Functional changes of the lateral pterygoid muscle in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a pilot magnetic resonance images texture study.

BACKGROUND: Texture features were the intrinsic properties of the human tissues and could efficiently detect the subtle functional changes of involved tissue. The pathologic changes of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) were significantly correlated with the temporomandibular disc displacement. However, the occult functional changes of LPM could not be detected by the naked eye on the medical images. The current study was aimed to evaluate the functional changes of the LPM in the patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using texture analysis. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with TMD were performed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on a 3.0T MR scanner, who were consecutively recruited from the TMD clinic of Hainan Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from February 2019 to September 2019. The patients were classified into three groups according to the disc displacement: disc without displacement (DWoD), disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and disc displacement without reduction (DDWoR). The gray-level co-occurrence matrix method was applied with the texture analysis of LPM on the axial T2-weighted imaging. The texture features included angular second moment, contrast, correlation, inverse different moment, and entropy. One-way analysis of variance was used for grouped comparisons and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the texture parameters. RESULTS: Texture contrast of LPM presented significantly lower in DDWoR (46.30 [35.03, 94.48]) than that in DWoD (123.85 [105.06, 143.23]; test statistic = 23.05; P < 0.001). Texture entropy of LPM showed significant differences among DWoD (7.62 ±â€Š0.33), DDWR (6.76 ±â€Š0.35), and DDWoR (6.46 ±â€Š0.39) (PDWoD-DDWR < 0.001, PDWoD-DDWoR < 0.001, and PDDWR-DDWoR = 0.014). Area under the ROC curve (AUC) demonstrated that texture entropy had an excellent diagnostic accuracy for DWoD-DDWR (AUC = 0.96) and DWoD-DDWoR (AUC = 0.98). CONCLUSION: The texture contrast and entropy could identify the altered functional status of LPM in patients with TMD and could be considered as the effective imaging biomarker to evaluate the functional changes of LPM in TMD.

Simultaneous detection of peripheral mononuclear cell and plasma tissue factor expression for prevention and treatment of ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to simultaneously observe the expression of mononuclear cells (Mo) and plasma tissue factor (TF) in patients with ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases during the stage of acute onset and after the following three weeks and three months for exploration of the clinical implications concerned. METHODS: MoTF mRNA and plasma TF antigen (TFAg) from 76 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) together with 46 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 61 healthy controls were quantitated respectively through RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the results in the control group, the level of MoTFmRNA and plasma TF in the other groups increased simultaneously and dramatically in the acute stage, which showed a good correlation among the groups (P<0.01), especially in AIS group. The quantitative data showed that both MoTF mRNA and plasma TF remained higher than that of the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.05) after three weeks from the acute onset. It was after three months that the content of MoTF mRNA, in spite of its relatively high level (P<0.05), began to decline in AMI and AIS groups. In this stage the level of MoTFmRNA in AIS group was lower than that in the acute onset stage (P<0.05), while the reduction of plasma TF in AMI and AIS groups was not significantly different from that of the control group (P>0.05). However, the reduced level of plasma TF was still different from that in the acute onset stage (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The simultaneous increase of the level of peripheral MoTF mRNA and plasma TF in the acute onset stage of ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases shows a good correlation and suggests the up-regulation of MoTF mRNA's expression participates in the maintenance and expansion of thrombotic formation. Dynamic monitoring of MoTF mRNA and plasma TF at different time points after acute onset has important clinical implications for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombotic diseases.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Beet Webworm, Spoladea recurvalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Its Phylogenetic Implications.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the beet webworm, Spoladea recurvalis has been sequenced. The circular genome is 15,273 bp in size, encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes and containing a control region with gene order and orientation identical to that of other ditrysian lepidopteran mitogenomes. The nucleotide composition of the mitogenome shows a high A+T content of 80.9%, and the AT skewness is slightly negative (-0.023). All PCGs start with the typical ATN codons, except for COX1, which may start with the CGA codon. Nine of 13 PCGs have the common stop codon TAA; however, COX1, COX2 and ND5 utilize the T nucleotide and ND4 utilizes TA nucleotides as incomplete termination codons. All tRNAs genes are folded into the typical cloverleaf structure of mitochondrial tRNAs, except for the tRNASer(AGY) gene, in which the DHU arm fails to form a stable stem-loop structure. A total of 157 bp intergenic spacers are scattered in 17 regions. The overlapping sequences are 42 bp in total and found in eight different locations. The 329 bp AT-rich region is comprised of non-repetitive sequences, including the motif ATAG, which is followed by a 14 bp poly-T stretch, a (AT11 microsatellite-like repeat, which is adjacent to the motif ATTTA, and a 9 bp poly-A, which is immediately upstream from the tRNAMet gene. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 13 PCGs and 13 PCGs+2 rRNAs using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood methods, show that the classification position of Pyraloidea is inconsistent with the traditional classification. Hesperioidea is placed within the Papilionoidea rather than as a sister group to it. The Pyraloidea is placed within the Macrolepidoptera with other superfamilies instead of the Papilionoidea.

[Chemical constituents from Crepis crocea].

Thirteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Crepis crocea by column chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis as tectorone I (1), 8ß- (2-methyl- 2-hydroxy-3-oxobutanoyloxy) -glucozaluzanin C (2), tectoroside (3), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (4), cosmosiin (5), esculetin (6), 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (7), trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (8), Caffeic acid (9), methyl p-hydroxyphenyllactate (10), ethylp- hydroxyphenyllactate (11), cis-3,4-dihydroxy-ß-ionion (12). All the compounds, except for compounds 4 and 9, were isolated from this plant for the first time, and tectorone I (1) is a new natural product.

The association between diurnal temperature range and emergency room admissions for cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and genitourinary disease among the elderly: a time series study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term effect of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on emergency room (ER) admissions among elderly adults in Beijing. METHODS: After controlling the long-time and seasonal trend, weather, air pollution and other confounding factors, a semi-parametric generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the exposure-effect relationship between DTR and daily ER admissions among elderly adults with different lag structures from 2009 to 2011 in Beijing. We examined the effects of DTR for stratified groups by age and gender, and conducted the modifying effect of season on DTR to test the possible interaction. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between DTR and four major causes of daily ER admissions among elderly adults in Beijing. A 1 °C increase in the 8-day moving average of DTR (lag 07) corresponded to an increase of 2.08% (95% CI: 0.88%-3.29%) in respiratory ER admissions and 2.14% (95% CI: 0.71%-3.59%) in digestive ER admissions. A 1 °C increase in the 3-day and 6-day moving average of DTR (lag 02 and lag 05) corresponded to a 0.76% (95% CI: 0.07%-1.46%) increase in cardiovascular ER admissions, and 1.81% (95% CI: 0.21%-3.45%) increase in genitourinary ER admissions, respectively. The people aged 75 years and older were associated more strongly with DTR than the 65-74 age group. The modifying effect of season on DTR was observed and it was various in four causes. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the evidence that DTR is an independent risk factor for ER admissions among elderly persons. Some prevention programs that target the elderly and other high risk subgroups for impending large temperature changes may reduce the impact of DTR on people's health.

[Effect of Dahuangzhechong pill on the gene expression spectra of preventing arterial thrombosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Dahuangzhechong pill on the gene expression spectra of preventing arterial thrombosis, and reveal its mechanism on molecule level. METHODS: Mononuclear cell and blood platelet of the arterial thrombosis patients were separated before and after treatment by Dahuangzhechong pill. Their RNA was extracted respectively and the genes expressions were detected using gene array containing 14,000 gene. RESULTS: 44 genes up-expressed and 299 genes down-expressed in blood platelet, 252 genes expression increased and 299 genes expression decreased in mononuclear cell genes after treated with Dahuangzhechong pill. The cluster analysis showed that the genes contained ion channel and transport protein, apoptosis related protein, DNA synthesis, repair and transcription factor, cell receptor, cell signal and transducin, and protein translation and synthesis, etc. CONCLUSION: Dahuangzhechong pill may prevent arterial thrombosis through genes containing ion channel and transport protein, apoptosis related protein, DNA synthesis, repair and transcription factor, cell receptor, cell signal and transducin, and protein translation and synthesis, etc.

[Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on thrombin-induced tissue factor expression in vascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on tissue factor (TF) expression induced by thrombin in human umbilical vein endothelium derived cell line ECV304. METHODS: The changes in the total cellular procoagulant activity (PCA) of ECV304 cells exposed to thrombin were observed with one-stage clotting assay. TF mRNA expression in the exposed cells was examined using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: ECV304 cells stimulated with increasing concentrations of thrombin (1.25-20 U/ml) showed a gradual increase of PCA (r=0.9602, P<0.01). The application of FVII-deficient plasma and the monoclonal antibody of TF confirmed that the PCA of the cells mediated by TF activity. TMP at 125-1000 microg/ml alone did not affect TF expression in ECV304 cells (P>0.20), TMP administered 30 min prior to thrombin exposure showed a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the increments of PCA (r=-0.9644, P<0.01) and TF mRNA expression (r=-0.9576, P<0.05) in ECV304 cells, and 1000 microg/ml TMP produced the strongest effect. In ECV304 cells stimulated with thrombin for 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h, TMP administration significantly inhibited the thrombin-induced PCA, and the effect was especially obvious at 8 h following thrombin exposure (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thrombin induces TF expression in vascular endothelial cells, and this effect can be inhibited by TMP at the mRNA level.

[Development of a digital EEG signal acquiring system based on virtual instrument technology].

This paper introduces an 16-lead digital EEG signal acquisition system, which applies MCU MSP430 as central control unit with high performance analog devices and high speed multi-channel, multi-bit analog-to-digital converter as peripheral to retrench analog circuit. Data is transferred to PC by USART interface. Software on PC based on virtual instrument technology realizes real-time detection, display and storage. The system has many advantages such as high precision, stable performance, small volume and low power dissipation, thus provides a new means for digital EEG signal acquisition.

[Establishment and evaluation of a rabbit model of arterial thrombosis by collagen encapsulated thread-drawing].

OBJECTIVE: To establish and evaluate a rabbit model of arterial thrombosis by modified thread-drawing. METHODS: Fifty-three rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: a normal group, a ligating group,a collagen encapsulated thread-drawing group,a aspirin group,a clopidogrel group, and an aspirin clopidogral group. The endovascular pathological changes in the rabbits were observed, and D-fructose-1,6-diphosphate trisodium salt octahydrate (FDP), D-Dimer and tissue factor (TF) were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In the thread-drawing group, thrombus was obvious, and the endovascular elastic membrane was injured seriously compared with the ligating group. After being treated with aspirin and clopidogrel, most arterial thrombus was softened, dissolved and absorbed. Compared with that in the modified thread-drawing group,wet and dry weight of thrombus increased,and the level of D-Dimer, FDP and TF also increased in the modified thread-drawing group (P<0.01). After being treated by aspirin and/or clopidogrel, the wet and dry weight of thrombus and the level of D-Dimer, FDP and TF decreased compared with the control (P<0.01). Aspirin plus clopidogral could obviously reduce the wet and dry weight of thrombus, and reduce the level of D-Dimer and FDP (P<0.01). Aspirin plus clopidogral could obviously inhibit the formation of TF compared with aspirin (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Arterial thrombosis model by collagen encapsulated thread-drawing which is visible, repeatable and effective is better than thread-drawing. It is suitable for screening anti-thrombosis drugs and evaluating their effect.

[Value of plasma tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and factor VII assessments in patients with acute myocardial and cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical implications of changes in plasma tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and factor VII (FVII) after the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with AMI, 71 with ACI and 50 age-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained from the healthy subjects and from the patients at the early stage of AMI and ACI onset for examination of plasma TF and TFPI activity using chromogenic assay, and the plasma TF and TFPI antigens were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The plasma FVII coagulation activity (FVII:C) was also measured, and the plasma FVIIa determined using soluble TF assay. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, AMI patients had significantly enhanced plasma TF and TFPI activities and elevated TF and TFPI antigen levels (P<0.05), with also markedly increased FVIIa (P<0.05) but comparable FVII:C (P>0.05). In ACI patients, the plasma TF activity and antigen were obviously increased in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but plasma TFPI activity and antigen were lowered (P<0.05), and both the FVII:C and FVIIa were markedly higher (P<0.05). Significant differences were noted in plasma TF and TFPI activities and their antigen levels as well as in FVII:C, but not in FVIIa between AMI and ACI patients. CONCLUSION: V Following the onset of AMI and ACI, TF pathway is initiated and the risk of thrombogenesis increases, and the assessment of TF pathway is therefore of value for understanding the development of the condition.

[Effects of Tongxinluo on cell viability and tissue factor in AngII induced vascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Tongxinluo on cell viability and tissue factor (TF) in AngII induced vascular endothelial cells and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS: AngII(10(-6)mol/L) was added to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) culture media alone or with various concentration of Tongxinluo drug containing plasma (5%,10%, and 20%) added 30 minutes before AngII. Cell viability was evaluated after 24-hour incubation with AngII in a dose manner. TF, AngII type 1 receptor (AT(1)) mRNA, NO synthase (NOS) and NO were observed after 24-hour incubation with AngII. In addition, NOS inhibitor nomega-nitro-larginine (L-NAME) was added 30 minutes before Tongxinluo and AngII. Cell viability, TF, AT(1)mRNA, the level of NOS and NO were evaluated after 24-hour incubation with Tongxinluo and AngII. RESULTS: Tongxinluo significantly improved AngII induced endothelial cell viability and the effect was the most obvious at 10%. Tongxinluo (10%) decreased the TF and AT(1) mRNA while increased the NOS and NO levels. L-NAME obviously inhibited the effects of Tongxinluo on cell viability, TF, AT(1) mRNA, and NOS and NO levels. CONCLUSION: Up-regulating NOS-NO signaling may be the mechanism of Tongxinluo on cell viability and TF in AngII induced vacular endothelial cells.

[Effects of insulin like growth factor-1 on cell viability and tissue factor in vascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on cell viability and tissue factor (TF) in angiotensin II (Ang II) induced vascular endothelial cells and to investigate its mechanisms. METHODS: 10(-6) mol/L Ang II was added to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) culture media alone or 30 min after pretreatment with IGF-1 (0.1 microg/ml , 0.5 microg/ml, 2.5 microg/ml). Cell viability and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1-R) mRNA were evaluated after 24 h incubation with AngII. At the optimum concentration of IGF-1 affecting cell viability, the time dependent manner for 12 - 48 h incubation with Ang II was evaluated. TF, NOS and NO were investigated after 24 h incubation with Ang II. In addition, NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-1-arginine methylester(L-NAME) was added 30 min before addition of IGF-1 and Ang II, and cell viability, TF, AT1-R mRNA, NOS and NO were evaluated after 24 h incubation. RESULTS: (1) Ang II induced a decrease in cell vitality, an upregulation of AT1-R mRNA, an increase in TF, and a decrease in the activity of NOS and content of NO. (2) Pretreatment with IGF-1 significantly inhibited the decreased cell viability and upregulation of AT1-R mRNA. IGF-1 at 0.5 microg/ml showed the most obvious effects. This effect of cell viability recovery was in a time dependent manner during 12 -48 h. (3) IGF-1 also inhibited the increased content of TF, the decreased activity of NOS and the decreased content of NO. (4) The beneficial effects of IGF-1 on cultured endothelial cells were completely abolished by L-NAME. CONCLUSION: IGF-1 pretreatment could enhance the ang II injured cell viability and anti-thrombosis capacity, and the protective effects may be related to activation of NOS-NO signaling pathway which inhibited AT1-R.

