Objective To report secondary paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in a patient with tuberculous meningitis and to review the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, possible pathogenesis and management of this condition. Methods The clinical data of a case with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity secondary to tuberculous meningitis was retrospectively analyzed and related literature was reviewed. Results A 1-year-old boy was admitted to our institute with a history of lethargy and vomiting for 3 days. Neurological examination revealed abnormalities. A lumbar puncture revealed the evidence of meningitis. PPD test, T-SPOT.TB and radiological examination revealed tuberculous meningitis. Later, when stayed in the intensive care unit, he developed paroxysmal hypertension, sinus tachycardia, tachypnea, dystonia, and high fever. These episodes improved after administration of propranolol, benzodiazepines and artane. Conclusions Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity is a rare manifestation of tuberculous meningitis, early recognition is very important for avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

OBJECTIVETo study blood Leptin level of 154 (78 male, 76 female) Chinese obese/non-obese children aged 0 - 14 years during 1999 - 2001.

METHODSThe gender- and age-specific distribution pattern of Leptin and its relationship with anthropometric parameters (waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, lean body mass, fat mass, body fat percentage, BMI/Kaup index etc.) and blood insulin level were recorded.

RESULTS(1) The blood Leptin level in healthy non-obese kids ranged from 1.01 - 29.92 (ng/ml), the mean values and SD were 2.99 +/- 2.13 (ng/ml) [90% confidence interval was 1.36 - 14.21 (ng/ml) in boys and 1.74 - 21.17 (ng/ml) in girls]. There was no significant difference in the blood Leptin level between serum and plasma. (2) The blood Leptin level was higher in overweight/obese kids than that in non-obese kids (P < 0.001). (3) There was significant difference in the blood Leptin levels between boys and girls groups (P = 0.023), especially in non-obese group (P = 0.004). The multiple regression analysis showed that there was no correlation between gender and blood Leptin level when body fat factor was added (P = 0.138, 0.241, 0.990), but there was still a strong correlation between blood leptin level and BMI, FM and BF% (P < 0.001). (4) There was a correlation between blood Leptin level and age (P = 0.005), especially in overweight/obese group and in girls (P = 0.001). The blood Leptin level rose from early puberty, especially in girl group (P = 0.045). There was significant difference in blood Leptin level in different age groups (P < 0.001) (5) There were strong positive correlation between blood Leptin level and BMI, BM and FM%, a weak correlation with LBM, and no correlation with W/H ratio in boys and a positive relationship in girls. The Quatatic equation was better than the linear equation in description of the correlation mentioned above. (6) There was a correlation between blood Leptin from 0 to 7 yr and birth weight (P = 0.001), after 7 yr of age this correlation disappeared (P = 0.456). (7) A positive correlation was seen between blood Leptin level and blood insulin level (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe blood Leptin level of 0 - 14 years old children is consistent with the level of growth of adiposity tissue and the degree of adiposity rebound.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Birth Weight ; physiology ; Body Constitution ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Insulin ; blood ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Sex Factors

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment of children with plastic bronchitis.Methods The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of the children with plastic bronchitis who were admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital from September 2013 to January 2015 and were treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator.This study analyzed the effect and safety of tPA treatment,including clinical and radiological changes and follow-ups.Results A lot of plastic secretions were safely removed from the bronchial tubes in all children and clinical manifestations including breathing,body temperature,transcutaneous oxygen saturation and image changes were significantly improved.Conclusions Bronchoscopy is an effective way to treat plastic bronchitis,but with the use of tPA a better clinical efficacy could be achieved.The method is safe and effective and should be applied early in the patients in order to prevent the occurrence of severe airway obstruction complications.

Objective To study the inhibition effect of non custodial terpenes-3β-alcohol to experimentally in-duced autoimmune encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs. Methods Different doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) of non custodial terpenes-3β-alcohol were given to the experimentally induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of guinea pigs by gavage for 8 weeks. Plasma levels of CD4+/CD8+, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, neuropeptide Y (NPY), beta endorphin (β-EP) , transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and leuko-cyte differentiation antigen CD3 were assessed. The brain neuron morphology changes was observed under light microscopy while its ultrastructure changes was observed under electron microscope. NOS expression in neurons was observed through immunofluoresce technology. Results Non custodialterpenes-3β-alcohol inhibited the increase of plasma CD4+/CD8+, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-2, CD3 and NPY while decrease of plasmaβ-EP, brain TGF-β. It also increase NOS expres-sion in neuronal cytoplasm and maintained neuron morphology. Conclusion Non custodial terpenes-3β-alcohol inhibit-ed the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in guinea pig.

AIM:To explore the potentially beneficial clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) combined with photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Chinese patients with DR were divided into two groups. A joint treatment group received both the TCM ziyinliangxuesanyutang and photocoagulation, while a control group received only photocoagulation laser treatment. Visual acuity tests, visual field retinal sensitivity tests, and fundus fluorescein angiography (to measure neovascular regression) were performed. Vision was compared between the two groups 1 month, 6, and 12 months after treatment.RESULTS:Twelve months after treatment, the recovery of visual acuity (62.3% vs 43.1%, P=0.037) and retinal sensitivity \[17.0±3.7 decibels (dB) vs 14.9±3.7dB, P=0.002\] as well as neovascular regression (67.2% vs 48.3%, P=0.036) in the joint treatment group were all significantly greater than that of the control group.CONCLUSION:Compared with laser treatment alone, the joint application of TCM and photocoagulation is shown to be more effective than DR treatment method.

Objective To investigate the distribution, clinical diagnosis and treatment methods of the extrapulmo-nary complications in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Methods The clinical data of 1 100 patients confirmed the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia and with the positive serum MP-IgM test were collected in this study. The distribu-tion and clinical characteristics and MP-DNA detection rates were compared between 417 patients with extrapulmonary com-plications and 683 cases without complications. The occurrence of various complications in a four-year period was analyzed. Clinical data were compared between fiberoptic bronchoscopy lavage group and non-surgical group. Results The MP-DNA detection rate and the length of hospital stay were higher in patients with pulmonary complications than those of patients without complications. The most common types of extrapulmonary complications were liver damage, skin rashes and gastrointestinal reactions , but less severe. Encephalitis, nephritis and myocarditis were rare complications, but severe and occult. The fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was also visible in patients. Bronchoscopy lavage was conducive to the recovery of the disease. Conclusion MP pneumonia showed high incidence and risks of extrapulmonary complica-tions, which required careful clinical observation and inspection, the dynamic monitoring laboratory markers and comprehen-sive treatment as well.

Objective:To study the clinical features of the "migration birds" population in Hainan Province in winter presenting with acute cholecystitis.Methods:Patients who were diagnosed to suffer from acute cholecystitis in the winter months from November to February of the following year of 2017, 2018 and 2019 and admitted in Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital were included in this study. The "migration birds" patients who arrived in Hainan Province in less than 30 days were defined as the short-term group ( n=49), 30-89 days as the mid-term group ( n=24), more than 90 days as the long-term group ( n=48). The general information, associated medical diseases, clinical presentations, interventional strategies and in-hospital outcomes were compared, and further analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with purulent cholecystitis and non-purulent cholecystitis in the short-term group. Results:Of 120 patients, there were 49 patients in the short-term group (29 males and 20 females with an average age of 65.18±15.02 years), 24 patients in the mid-term group (13 males and 11 females with an average age of 66.21±11.93 years), and 48 patients in the long-term group (30 males and 18 females with an average of 60.73±12.54 years). The general information, interventional strategies and in-hospital outcomes were similar among the three groups. When compared with patients in the long-term group, patients in the short-term group had higher incidences of hypertension [20.83% (10/48) vs 48.98% (24/49)] and diabetes [10.42% (5/48) vs 30.61% (15/49)]. The gallbladder wall in the short-term group was significantly thicker than that in the long-term group [0.60(0.40, 0.70) cm vs 0.50(0.30, 0.60) cm, P<0.017]. The proportion of purulent cholecystitis in the short-term group was significantly higher than that in the long-term group [48.15% (13/27) vs 17.24% (5/29) , P<0.017] . In the short-term group, the incidences of silt-like stones of purulent cholecystitis [38.46% (5/13) vs 14.29% (2/14)], gallbladder perforation [30.77% (4/13) vs 0], gallbladder gangrene [53.85% (7/13) vs 7.14% (1/14)], perigallbladder effusion [76.92% (10/13) vs 14.29% (2/14)], abdominal effusion [46.15% (6/13) vs 7.14% (1/14)] were significantly higher than that of patients with non-purulent cholecystitis, (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients presenting with acute cholecystitis after arrival in Hainan in the short term had more severe inflammation with complications of suppuration, perforation and gangrene. Patients with hypertension and diabetes were the high risk group of patients presenting with acute cholecystitis after short-term arrival in Hainan.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether oxymatrine (OM) could promote mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) in rats and to initially explore its mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the MSC therapy group, the OM therapy group, and the MSC combined OM therapy group, 10 in each group. Except the normal control group, the HF model was duplicated by CCl4 induction. After successful modeling, rats in the MSC therapy group received 5 x10(6) MSCs by intravenous injection via caudal vein, once a week. Rats in the OM therapy group received 50 mg/kg OM by intramuscular injection, three times a week. Rats in MSC combined OM therapy group received 5 x 10(6) MSCs by intravenous injection via caudal vein, once a week and 50 mg/kg OM by intramuscular injection three times a week. Equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the normal control group and the model group. All medication lasted for 8 weeks. Serum levels of ALT and AST were detected 8 weeks later. The hepatic histopathological injury and extracellular matrix deposit were assessed using HE and Masson staining. Expressions of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS(1) Compared with the normal control group, serum levels of ALT and AST significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, serum levels of ALT and AST significantly decreased in the OM therapy group, the MSC therapy group, and the MSC combined OM therapy group at the end of 8 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). But serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly lower in the MSC combined OM therapy group than in the OM therapy group and the MSC therapy group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the model group, the hepatic injury was significantly lessened and the area of extracellular matrix deposit was significantly reduced in the OM therapy group, the MSC therapy group, and the MSC combined OM therapy group (P < 0.05). Besides, they wer more significant in the MSC combined OM therapy group (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the model group, the serum IL-4 level was significantly higher in the MSC therapy group and the MSC combined MO group (P < 0.05). It was higher in the MSC combined MO group (P < 0.05). Although the serum IL-4 level also increased in the OM therapy group, but with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). (4) The serum IL-10 level significantly increased in the OM therapy group, the MSC therapy group, and the MSC combined OM therapy group (P < 0.05), and it was the highest in the MSC combined OM therapy group among the three groups (P < 0.05). (5) Two-photon fluorescence imaging showed no signals of MSCs in liver with or without OM injection.

CONCLUSIONOM could promote mesenchymal stem cell therapy in hepatic fibrosis rats, which might be involved in increasing serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10.

Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; therapy ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of methylprednisolone pretreatment on pulmonary lung permeability index and the content of the pulmonary surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in a rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema.

METHODSTwenty-one male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group, reexpansion, and reexpansion+methylprednisolone pretreatment groups. The rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema was established using Sakaos method. A bolus dosage of methylprednisolone (3 mg/kg) in reexpansion+methylprednisolone group group or 2.0 ml/kg normal saline in the other two groups was administered intravenously 20 min before reexpansion pulmonary edema. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and arterial blood samples were collected for measurement of the total protein (TP) and DPPC contents 4 h after reexpansion, and the pulmonary permeability index was calculated.

RESULTSThe pulmonary permeability index in methylprednisolone pretreatment group was significantly lower than that in the reexpansion group (0.007∓0.002 vs 0.177∓0.004, P<0.05). Methylprednisolone pretreatment significantly increased DPPC concentration in the BALF as compared with saline treatment in the reexpansion group (61.815∓28.307 vs 101.955∓24.544 µg/ml, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMethylprednisolone pretreatment can increase pulmonary surfactant content and improve pulmonary permeability in the rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine ; analysis ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; pharmacology ; Permeability ; Pulmonary Edema ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; metabolism ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo prevent chronic severe hepatitis, even more fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) occurrence in patients with chronic hepatitis B of severe degree using steroid.

METHODS120 patients were randomized into conventional supporting treatment and steroid treatment groups. The latter, 62 patients were given intravenously hydrocortisone sodium succinate at the dose of 150 mg to approximately 200 mg everyday plus support care.

RESULTSThe rate of deteriorating to chronic severe hepatitis in steroid treatment group was significantly lower than that of conventional group (22% vs 48%, x(2) =7.60, P<0.01). 53.6% (15/28) patients with chronic severe hepatitis in conventional group died, while only 28.6% (4/14) in steroid treatment group succumbed to terminal liver disease (x(2)=0.02, P>0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding to complications incidence: gastrointestinal bleeding and infections except for some controllable serious reverse events, such as candidiasis, diabetes, herpes zoster and pulmonary tuberculosis found in some patients in steroid-treated group.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that steroid administration with improved support care not only is likely to prevent chronic severe hepatitis occurrence in patients with chronic viral hepatitis of severe degree, but also shows some efficacy for FHF, which warrant further investigation.

Adult ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; prevention & control ; Male