Objective To assess the value of thickness and arterial resistive index (RI) of wrist synovium in differentiation from activity to non-activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Ninety-two clinically confirmed RA patients underwent high frequency ultrasonography. Maximum thickness and arterial RI of the wrist synovium were measured in active and nonactive stage. Results Thickened synovium was found in 75 of 92 patients. Color signal in the synovium was detected and then RI was measured in 67 patients, including 31 in active stage and 36 in nonactive stage. The wrist synovium thickness of 67 patients was (2.97±1.49) mm and arterial RI was 0.74±0.17. RI decreased significantly in patients in active stage compared with that in nonactive stage (P<0.001). Conclusion Arterial RI measurement with high frequency ultrasonography may be served as an objective marker of synovial membrane disease in RA. The thickness of synovium cannot predict the activity of RA.

Objective To observe changes of serum concentrations of interleukin-18(IL-18) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) and to explore the correlation of the 2 indices and its effect on patients′condition.Methods Thirty newborn infants met the criteria for HIE.There were 16 cases in mild HIE group,14 cases in moderate and severe HIE group.Twenty normal newborn infants were used as control group.The serum concentrations of IL-18 and ICAM-1 of HIE group and control group were detected using ELISA on the third day and 7th day.Results 1.The IL-18 levels of the mild,moderate and severe HIE and control groups measured within 3 days of life were (120.1?12.7),(175.1?15.4),(100.3?12.5) ng/L,respectively.The concentrations of IL-18 in HIE groups were higher than that of control group(Pa

Objective To construct an eukaryotic expression vector with human adipose most abundant gene transcript 1 (APM1) gene,and to investigate the transfection and expression of pCDEF-APM1 eukaryotic expression plasmid in HEK293 cells.Methods pCDEF-APM1 eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed by DNA recombinant method.Expression vector pCDEF-APM1 was transfected into HEK293 cells with Effectene reagent.The level of human adiponectin protein in the supernatant of cell culture media was detected with double antibody sandwich ELISA.Results The sequence of DNA fragment from constructed pCDEF-APM1 plasmid was identical to that published in GenBank.There was raised human adiponectin protein level in culture supernatant of HEK293 cells tnmsfected with pCDEF-APM1.Conclusion The pCDEF-APM1,an eukaryotic expression plasmid for APM1 gene is successfully constructed.High protein expression of adiponectin can be obtained in HEK293 cells transfected with pCDEF-APM1 eukaryotic expression plasmid.

Objective To evaluate the application of fibrobronchoscopy in the management of severe brain injury with concurrent pulmonary infection. Methods Forty-three procedures of fibrobronchoscopic sputum clearance or bronchoalvelar lavage were performed in 26 patients with severe brain injury and concurrent pulmonary infection. The effect of fibrobronchoscopic treatment was assessed by observing the changes in the respiratory symptoms, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in these patients. Results The symptoms of the respiratory system, SaO2, and PaO2 of the 26 patients were significantly improved after fibrobronchoscopic treatment, which caused no serious complications. Conclusion Fibrobronchoscopy can be safely and effectively used in patients with severe brain injury complicated by pulmonary infection.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of early bronchoscopic sputum suction in elderly patients with acute heart and lung failure due to aspiration pneumonia.

METHODSComprehensive treatments were administered for 52 elderly patients with acute heart and lung failure resulting from aspiration pneumonia, and in 27 of the patients, bronchoscopic sputum suction was performed with the other 25 serving as the control group. The indices of the heart and lung functions (central venous pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, arterial blood partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide) were measured after the treatment and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSPatients receiving bronchoscopic suction showed faster recovery of normal central venous pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction and more rapid increment of arterial partial pressure of oxygen and reduction of carbon dioxide partial pressure than those without the suction (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONEarly bronchoscopic sputum suction can be one of the effective emergency measures for rescuing acute heart and lung failure due to aspiration pneumonia.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchoscopy ; Cerebral Infarction ; complications ; Female ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; complications ; therapy ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; therapy ; Sputum ; Suction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)- A, B, C, DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1and DPB1among ethnic Hans from southern China.

METHODS481 randomly selected individuals were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-based typing (SBT) method for the above genes. Their allele frequencies were determined by direct counting.

RESULTSIn total, 28 HLA-A, 57 HLA-B, 28 HLA-C, 40 HLA-DRB1, 18 HLA-DQA1, 17 HLA-DQB1, 6 HLA-DPA1and 21 HLA-DPB1alleles were identified. Among these, common alleles (with allelic frequencies > 0.05) included A*1101, A*2402, A*0207, A*3303, A*0201, B*40:01, B*46:01, B*58:01, B*13:01, B*15:02, C*01:02, C*07:02, C*03:04, C*03:02, C*08:01, C*03:03, C*04:01, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*15:01, DRB1*12:02, DRB1*08:03, DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*11:01, DQA1*01:02, DQA1*03:02, DQA1*03:03, DQA1*06:01, DQA1*01:03, DQA1*05:05, DQA1*01:04, DQA1*03:01, DQA1*05:01, DQB1*03:01, DQB1*03:03, DQB1*06:01, DQB1*05:02, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*02:01, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*06:02, DPA1*02:02, DPA1*01:03, DPA1*02:01, DPB1*05:01, DPB1*02:01, DPB1*13:01, DPB1*04:01and DPB1*02:02.For each of the locus, the overall frequencies of common alleles were 75.57%, 52.81%, 78.28%, 62.16%, 86.70%, 77.23%, 95.32% and 81.59%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe allelic frequencies of the 8 selected HLA loci among ethnic Hans from southern China may served as a reference for anthropology, legal medicine, transplantation and disease association studies.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-C Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DP Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; genetics ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To study the requirements for defibrillation protection testing and marking of the multi-parameter monitor to facilitate the manufacturer to understand related standards and design products rationally.Methods The background and principle were described for defibrillation protection testing of the monitor.The requirements of related standards were analyzed for defibrillation protection testing and marking,and the defibrillation protection flow was explored during the clinical application of the monitor.Results The multi-parameter monitor might be damaged in case of the monitor's deficiencies in the the defibrillation protection,even patient's failure in the defibrillation protection or death might occur,and the electrical shock could be caused also to medical staffs.Conclusion The defibrillation protection is of great significance for the multi-parameter monitor,and considerations have to be posed on standards requirements and the monitor's clinical application so as to decrease its use risks.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous ultra-fine needle CO_2 splenoportography (CO_2-SP).Methods CO_2-SP and 3D-CE-MRA were performed in 36 patients.The imaging quality of the methods was compared by a scoring criterion setup based on the visualization of the trunk,intrahepatic branches of the portal vein and collateral vessels.Results Transient mild abdominal discomfort was presented in 19 patients(52.8% )receiving CO_2-SP.One patient developed snbcapsular splenic hematoma and was discharged with clinical stability several days later after conservative treatment. The imaging quality of the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein with CO_2-SP was much more superior to 3D-CE-MRA (the score was 232 and 198 respectively,t=4.52,P0.05 ).Conclusion Ultrafine needle CO_2-SP is a minimally invasive and safe procedure,able to provide dynamic and clearer imaging of the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of road traffic injury (RTI), and to provide evidence for stretagy development on the prevention and control of RTI.

METHODSCase-crossover study was used. 402 drivers were face to face interviewed by specially designed questionnaire including the items as drinking alcohol before driving, onset anger scale (OAS), anxiety/irritation, Stanford sleepiness scale (SSS), vehicle breakdown, carelessness, violating the rules on right of way and traffic signs when driving. Tables related to case-control study on 1:1 matching was used for single factor analysis, and conditional logistic regression was used for multifactor analysis.

RESULTSThe risk factors that were associated with RTI including high OAS (OAS = 5-7, OR = 114.88, 95% CI:4.29-3074.86), violating the rules on right of way (OR = 46.96, 95% CI:12.74-173.11), violating traffic signs when driving(OR = 24.57, 95% CI: 8.69-69.45), carelessness (OR = 14. 54,95% CI: 6.85-30.86), unsafe distance between vehicles( OR = 14.30,95% CI: 3.68-55.60), wrong judgement (OR = 14.67,95% CI:4.88-44.10), vehicle breakdown (OR = 8.57, 95% CI: 1.38- 53.27) and improper measure ( OR = 8.46, 95% CI: 2.46-29.14) etc.

CONCLUSIONImproper driving behaviors, abnormal psychological status and driving skills of drivers were related to RTI, suggesting that it was necessary to carry out continous traffic security education to the drivers.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Cross-Over Studies ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of thread-moxa in Zhuang folk medicine (TM) combined with acupuncture and external application drugs for AIDS patients with herpes zoster (AHZ).

METHODSA randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 patients with AHZ. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (treated with TM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment) and the control group (treated with Famciclovir Tablet, nimesulide dispersible tablet, vitamin B1, ribavirin ointment). The treatment course was 14 days for both groups.The clinical efficacy, significant efficiency visual analog scale score (VAS), sleep quality score (QS), the postherpetic neuralgia rate in 1 year after treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (86.7% vs. 53.3%, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (96.7% vs. 80.0%, P > 0.05). The post-treatment VAS, QS, the time for pain disappearance, skin repair, crusting, and 1-year postherpetic neuralgia incidence rate were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment was effective for treating AHZ patients. It relieved pain quickly, shortened their course of disease, and improved their quality of sleep.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Herpes Zoster ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management ; Phytotherapy ; Sleep ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult