Objective To analyze the concentration of epithelial cell derived neutrophil-activating protein 78(CXCL-5) in the sy-(novial) fluid(SF) and peripheral blood in children with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and evaluate its clinical relevance to the disease development.Methods SF and peripheral sera were taken from 26 children with RA and 16 healthy controls,and CXCL-5 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).CXCL-5 in SF was also measured in RA children after receiving steroid treatment.Results The levels of CXCL-5 was significantly higher than that in the SF of RA children compared with healthy controls(P0.05).Interestingly,CXCL-5 markedly decreased in RA children after steroid treatment(P

Objective To investigate the clinical spectrum of respiratory viruses in infants and young children with acute lower respiratory infection(ALRI) in Chongqing area from 2003-2007.And to assess the clinical diagnostic value of virus detection in nasopharyngeal secretions(NPS) and serum viral antibody detection for ALRI.Methods Cases of 2 529 specimens of NPS in hospitalized children with ALRI from Apr.2003 to Oct.2007 were taken for detecting 7 common respiratory virus antigens by immunofluorescence assay including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),adenovirus(ADV),influenza A(IA),influenza B (IB),parainfluenza virus1-3 (PIV1,PIV2,PIV3).Fifty-five thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven samples were tested for ADV-IgM by ELISA.Among those,45 159 cases were further tested for RSV-IgM by ELISA.Results Respiratory virus pathogens were detected in 778 samples out of 2 529(30.76%) including RSV positive in 668 samples (85.86%),PIV3 positive in 75 samples (9.64%),IA positive in 22 samples (2.57%),ADV positive in 15 samples ( 1.93%),only 1 sample ( 0.13%) positive for both PIV1 and RSV. And the positive rate of RSV-IgM was 0.9%-15.2%,and the positive rate for ADV-IgM was about 0.6%-10.6%.RSV infection occured mainly in winter and spring.Conclusions Respiratory virus is the most common pathogen in children with ALRI during the survey period in Chongqing area,especially for RSV infection.The pattern of RSV circulation varied every year with seasonality.It is suggest that this year is peak one for RSV infection from the monthly positive results,especially in Feburary(50%) in 2007.But the infection rate of PIV3,IA,ADV and PIV1 are lower,particularly IB and PIV2 infection have not been seen for the last 5 years.It is fast and accurate to detect RSV antigen and suit to clinical diagnosis by using immunofluorescence assay than other antibody detection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the apoptosis of testicular germ cells in hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 42 four-week-old male Wistar rats into a normal control group (n = 12) and a high-fat group (n = 30) to be fed on a normal diet and a high-fat diet, respectively, for 10 weeks. Then we measured the concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the serum using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, detected the apoptosis of testicular germ cells by TUNEL staining, and determined the protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 and. caspase-12 in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSThe concentrations of TG and TC were significantly increased in the animals of the high-fat group ([3.00 ± 0.92] and [3.04 ± 0.39] mmol/L) as compared with the control rats ([1.43 ± 0.41] and [1.55 ± 0.23] mmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was the apoptosis index of the testicular germ cells ([37.17 ± 2.74]% vs [5.16 ± 0.81]%, P < 0.01). The high-fat group, in comparison with the control, also showed remarkably upregulated protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 (0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.86 ± 0.05 vs 0.19 ± 0.01 and 0.37 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) and caspase-12 (0.34 ± 0.02 and 0.87 ± 0.01 vs 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.34 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptosis of testicular germ cells is increased in hyperlipidemic rats, which may be attributed to endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transcriptional Activation ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of bicuculline on the first spike latency of the neurons in the inferior colliculus of mice and investigate the role of GABA inhibition in sound signal processing of the neurons.

METHODSIn vivo extracellular recording was performed on the inferior colliculus of 13 BALB/c mice (4 to 5 weeks old) to record the neuronal response to pure tones. Bicuculline, a GABA-A receptor antagonist, was applied to the neurons iontophoretically through one channel in the three-barrel glass-pipettes. The first spike latency and other response properties of the characteristic frequency were recorded for analysis.

RESULTSA total of 30 well-isolated single neurons were recorded. Increased spike counts characterized 96% of the neurons, with either increased (40%) or decreased (60%) latency of neuronal responses. Characteristic frequency alterations occurred in 50% of the neurons with increased spike latency, and the minimum threshold showed linear changes.

CONCLUSIONGABAergic inhibition may participate in the latency formation and increased frequency selectivity of mouse inferior colliculus neurons by lateral inhibition. The changes in the first spike latency can be indicative of the information integration in GABAergic neurons at the synaptic level.

