We have observed the seropositive rate of Taenia solium cysticercosis in residents at Nabo Village, Tiandong County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The village had been found to be a relatively high endemic area of porcine cysticercosis among roaming pigs. Of 202 persons examined four males aged 15, 25, 35 and 41 year-old exhibited absorbance (abs) at 0.18, 0.20, 0.35 and 0.55, respectively. In addition, two females whose ages were 35 and 39 years revealed specific antibody levels of abs 0.26 and 0.41 in their sera. Overall positive rate among the people was 2.97%. All of these persons agreed that they had ingested the pork infected with T. solium metacestode (TsM), while history of proglottid discharge was not noticed from all of them. Three males and one female complained of intermittent headache. Our findings reinforced not only that the prevalence of cysticercosis might be related with roaming pigs infected with TsM but also that behavioral and environmental practices in local community constituted risk factors for transmission of the infection.
Taenia solium/*isolation & purification ; Swine Diseases/parasitology ; Swine ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Rural Population ; Neurocysticercosis/*epidemiology/parasitology/transmission ; Middle Aged ; Meat/parasitology ; Male ; Immunoblotting ; Humans ; Female ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; China/epidemiology ; Child ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Animals ; Adult ; Adolescent

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair generally has a good clinical outcome but shoulder stiffness after surgery due to subacromial adhesion is one of the most common and clinically important complications. Sodium hyaluronate (HA) has been reported to be an anti-adhesive agent in a range of surgical procedures. However, there are few reports of the outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of the shoulder. This study examined whether a subacromial injection of HA/carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) affected the postoperative shoulder stiffness and healing of rotator cuff repair, as well as the safety of an injection. METHODS: Between January 2008 and May 2008, 80 consecutive patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were enrolled. The patients were assigned randomly to the HA/CMC injection group (n = 40) or control group (n = 40). All patients were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, passive range of motion at 2, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, and the functional scores at 6, 12 months postoperatively. Cuff healing was also evaluated using CT arthrography or ultrasonography at 6 or 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The HA/CMC injection group showed faster recovery of forward flexion at 2 weeks postoperatively than the control group but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). There were no significant difference in pain VAS, internal rotation, external rotation and functional scores between two groups at each follow-up period. The functional scores improved 6 months after surgery in both groups but there were no differences between the two groups. The incidence of unhealed rotator cuff was similar in the two groups. There were no complications related to an injection of anti-adhesive agents including wound problems or infections. CONCLUSIONS: A subacromial injection of an anti-adhesive agent after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair tended to produce faster recovery in forward flexion with no adverse effects on cuff healing. However, its anti-adhesive effects after rotator cuff repair should be considered carefully with further studies.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy/*adverse effects/*methods ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium ; Drug Carriers ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recovery of Function ; Rotator Cuff/injuries/*surgery ; Shoulder Joint/physiology ; Tissue Adhesions/*prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome ; Viscosupplements/adverse effects/*therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: The airway muscles from allergen-sensitized animals in vitro show a heightened response to histamine, but not to carbachol. This study investigated whether the airway responsiveness to histamine in vivo is comparable to that of methacholine in human subjects with varying degrees of atopy. METHODS: One-hundred-and-sixty-eight consecutive adult asthma patients or volunteers underwent bronchoprovocation tests to both histamine and methacholine after determining their blood eosinophil counts, serum total IgE levels and skin test reactivity to 10 common aeroallergens. RESULTS: The responsiveness to histamine was significantly related to that to methacholine (r=0.609, p<0.001), but many individuals with a negative methacholine test response showed a positive response to histamine. The histamine-bronchial reactivity index (BRindex) was significantly higher than the methacholine-BRindex in subjects with a positive response to none (n=69, p<0.01) or only one (n=42, p<0.001) of histamine and methacholine, while there was no significant difference in the subjects with positive responses to both of them (n=57). The histamine-BRindex was significantly higher than the methacholine-BRindex in the subjects with mild histamine hyperresponsiveness (n=58, 1.28+/-0.01 vs. 1.20+/-0.02, respectively, p<0.001). Both histamine and methacholine responsiveness was significantly related to the atopy markers. However, the histamine-BRindex/methacholine-BRindex ratio of the atopics was not significantly different from that of the non-atopics. CONCLUSIONS: The airway responsiveness to histamine is comparable to that of methacholine in the subjects with positive responses to both histamine and methacholine, but the airway responsiveness to histamine is greater than that to methacholine in those subjects with mild airway hyperresponsiveness, regardless of atopy.
Adult ; Asthma/*physiopathology ; Bronchi/drug effects ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/*diagnosis ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchoconstrictor Agents/*pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Histamine/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Male ; Methacholine Chloride/*pharmacology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Skin Tests

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is thought be caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress at the cellular level results from many factors, including exposure to alcohol, medications, cold, toxins or radiation. In this study we investigated gene transcriptional profiles on the human myocardial tissues from AF and oxidative stress conditions. Right atrial appendages were obtained from AF patients (n = 26) undergoing the Maze procedure, and from control patients (n = 26) who were in normal sinus rhythm and undergoing coronary artery bypass graft operation. To examine the effects of oxidative stress on AF, we used radioactive complementary DNA (cDNA) microarrays to evaluate changes in the expression of 1,152 known genes. This technology, which monitors thousands of genes simultaneously, gives us a better picture of the interactions between AF and oxidative stress. Total RNAs prepared from the retrieved tissues were used to synthesize(33)P-labeled cDNAs by reverse transcription and hybridized to cDNA microarrays. Gene expression profiles showed that 30 genes were upregulated and 25 were downregulated in AF patients compared with control patients. Moreover, comparison rank analysis revealed that the expression of five genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-including flavin containing monooxygenase 1, monoamine oxidase B, ubiquitin specific protease 8, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase-increased by more than 2.0 of the Z-ratio, and two genes related to anti-oxidants including glutathione peroxidase 1, and heme oxygenase 2-decreased to the Z-ratio levels of <= -2.0. Apparently, a balanced regulation of pro- and anti-oxidation can be shifted toward pro-oxidation and can result in serious damage similar to that of human AF. Western blotting analysis confirmed the upregulation of tyrosinase-related protein 1 and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase and the downregulation of heme oxygenase 2. These results suggested that the gene expression pattern of myocardial tissues in AF patients can be associated with oxidative stress, resulting in a significant increase in ROS. Thus, the cDNA microarray technique was useful for investigating transcription profiles in AF. It showed that the intracellular mechanism of oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathologic progression of AF and offers novel insight into potential treatment with antioxidants.
Atrial Appendage/metabolism ; Atrial Fibrillation/*genetics/*metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Human ; Myocardium/metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Oxidative Stress/*genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A preliminary study into the protective mechanisms of adaptive immunity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in piglets (n = 9) born to a gilt challenged intranasally with a type-2 PRRSV. Immune parameters (neutralizing antibodies, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes, and PRRSV-specific interferon (IFN)-γ secreting T-lymphocytes) were compared with infection parameters (macro- and microscopic lung lesion, and PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (CD172α⁺PRRSV-N⁺ PAM) as well as with plasma and lymphoid tissue viral loads. Percentages of three T-lymphocyte phenotypes in 14-days post-birth (dpb) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) had significant negative correlations with percentages of CD172α⁺PRRSV-N⁺ PAM (p < 0.05) as well as with macroscopic lung lesion (p < 0.01). Plasma and tissue viral loads had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations with CD3⁺CD4⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte percentage in PBMC. Frequencies of CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD3⁺CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes in 14-dpb PBMC had significant negative correlations with of lymph node (p = 0.04) and lung (p = 0.002) viral loads. IFN-γ-secreting T-lymphocytes frequency had a significant negative correlation with gross lung lesion severity (p = 0.002). However, neutralizing antibody titers had no significant negative correlation (p > 0.1) with infection parameters. The results indicate that T-lymphocytes contribute to controlling PRRSV replication in young piglets born after in-utero infection.
Adaptive Immunity ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Interferons ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; T-Lymphocytes ; Viral Load

A preliminary study into the protective mechanisms of adaptive immunity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in piglets (n = 9) born to a gilt challenged intranasally with a type-2 PRRSV. Immune parameters (neutralizing antibodies, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes, and PRRSV-specific interferon (IFN)-γ secreting T-lymphocytes) were compared with infection parameters (macro- and microscopic lung lesion, and PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (CD172α⁺PRRSV-N⁺ PAM) as well as with plasma and lymphoid tissue viral loads. Percentages of three T-lymphocyte phenotypes in 14-days post-birth (dpb) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) had significant negative correlations with percentages of CD172α⁺PRRSV-N⁺ PAM (p < 0.05) as well as with macroscopic lung lesion (p < 0.01). Plasma and tissue viral loads had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations with CD3⁺CD4⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte percentage in PBMC. Frequencies of CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD3⁺CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes in 14-dpb PBMC had significant negative correlations with of lymph node (p = 0.04) and lung (p = 0.002) viral loads. IFN-γ-secreting T-lymphocytes frequency had a significant negative correlation with gross lung lesion severity (p = 0.002). However, neutralizing antibody titers had no significant negative correlation (p > 0.1) with infection parameters. The results indicate that T-lymphocytes contribute to controlling PRRSV replication in young piglets born after in-utero infection.

Background/Aims: Omalizumab is the first biologic known to be effective in patients with severe allergic asthma. Methods: This study was conducted as a multicenter, single-group, open trial to evaluate the improvement in the quality of life with the additional administration of omalizumab for 24 weeks in Korean patients with severe persistent allergic asthma. Results: Of the 44 patients, 31.8% were men and the mean age was 49.8 ± 11.8 years. A score improvement of 0.5 points or more in the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Korean Asthmatics (KAQLQ) was noted in 50.0% (22/44) of the patinets. In the improved group, the baseline total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and the amount of omalizumab used were higher, and the day and night asthma symptoms were more severe, compared to those in the non-improved group. According to the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness, favorable outcomes were found in 78.6% of patients. The Korean asthma control test (p < 0.005) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted (FEV1%; p < 0.01) improved significantly in patients who received omalizumab treatment, compared to that at week 0, and the total dose of rescue systemic corticosteroids significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The improved group on KAQLQ showed a significant improvement in FEV1% (p < 0.001). Conclusions Omalizumab can be considered a biological treatment for Korean patients with severe allergic asthma. It is recommended to consider omalizumab as add-on therapy in patients with high baseline total IgE levels and severe asthma symptoms.

Background/Aims: Omalizumab is the first biologic known to be effective in patients with severe allergic asthma. Methods: This study was conducted as a multicenter, single-group, open trial to evaluate the improvement in the quality of life with the additional administration of omalizumab for 24 weeks in Korean patients with severe persistent allergic asthma. Results: Of the 44 patients, 31.8% were men and the mean age was 49.8 ± 11.8 years. A score improvement of 0.5 points or more in the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Korean Asthmatics (KAQLQ) was noted in 50.0% (22/44) of the patinets. In the improved group, the baseline total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and the amount of omalizumab used were higher, and the day and night asthma symptoms were more severe, compared to those in the non-improved group. According to the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness, favorable outcomes were found in 78.6% of patients. The Korean asthma control test (p < 0.005) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted (FEV1%; p < 0.01) improved significantly in patients who received omalizumab treatment, compared to that at week 0, and the total dose of rescue systemic corticosteroids significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The improved group on KAQLQ showed a significant improvement in FEV1% (p < 0.001). Conclusions Omalizumab can be considered a biological treatment for Korean patients with severe allergic asthma. It is recommended to consider omalizumab as add-on therapy in patients with high baseline total IgE levels and severe asthma symptoms.