Maximum Allowable Concentration ; Mineral Fibers ; analysis ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis

Objective To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase(CSF-ADA)activity in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis(TMB), and to observe its dynamic changes. Methods A total of 160 patients were included and were divided into two groups: 76 cases of TBM and 84 cases of non-TBM.Among the cases of non-TBM, there were 36 cases of bacterial meningitis, 30 cases of viral meningitis and 18 cases of cryptocoocal meningitis. All the patients were measured with their CSF-ADA activity by Enzymecoupled assay(Trinder method)and 47 patients of TBM were measured again after 2 weeks' and 6 weeks'antitubercular therapy. Results were expressed as(-x)± s. Mann-Whitney U test and paired-samples t test were used. Results CSF-ADA activity in TBM group was(12.9 ±6.4)U/L, while that in the non-TBM group was(6.0 ± 4.1)U/L, the difference was of statistical significance(U = 7.860, P ＜ 0.05). With the cutoff value of 9 U/L, the sensitivity and specificity to differentiate TBM from non-TBM was 84.21% and 83. 33%, respectively. CSF-ADA activity decreased in TBM patients after antitubercular treatment.Conclusions CSF-ADA activity can be an effective laboratory marker for early differential diagnosis of TMB with the cut-off value of 9 U/L. Dynamic changes of CSF-ADA activity may be a indicator for the effect of antitubercular treatment.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Pancreatic Polypeptide ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer are being improved due to the popularized screening of prostate specific antigen. Advanced prostate cancer, in spite of its response to androgen deprivation therapy, may finally develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and shorten the overall survival of the patients. Many efforts have been made by worldwide researchers for new approaches to the management of CRPC, including new hormonal therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and bone metastasis-targeted therapy. This paper reviews the emerging agents undergoing clinical evaluation and drugs that have received approval for the treatment of CRPC in order to provide doctors and patients with more treatment options for CRPC and improve the overall survival rate and quality of life of the patients.
Androgen Antagonists ; Bone Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; therapy ; Quality of Life

Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Peptides ; blood ; Severity of Illness Index ; Trefoil Factor-2

Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; HIV ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; immunology ; virology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Asbestos ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; classification ; Carcinogens ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure

Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; virology ; HIV ; physiology ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Mucosal ; immunology ; Mucous Membrane ; cytology ; immunology ; Virus Attachment ; Virus Internalization

Objective To investigate the histological and biochemical responses associated with periprosthetic osteolysis,including the changes of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?),osteoprotegerin(OPG) and os- teoprotegeria ligand (OPEL) in the interface membrane in rat models so as to understand the mechanisms of these interactions.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were used in this study.A titanium alloy plug was inserted into each distal femur through the knee joint.Polyethylene particles were injected into the left knee at 2,4,6,8 and 10 weeks after implantation of the plugs.Saline solution was injected into the right knee as the control.The animals were killed 12 weeks after implantation.The distal femur was taken from each knee to make histological sections. The samples were made decalcified and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.The histopathological changes were observed under a light microscope.The concentrations of TNF-?in the membrane were assayed by a ELISA kit and the mRNA expressions of OPG and OPEL extracted from the tissue around the plug were detected by RT-PCR. Results The interface membrane taken from the experimental side was found to contain extensive fibrous tissues which extended deeply into the surrounding hone.TNF-?concentrations in the membrane of the experimental side were higher than in the control membrane.There was a significant decrease of OPG mRNA and a significant increase of OPGL mRNA in the membrane around the plug at the experimental side compared with the control side.Con- clusions Polyethylene particles can induce inflammatory responses around the titanium alloy plug.The increase of OPGL expression and reduction of OPG expression in membrane at the experimental side may be induced by TNF-?. Such changes might contribute to the differentiation of osteoclasts and result in the periprosthetic osteolysis.

Brainstem infarction accounts for about 9% to 21.9% of all cerebral infarctions. This article reviews the etiology of brainstem infarction and its pathogenesis,clinical manifestation,diagnosis,and treatment.