This study is to determine the preventive effect and mechanism of targeting IL-17A on pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis after acute lung injury. Mice were treated with anti-IL-17A antibody on the day 7 and sacrificed on the day 14 after bleomycin lung injury. The pulmonary inflammatory status and the deposition of collagen were measured by HE and Sirius stains staining. The contents of hydroxyproline and collagen were measured by using commercial kits. The survival rate of mice was calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods. The inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by ELISA and the expressions of inflammation-related molecules were detected by Western blotting assay. Targeting of IL-17A could prevent the development of lung inflammation, decrease collagen deposition and the contents of hydroxyproline, and protect against the development of pulmonary fibrosis, which together led to an increase in the animal survival. Moreover, blocking IL-17A decreased the expression ofpro-fibrotic cytokines such as IL-17A, TGF-beta1 and IL-13; increased the expression of anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory factors such as IFN-gamma, COX-2, 5-LOX, 15-LOX. Indeed, IL-17A antagonism suppressed the activation of pro-inflammatory p65NF-kappaB but enhanced the activation of pro-resolving p50NF-kappaB. In conclusion, that blockade of IL-17A prevents the development of pulmonary fibrosis from acute lung injury, is because blocking IL-17A may prevent acute inflammation converting to chronic inflammation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirofiban infusion to infarct related vessels on patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: From Jan 2013 to Jun 2014, a total of 30 STEMI patients were enrolled as tirofiban group (tirofiban 500μg was infused to infarct related vessels during emergency PCI), and received intravenous drip of tirofiban 0.1 μg•kg-1•min-1 for 24h after stent implantation; another 31 STEMI patients were regarded as pure stenting group during the same period and they received direct stent implantation during emergency PCI. Computer-assisted Quantitative Blush Evaluator (QuBE) score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during hospitalization and after six-month follow-up and incidence rate of major adverse cardiovascular events were compared and analyzed between two groups. Results: There were no significant difference in baseline data between two groups, P>0.05. Compared with pure stenting group, after six months, there were significant rise in QuBE score [(10.88±5.03) scores vs. (14.70±6.69) scores] and LVEF [(57.19±4.59)% vs. (59.80±5.34)%], and significant reduction in incidence rate of MACE (35.5% vs. 10.0%) in tirofiban group, P<0.05 all. Conclusion: Tirofiban application in infarct related vessels during emergency PCI in STEMI patients can effectively and safely improve myocardial microcirculation perfusion level and it is worth extending.

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.

Objective To explore the application of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in the treatment of dysphagia post-stroke. Methods Eighty patients were assigned into control and treatment groups. Both groups accepted routine drug treatments and physical therapy, and all patients underwent VFSS on the 1 st and 28th day of the study. The patients in the treatment group accepted weekly VFSS in addition, and their swal-lowing training schedules were formulated according to the VFSS assessment results. Water drinking tests and de-glutition disorders were adopted to assess the patients' swallowing function before and after therapy. Results In treatment group, where the therapy schedule was adjusted using VFSS every week, the adjustment proportion at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week was 20.6% , 40.7% and 15.8% , respectively. Before treatment there was no difference between the two groups with regard to water drinking, deglutition or VFSS scores. After training the water drinking and deglutition results and the time for iodine to transit the oral cavity and pharynx all improved significantly in both groups. The improvements in the treatment group were significantly greater than in the con-trol group. Conclusions Swallowing training based on videofluoroscopic assessment can significantly alleviate post-stroke dysphagia.

