.01) , with agglutination and margin translocation of chromatins and obvious dilation of endo cytoplasmic reticula. The cAMP content (nmol/g) in the GC-2spd cells was remarkably reduced in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 and 24 hours (2.77 +/-0.24 vs 1.65+/- 0. 17 and 1.96+/-0.10, 3.02 +/-0.47 vs 2.13 +/-0.33 and 1.69 +/-0.27, P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONMicrowave radiation at 10 and 30 mW/cm2 may cause injury to GC-2spd cells, which is manifested by decreased content of intracellular cAMP, reduced activity of cell proliferation, and increased rate of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Spermatocytes ; radiation effects

Objective To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of verapamil as prophylactic therapy for patients withcluster headache, and compare its efficacy with that of prednisone.Methods Prospectively, according to the order of visit, a total of 45 patients with episodic cluster headache or chronic cluster headache were divided into verapamil treatment group (n=23, the odd) and prednisone treatment group (n=22, the even). The seizure frequency, and times of and dosage of using acesodyne were observed in the 2 groups 1 week before treatment, 1 and 2 week after treatment.Results Mean frequency of headache occurrence decreased from 8.78 to 2.52 and 1.35 times,respectively, in the first and second week of treatment in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 8.09 to 2.95 and 1.64 times, respectively, at the corresponding time in the prednisone group (P=0.000). Mean abortive agent consumption decreased from 8.09 to 1.65 and 0.48 pills, respectively, in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 7.77 to 2.59 and 1.36 pills, respectively, in the prednisone group (P=0.000) in the first and second week of treatment; no significant differences existed in the mean frequency of headache and abortive agent consumption between the 2 groups at the same time point (P＞0.05). The side effects of verapamil were mild, including dizziness, constipation and bradycardia and those ofprednisone were insomnia, increased appetite combined with weight gain and discomfort of abdomen. Conclusion Both verapamil and prednisone prophylaxis therapy for episodic and chronic cluster headache yield significant reduction in headache frequency and abortive agent consumption; choices can be made according to different situations.