[Study on platelet-associated tissue factor and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether normal platelet contains tissue factor (TF), and the significance of platelet-associated TF (PATF). METHODS: Platelets were isolated by Sepharose 2B gel column. ELISA was used to detect the TF content in the lysates of washed platelets. Procoagulant activity of PATF was measured by one stage clotting time assay. The mRNA of TF was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A certain amount of TF antigen (16.37 +/- 6.39) ng/L was detected in the washed-platelet lysates. Upon activation by collagen, platelets released TF and caused a marked increase in TF level in plasma (P <0.05). Resting platelets had no TF procoagulant activity, while procoagulant activity of platelets activated by collagen increased significantly, which could be blocked by TF McAb and poor VII plasma. TF mRNA could not be detected in washed platelets. TF content in platelets from patients with coronary heart disease was significantly higher than that from normal controls (P < 0.05). Resting platelets from the patients showed a higher procoagulant activity, which could be inhibited by TF McAb. CONCLUSION: Platelets contain TF and the latter released by activated platelet was functionally active. Platelet itself might not synthesize TF. Protein content and procoagulant activity of PATF in patients with coronary heart disease were higher than that in controls. All these indicate that platelet may be involved in coagulation and thrombosis by releasing TF.

Levels of plasma des-gamma-carboxy protein C and prothrombin in patients with liver diseases.

AIM: To study the plasma des-gamma-carboxy protein C activity, antigen and prothrombin levels in patients with liver diseases and their clinical significance. METHODS: Plasma protein C activity (PC:C) was detected by chromogenic assay and antigen (PC:Ag) and des-gamma-carboxy protein C (DCPC) were detected by ELISA. Total prothrombin and unabsorbed prothrombin in plasma were detected by ecarin chromogenic assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the levels of PC:C and PC:Ag in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC) were lower (PC:C: 104.65+/-23.0%, 62.50+/-24.89%, 56.75+/-20.14%, PC:Ag: 5.31+/-1.63 microg/mL, 2.28+/-1.15 microg/mL, 2.43+/-0.79 microg/mL, P<0.05). The levels of PC:Ag in patients with acute viral hepatitis (AVH) also was lower (2.98+/-0.91 microg/mL, P<0.01), but PC:C was close to the control (93.76+/-30.49%, P>0.05). The levels of DCPC in patients with HCC were remarkably higher (0.69+/-0.29 microg/mL, 1.18+/-0.63 microg/mL, 0.45+/-0.21 microg/mL, P<0.05) and its average was up to 50% of total PC:Ag. But those of DCPC in patients with AVH were not significantly different from the control. The levels of total prothrombin were lower in patients with LC, but higher in patients with HCC. The levels of unabsorbed prothrombin were predominantly higher than those of other groups. CONCLUSION: PC:C and PC:Ag in patients with liver diseases (except PC:C in AVH) were lower. The total prothrombin was lower in patients with LC. The higher level of unabsorbed prothrombin may be used as a scanning marker for HCC. DCPC may be used as a complementary marker in the diagnosis of HCC.

