Acute Disease ; Aged, 80 and over ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism

Objective To detect the expression of T cell immunogloblin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from asthmatic children and asthmatic murine,and to explore the role of Tim-3 in bronchial asthma.Methods Recruiting 97 cases asthmatic children,47 children with acute asthma exacerbation(acute attack group),50 children with asthma remission (remittent group)and 42 children as the healthy control group.The Tim-3 mRNA expression was measured by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) method.The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-5 (TGF-β)were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and to analyze the correlation between Tim-3 mRNA and the level of IL-6.The asthmatic murine models were randomly divided into 2 groups:normal control group and asthma group.There were 10 mice in each group.PBMC in each group were collected.Expression of Tim-3 mRNA was detected by using real-time PCR.The level of CD4 + IL-17 + and CD4 + CD~ + FoxP3 + which reflected Th17 and regulatory T cells(Treg) expression respectively were detected by using flow cytometry,and the correlation between Tim-3 and Thl7/Treg level was analyzed.Results Expression of Tim-3 mRNA in children with acute asthma exacerbation was significantly higher than those in remission stage and healthy control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The expression of Tim-3 mRNA in children with asthma remission was significantly higher than that in healthy control group (P ＜ 0.05),and the level of IL-6 in children with acute asthma exacerbation was significantly higher than those in remission stage and healthy control group (all P ＜ 0.05).In the murine model of asthma group,the level of Tim-3 mRNA in PBMC was significantly higher than that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01),and in asthma group CD4 + IL-17 + expression was significantly higher than normal control group but CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + was significantly lower than that in normal control group (all P ＜ 0.05),and the ratio of Th17/Treg increased in asthma group compared with normal control group (P ＜ 0.05).Tim-3 mRNA expression in PBMC was correlated positively with CD4 + IL-17 + level and Th17/Treg ratio respectively (all P ＜ 0.05),but was correlated negatively with CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + level(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The high level expression of Tim-3 mRNA in asthmatic children participated in the airway inflammation,which is associated with IL-6,and animal experiments indicating that Tim-3 is closely related with the imbalance of Th1 7/Treg,indicated that Tim-3 may play a certain role in asthma.

Objective To evaluate the value of volumetric brain MRI in multiple system atrophy.Methods Eleven patients diagnosed as multiple system atrophy were recruited,includin 5 parkinsonism dominant(MSA-P)and 6 cerebellar dominant(MSA-C).9 patients with parkinsonism of other types and 6 healthy persons were set as case control and healthy control,respectively.T1 weighted (T1W)sagittal and axial images and T2-weighted(T2W)axial images were obtained from all patients and controls at 3.0T scanner.Diameters of the brain structures were measured infratentorially(brainstem, middle cerebellar peduncles(MCP),dentate and red neelus)and supratentorially(globns pallidus and putamen).Results The transverse diameter of the pons was significantly smaller in MSA patients than in the case and healthy controls((27.6?2.0)mm and(30.5?0.6)mm and(29.9?1.1)mm).The significance could be seen when comparing MSA-C and MSA-P with healthy control.The anteroposterior diameter of the fourth ventricle was significantly dilated in MSA patients than in healthy control((11.9? 2.8)mm and(9.0?2.1)mm).The MRI of MSA-C showed narrower MCP((13.3?1.9)mm and (15.8?1.2)mm and larger fourth ventricle((17.3?2.1)mm and(12.6?2.7)mm)than that of MSA-P.The MRI of MSA-P showed smaller globus pallidus and red neclei.Conclusions The volumetric MRI is a useful means in evaluating the brain structure atrophy in multiple system atrophy.The transverse diameter of the pans,though objectively reflecting the atrophy of the pons,can' t be used to differentiate MSA-P from MSA-C.The atrophy of MCP and the dilated fourth ventricle are common in MSA-C,while the atrophy of red neclei is common in MSA-P.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural ; surgery

Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Child ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrosis, Lipoid ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objectives To investigate the effects of Apelin 13 on myocardial metabolism in diabetic rats.Methods A total of 40 male Wister rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC,n=8) and experimental group (n =32).Diabetic rats model were induced by high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ).The wellestablished 28 diabetic model rats were randomly divided into diabetic model group (DM,n=14) and apelin-13 treated group (n=14).In the Apelin-13 group,diabetic rats were administered Apelin-13 [0.1 μmol/(kg · d)]by intraperitoneal injection for 10 weeks,while the control group and diabetic model group were given an equal volume of 0.9％ NaCl.At the end of the 10th week,all rats were sacrificed after fasting glucose measurement.Levels of serum free fatty acids (FFA) and myocardial FFA were measured by ELISA.Expression of myocardial glucose transporter member 4 (GLUT4) were detected by immunohistochemistry.The mRNA expressions of myocardial PPARα,CD36 and CPT-1 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results Fasting blood glucose,serum FFA and myocardial FFA were significantly higher in DM group than in NC group (all P＜ 0.05).The level of plasma glucose and myocardial FFA were significant lower(P＞0.05) in Apelin-13 treated group than in DM group;but serum FFA was not significantly lower(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of PPARα,CD36,CPT-1 in cardiac myocyte were higher in DM group and Apelin-13 treated group than in control(P＜0.05),and lower in Apelin-13 treated group than in DM group(P＜ 0.05).The expression of myocardial GLUT4 was significantly lower in DM group(1.138±0.316)and in Apelin-13-treated group (4.631 ± 1.832) than in NC group(9.132 ± 2.156),(F=65.507,P＜ 0.05),and higher in Apelin-13-treated group than in DM group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Apelin-13 increases myocardial expression of GLUT4,improves utilization of FFA,and it can effectively reduce the expression of PPARα,CD36 and CPT-1.Therefore,it may play a vital role in the improvement of myocardial metabolism in diabetic rats.

Objective To define the best dose of PMSG/hCG for superovulation and optimize the biological purification system for genetic-modified mice of C57BL/6J background, we injected different dose of PMSG/hCG to promote superovulation, and carried out in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation.Methods 5-week old female C57BL/6J mice were injected with 4 different doses(5 IU,7.5 IU,10 IU and 15 IU, respectively) of PMSG/hCG.Then the mice were mated with wild type male mice and embryos were obtained by cesarean section.In another approach, oocytes of superovulated mice were fertilized in vitro and then transplanted into surrogate female mice . Results In the cesarean section group, the highest rate of pregnancy was 89.00 ±19.05% in the 5 IU injection group.But the difference compared with other groups was not statistically significant.In the embryo transplantation group, the average number of oocytes from 10 IU injection group was 30.33 ±0.89, and the average number of 2-cell embryo was 23.78 ±0.19, significantly higher than those in the other three groups.Conclusions Administration of 5 IU PMSG/hCG will improve mating efficiency in cesarean section-based purification of C57BL/6J mice.10 IU PMSG/hCG is the best dose for superovulation of C57BL/6J mice.The number of 2-cell embryos is maximized when 10 IU PMSG/hCG is used in the embryo transplantation.

It is important to bring the principal role of medical students into full play and to develop their learning motivation and enthusiasm in order to obtain the satisfactory teaching effect in the clinical practice of preventive medicine and pediatric dentistry.Methods of timely summing-up,self-evaluation,making assumption and pair combination should be recommended.Cultivation for medical students should focus on the idea for diagnosis and treatment,skill of clinical practice and ability of doctor-patient communication.

Objective To observe the morphological characteristics of congenital optic disc pit with maculopathy, the natural de-velopment, and changes after laser photocoagulation. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Twelve cases with congenital optic disc pit. Methods Records of 12 patients with congenital optic disc pit with maculopathy were reviewed. Clinical examination includes optical coherence tomography (OCT), color fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography (FA). The data was analyzed with the exist-ing theory of pathogenesis of the disease. Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity and morphology of macupopathy. Results All the patients were noted to have serous maculopathy associated with optic disc pit. Serous detachment of neuro-retina was found in two pa-tients, schisis of neuro-retina in two patients, and both serous detachment and schisis of nearo-retina were observed in other patients. Two patients were associated with choroidal coloboma. Four patients were treated with laser photocoagulation, in which 3 patients had vision improved. Conclusions Schisis and detachment of neuro-retina are the important morphologic changes of congenital optic disc pit with maculopthy. Proper understanding of the relationship between the development of the disease and these changes will be helpful to study its pathogenesis. Patients may benefit in part from laser photocoagulation. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 233-236)

Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous apelin-13 on oxidative stress, myocardial inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in diabetic model rats.Methods A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal control group (NC, n=8) and experimental group (EX, n=32).Diabetes was induced by feeding with high-sugary and high-fat diet for 8 weeks and a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg).The wellestablished 28 diabetic model rats were then randomly divided into 2 subgroups: model group (DM, n =14) and apelin-13 administration group (AP, n =14).The rats in AP group were given intraperitoneal administration of apelin-13 at a single dose of 0.1 μtmol · kg-1 · d-1 for 10 weeks, while NC group and DM group were given 0.9％ NaCl in the same way.All rats were sacrificed at the end of the week 10.Blood hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were measured by colorimetry, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rat myocardium were detected by immunohistochemistry.Masson staining was used to observe the myocardial fibrosis in rats of different groups.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL.Results (1) Compared with NC groups, DM group showed that MDA, H2O2 and NO were significantly increased, while SOD was significantly decreased (F=22.400, 6.230, 4.267 and 8.901, all P＜0.0167).There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of MDA, H2O2,SOD between DM group and AP group.(2) The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly higher inDMgroup than inNCgroup (0.0599±0.0208 vs.0.0076±0.0031, F=35.139;0.0503±0.0243 vs.0.0071± 0.0024, F=15.946, both P＜0.0167).After 10 weeks of apelin-13 administration, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in AP group than in DM group.(3) The myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis were significantly increased in DM group than in NCgroup [0.0293±0.0061 vs.0.0030-t-0.0013 and 0.0708±0.0420 vs.0.0013±0.0003, F=84.930 and 19.420, both P＜0.0167].The myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis were significantly decreased in AP group than in DM group (both P＜0.0167).Conclusions To some extent, apelin13 reduces the levels of oxidative stress and myocardial inflammation reaction in type 2 diabetes.Moreover, it may play a vital role in the improvement of myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis.