Objective To understand the situation of iodine deficiency disorders of Cangzhou city, Hebei province, in order to provide the scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods From 2007 to 2009, dynamic monitoring of iodine deficiency disorders was carried out in low iodized salt coverage places Hejian city and Xian county. Nine towns were randomly chosen in each county, 4 administrative villages were randomly selected in each town, 8 household salts were tested in each village. Every year, 1 - 3 copies of residents water samples were collected for determination of iodine; more than 100 students age 8 - 10 years old were checked the situation of goiter and urinary iodine, more than 40 students selected were measured iodine content of salt from their home; more than 50 women of childbearing age 18 - 40 years were tested of urinary iodine. Thyroid was examined with palpation; water iodine and urine iodine concentration were measured with arsenic-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry; salt iodine was detected by direct titration. Results From 2007 to 2009,median household salt iodine were 4.3,15.9,3.6,18.4,4.6,11.7 mg/kg in Hejian city and Xian county, respectively,iodized salt accounted for 34.03% (98/288), 78.82% (227/288), 29.86% (86/288), 84.72% (244/288), 37.15%(107/288),49.31% (142/288), respectively, the consuming rate of iodized salt were 27.08% (78/288),36.46%( 105/288 ), 28.13% (81/288 ), 49.31% ( 142/288 ), 37.15 % ( 107/288 ), 30.90% ( 89/288 ), respectively. Ten samples of drinking water were tested, water iodine were 5.5 - 34.4 μg/L. From 2007 to 2009, the goiter rate of students aged 8 - 10 years old was below 5%, the median of urinary iodine were 138.1,176.6,112.0 μg/L, ＜ 100 μg/L ratio were 31.6% ( 65/206 ), 25.0% ( 52/208 ) and 44.4% (91/205 ). The median of urinary iodine of child-bearing age women were 167.3,164.2,78.1 μg/L, ＜ 100 μg/L ratio were 28.7%(29/101 ), 19.2%(20/104) and 60.0%(60/100).Conclusions In areas with low coverage of iodized salt, iodine nutrition level are affected, the child-bearing age

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cases of anaphylactic death cases and explore the standards of judicial expertise of anaphylactic death for providing evidence for judicial expertise. METHODS: Fifty-nine cases death due to allergic reaction in Shanghai were collected. And details of medical history, clinical manifestation of anaphylactic reaction and postmortem examination findings were reviewed for all cases. RESULTS: In the 59 cases, there were 58 cases died from drug allergy, including 77.6% of them were antibiotics. The rates of treating in standard hospital and illegal clinic were 37.3% and 61.0%, respectively. The allergic symptoms were dyspnea and facial cyanosis. The time from contacting allergens to death ranged from 1 min to 3 d. The concentration of total serum IgE ranged from 50 to 576.92 IU/mL. The results of clinical manifestation and pathological anatomy had obviously changes. CONCLUSION Based on the exclusion of all other cause of death and synthetically analysis of details of cases, medical history, clinical manifestation and anatomy, the conclusion of anaphylactic death can reached. The details of cases including clinical history, exposure to allergens, and clinical manifestation play an important role in diagnosis of anaphylactic death.
Anaphylaxis/mortality* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Autopsy ; China ; Drug Hypersensitivity/mortality* ; Forensic Sciences ; Humans

Objective To measure the serum selenium levels in patient with Keshan disease(KSD)and in healthy controls in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas,to monitor the long-term dynamic changes of hair and serum selenium levels in Shandong KSD areas,and to provide scientific basis for preventing KSD.Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in KSD areas of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia in 2009.The research subjects which come from KSD areas were 77 cases and 63 healthy controls from Shandong;35 patients and 36 healthy controls from Sichuan;and 17 patients and 18 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia.Additional 33 healthy people from Jinan city were selected as controls of non-KSD areas.Blood and hair samples were collected and selenium levels were measured by 2,3-diaminonaphthalene fluorescence spectrometry.Retrospective method was used to analyze the hair and serum selenium data collected between 1976 and 2004 in Shandong KSD areas.and these data were eompard with the data of 2009 to observe the long-term dynamic changes.Results ① The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong and Inner Mongolia were significantly lower than that of healthy subjects of KSD areas[(0.0773±0.0113)vs(0.0895±0.0256),(0.0347±0.0107)vs(0.0469±0.0161),t=3.52,3.87,all P<0.01].No significant difference was found between KSD patients and healthy people in Sichuan[(0.0792±0.0162)vs(0.0774±0.0103),t=0.55,P>0.05].②The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas were lower than that of non-KSD area[(0.0988±0.0231)mg/L,q=6.74,5.83,19.47,all P<0.01].The serum selenium levels of healthy people in Sichuan and Inner Mongoha KSD areas were significantly lower than that of non-KSD area(q=6.68,16.36,all P<0.01).The serum selenium levels of healthy controls in Inner Mongolia were lower than that of in Shandong and Sichuan(q=13.63,14.74,13.62,1.46,all P<0.01).③From 1976 to 2009,the hair and serum selenium levels of Shandong resident were increased 1.68 times(0.343/0.128-1)for hair and 0.98 times(0.091/0.046-1)for serum,respectively.But there was no significant difference between the average growth rate of hair and serum selenium levels(χ2=1.38,P>0.05).Conclusions ①The hair and serum selenium levels of KSD patients are lower than that of healthy controls in non-KSD area.②The serum selenium levels of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia are different between KSD patients and healthy controls in the diseased areas.③The hair and serum selenium data of Shandong resident show an upward vend over the past 30 years.We suggest to continue the comprehensive measures of adding selenium in KSD areas.

