Kawasaki disease ( KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitic syndrome. Since there is no specific diagnostic test for KD, the diagnosis is mainly based on the clinical menifetations according to the criterias and excluding of other diseases. Recently the value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) in the diagnosis of KD has been paid more attention gradually. The plasma NT-proBNP level is significantly elevated in KD patients in the acute phase. It is of some specificity and sensitivity, and it may due to the local myocardial inflammation, cytokines and diastolic function of left ventricular. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which the elevated levels of plasma NT-proBNP occur in the acute phase of KD.

The incident of colorectal cancer are closely related to factors such as genetics, life styles, dietary patterns, external environment, enteral environment, and exercise. Epidemiological studies of geographic regions with different eating habits have shown that the incidence of CRC varies as diets change. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms

ObjectiveTo assess the energy expenditure status in critically ill children on mechanical ventilation.MethodsFifty critically ill children on mechanical ventilation were enrolled in this study.Resting energy expenditure (REE) on days 1,3,5,and 7 were measured.The predictive REE was calculated for each subject using age-appropriate equations (Schofield-HTWT).ResultsREE on day 1 and Schofield-HTWT equation predictive REE were (96.80 ± 42.63 ) and ( 110.67 ± 38.35 ) kJ/d,respectively.REE on days 1,3,5,and 7 were (100.53 ±50.24),(113.80 ±49.19),(117.99 ±50.57),and (115.05±50.18) kJ/d,respectively (F =1.267,P =0.292).The REE of day 1 in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and without CHD was (75.66 ± 31.23 ) and ( 113.40 ± 28.40) kJ/d,respectively ( F =10.423,P =0.002).ConclusionsThe hypometabolic response is apparent in critically ill children with mechanical ventilation,and the energy expenditure shows no time-specific change within the first week.The energy expenditure in children with CHD is lower than those without CHD.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of the febrile neutropenia cancer children,explore the relationship between the clinical data and sepsis.Methods A prospective observation study was employed,and 66 cancer children complicated with febrile and neutropenia after chemotherapy were enrolled.Sixty-six cases were divided into two groups:septic group ( n =26 ) and non-septic group ( n =40).Clinical and laboratory data were collected and compared.Results Body temperature,neutropenia duration,absolute neutrophic count ( ANC ),C-reactive protein ( CRP ),procalcitonin (PCT) and culture positive rate showed statistically differences between the septic and non-septic groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Body temperature ＞40 ℃,ANC ＜ 0.1 × 109/L,increases of serum CRP and PCT levels and positive culture were correlated with sepsis.Body temperature ＜ 39 ℃,neutropenia duration ＜ 5 ds,ANC ＞ 0.5 × 109/L were less correlated with sepsis.Conclusion High initial temperature,long duration of neutropenia,severely reduced ANC,increases of CRP and PCT,and culture-positive are correlated with sepsis in cancer children.

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma activated protein C(APC)in the pediatric leukemia patients with acute lung injury(ALI),and the relationship with the outcome.Methods During the study period(from Jan to Dec 2009),17 pediatric leukemia patients with ALI were selected.They were divided into neutropenic(n =10)and non-neutropenic(n =7)group.We collected the basic data including the age,gender,stage of chemotherapy,pediatric critical illness score,mechanical ventilation time,ICU time.The blood gas and plasma APC levels were detected on day 1 and day 4 of ALI onset.Results Compared with the non-neutropenic group,the neutropenic group had a significantly longer mechanical ventilation time [(16.60 ± 1 0.83)d vs(3.79 ± 4.08)d,P =0.009 6],lower PaO2 level on day l[(54.90 ± 17.05)mm Hg vs (92.70 ± 27.53)mm Hg,P =0.009 7],and lower APC level on day 4[(193.06 ± 63.19)pg/mlvs(286.28 ±25.12)pg/ml,P =0.007 7].Conclusion The APC generation is severely impaired in the neutropenic group,especially in those who died.The lower APC level is,the longer is the mechanical ventilation time,the worse is oxygenation,the poorer is the prognosis.APC replacement therapy may be promising in these patients.

Neuron is the basic unit of the biological neural system. The Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model is one of the most realistic neuron models on the electrophysiological characteristic description of neuron. Hardware implementation of neuron could provide new research ideas to clinical treatment of spinal cord injury, bionics and artificial intelligence. Based on the HH model neuron and the DSP Builder technology, in the present study, a single HH model neuron hardware implementation was completed in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The neuron implemented in FPGA was stimulated by different types of current, the action potential response characteristics were analyzed, and the correlation coefficient between numerical simulation result and hardware implementation result were calculated. The results showed that neuronal action potential response of FPGA was highly consistent with numerical simulation result. This work lays the foundation for hardware implementation of neural network.
Action Potentials ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Models, Neurological ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Neurons ; cytology ; Synaptic Transmission

Objective: To study the effect of wortmannin (WM), a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells and the possible mechanism. Methods: Human leukemia cell line K562 was treated with different concentrations of WM. The proliferation of K562 cells was examined by MTT assay. DNA damage in K562 cells was examined by single cell gel electrophoresis assay, and apoptosis of K562 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining. The expressions of total Akt, phosphorate-Akt (p-Akt), and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results: WM inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the IC((50) value of 24 h being 25 nmol/L. WM also induced apoptosis of K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner. DNA damage in K562 cells was demonstrated by appearance of comet tail after treatment with WM, with the rate of DNA tail and the tail length being significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). WM dose-dependently inhibited P-Akt and NF-κB p65, but not the total Akt, mRNA and protein expressions. Conclusion: WM can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of K562 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, probably through down-regulation of phosphorate PI3K/Akt signal pathway and NF-κB expression.

Objective To evaluate the effect of iron on the stability of fat emulsion in total nutrient admixture (TNA) in pediatrics. Methods Based on intravenous nutrition preparation and handling protocols, 0,0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg iron sucrose was added in each 100 ml TNA, respectively, and each dose was prepared for 10 bags. The stability of fat emulsion was observed by electron scanning microscopy. The pH and osmolality were determined at different time points (0, 24, 48, and 72 h). Results The fat particle size, percentages of particles ＞ 0.5 μm, pH value, and osmolality were not significantly different among all the groups at different time points (all P ＞ 0.05). The mean particle sizes of the fat emulsion were ＜ 0.5 μm in all groups within 72 h.No fat particle with diameter ＞ 5 μm was seen in each group. Conclusion TNA containing iron sucrose with concentrations range 0.25-1.00 mg per 100 ml is stable.

Objective To study the diterpenoids possessed immunosuppressive activity from Tripterygium hypoglaucum. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated from the CHCl3 extracts of T. hypoglaucum by repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies. The immunosuppressive activity of these compounds was tested using the lymphocyte transformation test. Results Compounds Ⅰ-Ⅵ were identified as triptobenzene H (Ⅰ), triptoquinone A (Ⅱ), triptoquinone B (Ⅲ), triptoquinone H (Ⅳ), triptonediol (Ⅴ), triptonoterpene (Ⅵ). Conclusion Compound Ⅰ-Ⅲ are isolated from this medicinal plant for the first time and all the compounds show the significant immunosuppressive activity.

Objective To establish the method of the GC fingerprints for Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil and its quality control.Methods The temperature at both feed inlet and detector was 250℃,the carrier gas was nitrogen,and the flow rate was 2 mL/min.GC of the essential oil in ten batches of L.chuanxiong was analyzed by adopting temprature programmer and the fingerprint peaks were identified by GC-MS.Results To set up the GC fingerprints for L.chuanxiong essential oil,13 peaks were marked out altogether and the GC fingerprints were analyzed by similarity analysis.Conclusion The method is of high degree of presion,reproducibility,and stability.The resolving of each component in the essential oil is good.The established fingerprints could be used as one of the quality control index for L.chuanxiong essential oil.