Objective To find the optimal route of eontralateral C7 nerve transfer for brachial plexus avulsion injuries through autopsy. Methods The bilateral brachial plexus were exposed on 30 sides of 15 cadaverie specimens of adult. The C7 nerve root was sectioned at the junction site of trunk and division, and then dissected proximally to the foramina. The max length of anterior and posterior division of C7 was measured. The distance between the roof of C7 and the upper trunk and the lower trunk at the affected side through vertebral body route, prespinal route and a subcutaneous tunnel on the anterior surface of the neck was measured. Results The max length of anterior and posterior division of C7 was (7.67±1.06) cm and (7.79±1.36) cm respectively. The distance between the roof of C7 and the upper trunk at the affected side through vertebral body route, prespinal route and a subcutaneous tunnel on the anterior surface of the neck was (6.97±0.56) cm and (10.04±0.94) cm and (16.56±1.24) cm respectively, there were statistical significance among them (P < 0.01). The distance between the roof of C7 and the lower trunk at the affected side through vertebral body route and prespinal route and a subcutaneous tunnel on the anterior surface of the neck was (6.82±0.92) cm、(9.91±0. 83) cm and (17.64±0.97) cm, with a significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion The best way of contralateral C7 nerve transfer for the treatment of brachial plexus injury was through the vertebral body route from the point of anatomy.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of combined treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue ( GnRHa) and growth hormone ( GH) on the linear growth in mid-and late pubertal girls at great bone ages with central precocious puberty ( CPP) or early and fast puberty ( EFP) , and to determine the relation between C-type natriuretic pep-tide ( CNP) signaling pathway and the accelerative effect of GH on long bone growth in these girls.METHODS:Twenty-two girls were diagnosed as CPP or EFP, whose bone ages were older than 11.5 years with impaired predicted adult height ( PAH) , and divided into GnRHa treatment group ( treated with GnRHa alone, slow-release of triptorelin 60~80 μg/kg every 4 weeks, im) and combined treatment group ( treated with GnRHa and GH, 1 U/kg GH every week for 6~7 times, sc) .The height, weight and pubertal stage were determined every 3 months.At the beginning and after 6 months of the treatment, the bone age was evaluated and the serum concentrations of amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide ( NT-proCNP), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) were measured. Height velocity ( HV) , height SD score for bone age ( HtSDSBA ) , PAH and the serum indexes mentioned above were com-pared at the beginning and the end of the treatment.RESULTS: After 6 months of the treatment, HV, ΔHtSDSBA andΔPAH of the girls treated with GnRHa +GH were statistically higher than those of the girls given GnRHa alone ( P <0.01).Serum concentrations of NTproCNP, P1NP and IGF-1 were not significantly different between the beginning and the end of the 6-month combined treatment.The girls treated with GnRHa alone showed a significant decrease in both serum NTproCNP and P1NP levels (P<0.05) and no significant change of serum IGF-1 level after 6 months of the treatment. CONCLUSION:In the CPP or EFP girls who are in mid-and late puberty and at great bone ages, the combined treatment with GnRHa and GH may accelerate linear growth and improve predicted adult height.This effect of GH is not attributed to the change of serum IGF-1 level, and may be related in part to the acceleration of CNP-mediated long bone growth.

To determine whether the pathological changes caused by injury to the spinal cord can be correlated with values obtained by the Magnetic Motor Evoked Potential (MEPs) technique, we studied spinal cords from 41 adult cats who were divided into 4 groups. The groups ranged from normal cats whose spinal cords were not compressed, to slightly, moderately and severely injured. MEPs were recorded before compression and in 30 minutes, 6 hours, 1 week, 2 week and 4 week after the compression unit was installed. Pathological changes with increased pressure were seen in blood vessels, nerve cells and fibers, Nissl substance and the central canal. A reversal of pathological changes was observed in slight or moderate injury during the 4 weeks of the experiment. Extensive injury, however, caused irreversible changes in the nerve cells with loss of motor function. The latency of MEPs at 30 minutes and 6 hours in the slightly injured group was 0.37 and 0.38 times greater than the baseline and returned to normal levels in 4 weeks. In the moderately injured group, the latency was increased 0.77 and 0.81 times and in the severely injured 1.32 and 1.36 times over the baseline. Recovery in the second group was partial and not at all in the severely injured. Thus, there appears to be good correlation between observed pathological changes, motor functions and MEPs.

Objective To explore the relationship between adrenarche and gonadarche.Methods Total 49 idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP)girls,whose serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS)Z scores for chronological age were higher than+2 s at diagnosis.were enrolled.Physical examinations during pubertal stage were repeated at 3-6 months intervals,and serum DHEAS levels were monitored yearly within an average period of 4.08 years.Of them,16 girls were followed up until more than one year after discontinuation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)treatment.Results Before GnRHa treatment,these49 girls presented a younger average age at attainment of pubic hair stage2(PH2)and pubic hair stage3(PH3)than normal(8.07 years vs 11.16 years,8.82 years vs 12.40 years respectively).During GnRHa treatment,the intervals between PH2 and PH3,PH3 and pubic hair stage4(PH4),breast stage 2(B2),and PH2 were longer than normal(1.69 years vs 0.83 years,1.64 years vs 0.60 years,and3.62 years vs 0.76 years respectively).The intervals between PH2 and PH3,as well as B2 and PH2 during GnRHa treatment were also longer than that before GnRHa treatment(1.69 years/35 0.88 years,3.62 years vs 1.13 years respectively).The serum DHEAS Z scores decreased during GnRHa treatment,and increased significantly after GnRHa cessation.Conclusion Gonadarche after age of 6-year-old may lead to earlier adrenarehe.GnRHa treatment might slow down the progression of adrenarche and suppress the hypothalamuspituitary-gonadal axis.

Objective To evaluate the long-term final adult height outcome of combined treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)and recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP).Methods Out of 49 sirls with ICPP[treated with GnRHa at a dose of 60-80 μg/kg every 4 weeks for at least 6 months,whose height velocity fell below 4 cm/year and showed no improvement of predicted adult height(PAH)in 6 months],26 received(rhGH-combined group),in addition to chronological age,and duration of GnRHa treatment,who showed the same growth pattern but refused rhGH treatment,served to evaluate the efficacy of rhGH in addition.At the conclusion of the smdy,all the girls had been followed up for(3.3±1.9)years,and(3.2±0.9)years in rhGH-combined group and control group,respectively;and had achieved adult heisht.To compare the PAH with the final adult height(FAH)before and after treatment in the two groups.Results During rhGH treatment, height velocity of the rhGH-combined girls increased significantly[(6.7±2.0 vs <4)cm/year baseline],RhGH-combined gids showed an adult height far higher than pretreatment PAH [(157.5±4.5 vs 148.1±4.6)cm,P<0.01],and target height[(154.4±4.6)cm] was,significantly excceded.The control group reached an adult heisht also significandy higher than pretreatment PAH[(154.7±5.5vs 150.3±6.0)cm,P<0.01],while target height[(155.6±4.3)cm]was just reached but not significantlyexcceded.The gain in height obtained,calculated between pretreatment PAH and final heisat,(9.4±4.9)cm in rhGH-combined group was much more than that(4.3±4.2)cm in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion RhGH may accelerate the linear growth and improve adult height of GnRHa-treated ICPP girls.

Objective To evaluate the association between two different linear growth patterns with the levels of serum insulin in children bem small for gestational age(SGA).Methods Serum fasting glucose,fasting insulin,and insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I)concentrations were determined in 30 catch-up growth(CUG)children bern SGA [CUG-SGA,16 females,14males,(6.62±0.66)year],37 non-catch-up growth(NCUG)children born SGA[NCUG-SGA,15 females,22 males,(5.97±0.56)year],and42 appropriate for gestational age(AGA)children with normal height[AGA,16females,26males,(7.05±0.39)year].Results (1) Basal fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)were significantly higher in CUG-SGA group than in NCUG-SGA and AGA group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).But there was no difference in fasting insulin between NCUG-SGA group and AGA group.IGF-I levels in CUG-SGA were significantly higher than in NCUG-SGA group[(212.61±17.81 vs 137.40±14.66)ng/ml,P=0.001],but showed no difference from AGA group(P=0.095).(2)In the SGA group,HOMA-IR showed positive correlation with age,△height SDS,and current body mass index.Fasting insulin showed positive correlation with △height SDS(r=0.500,P=0.002)in≤6 year group as well as with △weight SDS(r=0.496,P=0.030)in>6 year group.Conclusions Insulin as a growth factor may participate in postnatal catch-up growth accompanied with increased insulin resistance in SGA children.