Objective To investigate the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and clinical signification in patients with intestinal tu-berculosis after the treatment of thymosin-al. Methods Sixty-six ca-ses of intestinal tuberculosis patients were treated by thymosin-α1 fol-lowed the basis of conventional anti-TB treatment, while 62 cases as a control group. The frequencies of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results After the end of 12 and 16 weeks, the values of CD3~+ , CD4~+ , CD8~+ , and CD4~+/CD8~+ in trial group exhibited significantly higher than that before treat-ment (P<0.05). NK cells in the end of 8, 12, and 16 weeks showed an ascension too (P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference in the control group after treatment (P > 0. 05). The better clinical efficacy was found in the trial group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion Thymosin-α1 can significantly improve the intestinal immunolologic function in the patient with tuberculosis infection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of lead exposure to rat placenta and pups during different gestation periods.

METHODSAll 108 Wistar rats (72 females, 36 males) were randomly divided into four groups. All rats were orally fed with 0.025% lead acetate during different gestation periods. Blood was obtained from the abdominal vena cava and the lead level in maternal blood was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry at the end of the pregnancy. The number of pups, their body weight, body length and tail length were measured. The effects of lead to rat placenta were observed by level of microscopy, optical microscopy and electronic microscopy.

RESULTSExperimental groups the blood lead level at the end of gestation were above 0.483 micromol/L. There were significant differences among, of pups, during different groups (P < 0.01). Among them the drinking lead group of whole distant was the lowest in placenta weight [(0.31 +/- 0.13) g] body weight of pups [(2.08 +/- 0.88) g] length and tail length of pups [(2.37 +/- 0.32) cm, (0.98 +/- 0.09) cm]. There were significantly differences between the experimental groups and controls. Maternal blood lead level was negatively related to placenta weight (r = 0.652, P < 0.01), and had no relation with the body weight of pups (r = -0.107, P = 0.46). In the experimental groups of lead poisoned rats, the placenta showed focus necrosis in the deciduas, and increased the trophoblastic giant cells and light staining cells in the trophospongium. Trophoblast in the labyrinth and trophospongium showed degeneration; fibrin deposition around the villi was increased. Microvilli around the trophoblast were shorter and less, mitochondrion was swollen and decreased in number, rough endoplasmic reticulum was distended and ribosomal number on membrane decreased.

CONCLUSIONLead exposure during different gestation periods should have a traumatic effect on the trophoblast, leading to interference of nutrition and oxygen exchange. Furthermore, the blood supply to the placenta and nutrition and oxygen exchange between mother and pups were also interfered, leading to reduction of placenta weight and retardation of development of pups.

Animals ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Female ; Lead ; toxicity ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Placenta ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIM To investigate the protective effects of Miaoling Natto Capsules (MNC) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIR) in rats.METHODS Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats randomly divided into sham group,model group,positive control group (propranolol),MNC groups (low dose,medium dose,and high dose groups) underwent corresponding 7-day oral administration at a frequency of twice daily (rats of the sham group and the model group were dosed with saline water at 1 mL/100 g).Anesthetized by 8％ chloral hydrate,rat models were made by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation,30 min coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion for ST segments and T waves monitoring,and rats in the sham group were performed opening and suture procedures.The rats had their serum levels of acetic transaminase (AST),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB),cardiac troponin-Ⅰ (cTn-Ⅰ),superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) detected,real time ECG changes monitored and myocardial infarction area assessed by TTC.RESULTS Compared with the sham group,the model group was observed with markedly elevated ST segments or high T waves rise,significantly increased activities of CK-MB,LDH,AST and the content of cTnⅠ,MDA,TNF-α,and decreased activity of SOD (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.001).Compared with the model group,the positive control group and the low,medium and high dose MNC groups achieved controlled ST segments elevation or greater T waves amplitude,significantly decreased activities of CKMB,LDH,AST and the content of cTnⅠ,MDA,TNF-α increased activity of SOD (P ＜0.01 or P ＜0.05) and mycocardial infact range reduction (P ＜ 0.001).CONCLUSION MNC is protective to rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

AIM To study the influence and action mechanism of effective components in compatible solution of Sparganii Rhizoma-Curcumae Rhizoma on pelvic adhesions of model rats with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.METHODS Laboratory rats were randomly assigned into six groups,a sham-operated group,a model group,a positive Fukeqianjin tablets group,compatible solution groups (40 g/kg high-dose group,20 g/kg medi um-dose group,and 10 g/kg low-dose group).Except rats of the sham-operated group,those in the other groups were induced into models of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease by mechanical bacterial strain implantation,after which a 20 d corresponding drug administration by oral gavage for each group was initiated.After completion of the last drug administration,Verco criterion was taken as the reference to evaluate pelvic adhesions,HE staining was performed on uterine tissues for pathological scoring,ELASA method was applied to measuring serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels,and Western blot method was used to detect the expression levels of proteins FGF-2 and IGF-1 in uterine tissues.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose compatible solution group had a much sharper fall in Verco scores (P ＜ 0.05),and remarkably decreased serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels (P ＜ 0.01);both high-dose and medium-dose groups manifested with notably alleviated degenerative necrosis and lowered scores of chronic inflammation infiltration and epithelial hyperproliferation (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05),and a distinct reduction in the expression of proteins FGF-2 and IGF-1 (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION The significant improvement of the chronic pelvic inflammatory disease in model rats due to the effective components in the compatibile solution of Sparganii Rhizoma-Curcumae Rhizoma may be associated with inhibited release of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and TNF-α,and the reduced expression of proteins FGF-2 and IGF-1 as well.

Objective To detect the complications of venous indwelling needle in external jugular vein and veins of upper extremity in patients with breast cancer.Methods One hundred breast cancer in-patients in Department of Oncology of Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region(September 2006 to August 2008)were screened and divided into external jugular vein group(47 cases)and veins of upper extremity group (53 cases)according to the indwelling site path.During the indwelling period,phlebitis and leakage in two groups were compared.Results It was showed the complication rate of external jugular vein group(6.4%)was conspicuously lower than that in veins of upper extremity group(54.7%,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions It is suggested that the venous indwelling needle in external jugular vein is in high achievement ratio,the complication rate of phlebitis and leakage is lower,which could rise quality nursing care for breast cancer patient.

OBJECTIVETo understand the prevalence and control of several common chronic disease in Beijing adults.

METHODS16,658 adult residents were randomly selected with stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. Each participant was invited to receive a set of standardized questionnaire, physical examinations and laboratory tests.

RESULTSData showed that the prevalence, awareness, treatment and the rate of control on hypertension among the adults in Beijing were 29.1%, 49.3%, 42.3% and 10.6% respectively. The counterparts of diabetes mellitus were 8.8%, 56.7%, 50.0% and 15.0%. The four corresponding figures for dyslipidemia were 33.2%, 31.1%, 13.0% and 4.3%, respectively. 22.9% of the Beijing adults had metabolic syndrome including 8.1 per thousand suffering from myocardial infarction and 18.4 per thousand from stroke. Except for diabetes, all the chronic diseases had higher prevalence rate in rural area than in urban area, according to the findings under our study. Postmenopausal women were more susceptible to chronic disease than men.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rate of chronic disease in Beijing was still high. The prevalence rate in rural area had exceeded the level in urban area. Adjustment and attention should be made according to the prevalence features and weakness existed in present chronic disease control strategy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Dyslipidemias ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESponsored by the Subspecialty Group of Neonatology of Pediatric Society, China Medical Association, more than 10 large-scale hospitals participated in the near two-year multicenter investigation for Brain Injuries in Premature Infants in China. The present study presents the follow-up results of 147 premature infants with brain injuries from 6 Third Class A Level hospitals.

METHODSAll premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) diagnosed in the early neonatal period in the 6 hospitals were followed-up between January 2005 and August 2006. Based on the synthetic results of physical development, examination of nervous system, intelligence tests and cranial ultrasound, the premature infants with brain injuries were classified as normal development, marginal development and retarded development.

RESULTSOne hundred and forty-seven premature infants with brain injuries from the 6 hospitals consisted of 141 cases of IVH and 36 cases of PVL (30 cases having IVH and PVL). Based on the synthetic follow-up results, 51.4% of premature infants with brain injuries were generally assessed as normal development, 38.4% as marginal development and 10.7% as retarded development. Among them, delayed growth in head circumference, height and weight was 13.4%; the occurrence frequency of cerebral paralysis (CP) was 7.1% in PVL grade I, 28.6% in PVL grade II and 100% in PVL grade III; 12.7% showed retarded development of intelligence; and 30% presented post-injurious changes on cranial sonography.

CONCLUSIONSThe data of the multicenter follow-up can basically reflect the short-term prognosis of premature infants with brain injuries in major big cities of China. About 10% of them have retarded physical, motor-and mental developments. The long-term regular follow-up study is expected for more premature infants with brain injuries, and behavioral sequelae of brain injuries which may occur in peri-school age and adolescence should be paid particularly close attention.

Cerebral Hemorrhage ; complications ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Palsy ; etiology ; Echoencephalography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intelligence ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; complications ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo detect CYP17A1 gene mutation in a patient with 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency and her family members.

METHODGenomic DNA was extracted from the blood of the patient, her parents and twin sister. The 8 exons of CYP17A1 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened for mutations by sequencing.

RESULTThe analysis revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote carrying two different inherited point mutations on CYP17A1 gene. They were nt186delC on exon 1 and nt1085G > A on exon 6. This type of mutation could induce 17OHD because of complete loss of 17 alpha-hydroxylase activities. And her parents and the twin sister were carriers on CYP17A1 gene. In addition, the mutation nt186delC was a novel point mutation and it was not discovered in normal children.

CONCLUSIONA new compound heterozygote carrying two different inherited point mutations on CYP17A1 gene was found, and her parents and twin sister were carriers. This is probably the first report in the world of a twin sisters of whom one is a patient with 17OHD and the other is a carrier of CYP17A1 gene mutation.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; genetics ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyzed the clinical features and epidemiology of children with severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease during 2009 and 2010 in Shanghai to investigate some risk factors with fatal cases.

METHODAll the clinical records and laboratory results of serious patients were collected. A retrospective study was performed.

RESULTA total of 748 serious patients were enrolled into this study, and the ratio of male to female was about 1.7:1; 724 patients were categorized into stage 2 with 254 patients in 2009 and 470 in 2010; 24 patients were categorized into stage 3 with 17 in 2009 and 7 in 2010. The rate of severity in 2010 (1.5%) was lower than in 2009 (6.3%) (χ2=12.836, P<0.01). Seven patients of stage 3 died, with the fatality 29.2%, which was higher than in stage 2 (P<0.01). The children aged between 3 months 10 days to 12 years 9 months with onset median age of 25 months. Among them, 77.1% patients aged between 1 and 4 years which also accounted for 79.2% of the fatal cases (19/24). But there was no significant difference between the age and the severity (χ2=0.804, P>0.05). Fever (100%), vomiting (57.0%) and myoclonus jerk (62.3%) were the most frequent symptoms occurred in those serious cases. The average period of fever in children of stage 2 and 3 was (4.10±1.40) d and (5.05±1.05) d, respectively, which indicated significant difference between the two groups (t=3.173, P<0.05). The average values of white-blood-cell counts and blood glucose in fatal patients were (14.8±6.25)×10(9)/L and (8.63±3.51) mmol/L. They were higher when compared to those in stage 2 with the white-blood-cell counts of (11.8±4.23)×10(9)/L and blood glucose of (5.51±2.14) mmol/L (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in C-reactive protein or cerebrospinal fluid white-blood-cell counts; A total of 182 patients were enrolled for MRI study during the acute stage with 37 (37/182, 20.3%) presented abnormal findings. Among them, most frequent findings were hyperintense lesions seen in brain stem (11 cases). A stage 3 case who died presented brain edema on MRI examination.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic of HFMD has some correlation with the area, season, health condition of the family and gender of the children. Children under 4 years of age especially those who lived in rural areas were susceptible to the HFMD. Frequent vomiting or myoclonus jerk may indicate the central nervous system involvement. But persistent high fever may indicate tendency to deteriorate. Some laboratory examinations can help find the fatal cases at an early time.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differential gene expression of ependymomas.

METHODSFour fresh samples of ependymomas and 1 of normal brain tissue were collected during operation. The extracted total RNAs were converted as (32)P tagged cDNA probes, which were then hybridized with the Atlas Human Cancer Array, producing the array based hybridization maps following the protocol provided with the kit. A set of special software was applied to the analysis and RT-PCR was performed to test the result.

RESULTIn comparison with the normal brain tissue, there were 31 upregulated gene and 1 downregulated gene in ependymomas, most of which were firstly found to be differentially expressed in this kind of tumor.

CONCLUSIONThe discrepancy of gene expression profiles between ependymomas and normal brain tissues is highly put through and effectively detected with cDNA array, which provides new information for the further research on the molecular mechanisms of this lesion.

Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; Ependymoma ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction