Objective To investigate the incidence rate, high risk factors and hemodynamic changes of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants, and to give suggestions abo ut clinical monitoring and management of PDA in premature infants. Methods Echocardiography was performed on 86 non-ventilated or weaned from ventilator-pr emature infants at 2 to 5 days of age,whose gestational age was 28 to 36 weeks. All premature infants diagnosed as PDA were followed up clinically and by Echoc ardiography until discharged. Results Twenty-two infants diagnosed as PDA at mean 3 days of age, mean gestational age was (33.l?2.0) weeks. Ductus in 16 infants (out of 20 infants) closed spontaneo usly when repeated echocardiography at mean 8.5 days of age. For 4 remaining PDA infants, ductus closed in 2 cases (l treated with indomethacin). One ductus reo pened because of sepsis, and 3 infants discharged with opened ductus at their 2l , 40 and 47 days of age respectively. Single and multiple Logistic analysis indi cated that the lower the birth-weight ,the higher the incidence of PDA (?2=2. 8907 P=0.0891); neonatal asphyxia and suffered from severe diseases (neonat al respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis) were high risk factors of PDA (?2= 4.3729 P=0.0365;?2=11.6590 P=0.0006). Premature infants with PDA h ad good heart function,although their LA/AO ratio increased slightly (1.0810?0. 18 vs 1.00?0.07,P= 0.048).Conclusions PDA incidence at 3 days of life in 33 weeks premature infants is 25.6%, 85% PDA disappeares spontaneously during follow-up. Low birth-weight asphyxia, severe diseases and symptomatic PDA are high risk factors of PDA. Ductus can reopen in premature infants. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(2):129-131

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of inflammatory cells and positive expression of P-se- lectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in infant brainstem tissue from hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis. METHODS: Twenty brainstem samples from infants suffered from brainstem en- cephalitis were collected as the experimental group. Ten brainstem samples from infants died of non- brain diseases and injuries were collected as the control group. The distribution of inflammatory cells and the expression of PSGL-1 in the two groups were examined by immunohistochemical method. The characteristics of the positive cells were observed. RESULTS: In brainstem tissue of the experimental group, there were sleeve infiltrations of inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. Microglia was the most and following was neutrophils around the vessels and in the glial nodule. There was a significant statistical difference among microglias, neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05). There was no sleeve infiltration in the control group. PSGL-1 protein was expressed widely in inflammatory cells in the experimental group, especially in the inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. But PSGL-1 positive staining could be observed significantly less in the control group comparing with the experimental group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Microglia is the main type of inflammatory cells involved in the progress of the fatal disease. Moreover, PSGL-1 could participate in the pathogenesis of hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis.
Brain Stem/pathology* ; Encephalitis/pathology* ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/pathology* ; Humans ; Infant ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Microglia/pathology* ; Neutrophils/pathology*

Objective:To analyze the role of preoperative circulating tumor cell(CTC) and circulating tumor vascular endothelial cells (CTEC) in the diagnosis of gastric cancer and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer.Methods:Sixty-two gastric cancer patients and 11 patients of benign gastric diseases were enrolled. Subtraction enrichment (SE) and immunofluorescence staining-chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization (i·FISH) were used to integrate the unique SE-i ·FISH technology platform detecting patients′ CTC and CTEC.Results:The number of CTC in the gastric cancer group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( t=2.693, P=0.009); the number of CTEC in the gastric cancer group was higher than the control group ( t=2.015, P=0.048). With the cut-off value being set at 9 cells/6 ml in blood, the sensitivity of CTC in the diagnosis of gastric cancer is 84%, and the specificity is 82% (AUC=0.876, 95% CI, 0.792-0.963, P<0.01); When set at 6 cells/6 ml, the sensitivity of CTEC in the diagnosis of gastric cancer is 50%, and the specificity is 100%(AUC=0.727, 95% CI, 0.603-0.851, P=0.02). CTC positive is closely related to tumor location(χ 2=4.292, P=0.038 ) and TNM stage(CTC≥10, χ 2=4.848, P=0.028; CTC≥11, χ 2=6.234, P=0.013). CTEC positive is closely related to serum CA19-9(χ 2=4.858, P=0.028) and serum CA724 (χ 2=4.108, P=0.043 ) . Conclusion:SE-i·FISH technology has high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of CTC and CTEC of gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography for tumors of intra-abdominal testes.Methods MSCT angiography of 5 cases with seminoma of intra-abdominal testes proved by surgery and pathology was analyzed.All patients were male,and the age ranged from 33 to 59 years with the mean of 43.6 years.Results(1)The arterial-supply of tumors completely came from the testicular artery of the same side.The arteries went into tumors from the posterior side.(2)The tumors had comparatively large volume with complete or incomplete amicula.The tumor density of 3 cases was inhomogeneous.The degree of entity augmentation of 5 patients was about 14—25 HU.Conclusion MSCT angiography can reveal the tumor vessel and is essential for the diagnosis of tumors of intra-abdominal testes.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage by different interventions and explore the better treatments of peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty one cases of Bell's facial paralysis were randomly divided into three groups. In acupuncture group (44 cases), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. were applied; in electroacupuncture group (45 cases), the selection of acupoints and needling method were same as those in acupuncture group, and the electroacupuncture therapy was applied on Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5) in acute stage; in medication and acupuncture group (42 cases), Prednisone and Acyclovir were taken by oral administration, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12, were applied by intramuscular injection in acute stage, and acupuncture was applied by the way which was same as that in acupuncture group during quiescent and recovery stages. The curative effects were evaluated by House-Brackmann Grading Scale, and the failed rates were observed by follow-up after one and three months.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rates were 79.6% (35/44), 93.4% (42/45) and 78.6% (33/42) respectively in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The cured rates above tympanichord were 54.2% (13/24), 85.2% (23/27) and 48.0% (12/25) in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences of cured rates below tympanichord among three groups (P > 0.05); and the failed rate in electroacupuncture group was much lower than those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group by follow-up after one and three months (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe peripheral facial paralysis is effectively treated by electroacupuncture in acute stage, and it suggests that electroacupuncture should be applied early during the acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL11 ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL5 ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

This study was aimed to investigate the proliferation activities and phenotype changes of DC, CIK and DC-CIK, and their cytotoxicity against hepatocarcinoma cells in co-culture of DC with CIK. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from healthy adult donors. After incubation of PBMNC for 2 hours, DCs were induced from adherent cells by some cytokines and CIKs were generated from non-adherent cells. Mature DCs were harvested after incubation for 9 days, and then were co-cultured with CIK at ratio of 1:5 for 3 days. The cytotoxicity activity against SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line was detected by MTT assay. The results showed that CIK cells were able to lyse SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells at low ratios of effector to target. This effect was significantly enhanced by co-culture with DCs. It is concluded that CIK cells have high lytic activity against 7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, which can be enhanced by co-culture with DC. DC-CIK cells are highly effective immune cells.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated ; cytology ; immunology ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical effects of Anoectochilus Roxburghii liquid in treating oral ulcer due to chem-otherapy for childhood leukemia.METHODS 76 children with oral ulcer due to chemotherapy for childhood leukemia were randomly divided into control group(40 cases) treated with Kaijiankou Sprayer and treatment group(36 cases) treated with Anoectochilus Roxburghii liquid.Mouth ulceration and its pain degree of both groups were compared before and after treatment together with the total clinical effects.RESULTS The treatment group possessed evident advantages over the control group in improving oral ulcerative areas(P <0.05).The treatment group was superior in relieving the pain to the control group(P <0.05).And the ulcer classification of the treatment group was better than that of the control group(P <0.05).No evident side effects were detected in the two groups.CONCULSION Anoectochilus Roxburghii liquid has better clinical effects than Kai-jiankou sprayer in treating oral ulcer due to chemotherapy for childhood leukemia,which deserves wide clinical application and promotion.

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an immune complex-mediated disease predominantly characterized by the deposition of circulating immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A (IgA) on the walls of small vessels. Although the pathogenesis of HSP is not yet fully understood, some researchers proposed that B-cell activation might play a critical role in the development of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor), B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and CXCL13, and to analyze their association with disease severity. METHODS: The serum levels of visfatin, BAFF, and CXCL13 were measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 43 patients with HSP and 45 controls. The serum levels of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected by using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Levels of visfatin but not BAFF and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in the sera of patients with HSP in the acute stage, and restored to normal levels in the convalescent stage. Furthermore, serum levels of visfatin were significantly higher in patients with HSP having renal involvement than in those without renal involvement. Serum levels of visfatin were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentration of ACA-IgA. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that the serum levels of visfatin are abnormally elevated in patients with HSP. Visfatin may be associated with the pathogenesis of HSP.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; B-Lymphocytes ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch*

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of intra- and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and growth restriction in premature infants, and to illustrate the growth pattern of them in postnatal and infantile period.

METHODSAll premature infants were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the recent 7 years. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age < 37 weeks; (2) single fetus; (3) admitted within the first 24 hours of life; (4) hospitalization period ≥ 14 days; (5) clinical follow-up persisted till ≥ 3 months of corrected gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), EUGR and growth restriction were defined as having a measured growth value (weight) that was ≤ 10(th) percentile of Chinese infants' growth curve in corrected age on admission, discharge and follow-up period. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 statistical software package by chi-square test, rank-sum test, and t test.

RESULTSTwo hundred and thirty nine infants were involved, 134 were boys and 105 girls. The incidence of IUGR and EUGR assessed by weight was 25.5% and 40.6%, respectively. The lower the birth weight was, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR was. The percentile of body weight in the growth curve at discharge was lower than that at birth (Z = -7.784, P = 0.000). The incidence of growth restriction assessed by weight was 20.5%, 15.0%, 8.8%, 17.0%, 10.4%, 10.1%, 11.9%, 7.0% at corrected gestational age of 38 - 40 weeks, corrected age of 28 d, 61 d, 91 d, 122 d, 152 d, 183 d, and 274 d, respectively. The incidences of growth restriction were stable when the corrected age was older than 91 days. The incidence of growth restriction in female premature infants at 183 days' corrected age was higher than that in male children (χ(2) = 6.181, P = 0.017), the incidence was 19.3% and 3.8% respectively. During the follow-up period, most of the average body weight of premature infants whose gestational age was < 32 weeks or birth weight ≤ 1500 g were lower than the 50(th) percentile of the growth curve except the average body weight of boys whose gestational age < 32 weeks at corrected age of 2 and 4 months.

CONCLUSIONSPremature and/or low birth weight infants are at high risk of growth restriction, especially very low birth weight infants. The incidence of growth restriction decreased with growth. Long-term prognosis requires further investigation.

Body Weight ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Weight Gain