Objective To investigate the distribution of Leptotrombidium deliense among different small mammal hosts in some areas of Yunnan province. Methods A field survey was carried out in some counties of Yunnan province and the small mammal hosts were captured, using mouse cages and traps with baits. Chigger mites on the surface of two auricles were scraped off by a bistoury, and then preserved in 70% ethanol. Every specimen of the chigger mites on the slides was finally identified into species under a microscope. Some conventional statistical methods were adopted to calculate all the collected chigger mite species and the constituent ratios of Leptotrombidium deliense in different areas and on different hosts, together with its prevalence and mean abundance on different hosts. Results A total of 10 222 small mammal hosts were captured from 19 counties and identified as 11 families, 34 genera and 62 species in 5 orders, and 92 990 individuals of chigger mites were collected from the body surface of these small mammal hosts. All the collected chigger mites were identified as 3 subfamilies, 22 genera, and 225 species. Meanwhile, Leptotrombidium deliensee only accounted for 1.659% of the total. The host specificity of Leptotrombidium deliense was very low and 1544 individuals of Leptotrombidium deliense collected from 8518 small mammal hosts belonged to 6 families, 13 genera and 19 species in 3 orders. Our results showed that Leptotrombidium delienses were mainly collected from Insectivora and Rodentia. Leptotrombidium deliense had long been considered as the dominant species of chigger mites and the main vector of tsutsugamushi disease in Yunnan province of China, but our results seemed not thoroughly supporting this point of view. Conclusion Traditionally, Leptotrombidium deliense was the dominant species and the main vectors of scrub typhus in Yunnan province. However, based on our results, the above view might be true in some local places and the composition of chigger mites and the main vector of tautsugamushi disease might be different in regions and habitats in Yunnan province.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of Tripterygiitotorum (T II) combined with prednisone in treating patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and the changes of immune function after treatment.

METHODSSixty-eight patients with MG were randomly divided into two groups, the 36 patients in the treated group were treated with T II plus prednisone and the 32 in the control group were treated with prednisone alone. The therapeutic effect, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and peripheral B lymphocyte levels were observed.

RESULTSThe therapeutic effect in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were significant decrease in serum IL-6 and peripheral B lymphocyte in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), with the decrements more significant in the treated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapy of T II plus prednisone is superior to that of prednisone alone in treating MG, it has a more potent effect of immunosuppression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; B-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic values of vestibular autorotation test (VAT) for patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).

METHODSVAT and videonystagmography ( VNG) were performed on 73 patients with VBI and 48 patients with peripheral vestibular lesions (contrast group). Parameters analyzed included Gain, phase and asymmetry of VAT, as well as the canal paresis (CP) of caloric test and results of optokinetic-pursuit tests in VNG. Positive result of the test could be defined if anyone of the parameters was abnormal.

RESULTSFor VAT test, Gain was enhanced in VBI group and was reduced in contrast group. In VBI group and contrast group, Gain enhanced showed in 47 (64.4%) cases and 5 (10.4%) cases, respectively (chi2 = 31.19, P < 0.01). Simultaneity, Gain reduced in 11 cases (15.5%) and 22 cases (45.8%), respectively (chi2 = 13.82, P < 0.01). But there was no statistics significant for results of the parameters of phase, asymmetry and integration between two groups. For VNG test, results with optokinetic-pursuit tests were more abnormal in VBI group than that in contrast group, which showed central lesions characteristics. Forty-four cases (60.3%) in VBI group and 10 cases (20.8%) in control group showed central lesions results with optokinetic-pursuit tests and visual fixation test (chi2 = 15.89, P < 0.01). Unilateral or bilateral CP showed in 33 cases (68.6%) in control group and 51 cases (69.9%) in VBI group with caloric test.

CONCLUSIONSGain of VAT is mostly enhanced in VBI group, and Gain as a main characteristic is reduced in patients with peripheral vestibular lesions. The Gain parameter is availability for assessing characteristics of vestibular lesions. Phase and asymmetry can be used to assess the vestibular function but can not indicate the characteristics of vestibular lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; complications ; physiopathology ; Vertigo ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Vestibular Function Tests ; methods ; Young Adult

【Objective】 Tostudy the effect of ABO blood group on the FⅧ∶C and Fib content in human plasma, so as to provide the oretical guidance for the quality control of fresh plasma products and the establishment of relevant quality standards. 【Methods】 Samples determined included fresh plasma collected and fresh plasma separated manually. The FⅧ∶C and Fib content were determined by coagulation method. The exon6 of ABO gene was amplified and sequenced to determine the genotype. 【Results】 The FⅧ∶C in fresh plasma collected was (147.421±45.773)%, and that in fresh plasma separated manually was (119.083±35.130)%, showing significant differences(P<0.05). The Fib content in fresh plasma collected was (2.252±0.381)g/L, and that in fresh plasma separated manually was (2.324±0.470)g/L, with no significant differences observed (P>0.05). The FⅧ∶C in non-O type (A, B, AB type) fresh plasma collected and fresh plasma separated manually were (167.048±40.862)% and (129.251±33.503)%, respectively, significantly higher than that in O type fresh plasma collected and fresh plasma separated manually as(121.386±38.632)% and (91.589±22.328)%, respectively. The Fib contents in non-O type fresh plasma collected and fresh plasma separated manually were (2.242±0.385)g/L and (2.329±0.472)g/L, respectively. The Fib contents in O type fresh plasma collected and fresh plasma separated manually were (2.287±0.370)g/L and (2.307±0.462)g/L, respectively, and no significant difference was noticed (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 There was no significant correlation between Fib content and ABO blood group, while FⅧ∶C was significantly correlated with ABO blood group. In the preparation and quality control of FⅧ related blood products, the effect of ABO blood group on the FⅧ∶C should be considered, and the quality standard of FⅧ in plasma products should be established based on the ABO blood group.

Objective To investigate the expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) mRNA and protein in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and their significance as diagnostic markers in predicting the biological behaviour of these tumours.Methods Expression of hTERT mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in 45 pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas(31 benign,7 suspected malignant and 7 malignant) and 9 normal adrenal medulla samples,hTERT protein was determined by immunohistoebemistry.Results hTERT mRNA was expressed in 5/7 malignant turnouts and 5/7 suspected malignant tumours as compared with 3/31 benign tumours(P

No abstract available.
Humans ; Interferon-gamma* ; Pityriasis Rosea*

OBJECTIVESTo study the quantitative relationship between the levels of serum liver fibrosis markers and fibrosis stages of liver tissues in patients with chronic hepatic diseases.

METHODSIn 118 patients with chronic hepatitis, fatty liver or cirrhosis, their Serum levels of LN, HA, PCIII and CIV were investigated by EIA and their liver histological changes were studied. The relationship between the levels of serum LN, HA, PCIII and CIV and the degrees of liver tissue fibrosis was analyzed quantitatively by using the SPSS11.0.

RESULTSA correlation between the levels of serum LN, HA, PCIII and CIV and the histologically assessed grades of inflammatory activity was found (r = 0.394, 0.449, 0.443, 0.351, respectively, P <0.01). The correlation between the levels of serum LN, HA, PCIII and CIV and the histological assessed stages of liver fibrosis was strong (r = 0.456, 0.564, 0.476, 0.421 respectively, P <0.01). The levels of serum LN, HA, PCIII and CIV of the patients with a stage 2 liver fibrosis were 110 ng/ml, 110 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml and 70 ng/ml respectively, with sensibilities of diagnosing stage 2 liver fibrosis at 70%, 79%, 79% and 74% respectively. Their specificities in diagnosing stage 2 liver fibrosis were 68%, 72%, 64% and 73% respectively. The levels of LN, HA, PCIII and CIV in serum of these patients diagnosing cut-off value in stage 4 liver fibrosis (early cirrhosis) were 130 ng/ml, 140 ng/ml, 120 ng/ml and 70 ng/ml respectively. Their sensibility of diagnosing liver cirrhosis was 79%, 93%, 79% and 86% respectively. Their specificity of diagnosing liver cirrhosis was 66%, 82%, 72% and 61% respectively. As shown by the ROC curves in these patients, differentiating patients with cirrhosis or without cirrhosis, serum HA level was more valuable than LN, PCIII, CIV (the areas under the curves = 0.938 vs 0.775, 0.787, 0.791 ) When serum HA was higher than 190 ng/ml, the veracity of diagnosing liver cirrhosis was 93%.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a certain quantitative relationship between the levels of LN, HA, PCIII and CIV in serum and the degrees of liver tissue fibrosis. The level of HA in serum is an important reference datum for early diagnosing liver cirrhosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; complications ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Laminin ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Procollagen ; blood

OBJECTIVETo examine the relationship between apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphism and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), analyzing association of polymorphism with classical risk factors.

METHODSA total of 124 patients (including 84 Han population and 40 Uygur population) with angiographically verified CAD or myocardial infarction were prospectively evaluated. Data referring to hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco consumption were recorded. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Apo A1 and B, and triglycerides (TG) were determined. DNA was obtained from 124 patients and 70 controls. In order to determine Apo E genotypes, DNA was PCR amplified and digested with HhaI. The genetic polymorphism of Apo E is due to three common alleles, epsilon (epsilon) 2, epsilon3, epsilon4, at a single autosomal gene locus. These alleles determine the six phenotypes E2/2, E3/3, E4/4, E4/2, E4/3, and E3/2.

RESULTSIn Uygur population, the frequency of the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 was 0.155, 0.648, and 0.197 respectively. In Han population, the frequency of the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 was 0.081, 0.772, and 0.146 respectively. In the patient group, the frequency of the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 was 0.060, 0.758, and 0.182 respectively. In the control group, the frequency of the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 was 0.193, 0.671, and 0.136 respectively. epsilon2 frequency of Uygur' patients and controls was 0.050 and 0.290 respectively. Serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, TC, and TG values tended to decrease from the Apo E-4 phenotypes to Apo E-2 phenotypes. When deletion polymorphism of epsilon2 was compared with the common risk factors for CAD, its risk ratio (RR) is 4.38.

CONCLUSIONSThese studies confirm and find that Apo E phenotype distribution in Uygur population differs significantly from that in Han population in Xinjiang. CAD patients have significantly lower epsilon2 allele and slightly higher epsilon3 or epsilon4 allele frequency than controls, especially in Uygur population. It shows protective effects of epsilon2 on CAD.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Angina Pectoris ; genetics ; Angina, Unstable ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; DNA ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of preoperative radiochemotherapy on postoperative complications in patients with mid-low rectal carcinomas.

METHODSClinicopathologic data of T3 and T4 patients with mid-low rectal carcinomas in the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Changhai Hospital of The Second Military Medical University from January 2009 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. This cohort included 81 patients treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy followed by operation(radiochemotherapy group) and 93 cases who underwent surgery alone(control group).

RESULTSBoth resection rate and sphincter preservation rate were higher in the radiochemotherapy group(100% and 86.4%) than those in the control group(94.6% and 73.1%), and the difference in sphincter preservation rate was statistically significant(P=0.039). There were no significant differences in the mean operative time [(130±15) min vs.(125±20) min, P>0.05] and mean amount of bleeding [(100±15) ml vs. (95±10) ml, P>0.05] between the two groups. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was similar(9.9% vs. 9.7%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative radiochemotherapy can significantly increase sphincter preservation rate of mid-low rectal carcinomas, and does not increase the difficulty in surgical procedure and postoperative complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of haptoglobin in the lesions of condyloma acuminatum (CA) at the mRNA and protein level, and to explore its role in the pathogenesis of CA. METHODS: The expressions of haptoglobin protein and mRNA in the skin tissues of 30 patients with CA and 20 normal controls were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC), Western blot, and hybridization in situ. RESULTS: The in situ hybridization study showed that haptoglobin mRNA was expressed in the epidermal cells in the lesions of CA. The distribution of haptoglobin mRNA expression in the lesions of CA was similar to that of the normal controls, and the expression of haptoglobin mRNA in CA was higher than that of the normal controls. There was a significant difference in the positive expression of haptoglobin mRNA between the CA group and the control group (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical study showed that haptoglobin protein was expressed in the whole layers of epidermal keratinocytes in the lesions of CA at a high level and stronger staining was seen in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum. Haptoglobin protein was expressed predominantly in the stratum basale in normal skin tissues, while weak staining was seen below the stratum spinosum.There was a significant difference in the mean gray value between the CA group and control group (P<0.05). Western blot showed that the haptoglobin expression in CA lesions significantly increased compared with the normal skins (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The expression of haptoglobin mRNA in the CA lesions obviously increases and the epidermal cells in the CA lesions are able to synthesize haptoglobin protein. Haptoglobin in the CA lesions may involve in the local immunity escape by preventing Langerhans cell functional maturation and inhibiting the immunocompetence of keratinocyte.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blotting, Western ; Case-Control Studies ; Condylomata Acuminata ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epidermal Cells ; Haptoglobins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Keratinocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult