Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the techniques and influence factors for the respiratory navigator echo triggered whole-heart coronary MR angiography(WH-CMRA)and evaluate its application in visualizing coronary arteries and the image quality.Methods Ninety two volunteers were acquired with WH-CMRA at 3 T MR scanner using respiratory navigator-echo gated TFE sequence.Imaging quality was visually graded as 0—Ⅳ grade according to the visual inspection,average length,diameter and sharpness of coronary arteries.The correlation between the imaging quality and respiratory pattern,heart rate and navigator efficiency was analyzed.Results The imaging quality in 92 cases was that 28 were graded as Ⅳ, 53 were graded as Ⅲ,9 were graded as Ⅱ and 2 were graded as Ⅰ.The successful rate of scan was 88% (81/92).The imaging quality is mainly graded as Ⅳ when the heart rate was less than 75 beats per minute (bpm)and the sharpness of vessel was(48?11)%.When heart rate was more than 75 bpm,the image quality was mostly graded as Ⅲ and the sharpness was(33?15)%.The correlation between heart rate and imaging quality score was negative(r=-0.726,P0.05).Conclusion 3 T WH-CMRA technique could facilitated the visualization of whole coronary arteries at free breathing but having indications on heart rate.

AIM: To investigate therapeutic efficiency of amniotic extraction on dry eye in rabbit model induced by topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC).
METHODS: Totally 26 rabbits (26 right eyes) with dry eye model were studied and divided into two groups:group A (control group with PBS eye drops, n = 13) and group B ( amniotic extraction group, n = 13). Another two rabbits were chosen as normal control. The SchirmerⅠ tests ( S Ⅰ t) and corneal fluorescein staining ( FL) were made, and the tear total protein content, amylase activity, lactoferrin, lysozyme contents, goblet cell density were performed in two groups before treatment and 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk after treatment.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in SIT, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density among different groups at different time points (P<0. 05). But, there was no significant differences in SⅠt, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups before treatment (P>0. 05). After 8wks' treatment with PBS, the mean differences of the group A showed great changes in SⅠt, lysozyme and goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P < 0. 05); but there was no significant differences in FL scores compared with those before treatment (P>0. 05). As for group B, 8wks after treatment, there were statistical changes in SⅠt, FL, lysozyme (P<0. 05); but there was no significant differences in goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P > 0. 05). It was evident that statistical differences were observed in S Ⅰ t, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups at each time point (P<0. 05). However, there were no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity at different time points (P>0. 05). Meanwhile there was no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups before treatment ( P > 0. 05 ). But there were significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups after 4 and 8 wks'treatment (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Amniotic extraction has significant therapeutic effect on the dry eye in rabbit model.

The aim of the manuscript was to optimize formulations and preparation technologies of cataplasm of white mustard seed varnish, and to evaluate its anti-asthma effect on rats. The single factor experiments included spreading thickness, types of crosslinking agents, dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate amount, sodium polyacrylate amount, types of adhesive agents with human sense as the evaluation index. Blank cataplasm matrix was optimized by the orthogonal experiment with the amount of glycerine, citric acid, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as the major influential factors. Initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense were as the evaluation index. The optimized formulation of blank cataplasm were as followings: glycerine-water-ethanol-PEG400-dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate-citric acid-sodium carboxymethylcellulose-sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 : 8 : 0.8 : 0.4 : 0.07: 0.15 : 0.1 : 0.5. The active ingredients of white mustard seed, corydalis, and gansui root were extracted by alcohol extraction method. Asiasarum volatile oil was extracted by oil extractor. The optimized drug loading amount was 11% with initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense as the evaluation index. Asthma rats model were established by sensitized with ovalbumin and nose-scratching time as the evaluation index. High dose (17%) group of drug-loaded cataplasm had the obvious inhibition effect on nose-scratching time of rats (P = 0.037 < 0.05). In comparison, middle dose (11%), low dose (4%) and positive-control groups had no obvious inhibitive effect on rats. White mustard seed cataplasm supplied a novel choice for anti-asthma therapy. And the overall pharmacodynamics assessment will be carried out on molecular level in near future.
Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; chemistry

In recent years, layer-by-layer self-assembly (LbL) has developed rapidly. It has been widely used in various industries such as medicine and metallurgy because of its simplicity, flexibility and controllability. In the study of drug delivery system, hollow microcapsules constructed by LbL method as drug carrier have great advantages in drug release, circulation in vivo and bioavailability, providing a technical platform for targeted drug release. In this paper, we summarize the types of film-forming materials and the driving force used in LbL technology, the way of loading drug into hollow micro capsule, and the variety of loaded drugs. We focus on the release mechanism, its evaluation and safety evaluation of self-assembled film as drug carrier in vivo and in vitro. The review shows the great application prospect of LbL technology in the field of drug delivery.

OBJECTIVETo explore whether coal tar pitch smoke extract (CTP) induced pyroptosis in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B).

METHODSBEAS-2B cells were treated with different concentrations of CTP (1, 3 µg/ml) for 8h and 24 h, respectively. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels in the supernatants of cell culture media were measured with LDH activity or human IL-1β ELISA kit, respectively. The activity of Caspase-1 was measured with Caspase-1 colorimetric assay kit.

RESULTSThe activity of caspase-1 in 1 and 3 µg/ml CTP groups were (9.29 ± 0.30) and (8.67 ± 0.59) µmol/ml respectively which were both significantly increased compared to that (7.42 ± 0.59) µmol/ml in the control group (P < 0.05) after 8 h exposure, but there was no significant difference in the activity of LDH and levels of IL-1β in the cell culture media among the CTP and control groups. 24 h after exposure, the activity of LDH in the CTP (1, 3 µg/ml) groups were (1323.03 ± 28.53) and (1148.45 ± 16.42) U/dl respectively which were significantly higher than that (1091.93 ± 26.64) U/dl in the control group (P < 0.05), and the levels of IL-1β in the CTP (1 and 3 µg/ml) groups were (125.37 ± 25.00) pg/ml and (92.04 ± 19.09) pg/ml respectively which were significantly higher than that (46.20 ± 14.43) pg/ml in the control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the activity of Caspase-1 among CTP and control groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCTP treatment induced early increase in caspase-1 activity followed by the increase in LDH activity and IL-1 levels, indicative of pyroptosis in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Apoptosis ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Coal Tar ; adverse effects ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Smoke ; adverse effects

Objective To study the feasibility and clinical values of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)in the spinal cord at 3.0 T MR.Methods Forty patients with spinal cord compression including cervical cord herniation and cervical spondylosis(30 cases),tumors in spinal canal(9 cases)and old injury in cervical vertebrae(1 cases)and 20 healthy volunteers participated in this study.Single-shot spin- echo echo-planar diffusion tensor sequence for tractography of the spinal cord was performed.The fibers of spinal cord were visualized by using fiber tracking software.Results On the DTT maps,the normal spinal cord was depicted as a fiber tract showing color-encoded cephaloeaudally,which indicated anisotropy in the cephalocaudal direction.By setting two ROI,the main spinal cord fiber tracts,such as corticospinal or spinothalamic tract,were visualized.The tracts from two sides of the brain did not completely cross.It was asymmetric in the number of tracts on the two sides in most normal subjects(8/10).The tracts of all patients with cord compression were seen oppressed or damaged in different degrees.The DrrT in patients with cervical spondylosis and extramedullary-intradural neurolemmoma demonstrated that tracts were oppressed but not damaged.The DTT in one ependymoma showed that tract was markedly compressed and slightly damaged.Conclusion DTT is a promising tool for demonstrating the spinal cord tracts and abnormalities,can provide useful information for the localization of compression and evaluation of the impairment extent on the white matter tracts of the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVEThe novel influenza A (H1N1) virus firstly detected in April 2009 in Mexico rapidly spread to many countries including the United States and Canada where humans were infected with the H1N1 virus and deaths were reported. The pandemic virus strain had never been detected in specimen of human beings and swine. It was so highly contagious and widely spread that threatened life of humans globally. This study aimed to analyze clinical data of hospitalized children patients with 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection confirmed by etiologic tests, and compared with that of seasonal influenza A.

METHODClinical manifestations, laboratory and therapy data from the hospitalized children were collected by designed case report form and analyzed. All patients were enrolled from Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2003 to 2010. There were 152 cases in seasonal influenza A group, which was composed of 100 boys and 52 girls. Other 93 boys and 86 girls formed 2009 novel influenza A group.

RESULTInfluenza A was dominate from 2003 to 2008 and the peak season was December and January, while the peak hospitalized time of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza was from November 2009 to January 2010. The median age of seasonal influenza group was 35 months, which was lower than that of novel influenza group (Z = -6.702, P<0.01). Besides, 80.9% of the patients in seasonal influenza group were infants, while the novel influenza A group was mainly composed of infants and pre-school children (chi2 = 40.725, P<0.01). The cases of both groups had influenza-like symptoms at onset and the most common presentations were fever and cough. The duration of fever was much longer in 2009 novel influenza group (Z = -7.173, P<0.01). Patients in two groups nearly had the same symptoms except cough was more frequently presented by novel influenza A group cases (chi2 = 4.109, P<0.05). In laboratory examination, the novel influenza group had more cases with abnormality in blood platelet, CRP, ALT, and CK-MB than that of seasonal influenza group (chi2 = 7.562, 17.245, 4.398, 6.217, P<0.01). Patients in novel influenza A group had more changes in electrocardiogram (chi2 = 24.461, P<0.01). More patients had common underlying medical condition in novel influenza groups than those in seasonal influenza group (chi2 = 12.553, P<0.01). Furthermore, the groups had different age distribution in underlying medical diseases (chi2 = 7.231, P<0.05). Children with 2009 novel H1N1 virus infection tended to catch pneumonia (chi2 = 8.661, P<0.01) and became the severe cases (chi2 = 10.595, P<0.01). They had much higher ICU admission rate (chi2 = 12.873, P<0.01) and longer hospital stay (Z = -2.764, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAs a new variant of influenza virus A, 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A had stronger pathogenicity. Children with underlying medical conditions had the high risk to be infected and developed severe manifestations.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male

BACKGROUNDOver-expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the MDR1 gene, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is a major reason for unsuccessful chemotherapy. This study aimed to determine the effct of RNA interference (RNAi) on the reversal of MDR in human RCC.

METHODSWe designed and selected one short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting MDR1 gene, which is stably expressed from integrated plasmid and transfected by lentivirus fluid in human RCC A498 cell.

RESULTSThe MDR1-targeted RNAi resulted in decreased MDR1 gene mRNA level (P < 0.001), almost abolished P-gp expression and reversed MDR to different chemotherapy drugs in the RCC A498 cell line.

CONCLUSIONMDR could be reversed by RNAi in human RCC A498 cell line, which may be used for clinical application in future.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of hospitalized pediatric patients infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza.

METHODSTotally 159 children (83 male and 76 female) with influenza A (H1N1) confirmed by the real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay were admitted to a special ward of Capital Institute of Pediatrics from November 2009 to January 2010. Clinical manifestations, laboratory and therapy data from the hospitalized children were collected by designed case report form and analyzed.

RESULTSOut of 159 hospitalized patients, 139 (87.4%) were under the age of 5 years and 34.0% of them had at least one underlying medical conditions. Proportions of the severe cases, pneumonia and underlying medical diseases were similar between the 78 infants and 81 older children. All of these 159 cases had influenza-like symptoms at onset and the most common presentations were fever (115 cases, 72.3%) and cough (154 cases, 96.8%). Five severe cases presented dyspnea, cyanosis and hypoxemia. The virus easily invaded into the lower respiratory tract as indicated by that 61% of the cases had findings consistent with pneumonia by X-ray and/or CT and 21.6% had bacterial co-infection. Part of them had mycoplasma pneumonia (20 cases, 27.0%) or other respiratory viruses (5 cases, 3.1%) co-infection simultaneously. The duration of fever was similar between the H1N1 virus sole infection group and the co-infection group (t = 0.975, P > 0.05), but the average course of the disease and hospitalized days of the latter group were longer than the former (t = 3.182 and 3.190, P < 0.01). The proportion of children with pneumonia in the co-infection group was significantly higher than that in the H1N1 sole-infection group (χ(2) = 4.082, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMost of the H1N1 infected pediatric patients had mild respiratory symptoms, a few of them developed severe manifestations. Dyspnea and hypoxemia were the early signals for the developing severe cases. Rational and experienced treatment with antibiotics was important addition to the antiviral therapy for those co-infected with bacteria.

Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Male