Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Myocarditis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; methods ; Virus Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most frequent pattern of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with poor prognosis and high mortality.Studies in recent years found that non-coding small RNA molecules (miRNA) were closely related to the clinical course of DCM.The present article made a review on the expression pattern of miRNA and development of DCM study.

Objective To identify interleukin (IL)-17-producing T cells and Foxp3 positive CD4 positive T ceils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and investigate their cytokine levels as well as their correlations. Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the subsets of T cells in peripheral blood from 39 RA patients and 40 healthy donors. IL-17, IL-6, IL-23 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta levels in sera of these subjects were tested by ELISA. Results IL-17+CD4+ T cells increased significantly and IL-17, IL-6 and IL-23 elevated markedly in peripheral blood of RA patients compared to healthy donors (P< 0.01 ). However,Foxp3+CD4+T cells decreased evidently (P<0.01) and TGF-beta did not increase in RA pati-ents when compared to healthy donors (P>0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that Th17 cells predomin-ance coupled with relatively insufficient CD4+ regulatory T cells in RA is mainly caused by alterations of rela-ted cytokines.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and the pharmacological effects of Shen-wu Capsule.MethodsSD rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 rats each:model group was developed by peritoneal injection of 3-nitropropionic acid(3-NPA) 20mg/kg, once every another day. Haloferidoli was used as the positive drug (given to positive control group from 10μg/100g/day to 100μg/100g/day, during modeling). Low dose of Shen-wu Capsule is 0.45g/kg; middle dose of Shen-wu Capsule is 0.9g/kg; high dose of Shen-wu Capsule is 1.8g/kg (once a day for 25days). The rats in normal control group were peritoneally injected with saline and were fed with water.The open field test was used to test the space recognition ability and excitability of CNS of rats. The climbing test was used to test strength of muscles.The content of dopamine(DA) and it's metabolite dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC),5-HT in stratium of all groups were detected by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC-ECD).ResultsThe 3-NPA model rats showed decrease of activity, rigidity and stagger just like clinical patients with Huntington's diseases. In open field test all indexes of 3-NPA model rats are decreased (P<0.05), while Shen-wu Capsule low dose and high dose can improve all the indexes. There is no difference in strength of muscles among all groups. The content of DA,DOPAC and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were distinctly decreased in 3-NPA model rats(P<0.01); rats in three groups of Shen-wu Capsule and positive drug control groups showed increased content of these neurotransmitter(P<0.01). Conclusions Rats injected with 3-NPA can mimic the abnormal behaviors and changes of neurotransmitter in stratium of Huntington's patients, Shen-wu Capsule can ameliorate the behavior of model animals and improve the content of DA,DOPAC and 5-HT in stratium.

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of 3D-indirectmagnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in detecting meniscustears of the knees.

METHODSForm January 2013 to January 2014, routine plain MR of the knees followed by the 3D-indirect MR arthrography was performed in 42 patients with suspected meniscal tears clinically. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 38.4 years old (ranged, 21 to 67 years old). The duration of the course ranged from 2 h to 15 d. The clinical symptom was knee pain. All the patients got subsequently arthroscopic examination or operation. The sensitivity and specificity of routine plain MR and 3D-indirect MR arthrography were compared based on the results of arthroscopic examination or operation.

RESULTSThe signal intensity in the area of meniscal tears on image of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was obviously higher than that of routine plain MR. The sensitivity of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was 85.79% (87/102), while the routine plain MR was 52.94% (54/102), and the specificity improved from 67.78%(61/90) to 86.67%(78/90). The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 25.90, P < 0.01; χ2 = 9.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with the routine plain MR findings, 3D-indirect MR arthrography demonstrates meniscus tears of the knee with the better sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

Objective:To translate the Empathy for Pain Scale (EPS) and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of EPS in medical students.Methods:The items of the Chinese version of EPS were determined by translation, back-translation, semantic analysis, expert consultation and culture adaptation. From June to October 2018, this study selected 531 undergraduate students by convenience sampling to carry out questionnaire survey. Correlation analysis and critical ratio were used to the item analysis. Validity test was implemented with the content validity, construct validity and criterion-related validity; and internal consistency was tested with the Cronbach's α value and split-half reliability.Results:The Chinese version of EPS had 12 items and two factors named as the body and mind discomfort reactions and empathy reactions with 69.059% for the total variance contribution. Content validity of items ranged from 0.83 to 1.00, and the total content validity was 0.94. The total score of the Chinese version of EPS had a positive correlation with the score of the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI-C) ( r=0.370, P< 0.01) . The Cronbach's α value of the scale was 0.914; Cronbach's α values of two dimensions, the body and mind discomfort reactions and empathy reactions, were 0.935 and 0.775 respectively. The split-half reliability of the scale was 0.896. Conclusions:The Chinese version of EPS has four scenes and two dimensions as well as a good reliability and validity which could be used to evaluate the level of empathy for pain among medical students in China.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the myocardial electrophysiological effect and its underlying mechanisms of atorvastatin (Ator) on isolated rat hearts injured by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSIsolated SD rat hearts were mounted on Langendorff system, and a local I/R was induced by ligation (30 min) and release (15 min) of the left anterior descending artery. During the reperfusion period, the effect of Ator on diastolic excitation threshold (DET), effective refractory period (ERP) and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) on rat heart were measured.

RESULTCompared with the control group, medium concentration of Ator prolonged the ERP in normal rat hearts; low, medium and high concentration of Ator significantly inhibited the decrease of DET, ERP and VFT induced by I/R. However, pretreatment with L-NAME cancelled these cardiac electrophysiological effects of Ator.

CONCLUSIONAtor reduced electrophysiological alteration induced by I/R in isolated rat hearts, which may be mediated by activating nitric oxide pathway to enhance the myocardial electrophysiological stability.

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo develop a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) approach to identify Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and differentiate methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA).

METHODSA total of 100 S. aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens and farm workers were collected and analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS. And data obtained were interpreted with biotyper software.

RESULTSNinety-two strains were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS as S. aureus at a level of secure genus and probable species, and 4 strains were identified at probable genus after their cultivation, spectral collection and data preprocessing. One strain was identified as S. aureus with lower score. It was revealed that identification of S. aureus by MALDI-TOF-MS was highly correlated with typing by biochemical and serological methods with an accuracy as high as 97%. The biotyper cluster analysis showed that 100 isolates were divided into 2 types at the distance level of 400. Higher peak intensity in the mass of both 3784 Da and 5700 Da was observed in MRSA, whereas that was absent from MSSA.

CONCLUSIONMALDI-TOF-MS is considered a simple, rapid and highly reproducible technique with high-throughput and accuracy for the identification of S. aureus and it can reliably differentiate MRSA from MSSA.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Cluster Analysis ; Humans ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods ; Staphylococcal Infections ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; drug effects

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged