Objective To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARA). Methods Clinical data from 682 patients with SARS were retrospectively analyzed. Results The patients ranged from 13 to 76 years old, 387 male and 295 female. A total of 356 patients (52.2) had a history of close contact with diagnosed SARS patients, and 113 (25.1%) had been to hospital ever. The most common symptom was fever (99.3%), followed by cough (44.4%), shortness of breath (12.2% ), diarrhea (8.9%). 596 patients (87.4%) had normal or decreased white blood cell counts. Serum ALT and CPK levels were elevated in 112 patients (16.4%)and 17 patients (2.5%) respectively. Infiltrates on chest radiography were seen in all patients, with 69.8% involved both lungs. Six patients (0.9%) died of SARS. Conclusion SARS is infectious. Hospital is an important place where SARS transmits. Fever, cough and infiltrative changes on chest radiography are mainly symptoms and signs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether quantifiable changes in serum levels of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in response to 24 weeks of pegylated-interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFN-a 2a) treatment are predictive of therapeutic efficacy at 48 weeks of treatment in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and to investigate the efficacy of using an individualized antiviral treatment strategy.

METHODSNinety-six HBeAg-positive CHB patients with detectable HBeAg at week 24 of Peg-IFN-a 2a treatment were categorized according to the quantitative change in HBeAg (vs. pre-treatment baseline): group A, HBeAg decline more than 2 log; group B, HBeAg decline between 1 - 2 log; group C, HBeAg decline less than 1 log, which was then randomly divided into two sub-groups: C1 and C2. Group A, B, and C1 patients continued the original therapy for an additional 24 weeks, while group C2 patients were supplemented with lamivudine (3TC + Peg-IFN-a 2a) for the additional 24 weeks of treatment. All patients underwent liver biopsy at the end of treatment (week 48), and HBV covalently-closed circular (ccc)DNA was quantified as a measure of therapeutic efficacy. A, B, and C1 between-group multiple comparisons were made by the Nemenyi test; C1 and C2 between-group comparison was made by the Mann-Whitney U test. The significance of between-group differences in decreased HBV cccDNA vs. HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion was made by the Chi-squared test.

RESULTSAt week 48, the mean decrease of serum HBV cccDNA in each group was: A, 5.8 log10 copy/ml; B, 3.8 log10 copy/ml; C1, 2.8 log10 copy/ml; C2, 5.7 log10 copy/ml. Statistically significant differences were observed for group A vs. B and C1 (P less than 0.01) and C1 vs. C2 (P less than 0.01); however, the difference between group B and C1 did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.19). The mean decrease of HBeAg in each group was: A, 2.7 log10 S/CO; B, 1.9 log10 S/CO; C1, 0.9 log10 S/CO; C2, 1.6 log10 S/CO. Statistically significant differences were observed for group A vs. B and C1 (P less than 0.01) and C1 vs. C2 (P less than 0.01). The rate of patients who achieved undetectable HBV DNA in each group was: A, 87.5%; B, 34.5%; C1, 17.4%; C2, 85.0%. Statistically significant differences were observed for group A vs. B and C1 (P less than 0.01) and C1 vs. C2 (P less than 0.01). The HBeAg seroconversion rates were: A, 75.0%; B, 24.1%; C1, 13.0%; C2, 25.0%. Statistically significant differences were observed only for group A vs. B and C1 (P less than 0.01). Finally, group A achieved greater reduction in levels of cccDNA in liver tissues than B or C1 (P less than 0.01); however, the differences between B and C1 and between C1 and C2 did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONCHB patients who showed an HBeAg decline of more than 2 log at week 24 of Peg-IFN-a 2a treatment had better treatment outcome at week 48 than those who showed HBeAg decline less than 2 log at week 24. Augmenting the Peg-IFN-a 2a treatment with 3TC can improve the clinical response. A change of quantifiable HBeAg at week 24 of Peg-IFN-a 2a treatment may be a useful predictor of therapeutic efficacy of a 48-week antiviral regimen.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Acrocephalosyndactylia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant

Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (ergone) is one of main components in many medicinal fungi. Ergone has been reported to possess the activities of diuresis, cytotoxicity, antitumor, immunosuppression, as well as treatment of chronic kidney disease. According to reported literatures, an overview of spectroscopy characteristics, content determination, pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetics, etc. for ergone is presented in this review. Furthermore, the present review can provide a certain reference value for the further study and development of ergone.
Animals ; Cholestenones ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Humans

Objective To study the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. Methods Sixty 8-week-old female Kunming mice were divided into four groups at random: a sham operation group (group A), an ovariectomized group (group B), an EMF and ovariectomized group (group C) and a nilestriol and ovariectomized group (group D). Bilateral ovariectomies were performed on all mice except those in group A. The mice of group C were exposured to a 15 Hz, 1.0 mT electromagnetic field. The mice of group D were given at nilestriol 1.5 mg/kg/week. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae was measured before the mice were sacrificed at the 12th week. Blood specimens were collected every two weeks to measure the ac-tivity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the concentration of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic-acid-containing proteins (BGP), calcium and estradiol in the serum. Histological sections were taken to examine and analyze the changes in bone trabeculae in the lumbar vertebrae after 6 and 12 weeks. Results EMF at 15 Hz and 1.0 mT intensity signifi-cantly increased the activity of ALP and the concentrations of BGP and calcium in the serum. In addition, the absorp-tion of bone trabeculae in the lumbar vertebrae was significantly restrained. Conclusions EMF at 15 Hz and 1.0 mT can restrain the development of osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice.

Objective To study the effects of an electromagnetic field (EMF) on the expression of fibro-blast growth factor (FGF-2) and it' s receptor (FGFR-2) mRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods Rat BMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. The subcultured cells were divided into different groups to be EMF stimulated at 1.0 mT. The expression of FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Different frequencies and durations of 1.0 mT EMF exposure induced FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA expression in comparison to blank controls. The expression of FGF-2 mRNA reached a peak after stimulation at 15 Hz for 10 min, 50 Hz for 60 min and 75 Hz for 30 min. And the expression of FGFR-2 mRNA reached a peak after 30 minutes at all frequencies. At 1.0 mT with 30 min exposure, the expression of FGF-2 mRNA peaked after 50 Hz stimulation, and the expression of FGFR-2 mRNA peaked after stimulation at 75 Hz. Conclusions Moderate EMF stimulation can significantly increase the expression of FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA in rat BMSCs in vitro.

Objective To investigate the effects of an electromagnetic field on the extra-cellularly regulated kinase(ERK)signalling pathway and to determine the impact of electromagnetic activation on osteogenic proliferation and differentiation in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Methods Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro.The third-passage cells were divided into 4 groups(Control,PD98059,EMF and EMF+PD98059).Western blotting Was used to detect the activation of the ERK signal pathway after exposure to an electromagnetic field.MTT assay Was used to determine the activation of proliferation in the celb in the different groups.The cells' alkaline phosphatase activities were also detected. Results (1)The ERK signal pathway in these rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was activated after exposure to a 15 Hz.1 mT,sine wave form electromagnetic field for 5 min.Activation remained high for at least 1 h.PD98059 can effectively block the activation of the ERK signal pathway.(2)Cell proliferation was promoted after exposure to the electromagnetic field,and this effect could be significantly inhibited by PD98059.(3)Alkaline phosphatase was significantly elevated in these bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells after exposure to the electromagnetic field.The activation in the EMF+PD98059 group Was slightly greater than in the EMF group.Conclusion Electromagnetic fields of 15 Hz and 1 mT can activate the ERK signal pathway and alter proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rats.

Objective To screen the differential expression genes of bone marrow MSCs stimulated by electromagnetic field(EMF)with osteogenesis microarray analysis,and to study the underlying mechanism that EMF promotes the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs. Methods The Sprague-Dawley rat bone marrow MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro.The third-passage cells who were stimulated by EMF and served as the stimulated group,and those who were not stimulated by the EMF served as the controls.Total RNA was extracted and purified,then it was used to synthesize cDNA and cRNA.The eRNA of stimulated group and the control group was hybridized with the rat oligo osteogenesis microarray,respectively.The hybridization signals were acquired by using X-ray film after chemiluminescent detection and the obtained data were analyzed using the web-based completely integrated GEArray Expression Analysis Suite.RT-PCR was used to identify the chosen genes BMP1,VDR and EGF. Results Nineteen differential expression genes were found between the stimulated group and the control group.There were 6 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes in the stimulated group.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that the expression levels of BMP1,VDR mRNA in the stimulated group were upregulated and EGF downregulated. Conclusion The gene expression profiles about osteogenesis of the bone marrow MSCs were changed after EMF intervention(1 5 Hz,1 mT).These genes are involved in the difierentiation of bone marrow MSCs into osteoblast.These results provide deeper insight into the mechanism that EMF exposure facilitates the in vitro differentiation of bone marrow MSCs.

To study the changes of pupil diameter and its effects during phacoemulsification. METHODS: Block design, prospective study. 60 cataract patients (60 eyes) were selected, which divided into two groups according to the age, young age group (group A, 20 eyes of 20 patients) and older age group (group B, 40 eyes of 40 patients). Two groups were all given compound tropicamide eye drops for fully mydriasis before operation, computer software to process images during operation, and according to the cornea amplification ratio measure pupil diameter during the operation phase: before the corneal tunnel incision ( t1 ) , after injection of sodium hyalurantae ( t2 ) , before artificial lens implantation (t3), at the end of the surgery ( t4 ). Statistical analysis of data using SPSS18. 0 software.RESULTS: The pupil diameter measurements of t1-t4 were followed respectively:group A were 8. 36 ± 0. 65, 8. 97±0. 50, 8. 67±0. 63, 8. 72±0. 96mm; group B were 7. 73± 0. 58, 8. 23 ± 0. 59, 7. 89 ± 0. 16, 7. 70 ± 0. 63mm. Overall comparisons between the two groups, the pupil diameter measurements had differences during the operation phase ( F = 26. 696, P< 0. 05 ). Comparisons between the two groups at different time points: the pupil diameter of t1-t4 in group A was larger than that in group B, with statistically differences (P<0. 05). The pupil diameter of each groups had a tendency to change in different operation phrases, with no statistically differences (F=2. 617,P>0. 05). Comparisons in a group at different time points: the pupil diameter of t2 was larger than that in t1, with statistically differences ( P>0. 05), the pupil diameter of t3 and t4 were decreased in group B, with statistically differences (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Compound tropicamide eye drops are given for mydriasis before operation, young patients with cataract and senile patients with cataract can achieve the effect of surgery for mydriasis, the pupil stability of phacoemulsification in senile patients with cataract are lower than that in young patients with cataract.