Objective To explore the characteristics viral pathogens in hospitalized children with lower respiratory infection,and to provide reference data for diagnosis and treatment.Methods Nasopharyngeal secretion(NPS) samples were collected from hospitalized patients with lower respiratory infection(LRI) from Dec.2005 to Apr.2006.The NPS samples were detected for 7 respiratory virus antigens including respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),influenza virus A and B(IVA and IVB),parainfluenza virus 1,2,3(PIV 1,2,3) and adenovirus(ADV) by indirect immunofluorescent assay.Results Nine hundred and thirty-five NPS samples were collected from children(597 boys,338 girls) with LRI.The mean age was 7.5 months(range from 1 day to 6 years).Viral pathogens were identified in 516(55.2%) samples.The positive rate of RSV decreased with increasing of age,whereas the positive rate of IV and PIV increased.ADV was only detected in children less than 3 years of age,accounting for 0.6%-6.2%.Conclusions Viral pathogens are the main etiology of LRI in young children in Beijing area from Dec.2005 to Apr.2006.RSV is the most frequent viral pathogens,followed by IV and PIV.

In this work, polyelectrolyte microcapsules containing gold nanoparticles were prepared via layer by layer assembly. Gold nanoparticles and poly (allyamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were coated on the CaCO3 microparticles. And then EDTA was used to remove the CaCO3 core. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the surface of microcapsules. SEM images indicate that the microcapsules and the polyelectrolyte multilayer were deposited on the surface of CaCO3 microparticles. FITC-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA, 2 mg) was incorporated in the CaCO3 microparticles by co-precipitation. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the fluorescence intensity of microcapsules. The encapsulation efficiency was (34.31 +/- 2.44) %. The drug loading was (43.75 +/- 3.12) mg g(-1).
Calcium Carbonate ; chemistry ; Capsules ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Electrolytes ; chemistry ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Gold ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; chemistry

This study aims to investigate the genetic characteristics of BZLF1 gene and its promoter Zp of the epidemic strains in children with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases. Total DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 134 children with EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) and 32 children with EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from 2006 to 2011. The EBNA3C, BZLF1, and Zp genes were amplified by PCR assay. Typing of EBV was performed according to the size of the amplification product of EBNA3C gene; the amplification products of BZLF1 and Zp genes were subjected to direct sequencing, and sequence analysis was performed using BioEdit 7. 0. 9. The results were as follows: (1) EBV-1 was present in 140 samples (97.2%, 140/144) and EBV-II in 4 samples (2.8%, 4/144). (2) Three BZLF1 genotypes and their 12 subtypes (including 6 newly found subtypes) were detected in this study; there were no significant differences in the frequencies of BZLF1-A and BZLF1-B between the children with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH (P = 0.083); BZLF1-A1 was the dominant genotype in children with EBV-associated diseases; t BZLF1-A mostly had three 29-bp repeats in the first intron of BZLF1 gene, and BZLF1-B mostly had 30-bp repeats (P = 0.000), with the number of repeats varying from 1 to 13. (3) Four Zp genotypes were detected in this study, including Zp-P, Zp-V3, Zp-V4, and Zp-V1; there were no significant differences in the frequencies of these Zp genotypes between children with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH (P = 0.272, 0.252, 1.0, and 1.0, respectively). (4) The linkage analysis of BZLF1 gene and its promoter Zp showed that BZLF1-A1 was highly associated with Zp-V3 (P = 0.000), while BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P (P = 0.000); EBV-I + BZLF1 A1 was highly associated with Zp-V3 (P = 0.000), while EBV-I+BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P (P = 0.000). The conclusions are as follows: (1) BZLF1-A1 is the dominant genotype in children with EBV-associated diseases; there are mostly 29-bp repeats in the first intron of BZLF1 gene for BZLF1-A genotype and 30-bp repeats for BZLF1-B genotype. (2) Zp-P and Zp-V3 are dominant Zp genotypes of EBV in children, which shared similar detection rates. (3) BZLF1-A1 is highly associated with Zp-V3, while BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P; EBV-I+BZLF1-A1 is highly associated with Zp-V3, while EBV-I+BZLF1-B4 with Zp-P.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the structure-activity relationship of anti-tumor activity of diosgenin derivatives in vitro. Study has found that diosgenin can inhibit the reproduction of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis and the main target spot of this effect is Bcl-2. Based on the characteristics of pharmacophoric points' of the three-dimensional pharmacophore for Bcl-2 inhibitors, we have docked lots of diosgenin derivatives with Bcl-2, then synthesized 31 compounds of them, finally assessed the anti-tumor activity of the diosgenin derivatives in vitro against A375, A549, HepG-2 and K562. Preliminary studies of SAR have indicated that the aliphatic esters, and aromatic esters of diosgenin without F ring have no anti-tumor activity in vitro. The triazole bromides of diosgenin all achieve fairly good anti-tumor activity in vitro, and those with larger hydrophobic group have the better activity. The stronger is the hydrogen bonding interaction and dipole-dipole interaction of the heterocyclic of diosgenin and diosgenin without F ring and the acid ester of diosgenin without F ring, the better is the activity of derivatives.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo assess the co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients and to analyze the degree of symptoms and the influential factors.

METHODSThirty patients with malignant tumor were injected with thymosin alpha 1 subcutaneously at the dose of 1.6 mg q.d. for the first month and q.o.d. for the following month. The number of T cell subgroups and the activity of NK cell in peripheral blood were detected and the quality of life of the patients were evaluated before treatment and at the end of treatment.

RESULT(1) About 39.9 % of the patients presented the symptoms of anxiety and depression and out of them 6.7 % were taken psychotropic medication. (2) Stepwise Logistic Regression showed that the factors related to anxiety and depression could be classified into four categories: economic factor, sleeping status, cognition of disease, the other factors such as course of disease and the environment of hospital. (3) Data analysis of oncology patients showed that the cognition of disease would be an important factor, which would affect anxiety and depression status.

CONCLUSIONMultiple factors can affect anxiety and depression symptoms of inpatients. The results suggest that psychological intervention such as cognitive therapy should be considered in clinical practice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anxiety ; etiology ; therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychotherapy

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of Osterix (Osx) mRNA and protein after application of mechanical force on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs), and to investigate the role of Osx in orthodontic alveolar bone remodeling.

METHODSHPDLCs were isolated and cultured in vitro with explant method. Approximately 2.5 x 10(5) cells were seeded onto six-well cell culture plates and then were exposed to centrifugal force for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 h at 631 r x min(-1). The expression of Osx mRNA and protein was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression and subcellular At the initial time point, Osx mRNA had a weak exlocalization of Osx protein by green fluorescence.

RESULTSpression and protein was not detected. Under the mechanical stimulation, both mRNA and protein levels of Osx were upregulated in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Osx protein was translocated gradually from the cytosol into the cell nuclei.

CONCLUSIONThe expression and activation of Osx were enhanced by mechanical stress in HPDLCs, which indicates that Osx may play an important role in HPDLCs osteogenic differentiation and periodontal tissue remodeling induced by mechanical stress.

Bone Remodeling ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; RNA, Messenger ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) and DNA genetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of coke oven workers and the role of Hsp72 in protection of cells from genetic damage induced by coke oven emissions.

METHODSTwo hundred and sixty-seven coke oven workers and thirty controls without occupational PAHs exposure were investigated. Benzo[a]pyrene concentrations in the ambient air individually collected were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Western Blot was used to measure Hsp72 levels and Comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage degree. Personal information was collected by questionnaire.

RESULTSThe Hsp72 level (G+/-S(G)) and olive comet tail moment (G+/-S(G) of peripheral blood lymphocytes in high-exposure workers (1.24 +/- 0.42 and 4.49 +/- 1.24) were significantly higher than those in low-exposure workers (1.01 +/- 0.35 and 2.99 +/- 1.10, P < 0.05) and control (0.85 +/- 0.34 and 2.40 +/- 1.00, P < 0.05) respectively. The Hsp72 median level of all subjects was used as the limit to divide subjects into high Hsp72 level group and low Hsp72 level group. The rate with high Hsp72 level was 36.7%, 43.1% and 58.3% in control, low exposure and high exposure workers respectively and had a rising tendency following exposure level (P = 0.003). In high Hsp72 level group Hsp72 level in high exposure workers was significantly higher than that in control (P < 0.05), and there was a rising tendency along with the increase of exposed levels. But the olive comet tail moment had no significant difference among three exposed groups (P > 0.05). In low Hsp72 level group there no difference among three exposed groups about Hsp72 levels. The olive comet tail moment in high exposure workers was significantly higher than that in low exposure workers and control (P < 0.01) and high exposure workers in Hsp72 positive group and there was a rising tendency along with the increase of exposed levels. Hsp72 levels had strong negative correlation with the olive comet tail moment (r = -0.503, P < 0.01) in high exposure workers.

CONCLUSIONThe coke oven emissions can induce hsp72 expression. Hsp72 play a role of protecting cells from DNA damage induced by coke oven emissions.

Adult ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; adverse effects ; Coke ; DNA Damage ; HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

The article introduces resent 10 years' application survey of ear acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, hand acupuncture and other mini-acupuncture system therapies in clinical treatment of cervical spondylopathy, finding out that unique advantages and problems of this therapy in treatment of cervical spondylopathy, and it prospects for clinical application of mini-acupuncture system.
Abdomen ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Scalp ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) in the protective effect of remifentanil preconditioning (RPC) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSNinety-six male SD rats were randomly assigned into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), RPC group, and SB (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK) +RPC group. The rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion, and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured. HE staining was used to observe the hepatic histopathological changes, and Western blotting was employed to examine p38MAPK and pp38MAPK protein expression. TUNEL staining was used to examine cell apoptosis in the liver tissues.

RESULTSCompared with sham-operated group, I/R group showed significantly increased serum levels of AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-1β with obvious histopathological changes and cell apoptosis in the liver. RPC significantly decresed the elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-1β and lessened hepatic histopathological changes, and caused reduced p38MAPK phosphorylation and hepatic cell apoptosis index. The protective effects of RPC were abolished by SB 203580 pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONRPC attenuates the production of inflammatory factors by activating p38MAPK signal pathway to improve hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and these effects can be blocked by SB203580, a p38MAPK inhibitor.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Liver ; blood supply ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Piperidines ; therapeutic use ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid ; agonists ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism