Objective Some research has shown that prolactin (PRL) is closely related to severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, the role of maternal and neonatal plasma PRL levels in neonatal asphyxia has not been reported so far. This paper aims at studying the changes of PRL levels in the cord blood, maternal blood and plasna of newborns in neonatal asphyxia. Methods The maternal blood, cord blood and neonatal plasma PRL levels in 25 neonates with asphyxia (asphyxia group) and 20 normal ones (control group) were detected by radioimmunoassay.Results The maternal blood, cord blood and neonatal plasma PRL levels [(362.5 + 127.1), (984.6 + 262.3) and(386.3+216.2) μg/L, respectively] in the asphyxia group were significantly higher than those in the control group[(96.4+26.2), (92.3+ 18.4) and (68.7+7.27) μg/L, respectively] ( P ＜0.01). The maternal blood, cord bloodand neonatal plasma PRL levels [ (445 + 216), (996 + 284) and (412 + 221) μg/L, respectively] in the severe asphyxia groupwere higher than those in the mild asphyxia group [(298 + 102), (612 + 221) and (309 + 19.2) μg/L,respectively] ( P ＜0.01 or 0.05). The cord blood and neonatal plasma PRL levels had a positive correlation both in the mild and the severe asphyxia group ( r = 0.54, r = 0.63 , both P ＜ 0.05 ). The plasma PRL level right after resuscitation was higher than that of the control group ( P ＜0.01). It gradually reduced from the 2nd day after birth,but was higher than that of the control group ( P ＜0.01). The PRL level on the 10th day after birth was not different from that of the control group. Conclusions The PRL levels of neonatal plasma, cord blood and maternal blcod increase in the perinatal asphyxial newborns. The plasma PRL level may be a good marker to evaluate the degree of asphyxia.

OBJECTIVETo understand the characteristics of embB gene mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from tuberculosis patients in Chongqing, and the value of embB306 as a molecular marker used to diagnose ethambutol (EMB)-resistant MTB strains.

METHODSDirect sequencing was used to analyze the polymorphism of embB mutation in 51 EMB-resistant MTB strains and 50 EMB-sensitive MTB strains. And diagnostic testing was used to evaluate the value of embB306 as a molecular marker of EMB -resistant MTB strains as compared with the traditional sensitivity test.

RESULTSAll 34 of 51 EMB-resistant strains (66.7%) and 3 of 51 EMB-sensitive strains (6%) had had embB306 mutation. The embB306 mutation rate in EMB-resistant strains coming from previously treated case was 87.5%, showing significantly higher than that from new cases (48.1%, P < 0.01); embB306 mutation rate was increased with the number of the resistant drugs; embB306 mutation serving as a marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains comparing with the traditional sensitivity test, had the rate of sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 94.0%, accuracy = 80.2% and Youden index = 60.7%.

CONCLUSIONembB306 mutation should be the main mechanism of MTB resistance to EMB in Chongqing, showing an association with the history of the treated and numbers of the resistant drugs. embB306 mutation should be a good marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains.

China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Pentosyltransferases ; genetics ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the results of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) and open hemorrhoidectomy.

METHODSA standard questionnaire was given to all patients after PPH or open hemorrhoidectomy from March 2001 to March 2004. In combination with proctological examination, the results including symptoms relief and recurrence were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were 184 effective questionnaires, including 96 cases in PPH group and 88 in open hemorrhoidectomy group. PPH and open hemorrhoidectomy both relieved prolapse (92.7% vs 96.8%, P=0.282), bleeding (91% vs 81%, P=0.241) and pain (91.7% vs 91.5%, P=0.977). There were no statistical differences in the overall complication rate (30.2% and 29.5%, P=0.923) and recurrence rate (21.8% vs 20.5%, P=0.814) between the two groups. The overall satisfactory degree was 87.5% in PPH group and 84.8% in open hemorrhoidectomy group (P=0.218).

CONCLUSIONPPH is a safe and effective option for prolapsed hemorrhoids compared with open hemorrhoidectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

The prokaryotic expression plasmid pQE30-HN of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein gene of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) strain HJ-1 was expressed by IPTG induction in E. coli XL1Blue. The recombinant HN protein(rHN) was purified by electroeluting method, and used as coated antigen. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect the antibody valence of BPIV3. The best working conditions of ELISA were as follows: the antigen concentration was 6 microg/mL; the serum dilution was 1:50; the blocking reagent was 5% skimmed milk; the blocking time was 60 min at 37 degrees C; the second antibody concentration was 1:10 000; The cut-off value was 0.30. The method revealed a good specificity, no cross-reaction to the positive sera of BCV, IBRV or BRSV was observed. We applied the method to detect 323 serum samples of dairy cow in Heilongjiang Province, the seropositivity rate of BPIV3 was about 58%. The indirect ELISA established provided a technological basis for the development of ELISA kit.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Blotting, Western ; Cattle ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Female ; HN Protein ; genetics ; Parainfluenza Virus 3, Bovine ; genetics ; immunology

Background:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction usually exhibits an irreversible course,and available treatments for delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease are limited.This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine,Niaoduqing particles,for delaying renal dysfunction in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.Methods:The present study was a prospective,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial.From May 2013 to December 2013,300 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 45 ml,min-1· 1.73 m-2,aged 18-70 years were recruited from 22 hospitals in 11 Chinese provinces.Patients were randomized in a 1∶1 ratio to either a test group,which was administered Niaoduqing particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks,or a control group,which was administered a placebo using the same methods.The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and eGFR after completion of treatment.The primary endpoints were analyzed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test.The present study reported results based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.Results:A total of 292 participants underwent the ITT analysis.At 24 weeks,the median (interquartile range) change in Scr was 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) μmol/L for the test and control groups,respectively (Z =2.642,P =0.008),and the median change in eGFR was-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.2 (-5.7-0.8) ml·min-1.1.73 m-2,respectively (Z =-2.408,P =0.016).There were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups.Conclusions:Niaoduqing particles safely and effectively delayed CKD progression in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.This traditional Chinese medicine may be a promising alternative medication for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction.

BACKGROUNDSeveral platelet function tests are currently used to measure responsiveness to antiplatelet therapy. This study was to compare two tests, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and modified thrombelastography (mTEG), for predicting clinical outcomes in Chinese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSProspective, observational, single-center study of 789 Chinese patients undergoing PCI was enrolled. This study was investigated the correlations between the two tests and performed receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSMACEs occurred in 32 patients (4.1%). Correlations were well between the two tests in the adenosine diphosphate induced platelet reactivity (Spearman r = 0.733, P < 0.001). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated that LTA (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.677; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.643-0.710; P = 0.0009), and mTEG (AUC: 0.684; 95% CI: 0.650-0.716; P = 0.0001) had moderate ability to discriminate between patients with and without MACE. MACE occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) when assessed by LTA (7.4% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001), and by TEG (6.7% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that HPR based on the LTA and mTEG was associated with almost 3-fold increased risk of MACE at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe correlation between LTA and mTEG is relatively high in Chinese patients. HPR measured by LTA and mTEG were significantly associated with MACE in Chinese patients undergoing PCI.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; methods ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the cellular expression of (R127W) HSPB1 and its influence on neurofilament light chain (NFL) self-assembly and co-localization with NFL.

METHODSEukaryotic expression vectors pEGFPN1-(wt) HSPB1 and pEGFPN1- (R127W) HSPB1 were constructed. Hela cells were transiently transfected with pEGFPN1-(wt) HSPB1 or pEGFPN1- (R127W) HSPB1 and observed under a confocal microscope. Hela cells were also transiently co-transfected with Pcl-NFL and pEGFPN1-(wt)HSPB1, or pCL-NFL and pEGFPN1-(R127W)HSPB1. The self-assembly of NFL was observed and the co-localization study of HSPB1/ (R127W)HSPB1 with NFL was carried out in these two cell models by immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSThe aggregates formed by EGFP-(R127W)HSPB1 predominantly located around the nucleus, and EGFP-(wt)HSPB1 showed diffusion pattern in Hela cells. When co expressed with EGFP-(wt)HSPB1, NFL formed homogeneous structure in cytosol. When co-expressed with EGFP-(R127W)HSPB1, however, NFL had amorphous staining pattern predominantly consisting of NFL aggregates, and NFL co-localized with (R127W)HSPB1 in these aggregates.

CONCLUSIONThe R127W mutant of HSPB1 may have reduced capacity to serve as a chaperone to prevent aggregate formation, and fail to correctly organize the neurofilament network. Dysfunction of the axon cytoskeleton and axon transport may be the primary mechanism of R127W mutation of HSPB1 in the pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Base Sequence ; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Mutant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; genetics ; Protein Transport ; Transfection