Adalimumab ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Discitis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Spondylarthropathies ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features of hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) secondary to brainstem hemorrhage. Methods The clinical data of one patient with HOD secondary to brainstem hemorrhage was retrospectively analyzed. Results The patient was hospitalized with paroxysmal and body involuntary jitter and other extrapyramidal symptoms. After admission, MRI scan showed bilateral inferior olive nucleus of medulla oblongata were localized hypertrophy. Conclusion The main clinical manifestation of HOD secondary to brainstem hemorrhage is extrapyramidal symptom. The imaging features are abnormal signals and localized hypertrophy at inferior olive nucleus.

Objective To observe the effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion Protein (rhTNFR:Fc) treatment on IgM-RF,IgG-RF,IgA-RF of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods A randomized,active-comparator controlled,parallel group study were conducted.110 patients were enrolled and were randomly divided to the treatment group,in which patients were treated with twice weekly subcutaneous injection of rhTNFR:Fc (25 mg) (rhTNFR:Fc treatment group,n=55),and the MTX froup,in which MTX (the mean dosage was 15 mg/week) (MTX group,n=55) for 24 weeks.Blood routine,IgM-RF,IgG-RF,IgA-RF,and disease activity score 28 (DAS28) were monitored.Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results The level of IgM-RF decreased significantly in the rhTNFR:Fc treatment group 24 week(29±16) U/ml later.However,the level of IgG-RF(145±20) U/ml,IgA-RF(153±34) U/ml increased significantly in the rhTNFR:Fc group,and the level of IgG-RF (62±14) U/ml,IgA-RF (66-±19) U/ml decreased significantly in the MTX group.Conclusion Although rhTNFR:Fc,is effective in treating the clinical symptoms of RA,it seems to affect RF producing-B cells either directly or indirectly.

Objective Modified upper abdominal cluster transplantation (MCT), which was inspired by the classical cluster transplant technique, has been proven more effective and feasible in the treatment of patients with end stage liver diseases associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) than orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) alone. In this study, we summarized our experience with MCT in 5 consecutive patients suffering from end stage liver diseases associated with insulin-dependent type 2 DM in our single center.Methods Five patients with hepatitis B-related chronic liver cirrhosis and insulin dependent type 2 DM received MCT in our single center. The biliary and exocrine pancreatic drainage reconstructions were achieved by a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy or a side-to-side duodenojejunostomy. A quadruple immunosuppressive regimen based on tacrolimus including Basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids was used in the early stage post-transplant, and then converted to tacrolimus monotherapy.Results All of the patients experienced an uneventful post-operative recovery. They were rendered independent from insulin therapy shortly after transplantation. The fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were within normal range. In addition, the fasting C-peptide value was increased from much lower than the normal range pre-transplant to within normal range post-transplant and maintained stable since then. However, the third patient suffered from graft verse host disease (GVHD) 20 days post-operatively and died from severe infection on the post-operative 47 days. The other 4 patients had returned to work and a normal lifestyle over 22, 15, 5 and 4 months of follow-up.Conclusion MCT is an effective method in treating patients suffering from end stage liver diseases combined with insulin-dependent type 2 DM. Whether a cluster graft would increase the risk of GVHD needs further investigation.

ObjectiveTo define the resistance rate and epidemiology of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) of bloodstream infections (BSI) after liver transplantation. MethodsFrom Jan. 1998 to Dec.2009,a retrospective analysis of GNB in liver transplants was conducted. Bacterial, CMV and fungal infections were prevented by piperacillin/tazobactam, ganciclovir, fluconazole postoperatively. Bacterial inoculation,isolation and culture were mandated by national test standard. Vitek 2 Compact was used to evaluate identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. ResultsEighty-eight BSI occurred in 83 patients of the 768 patients,in which a total of 88 GNB were isolated. The incidence was 10. 8 ％(83/768) ,and the most frequent pathogens were Escherichia coli (37 strains) and Klebsiella spp (18strains). The rate of infection (23. 9 ％) was high in the interval of 1998-2000, and then decreased to 12. 4 ％ or below. Carbapenems and Piperacillin/tazobactam were the most consistently active against the Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp, while resistance rate of Escherichia coli to Ciprofloxacin,Gentamycin, Ampicillin-clavulanic acid or Klebsiella spp after 2005 to Ciprofloxacin, Ticarcillinclavulanic acid was over 60 ％. ConclusionGNB after liver transplantation were resistant to agents but active to Carbapenems and Piperacillin/tazobactam commonly, in which Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp are common.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of immunosuppressive regimen with daclizumab induction therapy. MethodsIn study group, 139 patients received immunosuppressive regimen with daclizumab induction therapy. In historical control group, 106 recipients received immunosuppressive regimen without daclizumab induction therapy. All patients were followed up at least for 1year. The acute rejection episodes, infectious and metabolic complications at one month and one year post-transplantation were compared between two groups.ResultsThe one-month incidence of acute rejection, new-onset diabetes mellitus, hypertension and infection was 7. 9 ％, 33. 8 ％, 21.6 ％ and 22. 3 ％, respectively in study group, as compared with 15. 1 ％, 72. 6 0％, 40. 6 ％ and 43. 4 ％, respectively in control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The one-year incidence of acute rejection, new-onset diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia was 10. 8 ％,5. 0 ％ ,4. 3 ％ and 7. 9 ％, respectively in study group, as compared with 19. 8 ％, 9. 4 ％, 8. 5 ％ and 14. 2 ％, respectively in control group (P＜0. 05). The one-year survival rate was comparable between two groups (P＞0. 05). ConclusionThe immunosuppressive regimen with daclizumab can enable early steroid withdrawal, significantly reduce acute rejection rate and various side effects mediated by longterm steroids use.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of TNFR Ⅱ -Fc combined with methotrexate( MTX ) in treatment of patients with moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsThree hundred and ninty-six RA patients were randomized into the combined treatment group,the TNFR Ⅱ -Fc only group and MTX only group.All patients were treated for 24 weeks.ACR-N,ACR20,ACR50,ACR70,DAS28-ESR and Sharp score of both hands were measured for efficacy,and the side-effects were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.Results After 24-week therapy,the ACR-N of the combined treatment group [( 12.79±9.24)％-year] was significantly improved than that of the TNFR Ⅱ-Fc only group [(9.56±11.16)％-year,P＜0.05] and that of the MTX only group[(5.08±11.10)％-year,P＜0.05],and the TNFR Ⅱ-Fc group was significantly improved than that of the MTX group(P＜0.05).The ACR20 response rate of the combined group(80.4％) was significantly higher than that of the TNFR Ⅱ -Fc group(71.1％,P＜0.05) and the MTX group(56.7％,P＜0.01 ).The ACRS0 response rate of the combined group(53.6％) was significantly higher than that of the MTX group(30.8％,P＜0.01 ).The ACR70 response rate of the combined group was 27.7％,which was significantly different from that of the TNFR Ⅱ -Fc group (15.8％) and MTX group (7.7％,P＜0.05or P＜0.01 ).DAS28-ESR in the combination group was significantly reduced than those of the TNFR Ⅱ -Fc group and MTX group,and the DAS28-ESR of the TNFR Ⅱ -Fc group was significantly reduced than MTX group.The average total Sharp score of both hands,which demonstrated the radiographic changes,was significantly reduced in the combination group than the MTX group(P=0.03).The total adverse events in the combined group(40.9％) was significantly high than that of the MTX group(28.8％,P＜0.05).Conclusion TNFR Ⅱ -Fc combined with MTX can effectively control the activity of RA and radiological progress.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiple organ autoimmune disorder, including the liver, but the possible reason in impairment in the liver is still unclear. Our present study assessed alterations of transcription factor Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and several other immune molecules [programmed cell death 1 and its ligand (PD1 and PD-L1), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transform growth factor β (TGF-β)] in the liver and other major organs of lupus-prone BXSB mice by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that both frequency and number of Foxp3(+) Tregs were dramatically reduced in the thymus, spleen and kidney of the BXSB mice (P<0.05), but those in the liver were kept in nearly normal range, when compared to negative control C57BL/6 mice. In comparison to control mice, the mRNA levels of Foxp3, PD1 and PD-L1 were significantly decreased in the kidneys of BXSB mice (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the livers of the BXSB mice (P>0.05). Protein levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum showed no significant difference between BXSB and C57BL/6 mice, but were significantly increased in the kidneys and livers of BXSB mice as compared with those in C57BL/6 mice (P<0.05). These results suggest that reduced Foxp3(+) Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE in BXSB mice, and relatively higher number of these cells in the livers than in the other target organs could constitute a protective mechanism against hepatic lesions in lupus-prone mice, which may provide insights into development of new therapeutic approaches in SLE patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiple organ autoimmune disorder,including theliver,but the possible reason in impairment in the liver is still unclear.Our present study assessed alterations of transcription factor Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and several other immune molecules [programmed cell death 1 and its ligand (PD1 and PD-L1),and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transform growth factor β (TGF-β)] in the liver and other major organs of lupus-prone BXSB mice by flow cytometry,real-time quantitative reverse trinscription PCR,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results showed that both frequency and number of Foxp3+ Tregs were dramatically reduced in the thymus,spleen and kidney of the BXSB mice (P＜0.05),but those in the liver were kept in nearly normal range,when compared to negative control C57BL/6 mice.In comparison to control mice,the mRNA levels of Foxp3,PD1 and PD-L1 were significantly decreased in the kidneys of BXSB mice (P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in the livers of the BXSB mice (P＞0.05).Protein levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum showed no significant difference between BXSB and C57BL/6 mice,but were significantly increased in the kidneys and livers of BXSB mice as compared with those in C57BL/6 mice (P＜0.05).These results suggest that reduced Foxp3+ Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE in BXSB mice,and relatively higher number of these cells in the livers than in the other target organs could constitute a protective mechanism against hepatic lesions in lupus-prone mice,which may provide insights into development of new therapeutic approaches in SLE patients.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in treating calcineurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation. Methods Eleven patients with calci-neurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation received sirolimus conversion.Simultaneously, the dose of tacrolimus was decreased or tacrolimus was withdrawn. Blood creatinine,sirolimus level, tacrolimus level, liver function, rejection episodes and drug side-effect were moni-tored. Results All the 11 patients survived today with 6 to 20 months of follow-up. All patients showed improvement of renal function after conversion to sirolimus. Blood creatinine level was reduced from (163.8±47.9)μmol/L to(108.1±26.6)μmol/l. (P<0.05). One patient's liver function had an acute rejection episode that was successfully treated with increase of dose of tacrolimus. The side-effects of sirolimus included hyperlipidemia (4 patients), anaemia (1) and mouth ulcers (2).Conclusion Siolimus can be effectively and safely used in liver transplant recipients suffering from ta-crolimus-related renal insufficiency.