OBJECTIVETo explore the implication of the dynamic changes of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and Tei index of left ventricle (LV) in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) treated by transcatheter closure.

METHODSSixty children with VSD treated by transcatheter closure with VSD occluder (Group VSD) and 30 healthy children (Group C) were included in this study. The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP, Tei index of LV and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured in Group C and at before, 5th minute, 4th hour, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month after VSD closure in Group VSD.

RESULTS(1) The concentration of plasma NT-proBNP was significantly increased in children with VSD before transcatheter closure compared with Group C [(229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L vs. (99.21 ± 46.86) ng/L, P < 0.01], significantly increased at 5th minute and 24th hour after transcatheter closure [(356.27 ± 96.78) ng/L and (356.38 ± 91.95) ng/L vs. (229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L, all P < 0.01], and significantly decreased at 1st month, 3rd months and 6th months after transcatheter closure [(131.33 ± 34.79) ng/L, (96.56 ± 31.55) ng/L and (93.39 ± 29.46) ng/L vs. (229.45 ± 57.75) ng/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. (2) The Tei indexes of LV in Group VSD before transcatheter closure were significantly higher than in Group C (0.45 ± 0.05 vs. 0.33 ± 0.08, P < 0.01) and Tei index was significantly increased at 24th hour, 1st month after transcatheter closure (P < 0.01) while significantly decreased at 3rd and 6th month compared with those before transcatheter closure (0.34 ± 0.07 and 0.34 ± 0.06 vs. 0.45 ± 0.05, all P < 0.01). (3) There is a positive correlation between the changes of the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP and the change of Tei index of LV before and after transcatheter closure (r = 0.653, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTei index of LV and NT-proBNP can monitor cardiac function changes in children with VSD before and after transcatheter closure.

Adolescent ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood

Objective To affirm and calssify the arsas with high water iodine and the endemic areas of indline excess goiter in Jiangsu Privince accirding to mational standard.Methods A cross section survey was condueted in 2005 at township level in Fenxian,Tongshan,Suining,Pizhou counties in Xuzhou municipal and Chuzhou district in Huai'an municipal in Jiangsu Province One sample of dringing well water from five directions in the five villages located dircetions of every township namely east west south north and central.was tested for its water iodine concentration.If the sample number sas less than 5 in one village,then all the well water would be tested Endemic stutas of iodine excess goiter was investigated in those townships whose menian water iodine comcentration was between 150 to 300 μg/L Then status was affirmed and reclassifed according.to National Criteria GB/T 19280-2003 Results In all 158 tawnships from the 6 counties the median of water iodine concentration in 79 townships were over 150 μg/L with 32 townships in the range of 150 to 300μg/L In those 32 townships 9 met the criteria of area of high water iodine 23 accorded with that of encemic areas of iosine excess goiter 16 had stopped the supply of non-iodzed salt in advace,but 16 newly detected areas were still served with iodized salt Four were 300 μg/L Conctusions Iodized salt intervention should be stopped in all townships with the problems of high water iodine and the endmic areas of iodine excess goter in order to prevent the possible hazards due to double intade.

AIM To identify the active anti-chronic nephrotic substance of Rostellularia procunbens (L.) Nees,and to study its mechanism.METHODS Rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) were developed into nephrotic cell models by LPS.The activities of extract of petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water were screened by MTT and ELISA kit,after which isolation and purification of the various compounds were achieved,and their effects on the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway were determined by Western blot.RESULTS Both extracts of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate exhibited anti-nephrotic activity,and Justicidin A was determined to be the active compound inhibiting both the proliferation of mesangial cells and the release of cytokines to some extent.CONCLUSION Rostellularia procunbens (L.) Nees may inhibit the expression of inflammatory proteins through TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway to prevent chronic nephritis.

OBJECTIVESTo measure serum and follicular resistin, steroids hormone levels in women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) (BMI (body mass index)<25 kg/m(2)), to assess possible correlations of resistin to hormonal and metabolic parameters and to analyze the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women with PCOS and tubal infertility.

STUDY DESIGNWe analyzed the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET in women with PCOS (BMI<25 kg/m(2)) and tubal infertility during the years 2002 to 2004 and compared the serum and follicular fluid resistin levels, estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P), testosterone (T) levels in 20 PCOS and 20 healthy, age-matched women without PCOS during IVF-stimulated cycles. The correlations between the resistin levels and the outcomes of IVF-ET were evaluated.

RESULTSNo significant differences in resistin levels of either serum or follicular fluid between PCOS and control group were found. However, resistin levels in serum were higher than that in follicular fluid in both groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that resistin levels in serum did not correlate with BMI, estradiol, LH (luteinizing hormone) and insulin level in fasting blood. No significant correlations were found between follicular fluid reisistin levels and fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate or early miscarriage rate in both PCOS and control groups.

CONCLUSIONOur results show that resistin does not have correlation with the hormonal and metabolic parameters as well as the outcomes of IVF. These data suggest that resistin is unlikely to be a local determinant factor in steroidogenesis and growth and maturation of oocytes during IVF-ET in lean women with PCOS.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; metabolism ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics of nosocomial septicemia in the early stage after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with major β-thalassemia.

METHODSThe clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of 55 consecutive children with major β-thalassemia who developed septicemia early after HSCT between January, 2011 and June, 2016.

RESULTSAmong the total of 416 consecutive children with major β-thalassemia undergoing allogeneic HSCT, the incidence of nosocomial infection early after transplantation was 77.16% (321/416), and 55 (17.13%) children showed positive findings in blood culture test. The infections occurred most commonly in the oral cavity (65.5%), followed by the respiratory tract, intestinal tract and skin. Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli (27.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.1%), were the most common causes of infections. Fungal (Candida tropicalis) infection caused septicemia in 1 case. Of all the pathogens, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria were found in 6 cases, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 2 cases, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONGram-negative bacteria are the major pathogens causing septicemia in children early after HSCT for major β-thalassemia, and the bacteria show a high level of drug resistance. Adequate preventive use of antibiotics and care of the oral cavity, the respiratory tract, and the perianal region following the transplantation are important measures to control nosoconial infection in these children.

To investigate the existence of nongenomic action of 17β-estradiol (E(2)) in the delayed implantation mouse endometrial stromal cells, the changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and the upstream of calcium signal in vitro were detected. The experiment was composed of two parts. Firstly, the change in [Ca(2+)](i) in endometrial stromal cells induced by E(2) under different conditions was detected. The mice were divided into 6 groups as follows: 0.1% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) control group, 1×10(-8) mol/L bovine serum albumin (BSA) control group, 1×10(-8) mol/L E(2) group, 1×10(-8) mol/L E(2) conjugated with BSA (E(2)-BSA) group, 1×10(-8) mol/L E(2) + calcium-free medium group, 1×10(-8) mol/L E(2) + 5 mg/mL tamoxifen group, with 4 mice in each group. The endometrial tissue was obtained from delayed implantation mice at pregnant day 7, and digested by incubation of tissue minces in Hankos balanced salts (HBSS, pH 7.2), which contained glucose (1 g/L), and collagenase I (0.125%), for 1 h at 37 degrees C. The stromal cells were preloaded with 2.5 mmol/L Fluo-3/AM, a fluorescent probe of calcium, for 30 min. A confocal laser scanning microscope, which fixed the wave length of excitation and emission at 488 nm and 526 nm, respectively, was used to detect the change in [Ca(2+)](i). Secondly, the mechanism of E(2) effects in endometrial stromal cells was investigated. Immunofluorescent method was used to detect the change in phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC) before and after the stromal cells were treated with E(2) for 5 min, 15 min, and 30 min. Seven delayed implantation mice were used. The results were as follows. [Ca(2+)](i) increased immediately and reached the maximum at 15 min after the stromal cells were treated with 1×10(-8) mol/L E(2) and returned to the normal level at 30 min. In E(2)-BSA group and E(2) + calcium-free medium group the same results were obtained as that in E(2) group, but there was no increase of [Ca(2+)](i) in DMSO and BSA groups. Tamoxifen, a traditional antagonist of estrogen receptor, did not inhibit the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) induced by E(2). Immunofluorescent results showed that the change in phosphorylated-PLC level had the same trend as [Ca(2+)](i) after the cells were treated with E(2). Compared with that in the control group, the immunofluorescent intensity increased at the beginning and achieved the maximum at 15 min (P<0.001), then declined to the normal level at 30 min. These results suggest that the rapid response of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by E(2) in the endometrial stromal cells in delayed implantation mice is possibly carried out through a nongenomic pathway, and the transmembrane signal transduction is related to the phosphorylation of PLC in this process.
Animals ; Calcium ; chemistry ; Culture Media ; Cytosol ; chemistry ; Endometrium ; cytology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Estrogen ; Signal Transduction ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tamoxifen

OBJECTIVETo investigate the common TCM syndrome types of fatty liver by way of epidemic questionnaire, their occurrence ratio, and the correlation between various syndrome types and objective indexes.

METHODSA total of national wide 503 subjects with fatty liver were enrolled, the TCM syndromes, body mass index (BMI), abdominal perimeter/hip circumference, liver function, blood lipids, B ultrasonic examination and CT in them were observed and recorded.

RESULTSIn the 46 symptoms investigated in total, the first ten symptoms in order of appearing rate were lassitude, obese, oral dryness, vertigo, hypochondriac distending pain, soreness and pain in loin, spiritlessness, oral bitterness, aching and weakness in knee and abdominal distention. The mostly appeared tongue figures were pale and corpulent or pale dim tongue proper, white greasy or yellow greasy tongue coating, and the mostly appeared pulse figures were taut, taut-thin and taut slippery. Statistical cluster analysis showed that syndromes of fatty liver could be typed into 4 TCM types, the asthenia Pi-Shen with Gan-stagnation type, the asthenia Pi-Shen type, the asthenia Pi with phlegm-heat type and the unclassified type. Among them the asthenia Pi-Shen with Gan-stagnation type was the commonest one, which accounted to 62.32%.

CONCLUSIONThe mostly appeared syndrome type of fatty liver was asthenia Pi-Shen with Gan-stagnation type. The TCM pathogenesis of fatty liver was deficiency of origin, mainly deficiency of Shen, involving Pi, with excess superficiality, the turbid-phlegm and blood stasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fatty Liver ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yang Deficiency ; epidemiology ; Yin Deficiency ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) pathway of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the apoptosis and proliferation of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells.

METHODSMC-3T3E1 cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the density of 1.5×10(4) cells/mL and incubated for 3 day. The cells were then exposed to 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+1 µmol/L Go6983, 1 µmol/L Go6983, or deionized water (control) for 1, 24 or 48 h. After the treatments, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Caspase-Glo® 3/7 Assay (Caspase-3) were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTSCCK-8 results showed that hPTH(1-34) increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983 at 1 h and 24 h, but this difference was not statistically different. At 48 h, treatment with hPTH(1-34), as compared with hPTH(1-28), significantly increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.05), and this effect was blocked by the PKC inhibitor Go6983 (P<0.05). hPTH(1-34) did not result in significant inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis at 1 h and 24 h as compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983, but significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis as compared with hPTH(1-28) (P<0.05); this inhibitory effect was blocked by Go6983 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONs A relatively long time (for 48 h) of exposure to PTH can inhibit apoptosis and promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1cells through a non-PLC-dependent PKC pathway.

3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Maleimides ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Parathyroid Hormone ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with small (≤5 cm) solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) and those with large (>5 cm) SPNs.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiological features, treatment and prognosis of 148 patients with histologically confirmed SPN between August, 2006 and December, 2014 and compared the data between patients with small SPNs (≤5 cm) and those with large SPNs (>5 cm).

RESULTSIn the large SPN group, the female-to-male ratio was significantly higher than that in small SPN group (61/8 vs 56/23, P=0.009) and the patients were significantly younger in large SPN group (28.3±12.3 vs 33.0±11.4 years, P=0.016). Small SPNs (≤5 cm) typically presented as inhomogeneous solid or cystic tumors, while large SPNs (>5 cm) often appeared as homogeneous solid and cystic tumors, but they did not show any significant difference in aggressive behaviors (P=0.288). The 5-year disease-free survival of patients with small SPNs was 100%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival of patients with large SPNs was 98.6%, 94.9%, and 89.3%, respectively (P=0.030), showing no significant differences in the overall survival between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSmall SPNs and large SPNs have different clinical characteristics. Even with complete resection, tumors larger than 5 cm are more likely to have tumor recurrence and metastasis, and close follow-up is recommended for these patients.

Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pancreas ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and insulin resistance(IR) in non-diabetic normal-weight individuals and investigate how this association differs between male and femalesubjects.

METHODSFrom June to October, 2012, we performed a cross-sectional survey among 2142 community-based non-diabetic Chinese participants, who were divided into 4 groups according to the gender-specific quartiles of WHR. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), calculated as the product of fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L) and fasting insulin (mU/L) divided by 22.5, was used as the indicator of insulin resistance. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association of WHR with IR in these subjects.

RESULTSIn the unadjusted model, WHR was significantly associated with IR in women (OR=6.60, 95%CI: 2.86-15.26, P<0.001); the association was still significant (OR=3.28, 95%CI: 1.34-8.04, P=0.009) after adjustment for the potential confounders including the history of hypertension, coronary heartdisease, current smoker, physical inactivity, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONWHR is independently associated with IR in non-diabetic Chinese women with normal body weight.