Objective To observe the incidence and clinical characteristics of chronic Keshan disease in recent years, and to provide evidence for diagnosis of the disease. Methods From March to August 2009, 163 patients with chronic Keshan disease were chosen from Shandong, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and Cansu. Of these patients, 62 cases were from Shandong, 34 cases from Sichuan, 37 cases from Inner Mongolia, and 30 cases from Gansu. All of the subjects underwent detailed natural history of the disease, careful physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG), X-ray chest radiography and cardiac ultrasound examination. The incidence and clinical features were analyzed. Results Adults accounted for 98.8%(161/163) and children for 1.2%(2/163) in 163 cases of chronic Keshan disease, with an average age of 45.8 years. Slow onset accounted for 62.6%(102/163), other types that evolved into chronic-type accounted for 37.4%(61/163). Low blood pressure( 116.5/72.4 mmHg),often with cardiac function grade Ⅱ accounted for 65.6%(107/163). Common symptoms were: palpitation[86.5%(141/163)], asthma [76.7% (125/163)], fatigue[76.1%(124/163)], precordial discomfort [54.6% (89/163)], dizziness[50.3%(82/163)], edema of lower limbs[44.8%(73/163)], and anorexia[38.0%(62/163)]. Common signs were: low-weak first heart sound[66.9%(109/163)], heart enlargement[64.4%(105/163)], apical pulse dispersion[42.3%(69/163)], arrhythmia[40.5%(66/163)], hepatomegalia[39.3%(64/163)], systolic murmur [25.2%(41/163)], and edema[20.9%(34/163)]. Abnormal ECG detection rate was 93.9%(153/163), with common types followed by ST-T changes[ST-T changes, ST segment changes, Tchange, 36.2%(59/163)], ventricular premature [occasional and frequent ventricular premature, 26.4% (43/163)], complete right bundle branch block [25.8% (42/163)], atrial fibrillation[19.0%(31/163)], and atrioventricular conduction block[8.6%( 14/163)]. X-ray results showed that significant and moderate heart enlargement were common, accounting for 73.4%( 105/143), followed by mild enlargement of 25.2%(36/143). Color doppler ultrasound examination results showed that the atrio-ventricular cavity diameter increased, followed by left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased[81.3%(52/64)], left ventricular end-diastolic diameter increased[65.6%(42/64)], left atrial enlargement[51.6%(33/64)], right atrial enlargement [43.8%(28/64)], and right ventricular enlargement[32.8%(21/64)]. Left ventricular wall and interventricular septum thinning accounted for 15.6%( 10/64) and 7.8%(5/64), respectively. Conclusions In recent years, most cases of chronic Keshan disease occur as natural chronic type, and at older age at onset with low blood pressure.Main clinical features of the disease are cardiac enlargement, inadequate tissue perfusion, and venous stasis performance caused by cardiac decompensation. Correct diagnosis of chronic Keshan disease can be made based on these clinical features.

OBJECTIVETo explore Chinese medical syndrome distribution features of Japanese encephalitis (JE), and to analyze its correlation between syndromes and features of etiologies and pathogeneses.

METHODSRecruited were 277 patients with confirmative diagnosis of JE from Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, Fifth People's Hospital of Guiyang City, Hangzhou Sixth People's Hospital, and Chengdu Hospital of Infectious Diseases between July to September 2012. Chinese medical syndrome distribution features were summarized from their general materials and detailed records of clinical data, including medical history, symptoms and signs, tongue fur, and pulse figures.The frequency of symptoms and signs was calculated according to mild, ordinary, severe, extreme severe degrees. The distribution of Chinese medical syndromes was summarized. And its correlation between syndromes and features of etiologies and pathogeneses were analyzed.

RESULTSAfter clustering analysis, Chinese medical syndromes of JE could be categorized as four groups: toxicity accumulation in Fei and Wei syndrome (TAFWS), brain collateral impaired by poison syndrome (BCIPS), depression of toxicity in the pericardium syndrome (DTPS), exhaustion of yin and yang syndrome (EYYS). BCIPS and DTPS were dominated, accounting for 74.0% (205 cases). The main causes covered evil of summer heat [accounting for 92.42% (256/277 cases)], heat [accounting for 87.73% (243/277 cases)], and toxin [accounting for 99.64% (276/277 cases)].

CONCLUSIONSThe four Chinese medical syndrome types of JE met Chinese medical clinical features of encephalitis. It is induced by infestation of dampness-heat, resulting in toxicity accumulation in Fei and Wei, brain collateral impaired by poison, depression of toxicity in the pericardium. Yin fluid and blood is exhausted as time goes by. Qi and yin are impaired to form intermingled deficiency and excess, and finally causing exhaustion of yin and yang.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis

To assay the influence of dendritic cells(DCs)on the function of anti-infective immunity to Penicillium marneffei.DCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)and pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts.DCs morphology was observed by the inverted microscope and cell surface markers of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry.The concentrations of IL-12p70 were detected by ELISA. Mixed lymphocyte reaction was performed to assay the proliferation of T cells.The mRNA of CCR7 and CXCR4 were detected by the Real-time PCR quantifications.The acquired DCs exhibited irregular appearance and numerous long dendrites under light microscope.DCs and Penicillium marneffei yeasts were co-cultured for 24 h,numerous yeasts were observed inside the cells;an enhanced expression of the cell sur-face markers CD86、CD83、HLA-DR and CD40 were demonstrated;the expression of CCR7 and CXCR4 mRNA were also increased;the improved proliferation of T cells were observed in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.Yeasts-pulsed DCs secreted more IL-12p70 than that of non-pulsed,but less than that of LPS-pulsed DCs.DCs can engulf the Penicillium marneffei yeasts.When pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts,DCs improved their expression of the co-stimulatory molecules and chemokine receptor CCR7、CXCR4,enhanced their capacity to process antigen.DCs play an important role in host defense against Penicillium marneffei infection.But the low level of the IL-12p70 production may lead to deficiency in the cell-mediated immunity against Penicillium marneffei.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by rigidity, akinesia, resting tremor and postural instability. It has recently been suggested that low frequency stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has a role in the therapy for Parkinsonism, particularly in gait disorder and postural instability. However, there is limited information about the mechanism of low frequency stimulation of the PPN on Parkinson's disease. The present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of low frequency stimulation of the PPN on the firing rate of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (VL) in a rat model with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning of the substantia nigra pars compacta. In vivo extracellular recording and microiontophoresis were adopted. The results showed that the firing rate of 60.71% VL neurons in normal rats and 59.57% VL neurons in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats increased with low frequency stimulation of the PPN. Using microiontophoresis to VL neurons, we found the firing rate in VL neurons responded with either an increase or decrease in application of acetylcholine (ACh) in normal rats, whereas with a predominant decrease in M receptor antagonist atropine. Furthermore, the VL neurons were mainly inhibited by application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and excited by GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline. Importantly, the VL neurons responding to ACh were also inhibited by application of GABA. We also found that the excitatory response of the VL neurons to the low frequency stimulation of the PPN was significantly reversed by microiontophoresis of atropine. These results demonstrate that cholinergic and GABAergic afferent nerve fibers may converge on the same VL neurons and they are involved in the effects of low frequency stimulation of the PPN, with ACh combining M(2) receptors on the presynaptic membrane of GABAergic afferents, which will inhibit the release of GABA in the VL and then improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Action Potentials ; Animals ; Cholinergic Fibers ; physiology ; Electric Stimulation ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventral Thalamic Nuclei ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of circulatory disturbance and treatment of severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODThe clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, therapy and outcome of 22 severe HFMD patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTAll the 22 severe HFMD patients came from the countryside. All these patients had encephalitis. Fifteen cases had myocardial injury. All had symptoms of sympathetic excitation and 17 cases had hypertension [(128 ± 16)/(81 ± 14) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)]. Fourteen cases had exacerbation with rapid decline of blood pressure [(61 ± 12)/(33 ± 12) mm Hg]. In cardiorespiratory failure stage, 13 patients had neurogenic pulmonary edema accompanied by circulatory failure and 12 cases had a lower glasgow scores (less than 7). Myocardial injury and ECG change were found in some cases. Inotropic and pressor drugs were given in patients with circulatory collapse. Five cases received fluid resuscitation due to refractoriness to inotropic drugs. Nine patients received blood purification. Seventeen survived and 5 cases died due to circulatory failure.

CONCLUSIONCirculation failure of severe HFMD is the main cause of death. Early and appropriate circulation support is very important to reduce mortality.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; complications ; mortality ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Milrinone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; mortality ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; mortality ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; etiology ; mortality ; Treatment Outcome

Systematical studies are lacking on the influencing factors and mechanisms of the heparin enhanced sperm capacitation, although many studies have shown that heparin enhanced sperm capacitation. The effect of heparin concentration and exposure time, incubation temperature and co-culture with oviductal epithelial cells or cumulus cells on goat sperm capacitation were investigated in this study. The motility, membrane and acrosome integrity and capacitated percentage of goat spermatozoa were assessed after different heparin treatments, and rates of fertilization and embryo cleavage were compared after in vitro insemination of oocytes with spermatozoa capacitated by different heparin treatments. The major results are summarized as follows: 1) When spermatozoa were capacitated with heparin at 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 microg/mL for 45 min, 50 and 100 microg/mL heparin treatments produced the highest capacitated percentages of 55% and 56%, respectively, but the percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes in the 100 microg/mL heparin treatment decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in comparison with that in the control group, indicating that the optimal heparin concentration for goat sperm capacitation would be 50 microg/mL. 2) Capacitated percentage of spermatozoa increased with extension of treatment time when goat sperm were treated with 50 microg/mL heparin for 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 120 min. Although heparin treatments for 45 to 120 min did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in capacitated sperm percentages, sperm motility and membrane integrity decreased significantly when treated with heparin for 120 min. This suggested that the optimal exposure time of heparin at 50 microg/mL for goat sperm capacitation would be 45 to 60 min. 3) Significantly higher capacitated percentages of spermatozoa were obtained when goat sperm were treated at 42 and 38.5 degrees C than at 15 and 37 degrees C, but sperm motility and acrosome integrity were significantly lower when spermatozoa were treated at 42 degrees C than they were treated at other temperatures. Temperature of 38.5 degrees C would, therefore, be the optimal temperature for goat sperm capacitation. 4) The capacitated percentage of spermatozoa was significantly higher when goat sperm were co-cultured with oviductal epithelial cells than when treated with heparin alone or co-cultured with cumulus cells, but sperm motility and membrane and acrosome integrity did not differ significantly among the three treatments. Rates of fertilization (91.3%) and cleavage (72.2%) were significantly higher in the oviductal epithelial cell co-culture group than those in the heparin alone group. This indicated that co-culture with oviductal epithelial cells significantly enhanced goat sperm capacitation by heparin treatment.
Acrosome Reaction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Coculture Techniques ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fallopian Tubes ; cytology ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Goats ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Sperm Capacitation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of action of Tougu Xiaotong Capsule (透骨消痛胶囊, TGXTC) ex vivo in suppressing chondrocyte (CD) apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprussiate (SNP).

METHODSThirty New Zealand rabbits, 2 months old, were randomized by lottery into five groups, six in each: the blank group treated with saline, the positive control group treated with Zhuanggu Guanjie Pill (壮骨关节丸, 70 mg/kg), and the three experimental groups, EGA, EGB, and EGC, treated with low dose (35 mg/kg), moderate dose (70 mg/kg), and high dose (140 mg/kg) of TGXTC, respectively. All treatments were administered via gastrogavage twice a day for 3 days. Arterial blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and drug or drug metabolites-containing serum was prepared. CDs obtained from knee joints of 16 four-week-old New Zealand rabbits were cultured to the third passage and confirmed by toluidine blue staining. SNP of various final concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mmol/L) was used to induce CD apoptosis, and the dosage-effect relationship of SNP in inducing CD apoptosis was determined. Serum samples from the blank, control, and three dosages of TGXTC-treated rabbits were tested in the CD culture in the presence of SNP. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining, viability of CDs was quantified by MTT, CD apoptosis rate was determined by annexin V-FITC/PI staining, levels of p53 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in CDs were determined with RT-PCR, and contents of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins were determined by colorimetry.

RESULTSCD apoptosis was induced by SNP at all concentrations tested and in a dose-dependent manner. The SNP concentration of 1 mmol/L and treatment duration of 24 h appeared to be optimal and were selected for the study. Serum samples from the positive control rabbits and from the two higher doses of TGXTC-treated rabbits showed reduction of SNP-induced CD apoptosis, decrease in p53 mRNA expression, inhibition of catalytic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increase in Bcl-2 mRNA expression when compared with the serum from the blank group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTGXTC-containing sera antagonized SNP-induced CD apoptosis and the molecular basis for the action was associated with up-regulation of Bcl-2, down-regulation of p53 expression, and inhibition of caspase-3 and caspase-9 catalytic activities.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biocatalysis ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Nitroprusside ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Serum ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism