Disaster Planning ; organization & administration ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Public Health ; methods

Objective To understand the information of food hypersensitivity of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) by food intolerance test.Methods Seventy-four children (40 boys and 34 girls;aged from 3 to 14) with HSP who were hospitalized in our hospital from Dec.2006 to May 2007 were chosen.Two mils venous blood was collected from each object,separated serum.Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay method was applied to detect the serum concentration of 14 kinds food allergen IgG in 74 children with HSP.The concentration of food allergen IgG was divided into 4 levels: 0(IgG0.20 U/L,servious allergy).Results The positive rate was 77.0% in 74 cases with HSP.One type of food allergen specific IgG increased in 24 cases(42.1%),2 types of antibodies increased in 16 cases(28.1%),3 types of antibodies increased in 12 cases(21.1%).Four or more types of antibodies increased in 5 cases(8.7%).The positive rates of 14 food allergen IgG were as follow:egg 93.0%,milk 26.3%,soybean 15.8%,tomato 14.0%,wheat 12.3%,ling 12.3%,shrimp 8.8%,crab 8.8%,beef 3.5%,corn 1.8%,rice 1.8%.Conclusion Food intolerance test is a useful method for children with HSP to find food allergen and guideline for diet of these children.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI in brachial plexus injury.Methods Total 98 patients with brachial plexus injury were examined by MRI before operation.Fifty-four of 98 patients MR imaging were obtained by 0.5 Tesla scanner and other 44 patients were obtained by 1.5 Tesla scanner.The scanning sequences include: SE T_1WI,T_2WI,FFE T_2WI and T_2WI SPIR. Exploration of the supraclavicular plexus was carried out and the MR imaging were compared with the operative finding in 63 patients.Thirty-five patients who had not surgery were followed-up.Results MR imaging found pre-ganglionic injuries in 45 patients and post-ganglionic injuries in 56 patients.Pre-and post-ganglionic injuries simultaneously in 16 patients among them.MR imaging can not find injury sings in 13 patients.The positive rate was 86.73%.MR imaging finding of pre-ganglionic injuries include:(1) Spinal cord edema and hemorrhage,2 patients (4.44% ).(2)Displacement of spinal cord,17 patients (37.78%).(3)Traumatic meningoceles,37 patients (82.22%).(4)Absence of roots in spinal canal, 25 patients(55.56% ).(5)Scarring in the spinal cnanl,24 patients (53.33%).(6)Denervation of erector spine,13 patients (28.89%).MR imaging finding of post-ganglionic injuries include:(1)Trunk thickening with hypointensities in T_2WI,23 patients (41.07%).(2)Nerve trunk complete loss of continuity with disappeared of nerve structure,16 patients (28.57%).(3)Continuity of nerve trunk was well with disappearance of nerve structure,14 patients(25.00%).(4)Traumatic neurofibroma,3 patients (5.36%).Conclusion MR imaging can reveal Pre-and post-ganglionic injuries of brachial plexus simultaneously.MR imaging is able to determine the location (pre-or post-ganglionic)and extent of brachial plexus injury,provided important information for treatment method selection.

Objective To improve recognition and imaging diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst secondary to a giant cell tumor.Methods To collect the dates of 12 patients with aneurysmal bone cyst secondary to a giant cell tumor were proved by operation and pathology from January 2003 to October 2006. Analyzed and summarized their imaging manifestations and correlation with pathohistology.Results Six lesions were located in epiphysis and metaphysic regions of long bone.Six lesions were located in pelvis.All cases showed a cystic lesion with expanded and osteolytic,eccentric 10 cases and centric 2 cases.Four cases display trabeculate,the margin is well define with a rim of bone sclerosis in 2 cases.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scans were available in 10 patients.All case showed cystic,dilated lesions with solid areas. Eight cases manifested single or multitude solid nodules in big cystic wall.Two cases appeared solid masses with multitude cysts.The sign of multitude fluid-fluid level,best seen on T_2-weighted images,was present in all patients.Seven cases emerged soft-tissue masses.MR found indicative of large amounts of hemosiderin in one cases.Eight cases were examined by spiral CT with plain scanning and enhancement scanning. Reconstructed image were CTA and 3D-MPR(three dimensions multiplanar reconstruction)imaging.All cases showed cystic,dilated lesions with solid areas.The sign of multitude fluid-fluid level was present in 6 patients.The solid areas and cystic-wall of lesions showed contrast enhancement in 8 patients.3D-MPR imaging showed supply blood vessel of tumors in 3 cases.Arteriovenous malformation did not found in all patients.The surgeons'operative findings and the gross specimens were studied in all patients.All lesions were composed of solid areas and cystic areas.The diagnosis of pathology were ABC with GCT(grade Ⅱ)in 10 cases and ABC with GCT(grade Ⅲ).Conclusion Aneurysmai bone cyst secondary to a giant cell tumor is not rare.Adequately recognizing the pathologic basis of ABC,and selecting imaging techniques correctly (X-ray and MRI,or X-ray and CT)is especially important to diagnose a giant-cell tumor with secondary aneurysmai bone cyst.When an eccentric,expanded,lytic tumor with a cystic-solid lesion in epiphysis of long bone or pelvis shows multiple fluid levels,a giant-cell tumor with secondary aneurysmai bone cyst components should be sufficiently considered.

The highly-pathogenic EV71 strain is the primary cause of mortality in hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) associated with neurological symptoms, for which no clinically effective drugs or vaccines exist. This study aimed to construct infectious cDNA clones of the EV71 highly-pathogenic strain and the cell-culture adapted strain using a reverse genetics approach. The genomic RNAs of EV71 parent strains were used as the templates for RT-PCR amplification, and then the PCR products that overlapped the full-length genome were connected into the pBR322 vector to produce infectious clones of pEV71 (HP) and pEV71 (CCA), respectively. The results showed that the HP strain propagated much more quickly than the CCA strain. The rescued viruses derived from the infectious clones not only maintained their consistency with their parent strains in terms of genomic sequences, but also retained their respective biological phenotypes. This research will contribute to our understanding of EV71 pathogenesis and the development of novel vaccines against HFMD.
Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; DNA, Complementary ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Vero Cells ; Virus Cultivation

AIM:To establish a mouse model of immuno-inflammation in central nervous system (CNS) associated with cognitive dysfunction.METHODS:C57BL/6J male mice were divided into 3 groups.Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was intraperitoneally injected into the mice to induce cognitive impairment.Morris water maze test, passive avoidance test and pole test were used to observe the behavioral changes of mice.The histomorphology was analyzed by the method of immunofluorescence.The detailed molecular mechanism was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with saline group, LPS induced mouse sickness behavior and memory loss.Microglia activation and neuronal loss in the hippocampus were observed.The expression of neuroinflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS in the brain of LPS-induced mice was increased.CONCLUSION:Intraperitoneal injection of LPS induces cognitive dysfunction in mice.

AIMTo study the pharmacokinetics of spinosin in rat plasma after oral administration of Suanzaoren extract using sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) as internal standard by RP-HPLC method.

METHODSPlasma samples were deproteined with acetonitrile, followed by evaporation of the acetonitrile to dryness. The residual was then resolved in mobile phase and HPLC separation was achieved on a Hypersil C18 (5 microns, 200 mm x 4.6 mm ID) column at 35 degrees C. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (15:85:1) at a flow rate of 0.7 mL.min-1. The UV detection wavelength was set at 334 nm.

RESULTSThe calibration curve was shown to be linear over the range from 18.1 to 903.5 micrograms.L-1 (r2 > or = 0.995). Mean recovery was 94.5%. Within-day and between-day precisions RSD were less than 9.0%. The limit of quantitation was 18.1 micrograms.L-1. The plasma spinosin was stable at -20 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONThe simple, sensitive and accurate HPLC method developed has been applied to determine the pharmacokinetics of spinosin in rat plasma after having taken Suanzaoren extract at a single dose.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavonoids ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Ziziphus ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory mechanism of Xiaoyin Recipe () on the T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) immune balance.

METHODSThirty-six experimental animals were divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group: blank control group (B group), negative control group (N group), and Xiaoyin Recipe treatment group (T group). The latter two groups received immunization of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), and T group were treated with Xiaoyin Recipe for a month. Then, the expression of Th1-Th2-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were screened with Oligo GEArray Rat Th1-Th2-Th3 Microarray. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), T-box expressed in T-cells (T-bet), and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSGene array screening showed that compared to N group, in T group after Xiaoyin Recipe treatment, 3 genes were upregulated in EAT rats, including interleukin-27 receptor alpha (IL-27rα), glomulin (Glmn), and GATA-3, while 38 genes were downregulated, such as CD28, IL-18, signal transducer, and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), T-bet, TNF receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4), TNF ligand superfamily member 5 (TNFSF5), and TNF receptor superfamily member 5 (TNFRSF5). While RT-PCR showed that there was an increased level of TNF-α mRNA (P<0.01), an elevated ratio of T-bet/GATA-3, and a decreased level of IL-10 mRNA in PBMC of N and T group compared to B group (P <0.01); and after treatment with Xiaoyin Recipe, IL-10 mRNA level increased (P <0.01), while TNF-α mRNA level and T-bet/GATA-3 ratio decreased in T group compared to N group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONXiaoyin Recipe for psoriasis could induce a Th1/Th2 balance drift toward Th2 in PBMC of EAT rats and thus improve the conditions.

Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Psoriasis ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAdipocytes behave like a rich source of pro-inflammatory cytokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) participates in the local chronic inflammatory response, and high-density lipoprotein could counterbalance the proinflammatory function of oxLDL, but the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide L-4F on the secretion and expression of MCP-1 in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes induced by oxLDL and to elucidate the possible mechanisms.

METHODSFully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated in the medium containing various concentration of L-4F (0-50 μg/ml) with oxLDL (50 μg/ml) stimulated, with/without protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 (10 μmol/L) preincubated. The concentrations of MCP-1 in the supernatant, the mRNA expression of MCP-1, the levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) were evaluated. The monocyte chemotaxis assay was performed by micropore filter method using a modified Boyden chamber.

RESULTSOxLDL stimulation induced a significant increase of MCP-1 expression and secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which were inhibited by L-4F preincubation in a dose-dependent manner. PKA inhibitor H-89 markedly reduced the oxLDL-induced MCP-1 expression, but no further decrease was observed when H-89 was used in combination with L-4F (50 μg/ml) (P > 0.05). OxLDL stimulation showed no significant effect on C/EBPα protein level but increased C/EBPβ protein level in a time-dependent manner. H-89 and L-4F both attenuated C/EBPβ protein level in oxLDL-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

CONCLUSIONSOxLDL induces C/EBPβ protein synthesis in a time-dependent manner and enhances MCP-1 secretion and expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. L-4F dose-dependently counterbalances the pro-inflammatory effect of oxLDL, and cyclic AMP/PKA-C/EBPβ signaling pathway may participate in it.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Animals ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta ; analysis ; physiology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; secretion ; Cyclic AMP ; physiology ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; physiology ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of collagen I, II , X, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and their roles during initiation of condylar cartilage of the fetal mouse.

METHODSCoronary sections of mandible of mouse embryo aged from 14th to 18th day were studied under light microscope after stained by immunohistochemical method with antibody of types I, II, X collagen and ALP.

RESULTSOn the 14th day of mouse embryo, it was found that mesenchymal cells condensation continuous with the periosteum. Type I collagen and ALP were positive behind the terminal of the ossifying mandibular periosteum where future condylar will form. On the 15th day, positive staining for types I, II collagen was found in mesenchymal cells around hypertrophic cells and type X collagen was detected in hypertrophic cells. ALP was positive in both mesenchymal cells and hypertrophic cells. On the 16th day, type I collagen was observed from periosteal osteogenic cells and mesenchymal cells of the fibrous cell layer to the upper hypertrophic cell layer while Type II collagen was restricted from the lower polymorphic cell layer to the bottom of the hypertropic cell layer. Type X collagen was positive in the hypertrophic cell layer. ALP was positive in periosteal osteogenic cells and hypertrophic chondral cells, but not in the polymorphic cell layer.

CONCLUSIONDevelopment of condylar cartilage is different from that of limb bone. Types I, II, X collagen are expressed in the condylar chondrocyte on the early stage of endochondral ossification. The histology evidence supports the conjecture that condylar cartilage is derived from differentiated mesenchymal cells of the preperiosteum or periosteum of the mandible where ALP is positively expressed.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mice ; Osteogenesis