Objective To evaluate the characters of respiratory function in children with chronic cough and explore the correlative association between cough variant asthma(CVA) and etiology of chronic cough.Methods One hundred and forty patients with chronic cough were divided into 2 groups based on peak expiratory flow(PEF) or forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1).Ninty-three cases were done exercise test and 47 cases were done bronchoditor rest.The parameters included forced vital capacity(FVC),FEV1,PEF,forced expiratory flow at 50% and 75%(FEF50,FEF75).Results The measurement 35 cases with positive bronchoditor rest,and 30 cases with positive exercise test were found.The PEF and FEV1 variation rate were(18.30?10.50)%,(18.78?9.44)% in exercise test groups,and(30.36?27.27)%,(36.13?26.83)% in bronchoditor rest groups,respectively.Conclusions FEV1,PEF may be used as markers for the reversibility of airway obstructe in children with CVA.There is significant correlation between PEF and FEV1.Respiratory function mensurate may reflect the change and degree of inflammation in the airway of children with chronic cough.

BACKGROUNDTo explore the effect of human osteopontin (hOPN) on the proliferation, transmigration and expression of matrix metallproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in osteosarcoma (OS) cells in vitro.

METHODSThe prokaryotic-expression vector of hOPN was produced. hOPN was then subcloned into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and purified with ProBond trade mark Columns. The proliferation, cell cycle and the expression of cyclin A in OS cells were investigated by using MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot respectively. The transmigration of OS cells was checked by using transwell cell culture chamber. The micro-pore-filter-membrane system was used to study the chemiotaxis of hOPN to OS cells. The levels of total protein were examined according to Coomassie Brilliant Blue manuals. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by detecting the volume of degradation of gelatin on SDS-PAGE gel.

RESULTSThe prokaryotic-expression vector of hOPN and purified hOPN protein were achieved hOPN promoted OS cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and stimulated cyclin A expression in OS cells to accelerate cell division cycle. hOPN facilitated the trans-membrane migration of OS cells. hOPN also enhanced the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in OS cells.

CONCLUSIONhOPN could stimulate cyclin A expression in OS cells. hOPN has chemiotaxis to OS cells and increases their transmigration. hOPN enhances the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in OS cells.

Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; secretion ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; secretion ; Osteopontin ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Sialoglycoproteins ; pharmacology

No abstract available.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ideal method for correction of vermilion deformity in congenital cleft lip.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2010 to Jan. 2013, 68 cases with congenital cleft lip underwent vermilion deformities correction with composite skin-vermilion triangle fap and functional reposition of orbicularis oris muscle.

RESULTSPrimary healing was achieved in all the patients. 46 cases were followed up for 3 months to one year. Asymmetric thickness of vermilion and tubercle malposition happened in 8 cases. All the other patients had a satisfactory result with symmetric and fluent cupid' s bow and everting tubercle.

CONCLUSIONWell reposition of orbicularis oris muscle is key for correction of vermilion deformity and tubercle reconstruction. This technique is very simple and practical.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lip ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of 131I on apoptosis of thyrocytes in patients with Graves disease. Methods Forty-seven patients with Graves disease were divided into two groups, two week group (G2w) and four week group (G4w). All patients underwent thyoid needle biopsy before 131I treatment and the repeated biopsy at two weeks (G2w) or four weeks (G4w) after 131I treatment. The positive units of pro-apoptotic proteins (Fas, FasL) and anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) were studied with immunohistochemistry staining. The differences of the two groups were compared with t-test. Liner correlation analysis was applied to study the correlation between 131I dose and apoptosis-related proteins and that between serum sTSH after 131I treatment and apoptosis-related proteins. Results Fas, FasL and Bcl-2 expression (positive units) were significantly increased in both groups after 131I treatment, G2w :22.84 ± 9.31 vs 16.20 ± 6.75,21.13±6.29vs 14.56±4.06, 21.69±7.83 vs 15.22 ±5.94, t= -3.08, -3.73, -4.05 (allP<0.05); G4w:21.69 ±4.52 vs 15.83 ±5.03, 19. 11 ±3.75 vs 14.02 ±4.98, 19.06 ±3.44 vs 16.63 ±4. 73, t = - 5.26, - 5.00, - 2.41 (all P<0.05). However, no statistical differences were found between G2w and G4w (t = 0. 53, 0. 82, 1.46, all P > 0.05). Significant correlation was found between 131I 0. 727, rFasL = 0. 763 (both P<0.05)), but not between the dose and Bcl-2, rBcl-2 = - 0. 094, 0. 102(both P > 0.05). There were significant correlation between serum sTSH three months after 131I treatment and apoptosis-related proteins, rFas = 0.433, rFasL = 0. 601, rBcln2 = - 0. 397, (all P<0. 05). Conclusions 131I can induce thyrocytes to express the pro-apoptotic proteins in patients with Graves disease.

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of survivin and COX-2 in giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) and explore the prognostic factors for GCT.

METHODSThe expressions of survivin and COX-2 in 39 GCT tissues of three Jaffe grades and 4 normal bone tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the data were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological features of the patients.

RESULTSThe expressions of survivin and COX-2 were significantly higher in the GCT tissues than in normal bone tissues (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between survivin and COX-2 expressions and the pathological grade (P<0.01), but their expressions were not correlated to the patients' gender, age or surgical approaches (P>0.05). An obviously lowered recurrence rate was observed in patients with resection of the bone segment compromised by the tumor and subsequent bone grafting. Survivin and COX-2 were not independent risk factors of the prognosis of GCT.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin and COX-2 expressions may participate in the pathogenesis and development of GCT, but is not indicative of the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the autodestruction of the injured spinal cord. This study was to detect the antioxidation of melatonin against spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.

METHODSSity Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: group A (n = 15) for laminectomyanly, group B (n = 15) for laminectomy with SCI, group C (n = 15) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of a bolus of 100 mg/kg melatonin, and group D (n = 15) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of saline containing 5% ethanol. The SCI of animal model was made using modified Allen's method on T12. Six rats of each group were sacrificed 4 hours after injury, and the levels of free iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the involved spinal cord segments were measured by the bleomycin assay and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) separately. Functional recovery of the spinal cord was assessed by Modified Tarlov's scale and the inclined plane method at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days after SCI. The histologic changes of the damaged spinal cord were also examined at 7 days after SCI.

RESULTSAfter SCI, the levels of free iron and MDA were increased significantly and the modified Tarlov's score and inclined plane angle decreased significantly in groups B and D. In group C, the Tarlov's score and inclined plane angle were increased significantly at 7, 14 and 21 days, with histological improvement.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin can reduce the level of lipid peroxidation and prevent damage to the spinal cord of rat.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Iron ; analysis ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of free iron contents and its relationship to the changes of lipid peroxidation after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODSSprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=6) received no operation; Group B (n=48) received only laminectomy (sham); and Group C (n=48) received both laminectomy and traumatic injury (SCI model). The SCI animal models were made by using an modified Allen's weight-drop device (50 g.cm) on T(12). Rats were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours after injury. The levels of free iron involved in spinal cord segments at different time points were measured by bleomycin assay. The malondialdehyde (MDA) was also measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA).

RESULTSAfter SCI in Group C, the level of free iron showed a significant increase at 0.5 hour compared to Groups B and A, restored to the control level at 6 h; the level of MDA was increased at 0.5 hour, peaked at 3 hours, returned to the control level at 12 hours; the concentrations of free iron and lipid peroxidation in injured rats were significantly and positively correlated at 0.5-3 hours.

CONCLUSIONSAfter SCI the levels of free iron are increased quickly and might be a major contributor to lipid peroxidation in injured spinal cord.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Iron ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of palmitic acid (PA) on oxidative stress and activation of inflammasomes in hepatocytes.

METHODSTo test the dose-dependent effect of PA on normal murine hepatocytes AML12, the cells were treated with 0, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.4 mmol/L of palmitic acid (PA). The cells were also divided into blank control group, 0.25 mmol/L PA group and 0.25 mmol/L PA+N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group to examine the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the activation of inflammasomes. After 24 h of treatment, lipid accumulation, total ROS, mitochondrial ROS, expression and localization of NOX4, and expressions of inflammasomes and IL-1β were detected in the hepatocytes.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, PA treatment of the cells significantly increased cytoplasmic lipid accumulation, concentrations of total ROS (12 463.09±2.72 vs 6691.23±2.45, P=0.00) and mitochondrial ROS (64.98±0.94 vs 45.04±0.92, P=0.00), and the expressions of NOX4, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β (1603.52±1.32 vs 2629.33±2.57, P=0.00). The mitochondria and NOX4 were found to be co-localized in the cytoplasm. NAC obviously reduced cellular ROS level stimulated by PA (7782.15±2.87 vs 5445.6±1.17, P=0.00) and suppressed the expressions of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1.

CONCLUSIONPA treatment can stimulate lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and induce oxidative stress through NOX4 and mitochondria pathway to activate inflammasomes and stimulate the secretion of IL-1β.

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inflammasomes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; NADPH Oxidase 4 ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Oxidative Stress ; Palmitic Acid ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism