Adult ; Carbon Disulfide ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurophysiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

A new method of two-direction counter-immunoelectrophoresis (TD-CIEP and TD-ELACIEP) for detection of specific antigen and antibody of enzyme-dissociated schisto-some circulating immune complexes (SCIC) in infected rabbits and advanced schistosomia-sis cases was reported. Results showed that the detection rate was markedly increased in the enzyme-dissociated sera as compared with that of non-dissociated sera. The levels of antigen and antibodies were found to be correlated to the period and intensity of infection. The detected antigen was solely originated from the adult worm. Comparison of sensitivity of both methods showed that TD-ELACIEP was much more sensitive than TD-CIEP either for detection of antigen or antibodies. Of 54 sera of advanced schistosomiasis cases the detection rate of schistosome antigen or antibodies by TD-ELACIEP in enzyme-dissociated and non-dissociated serum samples was 50 and 25.9%, respectively. Only 9 cases( 16.7%) were COP positive with COP rate^5%. Sera from 25 healthy persons revealed no false positive reaction by either method. The present results indicated that TD-ELACIEP of dissociated SCIC may be helpful in immunological diagnosis of advanced schis-tasomiasis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of arthroscopic debridement for acute gouty arthritis of the ankle.

METHODSForty-one patients with acute gouty arthritis of the ankle were treated under arthroscopy from January 2010 to June 2012. All the patients were male, age in ranging from 28 to 69 years with an average of 43 years. Eighteen patients were in the left ankles and 23 in the right ankles; 12 cases were firstly attack and 29 cases were recurrent attack. Course of disease was from 2 weeks to 30 months. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score was used to evaluate the clinical effects. Number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis were observed.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up at least 12 months. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score increased from 58.44 +/- 9.45 preoperatively to 86.15 +/- 7.36, 83.41 +/- 9.22, 84.10 +/- 8.22 postoperatively at 6, 12, months and the last follow-up respectively. Swelling of the ankle were improved significantly, pain was relieved and the mean number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy is helpful for the diagnosis of acute gouty arthritis of the ankle and improvement of clinical symptoms and ankle function.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthritis, Gouty ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the first and second assay kits currently used in blood centers for screening HCV infected blood, and to provide basis for a better match of the two assay kits.

METHODSUsing the newly developed multi-recombinant-HCV-antigen supplementary assay kit, the authors evaluated concurrently the specificity and sensitivity of two domestic and one imported anti-HCV detection kits.

RESULTSDiscrepancy in specificity and sensitivity existed among the two domestic HCV kits, and overall quality was slightly below that of leading or main stream imported HCV kit.

CONCLUSIONThe newly developed multi-recombinant-HCV-antigen supplementary assay kit is useful in the evaluation of HCV antibody detection kit currently in use. It provides qualified assessing kit to capture antibodies against various HCV antigens. The present paper provided guidance for selecting a better match of the two screening kits and improved screening efficiency.

Blood Donors ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; standards ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo analyze the mutations of candidate POU3F4 gene in the Chinese pedigree with Y linked hereditary hearing impairment.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactions were performed with five pairs of primer in the coding sequence of POU3F4 gene. PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) was subsequently applied in the 43 individuals of DFNY1 family for screening the gene mutations.

RESULTSThe PCR amplification fragments showed well quality in the five pairs of primer and further analysis with PCR-SSCP showed no any polymorphism and mutations in the members.

CONCLUSIONSThe possibility of the deafness gene POU3F4, which locates on the translocation region on X and Y chromosome, contributed to the Y linked family deafness was successfully ruled out. It may imply that the causal gene of the DFNY1 family locate on the Y chromosome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; DNA Primers ; Deafness ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Y-Linked ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; POU Domain Factors ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxymatrine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSA multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 144 patients with chronic hepatitis B entered the study for 52 weeks; of them 72 received oxymatrine, and 72 received a placebo. Before and after the treatment, clinical symptoms, liver function, serum hepatitis B virus markers, and adverse drug reactions were observed.

RESULTSIn 144 patients, 14 were dropped and excluded due to inconsistencies in the included standard. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of 130 patients were analyzed. After being treated for 52 weeks, 70.77% of the patients in the study group had a normal ALT level, and in 43.08% and 33.33% their HBV DNA and HBeAg became negative. In the placebo group, 39.68% had normal ALT level, and 12.31% and 3.33% had their HBV DNA and HBeAg become negative. The rates of complete response and partial response in the oxymatrine group were 23.08% and 58.46%, and in the placebo group they were 3.08% and 44.62%. They were significantly higher in the oxymatrine group than in the placebo group. In the oxymatrine treated patients, 12 weeks after its withdrawal, 60.00% had a normal ALT level, 41.54% and 23.33% had both HBV DNA and HBeAg negative. In the placebo group, 31.75% had a normal ALT level, 3.08% and 1.67% had both HBV DNA and HBeAg negative. The rates of complete response and partial response in the oxymatrine group were 21.54% and 47.69%, and in the placebo group they were 0 and 41.54%. They were significantly higher in the study group than in the placebo group. The adverse reaction rates of oxymatrine in the study and the placebo group were 7.69% and 6.15%, respectively, but there was no statistical significant difference between them.

CONCLUSIONOxymatrine is an effective and safe agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alkaloids ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinolizines

OBJECTIVETo analyze the cytogenetic characteristics of different age subgroups in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and to explore the relationship between age and cytogenetics.

METHODSBetween January 2004 and December 2011, Bone marrow (BM) samples from 640 patients with de novo AML were analyzed retrospectively. The analyses were performed according to standard culturing and banding techniques, and clonal abnormalities were defined and described according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN 2009). The cytogenetic subtypes were performed as normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes. In the last group, the age distribution of complex and monosome karyotypes were further analyzed. The patients were divided into 8 age groups: 0 - 9, 10 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, and ≥ 70 year old groups.

RESULTSThe distribution of normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes showed age specific characteristics. The incidence of normal karyotype increased from 6.67% (0 ∼ 9 year old) to 58.33% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 20.68, P = 0.001) and balanced karyotype decreased from 73.33% (0 ∼ 9) to 11.11% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 48.22, P < 0.01). The frequency of unbalanced karyotypes increased from 20.0% (0 ∼ 9) to 30.56% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 18.963, P = 0.008). The frequency of complex karyotype was 6.67% in 0 - 9 year old group, followed by 0% in 10 - 19 and 20 - 29 year old group, and from 1.72% to 11.11% from 30 - 39 to ≥ 70 year old group (χ(2) = 8.341, P = 0.08). Monosome karyotype was only detected in patients in 30 year old or older groups. Although an increased tendency was observed with ages, there was no significant difference (χ(2) = 4.778, P = 0.311).

CONCLUSIONThe different age profiles of the cytogenetic subtypes may indicate the different mechanisms of the pathogenesis of AML, which may also offer beneficial information for etiological research of AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult