OBJECTIVETo explore the expression and clinical significance of Semaphorin4D (Sema4D) mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocyte, Sema4D on platelet surface, soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) in plasma in patients with cerebral infarction.

METHODSTaking 299 patients with cerebral infarction as the case group while 195 healthy adults as the control group. The mRNA expression of Sema4D was detected by Real-time PCR, and Sema4D expression on platelet by flow cytometry, sSema4D by ELISA. Then, the expression of Sema4D on platelet surface and the concentration of sSema4D in plasma of the 195 selected patients following 2 weeks' treatment were tested.

RESULTSThe expression of Sema4D mRNA significantly increased in the case group \[(2.23, 2.66)×10(4) IU/ml\] than in the control group \[(0.49, 0.53)×10(4)IU/ml\] (P < 0.01). The level of Sema4D on platelet surface in the case group (191.62 ± 46.56) significantly decreased than in the control group (303.33 ± 112.66) (P < 0.01). But the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group \[(1.34 ± 0.56) µg/L\] was obviously higher than in the control group \[(0.61 ± 0.31) µg/L\] (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet was obviously relevant with the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group with the correlation coefficient as 0.328 (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet obviously peaked up following 2 weeks' routine therapy in the case group, which was close to that in the control group. Meanwhile the concentration of sSema4D in plasma was downward corrected to the normal in the case group.

CONCLUSIONThe increased expressions and plasma levels, and reduced expressions on platelet of Sema4D in acute period, which returned to normal 2 weeks after treatment in the case group may be related to the occurrence of acute cerebral infarction, reflecting the development process of cerebral infarction.

Aged ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semaphorins ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impairment pattern and the influencing factors of pulmonary function in patients with Marfan and Marfanoid syndrome associated scoliosis (MS).

METHODSIn this retrospective study, totally 25 MS patients (aged 11 - 20 years, 11 boys and 14 girls) who received posterior instrumentation and fusion (Group A) and 38 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients (Group B) (aged 10 - 19 years, 11 boys and 27 girls) were included from February 1998 to September 2007. The curve pattern was matched in both groups. The preoperative pulmonary function test (PFTs) were compared in two groups. And the parameters influencing the preoperative pulmonary function were analyzed in group A.

RESULTSIn Group A, the Cobb angle of thoracic curve was negatively correlated with the percentage of predicted pulmonary volumes (VC%, FVC% and FEV1%) (r = -0.514, -0.503, -0.464, P < 0.05). And the reduction of lung function parameters (VC%, FVC%, FEV1% and MMEF%) was more severe in Group A than in Group B with compared magnitude of thoracic curve (P < 0.05). In Group A, the extent of impairment of pulmonary function in patients with the number of vertebrae involved ≥ 8 were more severe than those involved < 8 vertebrae (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference of deterioration of lung function between the higher apex (T₄₋₈) subgroup and lower apex (T₉₋₁₂) subgroup. And no correlation was found between thoracic kyphosis and the degrees of impairment of respiration function.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with MS have mixed ventilation dysfunction, which is more severe than AIS patients with matched age and Cobb angle. The pulmonary dysfunction in MS patients can be influenced by the severity of thoracic curve and the number of involved vertebrae.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Marfan Syndrome ; complications ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of protein Z (PZ) in patients with cardio-cerebral thrombotic diseases, its clinical significance and relations with FX.

METHODSPZ and FX:Ag were measured by ELISA, and plasma FX:C by first stage method. In 170 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), 40 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 60 healthy adults as contrast, PZ, FX:C and FX:Ag were measured and compared between incipience and recurrence, different ages and genders.

RESULTSIn AIS and AMI groups, PZ levels decreased significantly to (940.02 +/- 229.82) microg/L and (1071.44 +/- 180.52) microg/L, respectively \[the contrast group was (2257.97 +/- 479.76) microg/L, P < 0.001\]. But FX:C and FX:Ag raised to (136.73 +/- 34.93)% and (135.54 +/- 54.39)% in AIS group; and to (139.53 +/- 29.18)%, (129.75 +/- 21.91)% in AMI group, respectively, while in the contrast group they were (94.33 +/- 22.00)% and (77.22 +/- 13.19)% (P < 0.001). In the comparative research between the AIS group, AMI group and the contrast group, PZ level was clearly found to negatively relate to the level of FX:C and FX:Ag (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, PZ level, FX:C and FX:Ag in recur-AIS group and recur-AMI group exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05) from those in the primary AIS and AMI groups, suggesting that the decrease of PZ levels reflected the pathological process of the disease. In addition, PZ level gradually decreased with the increase of age (P < 0.05), while FX:C and FX:Ag had no relations with age (P > 0.05). No correlation was found in sex with PZ level, FX:C, FX:Ag (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPZ level was significantly decreased in AIS and AMI patients and was negatively related to FX:C and FX:Ag. The mechanism leading to FX increase may partially related with the decreased of PZ. PZ level was different in the primary and recurrent disease and was gradually decreased with the increase of age. Lack of PZ might be a etiological factor of cardio-cerebral thrombotic diseases.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; Stroke ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pulmonary dysfunction patterns in patients of scoliosis associated with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and to identify factors affecting the pulmonary function in patients with scoliosis associated with NF1.

METHODSPreoperative pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were evaluated in 100 patients with scoliosis [NF1 group, 36 cases; idiopathic scoliosis (IS) group, 64 cases] from January 2003 to June 2009. According to location of apical vertebra and dystrophic change in patients with NF1, the parameters of pulmonary function [vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)] were compared between NF1 group and IS group, and between the subgroups of NF1. The correlation between pulmonary function parameters and radiographic parameters of scoliosis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe VC, FVC, FEV1, MMEF, MVV in NF1 group and IS group were of no significant difference (P > 0.05). In NF1 patients, the pulmonary dysfunction was more severe in thoracic subgroup than non-thoracic subgroup (P < 0.05), while there was no difference between dystrophic scoliosis and non-dystrophic scoliosis (P > 0.05). The location of apical vertebra and the severity of scoliosis correlated significantly with the pulmonary dysfunction in NF1 group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pattern of pulmonary dysfunction in scoliosis associated with NF1 is similar with IS. Pulmonary dysfunction is more severe in thoracic scoliosis. The location of apical vertebra and the severity of scoliosis are the risk factors influencing the pulmonary dysfunction.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; complications ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Scoliosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Vital Capacity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the instigating effect of "shock heart" on injury to liver, kidney and intestine at early stage of severe burn in rat.

METHODSFifty-six healthy male Wistar rats were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into normal control (n=8, without treatment, NC) and burn (n=48, inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald, B) groups. The rats in B group were intraperitoneally injected with Ringer's lactate solution (4 ml x kg(-1) x 1% TBSA(-1) 30 minutes after burn following the Parkland formula, and they were observed at 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 24.0 post-burn hour (PBH), with 8 rats at each time point. The parameters concerning myocardial mechanics, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure( LVEDP), +/-dp/dt max were recorded. The volume of blood flow in liver, kidney and intestine were detected. The serum contents of cTnI, TBA, 32-MG, DAO were determined.

RESULTSIn B group, LVSP and +/- dp/dt max decreased at 1.0 PBH, SBP, DBP and MAP decreased at 3.0 PBH ,all parameters of myocardial mechanics, decreased at 6.0 PBH and still lower than those in NC group at 24.0 PBH (P < 0.01). The volume of blood flow in liver, kidney and intestine in B group were markedly decreased at 1.0 PBH, and gradually decreased during 1.0-12.0 PBH, which were still lower than those in NC group at 24.0 PBH (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with that in NC group (1.71 +/- 0.07 microg/L), the serum content of cTnI in B group were increased at 0.5 PBH (2.22 +/- 0.08 microg/ L, P < 0.01), and peaked at 12.0 PBH (7.07 +/- 0.44 microg/L), and persisted at high level (4.57 +/- 0.30 microg/L) at 24.0 PBH. The serum contents of TBA at 3.0 PBH, beta2-MG at 1.0 PBH, DAO at 1.0 PBH was obviously higher than those in NC group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), which all showed ascending tendency during 1.0-12.0 PBH.

CONCLUSIONMyocardial damage is earlier than other organs after severe burn, which is significantly correlated with the parameters of other organs damage and their blood flow volume. Shock heart may be one initiate factor to induce the damage of liver, kidney and intestine and decrease of their blood flow volume after severe burn.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Burns ; blood ; physiopathology ; Cardiomyopathies ; etiology ; Kidney ; blood supply ; Liver ; blood supply ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shock ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Function

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] and enalaprilat on function of isolated rat heart perfused by burn serum.

METHODSEighty SD rats were used to prepare burn serum. Hearts of another 24 SD rats were isolated to reproduce Langendorff perfusion model. The rat hearts were divided into different groups with different perfusion fluids as K-H buffer group, K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum group (burn serum group), K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum and 2 microg/mL enalaprilat group (enalaprilat group), and K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum and 1 nmol/mL Ang (1-7) group [Ang(1-7) group]. The rat hearts were perfused for 30 mins with each of above-mentioned fluids in different groups. Then left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), +/- dp/dt max, coronary flow(CF), level of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in respective coronary effluent were determined.

RESULTSCompared with LVSP (11.2 +/- 1.0 kPa, 1 kPa = 7.5 mm Hg), +dp/dt max (642 +/- 53 kPa/s), -dp/dt max (380 +/- 61 kPa/s) and CF level in K-H buffer group, CF, LVSP (5.9 +/- 0.8, 8.0 +/- 1.1, 8.9 +/- 1.3 kPa, respectively), +dp/dt max (275 +/- 37, 454 +/- 48, 479 +/- 63 kPa/s, respectively), -dp/dt max (135 +/- 35, 219 +/- 47, 277 +/- 58 kPa/s, respectively) of burn serum group, those levels in Ang (1-7) group, and enalaprilat group were decreased obviously (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but LVEDP, level of CK and LDH in coronary effluent were increased. Compared with those parameters in burn serum group, CF, LVSP, +/- dp/dt max of Ang (1-7) group and enalaprilat group were increased obviously (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and LVEDP, level of CK and LDH in coronary effluent were decreased obviously (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAng (1-7) and enalaprilat can effectively improve left ventricular function of isolated rat heart perfused by burn serum and mitigate myocardial injury.

Angiotensin I ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Burns ; blood ; Enalaprilat ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

BACKGROUND:Insulin analogues have been extensively applied in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Insulin glargine has a higher affinity for insulin like growth factor 1 receptor compared with human insulin.Further research is needed to ensure whether insulin and its analogues exert same effects on fracture healing in type 2 diabetes mellitus.OBJECTIVE:To observe the osteocalcin expression and callus formation in the healing of fracture in type 2 diabetic rats induced by human insulin and insulin glargine,to observe the difference between two treatment methods,and to explore the related mechanisms.METHODS:Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into human insulin group (group A),insulin glargine group (group B),diabetes mellitus group (group C) and control group (group D).Rats in the groups A,B and C were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet for 4 weeks followed by intraperitoneal injection of small-dosage streptozotocin twice,to establish the rat models of type 2 diabetes mellitus.After the right tibia of each rat was broken,insulin glargine and Novolin 30R were used in the groups A and B,respectively.Fracture healing was observed on X-ray,callus formation and number of osteoblasts were observed by microscope,and serum level of osteocalcin was measured by ELISA method at 1,2,4,and 6 weeks after modeling.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray results revealed better fracture healing in the groups A,B and D than the group C.Osteoblast proliferation in callus was significantly better in the groups A,B and D than in the group C.Serum level of osteocalcin in each group was on the rise,which was significantly higher in the groups A,B and D than the group C (P ＜ 0.05),but had no significant difference among groups A,B and D (P ＞ 0.05).In summary,insulin glargine can increase the serum level of osteocalcin,accelerate the callus formation,and improve the healing of fracture in type 2 diabetic rats.Furthermore,there is no significant difference in the therapeutic efficacy between insulin glargine and human insulin.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main ways of transmission and the main cause of chronic hepatitis B after infection. Therefore, preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV is particularly important in reducing the incidence of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, nucleoside ( acid) analoids ( Nas ) used for mother-to-child blocking of HBV include lamivudine (LAM) , tibivudine (LdT) and tenofovir fumarate ( TDF). Propofol tenofovir fumarate (TAF) has also been used in pregnant chronic hepatitis B pa- tients. This paper summarizes the efficacy, safety and antiviral treatment indications and termination time of the above-mentioned drugs in mother-to-child preventing to provide suggestions for the selection and rational application of mother-to-child preventing Nas.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of enalapril maleate (Enalaprilat) (E) on myocardial damage in early stage after burns.

METHODSA total of 60 SD rats were subjected to 30% TBSA III degree scald injury, and randomly divided into scald group (with conventional fluid transfusion after scald) and ENA group (with intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg Enalaprilat after scald). Normal control consisted of 6 rats. Plasma levels of cTnI and CK-MB were determined in all the groups at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 post-scald hours (PSH) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological changes in myocardium were observed at the same time-points.

RESULTS(1) The serum level of cTnI and CK-MB in scald group were significantly higher than that of normal controls at each time-point (P < 0.01). The serum level of cTnI and CK-MB in ENA group were (1.32 +/- 0.12 microg/L to 2.47 +/- 0.22 microg/L) and (438 +/- 68 U/L to 5569 +/- 322 U/L), respectively, which were obviously lower than those in B group (6.42 +/- 0.96 microg/L to 15.10 +/- 3.69 microg/L) and (2556 +/- 74 U/L to 8047 +/- 574 U/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) at different time-points. (2) Compared with normal controls, cloudy swelling, stromal blood vessel dilatation and congestion inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in scald group, but these pathological changes were less marked in ENA group.

CONCLUSIONSevere myocardial damage in rat occurred early after burns. Enalaprilat injection can markedly alleviate myocardial damage.

Animals ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Enalapril ; therapeutic use ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Troponin I ; blood

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the therapy of soothing liver and strengthening spleen(shortened as Shugan Jianpi therapy)in the treatment of active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)complicated with dry eye,and to provide a reference basis for clinical treatment.Methods A total of 108 patients with active TAO complicated with dry eye of liver depression and qi stagnation type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,54 patients in each group.Both groups were given conventional treatment for intervention of Graves'disease,and additionally the control group was given hormone shock therapy by intravenous injection of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate,and the observation group was treated with Chinese medicine prescription for soothing liver and strengthening spleen orally and intravenous injection of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate.The treatment period lasted for 12 weeks,and then the patients were followed up till to the 6th month.The changes of clinical activity score(CAS),proptosis,ocular surface disease index(OSDI),corneal fluorescein staining(FL),Schirmer I test(SIT)and tear film break-up time(BUT)in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.44%(51/54)and that in the control group was 74.07%(40/54),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the CAS,OSDI score and proptosis of the patients in the two groups were all lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the indicators of tear secretion function such as SIT,FL score and BUT of patients in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion Shugan Jianpi therapy exerts certain clinical efficacy in treating patients with active TAO complicated with dry eye of liver depression and qi stagnation type,which can effectively relieve the proptosis,prolong the tear film break-up time,promote the secretion of tears and the repair of corneal epithelium,improve the visual function,and enhance the quality of life of the patients.