Objective To establish the biological reference interval of procalcitonin(PCT) applicable for children in Chongqing.Methods Serum PCT level were detected in 120 healthy children with age from 0 to 16 years, including 73 cases of male and 47cases of female children, by using by Maglumi2000 plus PCT analysis system.All data was evaluated according to EP28-A3c document to establish the biological reference interval.Results Data of PCT levels were with non-normal distribution, and without statistical difference between children of different ages and genders(P>0.05).The biological reference interval of PCT was less than or equal to 0.038 μg/L.Conclusion It might be important to establish a usefully biological reference interval in different laboratories with relative detection system, especially for children.

Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of nucleic acid amplification (TB- RNA),bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear on the detection of Mycobacteria tuberculosis.Methods 291 clinical sample including 110 sputum,54 thoracic fluid,37 throat swab,31 bronchial fluid,13 cerebrospinal fluid,12 urine,8 lymph fluid and 20 others (pericardial effusion,feces, blood and abdominal fluid) and gynecological specimen (including 6 leucorrhoea and menstrual blood) were analyzed by these four methods.Results Among the 291 clinical samples,the positive rate of mycobacteria tuberculosis for TB-RNA,bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear were 37.1%,28.9%,27.5% and 10.3%.The sensitivity and specificity of the TB-RNA,bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear were 54.3% & 100%,41.7% & 88.9%,31.7% & 93.5% and 14.6% & 98.9%,respectively.Conclusions TB-RNA is an effective clinical diagnostic method for Mycobacteria tuberculosis.Although the sensitivity of smear is poorer than others,it is a universal testing method in clinical laboratory due to low cost.The positive rate of mycobacteria tuberculosis for 3D culture is lower than that of bacteriophage-based assay and TB-RNA.Although the time to result for 3D culture might last for few weeks,the isolates can be used for drug resistance screening and bacterial identification.

Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; pathology ; Renal Dialysis ; Sarcoidosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (VOA) on experimental asthma in rat model based on abnormal immune functions of Treg cells.

METHODSAfter grouping, the asthmatic rats were developed through injecting OVA and AI(OH)3 for sensitization and then administering OVA aerosol for challenge, and the respiratory functions, asthmatic behaviors, IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (ELISA) and Foxp3 expression (immunohistochemistry) in lung of asthmatic rats were observed.

RESULTSVOA at the doses of 40-160 mg/kg could improve the respiratory functions and the asthmatic behaviors, and upgrade IL-10 levels in BALF and Foxp3 expression in lung of asthmatic rats.

CONCLUSIONVOA has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to improving the lower immune functions of Treg cells.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; chemistry ; Lung ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of two different doses of letrozole in promoting ovulation in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSSeventy-six PCOS infertile women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) or with anovulation were divided into two groups and received oral letrozole at the daily dose of 2.5 (n=36) or 5.0 mg (n=40) from the 3rd to the 7th day of the menstrual cycle. Three days after discontinuation of the medication (the 10th day of the menstrual cycle ), ultrasound scanning was performed to monitor the follicle development. When the diameter of the biggest follicle reached 14 mm, the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) was monitored; when LH positivity was detected, blood samples were drawn to test follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 10 000 U) was then injected to induce ovulation.

RESULTSThe ovulation rate, stimulation follicle days, diameter of the biggest follicle on the day of LH positivity and the thickness of endometrium were all similar between the two groups (P>0.05). But in women receiving 5.0 mg letrozole, both the number of mature follicles and pregnancy rate were significantly higher than those in women having the half dose (P<0.05). The levels of FSH, LH, E2, and T on the third day of menstruation and on the day of HCG injection were similar between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLetrozole at the dose of 5.0 mg/day produces higher pregnancy rate and more mature follicles in fertile women with PCOS.

Adult ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Insemination, Artificial ; Nitriles ; administration & dosage ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; Triazoles ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome between floating-needle therapy and conventional acupuncture on the basis of rehabilitation training.

METHODSOne hundred cases of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomized into a floating-needle group and an acupuncture group, 50 cases in each one. The passive and positive rehabilitation training was adopted in the two groups. Additionally, in the floating-needle group, the floating-needle therapy was used. The needle was inserted at the site 5 to 10 cm away from myofasical trigger point (MTrP), manipulated and scattered subcutaneously, for 2 min continuously. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianqian (EX-UE), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, and 14 days of treatment were required. The shoulder hand syndrome scale (SHSS), the short form McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and the modified Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA) were used to evaluate the damage severity, pain and motor function of the upper limbs before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSSHSS score, SF-MPQ score and FMA score were improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01), and the improvements in the floating-needle group were superior to those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the floating-needle group, which was better than 90.0% (45/50) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training achieves a satisfactory efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome, which is better than the combined therapy of conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation training.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Purpose:To study the curative effect of nephrolithoto my at the posterior basal segment forstaghorn calculus and other complex calculus of kidney. Methods:We applied nephrolithotomy at the posteriorbasal segment for complex neophrolithiasis in 31 cases. Results: 8 cases needed intraoperative blood transfusionand the mean amount of blood was 116 ml. Three weeks postoperatively KUB & IVU indicated normal kidneydevelopment, improved hydronephrosis, no intrarenal and extrarenal stricture. Single-time clearance in 26 casesand remanent calculus in 5 cases ,in which 4 case were cured by ESWL and 1 case discharged by self. Conclusions:Nephrolithotomy at the posterior basal segment has the advantages of little intraoperative bleeding,high single-time clearance rate,slight impairment of renal function,little damage of renal collecting system and it is favorablefor the operative treatment for the remanent calculus. This method is suitable for intrarenal staghorn and othercomplex pyelolithiasis with multiple calyceal calculus.

Candida albicans ; immunology ; Candidiasis ; diagnosis ; Epitopes ; Humans ; Peptide Library ; Serologic Tests

To study the lead excretion effect of the chelator Zn-DTPA on the lead intoxication mice, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to detect the lead content of biological samples. The acute lead intoxication mice model was established by injecting lead acetate intraperitoneally with the dose of 1 mg. Zn-DTPA was administered intraperitoneally to mice once daily for five consecutive days 4 h after intoxication. Control group, model group, combination of Zn-DTPA and Ca-DTPA group were evaluated at the same time. The urine was collected every day. The mice were sacrificed in batches in the 2rd, 4th, 6th day. Biological samples including urine, whole blood, femur and brain were prepared and nitrated. Lead concentration was detected by ICP-MS. The result showed that Zn-DTPA could increase lead content in urine markedly and reduce lead content in blood, femur and brain.
Animals ; Chelating Agents ; pharmacology ; Lead ; pharmacokinetics ; urine ; Lead Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Pentetic Acid ; pharmacology