Objective To investigate the relationship between chest radiographic changes and clinical manifestations in patients with scrub typhus in Guangdong area.MethodsA total of 148 cases of scrub typhus admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Ji′nan University,Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital and the Second People′s Hospital of Yuebei between 1999 and 2010 was retrospectively reviewed.The patients were divided into two groups based on the findings of the chest X-rays (with or without radiographic abnormalities).Furthermore,the clinical characteristics and prognosis in two groups were compared.The statistical analysis was done using t test,chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test.ResultsChest X-rays showed abnormalities in 66 (44.6％) cases,and the chest X-ray features were diverse.The incidences of cough,severe thrombocytopenia,hypoalbuminemia,shock,acute respiratory failure,jaundice and acute renal failure were all significantly increased in group of patients with chest X-rays abnormalities compared with the other group of patients without chest X-rays abnormalities (χ2 =18.193,6.872,17.138,5.608,4.318,7.982 and 7.932,respectively; all P＜0.05).The hospitalization day was longer in patients with chest X-rays abnormalities compared with the patients without chest X-rays abnormalities,but there was no statistical difference [(11.7±7.1)d vs (9.9±5.0)d,t=1.717; P=0.088)],while the mortality was higher(6.1 ％ vs 0; Fisher′s exact test,P =0.038).Conclusions The clinical manifestations of the patients with scrub typhus are diverse,and the presence of abnormal chest X-rays is shown to be associated with the disease severity.Physicians should have the awareness of scrub typhus to make the diagnosis and treatment properly.

OBJECTIVE: To research advanced glycation end-product receptors (RAGE), NF-kappaB, p21 expressions in C57BL/6j mice cochlea spiral ganglion cells(SGC) ,and then to investigate the presbycusis pathogenesis. METHOD: To take C57BL/6J mice:2 month 25,and 10 month 25. Histological sections were observed the SGC. RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 were immunohistochemical in the SGC,with IPP6 to IOD. RESULT: (1) The count SGCs of 10 month-old was obviously decreased comparing to 2 month-old, the count of 2 month SGC is 39 +/- 5, 10 month group is 20 +/- 6, P < 0.01; (2) RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 expressed in spiral ganglion cell,different place with different age,and the means optical density in the 10 month are higher than the 2 month, respectively. The IOD of RAGE expression in 2 month SGC: 0.179 +/- 0.025, 10 month IOD: 0.308 +/- 0.050; The IOD of NF-kappaB expression in 2 month SGC: 0.181 +/- 0.045, 10 month IOD: 0.335 +/- 0.120; The IOD of p21 expression in 2 month SGC: 0.160 +/- 0.023, 10 month IOD: 0.365 +/- 0.031, compare with 2 group, respectively, P < 0.05, and the difference has statistics sense. CONCLUSION RAGE,NF-kappaB, p21 expressions are in SGCs and increases with the aging of SGCs, suppose RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 may participate in the process of presbycusis pathogenesis.
Aging ; Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Presbycusis ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Spiral Ganglion ; metabolism

The volume change of tumor during radiotherapy processes indirectly reflects the short-term efficacy and the quality of radiotherapy planning. We analyzed clinical data of radiotherapy using a mathematical model in our study. First, we selected eight esophageal carcinoma patients with only using 3DRT and conventional dose fractionation schemes. And then we observed and measured the change of tumor volume during the radiotherapy. Based on the LQ model, repopulation and re-oxygenation in 4Rs, and the kinetics of doomed tumor disintegration, we established the mathematical model of tumor evolution in radiotherapy. And then we used the model to analyze the clinical trial data about esophageal carcinoma with radiotherapy. It was proved that the results of the model almost coincided with the clinical trial data. According to the analysis results, we could get the related radiobiology parameters to estimate biological effective dose and repopulation of patients. The mathematical model could provide reference for assessment of prognosis and further scheme of treatment.
Algorithms ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of maternal hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier status on the occurrence of preterm birth.

METHODSWe analyzed pregnancy-related complications, outcomes and fetal growth index in 188 HBsAg positive singleton pregnant women during the period of May 2009 to July 2011, with 265 HBsAg-negative women with singleton pregnancies in the same period serving as controls.

RESULTSThe HBsAg-positive pregnant women showed a significantly higher incidence of placenta praevia than the control group (2.66% vs 0%, P=0.03), and the incidence of preterm delivery (<37 weeks) was also significantly higher in HBsAg-positive group (12.23% vs 6.04%, P=0.02). The incidences of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, abnormal glucose tolerance, premature rupture of membranes, cesarean delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage showed no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05), nor did the fetal birth weight, height, head circumference or Apgar scores at 1, 5, and 10 min (P>0.05). Logistic regression identified HBsAg positivity, abnormal ALT, placenta praevia, and severe preeclampsia as the risk factors for preterm delivery.

CONCLUSIONHBsAg carrier status can increase the risk of preterm delivery in pregnancy, but it does not seem to affect the fetal growth.

Adult ; Carrier State ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Premature Birth ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult