Adaptive Immunity ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; immunology ; Influenza A virus ; chemistry ; immunology ; Male

Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology

Objectives To explore the clinical features of incomplete Kawasaki disease (IKD) which presents with sterile pyuria in infant, in order to achieve early diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective study of 15 infants with IKD was conducted in comparison with 29 patients who were diagnosed with KD according to the diagnostic criteria of American Heart Association 2004. Results Both KD and IKD groups had recurrent fever and poor response to antibiotic therapy. Hemoglobin level was signiifcantly lower in IKD group than in KD group at the onset or 7-d after onset (P<0.05). C-reaction protein (CRP) level was signiifcantly higher in IKD group than that in KD group at 7-d after onset (P<0.05). There were 4 patients with coronary artery abnormality, 2 patients with coronary artery dilation and 2 patients with coro-nary artery aneurysm. Conclusions For infant <1 year old who has pyuria ifrstly, continuous fever for over 5 days when treated by antibiotics and increasing serum inlfammatory markers, incomplete Kawasaki disease should be suspected and the cardiac ultrasound is recommended.

Adult ; Device Removal ; methods ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

Bone Screws ; utilization ; Female ; Foot Diseases ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; utilization ; Metatarsus ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Osteochondritis ; congenital ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the association between the polymorphism rs671 site of the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene and H-type hypertension in the elderly in Han nationality in Qingdao.Methods Totally 406 patients aged 60-90 years with primary hypertension were randomly selected in the study.Serum levels of homocysteine(Hcy),folate and vitamin B12 were determined and all patients were divided into H-type hypertension group and non H-type hypertension group.Gene chip technology was used to analyze the ALDH2 (rs671) polymorphism,and the association between ALDH2 gene and H type hypertension was evaluated.Results Of all hypertensive participants,82.0％ (333/406) were in H-type hypertension,87.4％ (221/253) in male and 73.2％ (112/153) in female.The GA/AA genotype and A allele frequency were higher in H-type hypertension group than in non H-type hypertension group [37.2 ％ (124/333) vs.16.4 ％ (12/73) and 21.3％(71/333) vs.9.6％(7/73),P=0.001and 0.021].Serum Hcyleveland the prevalence of H type hypertension were higher in GA/AA genotype group than in GG genotype group(both P＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that GA/AA genotype,gender (male),drinking,folate deficiency and increased systolic pressure were the risk factors for H-type hypertension (OR=3.17,2.14,2.37,0.75,1.03,respectively,all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions The genetic variation of ALDH2(rs671) may increase Hcy level by decreasing the levels of folate and vitamin B12.GA/AA genotype is a risk factor for H-type hypertension,and it contributes to H-type hypertension together with gender,drinking history,folate levels and systolic pressure.

The effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on type 1 diabetes mellitus were investigated. The mRNA expressions of Th1/Th2 cytokines of pancrease and ultrastructure of islet were studied.Ultrastructure of islets was well protected in APS group;the mRNA expressions of Th1 cytokines were downregulated and those of Th2 cytokines were upregulated in APS group.APS may correct the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines.

A central portion of nifS, designated nifS', was amplified from Azotobacter vinelandii. The nifS' was cloned into pUC18 to make pUCS. Then pUCS was integrated into Azotobacter vindandii chromosome DNA by homologous recombination. This nifS disruption mutants were generated by single cross-over event and selected by Amp resistence on BBGN medium. The nifS disruption mutant (named SU1) was affirmed by southern blot and PCR amplification. SU1 grows rapidly on BBGN, but very slowly on Burk's N-free medium. This phenomenon showes that SU1 nearly lost its nitrogen fixation ability because of the disruption of nifS. The successful construction of SU1 is helpful for further research on the effect of nifS on the structure and function of nitrogenase component-Ⅰ and Ⅱ.

Objective To investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharides(APS)on the metabolism of collagen in hamsters with diabetes mellitus(DM) and explore the possible mechanism of APS on diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods The levels of insulin,C-peptide,myocardial enzymes,glycosylated serum protein(GSP),plasma and myocardial angiotensin(AngⅡ) were tested in APS group(n=15) and DM control group(n=15).Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression levels of typeⅠand typeⅢ collagen,activities of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) were examined by using zymography,and TNF-? and TGF-? mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Results Compared with DM control group,levels of GSP,myocardial enzymes and myocardial AngⅡ were much lower in APS group(P0.05).The level of expression of collagen Ⅰ,the ratio of collagen Ⅰ/collagen Ⅲ,and the activity of pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 in APS group were significantly lower than those in the DM group(P