Objective To summarize the clinical, electrophysiological, pathological characteristics of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Methods From Jan 1990 to Dec 2003, 32 patients of CIDP were admitted by our hospital, 14 male and 18 female. The age range of onset of illness was 13 to 74 years old (averaging 42.56) with the prime period of 40 to 50. Before hospitalization, the course was from 2 months to 5 years. Among all patients, there were 8 cases of a relapsing course and 24 cases of a chronic progressive course. Twenty-four patients were treated with corticosteroids, while 7 received immuglobin (IG) and corticosteroids. The clinical data before and after the treatment was studied retrospectively. Results Most of the patients had subacute or chronic onsets. The common initial symptoms are numbness, paresthesia, and extremity weakness. Diplopia, decreased visual acuity, dysarthria, and dysphagia could also be found initially. It was usually a symmetric sensorimotor neuropathy with either a relapsing course or a chronic progressive course. It could be accompanied with autonomic dysfunction and cranial nerve involvement. Electromyogram demonstrated that the motive and sensory nerve conduction velocities were slow. The sural nerve biopsy showed demyelination and remyelination. `IG and corticosteroids were both effective. Conclusion CIDP might result in widespread peripheral nerve damages, in which autonomic dysfunction and cranial nerve involvement were common. The dominant electrophysiological changes showed peripheral nerve demyelination accompanied by axon degeneration. The sural nerve biopsy played an important role of diagnosis. The treatment with IG and corticosteroids was a most effective way for CIDP nowadays.

To study the bioequivalence of a kind of progesterone sustained release suppository, a randomized cross-over study was conducted in 12 rabbits. A single rectal dose of 2.75 mg/kg progesterone sustained released suppository (tested formulation, T) and progesterone suppository (reference formulation, R) was administered; a multiple dose of 2.75 mg/kg was given up to seven times with an interval of 8 h. Concentrations in serum were determined by a competitive enzyme immunoassay. The main parameters of T were: for single and multiple doses, Cmax was 48.8 +/- 11.8 ng/mL and 43.5 +/- 9.4 ng/mL, Tmax was 0.5 +/- 0.3 h and 0.4 +/- 0.3 h, AUC(0-24 h) was 362.4 +/- 143 ng x h x mL(-1) and 310.6 +/- 70.3 ng x h x mL(-1), respectively. The relative bioavailability of T to R were (104.2 +/- 13.4)% and (111.4 +/- 19.1)%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the two formulations were bioequivalent and T had sustained released feature.
Administration, Rectal ; Biological Availability ; Cross-Over Studies ; Progesterone/administration & dosage ; Progesterone/*pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Suppositories

Objective To explore the effects of Fractalkine (FKN) on the biological functions of human pancreatic cancer cell lines SW-1990 and PNAC-1.Methods Adenovirus mediated FKN-small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into human pancreatic cancer cell lines SW 1990 and PNAC-1.The differences in proliferation and invasion ability between before and after FKN-siRNA transfection were determined by clone formation assay,MTT assay and cells invasion assay.After FKN-siRNA transfection,the expression of FKN,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 at protein and mRNA level in human pancreatic cancer cell were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance.Results After human pancreatic cancer cell lines SW-1990 and PNAC-1 transfected with FKN-siRNA,the clone numbers (5.27 ％ ± 0.35 ％ and 4.60 ％ ± 0.30％ ) increased compared with those of control group ( 1.97％ ±0.25％ and 1.77％ ± 0.25％ ) and negative FKN-siRNA group (2.10％±0.30％ and 1.97％±0.25％),and the difference was statistically significant (F=113.51,103.86; both P＜0.05).The clone size was also enlarged.After human pancreatic cancer cell lines SW-1990 and PNAC-1 transfected with FKN-siRNA for 48 hours and 72 hours,the MTT test results showed the absorbance value (48 h:1.28±0.07 and 1.19±0.14; 72 h:1.49±0.11 and 1.52±0.16) was higher than that of control group (48 h:0.80±0.03 and 0.74±0.11;72 h:0.89±0.03 and 0.93±0.04) and negative FKN-siRNA group (48 h:0.85±0.02 and 0.76±0.05; 72 h:0.89±0.02 and 1.07±0.09),and the difference was statistically significant (F=83.80,71.99,17.19,23.51; all P＜0.05).The invasion ability assay showed that the invasion ability of FKN-siRNA transfected cells was stronger than that of control group and negative FKN-siRNA group,and the difference was statistically significant (F=37.37,9.08; both P＜0.05).After FKN-siRNA transfection,the expression of FKN at protein and mRNA level in SW-1990 and PNAC-1 cell line decreased (protein:F=118.93 and 88.62,mRNA:F=47.91 and 72.59),at the same time the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 at protein and mRNA level increased (protein:FTNF-α =112.90 and 77.88,FIL-6 =165.27 and 286.49,mRNA:FTNF-α ==47.93 and 45.19,FIL-6 =36.41 and 23.67),and the differences were statistically significant (all P values＜0.05).Conclusion With siRNA technology to silent FKN function,the proliferation and invasion ability of pancreatic cancer cell lines increased,which indicated FKN might inhibit certain biological functions of pancreatic cancer cells.

ED are correlated with the severity of CAD in a degree.

Objective To estimate the effect of sun protection education on the severity and treatment of polymorphous light eruption (PLE).Methods Sixty-two patients with PLE were enrolled in this study,and randomly assigned into the control group (n =31) and intervention group (n =31) by using a random number table.Routine therapy was provided to all the subjects at their visits.The intervention group attended two lectures on sun protection at the beginning of spring and summer,and was given an education manual after each lecture.All the subjects completed a face to face interview and a questionnaire on the severity and therapy of PLE at the baseline and 12 months after enrollment.SPSS 11.5 software was used for data processing.Rank sum test,t test and chi-square test were carried out to assess the differences in the severity and treatment of PLE between the control group and intervention group as well as between pre-and post-intervention.Results The patients receiving sun protection education showed a significant decrease in the severity of PLE,including the number of months affected by PLE (t =4.611,P ＜ 0.01),number of PLE episodes (t =3.569,P ＜ 0.01),frequency of facial involvement (Z =2.369,P ＜ 0.05) and the time taken for lesions to appear after sun exposure (Z =2.650,P ＜0.01) in the year after enrollment compared with that before enrollment.Significant differences were also observed between the intervention group and control group in the number of months affected by PLE (t =3.679,P ＜ 0.01),number of PLE episodes (t =2.995,P ＜ 0.05),frequency of facial involvement (Z =2.169,P ＜ 0.05),the time taken for lesions to appear after sun exposure (Z =2.169,P ＜ 0.05) in the year after enrollment.The percentage of patients applying highly potent topical glucocorticosteroids (x2 =10.928,P ＜ 0.01)and administrating antihistamines (x2 =18.723,P ＜ 0.01) as well as the cumulative time of treatment with oral antihistamines (Z =2.656,P ＜ 0.01) were significantly reduced in the intervention group in the year after enrollment than in that before enrollment.Further more,a marked decrease was found in the percentage of patients applying topical highly potent glucocorticosteroids (x2 =4.521,P ＜ 0.05) and administrating antihistamines (x2 =10.949,P ＜0.01) as well as the cumulative time of treatment with oral antihistamines (Z =3.353,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Sun protection education through lectures and manuals appears to be an efficient adjuvant for the relief of PLE severity as well as for the reduction in the use of antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids,suggesting that dermatologists should pay more attention to sun protection education in the treatment of photosensitive diseases.

Objective To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods The clinical and electrophysiological data of 150 cases of CTS involving 173 upper limbs (UL) were collected. And the electrophysiological data of 76 healthy subjects were also collected. The data of EMG between the two groups were compared and analyzed statistically. Results Fibrillation potentials were detected in 114 and 91 UL, respectively, in abductor digiti minimi, and positive sharp waves in 50 and 48 UL, respectively, in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The average conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve was decreased, with motor conduction velocity(MCV) from above to below elbow 34.6?9.75 m/s and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) 45.99?9.65m/s; the motor latency was prolonged and amplitude of motor action potential decreased. There was statistical difference between the patients and the healthy control groups ( P

To study the bioequivalence of a kind of progesterone sustained release suppository, a randomized cross-over study was conducted in 12 rabbits. A single rectal dose of 2.75 mg/kg progesterone sustained released suppository (tested formulation, T) and progesterone suppository(reference formulation, R) was administered; a multiple dose of 2.75 mg/kg was given up to seven times with an interval of 8 h. Concentrations in serum were determined by a competitive enzyme immunoassay. The main parameters of T were: for single and multiple doses, Cmax was 48.8±11.8ng/mL and 43.5±9.4 ng/mL, Tmax was 0.5±0.3 h and 0.4±0.3 h, AUC(0-24h) was 362.4±143 ng·h·mL-1 and 310.6±70.3ng ·h·mL-1,respectively.The relative bioavailability of T to R were ( 104.2 ±13.4) % and ( 111.4 ± 19. 1 ) %, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the two formulations were bioequivalent and T had sustained released feature.

Objective: To determine the distribution characteristics of waist circumference (WC), waist height ratio (WHtR) of 6–18 years olds in Guangzhou, and to put forward the WC and WHtR appropriate boundary values for 6–18 years olds on the basis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor assessment. Methods: We analyzed the height, weight, WC and its metabolic indication data (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipids) of 15 000 children in Guangzhou, aged 6–18, with the receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), and explored the best value point of WC and WHtRfor the prediction of cardiovascular diseases. Results: When the WC percent reached P85, and WHtR reached 0.48, the cardiovascular risk factors of fasting blood-glucose, blood pressure, and blood fat were signiifcantly higher. Conclusion: The 85th percentile value of WC and 0.48 of WHtR are the appropriate boundary values in increasing the cardiovascular disease risk factors in Chinese children and teenagers. WC and WHtR as a relatively simple inspection method, can well predict cardiovascular diseases, and be used in the conventional measuring items among students.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intragastric administration of human interferon-α (hIFN-α)-transformed Bifidobacterium on immune functions of mice.

METHODSThe E.coli-Bifidobacterium shuttle expression vector containing hIFN-α gene was constructed and transformed into Bifidobacterium. The hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium suspension (1010 /ml) was prepared after induction with 0.2% L-arabinose for hIFN-α expression and administered intragastrically in male Balb/C mice at the dose of 0.1 ml every other day for 2 weeks, with the mice receiving empty vector-transformed Bifidobacteria as the negative control and those having an equal volume of saline as the blank control. The percentages of mononuclear cell subsets in the thymus, spleen and blood were detected in the mice by flow cytometry, and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α were assayed using mouse cytokine FlowCytomix Kit.

RESULTSThe percentages of CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells in the thymus, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells in the spleen, and CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells in the blood all increased significantly in IFN group as compared with those in the negative and blank control groups (P<0.01 or 0.05). The serum level of IFN-γ also increased significantly (P<0.05) while IL-4 level remained unchanged in IFN group compared with those in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONIntragastric administration of hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium promotes lymphocyte proliferation and maturation and increases the serum levels of Th1 cytokines in mice.

Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Spleen ; cytology ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis (OP) in aged people at Beicai Town in Shanghai, to provide proofs for preventing OP. Methods Questionnaire survey was carried out on bone density in 608 aged people (aged from 60 to 79 years) who were randomly chosen from 4 resident committees of Beicai Town in Shanghai. Everyone underwent bone mineral density (BMD) assay of lumbar spine and total hip by DEXA machine. Results The rate of OP was 23 % in male group, and 61% in female group. It was 40% in 60-64 years old group, 44% in 65-69 years old group, 53% in 70-74 years old group and 66% in 75-79 years old group. The rate of OP was 52% in manual work group, and 42 % in non-manual work group. In males, it was 54 % in current weight less than 60 kg group, 19% in 60-70 kg group, 15% in 70-80 kg group and 23% in over 80 kg group. In females, it was 76% in current weight less than 50 kg group, 67% in 50-60 kg group, 63% in 60-70kg group, 30% in over 70 kg group. It was 56% in low body weight group, 41% in normal weight group and 58% in over weight group in their 25-year-old. It was 61% in normal body weight group, 43% in overweight group. It was 41% in non-fracture history group, 67% in once fracture group,74% in fracture history more than twice group. It was 60% in mother humpback history group, and 47% in no history of mother humpback group. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age,history of fracture, mother's humpbacked history, disease of internal secretion and metabolism system were the risk factors for OP. Conclusions The occurrence of OP is related with many factors in aged people at Beicai Town in Shanghai, especially for the aged women, who suffer from diseases of internal secretion and metabolism, and has the history of fracture and mother's humpbacked, the attention should be payed to the prevention and treatment of OP.