OBJECTIVETo investigate abnormal liver function associated with polymorphism of GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

METHODSSixty-nine workers with abnormal liver function in a synthetic leather factory were recruited as case. One hundred and twenty five control subjects with similar work tasks were selected from the same factory. Genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were determined by multiplex PCR, and for CYP2E1 PstI by PCR-RFLP assay.

RESULTSThe frequency of positive GSTM1 was 59.42% in cases and 38.40% in control, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34,95% CI: 1.29-4.29 (P=0.005). For GSTT1 and CYP2E1 PstI, the frequencies of genotypes showed no significant difference between case and control.

CONCLUSIONGSTM1 positive genotype may be genetic risk factors for development of abnormal liver function in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hepatotoxic effects of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the workers of a synthetic leathers factory, and the effects on liver function of covariates such as alcohol consumption and other factors.

METHODSThe workers were classified into three groups (low, high and the control) by the concentration of DMF in workplace which was determined in the past two years. A questionnaire was drawn up for relevant demographic characteristics and other factors influencing liver function. The bloods were collected for laboratory test which included parameters especially relevant to the liver (ALT AST and gamma GT).

RESULTSLow and high-exposure groups were significantly associated with elevated ALT and gamma GT, and high-exposure group was significantly associated with elevated Liver index. Modeling by stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that high concentration of DMF and BMI were associated with and elevated ALT, gamma GT and Liver index, besides DMF and BMI, the elevation of ALT was also associated with high TRIG. AST was only associated with alcohol consumption. The AST/ALT ration < 1 was present in 86.7% of the exposure workers of liver function abnormal.

CONCLUSIONDMF can cause liver function alternations even if air concentration of DMF was below PC-TWA. Besides the levels of DMF exposure, obesity (BMI) and alcohol consumption are covariates alternating liver function. Liver index can be a parameter for assessment liver function, and the AST/ALT ration < 1 may serve as markers of risk in health screening programs.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Dimethylformamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Occupational Exposure

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of spinal injury with spinal cord contusion is high in developed countries and is now growing in China. Furthermore, spinal cord injury happens mostly in young people who have a long life expectance. A large number of patients thus are wheelchair bound for the rest of their lives. Therefore, spinal cord injury has aroused great concern worldwide. Despite great efforts, recovery from spinal cord injury remains unsatisfactory. Based on the pathology of spinal cord contusion, an idea of early neurosurgical intervention has been formulated in this study.

METHODSA total of 30 patients with "complete" spinal cord injury or classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-A were studied. Orthopedic treatment of the injured vertebra (e), internal fixation of the vertebral column, and bilateral laminectomy for epidural decompression were followed directly by neurosurgical management, including separation of the arachnoid adhesion to restore cerebrospinal fluid flow and debridement of the spinal cord necrotic tissue with concomitant intramedullary decompression. Rehabilitation started 17 days after the operation. The final outcome was evaluated after 3 months of rehabilitation. Pearson chi-square analysis was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAll the patients recovered some ability to walk. The least recovered patients were able to walk with a wheeled weight support and help in stabilizing the weight bearing knee joint (12 cases, 40%). Thirteen patients (43%) were able to walk with a pair of crutches, a stick or without any support. The timing of the operation after injury was important. An optimal operation time window was identified at 4 - 14 days after injury.

CONCLUSIONSEarly neurosurgical intervention of spinal cord contusion followed by rehabilitation can significantly improve the locomotion of the patients. It is a new idea of a therapeutic approach for spinal cord contusion and has been proven to be very successful.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta receptor beta subunit (IFNAR2) in the patients' response to IFN-alpha therapy as influenced by the grade of chronic hepatic inflammation, and understand the relation of IFNAR2 expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with HBV infection.

METHODSLiver tissue specimens were obtained from 21 patients with chronic hepatitis B for examination of the hepatic inflammation, and PBMCs were isolated from another 16 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 15 health control subjects. Both the hepatic tissues and PBMCs were examined for IFNAR2 expression using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe 21 patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided into 3 groups according to the severity of hepatic inflammation, namely G(1) (n=3), G(2) (n=7) and G(3) (n=11) groups. The patients in G(3) group showed had significantly higher IFNAR2 expressions in liver (25.1307-/+7.0700) than those of the G(1) (5.6913-/+1.8422) and G(2) (7.4706-/+5.3572) groups (P=0.000). The IFNAR2 levels in the PBMCs, however, did not show significant difference between patients with chronic hepatitis B and the healthy control subjects.

CONCLUSIONIn patients with chronic hepatitis B, IFNAR2 expression level is positively correlated to the severity of hepatic inflammation, and increased IFNAR2 expression in severe hepatic inflammation is therefore likely to result in increased response rate to INF-alpha therapy. The expression of IFNAR2 in the PBMCs is not associated with HBV infection.

Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta ; blood ; metabolism

To analyze the genomic sequence characteristics of a human Echovirus 9(ECHO-9) strain isolated from a child with Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Kunming, Yunnan Province, in 2010. The complete genome sequence of a human echovirus 9 strain, MSH-KM812-2010 was determined. As other human enterovirus, its genome was 7,424 nucleotides (nts) in length and encoded for 2,203 amino acids (aas). In comparison to other human enteroviruses, MSH-KM812-2010 strain had the highest homology with other strains of human echovirus 9 in structural genomic regions and more homologous to other serotypes of B specie than to human echovirus 9 in non-structural genomic regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete VP1 gene revealed that the sequences of human echovirus 9 segregated into three distinct clades A, B and C with more than 15. 0% diversity between clades. All Chinese isolates belonged to the same clade. RDP3 and Blast revealed evident recombination in non-structural genomic regions. This report is the first to, describe the complete genome of the human echovirus 9 in China and provide an overview of the diversity of genetic characteristics of a circulating human echovirus 9.
Base Sequence ; China ; Echovirus 9 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Infant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

To characterize the complete genome sequence of coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) MSH/KM9/2009 strain isolated from Yunnan, China,2009. Eight overlapping clones covering the whole viral genome (excluding the poly-A tail) were obtained by RT-PCR and sequenced, and their nucleotide and amino acid sequences were compared with other known CVB1 strains. The genome of the CVB1 MSH/KM9/2009 strain had 7384 nucleotides in length, and contained a 741nt non-translated region (NTR) at the 5' end and a 94nt NTR at the 3' end. The entire open reading frame contained 6 549 nt, encoding a 2 183-aa polyprotein. In the coding region, there was no nucleotide deletion or insertion, but some changes of amino acid were unique. The complete genome sequence alignments showed that the CVB1 isolate MSH/KM9/2009 strain shared the highest nucleotide (80.9%, 81.6%, 80.5% and 80%) and amino acid (95.6%, 95.8%, 96.2% and 95.6%) identities to the CVB1 M16560, pmMC, Tucson B1 and CVB1Nm strain, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the MSH/KM9/2009, CVB1 M16560, pmMC, Tucson B1 and CVB1Nm strain clustered into same group. The newly isolated CVB1 strain MSH/KM9/2009 from Yunnan Province belonged to genotype CVB1.
Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; virology ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency and safety of two-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus (FK506) regimen in liver transplant recipients.

METHODSThere were 74 patients who treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2006 to March 2008. Expect for 7 patients who didn't measure up, 67 adult liver transplant recipients were randomized into two groups: conventional protocol group (n = 35) in which steroid was withdrawn in 3 months after operation, and two-dose steroid group (n = 32). Comparison of rejection, infection (bacteria, fungal and cytomegalovirus) and metabolic complications rates were studied between two groups.

RESULTSThere were significant differences between two groups in the rate of early postoperation hyperglycemia, the average dosage of insulin consumption among hyperglycemia recipients as well as the rate of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and infection during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in early postoperation period, hyperlipemia and rejection rate during the follow-up period were similar in two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTwo-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus would be a safe and efficient immunosuppression strategy without increase the acute rejection rate hazard, that could reduce post-transplant infection and other complications from side-effect of long-term usage of steroid.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Immunosuppression ; methods ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Steroids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endourological techniques in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in aged high-risk patients.

METHODSWe used endourological techniques in the treatment of 283 BPH patients aged over 70 years and complicated with hydronephrosis, renal failure, heart failure, cerebral infarction, respiratory dysfunction, anemia, diabetes, bladder tumor, or prostate weight over 80 g, TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) for 112 cases and PKRP (transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate) for the other 171. All the patients were followed up for 1-30 months.

RESULTSIn the TURP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 27.5 +/- 2.8, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.8 +/- 1.2, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and the residual urine volume (RUV) from (75.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (8.0 +/- 3.0) ml, but the maximal flow rate (Qmax) increased from (6.5 +/- 2.0) ml/s to (18.5 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05), while in the PKRP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 28.2 +/- 2.2, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.4 +/- 1.6, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and RUV from (80.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (7.0 +/- 3.0) ml, and Qmax increased from (6.8 +/- 2.1) ml/s to (20.0 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in IPSS, QOL, Qmax and RUV after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05), but significantly less complications were found in the PKRP than in the TURP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEndourological treatment, especially PKRP, with comprehensive perioperative preparations, unerring operative skills, well-controlled operation time, and intensive postoperative monitoring and nursing, has the advantages of high safety, less bleeding, fewer complications and definite effectiveness for aged high-risk BPH patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is the center for cellular activities. It controls many cell activities via inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell growth. Rheb can activate mTOR signaling pathway and participate in genesis and development of multiple cancers. This study was purposed to explore the underlying role of Rheb in human myeloid leukemia by using the myeloid leukemia cell lines. Two myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K562 overexpressing Rheb were established with retrovirus containing Rheb. The mRNA and protein expressions of Rheb were determined by Real-Time PCR and Western blot respectively. Cell proliferation rate was examined by CCK-8 assay and apoptosis rate was analyzed using Annexin V and 7-AAD double-staining. The results showed that Rheb was overexpressed in both HL-60 and K562 cell lines. The Rheb overexpression cell lines were successfully established. It is found that overexpression of Rheb could promote cell growth. Furthermore, the overexpression of Rheb could accelerate cells entering into G2/M phase (P < 0.01), while did not affect the apoptosis. It is concluded that Rheb overexpression promotes myeloid leukemia cell proliferation through accelerating cell cycle progression.
Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein ; Signal Transduction

Objective · To explore the correlation between immunofluorescence (IMF) deposition and corticosteroid effect in childhood focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) manifesting with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods · Renal IMF deposition and clinical data of the children clinically diagnosed with NS and pathologically diagnosed with FSGS in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 1990 to December 2015 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Results · The renal pathological types classified by IMF of 47 patients diagnosed with FSGS manifesting with NS showed that 2 cases (4.26%) were IgA type, 12 cases (14.89%) were IgM type, 4 cases (8.51%) were complement (C) type, 1 case (2.13%) was IgG+A+M type, 5 cases (10.64%) were IgG+A+M+C type, 1 case (2.13%) was IgA+C type, 12 cases (25.53%) were IgM+C type, and there was no immune complexes present in 15 cases (31.91%). The IMF deposition showed 9 cases with IgA+, 25 cases with IgM+, 8 cases with IgG+, 23 cases with C3+, 3 cases with C4+, 6 cases with C1q+, 5 cases with FN+, 12 cases with all negative. After 4 weeks of treatment with oral prednisone at full dose, complete remission was presented in 34 cases (72.34%), partial remission was presented in 7 cases (14.89%), and no remission was presented in 6 cases (12.77%). There was no statistically difference in the corticosteroid effect among the different types of IMF (H=1.792, P=0.408). The corticosteroid effect had statistical differences between C1q+ and C1q- patients (χ2=7.22, P=0.027), while it had no significant differences in other conditions. Conclusion · In childhood FSGS manifesting with NS, C1q+ patients have relatively poor reaction to the corticosteroid therapy compared to C1q- ones.