Whether or not an abormal expression of IL-6 mRNA in PBMNCs from IDDM patientswas examined using a hihgly sensitive,specific and semiquantitative protocal,i.e.reverse tran-scription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The relative levels of IL-6mRNA in PBM-NCs from 12 early IDDMpatients (8.20?3.85yr),29 newly diagnosed NIDDM patients(54.85?9.12yr)23 normal childrens (8.20?3.26yr) and 12 normal adults (31.92?11.22yr)weredetermined.Significantly high expresion levels of IL-6 mRNA were found in PBMNCs from pa-tients with IDDM (P

Objective　In a RCT study, the safety and efficacy of sabot (a slow-release salbuteral) and volmax (controlled-release salbuterol) were compared in bronchial asthma. Methods　40 patients with moderate to severe asthma were randomly divided into two groups and treated by sabot or volmax for 2 weeks. The FEV1%, peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptom score and use of rescue ventolin were measured to evaluate the effect of treatment. Results　After treatment FEV1%, PEF and symptom score improved and the need for inhaling short-acting beta 2-agonis in both groups reduced significantly. There was no difference of these improvement between two groups. Conclusion　The safety and efficacy of sabot for treatment of asthma was similar to volmax.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of He's Santong needling method on neurological functional deficit in the patient of ischemic apoplexy, and search for an effective method for treatment of ischemic apoplexy.

METHODSAccording to the randomized and multi-central trial principle, 319 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an observation group of 161 cases and a control group of 158 cases. The observation group were treated with He's Santong needling method, i. e. blood letting, puncturing with a red-hot needle and filiform needle therapy by stages, and the control group were treated with acupuncture at 12 points of the hand and foot routinely selected in the department, once daily. After treatment of 30 days, changes of neurological functional deficit score were investigated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 91.93% in the observation group and 70. 25% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in changes of the neurological functional deficit score between the patients at the acute stage and the convalescence (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of He's Santong needling method on ischemic apoplexy at acute stage or convalescence is better than that of the routine point selection.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the interaction of polymorphisms in the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) gene with environmental factors using a hospital-based case-control study. FMETHODS: our-hundred newly diagnosed HCC cases and 400 healthy individuals (non-tumor controls) were enrolled in the study. Demographic information and medical history was obtained by questionnaire. TaqMan minor groove binder real-time PCR was carried out to detect the NQO1 C609T genotype using blood-derived DNA from all study participants. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTSThe frequencies of NQO1 609 CC, CT and TT genotypes were 23.75%, 50.25% and 28.00% in the HCC group, and 37.55%, 43.75% and 18.25% in the control group. The differences between the HCC and control group reached statistical significance (all P less than 0.05). The ORs of NQO1 609 CT and TT genotypes were significantly higher compared to the CC genotype; the adjusted OR(95% CI) of CT was 2.106(1.137-3.110) and of TT was 2.564(1.357-4.744). Individuals carrying the NQO1 609 T allelic gene had a significantly higher risk of HCC than those carrying the C allelic gene; the adjusted OR(95% CI) was 1.86(1.235-2.980). Interactions were found between hepatitis B virus infection with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positivity and NQO1 gene polymorphisms (adjusted OR: 2.431) and history of cancer (adjusted OR: 8.3592).

CONCLUSIONThe NQO1 C609T genotype is associated with increased risk of HCC. Interactions between HBsAg-positive infection, history of cancer, and NQO1 gene polymorphisms may contribute to HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) combined with transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions as well as in the lymph node staging (N staging) of lung cancer.

METHODS129 patients with mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions underwent either TBNA or EUS-FNA with cytological needle aspiration. The samples obtained from TBNA or EUS-FNA were examined by both cytologiy and histopathology.

RESULTSOf the 129 patients, 59 underwent TBNA and 70 EUS-FNA. The diagnostic rate were 84.7% (50/59) by TBNA and 94.3% (66/70) by EUS-FNA, resepectively. The diagnosis of 116 (89.9%) patients were confirmed by either TBNA or EUS-FNA. The pathological and cytological diagnostic rates were 92.2% (107/116) and 88.0% (102/116), resepectively. The diagnostic rate was elevated by 8.4% (9/107) through pathological examination. The histological classification rates by cytological and pathological examination were 73.8% (76/116) and 89.3% (92/103), respectively. The diagnostic rate of histological classification was elevated by 35.5% (27/76) through pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of TBNA and EUS-FNA can improve the diagnostic rate for wider mediastinal and pulmlonary hilar lesions. Pathological examination of the samples obtained from the TBNA and EUS-FNA can elevate not only the rate of diagnosis but also the rate of histological classification.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; secondary ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap (EMR-Cap) and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy (MBM) in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed to review 30 EMR-Cap cases from December 2008 to December 2009 and 32 MBM cases from January 2010 to January 2011 of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. The differences between these two techniques in efficacy, safety, and cost were compared.

