Objective: To investigate the characteristics and prognostic value of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe influenza. Methods: This was a single-center cross-sectional study in influenza patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2017 to April 2018. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were detected by flow cytometry in both patients and 108 healthy controls. Influenza patients were divided into mild group and severe group. Severe patients were further classified into alive and fatal subgroups. Results: A total of 42 influenza patients were recruited in this study, including 24 severe cases (6 deaths). The remaining 18 cases were mild. The peripheral blood lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte subset counts (B, NK, CD4⁺T, CD8⁺T) in either mild patients[795 (571,1 007), 43 (23,144), 70 (47,135), 330 (256,457), 226 (148,366) cells/μl respectively] or severe patients[661 (474,1 151),92 (52,139), 54 (34,134), 373 (235,555), 180 (105,310) cells/μl respectively] were both significantly lower than those of healthy controls [1 963 (1 603,2 394),179 (119,239), 356 (231,496), 663 (531,824), 481 (341,693) cells/μl respectively]. Meanwhile, the T cells and CD8⁺T counts in fatal patients [370 (260,537) cells/μl and 87 (74,105) cells/μl] were significantly lower than those in severe and alive patients [722 (390,990) cells/μl and 222 (154,404) cells/μl]. CD8⁺HLA-DR/CD8⁺and CD8⁺CD38⁺/CD8⁺T cell activating subgroups in mild cases[(53.7±19.2)% and 74.8% (64.1%,83.7%) respectively] were significantly higher than those in severe cases[(38.5±21.7)% and 53.3% (45.3%,67.2%) respectively].Moreover,CD8⁺HLA-DR/CD8⁺count in severe and alive group was higher than that in fatal group [(46.1±19.1)% vs. (18.2±14.6)%, P<0.01]. Logistic regression analysis showed that CD8⁺T cell count (OR=0.952, 95%CI 0.910-0.997, P=0.035) and CD8⁺HLA-DR/CD8⁺T (OR=0.916, 95%CI 0.850-0.987, P=0.022) were both negatively correlated with mortality.Peripheral blood lymphocyte counts in mild cases rapidly decreased within 1 day after diagnosis, and returned to the basic level one week later. Conclusions All peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (T,B,NK) in patients with influenza are significantly reduced. These findings are consistent with the immunological characteristics of respiratory viral infections, in which peripheral lymphocytes (especially T cells) migrate to respiratory tract in the early stage and circulate to the peripheral blood after recovery. The activated CD8⁺T cell counts in peripheral blood are negatively correlated with the severity of disease, which could be considered as a prognostic indicator of severe influenza.

Cor pulmonale rat models were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline(MCT), and the sham group received a single intraperitioneal injection of normal saline. After the model rats received intragastric administration of Qishen Yiqi droplet(QS) for 6 weeks, the contents of adenylate(ATP, ADP and AMP) in right myocardial tissues were measured by HPLC, and then the metabolism changes in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats with QS were investigated. The results showed that ATP, ADP, and AMP were well separated, with a good linearity within a certain range of concentration; and the recovery rates were within the range of 90%-108%. As compared with model group, the level of ATP was significantly elevated in high-dose treatment group; ADP contents showed an increasing trend and AMP contents showed a decreasing trend, indicating that QS could significantly improve energy metabolism system in myocardium. By using the HPLC, a qualitative and quantitative analysis method was given for the determination of ATP, ADP and AMP contents in myocardium, providing a method for energy metabolism measurement in biological samples.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of Kudiezi (KDZ) Injection on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats and to explore its protective mechanism.Methods The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by modified suture method,and cerebral blood flow was monitored using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF).Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Kudiezi Injection high and low dose groups.After ischemia-reperfusion for 24 h,the neurological scores were evaluated.After anesthesia,the blood samples and brain tissues were collected,and the expression of inflammatory was detected by Elisa.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB protein.Results Behavioral scores showed that neural function defect was serious in model group compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01).In model group,cerebral index and cerebral infarction area were significantly higher than those of the control group;After KDZ intervention,the symptoms of neurological deficit was alleviated (P ＜ 0.01),the cerebral index and cerebral infarction area of mode were decreased,and the neuronal necrosis was reduced.Kudiezi Injection could significantly reduce the cerebral homogenate and serum levels of TNF-α (P ＜ 0.05) and increase IL-10 level (P ＜ 0.05).Westem blotting showed that Kudiezi Injection could reduce the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB protein (P＜0.05).Conclusion Kudiezi Injection has protective effect on cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats.After ischemia-reperfusion,Kudiezi Injection could reduce the levels of TNF-α and raise IL-10.Its mechanism may be associated to the down-regulation of TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Desmoglein,which is a kind of Ca2+ dependent desmosomal cadherins protein,is a major part of the desmosomes.The desmoglein that distributes in the epithelium,myocardium and other tissues plays a very important role in the cell junction.In recent years,the detection of the abnormal expression and function of the desmoglein was proved in many diseases,such as skin,mucous membrane and tumor related diseases.Drugs may have an important effect in the treatment of diseases by interfering with the expression and function of desmoglein.In this paper,the distribution of several subtypes of the family of desmosomes and their functions in the related diseases are reviewed,which may also provide some new clues for the new drug research on the target of desmogleins.

BACKGROUNDUnder the circumstance of the New Medical Reform in Mainland of China, lowering drug prices has become an approach to relieving increase of medical expenses, and lowering brand-name medication price is a key strategy. This study, by comparing and analyzing brand-name medication prices between Mainland of China and Taiwan, explores how to adjust brand-name medication prices in Mainland of China in the consideration of the drug administrative strategies in Taiwan.

METHODSBy selecting brand-name drug with generic name and dose types matched in Mainland and Taiwan, calculate the average unit price and standard deviation and test it with the paired t-test. In the mean time, drug administrative strategies between Mainland and Taiwan are also compared systematically.

RESULTSAmong the 70 brand-name medications with generic names and matched dose types, 54 are at higher prices in Mainland of China than Taiwan, which is statistically significant in t-test. Also, among the 47 medications with all of matched generic names, dose types, and manufacturing enterprises, 38 are at higher prices in Mainland than Taiwan, and the gap is also statistically significant in t-test. In Mainland of China, brand-name medication took cost-plus pricing and price-based price adjustment, while in Taiwan, brand-name medication took internal and external reference pricing and market-based price adjustment.

CONCLUSIONSBrand-name drug prices were higher in Mainland of China than in Taiwan. The adjustment strategies of drug prices are scientific in Taiwan and are worth reference by Mainland of China.

China ; Humans ; Nonprescription Drugs ; economics ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; economics ; Taiwan

Objective To investigate clinical presentations,laboratory examinations,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances and treatment of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP).Methods The clinical data of 13 patients with HCP receiving comprehensive therapy in Huashan Hospital from January 2007 to January 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The onset of HCP was mostly chronic with an average duration of 26.7 months.The main clinical manifestations of the 13 patients were chronic headaches (12/13) and cranial nerve paralysis (12/13).Inflammation markers and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) protein levels increased in patients with HCP and gradually became normal after the treatment.The MRI demonstrated local or diffused thickened dura located in tentorium (10/13),falx cerebrum (5/13),frontal lobe (4/13),temporal lobe (7/13) and parietal lobe (4/13).The signal intensity was isointense on T1-weighted MR images and hypointense on T2-weighted MR images.Enhanced MR images showed conspicuous enhancement of the dural edges.Corticosteroid therapy improved the clinical symptoms in 12 of 13 patients.Conclusions HCP typically causes headache and paralysis of multiple cranial nerves.Enhanced MRI shows characteristic manifestations.At present corticosteroid therapy is the treatment of choice followed by immunosuppressive agent and radiotherapy.

Adult ; Dioxins ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo gain an insight into the large intragenic hMSH2 and hMLH1 deletions in Chinese hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) families.

METHODThe large intragenic hMSH2 and hMLH1 deletions in 17 probands of HNPCC families were detected with multiplex ligation-dependent probe Three large intragenic hMSH2 deletions of examplification (MLPA) and GeneMapper techniques.

RESULTSon 8, exon 1-6, and exon 1-7 were found in three families respectively, and no hMLH1 deletion was found. The deletions accounted for 19% of the total hMSH2 and hMLHI germline pathogenic mutations.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of large intragenic mismatch repair (MMR) genes deletions is relatively higher in Chinese families, and hMSH2 deletions may be more common. It is necessary to detect the large intragenic MMR genes deletions in the molecular detection of HNPCC.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Male ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate, at the DNA level, the polymorphism of HLA-A, -B, -Cw genes in the Chinese of Han ethnicity in Shenyang.

METHODSHybridization with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP) was used to determine HLA-A, -B and -Cw genotypes of 108 unrelated healthy individuals from a Chinese Han population. These Hans were born and living in the Shenyang area.

RESULTSThe numbers of alleles identified were 21 for HLA-A, 43 for HLA-B, and 23 for HLA-Cw. All the allele frequency distributions were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

CONCLUSIONUsing molecular method, the present authors have analyzed the characteristic of HLA I distribution in a group of indigenous Hans in Shenyang and thus have provided more accurate gene data for use in related researches.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; China ; DNA ; analysis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-C Antigens ; genetics ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult

Measurement of platelet-associated imunoglobulin (PAIg) has frequently been applied for the diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other immune thrombocytopenias. In the present study, a flow cytometry (FCM) analysis has been used to detect and characterize PAIg in 47 patients with ITP and Evans' syndrome, 13 patients with non-immune thrombocytopenia, 10 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) whose platelet counts were in normal range, and 31 healthy volunteers. With FCM measurement, mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of platelets from patients with ITP and Evans' syndrome (2.26 +/- 2.29) was significantly higher than those from non-immune thrombocytopenia (0.33 +/- 0.39), AIHA (0.17 +/- 0.07) and control subjects (0.25 +/- 0.15) (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the percentage of positive platelets of patients with ITP and Evans' syndrome [(44.1 +/- 29.0)%] was also higher than those of non-immune thrombocytopenia [(17.5 +/- 9.4)%], AIHA [(10.7 +/- 7.5)%] and control subjects [(16.6 +/- 8.4)%] (P < 0.01). In addition, some peak shape abnormality appeared (double peaks and peak tail) in the histogram of fluorescence intensity (log) of 11 patients (23.4%) with ITP and Evans' syndrome either alone or accompanied with quantitative alteration of MFI and/or positive platelet percentage. In seven cases, the peak shape abnormality was the unique characteristic that could be detected and have never been seen in normal platelets. This phenotypic alteration perhaps reflects the existence of different platelet populations and could be of diagnostic value. Totally, the positive result of FCM measurement in patients with ITP and Evans' syndrome was 87.2%, slightly higher than 83.0% positive rate with ELISA method, without statistical difference. The correspondent rate of the results of these two analytical settings was 85.1%. This study shows that FCM assay is a rapid and sensitive method for the measurement of PAIg and seems to be suitable as a novel routine diagnostic technique of immune thrombocytopenia.