Objective To summarize the analytical results of radioactivity in the food and drinking water nationwide following the Fukushima nuclear accident,and to evaluate its possible contamination to the public health in China.Methods According to the national standard methods and IAEA,FDA correlative references,the scheme was established on sampling and measurements in food and drinking water after the breakout of the accident.The quality control was requested on the sampling,analyses and data report.Results Trace artificial radioactive isotope of 131I was measured in spinach samples on 2 April 2011 in Beijing. Subsequently 131I was found in 10 kinds of growing leaves vegetables (open field)nationwide.The maximum detectable activity of 131I in vegetables was about 3.1 Bq/kg.Since 3 May 2011,the concentration of 131I has been below the detection limits.No artificial radionulide was detectable in all of milk,drinking water and marine products samples during March to December,2011.Conclusions The food and drinking water measurements in China following the Fukushima nuclear accident denoted that the minor amounts of 131I in vegetables might result in very low absorbed dose and induce no impact on human health.The maximum detectable activity of 131I in vegetables was close to that reported in European countries,and much less than that measured in China immediately after the Chernobyl accident in 1986.

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease with unclear etiology. From the point of etiology, Chinese medicine (CM) theory holds that pathological products like dry toxin, blood stasis are produced in the pathological process. They are both pathologic results and pathogenic factors for its further development. So pathological products are also named as second pathogenic factors. In this article, the concept of second pathogenic factors was sorted and defined. Main second pathogenic factors of Sjögren's syndrome were pinpointed, and their modern medical bases were analyzed. Authors came to a conclusion that clearing away second pathogenic factors is a key point in treating Sjögren's syndrome.
Humans ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; pathology

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; surgery ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Colectomy ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; surgery ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; surgery

Objective:To observe the effect of xylitol on the cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 expression of renal tubule in diabetic rats.Methods:The Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group(group NC),diabetes control group(group DC),5% xylitol-treated group(group 5%),10% xylitol-treated group(group 10%)and 20% xylitol-treated group(group 20%).At the end of 8 weeks,the expression of COX-2 in kidney tissue,the level of serum uric acid,allantoin and creatinine were tested in rat groups.Results:The levels of serum uric acid and allantoin were higher in group 5% and group 10% compared with that of group DC.The differences in levels of serum uric acid and allantoin were statistical significance between group 10% and group DC(P ＜ 0.05),whereas,the lower levels of serum uric acid and allantoin were found in group 20% compared with those of group DC(P ＞ 0.05).The levels of urine uric acid and allantoin were lower in group 5% and group 10% than those of group DC(urine uric acid,P＞ 0.05 and allantoin,P＜ 0.05),whereas,group 20% had higher levels of urine uric acid and allantoin than those of group DC(P＜ 0.05).The fractional excretion of uric acid(FEUA)was lower in group 5% and group 10% compared with that of group DC(P ＜ 0.05).The FEUA was higher in group 20% than that of group DC(P ＜ 0.05).The expression of COX-2 was significantly increased in group 5% and group 10% compared with that of group DC(P ＜ 0.05),but the expression of COX-2 decreased in group 20%(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion:The lower and mediate doses of dietary xylitol could aggravate the tubular injury through increasing the level of serum uric acid and the expression of COX-2 in renal tubule.The higher doses of xylitol could increase the excretion of uric acid and down-regulate the expression of COX-2 in renal tubule.

OBJECTIVEThe efficacy of rate and rhythm control strategies for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) patients was analyzed in this meta-analysis.

METHODSEligible trials were searched in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, the Clinical Trials, the Chinese VIP database up to May 31, 2010. Ten prospective randomized control trials with 7876 patients (rate control n = 3932, rhythm control n = 3944) were included for final analysis.

RESULTSAll cause mortality (5.3% vs. 5.0%; OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 0.84 - 1.26; I(2) < 25%) and incidence of worsening heart failure (3.81% vs. 3.61%; OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 0.80 - 1.36; I(2) < 50%) were similar between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that all cause mortality (3.6% vs.1.9%; OR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.01 - 3.53; I(2) < 25%) and rate of worsening heart failure (2.3% vs. 0.3%; OR: 5.6; 95%CI: 1.44 - 21.69; I(2) < 25%) were significantly higher in rate control group than in rhythm control group in patients with age < 65 years. Thromboembolic events (1.49% vs. 1.46%; OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.71 - 1.48) and bleeding events (1.78% vs. 1.73%; OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.70 - 1.49) were similar between rhythm control and rate control groups while rehospitalization rate was significantly lower in rate control group than in rhythm control group (17.56% vs. 22.98%; OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.19 - 0.71).

CONCLUSIONThis meta-analysis shows that rhythm control strategy is superior to rate control strategy for AF patients with age < 65 years in terms of reducing all cause mortality and incidence of worsening heart failure.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; prevention & control ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms of myocardial hypertrophy induced by Levothyroxine (L-Thy).

METHODSA rabbit model of hyperthyroidism was established by daily intraperitoneal injections of L-Thy (45 microg/kg per day) for 28 days. New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): control group, L-Thy group (L-Thy alone), imidapril group (L-Thy + 0.5 mg/kg imidapril), and valsartan group (L-Thy + 8 mg/kg valsartan). All rabbits were treated for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatments, all rabbits underwent echocardiography and IVS, LV and LVPW thickness were measured. Ventricular tissues were then collected.Cardiac hypertrophy index, cardiomyocyte diameter, structural and ultrastructural changes were obtained. Ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymatic digestion method and intracellular Ca2+ concentration was determined with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fluo3/AM and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Activity of Sarco/Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) was evaluated with P-NPP method.mRNA expression of L-type Ca2+ channel (LCC), ryanodine receptor (RyR), and SERCA was semi-quantified with RT-PCR. Protein of IP3R was localized by immunostaining and semi-quantified with pathological image analytic system.

RESULTSCompared with control group, rabbits treated with L-Thy displayed remarkable myocardial hypertrophy and morphological changes in both structure and ultrastructure levels. Increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration [(576.2 +/- 41.7) nmol/L vs. (314.6 +/- 35.6) nmol/L, P < 0.01] and decreased SERCA activity [(0.062 +/- 0.013) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1) vs. (0.133 +/- 0.022) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1), P < 0.01] were detected in L-Thy treated rabbits. RT-PCR analysis and (or) immunohistochemistry revealed decreased mRNA expression of LCC mRNA (0.48 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.16, P < 0.01) and increased RyR mRNA (1.19 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.73 +/- 0.15, P < 0.01), SERCA mRNA (1.01 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.76 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01) and IP3R protein (65.3 +/- 13.7 vs. 47.9 +/- 10.2, P < 0.01) expression in L-Thy treated rabbits. Both imidapril and valsartan could significantly attenuate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and structural remodeling induced by L-Thy. Compared with L-Thy group, decreased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration [(376.4 +/- 32.5) nmol/L vs. (576.2 +/- 41.7) nmol/L, P < 0.01 and (392.6 +/- 41.2) nmol/L vs. (576.2 +/- 41.7) nmol/L, P < 0.01, respectively], and increased LCC mRNA (0.68 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.11, P < 0.01; 0.64 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.11, P < 0.01, respectively) and SERCA activity [(0.115 +/- 0.019) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1) vs. (0.062 +/- 0.013) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1), P < 0.01; (0.109 +/- 0.015) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1) vs. (0.062 +/- 0.013) micromol x min(-1)xg(-1), P < 0.01, respectively] were found in both imidapril and valsartan treated rabbits, but expression of RyR, SERCA and IP3R remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONIntracellular Ca(2+) overload may play important roles in myocardial hypertrophy induced by L-Thy. Imidapril and valsartan may exert beneficial effects on hyperthyroid myocardial hypertrophy via altering intracellular calcium handling.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; drug effects ; Cardiomyopathies ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperthyroidism ; metabolism ; pathology ; Imidazolidines ; pharmacology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Thyroxine ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

Administration of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine (CSA) after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) induces a systemic auto-immune syndrome resembling graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), this syndrome termed autologous GVHD has significant antitumor activity, it can reduce the incidence of tumor relapse after APBSCT. The antitumor effect of this auto-aggression syndrome can be enhanced by the administration of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). Five consecutive patients who received APBSCT received therapy inducing autologous GVHD. Intravenous administration of CSA [1 mg/(kg.d) for 28 days] was begin on the day of transplantation. gamma-interferon (0.025 mg/m(2) qod) was administered sub-cutaneously from days 7 throngh 28 after transplatation. Results showed that four of five occured autologous GVHD-skin demage, five in control didn't occur autologous GVHD. The relapse rate of the treated cases was 20% (1/5) versus 60% (3/5) of the control, and the median survival time of the treated cases was 20 (4 - 30) months versus 10 (2 - 20) months of the control. The data indicates that autologous GVHD results in low relapse rate of the patients rececving APBSCT.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin 10 (IL10QX) promoter and serum levels of lipoprotein in the healthy Chinese Han population.

METHODSPCR restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to detect the distribution of genotypes of IL10 -592,-819,-1082 in 200 healthy Chinese Han subjects. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in all subjects were measured to analyze the relationship with the polymorphisms of IL10 promoter.

RESULTSComparing with AA genotype, the group with GA genotype at IL10 promoter -1082 position had a significant elevation of serum HDL-C level [(1.514+/-0.501) mmol/L vs. (1.261+/-0.346) mmol/L, t=-2.225, P=0.028] and a lower serum TG level[(1.701+/-1.836) mmol/L vs. (0.981+/-0.314) mmol/L,Z=-2.096,P=0.036]. The TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL levels did not show any statistically significant differences among different genotypes (CC, AA, CA) of the IL10 -592, as well as the genotypes (TT, TA, AA) ofIL10 -819 (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that in the Chinese Han population, the polymorphism at position -1082 in the promoter region of IL10 gene may be associated with the serum HDL-C level and TG level.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration for treatment of purulent meningitis due to Achromobacter infection.

METHODSA patient with established diagnosis of purulent meningitis due to Achromobacter infection was admitted, who failed to respond favorably to a 3-day ceftazidime treatment administered intravenously. Continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration at the dose of 0.2 g/d was then attempted through a catheter placed in the cisterna magna in addition to intravenous ceftazidime for 3 days, which resulted in obvious relief of the symptoms. The catheter was subsequently withdrawn, and the patient received further treatment with additional intravenous ceftazidime for a week.

RESULTSThe symptoms of purulent meningitis was significantly improved after a 3-day continuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration, and the patient was eventually cured after completion of the treatment course. Intrathecal ceftazidime was also attempted previously but failed due to intolerance of pains in the legs. No relapse was observed in this case 3 months after the discharge.

CONCLUSIONContinuous intraspinal ceftazidime administration can be effective and safe for treatment of purulent meningitis.

Achromobacter ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Ceftazidime ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome