Objective To measure the expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase(IDO)in condy-loma acuminatum (CA) lesions, and to evaluate its ability to locally metabolize tryptophan. Methods Immunohistochemical study was performed to observe the protein expression of IDO in skin lesions of patients with CA, and count the number of IDO-positive cells. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to estimate the relationship between IDO-positive cells and dendritic cells. Epidermal cells and keratinocytes were isolated from warts of 30 patients with CA and prepuces of 11 healthy controls respectively, and both in vitro incubated with tryptophan solution for 4 hours. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)was performed to detect the level of tryptophan metabolite, kynurenine, in the culture supernatant of the above cells, which could reflect the ability of epidermal cells to metabolize tryptophan. Results Rare IDO-positive cells were found in the normal skin, but a lot of IDO-positive cells gathered in the epidermis of the wart tissues. The IDO-positive cell/total cell ratio was significantly higher in the wart tissues than in the normal skin(48.3%± 15.4%vs. 5.2%± 2.4%, P<0.05). The fluorescence signals of IDO-positive cells and CD1a-positive Langerhans cells were not overlapped with each other, suggesting that IDO-positive cells were derived from epidermal cells of the wart tissues. Compared with the keratinocytes from the healthy skin, the epidermal cells from warts had a stronger ability to metabolize tryptophan in vitro. Conclusion A large number of IDO-positive cells exist in CA warts, and may be involved in occurrence of CA.

Objective To establish human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) feeder-independent and cell factor-free culture system. Methods Effect of high and low clone densities of hESCs culture was compared and impact of the clone densities to hESCs culture media was analyzed. Results HESCs could maintain their undifferentiated states at high clone density (34 clones/cm2) without cell factors. At the same time,the bone morphology protein (BMP)-like induction of N2 and B27 supplements (NB) medium could be modulated by the clone density,and high level of BMP-like induction was accompanied by high clone density. Conclusion High clone density of hESCs can change the environments by themselves to maintain the undifferentiated states,which provides a new clue to explore the mechanism of undifferentiated states of hESCs and simplify the culture medium.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of cone-bean CT(CBCT) on the measurement of the tooth length.Methods One hundred and sixty single root premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were selected.The tooth length was measured with vernier caliper.The premolars were divided into 10 groups randomly,16 premolars in each group.In each group,the teeth were lined in molar area,premolar area,canine area and anterior tooth area in maxilla and mandible.Then CBCT was taken,and the tooth length was measured using the software supplied by the manufacturer in coronal and sagittal plane.Accuracy was compared between vernier caliper measurement and CBCT measurement.Results The tooth length measured by CBCT was smaller than that measured with the vernier caliper.Significant differences were found in six areas,except the maxillary and mandibular premolar areas.With the increase of mesial-distal inclination or buccolingual torque angle,the difference between tooth length measured by CBCT and that measured with vernier caliper increased.The correlation between buccolingual torque angle(∠X1) and the coronal view of CBCT radiology tooth length (Spearmen index was 7.00,P ＜ 0.001),and the correlation between mesialdistal inclination and the coronal view of CBCT radiology tooth length (Spearmen index was 0.624,P ＜0.001) were found.Conclusions The tooth length measured by CBCT was smaller than that measured with vernier caliper.

OBJECTIVETo clarify the effectiveness of Chinese herbal fomentation in treating chronic neck pain by means of changes in cervical kinematics.

METHODSSeventy-six patients with chronic neck pain were included in the study and were randomized into two groups based on the random number generator of the SPSS software: fomentation combined with Chinese herbal (Group 1) and fomentation without any medicine (Group 2). In both groups, the fomentation lasted for 60 min and heated to 35 °C, once a day for 28 consecutive days. Standard lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were obtained including the neutral, full flexion, and full extension positions. Before and after intervention, the following parameters were used to evaluate the changes in kinematics: range of motion (ROM), sagittal alignment and instantaneous center of rotation (ICR).

RESULTSAfter treatment, the ROM was signifcantly higher than that of before treatment in Group 1 (51.5, 95% CI: 49.8-55.9; P<0.05). There was no significant difference between before and after treatment in Group 2 (P>0.05). Although C2-C7 cervical alignment was increased in both groups after treatment, no significant difference was detected between before and after treatment (P>0.05). For Group 1, the significant X coordinate variation was only observed at C5/C6 level (38.1; 95% CI: 34.0, 42.1; P<0.05). There was a significant upward trend in the Y coordinate of the ICR at C5/C6 (-30.5; 95% CI: -34.3, -26.8; P<0.05) and C6/C7 after treatment (-6.1; 95% CI: -6.7, -5.4; P<0.05). For Group 2, the ICR location of each level was not statistically different between the pre- and post-treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChinese herbal fomentation could improve abnormal mobility in terms of ROM and ICR. Chinese herbal fomentation might be an effective treatment for chronic neck pain.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Chronic Pain ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck Pain ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular

The purpose of this study is to investigate the preparation of hydroxycamptothecine (HCPT)-loaded cubic crystal liquid embolic precursor solution, and evaluate its in vitro embolic efficiency. Phytantriol was used as cubic crystal liquid embolic material, and the optimal formulation was selected according to ternary phase diagram. Polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used to characterize the cubic crystal structure. High performance liquid chromatography and X-ray diffraction analysis were used to investigate the lactone ring of HCPT. In vitro dissolution was preliminary evaluated, and the simulation embolic model was constructed to evaluate the embolic efficiency of precursor solution. Meanwhile, the gelation time and adhesion force were investigated. The results showed that HCPT-loaded precursor solution for embolization had been successfully prepared with low viscosity which was injectable. The precursor solution could transform into Pn3m structure liquid crystal phase gel rapidly when contracting with excess water. The formed HPCT gel remained its lactone form as the same in precursor solution, and expressed the good ability to block the saline flow, and HCPT could keep sustained releasing drug over 30 days. The prepared drug-loaded embolic precursor solution showed a promising potential for vascular embolization and application in clinical treatment of tumor.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Fatty Alcohols ; chemistry ; Liquid Crystals ; Scattering, Small Angle ; Water ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective To explore the feasibility of evaluating the lung function by MSCT in emphysema.Methods The MSCT scan and pulmonary function tests(PFF)were respectively performed in 147 receptors within one week.They were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A(120 receptors), including normal,mild,moderate and severe abnormal pulmonary function based on the PFT,for comparing the correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT pulmonary function and PFT and settingup the primary grade criteria of abnormal pulmonary function in emphysema,group B(27 receptors)for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy in group A.The total lung was respectively scanned at the full inspiration and full expiration with MSCT.The pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT were measured with Siemens Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software.Results There was correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT and PFF.The Piex/in_(-910)showed best correlation with FEV_1%(r=-0.905,P

ObjectiveTo evaluation the intervention effects of hand hold hands method in brick tea borne fluorosis.MethodFour to six grade pupils were selected in brick tea borne fluorosis areas,and health education knowledge questionnaire investigation was conducted.Drinking tea related health behaviors were also surveyed by the method of questionnaire.Then health education lecture on brick tea borne fluorosis was carried out,and health education material and low fluoride brick tea were provided to the pupils,the students were also requested to tell their parents brick tea related knowledge and supervise them to get rid of harmful drinking tea behavior,and cultivate healthy lifestyle.One year later pupils' health knowledge questionnaire and parents health related behavior questionnaire were carried out once again.The knowledge awareness rates of students before and after the intervention were compared.Health related behavior change rates of the parent between different ages and education levels were compared,and the implementation rates of different brick tea related behaviors before and after the intervention were compared.ResultsAfter 1 year of health education,the student's knowledge awareness rate on brick tea fluorosis was [94.3％ (33/35)],compared with the rate before intervertion [14.3％ (5/35)] increased significantly(X2 =46.111,P ＜ 0.01 ).The overall behavior change rate of health related behavior was 68.6％.After the intervention,the implementation rate of whether drinking tea,drinking overnight tea,drinking boiled for a long time tea decreased(P ＜ 0.01).But the behavior implementation rates of drinking tea with milk,drinking and buying low fluoride brick tea significantly increased(P ＜ 0.05).Implementation rate of whether drinking brick tea did not change significantly(P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionsThrough hand hold hands health education intervention,the knowledge awareness of students on brick tea fluorosis increases,and their parents can actively change bad tea drinking habits,and cultivate healthy lifestyle.

OBJECTIVELate onset neonatal septicemia (systemic infection after 72 hours of life) remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is critical since infected infants can deteriorate rapidly. The aim of this study was to review the pathogens responsible for late onset neonatal septicemia (LONS) and their antimicrobial susceptibilities in order to guide the initial selection of appropriate antibiotics for infants with suspected LONS.

METHODSA retrospective chart review of all cases with LONS seen in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2005 was conducted. All cases were selected based on the clinical presentation and at least one positive result of blood culture. The basic clinical characteristics and the results of blood culture and antimicrobial susceptibilities were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 102 cases with LONS were identified. Among those 102 cases, 80 were community acquired (infants admitted from home and the blood culture was done on admission) and 22 were hospital acquired (infants became sick while in the NICU and the blood culture was done prior to use of antibiotics). The clinical presentations were non-specific. Compared to the infants with community acquired LONS, infants with hospital acquired LONS were usually born more prematurely (mean gestational age 33 +/- 3 vs 39 +/- 2 wks, t = 2.255, P < 0.01), with lower weight (mean weight 1.79 +/- 0.70 vs 3.23 +/- 0.67 kg, t = 8.818, P < 0.01) and with younger age (mean age 12 +/- 6 vs 16 +/- 7 days, t = 7.581, P < 0.05). Of the 102 cases, a total of 103 strains of bacteria were isolated. Among the pathogenic bacteria isolated, the most common were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (50/103, 48.5%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16/103, 15.5%). The main pathogens for community acquired LONS were Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli. The most important pathogen responsible for hospital acquired LONS was Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most (> 80%) of the Staphylococcus especially CoNS were resistant to common antibiotics such as penicillin, erythromycin and cefazolin. Significant numbers (6/9) of Staphylococcus aureus isolated were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, all of the Staphyloccus isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. Almost all (15/16) of the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated were multi-drug resistant due to production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). They were sensitive only to a few antibiotics such as carbapenems, aminoglycosides and quinolones. There was also one strain of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Furthermore, there was no a single case of late onset neonatal sepsis due to infection with group B Streptococcus (GBS).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical manifestations of late onset neonatal sepsis are usually non-specific. GBS is not a significant pathogen responsible for community acquired LONS in the Wenzhou area. There are increasing numbers of multi-drug resistant bacterial species isolated from the newborn infants with late onset neonatal septicemia, which is most likely due the non-restricted use of antibiotics in the hospitals as well as in the communities. A routine blood culture should be taken from any newborn infant who is suspected of LONS and empirical use of appropriate antibiotics should be initiated as soon as the blood specimen for culture has been drawn. To reduce the occurrence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, the use of antibiotics especially the third generation cephalosporins in neonates should be restricted as much as possible.

Community-Acquired Infections ; microbiology ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDEmerging evidence suggests that stem cells can be used to improve cardiac function in patients after acute myocardial infarction. In this randomized trial, we aimed to use Doppler tissue tracking and strain imaging to assess left ventricular segmental function after intracoronary transfer of autologous bone-marrow stem cells (BMCs) for 6 months' follow up.

METHODSTwenty patients with acute myocardial infarction and anterior descending coronary artery occlusion proven by angiography were [corrected] randomized into intracoronary injection of bone-marrow cell (treated, n = 9) or diluted serum (control, n = 11) groups. GE vivid 7 and Q-analyze software were used to perform echocardiogram in both groups 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after treatment. Three apical views of tissue Doppler imaging were acquired to measure peak systolic displacement (Ds) and peak systolic strain (epsilonpeak) from 12 segments of LV walls. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were obtained by Simposon's biplane method.

RESULTS(1) 3 months later, Ds and epsilonpeak over the infract-related region clearly increased in the BMCs group [Ds: (4.49 +/- 2.71) mm vs (7.56 +/- 2.95) mm, P < 0.01; epsilonpeak: (-13.40 +/- 6.00)% vs (-17.06 +/- 6.05)%, P < 0.01], but not in the control group [Ds: (4.74 +/- 2.67) mm vs (5.01 +/- 3.23) mm, P > 0.05; epsilonpeak: (-13.84 +/- 6.05)% vs (-15.04 +/- 6.75)%, P > 0.05]. At the same time, Ds over the normal region also increased, but the Ds enhancement was markedly higher in the BMCs group than that in the control group [(3.21 +/- 3.17) mm vs (0.76 +/- 1.94) mm, P < 0.01]. Parameters remained steady from the 3rd to 6th month in either group (P > 0.05). (2) LVEF in treated and control groups were almost the same at baseline (1st week after PCI) [(53.37 +/- 8.92)% vs (53.51 +/- 5.84)%, P > 0.05]. But 6 months later, LVEF in the BMCs group were clearly higher than that in the control group [(59.33 +/- 12.91)% vs (50.30 +/- 8.30)%, P < 0.05]. (3) There were no evident difference in EDV or ESV between two groups at baseline [EDV: (113.74 +/- 23.24) ml vs (129.94 +/- 32.72) ml, P > 0.05; ESV: (57.12 +/- 18.66) ml vs (62.09 +/- 17.68) ml, P > 0.05]. Three months later, EDV and ESV in the control group were markedly greater than those in the BMCs group [EDV: (154.89 +/- 46.34) ml vs (104.85 +/- 33.21) ml, P < 0.05; ESV: (82.91 +/- 35.79) ml vs (49.54 +/- 23.32) ml, P < 0.05]. But EDV and ESV did not change much from 3rd to 6th month in either group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEmergency transplantation of autologous BMCs in patients with acute myocardial infarction helps to improve global and regional contractility and attenuate post-infarction left ventricular remodeling. Tissue tracking and strain imaging provide quick, simple and noninvasive methods for quantifying left ventricular segmental function in humans.

Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUNDQuantitatively assessing myocardial perfusion and its reserve is of great importance for the diagnosis and stratification of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and represents an important goal of myocardial contrast echocardiography. In this study we sought to test the usefulness of low dose dobutamine stress real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE) in the assessment of CAD, and to explore the relationship between perfusion reserve and contractile reserve.

METHODSTwenty-six patients with suspected or clinical diagnosed CAD were enrolled and underwent RT-MCE at baseline and under low dose dobutamine stress, and subsequent coronary angiography. RT-MCE images were analyzed quantitatively from microbubble replenishment curves for myocardial perfusion and its reserve.

RESULTSAt baseline, significant differences in beta (0.28 +/- 0.12, 0.25 +/- 0.09, 0.22 +/- 0.06, 0.20 +/- 0.07 respectively, P < 0.01) and A x beta (1.37 +/- 0.46, 1.28 +/- 0.47, 1.13 +/- 0.37, 0.91 +/- 0.32, respectively, P < 0.01) were observed among four segment groups with graded coronary artery stenosis severity (normal; 30% - 69% stenosis; 70% - 90% stenosis; and beyond 90% stenosis), but not observed in parameter A. When under stress, significant differences in A (5.73 +/- 1.28, 5.63 +/- 1.01, 4.96 +/- 0.81, 4.57 +/- 0.62, respectively, P < 0.01), beta (0.67 +/- 0.17, 0.55 +/- 0.19, 0.32 +/- 0.13, 0.25 +/- 0.08, respectively, P < 0.01) and A x beta (3.81 +/- 1.20, 3.11 +/- 1.17, 1.59 +/- 0.82, 1.12 +/- 0.37, respectively, P < 0.01) were observed among the formerly mentioned groups. Graded decreases in A reserve (1.20 +/- 0.53, 1.11 +/- 0.16, 0.98 +/- 0.12, 0.99 +/- 0.13, respectively, P < 0.01), beta reserve (2.65 +/- 1.07, 2.32 +/- 0.82, 1.44 +/- 0.40, 1.29 +/- 0.34, respectively, P < 0.01) and A x beta reserve (3.05 +/- 1.63, 2.59 +/- 1.01, 1.42 +/- 0.44, 1.27 +/- 0.34, respectively, P < 0.01) could also be observed with increasing coronary stenosis severity. In five segments groups scored by WMS (1 - 5), concordance between contractile function and myocardial perfusion could be found both at rest (beta: 0.28 +/- 0.11, 0.22 +/- 0.08, 0.21 +/- 0.05, 0.17 +/- 0.05, 0.19 +/- 0.06, respectively, P < 0.01; A x beta: 1.29 +/- 0.48, 0.98 +/- 0.45, 0.94 +/- 0.29, 0.76 +/- 0.30, 0.92 +/- 0.32, respectively, P < 0.01) and under stress (beta: 0.59 +/- 0.20, 0.35 +/- 0.15, 0.27 +/- 0.08, 0.17 +/- 0.05, 0.20 +/- 0.05, respectively, P < 0.01; A x beta: 3.07 +/- 1.38, 1.62 +/- 0.82, 1.28 +/- 0.40, 0.78 +/- 0.24, 0.93 +/- 0.22, respectively, P < 0.01). This concordance is also valid in terms of the reserves, and the MCE parameters in segments with ameliorated contractile function are significantly higher than in those without.

CONCLUSIONSQuantitative RT-MCE in conjunction with dobutamine stress shows promise in identifying and stratifying CAD and in exploring the perfusion-contractile correlation.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Dobutamine ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Contraction ; Reproducibility of Results