OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of serum level of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell count (WBC) as predictors in postoperative early infectious complications with fever after posterior lumbar internal fixation (PLIF).

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted from January 2012 to January 2014. Fifty-two patients with fever in the early stage(within 10 days) after the PLIF were collected in the study. They were divided into infection group and non-infection group (group A and group B) according to the results of postoperative blood culture. There were 26 patients in group A and 32 patients in group B. The values of PCT, CRP, ESR, and WBC count were compared and analyzed between two groups.

RESULTSThe values of PCT, CRP, and ESR in group A were higher than those of group B. Meanwhile, CRP and ESR in group B were still higher than the normal range. Among the 26 patients with infections (group A), PCT was superior to CRP and ESR, had a good ability in discriminating different kinds of postoperative infections. The area under the ROC curve of serum PCT levels was the largest (CI 95% was 0.81 to 0.98) in the indexs; and ROC curve of WBC count was no statistically significant. When the cut off points of each predictors were evaluated, the higher sensitive was CRP and reached at 90.27% and the higher specific was ESR and reached at 88.50%.

CONCLUSIONFor the patients with fever at the early stage after the PLIF should be paid attention and reasonable choosing predictors are helpful to identify postoperative infection in the early stage. The CRP and ESR may be influenced by the surgery, and the PCT level is helpful to differentiate infection type.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Female ; Fever ; blood ; diagnosis ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infection ; blood ; diagnosis ; Leukocyte Count ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; blood ; diagnosis ; Protein Precursors ; blood

Objective To explore the relationship of estradiol(E_2),monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),dopamine(DA)and postpartum depression.Methods Totally 342 women within 42 days after childbirth were assessed with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale(EPDS),Beck depression inventory(BDI),and general health questionnaire(GHQ).Above or equal to 13 of overall score of EPDS was the diagnosis standard of postpartum depression,and the women tested were divided into depression group and normal group accordingly,using the reagent box of radio immunoassay to test estradiol and 5-HT and DA level in the serum.Results(1)Incidence:the incidence of postpartum depression was 16.7%(57/342).The highest incidence occurred in patients above 35(22.2%);the incidence among women under 23 years old was lowest(12.5%),with a significant difference between them(P0.05). Conclusions Evaluation scales such as EPDS,BDI,and GHQ should be used to screen for postpartum depression.The measurement of estradiol and monoamine neurotransmitter(5-HT,DA)level can be used as biological objective indicators for prevention and treatment of postpartum depression.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a genetic heterogeneous disease in which primordial and juvenile myeloid cells proliferate or accumulate abnormally in bone marrow, peripheral blood and other tissues, resulting in damage to normal hematopoietic function. Studies have shown that about 30% of AML patients have FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), FLT3 abnormal regulation is closely related to the occurrence and development of AML. At present, FLT3 has become an important target for developing small molecular targeted drugs. Currently, a variety of FLT3 inhibitors and FLT3 degraders have been developed targeting FLT3, and some compounds have exhibited good anti-AML activity. This article summarizes and sorts out the current mainstream drugs for AML therapeutic targeting FLT3, in order to provide a reference for the development and design of AML drugs.

Objective To study the sensitivity and specificity of a double monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DMcAbS-ELISA)for the detection of F1 antigen of Yersinia pestis (Y.pestis).Methods Viscera (viz.liver and spleen)specimens of infected mice with virulent Y.pestis and negative control mice were detected by bacteriological test,DMcAbS-ELISA and reverse indirect hemagglutination assay (RIHA) for the F1 antigen.Results The 225 control specimens were all negative tested by plague bacteriology testing,DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA.A total of 308 plague-infected mouse organ specimens were tested,and the positive detection rate was 92.21％ (284/308),90.91％(280/308) and 89.61％ (276/308),respectively,with germiculture,DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA,and the difference was not statistically significant(x2=5.65,P＞0.05).The coincidence rate of DMcAbS-ELISA and bacterial culture was 97.00％[(274+243)/533],Kappa =0.940;RIHA in line with the rate was 99.25％[(276+253)/533],Kappa =0.985.Authenticity comparison of F1 antigen detection in viscera specimens:sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,adjusted agreement and Youden's index was 96.48％(274/284),97.59％(243/249),97.86％ (274/280),96.05 ％(243/253),96.99％[1/4×(274/280+274/284+243/253+243/249)]and 0.9407,respectively,for DMcAbS-ELISA and 96.13％(273/284),98.80％(246/249),98.91％(273/276),95.72％(246/257),97.39％[1/4×(273/276+273/284+246/257±246/249)]and 0.9492,respectively,for RIHA.The detection sensitivity of DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA was 2.7×104 cfu/ml and 2.2×105 cfu/ml,for Y.pestis,respectively,and was 10 μg/L for F1 antigen.Conclusions DMcAbS-ELISA assay is a sensitive,specific,simple and fast method for detection of the F1 antigen,and it has a potential application value in rapid diagnosis of plague.

Objective To study the doses and methods of F1 antigen(F1Ag) to immune Balb/c mice during the establishment of hybridoma cell strains. Secreting McAbs against F1Ag of Yersinia pestis. Methods Balb/c mice of seven to nine weeks old were randomly divided into six groups. The first four groups were 150, 100, 50 and 25 μg F1Ag inoculated group, having multipoint hypodermic inoculation of F1Ag of 150, 100, 50 and 25 μg followed by multipoint hypodermic inoculation of F1Ag of 100 μg for a second time and then intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg. Next, hypodermically inoculated group received F1Ag of 100 μg for three times in multiple points. Finally, the intraperitoneal injection group was intraperitoneally inoculated with F1Ag of 100 μg for three times. Emulsification liquid of F1Ag + Complete Frednd's adjuvant(CFA) of equivalence was used in the first inoculation, emulsification liquid of F1Ag + Incomplete Frednd's adjuvant(IFA) balanced mix in the second, F1Ag liquid in the third. One week afterwards, tail blood of the mice was collected to test antibody titers of anti-F1Ag by double antigens sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAgS-ELISA) and trace indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA). Results The levels of antibody of anti-F1Ag in 150,100,50 and 25 μg groups had statistics difference (DAgS-ELISA method: G = 12 173.87,13 440.37,15 024.19 and 4466.72, F= 3.11, P< 0.05;IHA: G = 19 972.32,18 089.40,23 170.47 and 4871.08, F = 4.11, P < 0.05). Immune effect of the 3 groups of 150, 100 and 50 μg was almost the same (P> 0.05), and excelled as compared with that in 25 μg group with statistics difference(DAgS-ELISA method: t = 2.18,2.39,2.73, P < 0.05;IHA: t = 2.54,2.73,3.13, P< 0.05). The titer of F1 antibody had an increasing trend from the 100 μg group to hypodermic group and intraperitoneal injection groups, but without statistics difference (DAgS-ELISA method: G = 8933.44, 9986.16, 13 440.37;IHA: G = 13 777.25,16 384.00, 18 089.40, F = 0.66,0.25, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Hyodermical inoculation of F1Ag with the first dose of 50 μg in multiple points for mouse is appropriate, and a strengthening dose of 100 μg in an intraperitoneal injection may shorten the immune period.

BACKGROUND:With the deepening of bone tissue engineering research and bone metabolism understanding, it is a hotspot to analyze the blood supply and nutritional status of tissue-engineered bone.
OBJECTIVE:To compare different methods for evaluating smal vascular network distribution around the knee joint in rats in order to provide a guideline for the study of microvascular network in tissue-engineered bone.
METHODS:Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, with six rats in each group. Three commonly methods were used to evaluate the smal vascular network around the knee joint in rats:immunohistochemistry analysis, angiography analysis, and CT scans and reconstruction analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The microstructure of vascular network could be observed by immunohistochemistry, but the spatial distribution of vessels could not be evaluated. The spatial distribution of vessels could be showed by angiography and CT scans. However, some of micro vessels were showed unclearly by CT scans. The number of blood vessels detected by immunohistochemistry was (26.50±3.02) vessels, significantly higher than those detected by angiography and CT scans that were (14.12±1.47) and (9.00±1.79) vessels, respectively. Combination of immunohistochemistry and angiography can evaluate the microvascular network at microscopic and macroscopic levels, which can provide the whole information of the vascular network.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of integrative medicine (IM) rehabilitation protocolon motor function, activity of daily living, and quality of life (QOL) in hemiplegia patients after stroke.

METHODSTotally 120 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were allocated to four groups using sealed envalope drawing, i.e., the rehabilitation group, the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the comprehensive rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each group. Based on routine rehabilitative training, patients in the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the compre-hensive rehabilitation group received standardized treatment based on syndrome typing, Shi's Consciousness-Restoring Resuscitation acupuncture, Chinese herbs + acupuncture comprehensive rehabilitatino protocol, respectively. The treatmet cycle consisted of 4 weeks with 24-week follow-ups. Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale(SS-QQL), and safety assessment were taken as main effect indices before treatment, at week 4 of treatment, at week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in FMA score, MBI score, SS-QOL score among the four groups before treatment (P > 0.05). These scores were significantly improved in the four groups at week 4 of treatment, week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, FMA score and SS-QOL score were significantly improved in the comprehensive rehabilitation group at each corresponding time point, as compared with other treatment groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe comprehensive protocol could significantly improve motor function, activity of daily living in hemiplegia patients after stroke, and further improve their QOL. Its effect was better than other single treatment.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Hemiplegia ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Motor Skills ; Quality of Life ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the role of the Chinese herbal medicine Xianhuayin on the reversal of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced premalignant mucosal lesions in the oral buccal pouch of golden hamsters.

METHODOLOGYThe animals were randomly divided into a non-diseased control group (n=5) and an experimental group including 50 animals in which the buccal mucosa had been painted with DMBA (0.5% in acetone) to generate an oral mucosa premalignant lesion. Animals in the experimental group were further divided into Xianhuayin-treated group (n=30), untreated premalignant lesion group (n=10) and normal saline (NS)-treated group (n=10). The cheek (buccal) pouch mucosa of the golden hamsters in each group was observed with light and electron microscopy eight weeks after intragastric administration with NS or Xianhuayin.

RESULTSIn the non-diseased control group, the buccal mucosa was keratinized and stratified squamous epithelium under a light microscope. In the untreated premalignant lesion group, variable degrees of epithelial dysplasia was observed. The irregular epithelial mucosa gradually became distinct in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that surface of the cells exhibited honeycomb structures in the hamster of untreated-group. The cells were morphologically irregular, overlapped and loosened in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Most of the cell surface exhibited honeycomb structure in the Xianhuayin-treated group. Transmission electronic microscopic (TEM) analysis showed that buccal mucosal epithelial cells were morphologically regular in the non-diseased control group. Desmosomes and tonofibrils were reduced and the nucleus was morphologically irregular in the untreated premalignant lesion group. In the Xianhuayin-treated group, the widening intercellular gap was gradually reduced, desmosomes and the cells becoming morphologically regular. No significant difference was observed between the hamsters in NS-treated group and those in the untreated premalignant lesion group. Significant therapeutic efficacy was observed in the group receiving Xianhuayin.

CONCLUSIONXianhuayin is effective in the reversal of DMBA-induced premalignant lesions in the buccal pouch of golden hamsters.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; adverse effects ; Amomum ; Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Carcinogens ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; Cricetinae ; Desmosomes ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; Glycyrrhiza ; Hyperplasia ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Intermediate Filaments ; drug effects ; Keratins ; Mesocricetus ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mouth Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Mouth Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Philodendron ; Poria ; Precancerous Conditions ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Sodium Chloride

Aim To investigate the effect of baicalein on insulin secretion from rat islets and the underlying mechanism. Methods Pancreatic islets were obtained from the pancreas of male Wistar rats by collagenase P digestion and histopaque-1077 density gradient separa-tion. Single islet cells were dispersed from pancreatic islets by Dispase II digestion. Insulin secretion experi-ment was applied to observe insulin release after baica-lein stimulation. To study the potential mechanism, calcium imaging technique and patch-clamp experiment were applied to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentra-tion and voltage-dependent potassium channel currents (Kv). Results In 16. 7mmol·L-1 glucose, baica-lein accelerated insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Baicalein promoted the intracellular Ca2+ con-centration. The patch-clamp experiment showed that baicalein inhibited Kv current in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Baicalein can increase the in-tracellular Ca2+ concentration by inhibiting Kv chan-nels and eventually promoting insulin secretion.

Objective To study the sensitivity and specificity of gold-immunochromatography assay (GICA) for detection of Yersiniapestis(Y. pestis ) F1 antigen. Methods Viscera organ(liver and spleen) specimens of 308 mice with virulent Y. pestis infection and 225 control specimens of rats(217 Spermophilus dauricus, 5 mice,3 guinea pigs) were detected by GICA dipstick with monoclonal antibody against plague F1 antigen (F1MAb).Meanwhile, micro-method of reverse indirect hemagglutination assay(RIHA) and bacteria culture were carried out for parallel testing. Results Bacteriological examination of 225 control specimens, and F1 antigen detected with GICA and RIHA were all negative. No cross-reaction with related Yersinia pseudotuberculosis at 1 x 108 cfu/ml level was found in GICA and RIHA. Detection sensitivity of Y. pestis by GICA and RIHA were 2.5 × 105 cfu/ml and 2.0 × 105 cfu/ml, respectively, and of F1 antigen were 1μg/L and 10 μg/L, respectively. Coincidence was 97.94% (522/533) between GICA and bacteriological test, Kappa = 0.959, and the difference was statistically insignificant(x2 = 0.36, P ＞ 0.05); and 97.94%(522/533) between GICA and RIHA, Kappa = 0.959, with statistically significant difference in the positive detection rates(x2 = 9.09, P ＜ 0.05). Out of the 308 infected mice, 284 were positive of plague bacterial cultured, In 284 samples with positive bacterial culture, there were 280 of positive detected by GICA for F1 antigen, positive rate of F1 antigen was 98.59%, higher than that by RIHA[the positive rate of 96.13%(522/533)], with statistically significant difference(x2 = 5.14, P ＜ 0.05). Sensitivity of GICA was 98.59% (280/284), specificity was 97.19% (242/249), positive predictive value (PPV) was 97.56% (280/287),negative predictive value ( NPV ) was 98.37% (242/246), and Youden index was 0.9578. Conclusions GICA is sensitive and specific, fast and simple in detection of F1 antigen of the plague. It's a valuable detection technique for early and rapid diagnosis of plague.