Acoustic Stimulation ; psychology ; Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Bicuculline ; pharmacology ; Female ; GABA Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Inferior Colliculi ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neurons ; physiology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; physiology

Objective To observe the difference in treament of thoracolumbar vertebral bodies fractures be- tween AF nail and Dick nail.Methods From March 1998 to March 2007,85 cases of thoracolumbar vertebral bod- ies fractures were followed up.20 cases were fixed with Dick nail,and 65 cases with AF nail.Results The mean,fol- low-up period was 12 months.By comparison of the operating rime,bleeding amount,the recovery rate of vertebral height,the reduction of Cobb angle and capacity of vertebral canal,AF nail was much better than Dick nail.But there was no marked difference in the recover of nerve function.Conclusion AF nail has more power to reduce vertebral height and is easier to set than Dick nail.It will be worthy of more and wider application in basic level hospitals.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) and plasma gastrointestinal hormones in patients with diarrhea or constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to elucidate the pathophysiology of IBS.

METHODSA small intestine manometry was used to record the MMC cycles for at least 4-6 h in 19 IBS patients and 10 healthy volunteers. The plasma gastrointestinal hormone levels were examined according to altered MMC phases.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy controls, IBS-D patients exhibited shortened duration of the small intestinal MMC cycle, prolonged phase III duration with greater amplitude, as well as faster propagation velocity, whereas the contrary alterations were found in IBS-C patients. The peak plasma motilin level occurred in phase III of the MMC cycle. The plasma somatostatin level was higher in IBS groups than in the healthy controls, but comparable between the diarrhea and constipation groups. Plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine showed periodical fluctuations with the phases of MMC cycles, reaching the peak level in phase II. IBS-D patients had higher 5-hydroxytryptamine levels than IBS-C patients and the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma hormone levels are correlated with the MMC cycles, and the hormone level changes and small intestine motility disorder may play important roles in IBS pathophysiology.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hormones ; metabolism ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; physiopathology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

pful in decision making of retroperitoneal laparoscopic NSS.

Objective To investigate the condition of social support of leukemia patients, discuss the influence of social support on their life quality, and provide reference point for nursing of leukemia patients. Methods Perform SSRS questionnaire and WHO QoL-BREF on 50 leukemia patients during symptomatic relief period, another 50 healthy cases were as control group. The results were analyzed with mathematical statistics test. Results The relation between social support and life quality of leukemia patients is positive. Conclusions The integrated clinical, Familial and social support system is very important for improving the life quality of leukemia patients. Clinical workers, Family members and the whole society should be encouraged to provide more care to leukemia patients, and to improve both of their psychological and physiological health condition.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the causes and treatment of postoperative venous outflow obstruction after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSClinical data of 776 patients after OLT were analyzed retrospectively between January 2000 and December 2006. The accumulated experiences in diagnosis and treatment of postoperative outflow obstruction after OLT were reviewed.

RESULTSVenous outflow obstruction occurred in 10 patients (1.29%) after OLT, among those 6 had supra-hepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis, 2 had IVC stenosis of the post-hepatic segment, and 2 had outflow obstruction of hepatic vein. The diagnosis was confirmed by inferior vena cavography in all the patients. Of the 10 patients, 8 received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or metallic stent replacement, and 2 underwent liver retransplantation (re-LT) when interventional therapy failed. Three patients died from outflow obstruction, so the outflow obstruction related mortality was 30% in the patients.

CONCLUSIONSComplications of outflow obstruction after OLT were associated with surgical technique like vascular anastomosis, various types of cavo-caval anastomosis and graft size mismatch between donor and recipient. Making an early diagnosis and giving timely treatment including interventional therapy or re-LT is the key to improve the prognosis of outflow obstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; etiology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the causes and treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSClinical data of 776 patients after OLT between January 2000 and December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.The experiences in diagnosis and treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding after OLT were reviewed.

RESULTSGastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 18 patients (2.3%) after OLT, among whom 8 (44.5%) were from peptic ulcer, 3 (16.7%) from gastric and esophageal varices, 3 (16.7%) from gastroduodenitis, 3 (16.7%) from hemobilia, and 1 (5.6%) had diverticular bleeding in the jejunum. These 18 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding were managed with conservative treatment, endoscopic treatment, radiological interventional embolism,or exploratory laparotomy. Five patients died of gastrointestinal bleeding and the gastrointestinal bleeding-related mortality rate was 27.8%. After a mean follow up of 3.5 years, only 1 patient died of recurrence of hepatic cellular carcinoma while others survived disease-free.

CONCLUSIONSGastrointestinal bleeding may occur from different sites after OLT and the mortality is high. Prompt identification of the source of bleeding and correct management are required to improve the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult