Objective To explore a brief regimen to treat and manage asthmatic patients.Methods 122 asthmatic patients(including 12 inpatients) treated and managed at respiratory clinic were followed up for 1～10 years.The data of these patients were collected and analysed Results On the base of asthma education patients were received inhaled glucocorticoid combined with ? 2 agonist and/or theophylline for two to five years Of 122 patients,20(16 4%) patients remised and remained good control without any medication,90(73 8%) patients relapsed within 1 to 2 years after drug withdrawal Conclusions Asthmatic patients must be treated and managed regularly according to GINA It was especially emphasized that inhaled glucocorticoid is the mainstay of ling term threapy Most patients can remise for quite a long time with agreeable quality of life while a few patients can be cured

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Yu’s meridian detection and treatment plus acupuncture in treating facial paralysis.Method Sixty patients with facial paralysis in acute stage were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by Yu’s meridian detection and treatment plus acupuncture, while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. The House-Brackmann (H-B) scale and symptom-sign scores were observed before and after the treatment.Result The H-B scale scores were changed significantly in the two groups after the treatment (P<0.05). After the treatment, the H-B score of the treatment group was significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05). The symptom-sign scores were significantly changed in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01). The symptom-sign score of the treatment group was significantly different from that of the control group after the treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Yu’s meridian detection and treatment plus acupuncture is an effective method in treating facial paralysis.

Aim To investigate the antioxidant capacity of crocetin and crocin in an in vivo system.Methods Column chromatography was applied to the seperation of crocetin and crocin-1 from gardenia.Crocetin(6.25,12.5 and 25.0 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and crocin (18.7,37.5 and 75.0 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) were orally administered to kunming mice.Then,superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),total antioxidant capacity(TAOC)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in mice were determined for the comparison of antioxidant activity of crocetin and crocin-1.Results Oral administration of crocetin and crocin for six weeks could enhance SOD of liver and kidney,GSH-Px of liver and TAOC of heart and kidney.In addition,it could decrease MDA of serum in mice.Conclusions The comparison of results suggests the evidence supporting the comparable antioxidant activity of crocetin and crocin.The results of the research also indicate that liver and kidney are two organs targeted for protection concerning endogenous antioxidant among various tissues.

Research on the association between maternal periodontal disease and the risk of preeclampsia has generated inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between maternal periodontal disease and the risk of preeclampsia. A literature search of PubMed and Embase was performed to identify relevant papers published before March 2013. Only observational studies that assessed maternal periodontal disease and the risk of preeclampsia were selected. Patients' periodontal status was examined at different time points during pregnancy or after delivery (at 14-32 weeks of gestation, within 48 h prior to or within 5 days after delivery). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for cases and controls. Cases were defined as women with concurrent hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Eleven studies involving 1118 women with preeclampsia and 2798 women without preeclampsia were identified and analyzed. Women with periodontal disease before 32 weeks of gestation had a 3.69-fold higher risk of developing preeclampsia than their counterparts without periodontal disease (OR=3.69; 95% CI=2.58-5.27). Periodontal disease within 48 h prior to delivery was associated with a 2.68-fold higher risk of preeclampsia (OR=2.68; 95% CI=1.39-5.18). Pregnant women with periodontal disease within 5 days after delivery had a 2.22-fold higher risk of preeclampsia than women without periodontal disease (OR=2.22; 95% CI=1.16-4.27). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that maternal periodontal disease is an independent predictor of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of total vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support in treating severe congenital kyphoscoliosis.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to April 2012,21 patients with severe congenital kyphoscoliosis were treated with total vertebral column resection and internal fixation through posterior approach combined with anterior mesh cage support. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years old (ranged from 10 to 35). And 6 cases were thoracic segments deformity,13 cases were thoracolumbar segments and 2 cases were lumbar segments, of them, 2 cases were accompanied with Chairs deformity, 6 cases with diastematomyelia, 4 cases with syringomyelia,and 1 case with neurofibromatosis. According to the Frankel grade system, 3 cases were grade C, 5 cases grade D and 13 cases grade E. Blood loss, operative time, and perioperative complications were recorded. Coronal and sagittal Cobb angle, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities were measured and analyzed before and after operation.

RESULTSThe average operative time was 5.2 h (3.5 to 6.5 h) and blood loss was 2,500 ml (1,400 to 4,900 ml). The 2nd day after operation, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities had obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in above items between postoperative on the 2nd day and final follow-up (P > 0.05). The corrective rate of kyphosis and scoliosis were (60.97 +/- 6.30)% and (62.24 +/- 5.82)%, respectively. On the first day after surgery,2 cases of Frankel grade E aggravated to grade D, and obtained recovery at 2 week after conservative treatment. And 1 case palinesthesia later,grade D aggravated to grade C and obtained recovery after revision surgery in time. One case complicated with permanent blindness of left eye, 1 case occurred injury of pleura and 2 cases had cerebrospinal fluid leak during operation. All patients were followed up from 9 to 31 months with an av- erage of 18.6 months. At final follow-up,all patients obtained bone union, Frankel grade D in 4 cases and grade E in 17 cases, no correction loss and internal fixation loosening was found.

CONCLUSIONTotal vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support can effectively correct kyphosis and scoliosis in severe congenital kyphoscoliosis and can avoid injury of spine cord by spinal crispation, but intraoperative position and neurologic complications should still be considered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RNA component of mitochondrial RNAase P (RMRP) in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and Methods: Venous blood was collected from septic patients and healthy people. C57BL/6 mice who underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) were used as in vivo models of septic AKI. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HK-2 cells were employed as in vitro models of AKI. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to detect cell apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot assays were used to detect levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results: RMRP was upregulated in sera from patients with AKI and in LPS-induced cells. Knockdown of RMRP inhibited cell apoptosis and reduced production of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced cells, as well as alleviated AKI in CLP mice. RMRP facilitated inflammation by activating NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. We found that microRNA 206 (miR-206) binds with and is negatively regulated by RMRP: miR-206 directly targets the 3’ untranslated region of DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) and negatively regulates DDX5 expression. By binding with miR-206, RMRP upregulated DDX5 expression. Rescue assays revealed that overexpression of DDX5 counteracted the effect of RMRP inhibition on cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in LPS-induced cells. Conclusion The lncRNA RMRP contributes to sepsis-induced AKI through upregulation of DDX5 in a miR-206 dependent manner and through activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. This novel discovery may provide a potential strategy for treating AKI.

To investigate the effects of DENV infection on the expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in monocytes, and to explore which innate immune signaling pathway is responsible for VEGF induction. Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of VEGF in DENV-infected THP-1. We found that different serotype viruses (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3) induced the VEGF expression. Moreover, VEGF expression was significantly increased in human primary monocytes infected with DENV 2. In addition, VEGF induction by DENV2 was significantly impaired by knockdown of TLR3 and interferon-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1), or by inhibition of ERK, JNK or NF-kappaB. These results demonstrated that DENV induced VEGF expression in monocytes, and the activation of TLR3, IPS-1 signal pathways were required for DENV2-triggered VEGF induction, suggesting that VEGF might be a promising therapeutic target for DHF.
Dengue ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Monocytes ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVEChemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1alpha) have been paid increasing attention for their involvement in megakaryocytic hematopoiesis. It has been revealed in recent years that they can induce mature and immature megakaryocytes (MKs) to migrate through bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC) by increasing the affinity of MKs for BMEC. Thus MKs maturity and eventual release of platelet from MKs ensues. While maturity disturbance of MKs and impaired production of platelets have been regarded as the main pathogenesis of ITP, the mechanism of which still remains unclear. Therefore, a clear understanding of the levels of CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha within bone marrow in children with ITP will help us to elucidate further the mechanism of ITP as well as to provide direct theoretical evidence for predicting treatment effect and evaluating prognosis.

METHODSBone marrow were aspirated from 28 children with AITP and 12 normal children. Percoll density gradient and immunomagnetic beads method were used to purify megakaryocytes from the bone marrow. The immune cytochemistry was used to detect CXCR4 on megakaryocytes. The levels of SDF-1alpha were detected by ELISA. SPSS10.0 statistical software was used to deal with the experimental data.

RESULTSBefore the treatment in children with AITP, both the CXCR4 expression on megakaryocytes and the SDF-1alpha level in bone marrow plasma were markedly decreased compared with the normal controls (P < 0.05). As to the cases who were sensitive to the high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIgG), the CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha levels were much higher in children after the treatment than those before the treatment (P < 0.05). In 6 cases insensitive to HDIVIgG, before the treatment the CXCR4 level was much lower than the children sensitive to HDIVIgG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe low levels of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system in bone marrow may be one of the factors which contribute to the maturity disturbance of megakaryocytes and disturbance of platelets production in AITP, while decreased CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system may be caused by the effect of autoantibody against platelet. The mechanism of HDIVIgG in the treatment of AITP may involve in the increasing expression of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system. The level of CXCR4 on megakaryocytes may play a certain role in predicting the treatment effect of immunoglobulin.

Adolescent ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Chemokines, CXC ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infant ; Ligands ; Megakaryocytes ; metabolism ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum progesterone level at the day with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration and pregnant outcome from in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET). Methods From Mar. 2002 to Apr. 2007, 786 cycles with serum progesterone measurement on the day of hCG administration for final oocyte maturation in IVF were analyzed retrospectively in Reproductive Medicine Center in First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.All stimulations were down-regulated with gronadotrophin release hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in both long protocols and short protocols before gonadotrophin stimulation. When the thresholds of serum progesterone were set at 5.5, 6.0,6.5,7.0,7.5,8.0,8.5 and 9.0 nmol/L, respectively. If the level of progesterone was less than the thresholds, those patients were in lower progesterone group, on the contrary, more than the threshold value, those patients were in higher progesterone group. The laboratory results and the clinical outcomes between all patients at lower and higher progesterone group at different thresholds value were analyzed. Results The rate of normal fertilization, quality embryos, successful implantation, chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth did not exhibit remarkable difference between patients with higher and lower serum progesterone level at multiple thresholds on the day of hCG administration in the 786 cycles (P >0.05). However, when the thresholds of serum progesterone were at 8.5 and 9.0 nmol/L, early abortion rates of 27.3% (3/11) and 3/7 in higher progesterone group were significantly higher than 8.8% (26/297) and 8.6% (26/301) in lower progesterone group (P<0.05). And the total abortion rates of 3/7 in higher progesterone group were significantly higher than 11.0% (34/301) in lower progesterone group when the thresholds of serum progesterone were 9.0 nmol/L (P<0.05). Conclusions This study did not prove the correlationship between progesterone level at the clay with hCG administration and the probability of clinical pregnancy or live birth. However, early abortion rates or the total abortion rates were associated with higher progesterone level when the thresholds of serum progesterone were at 8.5 nmol/L or 9.0 nmoL/L.

AIMThe aim of this survey was to compare Chinese natives and foreign inhabitants in Chengdu, China, with respect to: (1) attitudes towards dental appearance, (2) subjective orthodontic treatment need, and (3) the main factors influencing orthodontic treatment need.

METHODOLOGYA total of 522 subjects, including 227 foreign inhabitants and 295 Chinese natives in Chengdu participated in the survey. A simple random sampling method was adopted and a face-to-face interview was conducted at some public sites using a questionnaire. Data was entered by two persons synchronously using Epidata 3.0, and SPSS 13.0 was used to analyze these data.

RESULTS89.0% of foreign inhabitants were satisfied with their teeth compared to only 46.8% of Chinese natives. Females were more dissatisfied with their teeth than males. Chinese natives put improving appearance as the top priority (55.9%) for seeking orthodontic treatment; however, in foreign inhabitants, the main reason for seeking treatment was to improve masticatory function (44.1%), followed by "to be pretty" (35.2%). The importance of well-aligned teeth and self-perception of psychosocial impact of malocclusion were the same two main factors influencing subjective orthodontic treatment need (P < 0.05) in foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. Subjective orthodontic treatment need between the two target groups was significantly different (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) It was very common that Chinese natives were dissatisfied with their dental appearance, and their subjective orthodontic treatment needs were high. (2) There were some differences in orthodontic treatment motives between the two target groups. (3) There were differences in subjective orthodontic treatment needs between foreign inhabitants and Chinese natives. However, the prominent influential factors were almost the same. There may be benefit to understanding subjective orthodontic needs of different races.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; psychology ; Attitude to Health ; ethnology ; China ; Culture ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; psychology ; Esthetics, Dental ; Female ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Malocclusion ; psychology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Motivation ; Needs Assessment ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; psychology ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Personal Satisfaction ; Self Concept ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult