Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; Ammonia ; poisoning ; Burns, Inhalation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Male ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; therapy ; Respiratory Therapy ; Young Adult

0.05).Conclusions The expression of myostatin gene mRNA is increased in myotonic dystrophy.Up-regulated expression of myostatin in skeletal muscle might be associated with the mechanism of myotonic dystrophy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker on the quality of life (QOL) including appetite, defecation, and sleep in patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor.

METHODSTotally 147 patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor were assigned to 4 groups according to different treatment methods, i.e., the supportive treatment group (A, 20 cases), the acupressure treatment group (B, 41 cases), the magnetic sticker treatment group (C, 40 cases), and a combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker treatment group (D, 46 cases). They were respectively treated with different methods, supportive treatment for group A, acupressure for group B, magnetic sticker for group C, and a combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker for group D. The scores of food intake, defecation frequency, sleep time, Karnofsky, and QOL were compared before treatment and at day 14 after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of food intake, defecation frequency, and sleep time were obviously improved in B, C and D groups (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference between group D and group A (P < 0.01). In addition, in comparison with A group, both Karnofsky score and QOL score increased in B, C and D groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe assisted therapy of the combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker could ameliorate QOL such as the digestive functions and sleep in patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor.

Acupressure ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of interleukin-1B (IL-1B) promoter region -511C/T and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (RN) gene, the relationship between the genotype of IL-1B and IL-1RN, and the susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B in Chinese population.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 190 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 249 normal controls and then was subjected to PCR amplification. The PCR product was digested by restriction endonuclease Ava I. The product of digestion was subjected to 2% gel-electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining.

RESULTSThe IL-1B -511C allele was detected in 0.50 of normal controls and 0.48 of patients, while the IL-1B -511T allele was detected in 0.50 of normal controls and 0.52 of patients. The frequency of CC genotype was 0.26 (65/249) and in normal controls 0.24 (45/190) in patients. The frequency of CT genotype was 0.47 (118/249) in normal controls and 0.49 (94/190) in patients. The frequency of TT genotype was 0.27 (66/249) in normal controls and 0.27 (51/190) in patients. The HBV-DNA copies in chronic hepatitis B with CC genotype were significantly decreased, compared with controls (P<0.05). Only four (1/1, 1/2, 2/2 and 1/4) of the five kinds of polymorphism of IL-1RN were found in this study. The frequencies of 1/1, 1/2, 2/2 and 1/4 were 0.88, 0.09, 0.01 and 0.02 in chronic hepatitis B patients respectively, while in controls were 0.81, 0.16, 0.01 and 0.02. The IL-1 RN*1 allele was detected in 0.94 of chronic hepatitis B patients and in 0.90 of controls, while the IL-1RN*2 allele was detected in 0.05 of patients and in 0.09 of normal controls. The frequencies of 1/2 genotype and IL-1RN*2 allele were lower in chronic hepatitis B than in controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphisms of the promoter region -511C/T of IL-1B gene and IL-1RN intron 2 gene are associated with the development of chronic hepatitis B. The people with IL-1RN*2 allele may be protected against HBV infection, and the IL-1B -511 CC genotype may be linked to HBV-DNA copy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sialoglycoproteins ; genetics

Objective:To investigate the analgesic time-effect characteristics and changes in concentrations of rabbit's hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) caused by buccal acupuncture in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits,and to reveal the analgesic central mechanism of buccal acupuncture,thereby providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of pain by buccal acupuncture.Methods:Forty rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a body acupuncture group,and a buccal acupuncture group,with 10 rabbits in each group.No model was established in the normal group,while equal dose of normal saline was injected at the matched site and time point;rabbits in other groups were subjected to the establishment of RA models using egg protein.From the 27th day of the experiment,rabbits in each group received the designated intervention.Rabbits in the normal group and the model group were fixed for 30 min every day using the same method as those in the other groups.In the acupuncture group,Dubi (ST 35) and Zusanli (ST 36) on bilateral hind limbs were selected.Perpendicular needling (using the needles with 0.25 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length) was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.In the buccal acupuncture group,the knee point in the buccal acupuncture and needles with a diameter of 0.25 mm and a length of 15 mm were selected.Oblique needling was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.The thermal pain thresholds at the 0,5,15,30,60,120 and 240 min after the 1st and 10th acupuncture therapy were measured with a PL-200 thermal-inducing pain meter.After the 10th acupuncture therapy,rabbit's hypothalamus was removed,and the 5-HT and NE concentrations in the hypothalamus at the peak point of the acupuncture pain threshold curve were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results:The analgesic effect was obvious at 5 min after buccal acupuncture started,peaked at 30 min,and decreased to the lowest value at 240 min.Rabbits in the body acupuncture group began to show significant analgesic effect at 15 min,which was peaked at 30 min,and began to decline at 60 min.The pain threshold at 240 min was still higher than that at 0 min.Compared with the model group,the concentrations of hypothalamic 5-HT in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group was significantly increased,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05).The NE/5-HT ratios in hypothalamus in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group were significantly lower than the ratio in the model group,and the differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05);difference in the decrease was statistically significant between the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:The analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture shows an obvious time-dependent curve.It is characterized by rapid onset of pain relief,rapid increase and decline in pain threshold.5-HT and NE levels in rabbit's hypothalamus can be affected by buccal acupuncture,with increased 5-HT concentration and reduced NE/5-HT ratio.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the combination of sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

METHODThe serial dilution method was adopted to determine MIC of the combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on S. epidermidis; the checkerboard method was used to evaluate the combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on suspended bacteria of S. epidermidis; S. epidermidis biofilm was built in vitro, and XTT reduction assay was used to evaluate the effect of the combination of sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin on the adhesion of S. epidermidis and bacterial metabolism inside the biofilm. Microscope was applied to observe the impact the single administration and combination of the two medicines under sub-MIC on biofilm morphology of S. epidermidis.

RESULTThe MIC of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin were 62.5, 7.812 5 mg x L(-1), respectively. The combination of 1/8MIC sodium houttuyfonate and 1/2MIC erythronmycin showed a synergistic effect on S. epidermidis. Sodium houttuyfonate, erythromycin and their combination had an inhibitory effect on the adhesion and metabolism of S. epidermidis biofilm bacteria, and made impact on the morphology of S. epidermidis biofilm.

CONCLUSIONThe sub-MIC sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin have an inhibitory effect on S. epidermidis biofilm. The combination of sodium houttuyfonate and erythromycin shows a synergistic effect in inhibiting suspended bacteria and biofilm of S. epidermidis, particularly in inhibiting the metabolism of S. epidermidis biofilm bacteria and impacting the morphology of biofilm.

Alkanes ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Interactions ; Erythromycin ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sulfites ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the intron 2 and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position +8006 in the exon 2 of IL-1RN in healthy Chinese Han Population of Wuhan province and to analyze their correlation with the serum lipoprotein level.

METHODSIL-1RN (VNTR) and IL-1RN (+8006) polymorphisms were detected by PCR and PCR-RFLP methods in 251 healthy Chinese Han Population of Wuhan, and the levels of serum lipoprotein, IL-1 and IL-1Ra were inspected simultaneously.

RESULTSIn IL-1RN (VNTR), allele I appeared most common, then allele II, and allele IV was rare. At the position of IL-1RN (+8006), allele T was most commonly seen followed by allele C. Allele II of IL-1RN (VNTR) always existed with allele C of IL-1RN (+8006). The levels of serum lipoprotein, IL-1 and IL-1Ra were not different among the different genotypes of the two polymorphisms.

CONCLUSIONThere were two gene polymorphisms in the intron 2 and exon 2 of IL-1RN, which were not correlated with the levels of serum lipoprotein, IL-1 and IL-1Ra. However, there seemed to be a linkage disequilibrium between IL-1RN (VNTR) and IL-1RN (+8006).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; genetics ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; Introns ; genetics ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minisatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sialoglycoproteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo make investigations on the polymorphism of interleukin-1 (IL-1)gene in Chinese Han population, on its association with essential hypertension, and on the relationship between the genotype of IL-1 and susceptibility to essential hypertension.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of IL-1 gene in Han population of Hubei province, including polymorphisms of IL-1alpha (-889C/T), IL-1beta (-511C/T),IL-1beta (+3953C/T), IL-1Ra(+8006T/C) and IL-1Ra (variable number of tandem repeat, VNTR), were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a combination of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods in 152 patients with essential hypertension and 168 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe polymorphism distributions of IL-1alpha (-889C/T), IL-1beta (+3953C/T), IL-1Ra (+8006T/C) and IL-1Ra (VNTR) showed no differences between the essential hypertension group and control group, but the IL-1beta (-511C/T) exhibited a significant difference between the two groups. CT genotype carriers were at increased risk for essential hypertension (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.41-4.58), compared with healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism of promotor region -511C/T in IL-1beta gene is probably associated with the susceptibility to essential hypertension.

Aged ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; genetics ; Interleukin-1alpha ; genetics ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minisatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To determine the clinical features,neurophysiological characteristics and cervical magnetic resonance imaging of sensory neumnopathy,and to describe the pathology of skin nerve, sural nerve and spinal dorsal columns.Methods Two patients who died from sensory neuron disease (SND)after infection of digestive tract were discussed including clinical features and ancillary tests which included neurophysiology and pathology of peripheral nerve and spinal dorsal columns.Associated documents are reviewed.Results Early ataxia,widespread sensory symptoms and global loss of deep tendon reflex were the distinctive signs of SND,which was characterized by non-length-dependent abnormalities of sensory nerve action potentials,a hallmark of ganglionopathies.The second patient showed normal cervical magnetic resonance imaging possibly because of short course of disease,while diffuse hyperintensity in the spinal posterior columns of SND was reported.Demyelination of spinal posterior columns and loss of mostly large diameter nerve fibers without regeneration clusters were the main pathological features.Conclusions The distinctive clinical features and neurophysiological characteristics of SND indicate that peripheral sensory nerve fibers are widely damaged.Pathology of spinal posterior columns confirm that central sensory pathway are impaired which allow the localization of the pathologic site to the dorsal root ganglion neurons.Cervical spinal MRI of SND are possibly normal at early phase.

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the stability of different serum prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and investigate their application value in the diagnosis of prostate disease.

METHODSOne hundred and five patients with BPH were divided into 3 groups by their total PSA (tPSA) level, 67 in group A (tPSA < 4 micrograms/L), 26 in group B (4 micrograms/L < or = tPSA < or = 10 micrograms/L) and 12 in group C (tPSA > 10 micrograms/L). These patients were also divided into another 3 groups by age, 18 in group a (< or = 55 years old), 33 in group b (from 56 to 69 years old) and 54 in group c (> or = 70 years old). tPSA, free PSA (fPSA) and complexed PSA (cPSA) were measured by magnetism-particulate-immuno-chemistry luminescence method, the ratios of cPSA/tPSA, fPSA/tPSA, fPSA/cPSA were calculated in 105 patients with BPH, and their stabilities were compared in different tPSA level and age groups.

RESULTSThe ratios of cPSA/tPSA, fPSA/tPSA and fPSA/cPSA were steadier than other PSAs in different tPSA level and age groups with BPH.

CONCLUSIONThe ratios of cPSA/tPSA, fPSA/tPSA and fPSA/cPSA probably have more application value in the diagnosis of prostate disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Luminescent Measurements ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; diagnosis