[Effect of angiotensin II on tissue factor expression in human peripheral blood monocytes and its mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of angiotensin II (AngII) on the expression of tissue factor (TF) by monocytes and its mechanisms. METHODS: Monocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient and Percoll, and cultured in RPMI-1640. Procoagulant activity (PCA) was determined by one-stage clotting method, TF antigen by ELISA. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the TF gene mRNA. The levels of IkappaBalpha was detected by Western blot. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were performed to evaluate the activity of NF-kappaB. RESULTS: AngII (10(-9) - 10(-7) mol/L) significantly increased monocyte PCA, TF antigen and TF mRNA expression in a dose and time dependent manner. Losartan (10(-6) - 10(-5) mol/L) significantly inhibited the effects of AngII on TF activity, antigen and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent effects. Staurosporine (2.5 x 10(-7) mol/L) and genistein (4 x 10(-5) mol/L) lowered TF level of monocytes (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed that after exposure to AngII (10(-7) mol/L), IkappaBalpha level decreased at 15 min, reached nadir at 60 min, and recovered at 180 min. EMSA showed NF-kappaB binding activity increased at 15 min, reached peak at 60 min, and recovered at 180 min. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 10(-4) mol/L), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, or AT1R antagonist losartan (10(-5)mol/L) inhibited AngII-induced NF-kappaB translocation. CONCLUSIONS: AngII could induce the expression of TF in human monocytes, and this effect was mediated by AT1R. The PKC pathway played the most important role in AngII-induced TF expression. The activation of NF-kappaB was involved in TF expression in monocytes.

[Observation on tissue factor pathway during the onset of acute cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the possible relationship between some coagulation factors and the onset of acute cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: The study population consisted of 71 patients with ACI confirmed by CT and 50 age-matched healthy volunteers. Blood samples were obtained during the onset period of ACI. Tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity in plasma were assayed with the chromogenic assay. Plasma TF and TFPI antigen were measured with enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma F VII coagulation activity (F VII: C) and F VIII coagulation activity (F VIII: C) were developed in the one-stage system. Plasma prothrombin (FII) was determined with Ecarin assay. Plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) was measured with thrombin assay. Plasma antithrombin III activity (ATIII) was determined using heparin cofactor activity assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control, plasma TF activity and antigen in patients with ACI were significantly higher (both P<0.05). But plasma TFPI activity and antigen were remarkably lower in the ACI group (both P<0.05). Plasma F VII: C was significantly higher (P<0.01), and F VIII: C was markedly lower (P<0.05). Plasma FII was remarkably higher (P<0.01). Similarly the Fbg was significantly higher in the ACI than that in the control group (P<0.01), whereas ATIII was significantly lower (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The initiation of TF pathway is contributed to the onset of ACI and the blood is in hypercoagulable state during the early period of ACI.

[Changes of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in neonatal jaundice due to infection].

OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor (TF) is an important factor in extrinsic coagulation. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a negative regulator of coagulation mediated by TF. Studies on TF and TFPI focus mainly on adult objects, seldom have been done on newborns, especially on sick newborns. The aim of this study was to observe the changes of TF and TFPI in plasma of newborns with infection jaundice and to research the effect of jaundice and infection on the balance of TF and TFPI in newborns. METHODS: The content of TF and TFPI in plasma of 21 jaundiced newborns with infection and 8 jaundiced newborns without infection as control was determined quantitatively with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The content of TFPI and TF in plasma of jaundiced newborn with infection was significantly higher than that of controls [TFPI (21.0 +/- 4.3) vs. (16.2 +/- 1.9) microg/L, P < 0.01; TF (177 +/- 79) vs. (51 +/- 24) ng/L, P < 0.01]. The ratio of TFPI/TF was significantly lower in newborn with infection jaundice than the controls (137 +/- 61 vs. 319 +/- 67, P < 0.01). The 21 jaundiced newborns with infection were divided into the severe hyperbilirubinemia group (serum bilirubin > or = 205.2 micromol/L, n = 10) and the mild hyperbilirubinemia group (serum bilirubin < 205.2 micromol/L, n = 11). There was no significant difference of TFPI level between the severe hyperbilirubinemia group and mild hyperbilirubinemia group (P > 0.05). The TF content in the severe hyperbilirubinemia group was higher than that in the mild hyperbilirubinemia group (216 +/- 79 vs.141 +/- 63, P < 0.01), while the ration of TFPI/TF was lower in the severe hyperbilirubinemia group than in the mild hyperbilirubinemia group (100 +/- 30 vs. 171 +/- 74, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Infection might induce imbalance between the coagulation inhibition and activation in newborns. Hyperbilirubinemia can aggravate the imbalance induced by the infection through increasing plasma TF level.