Henoch Schonlein Purpura in children: clinical analysis of 120 cases

BACKGROUND

Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitic disease which is common in children. It is very important to understand the clinical features of this disease for doctors and nurses.

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical characteristics of HSP in children.

METHODS

Collect the clinical data of the HSP children, and analyze the clinical characteristics of these HSP patients.

RESULTS

The ratio of M:F was 1.9:1. The mean age was 6.6 ± 1.6 years. The typical onset seasons were spring, winter and autumn. Infection and food allergy were the main etiological factors. The first symptom was skin purpura and these purpura mainly concentrated the lower extremities and buttocks. The dominant digestive clinical features were abdominal pains and vomiting. The knee joint and ankle joint were most frequently affected. The typical kidney symptoms were microscopic hematuria and albuminuria. An increased ESR was reported in 68 patients (56.7%). Serum C3 decreased in 13 cases (10.8%). ASO titer was higher in 57 children (47.5%).

CONCLUSION

There were gender, season and area differences for the HSP patients. The etiological factors were diverse. HSP patients could have various clinical symptoms and rare complications.

High serum levels of follistatin in patients with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the potential use of serum follistatin (FST) as a marker for ovarian cancer alongside serum cancer antigen-125 (CA-125).

METHODS

Serum samples were collected from patients with ovarian cancer (n = 45), benign ovarian cysts (n = 40) or other cancers (n = 100) and from healthy subjects (n = 60) for the determination of FST and CA-125 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Expression of FST in ovarian tissue was investigated using immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy subjects and patients with benign ovarian cysts, serum FST and CA-125 levels were significantly increased in patients with ovarian cancer. Using the 95% confidence interval for the healthy subjects group as the cut-off value, tumour marker sensitivity and specificity in ovarian cancer were 53.3% and 97% for FST and 77.8% and 84% for CA-125, respectively. Tissue expression of FST protein was more pronounced in ovarian cancer than in normal ovary.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum FST level was elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian cancer and has potential as a tumour marker for ovarian cancer diagnosis. It may be particularly useful when combined with CA-125 detection to reduce the number of false-positive results.

Prediction of digestible and metabolizable energy content and standardized ileal amino Acid digestibility in wheat shorts and red dog for growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of chemical composition of wheat shorts and red dog on energy and amino acid digestibility in growing pigs and to establish prediction models to estimate their digestible (DE) and metabolizable (ME) energy content and as well as their standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acid content. For Exp. 1, sixteen diets were fed to thirty-two growing pigs according to a completely randomized design during three successive periods. The basal diet was based on corn and soybean meal while the other fifteen diets contained 28.8% wheat shorts (N = 7) or red dog (N = 8), added at the expense of corn and soybean meal. Over the three periods, each diet was fed to six pigs with each diet being fed to two pigs during each period. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy in wheat shorts and red dog averaged 75.1 and 87.9%. The DE values of wheat shorts and red dog averaged 13.8 MJ/kg (range 13.1 to 15.0 MJ/kg) and 15.1 MJ/kg (range 13.3 to 16.6 MJ/kg) of dry matter, respectively. For Exp. 2, twelve growing pigs were allotted to two 6×6 Latin Square Designs with six periods. Ten of the diets were formulated based on 60% wheat shorts or red dog and the remaining two diets were nitrogen-free diets based on cornstarch and sucrose. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as an indigestible marker in all diets. There were no differences (p>0.05) in SID values for the amino acids in wheat shorts and red dog except for lysine and methionine. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and SID values for lysine in different sources of wheat shorts or red dog, which averaged 78.1 and 87.8%, showed more variation than either methionine or tryptophan. A stepwise regression was performed to establish DE, ME and amino acid digestibility prediction models. Data indicated that fiber content and amino acid concentrations were good indicators to predict energy values and amino acid digestibility, respectively. The present study confirms the large variation in the energy content and amino acid digestibility in wheat shorts and red dog, and describes the factors that influence this variation and presents equations based on chemical composition that could probably be used to predict the DE and ME values as well as the amino acid digestibility of wheat shorts and red dog.

Study on reconstruction of rectal sensation based on wavelet packet analysis and SVM strategy

To control anal incontinence, we have developed an artificial anal sphincter system with sensor feedback. The artificial anal sphincter system is a novel hydraulic-electric muscle which mainly comprises an artificial anal sphincter, a wireless power supply subsystem, and a rectal sensation reconstruction subsystem. To investigate the features of the patients' rectal sensation, we have developed an in vitro experimental platform of artificial anal sphincter. In vitro experiments have been performed, and demonstrate that the traditional threshold method is not suitable for predicting the time for defecation. The traditional threshold method only uses single-dimensional pressure time series which may contain a few interdependent components simultaneously. A wavelet packet analysis algorithm is employed to extract the feature vector of the rectal pressure signal, then the rectal sensation prediction model is constructed based on a support vector machine for defecation pattern recognition. The results show that the proposed method is an effective approach for the reconstruction of patients' rectal sensation.

Large exchange bias after zero-field cooling from an unmagnetized state

Exchange bias (EB) is usually observed in systems with an interface between different magnetic phases after field cooling. Here we report an unusual phenomenon in which a large EB can be observed in Ni-Mn-In bulk alloys after zero-field cooling from an unmagnetized state. We propose that this is related to the newly formed interface between different magnetic phases during the initial magnetization process. The magnetic unidirectional anisotropy, which is the origin of the EB effect, can be created isothermally below the blocking temperature.

Effect of siRNA targeting HIF-1alpha combined L-ascorbate on biological behavior of hypoxic MiaPaCa2 cells

The aim of the study was to observe the effect of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) combined L-ascorbate on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of hypoxic MiaPaCa2 human pancreatic cancer cells. A cassette encoding siRNA targeting HIF-1alpha mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) was constructed, giving rAAV-siHIF. rAAV-siHIF and L-ascorbate, which were used alone or in combination, were delivered to exponentially growing MiaPaCa2 cells under hypoxic conditions. Then, we observed the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein, the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of MiaPaCa2 cells by real-time PCR, Western blot, MTT, TUNEL, and Transwell assay, respectively. Under hypoxic conditions, rAAV-siHIF inhibited the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in MiaPaCa2 cells but L-ascorbate did not. However, rAAV-siHIF and L-ascorbate both inhibited the expression of HIF-1alpha protein and the proliferation and migration of MiaPaCa2 cells and induced MiaPaCa2 cell apoptosis. The effect in the combined group was more efficient than that seen when rAAV-siHIF or L-ascorbate was used separately. rAAV-siHIF and L-ascorbate both affect biological behavior of hypoxic MiaPaCa2 cells through modulating HIF-1alpha protein expression and rAAV-siHIF and L-ascorbate have synergy under hypoxic conditions.

Chinese medicinal formula Guan-Xin-Er-Hao protects the heart against oxidative stress induced by acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats

Guan-Xin-Er-Hao (GXEH) is a Chinese medicine formula for treating ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and has a favorable effect. Our aim was to examine whether or not acute oral GXEH could protect the heart against myocardial infarction and apoptosis in acute myocardial ischemic rats. If so, we would explain the antioxidative mechanism involved. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded to induce myocardial ischemia in hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats. At the end of the 3h ischemic period (or 24h for infarct size), we measured the myocardial infarct size, myocardial apoptosis and the activities of antioxidative enzymes. GXEH reduced infarct size, myocardial apoptosis and the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-peroxidase (GPX) activities and the serum level of glutathione (GSH). GXEH exerts significant cardioprotective effects against acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats, likely through its antioxidation and antilipid peroxidative properties, and thus may be used as a promising agent for both prophylaxis and treatment of IHD.

Catalytic asymmetric allylic C-H activation as a surrogate of the asymmetric Claisen rearrangement

[reaction: see text]. Tetrakis[N-[4-dodecylphenyl)sulfonyl]-(S)-prolinato]-dirhodium [Rh2(S-DOSP)4] catalyzed decomposition of methyl aryldiazoacetates in the presence of alkenes results in allylic C-H activation by means of a rhodium-carbene induced C-H insertion. The resulting gamma,delta-unsaturated esters are equivalent to products that would be traditionally obtained from an asymmetric Claisen rearrangement. Highly regio- and enantioselective C-H insertions can be achieved, and in certain cases, good diastereocontrol is also possible.

[Determination of ferulic acid absorbed into human serum from oral decoction of rhizoma chuanxiong and pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the HPLC method for determining ferulic acid(FA) in the human serum and to research FA clinical pharmacokinetics.

METHOD

Serum concentrations of FA were determined by HPLC using methanol-water-acetic acid (40:59.7:0.3, v/v) as the mobile phase and the column packed with ODS (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microns) as a fixed phase and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. FA was detected at 320 nm wave length. The internal standard was coumarin. The serum samples were treated by the water-boiling method. Peak of FA in serum was recognized by photodiode-array detection.

RESULT

FA and internal standard were separated completely under the condition described as above. FA was linear in the range of (40.16-8032 ng/ml) (r = 0.9975). The CV was less than 10%, the average recovery was 100.3%, and the limit concentration in serum was 25.1 ng/ml. PK was in accordance with open bicameral model.

CONCLUSION

This method can be applied to clinical pharmacokinetic study of FA.

Synthesis of 2beta-acyl-3beta-(substituted naphthyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and their binding affinities at dopamine and serotonin transport sites

A series of 3beta-naphthyltropane derivatives were synthesized and found to show high affinity at both the dopamine and serotonin transporter sites, leading to some of the most potent inhibitors known based on the tropane structure. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) models were developed for both dopamine and serotonin transporter binding data. These models provide insights into those factors that influence binding at the two transporters.

The relation between fungal propagules in indoor air and home characteristics

BACKGROUND

Questionnaires are commonly used in epidemiologic studies to obtain information about house characteristics in order to predict the household aeroallergen exposure levels. However, the reliability of the predictions made with the questionnaires has not been evaluated. To address this issue, we compared objectively measured fungal propagules including the most frequently isolated mold genera (i.e., Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, etc.) in a large sample of homes and compared these measured values to the questionnaire-determined household characteristics.

METHODS

As part of a prospective cohort study on the relation between residential allergen exposure and development of asthma in neonates, fungal air samples were collected from infant bedrooms and main living areas in 1000 homes in the Northeast USA, from December 1996 to January 1999. A Burkard portable air sampler was used in combination with DG-18 and MEA agars. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on host and house characteristics that may have an impact on the presence of fungal propagules in the air. This included information on observation of moisture problems (e.g., water leakage or damage, and mold or mildew growth), ventilation and heating facilities, building age and type, number of occupants, annual household income, presence of pets and pests, cleaning regimens, etc.

RESULTS

The number of CFU/m3 air collected on MEA was significantly higher than on DG-18 (means, respectively, 1033.5 and 846.0 CFU/m3) (P < 0.0005). However, there was no significant difference between the numbers of CFU/m3 air collected from the main living area and from the infant bedroom. There was only a very weak relationship between the house characteristics, as described by questionnaire, and the presence of fungal propagules in indoor air. Only the temperature, relative humidity, season, and cats inside homes had a statistically significant impact on the presence of fungal propagules in indoor air.

CONCLUSION

The presence of fungal propagules in indoor air cannot be reliably predicted by home characteristics. Actual measurements are required for fungal exposure assessment, and the use of only one medium to collect samples in one location in a home might be adequate to represent residential levels of fungi in indoor air.

High-throughput detection of West Nile virus RNA

The recent outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) in the northeastern United States and other regions of the world have made it essential to develop an efficient protocol for surveillance of WNV. In the present report, we describe a high-throughput procedure that combines automated RNA extraction, amplification, and detection of WNV RNA. The procedure analyzed 96 samples in approximately 4.5 h. A robotic system, the ABI Prism 6700 Automated Nucleic Acid workstation, extracted RNA and set up reactions for real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in a 96-well format. The robot extracted RNA with a recovery as efficient as that of a commercial RNA extraction kit. A real-time RT-PCR assay was used to detect and quantitate WNV RNA. Using in vitro transcribed RNA, we estimated the detection limit of the real-time RT-PCR to be approximately 40 copies of RNA. A standard RT-PCR assay was optimized to a sensitivity similar to that of the real-time RT-PCR. The standard assay can be reliably used to test a small number of samples or to confirm previous test results. Using internal primers in a nested RT-PCR, we increased the sensitivity by approximately 10-fold compared to that of the standard RT-PCR. The results of the study demonstrated for the first time that the use of an automated system for the purpose of large-scale viral RNA surveillance dramatically increased the speed and efficiency of sample throughput for diagnosis.

[HBV markers in severe hepatitis B]

In order to elucidate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and severity of hepatitis B, HBV serological markers and HBV-DNA in 56 patients with chronic hepatitis B were detected using the methods of ELISA and PCR, respectively. The results showed that the positive prevalence of HBeAg and/or HBV-DNA in chronic severe hepatitis B (5/25) was much lower than that in non-severe chronic hepatitis B (26/31) (P < 0.01). The study provides the suggestive evidence that viral replication is significantly reduced in severe hepatitis B. Also, increased replication of HBV appears to be not the cause of hepatic necrosis in severe hepatitis B.

Synthesis and monoamine transporter affinity of 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicycl

3Beta-(5-indolyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes display potent binding affinity for both the dopamine and serotonin transporters, while certain 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes selectively bind to the serotonin transporter.

[Effect of combination of Chinese herbal drugs on clinical bioavailability of ferulic acid in serum]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of combination of Chinese herbal drugs on bioavailability of Ligusticum walichii (LW) derived ferulic acid (FA) in serum.

METHODS

Healthy volunteers were given LW decoction (1 g/kg), LW combined with Paeonia veitchii (PV, 1:1) decoction (2 g/kg) and Coronary Heart No. 2 (CH-II, 3 g/kg, containing LW 0.5 g/kg) once respectively. The serum FA concentration-time (c-t) curve was performed by HPLC using the method established by the authors, and the area under that curve (AUC) was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The FA c-t curve in the three groups was double peak curve. As compared with the AUC in subjects who were administered LW decoction, the AUC in those taken LW + PV decoction was lower [(15734.88 +/- 7737.97) ng/(min.ml) vs (5717.92 +/- 6124.63) ng/(min.ml)], P < 0.05), while that in those taken CH-II was relatively higher [(8072.00 +/- 4424.31) ng/(min.ml), P > 0.05)].

CONCLUSION

Combination of LW and PV could significantly lower the bioavailability of FA, but when LW was added in CH-II, the FA bioavailability was not affected.

[Observation on efficacy of puerarin in treating diabetic retinopathy]

OBJECTIVE

Using promoting blood circulation to remove stasis principle to observe arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes, and hemorrheology of diabetic retinopathy patients with Puerarin.

METHODS

Thirty patients with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). The treated group were given Puerarin 400 mg per day intravenously dripping. The control group were given Mikebao 500 micrograms intramuscularly, once per day. Both groups were taken 3 consecutive weeks as one treatment course. Two courses later, observing hemorrheologic parameters, arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes.

RESULTS

Comparing before and after treatment the RBC aggregation index, the whole blood viscosity rate, plasma viscosity rate, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, have improved obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparing with the control group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference of treated group between before and after treatment, the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of arteria centralis retinae, their end diastolic volume (EDV), the acceleration (A), the central retinal vein reflux velocity (CRV) have improved respectively. Naked eye visions were also improved, comparing with the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Puerarin can reduce blood viscosity, improve microcirculation, and plays a positive therapeutic role in diabetic retinopathy.

[Effect of sijunzi decoction on gastric emptying rate in rat model of spleen deficiency syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Sijunzi decoction (SJZ) on gastric emptying rate in rat model of Spleen Deficiency Syndrome (SDS) and to explore the mechanism of "Yiqi Jianpi" (replenishing Qi and invigorating Spleen) effect with gastroduodenal myoelectrical activity and brain-gut peptide concentration.

METHODS

After intramuscular injection of reserpine for 14 days, the rat model of SDS was established. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, group A treated by SJZ, group B treated by Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LWDH), group C naturally recovered, group D SDS rat model, consecutively treated for 14 days, and compared with group E, the normal control. Using radioisotopic technique to monitor 30 min gastric liquid emptying rate, and using the implanted bipolar silver electrode to observe the antral and duodenal myoelectrical slow wave, and the plasma and hypothalamus levels of motilium (MOT), cholecystokinin (CCK) and somatostatin (SS) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) 14 days later respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control, gastric liquid emptying rate of rat SDS model was lowered (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the hypothalamus and plasma levels of MOT and SS reduced, both hypothalamus and plasma had higher CCK levels (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); in comparing with the controls, the rhythm, amplitude and motility index of myogastric slow wave were lower also. After treated with SJZ, the aforesaid data were normalized with insignificant difference in comparing with the normal control (P < 0.01), but the rat SDS model treated by LWDH and in natural recovery had no significant improvement.

CONCLUSION

SJZ can promote gastric liquid emptying rate of rat SDS model by improving the myogastric electrical movement as well as regulating the levels of MOT, CCK and SS.

An exploratory study of type II [3 + 4] cycloadditions between vinylcarbenoids and dienes

The intramolecular type II [3 + 4] cycloaddition between vinylcarbenoids and furans is a practical method for the construction of 5-oxo-10-oxatricyclo[6.2.1.0(4,9)]undeca-3, 8(11)-dienes, containing two anti-Bredt double bonds. These tricyclic systems are well functionalized for eventual elaboration to the natural product CP-263,114. The rhodium-stabilized vinylcarbenoids are generated by dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyzed decomposition of vinyldiazoacetates. The [3 + 4] cycloaddition is generally considered to occur by a tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement, although evidence is presented that with these substrates the [3 + 4] cycloaddition may occur in a concerted manner.

Expression of an intestine-specific transcription factor (CDX1) in intestinal metaplasia and in subsequently developed intestinal type of cholangiocarcinoma in rat liver

CDX1 is a caudal-type homeobox intestine-specific transcription factor that has been shown to be selectively expressed in epithelial cells in intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach and esophagus and variably expressed in human gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas (Silberg DG, Furth EE, Taylor JK, Schuck T, Chiou T, Traber PG: Gastroenterology 1997, 113: 478-486). Through the use of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, we investigated whether CDX1 is also uniquely associated with the intestinal metaplasia associated with putative precancerous cholangiofibrosis induced in rat liver during furan cholangiocarcinogenesis, as well as expressed in neoplastic glands in a subsequently developed intestinal type of cholangiocarcinoma. In normal, control adult rat small intestine, specific nuclear immunoreactivity for CDX1 was most prominent in enterocytes lining the crypts. In comparison, epithelium from intestinal metaplastic glands within furan-induced hepatic cholangiofibrosis and neoplastic epithelium from later developed primary intestinal-type cholangiocarcinoma each demonstrated strong nuclear immunoreactivity for CDX1. CDX1-positive cells were detected in hepatic cholangiofibrotic tissue as early as 3 weeks after the start of chronic furan treatment. We further determined that the percentages of CDX1-positive neoplastic glands and glandular nuclei are significantly higher in primary tumors than in a derived, transplantable cholangiocarcinoma serially-propagated in vivo. Western blotting confirmed our immunohistochemical results, and no CDX1 immunoreactivity was detected in normal adult rat liver or in hyperplastic biliary epithelial cells. These findings indicate that CDX1 is specifically associated with early intestinal metaplasia and a later developed intestinal-type of cholangiocarcinoma induced in the liver of furan-treated rats.

Comparisons of seasonal fungal prevalence in indoor and outdoor air and in house dusts of dwellings in one Northeast American county

Fungi cause allergies and many other adverse health effects. In this study, we characterized the nature and seasonal variation of fungi inside and outside homes in the Greater New Haven, Connecticut area. Three indoor air samples (in the living room, bedroom, and basement) and one outdoor sample were collected by the Burkard portable air sampler. House dust samples were collected in the living room by a vacuum cleaner. The mold concentrations varied widely from house to house in both indoor and outdoor air. No significant difference (p>0.05) in concentration and type of fungi between living room and bedroom or by season was observed. Both concentration and type of fungi were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the basement than other indoor areas and outdoor air in winter. The type of fungi in living room, bedroom, and outdoor air were found to have significant changes among seasons, but there was no significant difference for the basement among seasons. Cladosporium spp. was dominant in both indoor and outdoor air in summer. Penicillium and Aspergillus were dominant in indoor air in winter, but neither was dominant in any season in outdoor air. The type of fungi and their concentrations in house dust samples were not representative of those isolated in indoor air. In dust samples, more Mucor, Wallemia, and Alternaria species, but less Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium species were found in all seasons. Air sampling in spring or fall in every suspected house is suggested for year-round fungal exposure assessment.