RESULTSIn EMR-Cap group, the median resection time was 26(10-56) min and median procedure time was 43(22-81) min, significantly longer than those in MBM group [10(7-18) min and 32(28-45) min, P=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total thickness and depth of resected lesions (P>0.05). In EMR-Cap group, the median cost was significantly higher than that of MBM group [(5466±354) vs. (4014±368) RMB, P=0.008)].

CONCLUSIONSEMR-Cap and MBM are minimally invasive, safe and effective methods in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Compared to the EMR-Cap, MBM is simple with shorter treatment time and lower cost.

Aged ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; surgery ; Precancerous Conditions ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo describe the distribution of cerebral vascular hemodynamic indexes (CVHI).

METHODSA number of 25,355 age 35 and over were selected in the Northeast China by cluster sampling. CVHI were checked during baseline survey and were followed to see the occurrence of stroke. Distribution of CVHI among non-stroke population, individuals prior to the onset of stroke and patients with stroke were described.

RESULTSThe CVHI accumulative score, V(mean), V(max) and V(min) were dramatically decreasing, but RV, Zcv, WV and DR were significantly increasing as age increased. V(max), RV and CP were significantly higher in males but WV was lower than that of females. The CVHI accumulative score, V(min) and RV were 95.0, 10.23 and 75.8 in non-stroke population, 51.25, 6.71 and 122.72 pre stroke group, and 55.0, 6.78 and 115.89 in patients with stroke respectively. There were significant differences among three groups after controlling of age and sex (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONVariance of CVHI was closely related to age, and there appeared a significant abnormal of CVHI before and after stroke.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Stroke ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo sum up the follow-up outcomes of endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) and retrospectively analyze the indications, methods and prognostic factors of EMLP.

METHODSThe collected data of 73 cases who received EMLP with frontal sinus diseases were analyzed in this paper. The mean age was 45.6 (ranging from 14 to 72 years). There were 52 males and 21 females. Only patients with follow-up time greater or equal to 6 months were included. Paranasal sinus CT scan was adopted for all cases and MRI for tumor patients. All patients were followed under endoscope.

RESULTSThere were 21 inverted papilloma in the frontal sinus, 16 chronic sinusitis with asthma, 12 frontal sinusitis, 9 chronic sinusitis with or without polyps, 7 osteoma of the frontal sinus, 4 frontal mucocele, 3 allergic fungal sinusitis and 1 congenital encephalocele. Sixty-one cases had prior surgical history (1.8 times on the average). Their mean follow-up was 25.0 months, (ranging from 6 to 122 months). At the end of follow-up, 44 cases (60.3%) had well opened frontal drainage pathway. Twenty-five (34.2%) was re-stenosed and 4 (5.5%) closed. Seven cases (9.6%) underwent revision surgeries. There were no surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONSEMLP is an effective and salvage procedure in dealing with tumor of frontal sinus and recurrent frontal sinusitis. Combined with medical treatment, EMLP will have a better results for chronic sinusitis with or without polyps and asthma. The degree of diseases, mucosal loss, anatomic variability and prior surgeries are important prognostic factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Sinusitis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reoperation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of liver abscess after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSOf 274 recipients of OLT from January 1993 to June 2003 in our transplant center, liver abscess were identified in 6 recipients (2.2%). The clinical presentation included fever, shiver, abdominal pain, jaundice, hepatic dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, leukocytosis and neutrophilia. They were diagnosed mainly according to the clinical presentation and Ultrasonography or CT scan. The treatments included aspiration and drainage of abscess, removing bile sludge, antibiotics and supportive therapy.

RESULTSOf 6 patients, 2 were cured, 3 refused liver retransplantation and 2 died of serious systemic infection. The cure rate was 33.3%.

CONCLUSIONSthe etiology of liver abscess after OLT is complicated. The predisposing factors might be included hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis, MP pulse therapy, cholangitis and biliary interventional therapy. Its prognosis seemed disappointing. Strong prophylactic measures should be recommended to reduce the liver abscess after OLT.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate biological functions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein 4A (NS4A).

METHODSYeast-two hybrid technique was performed to seek proteins in hepatocytes interacting with HCV NS4A. HCV NS4A bait plasmid was constructed by ligating the NS4A gene with carrier plasmid pGBKT7, then it was transformed into yeast AH109 (alpha type). The transformed yeast cells were amplified and mated with yeast cells Y187 (alpha type) containing liver cDNA library plasmid pACT2 in 2 x YPDA medium. Diploid yeast cells were plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) and synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) containing X-alpha-gal for selection two times. After extracting plasmid from blue colonies, plasmid DNA was transformed into competent E.coli and analyzed by DNA sequencing and bioinformatics methods.

RESULTSAmong twenty-two positive colonies there were eleven positive for metallothionein 2A, three for eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1, two for albumin, two for RNA binding motif protein 21, two for myomesin, one for cytochrome C oxidase II, and one for ATPase.

CONCLUSIONSGenes of HCV NS4A interacting proteins in hepatocytes were successfully cloned and the results pave the way for studying the biological functions of NS4A and associated proteins.

Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; Viral Proteins ; genetics