Objective:To explore the effect of group psychotherapy on damage of theory of mind (TOM) in patients with early-onset schizophrenia.Methods:Totally 60 patients with early-onset schizophrenia were included and divided into the intervention group (n ＝ 30) and the health education group (n ＝ 30).The patients in the intervention group were offered 10 twice a week 2-hour sessions of group psychotherapy,and those in the control were offered group health education twice a week.All participants completed baseline measures and post-intervention measures with the Eye Emotion Recognition and Theory of mind Picture-sequencing Task (TOM-PST).Results:Totally 23 patients in the intervention group and 29 patients in the health education group finished the post-intervention measures.After 5-week intervention,subscores of sad and fear and total score of emotion recognition,total score of TOM-PST,understanding first order error belief,second order error belief,third order error belief,sense of reality,detecting fraud compared to baseline had statistically significant difference in intervention group.In health education group,subscores of joy emotion recognition,understanding first order error belief,third order error belief,total score of TOM-PST compared to baseline had statstically significant difference.The patients with group psychotherapy got higher scores of total score of TOM-PST and understanding second order error belief and third order error belief than the health education group after 5-week intervention (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion:This study suggests the group psychotherapy could partially improve theory of mind with early-onset schizophrenia,and promote the recovery of social cognition.

Objective To investigate the value of platelet, serum sodium and serum creatinine levels in the prognosis of patients with liver failure. Methods The clinical data of 155 patients with liver failure were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into improvement survival group (87 cases) and deterioration died group (68 cases) according to the prognosis. The hospitalization time of every patient was divided into 4 roughly equal time period, and observed at 5 points of time:T1-T5. The levels and abnormal rates of platelet, serum sodium and serum creatinine were compared. Results The T3 - T5 serum creatinine levels in deterioration died group were significantly higher than those in improvement survival group: (102.14 ± 75.67) μmol/L vs. (78.21 ± 26.68) μmol/L, (116.45 ± 110.64)μmol/L vs. (78.77 ± 29.25) μmol/L, (161.43 ± 153.23) μmol/L vs. (76.40 ± 27.26) μmol/L, and the T1 - T5 serum sodium and platelet levels were significantly lower than those in improvement survival group:(135.05 ± 6.24) mmol/L vs. (137.52 ± 5.26) mmol/L, (137.01 ± 4.99) mmol/L vs. (139.00 ± 3.89) mmol/L, (134.80 ± 16.74) mmol/L vs. (139.15 ± 3.77) mmol/L, (134.40 ± 11.69) mmol/L vs. (138.30 ± 8.75) mmol/L, (133.30 ± 8.93) mmol/L vs. (139.01 ± 9.10) mmol/L, and (122.46 ± 72.59) × 109/L vs. (149.70 ± 71.70) ×109/L, (110.18 ± 65.10) × 109/L vs. (152.09 ± 82.79) ×109/L, (107.32 ± 70.49) ×109/L vs. (169.32 ± 100.65) ×109/L, (97.06 ± 58.15) ×109/L vs. (183.57 ± 112.68) ×109/L, (94.66 ± 57.00) × 109/L vs. (191.36 ± 118.64) ×109/L, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The abnormal rates of T3-T5 serum creatinine, T2 - T5 serum sodium and T1 - T5 platelet in deterioration died group were significantly higher than those in improvement survival group, the serum creatinine: 22.06%(15/68) vs. 6.90% (6/87), 27.49% (19/68) vs. 8.05% (7/87) and 42.65% (29/68) vs. 10.34% (9/87), the serum sodium: 32.35% (22/68) vs. 13.79% (12/87), 39.71% (27/68) vs. 14.94% (13/87), 48.53% (33/68) vs. 12.64%(11/87) and 60.29%(41/68) vs. 11.49%(10/87), the platelet:45.59%(31/68) vs. 21.84%(19/87), 55.88% (38/68) vs. 24.14% (21/87), 54.41% (37/68) vs. 25.29% (22/87), 55.88% (38/68) vs. 21.84%(19/87) and 61.76% (42/68) vs. 20.69% (18/87), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Abnormal rate of platelet was highest in each time point. Conclusions In the course of pathological changes in deterioration and dead patients, the platelet is the first and most easily affected compare with serum sodium and serum creatinine; the platelet may be a sensitive marker for predicting clinical outcome in patients with liver failure.

OBJECTIVESTo isolate the cardiogenic fraction, which can enhance cardiogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from Geum japonicum. The therapeutic effect of the isolated cardiogenic fraction was further tested in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model.

METHODBioassay guided fractionation method was used for the isolation of the cardiogenic fraction, named as heart repair fraction (HRF). MI was induced by a permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats exhibiting similarly decreased values of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and fraction shortening (LVFS) were used. The rats in test group (n = 10) were subject to HRF treatment (20 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) through gastric gavage daily for 4 weeks. Water alone (2 ml/d) was given through gastric gavage to rats in the control group (n = 10). The cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at different time points. Masson trichrome staining was used for evaluation of the infarct size. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies were performed to investigate the HRF mediated myocardial regeneration.

RESULTSLVEF (66.2% ± 6.9%) and LVFS (46.8% ± 5.8%) were significantly increased two weeks post HRF treatment compared with the values (LVEF: 55.7% ± 6.0% and LVFS: 36.4% ± 5.2%) in control rats (all P < 0.01). The improved heart function was further restored 4 weeks post HRF treatment (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the treatment of acute MI with this HRF significantly reduced the infarct size (19.0% ± 6.1%) compared with that (31.1% ± 8.6%) in control rats (P < 0.01). Substantial regeneration of cardiomyocytes in infarcted region of the HRF treated heart was also observed that replaced a considerable part of the infarcted heart tissues resulting in remarkable reduction of the infarct size.

CONCLUSIONThe properties of this HRF isolated from Geum japonicum in stimulating substantial regeneration of myocardium in infarct region with consequently improved cardiac function appear to be new and represent a new approach for the treatment of MI.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Geum ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate if the Ribbond polyethylene fiber has the effect of reinforcing polymethyl methacylate.

METHODS28 specimens were fabricated and divided into 3 groups: group of chemical-cured PMMA, group of chemical-cured PMMA reinforced by stainless steel wire and group of chemical-cured PMMA reinforced by Ribbond polyethylene fiber. A three-point bending test was used to measure the flexural strength and flexural modulus of specimens. Then the data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe flexural strength of chemical-cured PMMA group was (51.383 +/- 2.761) MPa, the flexural modulus was (1791.2 +/- 113.760) MPa; The flexural strength of stainless steel wire reinforced group was (58.725 +/- 1.218) MPa, the flexural modulus was (2092.76 +/- 120.28) MPa; The flexural strength of Ribbond polyethylene fiber reinforced group was (80.975 +/- 2.58) MPa, the flexural modulus was (2866.53 +/- 107.51) MPa. The one-way analysis of variance showed that the results were significant (P < 0.001). Newman-Keuls method showed that the differences among all groups were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Ribbond polyethylene fiber can raise the flexural strength and flexural modulu of polymethyl methacylate.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Materials Testing ; Polyethylene ; chemistry ; Polyethylenes ; chemistry ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tensile Strength

Objective: To study the distribution of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites in patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate its efficacy in treatment of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP). Methods:（1）Concentration of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites was detected with HPLC in 7 patients with cirrhosis at different time (in the serum: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 12 h;in the ascites:2, 4, 6 and 12 h). （2）The effects of levofloxacin were observed in treatment of 30 patients with SBP. Results:（1） Levofloxacin was determined in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhosis, whose concentration depended on the duration after oral administration. In serum: tmax was 1.5 h and cmax was (3.913±1.388) μg/ml. In ascites: tmax was 6.0 h and cmax was (2.520±1.213) μg/ml. The levels decreased gradually after reaching peak concentration, then stabilized from 12 h.（2）The symptoms and signs were significantly improved in patients with SBP treated with the levofloxacin. Conclusion: After the oral administration, levofloxacin can both distribute in serum and ascites, and it is efficient in the treatment of the patients with SBP.

Objective: To study the distribution of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites in patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate its efficacy in treatment of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP). Methods:（1）Concentration of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites was detected with HPLC in 7 patients with cirrhosis at different time (in the serum: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 12 h;in the ascites:2, 4, 6 and 12 h). （2）The effects of levofloxacin were observed in treatment of 30 patients with SBP. Results:（1） Levofloxacin was determined in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhosis, whose concentration depended on the duration after oral administration. In serum: tmax was 1.5 h and cmax was (3.913±1.388) μg/ml. In ascites: tmax was 6.0 h and cmax was (2.520±1.213) μg/ml. The levels decreased gradually after reaching peak concentration, then stabilized from 12 h.（2）The symptoms and signs were significantly improved in patients with SBP treated with the levofloxacin. Conclusion: After the oral administration, levofloxacin can both distribute in serum and ascites, and it is efficient in the treatment of the patients with SBP.

AIMTo study the expressions of scavenger receptor class B type I(SR-BI) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in atherosclerotic mini swine and provide a new mechanism for investigating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

METHODSChinese mini swine were fed by a normal control diet or a high fat/high cholesterol diet for 12 months after common carotid artery injury induced by balloon denudation. Plasma total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined by commercially enzymatic methods every two months. The sections, which were taken from liver and abdominal aorta, were stained with hematoxylin eosin. The expressions of SR-BI and PPARgamma mRNA and protein in liver and aorta tissue were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively.

RESULTSAt the end of 12 months, plasma TC, HDL-C and TG in HFHC mini swine were increased. There were fatty liver and atherosclerotic plaque in mini swine live and aorta respectively. The expression of SR-BI was upregulated in HFHC mini swine liver and aorta tissue.

CONCLUSIONHFHC may induce atherosclerosis and the expression of SR-BI and PPARgamma. Upregulating SR-BI expression may inhibit atherosclerosis. Increasing SR-BI expression in liver and aorta may accelerate SR-BI-mediated reverse cholesterol transport and develop a new anti-atherogenic strategy.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Receptors, Scavenger ; metabolism ; Swine

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of combined determination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), including immunoglobulin (Ig) A against EBV capsid antigens (VCA), IgA against early antigens (EA), IgG against BRLF1 transcription activator (Rta) and IgA against EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1), assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on logistic regression.

METHODSSerum samples derived from 211 untreated patients with NPC and 203 non-NPC ENT patients were examined for the presence of VCA/IgA and EA/IgA by immunoenzymatic assay, Rta/IgG and EBNA1/IgA by enzyme-linked immnunosorbent assay (ELISA). The different Logistic regression models were established for various combined determinations of antibodies, respectively. Using the predicted probability as the analyzed variable, ROC curve was applied to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different combined determinations.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of VCA/IgA (98.1%) and the specificity of EA/IgA (98.5%) were the highest while detecting solely. The results which were analyzed by ROC curve based on Logistic regression showed that the sensitivity and specificity were improved. In two-marker combinations, VCA/IgA + Rta/IgG whose area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.991 had the highest diagnostic accuracy, and its sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 94.8%, 98.0% and 0.928 respectively. No significant difference of AUC were found comparing VCA/IgA + Rta/IgG with VCA/IgA + Rta/IgG + EBNA1/IgA and four-marker combination( P > 0.05), of which sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 94.8%, 98.5%, 0.933 and 96.7%, 97.0%, 0.937, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe approach of ROC curve based on Logistic regression can improve synthetic efficiency for combined determination of multiple markers. The combined determination of VCA/IgA and Rta/IgG with a complementary effect is optimal for NPC serodiagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; immunology ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; standards ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Viral Proteins ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to investigate the clinical value of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Rta/IgG in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSSerum samples derived from 211 untreated patients with NPC, 413 subjects including 203 non-NPC ENT patients and 210 healthy volunteers as control were examined for the presence of antibodies directed against Rta/IgG by using enzyme-linked immnunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to perform methodical evaluation of this tumor marker.

RESULTSThe rA value median of Rta/IgG in NPC group was significantly higher than one in control group (P < 0.001). The area under ROC was 0.933. The sensitivity and specificity of this marker were 90.5% and 90.1%, respectively, when the best cutoff value was defined.

CONCLUSIONRta/IgG detected with ELISA method is a new target of EBV, and may be one of important marker for NPC diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Carcinoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; methods ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; blood ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Trans-Activators ; blood ; immunology ; Young Adult