Objective To explore the optimal methods to detect helicobacter pylori(Hp)antigen in children.Methods 13C labeled urea breath test(13C-UBT)was performed on 937 children of alimentary department from Sep.2000 to Feb.2006.Gastric mucosa biopsy of 96 children was detected.Hp stool antigen(HpSA)status of the 557 children were evaluated.Both 13C-UBT and HpSA were assayed in 105 children from Apr.2003 to Apr.2004.Method of 13C-UBT was taken as the golden standard on diagnosis of Hp infection.Results Forty-one point seven percent children was positive for 13C-UBT.Forty point six percent children was positive for gastric mucosa biopsy.Thirty-eight point two percent was positive for HpSA.The difference was not significant.2.Among the 105 children performed by both 13C-UBT and HpSA,41.9% was positive for 13C-UBT and 39.0% for HpSA.Taking 13C-UBT as the golden standard,sensitivity of HpSA to diagnose Hp infection was 91.8%,and its specificity was 81.8%.Consistency Kappa coefficient was 0.743(P=0),which denoted that there was no significant difference on the positive detection rate between 13C-UBT and HpSA(P=0.388).Conclusions 13C-UBT and HpSA as non-invasive technique is effective to detect the Hp antigen.Compared to 13C-UBT,as a convenient,noninvasive,economical method,HpSA detection is much more acceptable to children and their patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on cell viability, telomerase and PKB activities in human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 and to explore its molecular mechanism of selective growth inhibition.

METHODSMTT assay was used to determine cell viability after incubation for 0, 12, 24, and 48 h in different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 micro mol/L) of nimesulide and/or okadaic acid (300 nmol/L). Telomerase and protein kinase B (PKB) activities were detected using TRAP PCR-ELISA and nonradioactive IP-kinase assay.

RESULTSNimsulide caused a time and dose-dependent reduction of cell numbers of SGC7901. The telomerase and PKB activities were significantly inhibited, and the inhibition of telomerase activity was partly associated with decrease in PKB activity.

CONCLUSIONSelective COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide inhibits telomerase activity of gastric cancer cells by partly blocking the activation of protein kinase B. The results suggest an additional signaling pathway underlying the anti-cancer effect of COX-2 inhibitor.

Adenocarcinoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Stomach Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Animals ; Glutathione ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of host-derived p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase subunit 38 (p38MAPK) and the hepatitis B virus X antigen (HbxAg) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to study the mechanism underlying hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODSLiver tissues were biopsied from healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis, paratumor cirrhosis, and HCC. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expressions of HBxAg, p38MAPK, cell cycle G2/M phase-related factors (cdc25B, p34cdc2, cyclin B1), and cell proliferation factor ki-67.The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method (known as TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTSThe highest rates of HBxAg were detected in CHB (65.0%) and HCC (44.4%) liver samples, and the antigen was mainly expressed in nuclei. Increasingly higher rates of p38MAPK, cdc25B, cyclin B1, and p34cdc2 expression were detected with increases in disease severity: normal liver (40.0%, 20.0%, 20.0%, and 30.0%, respectively), chronic hepatitis B (60.0%, 65.0%, 40.0%, and 50.0%, respectively), liver cirrhosis (65.0%, 75.0%, 70.0%, and 55.0%, respectively), paratumor cirrhosis (66.7%, 75.0%, 75.0%, and 63.9%, respectively), and HCC (77.8%, 80.6%, 80.6%, and 72.2%, respectively). In addition, the intracellular location of p38MAPK expression was different under different disease conditions, showing nuclear expression in CHB and liver cirrhosis samples and cytoplasmic expression in paratumor cirrhosis and HCC samples (x2 = 1.11, P more than 0.05). The proliferation index (PI) and the apoptosis index (AI) were both increased along with disease severity (normal more than CHB more than paratumor cirrhosis more than HCC) (PI: 0.0000+/-0.000, 0.0502+/-0.011, 0.0411+/-0.009, 0.0762+/-0.017; AI: 0.0351+/-0.024, 0.0607+/-0.022, 0.0562+/-0.013, 0.0716+/-0.011), with the notable exception for liver cirrhosis (PI: 0.1810+/-0.036 and AI: 0.1200+/-0.018). PI in poorly-differentiated HCC (0.2285+/-0.062) was significantly higher than in well-differentiated HCC (0.1216+/-0.032, t = 2.082, P = 0.044). AI in well-differentiated HCC (0.152+/-0.026) was significantly higher than in poorly-differentiated HCC (0.081+/-0.022, t = 2.129, P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONSIn the process of hepatocarcinogenesis, HBxAg may cause a series of abnormal changes in cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis by affecting the expression of p38MAPK.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

To look for the toxicity fraction of Euphorbia pekinensis and discuss the vinegar processing mechanism. The level of intestinal edema, water content of intestine and stool, IC50 values of IEC-6 were applied to evaluate the toxicity of different fractions. RT-PCR was employed for detecting AQP1, AQP3 mRNA expression. The petroleum ether (PE) fraction and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction could significant cause intestinal edema in mice, increase the water content of duodenum, colon and stool, inhibited the mRNA expression of AQP1 and increased the mRNA level of AQP3 in colon, and the petroleum ether (PE) fraction was more poisonous. After the petroleum ether (PE) fraction was processed with vinegar, the level of intestinal edema, water content of duodenum, colon, stool and inhibition ratio of cells line were reduced. And we compared the composition change after vinegar processing, finding that the conpekinensis.
Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Structure

PURPOSE: It is controversial whether folate status is a risk factor for the development of asthma or other allergic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate whether indirect or direct exposure to folate and impaired folate metabolism, reflected as methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, would contribute to the development of asthma and other allergic diseases. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched to identify all studies assessing the association between folate status and asthma or other allergic diseases. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data. The relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated and pooled. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies (16 cohort, 7 case-control, and 3 cross-sectional studies) were identified. Maternal folic acid supplementation was not associated with the development of asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, and sensitization in the offspring, whereas exposure during early pregnancy was related to wheeze occurrence in the offspring (RR=1.06, 95% CI=[1.02-1.09]). The TT genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was at high risk of asthma (OR=1.41, 95% CI=[1.07-1.86]). CONCLUSIONS: It is indicated that maternal folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy may increase the risk of wheeze in early childhood and that the TT genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism impairing folic acid metabolism would be at high risk of asthma development. These results might provide additional information for recommendations regarding forced folate consumption or folic acid supplements during pregnancy based on its well-established benefits for the prevention of congenital malformations. However, currently available evidence is of low quality which is needed to further elucidate.
Asthma* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Folic Acid* ; Genotype ; Metabolism ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidoreductases ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors*

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the prognostic significance of Omi/HtrA2 expression, and the correlation between Omi/HtrA2 and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe expression of HIF-1α and Omi/HtrA2 in 43 cases of hepatic carcinoma tissues were detected immunohistochemically. Follow-up data were obtained to perform the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The change of Omi/HtrA2 expression in HepG2 cell was measured after HIF-1α expression of HepG2 in vitro was regulated by Tet-on expression system.

RESULTSOmi/HtrA2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and recurring within liver during 2 years. Statistical analysis estimation showed the cumulative survival rate of post-hepatectomy for the patients with the positive expression of Omi/HtrA2 was higher than that for other patients with the negative expression of Omi/HtrA2 (χ(2) = 6.13, P = 0.013). In the common paraffin-embedded specimen of hepatocellular carcinoma, most of the samples showing negative or weak positive HIF-1α immunopositivity showed moderate positive or strong positive Omi/HtrA2 immunopositivity, while most of the samples showing moderate positive or strong positive HIF-1α immunopositivity showed negative or weak positive Omi/HtrA2 immunopositivity. The mRNA expression intensity of Omi/HtrA2 was decreasing with the HIF-1α expression increasing, and the difference was statistically significant(F = 106.766, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOmi/HtrA2 may be an important prognostic marker for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Omi/HtrA2 expression is reversely correlated with HIF-1α expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. During the apoptotic process Omi/HtrA2 participating in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, HIF-1α is involved in the controlling and regulating of Omi/HtrA2 expression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hep G2 Cells ; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 2 ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Serine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the prognostic sequelae in neontes with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and ven-tricnlar dilatation.Methods Seventy-six full term newborns infants with HIE were followed up at the age from 3 to 19 months after therapy. Twenty-five infants among them were followed up by telephone in the epidemic period of SARS.Results Among 76 infants of 88 newborn infants with HIE(84.6%), 73 infants were normal (96.1% ). 1 infant had cerebral palsy (1.3%), 2 infants died (2.6 %).Among 39 cases with mild HIE, none of them had cerebral sequelae; among moderate HIE. 1 infant had cerebral palsy (2.9%) 1 infant died (2. 9 %), interlenkin-4 among severe HIE 50 % died (P00.5 The poor outcome of HIE in those infants were related to intrauterine growth retardation,severe birth asphyxia;and inadequate treatment.Cranial ultra-sonography of 49 infants were done on follow-up,and 12 of them (24.5 % ) had ventricular dilatations, which appeared after birth with 6 infants. Others occurred on follow-up with 1 infant had cerobral palsy,all ventricular dilatations recovered to normal at 12- 19 months except the cerebral palsy.Conclusions The poor outcome of HIE depends on the infants with intranterine growth relarda-tion,severe birth asphyxia and inadequate treatment.The prognosis of transient ventrealar ddatation are good except cerebral palsy.J Appl Clin pediatr,2004,19(12) : 1045- 1047

Objective To assess the efficacy of two antibiotic prophylactic regimens in a prospective randomized trial in 1 year for patients undergoing insertion of catheters,and to provide the evidence for uniform consensus existing on the timing,route,and choice of antibiotic.Methods During a period of 12 months,78 patients,who consecutively entered the peritoneal dialysis programme,[45 women and 33 men,mean age (48.2?15.7)years] were included.The prophylactic regimens were a single dose of ceftriaxone (1.0 g) given intravenously 30 minutes before surgery (Group A) and given cefazolin (0.25 g/L) i.p.in the each dialysis bag for 3 days postoperatively (Group B).All operations were performed in one room.The wound was observed every day,and body temperature,Count of white blood corpuscle and type,dialysate were examined every day. Results In Group A and B,none of the patients showed peritonitis or wound infection during the post-operative period (within 10 days).One of 39 patients(2.5%) in the group A,and 2 of 39 patients (5.1%) in the group B had exit site infection (P＞0.05).Conclusions There is no significant difference in the incidence of peritonitis and wound infection between two groups. Prophylactic preoperative single-dose antibiotics intravenously do as well as antibiotics given intraperitoneally for peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion,but is much more convenient.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of infecting pathogens,their changes and antimicrobial susceptibilities on CAPD related peritonitis in our peritoneal dialysis(PD) center in the past 15 years.Methods Two hundred and six CAPD related peritonitis episodes in 145 patients from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed and compared with 109 episodes from 1991 to 2000.The causative pathogens,their antimicrobial susceptibilities and outcomes on CAPD related peritonitis from the two periods were retrospectively reviewed and compared.Results Culture negative rate decreased from 60.6% in 1990 s to 47.6% in the last five years (P=0.031 ).Among culture positive peritonitis episodes,the incidence of gram positive bacteria (GPB) peritonitis increased from 25.6% to 39.8% (P=0.059).This was mainly due to a significant increase in coagulase-neagative staphylococcus peritonitis,which significantly increased from 4.7% to 26.9% (P=0.01).Gram negative bacteria (GNB) peritonitis decreased slightly (44.2% vs 34.3%,P=0.322).The incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae peritonitis significantly decreased (14.0% vs 3.7%,P=0.023),while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichis coli peritonitis rates slightly increased (4.7% vs 9.3%,P = 0.338;7% vs 18.7%,P=0.072).The decrease of fungal peritonitis rate was not significant (30.2% vs 17.6%,P= 0.123).The comparison of clinical outcomes showed an improvement of total recovery rate from 68.8% in 1990 s to 73.9% for 2000-2005 (P=0.09).The catheter removal rate decreased from 19.2% to 14.3% (P=0.238),and the mortality from 10.1% to 5.4% (P=0.118).In both periods,fungal peritonitis had the poorest results,which all the patients either withdrew from PD or died.Conclusions Compared with that in 1990 s,the culture positive rate for CAPD related peritonitis in 2000-2005 has been greatly improved.Coagulase-negative staphylococcus is the most common causative pathogen.The mortality and catheter removal rate have been markedly reduced in the last five years.Fungal peritonitis is the most important reason for patients' dropout.