Objective To study the level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and platelet-activating factor acetyl-hydrolase(PAF-AH) and high sensitive C reactive protein(hsCRP) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Acute Coronary Syndrome(ACS) patients and the effect of atorvastatin on them and the clinical significance. Methods To measure and compare the content of COX-2,PAF-AH and hsCRP in normal control group and ACS group(before and after treatment). Result The content of COX-2,PAF-AH and hsCRP are significantly different between normal con-trol group and ACS group (before treatment) (P < 0.05), and between ACS group (before treatment) and ACS group (after treatment) too(P < 0.05). Conclusions The inflammatory cytokines COX-2,PAF-AH and haCRP have sig-nificant correlation with the occurance of ACS. Atorvastatin can decrease COX-2 and hsCRP level, and can increase PAF-AH level. So atorvastatin takes an important role in lessening inflamatory reaction level in ACS patients.

Objective To study the multi-slice helical CT (MSCT) features of horseshoe lung and to improve its diagnostic ability. Methods The clinical and imaging data were retrospectively reviewed in 5 patients. All of them underwent plain MSCT scan, and 4 patients also had enhanced MSCT scan and threedimensional reconstruction. Results In horseshoe lung, the basal segments of the right and left lungs were fused together by a isthmus of pulmonary parenchyma, across the midline behind the pericardium and before the esophagus, descending aorta and spine. All patients were companied with bronchopulmonary dysplasia,anomalous origin of the central bronchi, anomalous arterial supply. Anomalous pulmonary venous return to inferior vena cava and congenital cardiovascular malformations were also found in 4 cases. Conclusion MSCT and three-dimensional reconstruction are valuable for identification of horseshoe lung.

Objective To investigate the expressions and clinical significanees of suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) and SOCS-3 in myocardium of patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD). Method This study included myocardial autopsy specimens of 24 patients admitted between 2005 and 2006. Of them, 9 cases had the findings of autopsy examination consistent with coronary atberosclerosis (non-myocardial infarction) leading to SCD (non-MI group), 7 patients died of acute myocardial infarction (MI group) and 8 patients died of traffic accidents and trauma The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the myocardium of non-MI and con-trol group were detected by using RT-PCR. The levels of SOCS-1 protein and SOCS-3 protein were detected by us-ing immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS version 13.0 software and the data were processed with ANOVA test. Results The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in non-MI and MI groups were were significantly higher than those in control group (0. 788±0. 101) and (0. 741±0.111) vs.(0.436±0.044) (P <0.01); (0.841±0.092) and (0.776±0.070) vs.(0.454±0.076), P <0.01, re-spectively). The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-1 protein in myocardium of non-MI group and MI group were significantly higher than those in myoeardium of control group (320.00±48.48) and (347.14±70.88) vs.(42.50±10.35) (P < 0.01), respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-3 protein in myoeardium of non-MI group and MI group were significantly higher than those in myocardium of control group (381.11±59.25) vs.(40.00±10.69), (P < 0.01)and (332.86±111.91) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P =0.001). Conclusions The expressions of SOCS rnRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in myoeardium of patients with SCD from coronary diseases are significantly increased contributing to the pathogenesis of SCD.

Objective To investigate the value of serum cholinesterase (S-ChE) levels in judgment of severity and prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia. Methods The clinical data of patients with severe pneumonia, who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, or the Department of Neurology in the Third People's Hospital of Foshan from May 2011 to May 2015, whose hospital time was longer than 24 hours, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into survival group and death group according to the final outcome. Lab data, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) score, the improved pneumonia score of British Thoracic Society (confusion, uremia, respiratory, blood pressure, age 65 years, CURB-65), and S-ChE levels of all patients were collected after they were hospitalized into the intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours. Independent risk factors for prognosis were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted. Best truncation point analysis was used to compare their estimated value for prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia. Results Eighty-six patients with severe pneumonia were studied. Among them 46 patients survived, and 40 patients died. By the single factor analysis, the following lab data in the death group were found significantly lower than those in the survival group: S-ChE levels (kU/L: 2.748±0.826 vs. 4.489±1.360, t' = 7.274, P = 0.000), arterial partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 52.55±18.29 vs. 60.83±16.65, t = 2.196, P = 0.031], oxygenation index (mmHg: 114.20±48.01 vs. 167.10±69.68, t' = 4.229, P = 0.000), and carbon dioxide combining power [CO2-CP (mmol/L): 22.85±5.44 vs. 26.00±7.63, t' = 2.225, P = 0.029]. The following clinical data were significantly higher in the death group than those in the survival group, namely body temperature (℃: 38.67±1.18 vs. 37.74±1.18, t = -3.627, P = 0.000), pulse (bpm: 130.65±15.72 vs. 107.26±19.61, t' = -6.133, P = 0.000), the ratio of concomitant chronic lung disease [45.0% (18/40) vs. 13.0% (6/46), χ2 = 10.860, P = 0.001], fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2: 0.495 (0.410, 0.600) vs. 0.380 (0.290, 0.500), Z = -3.265, P = 0.001], APACHE Ⅱ score (25.80±5.07 vs. 16.39±5.12, t =-8.540, P = 0.000), CURB-65 score [3 (3, 4) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z = -5.562, P = 0.000], MODS score (8.15±2.49 vs. 4.35±2.01, t = -7.832, P = 0.000), international normalized ratio [INR: 1.22 (1.08, 1.31) vs. 1.07 (1.00, 1.10), Z = -4.231, P = 0.000], and activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT (s): 33.80 (32.13, 38.75) vs. 28.50 (25.70, 36.00), Z = -3.482, P = 0.000]. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that, S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were found to be the independent risk factors for prognosis in the patients with severe pneumonia, respectively [S-ChE: odds ratio (OR) = 0.084, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.017-0.424, P = 0.003; APACHE Ⅱ score: OR = 1.675, 95%CI = 1.098-2.556, P = 0.017; MODS score: OR = 2.189, 95%CI = 1.262-3.800, P = 0.005]. The area under ROC (AUC) for S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were 0.874±0.036, 0.889±0.033 and 0.884±0.035, respectively (all P > 0.05 as compared between any two means). At the best truncation points of S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score and MODS score were 3.372 kU/L, 19.5 score, and 6.5 score respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in predicting death risk in patients with severe pneumonia were (80.0%, 78.0%, 76.19% and 81.82%), (95.0%, 70.0%, 73.08% and 94.12%) and (70.0%, 91.0%, 87.50%, 77.78%), respectively. If S-ChE levels was combined with APACHE Ⅱ score or combined with MODS score, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value [S-ChE levels combined APACHE Ⅱ score: 100%, 92.0%, 93.75% and 100%; S-ChE levels combined MODS score: all 100%] were higher than single power of S-ChE levels, APACHE Ⅱ score or MODS score. Conclusions S-ChE levels can be considered as an effective and practical index to estimate the severity and prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia. The combined application of S-ChE levels and APACHE Ⅱ score or MODS score can obviously improve the prognostic power in patients with severe pneumonia.

Objective To observe the mRNA and protein expression of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS) and explore its clinical significance.Methods Peripheral blood of 20 patients with SIRS and 16 healthy people wag collected and the PBMCs were isolated by centrifugafion and Ficoll-Hypaque sedimentation.The mRNA of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).And the protein content of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 was determined by Western Blotting.Results The SOCS-1 mRNA expression in the PBMCs of SIRS group (0.642±0.112) was significant higher than that of control group(0.458±0.044)(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the PBMCs,SOCS-1 content of control group(0.488±0.019) and SIRS group (0.471±0.041).The SOCS-3 mRNA expression in the PBMCs of SIRS group(0.989±0.324) was higher than that control group(0.459±0.046)(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the PBMCs'SOCS-3 content of control group(0.400±0.025) and SIRS group(0.426±0.015).Conclusions The mRNA expression of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the PBMCs were higher in SIRS patients.The SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 may participate in the development of SIRS.

Objective To study the clinical characteristic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients younger than 15 years old and to explore the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on them. Methods The clinical information, including demographic profile, clinical stages of the disease, laboratory test results and developmental status were gathered from 275 antiretroviral therapy naive patients. Results Seventy eight point nine percent patients were infected by vertical transmission. Sixteen percent were infected by receiving blood products. The average age was (7.6±3. 7) years, with 5 cases younger than 1 year old, 104 cases ranging from 1 - 5 years and 166 cases elder than 6 years. Seventy point one percent patients were classified as stage 3 or 4 according to World Health Organization definitions. The average CD4 count was ( 137 ± 159 )/μL, ( 304 ± 317 ) /μL and ( 1 246 ± 776 )/μL respectively in children elder than 6 years, ranging from 1 to 5 years and younger than 1 year. One hundred and eighty one cases suffered from anemia on different severity grading. The most common HIV related symdromes included persistent fever, skin damage, persistent diarrhea, oral candidiasis and recurrent upper respiratory tract infection. Among these infected children, 49. 6% showed height lower than x - 2s and 19. 9% showed weight lower than x - 2s. Conclusions Most survival pediatric AIDS patients are elder than 6 years. HIV infection can significantly affect the children's immune system function,growth and development.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of MRI in the diagnosis of oblique vaginal septum syndrome(OVSS),and to improve the diagnostic level for this disease.Methods Clinical and imaging data of 8 patients (7 adolescent females and 1 female in fertility period)with vaginal septum syndrome were analyzed retrospectively.All participants were evaluated by ultrasound examination before MRI scanning,and 1 of them underwent enhanced MRI scan.Results Among the 8 patients with OVSS,the main findings of MRI includes uterine deformity (4 double uterus,3 mediastinal uterus,1 double angle uterus with uterine septum),oblique vaginal septum (7 right oblique septum and 1 left oblique septum).All subjects presented with ipsilateral renal agenesis,and 4 patients with endometriosis,1 patient with ureteral distortion and ectopic opening and 1 patient with double inferior vena cava.6 patients suffered with hemorrhage in the posterior chamber of oblique septum and 2 patients with empyema.Hemorrhage in the contralateral vagina were observed in 3 cases,while no significant abnormality was found in other 5 cases.Conclusion MRI scan has an important clinical value on the diagnosis of OVSS and can provide crucial information for the optimal individual treatment.

Objective To assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging compilation(MAGiC)sequence in predicting lympho-vascular space invasion(LVSI)in early cervical cancer.Methods The data of 48 patients with cervical cancer confirmed by pathology were collected retrospectively,and classified into LVSI-positive group(n=29)and LVSI-negative group(n=19)according to postop-erative pathological results.MAGiC sequence images of patients were obtained before injecting contrast agents,then the region of interest(ROI)was delineated along the largest dimension edge of the lesion,and T1,T2 and proton density(PD)values were automatically generated by the software.Predictors were screened by univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to assess their diagnostic efficacy for predicting LVSI in cervical cancer.Results Significant differences were found in T1 and PD values between LVSI-positive and LVSI-negative groups(P=0.003,P=0.017).There were no significant differences in T2 values between the two groups(P=0.414).The area under the curve(AUC)for T1 and PD values to predict LVSI status were 0.73 and 0.721,respectively.Conclusion LVSI-positive group of cervical cancer has lower T1 and PD values than LVSI-negative group based on MAGiC sequence.The MAGiC sequence has a certain application value for predicting LVSI status in early cervical cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） and its effect on the signal transducer and activator of tranSCription 3/mammalian target of rapamycin （STAT3/mTOR） signaling pathway， and to decipher the possible mechanism. MethodSixty female SLE patients who met the criteria in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomized into a control group and an observation group （30 cases in each group）. The control group was treated with prednisone acetate + hydroxychloroquine sulfate orally， and the observation group was additionally treated with Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The SLE disease activity （SLEDAI）， TCM syndrome score， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， immune indexes ［immunoglobulin G （IgG）， C3， C4， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺］， interleukin （IL）-17， IL-23， interferon （IFN）-γ， 24 h urinary protein （24 h PRO）， serum creatinine （SCr）， and expression of proteins ［STAT3， phosphorylated （p）-STAT3， mTOR protein and STAT3，mTOR mRNA］ in the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway were determined before and after treatment. In addition， the adverse reactions were recorded. ResultAfter 8 weeks of treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （70.00%， 21/30） in the control group （χ²=4.007， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed declined SLEDAI， TCM syndrome score， ESR， hs-CRP， IgG， CD8⁺， IL-17， IL-23， IFN-γ， 24 h PRO， SCr， and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway （P<0.01） and elevated levels of C3， C4， and CD4⁺ （P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group had lower SLEDAI， TCM syndrome score， ESR， hs-CRP， IgG， CD8⁺， IL-17， IL-23， IFN-γ， 24 h PRO， SCr， and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway （P<0.05， P<0.01） and higher levels of C3， C4， and CD4⁺ （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the control group after treatment. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment period. ConclusionQihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules can ameliorate the inflammatory response， reduce the disease activity， and mitigate the kidney injury in SLE by inhibiting the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway to regulate the immune function.