Objective To compare the effect of perineal cleansing with the potassium permanganate or sterile water on mid- stream urine culture. Methods Mid- stream specimens of urine were obtained from inpatients in our hospital between January 2002 and December 2006. All these patients may be diag-nosed as urinary tract infection. The urine specimens were divided into the potassium permanganate group (n=1572, the sterilization group) and the sterile water group (n=544). The change of positive and contami-nation rate of mid-stream urine culture from the specimens was observed. More than two kinds of germs in one urine specimen were defined as contamination. Results 830 patients with urinary tract infection had been enrolled. 2116 specimens were collected and 531 strains of causative organism were detected. The positive rate of the sterilization group and the sterile water group was 20.04% and 39.71%, respectively,and such difference was significant. The rate of identical causative organism from the same patient whose spec-imen was cultivated twice in the sterilization group was 0.012% and the rate was 0.105% in the sterile water group. The difference was significant. The rate of different or one kind of causative organism from the same patient whose specimen was cultivated twice in these two groups hadn't significant deviation. The contami-nation rate of the sterilization group (0.028%) was significantly higher than that of the sterile water group (0.007%). Conclusions Perineal cleansing with sterile water can reduce the false negative rate of mid-stream urine culture without increasing the contamination rate. Potassium permanganate sterilization is re-sponsible for the high false-negative in mid-stream urine culture.

Objective: To explore the value of cervical transformation zone (TZ) type in assessing whether a random biopsy should be used to diagnose high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) among patients without visible lesions under colposcopy. Methods: A total of 517 patients who underwent colposcopy (without visible lesions) due to high risk subtype infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) or thinprep cytologic test (TCT) abnormality were enrolled. TZ types were identified, random biopsies were performed, and the value of TZ type, Ⅱand III in the diagnosis of HSIL was evaluated. Results: There were 517 cases without visible lesions under colposcopy. Three hundred and ninety-six of them were TZ type III, and the detection rate of HSIL was 3.8% (15/396) by random biopsy, while one hundred and twenty one of them were TZ type and Ⅱ, and the detection rate of HSIL was 8.3% (10/121). Compared with the TZ type III, the detection rate of HSIL in the TZ type and Ⅱ was significantly increased (P=0.000). Logistic regression showed that TCT abnormality, TZ type and Ⅱ were the risk factors for HSIL detection in patients without visible lesions under colposcopy. Conclusion: Random multipoint biopsy can significantly increase detection rate of cervical HSIL when no visible lesion is visualized under colposcopy, particularly in women with abnormal TCT results or TZ type and Ⅱ.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Whiplash Injuries ; diagnosis

With the development of the wireless communication technology, implantable biosensor technology, and embedded system technology, Body Sensor Network (BSN) as one branch of wireless sensor networks and important part of the Internet of things has caught more attention of researchers and enterprises. This paper offers the basic concept of the BSN and analyses the related research. We focus on sensor node and wireless communication technology from perspectives of technology challenges, research advance and development trend in the paper. Besides, we also present a relative overview of domestic and overseas projects for the BSN.
Computer Communication Networks ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Remote Sensing Technology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Telemedicine ; instrumentation ; Wireless Technology ; instrumentation

To study the influence of IFN-alpha on function of CML-DC cultured in vitro and expression of chemokine and its chemokine receptor, bone marrow mononuclear cells from 13 CML patients were cultured in the fetal calf serum culture system supplemented with rhSCF, rhFlt-3L for expansion system, and adding rhGM-CSF, rhTNF-alpha, rhIL-4, with or without rhIFN-alpha to induce DCs. After incubation for two weeks, the phenotypes of CML-DC were analyzed by direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The concentration of MIP-3beta expressed by CML-DC in the supernatant were analyzed by ELISA. The proliferative ability of T cells from healthy volunteers stimulated by CML-DCs were measured by MTT assay. The results showed that expression of CD86, CD83, CD40, MHC-I class molecules, CCR7, the concentration of MIP-3beta expressed by CML-DC, and the proliferative ability of T cells stimulated by CML-DCs in IFN-alpha group were all significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the immunophenotype of CML-DCs can be partially changed by IFN-alpha to accelerate the maturation of CML-DCs, enhance the capacity of CML-DCs, and stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation.
Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; B7-2 Antigen ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD40 Antigens ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines ; biosynthesis ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Chemokine ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUNDRapid reexpansion of collapsed lungs leads to reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE). We aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin in the prevention of RPE formation.

METHODSWe used a Wistar rat model in which the left lung was collapsed by ligating the left bronchus for 48 hours and then reexpanded and ventilated for an additional 2 hours. Thirty minutes before reexpansion, we injected melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally. We compared the wet/dry ratio, oxygenation index, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels in the reexpanded lungs between untreated and treated animals.

RESULTSWe found that the wet/dry ratio of the melatonin group was significantly lower than that of the vehicle group, and the oxygenation index was higher in the melatonin group. Compared with the control, melatonin pretreatment significantly decreased the activities of IL-8, NO, MDA levels and MPO in lung tissues. Histopathology of reexpanded lungs showed that the melatonin pretreatment group had less pulmonary edema and less inflammatory cell infiltration.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin decreases pulmonary edema and improves oxygenation after reexpansion by attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Edema ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of dendritic cells (DC) on the proliferation capability, immunophenotype changes, level of secreted cytokines and activity against leukemia of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in vitro. DCs and CIK cells were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers. They were co-cultured meanwhile CIK cells were cultured alone as controls. Increased number of cells were counted by trypan-blue staining; the killing activity was detected by MTT assay; immunophenotype changes were analyzed by flow cytometry; the IL-12 and INF-gamma levels of the cultured supernatants were detected by ELISA kits. The results showed that the proliferation capability of DC-CIK cells was significantly higher than that of CIK cells (p < 0.05). Under the same condition, the ratio of double positive cells such as CD3(+) CD8(+), CD3(+) CD56(+) in CIK cells was significantly enhanced by co-cultured with DC cells (p < 0.05). The levels of IL-12 and INF-gamma in cultured supernatants of DC-CIK cells increased noticeably on day 3 as compared with CIK cells cultured alone (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Within the effector-target ratio range between 5:1 to 40:1, the activity of DC-CIK cells against leukemia cells were much higher than that of CIK cells (p < 0.05), and this effect showed a positive correlation with the effector-target ratio. It is concluded that the proliferation capability of DC-CIK cells, the level of their secreted cytokines and their activity against leukemia cells are significantly higher than those of CIK cells. This research may suggest an approach for clinical immunotherapy against leukemia with DC-CIK cells.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of cord blood dendritic cells (DCs) on the in vitro proliferation capability, immunophenotype changes, level of secreted cytokines and activity against leukemia cells of the homologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. DCs and CIK cells were induced from cord blood mononuclear cells. They were co-cultured at the ratio of 1:5, and CIK cells from cord blood or DC-CIK cells from peripheral blood were cultured as controls. Immunophenotypic changes were analyzed by flow cytometry, increased number of cells were counted by trypan-blue staining, the killing activity to leukemia cells was assayed by MTT, the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the cultured supernatant were detected by ELISA. The results showed that the proliferation capability of cord blood DC-CIK cells was significantly higher than that of cord blood CIK cells and peripheral blood DC-CIK cells (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05). Under the same condition, the rate of double positive cells with CD3(+)CD8(+) and CD3(+)CD56(+) in CIK cells was significantly enhanced by co-culture with cord blood DCs (p < 0.05). The level of IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in cultured supernatants of cord blood DC-CIK cells increased noticeably on day 3 as compared with CIK cells cultured alone (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Within the effector-target ratio range between 2.5:1 to 20:1, the activity of cord blood DC-CIK cells against all subtypes of acute leukemia cells was much higher than that of CIK cells (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference among all subtypes of acute leukemia cells, which was the same with the killing effect of peripheral blood DC-CIK cells against leukemia cells. It is concluded that the proliferation capability and anti-leukemia effect of the homologous CIK cells can be enhanced by cord blood DCs. The proliferation capability of cord blood DC-CIK cells is stronger than that of peripheral blood DC-CIK cells, but there is no significant differences of cytotoxicity between DCs and CIK cells. As the cord blood is easily gained and does not easily cause a serious graft rejection, the DC-CIK cells should be clinically applied more extensively as novel immune therapy.
Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Leukemia ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEAllogeneic marrow transplantation is a curative therapy for thalassemia, but no more than 30% of patients have HLA-indentical sibling marrow donor. The selection of alternative donors of unrelative marrow and the study on the probability of treating thalassemia major with unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation are of importance.

METHODSNine children with thalassemia were included in the study, and their gene mutational type were homozygote of thalassemia and double heterozygote, respectively. All of them were finally diagnosed of thalassemia major, and treated with unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation. To high-resolution HLA typing, two patients were matched, five had one unmatched isoform and two had two unmatched isoforms. The erythrocyte blood type was not matched in six patients. The preparative regimen included busulfan (oral use, 16 mg/kg, divided for 4 days), cyclophosphamide (intravenous use, 200 mg/kg, divided for 4 days), antithymocyte immunoglobulin (intravenous use, 30 mg/kg, divided for 3 days), and fludarabine (intravenous use, 125 mg/m(2), divided for 3 days). Ciclosporin A and methotrexate were used for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis.

RESULTSAll patients had allergen reactions. One had hypotension. Five patients experienced I degrees approximately III degrees acute GVHD in the skin, while one had II degrees acute GVHD in liver. One patient had III degrees GVHD of intestines and gradually developed chronic GVHD in the skin, lungs and brain. One patient died of pulmonary hemorrhage. The duration when peripheral blood neutrophil count exceeded 0.5 x 10(9)/L was 12 - 26 days. The recovery time of WBC was as long as 23 - 110 days. Thrombocytes exceeded 50 x 10(9) within 61 approximately 142 days. The time when hemoglobin reached 100 g/L varied from 23 to 116 days. The last blood transfusion was on 13 - 62 days. Eight patients were fully grafted, while one was not grafted. During the 6 - 24 months of follow-up, seven patients' genotype of thalassemia major became normal. The erythrocyte blood type of five patients also changed into the same as that of donor. The hemoglobin was kept over 110 g/L without blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONThe transplantation of unrelated donor bone marrow for thalassemia major was successful. Unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation could cure thalassemia major, which expanded the marrow donor source for the transplantation of thalassemia major.

ABO Blood-Group System ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Rejection ; Graft Survival ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Transplantation Tolerance ; Transplantation, Homologous ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; therapy

Human Interleukin-11(hIL-11)has no Cys residue in its natural form.By site-directed mutagenesis,a Cys residue can be introduced to replace the 1st residue Gly and the rhIL-11 was chemically modified by using 20 kDa mPEG-maleimide conjugated to this site.The mPEG-hIL-11 conjugate was purified and showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight.The biological activity of purified mPEG-hIL-11 was determined using a dependent cell line 7TD1.The remaining biological activity of PEGylated-rhIL-11 was 30% of native rhIL-11,suggesting chemical modification of rhIL-11 by PEG is a promising approach for improving the pharmacological efficacy.