Objective To investigate the significance of plasma D-dimer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome(APS). Methods The levels of plasma D-dimer in 104 SLE patients and 50 normal individuals were measured by immunoturbidimetry. Results The level of D-dimer in SLE was obvious higher than that in normal individuals(t=5.172,P0.05). Conclusion The level of plasma D-dimer in patients with SLE rised obviously. Its rise was associated with disease activity and secondary APS in SLE.

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; immunology ; metabolism ; Antibodies ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunotherapy

Objective To assess the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) of predicting the acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with congestive heart failure. Methods Twenty-four patients with congestive heart failure scheduled for CRT were included. 2D-STE was performed within 7 days of implantation with device ON and OFF. Left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony was defined as an interval ≥130 ms for the absolute difference in time to peak radial strain for the anteroseptal wall versus the posterior wall (T_(AS-POST)) with 2D-STE. Acute hemodynamic response was measured as LVdp/dt, and percentage change in LVdp/dt was used to classify responders (Δdp/dt%＞25%) and nonresponders (Δdp/dt%≤25%). Results Fifteen patients (62.50%) were classified as acute responders. Compared with nonresponders, the responders demonstrated significant increase of LV ejection fraction and reduction of TAS-POST after CRT-ON. T_(AS-POST)was the only determinants of Δdp/dt%＞25%. T_(AS-POST)≥130 ms prognosticated acute response to CRT with sensitivity of 86.24% and specificity of 70.38%. Conclusion CRT can immediately increase the LV systolic function and synchrony. 2D-STE is highly predictive for acute response to CRT.

Objective To assess the patient effective dose during SPECT/CT imaging.Methods A total of 157 patients (85 males,72 females;mean age:(60.46±13.44) years,range:24-88 years) who underwent SPECT/CT from April 2013 to September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into 3 groups:99Tcm-MDP bone scan group (n=113),99Tcm-MIBI parathyroid imaging group (n=23) and 99Tcm-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging group (n=21).The injection dose (MBq) was recorded and the effective dose (mSv) was estimated according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guideline.The volume-weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) of CT were also recorded and the effective dose (mSv) due to CT was calculated.The effective doses among different groups were statistically compared by Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Wilcoxon rank sum test.Results The effective dose from radiopharmaceuticals were (4.02±0.35) mSv for 99Tcm-MDP bone scan,(6.13±0.53) mSv for 99Tcm-MIBI parathyroid imaging and (1.66±0.13) mSv for 99Tcm-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging (x2=96.853;Z =7.533,7.262 and 5.676;all P＜ 0.05).The effective dose due to CT were (3.84±1.98),(1.04±0.19),(4.05±0.47) mSv respectively (x2 =41.225,P＜0.05),and there were significant differences between 99Tcm-MIBI parathyroid imaging group and 99Tcm-MDP bone scan group,99Tcm-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging group(Z=6.046 and 5.672,both P＜0.05).The total effective dose during SPECT/CT imaging were (7.86± 1.98),(7.21±0.81) and (5.71±0.45) mSv (x2 =28.988,P＜ 0.05).There were significant differences between 99Tcm-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging group and 99Tcm-MDP bone scan group,99Tcm-MIBI parathyroid imaging group(Z=4.967 and 4.994,both P＜0.05).Conclusions The increase in effective dose due to spiral CT during SPECT/CT examination should be concerned.Appropriate utilization and optimization of SPECT/CT is needed.

Objective To explore the efficacy of bismuth containing quadruple therapy in the treatment of peptic ulcer in patients with Helicobacter pylori.Methods We selected 307 peptic ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori.infection,and randomly divided them into observation group (152 cases)and control group (155 cases).The observation group received quadruple therapy:colloidal bismuth pectin,pantoprazole,amoxicillin and furazolidone, 14d.The control group received the standard triple therapy:pantoprazole,clarithromycin and amoxicillin,14d.The ulcer healing rate,H.pylori eradication rate and adverse reaction were compared between the two groups.Results The ulcer healing rates,remission rates,H.pylori eradication rates in the observation group were 93.5%,92.7%, 94.8%,92.3% respectively,which in the control group were 83.4%,82.7%,84.1%,80.6% respectively,there were statistically significant differences (χ2 =4.15,4.9,6,0.94,all P <0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups (P >0.05).Conclusion Bismuth containing quadruple therapy is associated with a higher rate of H.pylori eradication compared with the standard triple therapy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Modified Hangqi Chifeng Decoction (MHCD) on levels of collagen type IV (Col IV), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in extracellular matrix (ECM) of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in LPS induced mice.

METHODSNormal serum and telmisartan, high, medium, low dose MHCD containing serums were prepared by using serum pharmacology method. GMCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation of mesangial cells were induced using LPS as stimulating factor. GMCs were divided into six groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the telmisartan group, high, medium and low dose MHCD groups. Col IV content in the supernatant of mesangial cells was detected using ELISA. Protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected using Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, Col IV content obviously increased in the model group after 72-h LPS stimulation; protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were obviously up-regulated, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, Col IV content obviously decreased in high and medium dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01); protein expressions of MMP-2 were obviously down-regulated in medium and low dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the protein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously down-regulated in high, medium, low dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01). The pro- tein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously lower in the high dose MHCD group than in the low dose MHCD group (P < 0.01). MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was obviously up-regulated in the telmisartan group, high and medium dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMHCD could regulate disordered MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio in LPS induced ECM, inhibit excessive production of Col IV in ECM, promote the degradation of ECM, reduce the accumulation of ECM, thereby, delaying the process of glomerular sclerosis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Kidney Glomerulus ; cytology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

Objective To explore the immunogenicity of recombinant chimeric 6Aβ15-T including the Aβ1-15 epitope and a T-helper epitope formulated with different adjuvants and to evaluate its feasibility as a candidate vaccine for Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods The recombinant chimeric antigen 6Aβ15-T formulated with Al adjuvant, Freund′s adjuvant or MF59 adjuvant was administered to two strains of mice .The 6Aβ15-T-immunized group without adjuvants ( Mock) and non-immunized group (Control) were included in this study as control groups .The specific antibody and cellular immune response of the chimeric antigen were evaluated .Results In BALB/c strain mice, three types of adjuvants could substan-tially boost the immunogenicity of chimeric antigen 6Aβ15-T and produce a high level of specific-Aβ(β-amyloid) antibod-ies.In C57BL/6 strain mice, the existence of adjuvants enhanced the immune response of 6Aβ15-T antigen, but the mice in Mock group also produced a strong antibody response .In two strains of mice, prevalence of anti-AβIgG1, which was an indicator of Th2 polarization, was observed in the 6Aβ15-T-immunized mice.Additionally, the Al adjuvant induced a high-er level of IgG1 antibody titers, and the ratio of IgG1/IgG2a was the largest.As expected, the 6Aβ15-T antigen formulated with or without adjuvants induced PADRE-specific, but not Aβ42-specific T cellular immune response .Conclusion The 6Aβ15-T antigens formulated with different types of adjuvants could induce strong Th 2-polarized Aβ42-specific antibody re-sponses without activating self-reactive Aβ42-specific T cells in two strains of mice .The results suggested that the recombi-nant chimeric antigen 6Aβ15-T is a good candidate vaccine for AD .

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of May-Grunwald-Giemsa staining followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (MGG-FISH) technique in the differentiation diagnosis of Ph-chromosome positive acute lymphoid leukemia (Ph + ALL) from chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis(CML-LBC). Methods The bone marrow smears of 4 patients with Ph+ ALL, 4 patients with CML-LBC, 1 patient with CML in myelocytic blast crisis complicated with lymphoma and 1 patient with CML in mixed blast crisis were assayed with the MGG-FISH technique in which the spectrum green labeled BCR and spectrum orange labeled ABL dual color dual fusion probes were used. Based on the morphological classification, the percentages of BCR-ABL positive cells were subsequently determined respectively in the erythroid, myeloid and lymphoid hneages for the 10 specimens. Results According to the MGG-FISH analysis, the erythroid lineage was not involved in the 4 Ph+ ALL specimens without BCR/ABL positive cells. While the BCR/ABL positive percentage of myeloid cells was 11% (1/9), 8% (1/12), 0% (0/8) and 10% (1/10) respectively and that of lymphoid cells was 97% (76/78), 98% (87/89), 98% (97/99) and 97% (75/77) respectively. On the other hand, the BCR/ABL positive percentage was 100% (8/8), 91% (10/11), 82% (9/11), 88% (7/8) in the erythroid lineage, 89% (8/9), 96% (94/98), 100% (47/47), 98% (40/41)in the myeloid lineage and 96% (78/81), 93% (52/56), 96% (68/71), 95% (58/61) in the lymphoid lineage respectively for the 4 CML-LBC specimens. The BCR/ABL positive percentages of the other 2 specimens were all above 80% and through MGG-FISH analysis we also identified the source of the malignant clones and ascertained the diagnosis of the 2 patients. Conclusions The MGG-FISH technique has proved useful in providing rapid and precise differentiation between Ph + ALL and CML-LBC. The source of the malignant clones can also be analyzed by this technique.

Objective To investigate and analyze if there is association between ischemic cerebral vascular disease (ICVD)and the time factor of dentition defect or not by the way of questionnaire.The investigation and analy-sis will provide the theoretical basis and reference in order to study the relationship between oral disease and brain functional disease as well as ICVD.Methods 159 elderly patients who diagnosed definitely as brain functional dis-ease and dentition defect or oral prosthesis at the same time were selected.The oral condition and cerebral vascular disease history were recorded and analyzed.Results There were only 27 individuals who had teeth missing without ICVD,accounted for 16.98%.The rest of 132 individuals who had both teeth missing and ICVD accounted for 83.02%.The number of individuals who lose back teeth was larger than the number of that who suffered from ICVD (χ2 =32.360,P <0.01).The longer length of time that losing teeth took,the bigger risk that patients suffered from ICVD.Spearman rank correlation analysis result was r =0.437,P <0.01.It meaned that time was another factor. Conclusion There is certain association between the length of lacking teeth and ICVD.Missing back teeth has a bigger effect on ICVD than missing front teeth.Furthermore,the longer time that losing teeth takes,the higher risk that patients suffer from ICVD.However,it is not clear how the length of time effects ICVD.Further study is still needed.

Background Nearly over 40 years have elapsed since the original findings of visual cortical plasticity,but none of drug has been found for curing amblyopia effectively. Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of different dose of levodopa on flash visual evoked potential(F-VEP)and morphology of visual cortex cells in monocular deprivation rat and explore the possible mechanism of curing amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation model were established by suturing eyelids of 30 2-week-old Sprague Dawley(SD)rats for 4 weeks.The 30 SD rats were then divided into 3 groups randomly and 10 rats for each group.Normal saline.20 ms/kg levodopa,80 ms/kg levodopa were intragastrically administered once per day after modeling respectively for 4 weeks.F-VEP was recorded after establishment of model and administration of drug respectively.The rats were sacrificed and the visual cogex was obtained for histological examination,and TUNEL technique was used to assess the structural change of visual cortex.Results The latency of P1 wave was significantly longer in the deprived eye than the normal eyes(P<0.05).After administration of levodopa,the latent periods of Pl wave in the deprived eye were obviously shortened in comparison with before administration of levodopa in 20 ms/kg and 80 mg/kg levodopa group (P<0.05).The difference values of latent period of P1 wave between before and after administration of drug showed statistically significant change in three groups(P<0.05).No evidently alterations were found in the amplitude differences of N1 P1 and P1 N2 waves among three groups(P>0.05).The number and structure of neurons in contralateral visual cortex of non-deprived eye were normal.However,the numbers of neurons in deprived eye were significantly less and presented the signs of para-apoptosis in normal saline group.In 20 mg/kg levodopa groups,the alterations of number and morphology in neurons of rat visual eogex were slight.TUNEL assay revealed that the numbers of positive neurons in contralateral visual codex of non-deprived eye were 2.20±1.23.while those in deprived eye were 53.7±9.36,27.20 4±5.96 and 10.70±3.23 in normal saline group,20 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg levodopa group respectively,showing a significant difference among them(P>0.05).After usage of levodopa,the numbers of positive neurons was negatively correlated with the difference value of P,latent period of VEP(r=-0.815,P=0.000).Conclusion Levodopa has a therapeutic effect on rat deprived eye,and its possible mechanism is inhibiting the para-apoptosis of neurons and participating in the development and plasticity of visual system.