Objective To study the effect of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ1-42) on expressions of synaptophysin (Syn), dynamin Ⅰ (Dyn Ⅰ) and adaptor protein 180 (AP180) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were treated with 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2 and 5 μmol/L Aβ1-42, and control cells were given no treatment. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2- yl) - 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]reduction of the cells was measured by spectrophotometry. The protein levels of Syn, Dyn Ⅰ and AP180 in SH-SY5Y cells treated with 0.5 and 1 μmol/L Aβ1-42 were surveyed by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of Syn, Dyn Ⅰ and AP180 were detected by Real-time PCR in SH-SY5Y cells treated with 1 μmol/L Aβ1-42. Results SH-SY5Y cells showed obviously decreased reduction rates of MTT after exposure to Aβ1-42(0.1 μmol/L) as compared with the controls (P＜0.05), and dose-dependent negative correlation was noted in these SH-SY5Y cells. The protein level of Dyn Ⅰ in cells treated with 0.5 μmol/L Aβ1-42 was significantly decreased as compared with that in controls (P＜0.05). The protein and mRNA levels of Syn and Dyn Ⅰ in cells treated with 1 μ mol/L Aβ1-42 Were obviously decreased as compared with those in controls (P＜0.05), but the levels of AP180 were not changed. Conclusion Aβ1-42 reduces the levels of Syn and Dyn Ⅰ in SH-SY5Y cells, which might be a mechanism in eonnection with cognitive deficit of AD.

Serological typing for HLA-A, -B has been used for a long time. Recently with the developing of molecular biology technologies, HLA-A, -B typing is now turning to genotyping methods. In our study, the capacity of PCR-SSP in solving problems in HLA-A, -B typing with serological methes was evaluated. With this aim the serological method was compared with PCR-SSP in 102 cord blood samples, and the results showed that 18.6% of 102 cord blood samples can't give a satisfactory detection, for 14 samples, give discrepant results with the 2 methods. It is mainly due to weak expression of HLA class I cord blood lymphocytes and the cross reaction of some antigens. About B 15 group, the further study was made, it was found that most of the B 15 splits is wrongly disassigned, especially among the B62-B75, B75/*1511(+)-B75/*1511(-), B46-*1511 antigens. It was concluded that DNA typing is more preferable than serological typing, about B 15 group, the subtyping or high resolution typing can be fulfilled at first in China.

OBJECTIVETo investigate if the duration from poisoning to treatment (no treatment period) is related to the prognosis of patients with severe acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (SAOPP).

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-four patients with the pre-hospital systematic treatment served as the treatment group while 160 patients going to the hospital by themselves without treatment or rejecting gastrolavage served as the control group. Patients in both groups were treated by gastrolavage, pralidoxime chloride, atropine and other expectant treatment. The duration of no treatment period, death, and severe complication were observed. The time of disappearance of symptoms, the recovery time of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), atropinization time, atropine dosage, pralidoxime chloride dosage, naloxone dosage, hospitalization days and other targets were also observed.

RESULTSThe duration of no treatment period in treatment group [(1.2 +/- 0.3) h] was significantly shorter than that in control group [(2.8 +/- 0.5) h, (P < 0.01)]. The mortality rate in treatment group was 6.32% while that in control group 22.5% (P < 0.01). The incidence of respiratory failure, heart injury, brain injury, atropine poisoning, intermediate syndrome, liver injury in treatment group (12.64%, 5.75%, 8.62%, 1.72%, 4.60%, 5.17% respectively) were lower than those in control group (25.63%, 13.75%, 17.50%, 6.25%, 7.50%, 9.38% respectively, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The time of symptoms disappearance, the recovery time of AChE, atropinization time, atropine dosage, pralidoxime chloride dosage, naloxone dosage, hospitalization days in treatment group were significantly superior to those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe pre-hospital systematic treatment can improve the prognosis of the patients with SAOPP, which is worth popularizing and using.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Female ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Male ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVEGap junctions, the clusters of intercellular channels, play an important role in synchronizing electrical activity. This study investigated the effect of gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (CBX) on epileptic activity in pentylenetetrazo (PTZ)-kindled rats.

METHODSThirty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, PTZ-kindled and CBX-treated groups (n=10 each). The rats from the PTZ-kindled and the CBX-treated groups were intraperitoneally injected with PTZ (35 mg/kg x d) to induce epilepsy. After epilepsy kindling, they were intraperitoneally injected for 3 days with CBX (10 mg/kg) (CBX-treated group) or with normal saline (PTZ-kindled group). The control group received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline. Anti-GFAP, anti-Fos, and anti-NMDARZ immunohistochemical ABC methods were used to detect the expression of GFAP-Li, Fos-Li and NMDAR2-Li in the hippocampus respectively.

RESULTSSpontaneous seizures occurred in PTZ-kindled epileptic rats. CBX administration reduced spontaneous seizures. The NMDAR2-Li and Fos-Li neurons as well as GFAP-Li astrocytes in hippocampi increased in PTZ-kindled epileptic rats compared with controls. The numbers of Fos-Li (93.75 +/-7.94 vs 165.25 +/-15.87, P < 0.05) and NMDAR2-Li neurons (61.47 +/-3.62 vs 148.72 +/-14.53, P < 0.01) in the CBX-treated group were significantly less than in the PTZ-kindled group. There were no significant differences in the GFAP-Li expression between the CBX-treated and the PTZ-kindled groups.

CONCLUSIONSCBX may inhibit spontaneous seizures and decrease the numbers of Fos-Li and NMDARZ-Li neurons, thus providing anti-epileptic effects.

Animals ; Carbenoxolone ; pharmacology ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kindling, Neurologic ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment strategy of severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) cases, prevent the severe cases from progressing to fatal condition and enhance the survival rate of critically ill patients.

METHODSEighty HFMD cases were divided into four groups, A, B, C and D, according to the severity of patients' nervous system manifestation and other system involved. Different intensive care and treatments were used and the effect and outcome were analyzed for each group. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS software 13.0. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square test were used for data analysis.

RESULTSThe most common symptoms were continuous fever (69/70) and myoclonic jerk (67/70). The fewer the rashes were, the more severe the patient's condition was, heart rate >200/min, hypertension, increase of white blood cells in peripheral blood and hyperglycemia were common in patients with lesions in brain stem and pulmonary edema. There were no relations between patient's conditions and CSF white blood cells and CRP. CNS involvement was highly associated with EV71 infection. There were 69 cases in group A, B and C in total and all recovered. Of 11 patients in group D, 6 got complicated neurogenic pulmonary edema and circulatory failure, 2 cases died and 9 cases survived, 8 cases recovered without sequelae while one case had sequelae of mental retardation and dyscinesia.

CONCLUSIONAdministration of mannitol, methylprednisolone, IVIG and other supportive treatments in time and reasonably might have advantages in avoiding aggravation of the condition and enhancing the rate of successful rescue in patients with nervous system involvement.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Care ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Nervous System ; virology ; Survival Rate

Aim To observe the effects of realgar nano-particles on B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Raji cells in vitro. Methods Realgar nanoparticles and crude realgar particles were characterized with a laser particle size analyzer, a transmission electron microscopy (TEM)and an atomic force microscopy(AFM). The morphological changes of proliferation of Raji cells brought about by the use of realgar naoparticles and crude realgar particles were observed with a light mi-croscope. The membrane changes of Raji cells treated with realgar naoparticles and crude realgar particles were observed with AFM. The ultrastructures of Raji cells were observed with TEM. The inhibitory effects of Raji cells treated with realgar naoparticles and crude realgar particles were measured with MTT. The nuclear apoptosis morphologies of Raji cells were observed with fluorescence microscopy. The apoptosis rates and the cell cycle distributions of Raji cells treated with real-gars were measured with flow cytometry. Results The size of realgar nanoparticles and crude realgar particles was (79 ± 8)nm and (1. 89 ± 0. 2)μm,respectively. Light microscopy showed that realgar nanoparticles could inhibit the aggregation growth of Raji cells. AFM showed that Raji cells treated with realgar nanoparticle became shrank, had smaller volume and lost the growth state of stretching out. Raji cells treated with crude realgars did not change significantly. TEM showed Raji cells treated with realgar nanoparticle had damaged subcellular organelles and mitochondria with increased vacuoles. The Raji cells treated with crude realgar did not change significantly. MTT assay showed that when treated with the final concentration of 50 mg ·L - 1 of realgar nanoparticle for 24 h,the cell survival rate of Raji cells was (40 ± 2)% . When treated with the same concentration of crude realgar,its survival rate was (65 ± 3)% . When treated with 50 mg·L - 1 of realgar nanoparticle for 48 h,its survival rate was only 10 % ,and when treated with crude realgar ,its survival rate was (42 ± 2 )% . Fluorescence micro-scope indicated that the Raji cells treated with realgar nanoparticle had obvious nuclear apoptosis,which was not obvious in crude realgar group. Flow cytometry showed that the total apoptosis rate of Raji cells in-duced by realgar nanoparticles and by crude realgar was 11. 14%,15. 9%,respectively. Compared with those treated with crude realgar,the Raji cells treated with realgar nanoparticles presented a significantly higher ratio cell distribution in G1 phase and an obvious decreased ratio in S phase. Conclusion Compared with crude realgar particles,the same dose of realgar nanoparticles can significantly inhibit the proliferation of Raji cells,destroy their sub-cellular structure,and induce the cell apoptosis of Raji cells.

Objective To study the protective effect of Shenmai injection on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in patients underwent thoracoscopic cardiac surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods 18 patients with congenital heart disease with CPB thoracoscopic cardiac surgery were randomly divided into two groups (9 cases in each group): controlled group and experimental group. The controlled group did not give any intervened drugs, and the experimental group gave the injection of Shenmai that were added into heart cold cardioplegia (2 ml/kg). The levels of the following indexes in the serum were respectively measured just after the time of induction of anesthesia (T1) and heart resuscitation (T2): Troponin T (cTnT), Creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) quality, myoglobin (Mb). And at the same time, the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was measured. Results The concentrations of cTnT, CK-MB and mb in the serum of both groups just after the time of heart resuscitation (T2) were significantly increased more than just after the time of induction of anesthesia (T1) (P < 0.05). But the concentrations of cTnT, CK-MB and Mb in the experimental group were significantly lower than that in the controlled group just after the time of cardiac resuscitation. And EF was significantly higher than the controlled group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Shenmai injection can protect the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients underwent thoracoscopic cardiac surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

An 8-year-old girl who had experienced intermittent cough and fever over a 3 year period, was admitted after experiencing a recurrence for one month. One year ago the patient experienced a recurrent oral mucosal ulcer. Physical examination showed vitiligo in the skin of the upper right back. Routine blood tests and immune function tests performed in other hospitals had shown normal results. Multiple lung CT scans showed pulmonary infection. The patient had recurrent fever and cough and persistent presence of some lesions after anti-infective therapy. The antitubercular therapy was ineffective. Routine blood tests after admission showed agranulocytosis. Gene detection was performed and she was diagnosed with dyskeratosis congenita caused by homozygous mutation in RTEL1. Patients with dyskeratosis congenita with RTEL1 gene mutation tend to develop pulmonary complications. Since RTEL1 gene sequence is highly variable with many mutation sites and patterns and can be inherited via autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance, this disease often has various clinical manifestations, which may lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. For children with unexplained recurrent pulmonary infection, examinations of the oral cavity, skin, and nails and toes should be taken and routine blood tests should be performed to exclude dyskeratosis congenita. There are no specific therapies for dyskeratosis congenita at present, and when bone marrow failure and pulmonary failure occur, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and lung transplantation are the only therapies. Androgen and its derivatives are effective in some patients. Drugs targeting the telomere may be promising for patients with dyskeratosis congenita.
Child ; Dyskeratosis Congenita ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Mouth Diseases ; etiology ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; etiology ; Telomere ; drug effects ; Ulcer ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of childhood asthma, and to find the distribution characteristics, precipitating factors, diagnosis and treatment status, and to provide scientific data for improving the prevention and management of asthma in children in Kunming City, China.

METHODSChildren were selected by random cluster sampling. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out possible patients in the survey. Diagnosis of asthma was confirmed by diagnostic criteria in suspected asthmatic children. Asthmatic children were further asked for past diagnosis and treatment with the questionnaire of asthma in children.

RESULTSThe total asthma incidence rate was 1.40%. The prevalence of asthma in male and female children was 1.89% and 0.88% respectively (P<0.05). Children aged 0-5 years old had a higher prevalence of asthma (1.69%) than that of school-age children (6-14 years old, 1.21%). In all asthmatic children, 51.3% were previously diagnosed with classical asthma or cough variant asthma, 26.0% were suffered attacks from December to February, and 54.0% were suffered attacks at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection (87.3%) was the most common triggers of asthma exacerbation. Antibiotics were used in 80.0%, bronchodilators in 66.0%, inhaled corticosteroid in 64.0%. A peak flow meter for monitoring lung function was used in 17% of asthmatic children over 5 years old.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of asthma is associated with age and gender in children aged 0-14 years old in Kunming City. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly in winter and at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection is the most common trigger of asthma exacerbation. Nearly a half of patients with asthma had not been diagnosed with asthma in the early stage. Most asthmatic children use antibiotics and only two-thirds use bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid in the treatment. The treatment and management of asthma in children awaits improvement as well.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and morphological features as well as immunophenotype of tubulolobular carcinoma of the breast (TLC).

METHODSEight cases of TLC were retrieved from 97 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma between January 2005 and March 2010 in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The clinical features and pathologic findings were studied and immunohistochemistry was performed for the expression of ER, PR, HER2, p53, E-cadherin, CK34βE12 and CK8.

RESULTSAmong the breast cancer patients, the incidence of TLC was about 1.0% (8/880). The mean age of the patients was 59 years, with a range of 45 to 79 years. All patients were asymptomatic, with incidental finding of a mass in the breast on health examination. Common findings on sonography included a hypoechoic nodule with irregular shape and spiculated margin. Histologically, the small uniform tumor cells were arranged in a mixed pattern showing single cells, single-cell files or cords, small round to angulated tubules, and infiltrating lobular or targetoid patterns around ducts that were specific for classical invasive lobular carcinoma. Low or intermediate grade intraepithelial neoplasms which had similar cellular morphology with the invasive tumor often appeared in the periphery, including ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ and intraductal papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry of the tumor cells showed intense reactivity to ER (7/8) and PR (8/8), but no reactivity to HER2 or p53. Both the tubules and single-cell file or cords expressed E-cadherin (7/8), CK34βE12 (5/8), and CK8 (8/8) with a uniform staining pattern. All patients underwent modified radical mastectomy and 2/8 patients had metastatic carcinoma in the axillary lymph nodes. Seven patients were followed up for 28 to 75 months and remained well, including one patient that had a new breast mass 60 months after surgery, but had no treatment up to now.

CONCLUSIONSTLC is a rare variant of invasive breast cancer and reveals mixed histologic features of both tubular and lobular carcinoma with common expression of E-cadherin, CK8 and CK34βE12. A better understanding of TLC would enable pathological diagnosis to be made reasonably and accurately.

Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma in Situ ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-8 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome