Objective To find the relationship between mutation of gamma 2 subunit of the gamma-aminobatyric acid type A receptor(GABRG2) and generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus(GEFS+).Methods Probands of 10 families with GEFS+ were selected,the GABRG2 gene were sequenced.Results We found a single nucleotide polymorphism site,and did not find the reported mutations.Conclusion GABRG2 mutation is not common in Hans of northern China.

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

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective: To study the effects of the melt casting and the sintering methods on the machinability and other characteristics of K_2O-MgO-MgF_2-SiO_2 glass-ceramics. Methods: X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)were used to examine the main crystal and the microstructure of the glass ceramics of the same composition which were made by melt casting and sintering methods, respectively. The transmissivity, flexural strength and brittleness index were observed respectively. Results: The glass ceramics made by two different methods have the same crystal, KMg_(2.5)Si_4O_(10)F_2, while the specimen prepared by the sintering method had lower transmissivity,better machinability and mechanical properties due to the higher mica volume percent. Conclusion; For production of fluoro-mica glass ceramics, sintering method has superiority compared to melt-casting method.

BACKGROUND: Progress of lung infection after kidney transplantation is rapid, and the adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs is critical, which related to the prognosis of pneumonia and the maintenance of renal function. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis for the pneumonitis post-kidney transplantation is of great significance for choosing the appropriate treatment scheme. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection at different periods after kidney transplantation, and then to explore the proper treatment scheme. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 178 cases of pulmonary infection at different periods after kidney transplantation was performed. According to the progress of patients with lung inflammation, the lung infection was divided into three phases: early, advanced, and phases, and then given different immunosuppressive treatments combined with glucocorticoids; for those with unclear pathogens, given broad-spectrum antibiotics, antiviral, anti-fungal and other drugs, and targeted anti-infective treatment was underwent once pathogen was confirmed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There were 178 patients with pulmonary infection after kidney transplantation, 90 cases occurred at postoperative 1-6 months (78 cases at postoperative 2-4 months), 16 cases occurred at postoperative 6-12 months, 14 cases occurred at postoperative 12-24 months, 12 cases occurred at postoperative 24-36 months, and 46 cases occurred at postoperative more than 36 months. (2) The clinical symptoms of pulmonary infection at the early stage were not obvious, fever was the earliest or primary symptom, and sometimes it was the only symptom. In some cases, the patients appeared with dry cough, expectoration with white mucous sputum, and the amount of sputum increased if infected with mixed bacteria or fungus. But the pulmonary signs are unobvious, and the main imageology feature of lung tissues showed interstitial inflammation. (3) Totally 173 patients were cured, the recovery rate reached to 97.2% and the curative efficacy was satisfactory. (4) Among five patients who dead from pulmonary infection, three were died from acute respiratory failure, and two were for multiple organ failure. Three patients presented with acute rejection to transplant kidney and were cured, and six patients suffered impaired renal function. (5) These results suggest that there is potential risk for pulmonary infection after renal transplantation and it develops rapidly. Based on the situation of pulmonary infection, the physicians can adjust the dose of immunosuppressor and hormone in time, so as to improve the immunosuppressive state and clarify the pathogen for pulmonary infection, then corresponding treatment for anti-infection will be offered, which is beneficial to increase the recovery rate of pulmonary infection and improve the stability of transplanted renal functions.

OBJECTIVESTo explore the relationship between sleep architecture changes and cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODSThirty-six patients with OSAS and 18 controls were administered polysomnography and neuropsychological tests of visual regeneration, digital symbol, comprehensive memory and digital span.

RESULTSPerformances on the visual regeneration test and digital symbol test in patients with OSAS were impaired significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Patients' performance on the visual regeneration test was significantly associated with slow wave sleep duration (r = 0.423, P < 0.05) and that on the digital symbol test was significantly associated with REM sleep duration (r = 0.378, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSlow wave sleep and REM sleep derivation may play a role in the cognitive impairment in patients with OSAS.

Adult ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder ; etiology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications ; psychology ; Sleep Stages ; physiology ; Sleep, REM

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; mortality ; therapy ; Plasma ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gene expression of mouse uroplakin II (UPII) promoter on human bladder cell cancer cell line.

METHODSThe mRNA expression of different cell lines was quantified by RT-PCR. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase (Luc) were used as reporter genes. The plasmids carrying UPII or GFP were constructed and transfected into human cell lines of bladder transitional cell cancer (BIU-87), kindey cancer (GRC-1), vascular endothelium (EC), lung cancer cell line (A549) and skin fibroblast cell line (Hs27). GFP activity of cells was detected by confocual microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM). Luciferase value was measured by luminometer (microplate) and luciferase to beta-galactosidase ratios (L/G values) were used for evaluating transfection efficiency.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed high expression level of UPII mRNA in bladder cancer cell line BIU-87, whereas low level or no expression in nonbladder cancer cell lines. The activity of GFP in bladder cancer (BIU-87) cell was higher than that in the other cell lines (5 - 10/HP versus 0 - 2/HP), with 4.34% positive cells in BIU-87 detected by FCM, but no positive cell was found in the other cell lines. L/G values indicated that the luciferase expression in human bladder cancer cells transfected with mouse UPII promoter was 1.8 - 8.2-fold as high as that in the nonbladder cell lines.

CONCLUSIONMouse UPII promoter gene can be expressed in a tissue-specific fashion in human urinary bladder cancer. It is capable of initiating transcription of reporter genes in human bladder cancer cell line.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Therapy ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Humans ; Luminescent Proteins ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Organ Specificity ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; Uroplakin II

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy and feasibility of the combination of postural reduction and percutaneous kyphoplasty for traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures.

METHODSThirty-seven patients with single level traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures were included in this study. There are 28 males and 9 females, with an average age of 48 years (range 24 to 79 years). Patients were treated with postural reduction and then percutaneous vertebroplasty with Calcium Phosphate Cement (CPC) were performed on the fractured vertebra. The results were quantitatively evaluated, according to the concept of estimated vertebral height loss and kyphotic angle of the vertebral fractures by preoperative and postoperative plain standing lateral radiographs. Visual analog scale (VAS) and the fracture vertebra shape changes were recorded.

RESULTSPatients were followed up for 9 to 24 months (average 13 months), pain was significantly relieved compared with the preoperative, VAS was reduced averagely from 7.6 +/- 2.5 to 1.8 +/- 1.5, the anterior and middle vertebral height was restored and kyphotic angle was corrected. During the period of follow up, outcomes were satisfactory, without notable correction loss.

CONCLUSIONIf the indications are correctly handled, the combination of postural reduction and percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures can provide significant pain relieve and restore the vertebral height and kyphotic angle.

Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; Spinal Injuries ; surgery ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

Extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease is a major cause of ischemic stroke in Caucasians. However, intracranial artery occlusive disease, especially middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis is more significant in Asians. The underlying mechanisms of ischemic stroke with intracranial artery occlusive lesions is different from that of extracranial artery it is expected to recognize the pathogenesis and epidemiology of intracranial artery occlusive disease. By digital magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and transcranial doppler (TCD) instead of traumatic subtract angiography methods for screening diagnosis of intracranial artery stenosis that were developed in recent two decades. In current paper, we summarized the results studied with MRA and TCD in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Chinese University of Hong Kong with literatures reviews in this field. Two aspects are discussed (1) Methods for diagnosis of intracranial artery stenosis; (2) Epidemiology of intracranial artery stenosis.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; China ; epidemiology ; Constriction, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial