OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists on the airway inflammation in rats with asthma.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group A (normal control), Group B (asthma group), Group C (CRTH2 antagonist BAYu3405 treatment group), Group D (DP1 antagonist BWA868C treatment group). Asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. The rats in each group were sacrificed 24 h after the last challenge of OVA.DP1/CRTH2 receptors on eosinophils (EOS) were measured by radiological binding assay (RBA). The left lungs were used for histological examinations and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from the right lungs. The total cell numbers, EOS absolute count and differential cell counts in BALF were performed. Serum concentrations of IL-4, 5 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSRats in BAYu3405 treatment group showed profoundly decreased infiltrates of EOS and lymphocytes in the wall of bronchus when compared with those of asthma group and BWA868C treatment group. Serum concentrations of IFN-gamma in rats of BAYu3405 treatment group increased, but IL-4 and IL-5 decreased significantly when compared with those in rats of asthma group and BWA868C treatment group (P<0.01), and BALF EOS count was decreased significantly (P<0.01). Peripheral blood EOS count was higher than that in rats of normal control group, but was not significantly different from that in rats of asthma group and BWA868C treatment group. The combining capacity of CRTH2 and DP total combining capacity on EOS in asthma group, BAYu3405 treatment group and BWA868C treatment group were significantly higher than those in Group A (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in DP1 among all the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCRTH2, but not DP1 antagonist can effectively ameliorate airway inflammation in rats with asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Bronchi ; immunology ; pathology ; Carbazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Prostaglandin D2 ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Immunologic ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Receptors, Prostaglandin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha-fetoprotein in the differentiation diagnosis between benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSAlpha-fetoprotein variants from 300 patients with liver diseases were isolated with micro-spin column equipped lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA). The AFP and AFP-L3 were detected by the electrochemical luminescence (ECL) method, and the proportions of AFP-L3 were calculated.

RESULTSThe positive rates of AFP-L3 of HCC patients and chronic liver disease patients were 95% and 64% respectively, there were significant difference in two groups (chi2 = 134.72, P < 0.01), the HCC incidence rates of AFP-L3 positive and negative chronic liver disease patients showed significant difference (chi2 = 80.158, P < 0.01). there were no correlations between the proportion of AFP-L3 and AFP consistency(r = 0.046, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe detection of AFP-L3 by micro-spin column assay show great clinical value in the differentiation diagnosis of benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Lectins ; chemistry ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

accumulation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the usefulness of new microspincolumn method for the measurement of a1pha-fetoprotein variant AFP-L3 in differentiation of benign and malignant liver disease and the warming for liver cancer.

METHODSAFP-L3 was isolated by using microspincolumn coupled with lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), AFP and AFP-L3 were determined with chemiluminescent immunoassay, the proportion of AFP-L3 levels AFP-L3(%) were calculated, and the relationship between the elevated AFP-L3(%) levels and benign and malignant liver disease was analyzed.

RESULTSThe levels of AFP-L3(%) in serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than those in the patients with other liver diseases (P < 0.001). Taking AFP-L3(%) >or= 10% as the diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity for diagnosis of liver cancer was 90.9%.

CONCLUSIONDetection of AFP-L3 seemed to be of clinical value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma; it may be especially important for identifying patients with hepatocellular carcinoma whose a1pha-fetoprotein level is low.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Luminescent Measurements ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

Objective To explore the best cut-point of waist-to-heisht ratio (WHtR) for identifying metabolic syndrome(MS)in adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 507 adolescents aged 13-18 years in Qinhuangdao.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to determine the optimal WHtR cut-point for detecting MS.Results The prevalences of MS were higher among higher WHtR in both boys and girls.Odds ratios for MS significantly increased from the WHtR≥0.45 in boys(OR =13.85,95%CI 4.08-46.97)and in girls (OR=12.42,95%CI 2.62-58.96,P<0.01).The ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal WHtR cut-point was 0.45 in boys with the sensitivity of 89.4%and specificity of 81.4%.and in girls with sensitivity of 90.3%and specificity of 86.5%.Conclusion There is a significant correlation between WHtR and MS.Optimal WHtR cut-point for predicting MS is 0.45.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between obesity and serum soluble intercellular adhesion molectde-1 (sICAM-1) in adolescents. Methods Totally, 158 adolescents aged 13-15 years were divided into three groups based on their body mass index (BMI) , 80 in control group, 44 in overweight group and 34 in obesity group. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure were measured for all of them and sICAM-1 was assayed from fasting venous blood collected. Results BMI, WC and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in overweight group than those in control group (P < 0. 01). BMI, WC, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in obesity group than those in overweight group (P<0. 05). Level of sICAM-1 was significantly higher in obesity group than that in control group (P <0.05). Their sICAM-1 showed positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.168, P=0.035) and WC (r=0. 179, P =0.025). Multiple linear regression analysis using sICAM-1 as a dependent variable showed that WC (β= 0.009, 95% CI 0. 001-0.018, P=0.025) was an independent predictors for sICAM-1 adjusted for age, sex, BMI and blood pressure. Conclusions Results mentioned above suggest that endothelial dysfunction associates with obesity, particularly with abdominal obesity. sICAM-1 can be used as an early marker of atherosclerosis in adolescents.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of (89)SrCl(2) (Ke xing Inc, Shanghai) as a palliative therapy modality for cancer patients with bone metastasis.

METHODSIn 504 cancer patients with painful limitation of movement due to bony metastasis, a dose of 1.48-2.22 MBq/kg (40-60 uCi/kg) iv infusion of (89)SrCl(2) was given.

RESULTSIn 97 patients (19.2%) there was no improvement in pain and life quality, 298 patients (59.1%) showed mild to moderate improvement (moderately effective), 109 patients (21.6%) became free of pain and were subsequently fully ambulatory (markedly effective). The pain relief appeared from D1-D46 after (89)SrCl(2) administration, most frequently from D5-D14. The palliative effect could last for about 56 days to 13 months. Repeated bone scans of some patients showed that the metastatic foci in the bone became smaller or even disappeared gradually after the administration of (89)SrCl(2). Approximately 55% of patients experienced grade I approximately III bone marrow depression attributable to (89)SrCl(2), which would return to the pre-treatment level within 3 approximately 9 months.

CONCLUSION(89)SrCl(2) is effective and safe for the relief of bone pain and improvement of quality of life in cancer patients with painful bony metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Intractable ; etiology ; radiotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Strontium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of determining ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA by quantitative PCR combined with microarray (PCR-microarray) in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

METHODSAscitic bacterial 16SrRNA was determined by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR-microarray in 76 cases of suspected SBP and 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases. The results were compared with ascitic bacterial culture simultaneously.

RESULTSOf 76 ascitic samples, 17 were detected bacteria positive by PCR-microarray, including 8 Grams positive(G+) and 9 Grams negative(G-), which was higher than that by bacterial culture which had only 6 ascitic samples detected positive (all G-); the positive rates were 22.4% vs 7.9%, respectively (P < 0.01). The bacterial strains detected by both methods in 6 cases had a consistency with each other. No bacteria were detected in another 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases.

CONCLUSIONSDetermination of ascitic bacteria 16S rRNA by PCR-microarray has a higher specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of SBP as compared with the bacteria culture. Application of this novel method can not only accelerate SBP diagnosis but also stratify the different pathogens.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascitic Fluid ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Peritonitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Bacterial ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fibrogenetic effects induced by rush-mat dust in rats.

METHODSSD rats were treated with 50 mg of rush-mat dust per rat by intra-tracheal instillation, sacrificed 3, 6, and 12 months respectively after exposure. The lung tissue and lung lymph-node were taken out for pathological and electron microscopic examination. The content of collagen and ceruloplasmin (CP) in lung tissues were also determined.

RESULTSAfter treatment for 12 months, fresh wet lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(2.69 +/- 0.22) g] was higher than those in saline group [(1.87 +/- 0.25) g], TiO(2) group [(2.25 +/- 0.26) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(11.41 +/- 1.63) g]; dry lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(0.47 +/- 0.03) g] was higher than those in saline group [(0.32 +/- 0.03) g], TiO(2) group [(0.41 +/- 0.08) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(2.06 +/- 0.28) g]; lung collagen content in rush-mat dust group [(103.08 +/- 14.79) mg] was higher than those in saline group [(75.96 +/- 13.91) mg, TiO(2) group [(85.84 +/- 17.62) mg], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(497.50 +/- 100.80) mg]; CP content in rush-mat dust group [(18.03 +/- 1.87) U/L] was higher than those in saline group [(15.05 +/- 2.24) U/L], TiO(2) group [(16.92 +/- 1.67) U/L], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(25.37 +/- 3.58) U/L], P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Pathological examination showed lung macrophage alveolitis, broadening of alveolar interval, one to two grade of silicotic nodes and increased amount of type II epithelial cell in alveolar as well as slight collagenous fibrosis in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group. Under electron microscope, primary and secondary lysosome and medullary sheath-like phagocytic residual body were found in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group, meanwhile the amount of type II alveolar epithelial cell and collagen fiber were slightly increased but these changes were less than those of quartz group.

CONCLUSIONThe rush-mat dusts have slight pulmonary fibrogenetic effect on rat.

Animals ; Ceruloplasmin ; analysis ; Dust ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Fibrillar Collagens ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Titanium ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination in the rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

METHODS16S rRNA gene from bacterial DNA in ascites was determined by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 76 patients with suspected SBP and 6 patients with non-infectious ascites. The results were compared with those obtained from bacterial culture.

RESULTSThe positive rate of SBP was 22.4% among patients detected with ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR, which was significantly higher than that (7.9%) in patients only received bacterial culture (P<0.05). In addition,in 6 patients with non-infectious ascites,both the 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR and bacterial culture showed negative results.

CONCLUSIONS16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR can be an effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of SBP. It is more sensitive than the bacterial culture.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascitic Fluid ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritonitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S