OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the appropriate extubation time and treatment of late complications after early tracheotomy in patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty patients (105 males and 45 females) with inhalation injury were admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to January 2009. Among them, 109 out of 129 cases with moderate inhalation injury received early tracheotomy, and all 21 cases with severe inhalation injury received early tracheotomy. Data were collected for analysis as follows: (1) incidence of re-intubation due to suffocation and pneumonia incidence after extubation within 2 weeks or after 2 weeks post inhalation injury (PII), and mortality rate within the first week after injury were recorded. (2) Conservative treatments including expectorant, oral antibiotics, and absolute bedrest were recommended for patients who had severe cough, hoarseness or poor pulmonary function after late extubation and closure of tracheostomy wound. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy findings (tracheostenosis degree, granuloma formation rate, vocal cord paralysis rate) and pulmonary function index (FEV(1)) data were collected and analyzed in 30 cases with moderate inhalation injury and 10 cases with severe inhalation injury within 3 months after injury for follow-up. Data were processed with t test or chi-square test.

RESULTSThere was no obvious difference in the rate of re-intubation after extubation in patients with moderate inhalation injury between those done within 2 weeks PII (15/70, 21.4%) and those done after 2 weeks PII (2/25, 8.0%) (χ(2) = 1.52, P > 0.05). Pneumonia incidence in patients of moderate inhalation injury with extubation within 2 weeks PII (21/70, 30.0%) was lower than those with extubation after 2 weeks PII (15/25, 60.0%) (χ(2) = 7.04, P < 0.05). Levels of above-mentioned indexes in patients with severe inhalation injury extubated in different stages were similar to those of patients with moderate inhalation injury. Within the first week after injury, mortality rate of patients with severe inhalation injury was higher than that of patients with moderate inhalation injury (χ(2) = 11.90, P < 0.05). During follow-up, tracheostenosis rate in patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury was 100.0%; granuloma formation rate and vocal cord paralysis rate in patients with severe inhalation injury were higher than those of patients with moderate inhalation injury (with χ(2) value respectively 4.59, 13.47, P values all below 0.05). The FEV(1) value of patients with moderate inhalation injury in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd month after injury was respectively higher than that of patients with severe inhalation injury (with t value respectively 5.48, 12.10, 6.25, P values all below 0.05). The values recovered to normal level in the 3rd month after injury.

CONCLUSIONSExtubation time of tracheotomy for patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury within 2 weeks or after 2 weeks PII has its own advantage and disadvantage, and it should be performed according to specific conditions of each patient. Conservative treatment is optional for late complications of respiratory system.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Burns, Inhalation ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Tracheotomy ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDIn the case of hypertension, lesions in the microvessels of the target organs precede and deteriorate further after arteriosclerosis in the small arteries. Thus coronary microvascular lesion (CML) was considered the crucial factor contributing to damage to the target organs. The purpose of this study is to observe the characteristics and differences of CML in autopsies of elderly patients with essential hypertension (EHT), coronary heart disease (CHD), or EHT with CHD, given the same degree of left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT).

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 246 cases of patients over 60 years old with EHT, CHD, or EHT with CHD, and on 26 cases without cardiovascular disease as controls, out of a total of 3195 consecutive autopsied cases. The arterioles (with diameter 10 - 60 microm) and the capillaries in the cardiac muscle layer were examined by haematoxylin and eosin staining, elastic van Gieson staining, and CD31 immunohistochemistry. To quantify CML severity, measurements were taken of arteriole density (AD), the ratio of wall-to-lumen area of arteriole (RWL), and capillary density (CD), using light microscopy and computer image analysis. Based on LVWT, the cases were divided into four degrees, from I to IV. The EHT, CHD, and EHT with CHD groups all rated LVWT I-IV, and the control group rated LVWT I. SAS software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSWith the aggravation of LVWT, both AD and RWL increased while CD decreased significantly in the EHT group (P < 0.05 - 0.0001); there were similar but more severe changes in the EHT with CHD group (P < 0.001 - 0.0001); and AD increased (P < 0.001) while RWL and CD did not change significantly in the CHD group.

CONCLUSIONComparing EHT with CHD patients, there are similar patterns of change to AD, but different patterns of change to RWL and CD. CML is much more severe in EHT patients with CHD. We conclude that CML is one of the main causes of decreased coronary flow reserve and myocardial damage in both EHT patients and EHT patients with CHD.

Aged ; Autopsy ; Coronary Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; pathology ; Male ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo develvp a RP-HPLC method for the determination of flavonoids in fifteen kinds of flowers such as Iris lacteal pall, prunus persica and rosa chinensis.

METHODThe contents of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamntin in fifteen kinds of flowers were extracted with methanol. The analysis was performed on a Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid (50:50) as mobile phase.

RESULTThe quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamntin were separated well, and the result shows that the content of quercetin in the Iris lactea Pall was the highest (1.536%), the contene of kaempferol in Persica persice was the highest (0.572%), and the content of isorhamntin in chrysamthemum morifolium was up to 0.290%.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of flavonoids in these flowers were by determined RP-HPLC for the first time and the method can be used for quantitative determination of flavonoids in the flowers.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Iris Plant ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; chemistry ; Prunus ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; chemistry ; Rosa ; chemistry

Objective To explore the distribution of water with high level arsenic and prevalence of arsenism along Huai'he River and the surrounding area of Hong'ze lake in Huai'an of Jiangsu. Methods Wate rsamples were collected and tested in 2008 from 18 villages of 6 towns according to history data in 3 counties like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze. Samples having arsenic level higher than 0.05 mg/L were investigated by epidemiological method and the patients were diagnosed by Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism. Results All 5199 water samples were determined,and 260 water samples were exceeding the national drinking water quality level (0.05 mg/L) in 3 counties,the rates of exceeding diagnosis were 5.6%(247/4454),0.7%(4/597),6.0%(9/148) respectively. Total detected rate of endemic arsenic disease was 5.94%(128/2155). The detected rates of age group of 0 ～ ,20 ～,30 ～ ,40 ～ ,50 ～ ,60 ～ ,70 ～ ,80 ～ were 2.86%(1/35),2.11%(2/95),1.26%(3/239),3.10%(16/516),5.53% (32/579),10.07%(41/407),11.84%(27/228),10.71%(6/56) respectively. The detected rate of male (9.10%,78/857) was higher than that of female(3.85%,50/1298,χ~2 = 25.46,P < 0.01). Conclusions Huai'he River and the surrounding areas of Hong'ze lake like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze are identified existing endemic arsenic disease area. The prevention of arsenism should be strengthened in these areas.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes and their subsets in the peripheral blood of chronic hepatitis B patients and to explore the relationship between these cells and the pathogenesis of their diseases.

METHODSBlood samples from 53 chronic hepatitis B patients, 17 from HBV asymptomatic carriers (ASC) and 19 from healthy controls (HC) were collected. CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry (FCM), then the CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes were gathered to analyze their expressions of CD4, CD8, TCR Valpha24, TCRalpha/beta and TCRgamma/delta.

RESULTSThe number of CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes of chronic hepatitis B patients (7.4+/-4.6%) was more than those of ASC (4.5%+/-3.5%) and healthy controls (4.4%+/-3.7%). The expressions of TCR Valpha24 on CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes showed no significant differences among the three groups, but the expression of TCR Valpha24 on CD3-CD56+ lymphocytes of ASC ( 2.8%+/-1.4% ) was much more than that of the HC (1.7%+/-1.0%). For the subsets analysis, the CD8 and TCRalpha/beta subsets of CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes of chronic hepatitis B (61.9%+/-16.8% and 68.1%+/-16.9%) were significantly higher than those of the HC (49.2%+/-15.6% and 56.4%+/-17.9%), while the TCRgamma/delta subsets of chronic hepatitis B and ASC (29.6%+/-15.4% and 30.5%+/-14.8%) were decreased significantly than those of the HC (41.4%+/-19.4%). On the other hand, the CD8 and TCRalpha/beta subsets of CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes of severe chronic hepatitis B (69.0%+/-14.0% and 76.1%+/-12.9%) and CD8 subsets of moderate chronic hepatitis B patients (66.4%+/-14.9%) were significantly higher than those of the mild chronic hepatitis B patients (51.4%+/-16.2% and 62.1%+/-14.6%).

CONCLUSIONThe pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B may positively relate to the high expression of CD8 on the CD3+CD56+ lymphocytes.

Adult ; CD3 Complex ; immunology ; CD56 Antigen ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the influence of psychological nursing intervention on the breast cancer patients with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy after breast-conserving therapy. Methods 50 cases of breast cancer patients with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy after breast-conserving therapy were randomly divided into two groups as intervention group and control group. Compared with control group, patients of intervention group were tested by Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)one or two days after the beginning of radiotherapy and before the end of radiotherapy. Results Decreasing obviously, the scores of SAS and SDS of the patients giving psychological nursing intervention at the end of radiotherapy were significantly different from those at the beginning of radiotherapy ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was no significant difference in control group between the beginning and the end of the radiotherapy( P ＞0. 05 ). There was significant difference between two groups of the scores of SAS and SDS after psychological nursing intervention( P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusions Reasonable psychological nursing protocols can improve the breast cancer patients' mental state effectively and benefit therapy process and recovery of breast cancer patients with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy after breast-conserving therapy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and prognostic factors of transarterial interventional therapy (TAIT) in patient with liver metastasis from malignancy of the alimentary tract.

METHODS266 patients with unresectable liver metastases from malignancy of the alimentary tract received totally 754 sessions of transarterial interventional therapy. Cox regression was used in the proportional hazard analysis.

RESULTSThe overall response rate of TAIT was 45.4%, The median survival time (MS) was 14.3 months in this series. The 0.5-, 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year cumulative survival rate (CSR) was 83.1%, 56.8%, 17.7%, 9.3% and 1.5% , respectively. No severe adverse reaction was observed except nausea, vomiting and mild fever as well as pain in the hepatic area. It was found that portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), the blood supply of tumor, metastasis from esophageal carcinoma, the number of metastasis, multi-lobe involvement, resection nature of primary tumor were independent factors affecting survival.

CONCLUSIONTransarterial interventional therapy is effective for treatment of liver metastasis from malignancy of the alimentary tract. Portal vein tumor thrombosis, metastasis from esophageal carcinoma, multiple metastatic lesions, multi-lobe involvement are poor prognostic factors, while complete resection of the primary tumor and rich blood supply of metastatic lesion are good independent prognostic factors.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Iodized Oil ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the incidence and angiographic features of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation in patients without prior myocardial infarction.

METHODSExercise-induced ST-segment elevation occurred in 15 out of 4601 consecutive patients without prior myocardial infarction underwent treadmill exercise testing during a 2-year period. The coronary angiographic features of the 15 patients (13 males, aged between 40 - 75 years) were analyzed.

RESULTSCoronary angiography revealed one hemodynamically relevant stenotic vessel in 6 patients, two hemodynamically relevant stenotic vessels in 6 patients, three hemodynamically relevant stenotic vessels in 3 patients. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was affected in 12 patients. Left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis was evidenced in 1 patient and right coronary artery stenosis in 7 patients. Severe (90% - 100%) occlusions were visualized in 8 out of 13 patients with LAD or LMCA lesions. Elevated ST-segment leads were consistent with the ischemic area where the blood supply of myocardium was affected by diseased vessels.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of exercise induced ST-segment elevation in patients without prior myocardial infarction is very low and mostly due to severe fixed coronary artery stenosis, especially in LAD. The location of ischemic myocardium can be suggested by ST-segment elevation leads during exercise.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To explore the direct economic loss caused by healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in general hospitals in China.Methods 68 hospitals were selected,a retrospective 1:1 matched survey was conducted to compare the direct medical cost in patients with and without HAI between January 1,2015 and December 31,2015. Results A total of 2 123 pairs of patients with and without HAI were included in the survey.The average cost of hospitalization in HAI and non-HAI groups were ￥25 845.30 and ￥12 006.14 respectively,￥13 839.16 on average was increased due to HAI.The average economic loss in provincial and ministerial levels of hospitals were￥21 409.83.The average economic loss in different regional hospitals were ￥9 725.42-￥18 909.59,and north China ranked the first.Economic loss caused by bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection were more than other sites,which were ￥23 190.09 and ￥18 194.50 respectively.Conclusion HAI resulted in considerable direct economic loss.Prevention and control of HAI,especially bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection should be paid more attention.