Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; pathology ; Silicosis ; pathology

Humans ; Proteomics ; methods ; Silicosis ; metabolism ; Specimen Handling ; methods

Along with contemporary development of life support technology in perinatology and neo-natal intensive care,mortality of preterm infants has been reduced.However,the problems caused by the brain damage have been attracting more and more attention.The long-term outcome of prematures depends on their nervous system sequelae among the total complications.Preterm infants'brain damage mainly includes intravent-ricular hemorrhage(IVH)and periventricular leukomalacia(PVL).IVH and its complications are the main causes of early death,mental and physical developmental disorder of neonatals.Thus,the early diagnosis of brain dam-age,especially PVL,has become a serious problem that we are going to face.The scholars in or aboard hao payed close attention to these markers,such as MBP、S100B、ACT A、NF-L、NGB、MMP、IL-6、IL-10、IL-1 1 、NSE.The paper reviews these biological markers.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods A total of 69 cases admitted to our hospital were given 2-6 mg/day tacrolimus (FK506) for 12 months.The MG absolute and relative clinical scores were used to monitor the efficacy of tacrolimus.Clinical evaluation was conducted at month 1,3,6,and 12,while the serum concentration of FK506 was measured at one month after administration of tacromus for one month.Results The therapeutic response presenting as improved muscular strength showed within one month after administration of tacrolimus.The overall response rates (MG relative clinical score≥25％) at month 1,3,6 were 81.2％,87.6％,92.2％ respectively.It reached 93.8％ by the final visit at month 12.MG score to evaluate disease severity decreased significantly as the subjects continued to take tacrolimus.Statistic analysis suggested that the serum concentration of FK506 was correlated with its therapeutic effect.Serum trough levels in remission and response groups [(7.1 ± 3.9) μg/L and (6.3 ± 3.8) pg/L,respectively] were significantly higher than that of no response group [(3.4 ± 1.3) μg/L].The most common adverse effects included hyperglycemia (5 cases),myelosuppression (3 cases),and dizziness tinnitus (3 cases),majority of which were temporary and manageable.Conclusions Our study has shown that tacrolimus significantly improved muscular strength of generalized MG patients.The treatment is well tolerated.The therapeutic effect of tacrolimus is observed within 1 month after initial use.Adverse events were manageable and not common.

Objective To investigate the common pathogens of neonatal bacterial meningitis in the past 5 years,and to evaluate the brain injury in the acute phase through amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG),brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and brain MRI.Methods Sixty children were selected from the past 5 years who were treated in Department of Neonatology,Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center in March 2011 to March 2015 as the objects of study.According to the results of etiological culture,the children were divided into streptococcus lactis group (14 cases),escherichia coli group (10 cases),other positive bacteria group (11cases) and culture-negative group (25 cases).The results of aEEG,BAEP and brain MRI of brain injury in the acute phase of these 4 groups were compared.Results Twenty-nine cases of the 60 patients (48.3％) showed positive blood culture,and 14 cases (23.3％) showed positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture.Streptococcus lactics and escherichia coli were found to be the most common pathogens that caused neonatal bacterial meningitis.By evaluating the cerebral function in the acute phase of 57 cases,it was found that aEEG total abnormal rate was 61.4％,escherichia coli group abnormal rate was 80.0％,while moderate to severe damage seemed to be the most remarkable feature.The abnormal rate was of statistical significance between escherichia coli group and culture-negative group (x2 =3.941,P =0.047).Forty-eight cases manifested potential anomaly evoked by brainstem auditory,with the total abnormal rate as 84.2％.A significant increase in the ratio of severe hearing loss was found in children with bacterial meningitis which was caused by escherichia coli and streptococcus agalactiae.The abnormal rate was of statistical significance between escherichia coli group and culture-negative group (x2 =4.399,P =0.036),and hearing damage caused by escherichia coli was more serious than that in other bacteria group.Of these 57 cases,MRI total abnormal rate was 77.2％,with hydrocephalus as the most common complication.Of the 44 abnormal cases,16 cases showed hydrocephalus,6 cases of which were from the escherichia coli group.The second most common complication was subdural effusion.And another 5 cases showed cerebral softening,3 cases of which were from the escherichia coli group.The data suggested that escherichia coli meningitis easily combined hydrocephalus and brain softening.Conclusions The main pathogens of neonatal bacterial meningitis is streptococcus agalactiae and escherichia coli.The brain injury in neonatal bacterial meningitis caused by escherichia coli is more serious than those caused by other pathogens.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the early expression differences of lung tissue proteins in rats exposed to silica using comparative proteomics method, to explore the effects of Chinese traditional medicine (Gymnadenia conopse alcohol extract, GcAE) on silicosis (50 mg/ml).

METHODSAdult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into silica-treated group and GcAE-treated group, four rats a group. The rats were exposed to silica by intratracheal (IT) instillation of 1 ml silica suspension for 24 h. After exposure, the rats in GcAE-treated group were intragastric administration with 0.8 ml GcAE (0.8 ml/100 g a day) and the rats in silica-treated group were intragastric administration with 2 ml sterilized saline a day for 14 days. Then all rats were sacrificed and lung tissues were collected. The total proteins were separated by means of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the differentially expressed proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Western blotting was used to validate the expression of certain candidate proteins in lung tissues.

RESULTSObvious pathological changes of lung could be observed in silica-treated group, such as the thicken of interalveolar septum, which was infiltrated with lymphocytes, macrophages and a few neutrophils with the proliferation of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. The accumulation of collagen, the destruction of alveolus structure and the more dotted fibrosis or granuloma could also be found. However, the pathological changes of lung in GcAE-treated group were lighter than those of silica-treated group. Thirty three differentially expressed proteins were identified, including cathepsin D precursor, peroxiredoxin-1 (Prx-1) and SEC14-like protein 3. Compared with silica-treated group, cathepsin D precursor and Prx-1 were significantly downregulated in GcAE-treated group, and SEC14-like protein 3 was significantly upregulated (P < 0.01). The results of western blot indicated that the expression level of Prx-1 in GcAE-treated group was 0.26 ± 0.02, which was significantly lower than that (0.35 ± 0.04) in silica-treated group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGcAE may inhibit the progress of silicosis in the early period and cathepsin D precursor, SEC14-like protein 3 and Prx-1 may participate in this process.

Animals ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchidaceae ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Proteomics ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Silicosis ; metabolism

Objective To investigate potential effect and mechanism of dexamethasone ( DEX) on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods A total of 18 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups( n=6 each): sham operation group, model control group , and DEX group. Mice in the model control and sham operation groups received intraperitoneal normal saline 0. 5 hour before ischemia, and mice in DEX group received intraperitoneal injection of DEX 10 mg·kg-1 , 0. 5 hour before ischemia. Mice in the model control and DEX groups were placed in the 32 degree infant incubator for 30 minutes after clamping superior mesenteric artery, followed by clamps removal and reperfusion for 24 hours. Mice were then sacrificed to obtain the intestinal tissues. The pathology of intestinal tissues was observed after hematoxylin-eosinstaining ( HE) staining. The mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured by PCR. The expression of AKT and p-AKT were measured by Western blotting. Results The level of mesenteric injuries in the sham operation group, model control group and DEX group was (4±2),(13±3),(7±2) points, respectively. The mRNA level of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ and the expression of p-AKT were all higher in the model control group. Compared to the model control group, the level of mesenteric injuries, the mRNA level of IL-6, TNF-αand IFN-γin DEX group were significantly attenuated, but the expression of p-AKT were further increased. Conclusion Pretreatment with DEX can reduce intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating AKT signaling pathway and suppressing inflammation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of zinc gluconate nasal spray in the prevention of upper respiratory infection. Methods A random, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was conducted in a total of 901 healthy male recruits, who were randomized into 2 groups, experiment group and control group, by using a random-number table. The experiment group, consisted of 447 recruits, was given zinc gluconate nasal spray, and the control group, consisted of 454 recruits, with placebo for one month. During the course of the experiment, 61 in trial group and 67 in control group were eliminated. The incidence of upper respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, and the incidence of all the symptoms were documented after treatment for one month. Results Seven hundred and seventy-three recruits completed the schedule finally up to standard, among them 386 recruits were in experiment group and 387 in placebo group. The incidence of upper respiratory infection and influenza-like illness were lower in experiment group (26.94% and 0.26%, respectively) than in control group (34.37% and 2.06%, respectively; ?2=5.010 for upper respiratory infection, P

Objective To explore whether arsenic trioxide(As2O3)-induced apopotosis in drug-resistant leukemia K562/ADM cells may induce in through endoplasmic reticulum stress leukemia cell apopotosis.Methods The apoptosis of K562/ADM cells was identified by double staining of FITC-Annexin V and propidium iodide(PI),the ultrastructure of the cells,endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Flow cytometry(FCM) was employed to assess mitochondrial inner membrane potential(??m),intracellular calcium concentration,cytochrome c(Cyt c) release and caspase-3 activity.The expression of GRP78 protein was analyzed by Western blot.Results During the apoptotic process of K562/ADM cells induced with 2 ?mol/L and 5 ?mol/L As2O3,the endoplasmic reticulum exhibited obvious expansion and degranulation,and the mitochondria illustrated inner and outer membranes fusion,reduced and confused cristae,swelling and vacuolization.The mitochondrial ??m decreased,the intracellular calcium concentration and releasing of cytochrome c from mitochondria increased,and caspase-3 was activated.Western blot result indicated upregulation of GRP78 protein at endoplas-mic reticulum in apopototic K562/ADM cells.Conclusion As2O3 can initiate the endoplasmic reticulum stress in K562/ADM cells,and induces to apoptosis of the drug-resistant cell via endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial pathway.

Objective To compare the difference and rationalities between Harmm and Zhou' s formulae for expected acid-base compensation in acid-base imbalance. Methods 745 cases of arterial blood gas analysis results of acid-base disorder were evaluated respectively by Hamm and Zhou' s formulae, and the concordance was judged. Results For metabolic acidosis ( 108 cases), the concordance rate was 70. 4% between Hamm and Zhou's( Kappa value =0. 41 ,P ＜0. 01 ) ;for metabolic alkalosis ( 132 cases) ,the concordance rate was 59. 1% ( Kappa value =0. 18 ,P ＜0. 05) ;for acute respiratory acidosis(81 cases) ,the concordance rate was 65.43% ( Kappa value = 0. 31, P ＜ 0. 01 ) ;for acute respiratory alkalosis ( 168 cases), the concordance rate was 54. 8% ( Kappa value = 0. 24%, P ＜ 0. 01 ); for chronic respiratory acidosis ( 119 cases ), the concordance rate was 67.2% ( Kappa value = 0. 41, P ＜ 0. 01 ) ;for chronic respiratory alkalosis( 137 cases), the concordance rate was 66. 6% ( Kappa value = 0. 43, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion The difference between Hamm and Zhou' s formulae for expected acid-base compensation in acid-base imbalance was obvious. The Zhou' s expected max compensation coefficient were slightly higher than the primary adopted compensation coefficient.