Research progress on the role and mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in hyperhomocysteine-induced atherosclerosis / 生理学报

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis are not fully understood. Endothelial dysfunction is a key initiating factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is commonly observed in almost all HHcy-induced vascular diseases. HHcy promotes oxidative stress, inhibits nitric oxide production, suppresses hydrogen sulfide signaling pathway, promotes endothelial mesenchymal transition, activates coagulation pathways, and promotes protein N-homocysteination and cellular hypomethylation, all of which can cause endothelial dysfunction. This article reviews the specific links between HHcy and endothelial dysfunction, and highlights recent evidence that endothelial mesenchymal transition contributes to HHcy-induced vascular damage, with a hope to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of HHcy-related vascular diseases.

Diagnostic value of nasal nitric oxide for children with primary ciliary dyskinesia / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the value of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement as a diagnostic tool for Chinese patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Methods: This study is a retrospective study. The patients were recruited from those who were admitted to the respiratory Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2018 to September 2022. Children with PCD were included as the PCD group, and children with situs inversus or ambiguus, cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, chronic suppurative lung disease and asthma were included as the PCD symptom-similar group. Children who visited the Department of Child health Care and urology in the same hospital from December 2022 to January 2023 were selected as nNO normal control group. nNO was measured during plateau exhalation against resistance in three groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the nNO data. The receiver operating characteristic of nNO value for the diagnosis of PCD was plotted and, the area under the curve and Youden index was calculated to find the best cut-off value. Results: nNO was measured in 40 patients with PCD group, 75 PCD symptom-similar group (including 23 cases of situs inversus or ambiguus, 8 cases of CF, 26 cases of bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease, 18 cases of asthma), and 55 nNO normal controls group. The age of the three groups was respectively 9.7 (6.7,13.4), 9.3 (7.0,13.0) and 9.9 (7.3,13.0) years old. nNO values were significantly lower in children with PCD than in PCD symptom-similar group and nNO normal controls (12 (9,19) vs. 182 (121,222), 209 (165,261) nl/min, U=143.00, 2.00, both P<0.001). In the PCD symptom-similar group, situs inversus or ambiguus, CF, bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease and asthma were significantly higher than children with PCD (185 (123,218), 97 (52, 132), 154 (31, 202), 266 (202,414) vs. 12 (9,19) nl/min,U=1.00, 9.00, 133.00, 0, all P<0.001). A cut-off value of 84 nl/min could provide the best sensitivity (0.98) and specificity (0.92) with an area under the curve of 0.97 (95%CI 0.95-1.00, P<0.001). Conclusions: nNO value can draw a distinction between patients with PCD and others. A cut-off value of 84 nl/min is recommended for children with PCD.

Efficacy of the herbal pair, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and Eucommiae Cortex, in preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in the zebrafish model / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#In traditional Chinese medicine, the herbal pair, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (RAB) and Eucommiae Cortex (EC), is widely used to treat osteoporosis. Herein, we determined whether this herbal pair can be used to ameliorate glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) and find its optimal dosage in zebrafish.@*METHODS@#The characteristics of the aqueous extract of RAB and EC were separately characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography. Osteoporosis was induced in 5-day post-fertilization zebrafish larvae by exposing them to 10 μmol/L dexamethasone (Dex) for 96 h. Seven combinations of different ratios of RAB and EC were co-administered. Treatment efficacy was determined by calculating zebrafish vertebral area and sum brightness, via alizarin red staining, and by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the optimal dosage ratio.@*RESULTS@#According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015), β-ecdysone (β-Ecd) is a major bioactive marker in RAB extract, while pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG) is the major marker in EC extract. Both of β-Ecd and PDG content values aligned with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards. Treatment with 10 μmol/L Dex reduced zebrafish vertebral area, sum brightness, and ALP activity, but RAB and EC attenuated these effects. Combining 50 µg/mL RAB and 50 µg/mL EC was optimal for preventing GIOP in zebrafish. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes. A treatment of 10 μmol/L Dex decreased runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), bone γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGLAP), and β-catenin levels. This effect was counteracted by RAB and EC co-treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, the effect of using the two herbal extracts together was better than single-herb treatments separately. These results demonstrated that RAB and EC preserve osteoblast function in the presence of GC. The best mass ratio was 1:1.@*CONCLUSION@#RAB and EC herbal pair could ameliorate GC-induced effects in zebrafish, with 1:1 as the optimal dosage ratio.

Prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in Yunnan Province: a cross-sectional study in 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the current prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in Yunnan province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the soil-borne nematodiasis control strategy in the province. Methods In 2015, a total of 20 survey sites were sampled in 10 counties (cities) of Yunnan Province using the stratified cluster random sampling method. Stool samples were collected from all local permanent residents at ages of one year and older in each survey site, and the soil-borne nematode eggs were identified using the modified Kato-Katz technique and the egg number was counted. In addition, the hookworm species was identified using the filter-paperculture method, and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected using the cellophane tape method in children at ages of 3 to 6 years. Results A total of 5 067 residents received stool examinations, and 950 residents were detected with soil-borne nematode infections, with an overall prevalence rate of 18.75%. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura and hookworm was 7.52%, 8.47% and 9.02%, respectively. Among 446 children detected using the cellophane tape method, 5 children were detected with E. vermicularis infections. Among the 160 residents with hookworm infections, there were 139 residents with Necator americanus infections (86.88%), 16 with A. duodenale infections (10.00%) and 5 with mixed infections (3.12%). Mild A. lumbricoides (67.98%, 259/381), T. trichura (88.58%, 380/429) and hookworm infections (94.53%, 432/457) were predominant. Among the four ecological zones, the highest prevalence of human soilborne nematode infections was found in the East Tibet-South Sichuan Ecological Zone (31.79%), and among the 10 survey counties (cities), the greatest prevalence was seen in Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (50.13%), while the lowest prevalence was found in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (0.40%). The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections was 5.67% (43/759), 26.67% (610/2 287) and 14.70% (297/2 021) in high-, moderate- and low-economic-level regions, respectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in terms of ecological regions, survey counties (cities) or economic development levels (χ2 = 342.20, 814.60 and 201.34, all P < 0.05). There was no significantdifference in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections between male (18.21%, 441/2 422) and female residents (19.24%, 509/2 645) (χ2 = 0.89, P > 0.05), and soil-borne nematode infections were detected in residents at all age groups, with the greatest prevalence found in residents at ages of 1 to 9 years (25.88%). In addition, the highest prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections was seen in residents with the Dulong Ethnic Minority (82.09%), in preschool children (25.06%) and in illiterate residents (24.80%), and there was no age-, ethnicity-, occupation- or education level-specific prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections detected (χ2 = 46.50, 1 016.96, 36.33 and 52.43, all P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections remains high in Yunnan Province. The management of soil-borne nematodiasis requires to be reinforced among low-age children, farmers, old people and residents with low educations levels or ethnic groups.

miR-133a mediates Bcl-xl expression to regulate endothelial cell apoptosis / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveThe specific mechanism of microRNA-133a (miR-133a) involved in the pathological process of atherosclerosis (As) remains an open question. This study aims to explore the role of miR-133a in the regulation of endothelial cell apoptosis.MethodsCultured human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs) were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The mRNA levels of Bcl-xl and miRNA (miR-133a, etc) were detected by qRT-PCR method. The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xl and cleaved-caspase3 was detected by Western blotting, and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. The transient transfection technique was used to observe the effect of overexpression and silencing of miR-133a, on the expression of target gene Bcl-xl protein and endothelial cell apoptosis.Results Ox-LDL was observed to decrease the viability of HCAECs cells and induce HCAECs apoptosis; miR-133a increased abnormally in the apoptosis model; after silencing miR-133a, the decrease of Bcl-xl and the increase of apoptosis rate induced by ox-LDL were partially reversed; the overexpression of miR-133a, Bcl-xl decreased and the apoptosis rate increased, and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion miR-133a might target and regulate the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xl, to induce endothelial cell apoptosis and promote the formation of AS.

Clinical effect of endovascular embolization in treatment of hemoptysis of systemic arterial origin in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effect of endovascular embolization (EVE) in the treatment of hemoptysis of systemic arterial origin in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 20 children with hemoptysis of systemic arterial origin who underwent EVE from January 2016 to November 2017 were enrolled. The method for embolization was analyzed and the clinical outcome was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Offending vessels were bronchial artery (BA) in 14 children, non-bronchial systemic artery (NBSA) in 1 child, and BA and NBSA in 5 children. Of all the children, 13 underwent EVE with peripheral embolization agents and 7 underwent EVE with mechanical coils. A total of 41 offending vessels were embolized (34 BAs and 7 NBSAs) and all the children achieved immediate arrest of hemoptysis. Two children experienced recurrence within 6 months after EVE and 2 experienced recurrence with 6-24 months after EVE. The peripheral embolization agent group had a lower overall recurrence rate than the mechanical coil group [8%(1/13) vs 43%(3/7); P=0.10]. One child experienced intracranial ectopic embolism after surgery and had good quality of life during 20 months of follow-up after treatment. No other complications were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EVE is a safe and effective method for the treatment of hemoptysis of systemic arterial origin in children and thus holds promise for clinical application.</p>

Protective effects of ranolazine preconditioning on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To study protective effects of ranolazine preconditioning on myocardial ischemia reperfusion in-jury(MIRI)in rats.Methods:A total of 32 SD rats were randomly and equally divided into sham operation group, ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)group,low dose ranolazine group(low dose group)and high dose ranolazine group (high dose group).HR,SBP,DBP,left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP),left ventricular pressure maximum rate of rise(+dp/dtmax),left ventricular pressure maximum rate of de-cline(-dp/dtmax),levels of CK-MB,LDH and cTnI,severity of myocardial infarction and ATP concentration were measured and compared among all groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,there were significant re-ductions in LVSP[(119.35 ± 5.00)mmHg vs.(92.68 ± 2.95)mmHg vs.(100.60 ± 3.12)mmHg vs.(112.22 ± 3.69)mmHg],LVDP[(24.78 ± 1.71)mmHg vs.(17.26 ± 1.69)mmHg vs.(19.25 ± 1.05)mmHg vs.(22.18 ± 1.55)mmHg],+dp/dtmax[(3736 ± 102.37)mmHg/s vs.(3115 ± 112.72)mmHg/s vs.(3338 ± 51.88)mmHg/s vs.(3446 ± 37.99)mmHg/s],-dp/dtmax[(3634 ± 102.51)mmHg/s vs.(3015 ± 127.00)mmHg/s vs.(3239 ±37.36)mmHg/s vs.(3349 ± 45.49)mmHg/s]and ATP concentration[(22.54 ± 1.52)nmol/mg vs.(14.08 ± 1.80) nmol/mg vs.(16.88 ± 0.74)nmol/mg vs.(19.34 ± 0.88)nmol/mg],and significant rise in levels of CK-MB [(490.88 ± 168.04)U/L vs.(1259.0 ± 78.02)U/L vs.(1127.9 ± 127.23)U/L vs.(956.62 ± 105.22)U/L], LDH[(1494.9 ± 174.84)U/L vs.(2657.6 ± 104.33)U/L vs.(2293.9 ± 99.58)U/L vs.(1932.6 ± 134.25)U/L]and cTnI[(1.03 ± 0.14)ng/ml vs.(10.62 ± 1.34)ng/ml vs.(6.97 ± 1.32)ng/ml vs.(4.87 ± 0.79)ng/ml] in I/R group,low dose group and high dose group,P<0.01 all.Compared with I/R group,there were significant rise in LVSP,LVDP,+ dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmaxand ATP concentration,and significant reductions in levels of CK-MB,LDH and cTnI and MI severity[(0.5289 ± 0.0223)vs.(0.4887 ± 0.0089)vs.(0.4438 ± 0.0154)]in low dose group and high dose group(P<0.05 or <0.01),and those of high dose group were significantly better than those of low dose group(P< 0.05 or < 0.01).Conclusion:Ranolazine preconditioning possesses significant protective effect on MIRI,and it's dose-dependent.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in 4 girls / 中国当代儿科杂志

This article reports 4 girls with clinical manifestations of recurrent cough and anemia. The age of onset was less than 4 years, and three of them had shortness of breath. None of them had acute hemoptysis. All the girls had positive results of hemosiderin test for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. As for imaging examination, 3 patients had ground-glass opacity, and 1 had interstitial change. Three girls were given the treatment for idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis and had no response. Selective bronchial arteriography was performed for the 4 girls and found bronchial artery to pulmonary circulation shunt (BPS). After they were diagnosed with BPS, they were given transcatheter embolization. The girls were followed up for half a year after surgery, and none of them was readmitted due to "cough and anemia". BPS manifests as abnormal shunt between the bronchial artery and the pulmonary artery/vein and has unknown causes. It is rare in children and should be considered for children who were thought to have idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis and had poor response to corticosteroid therapy.

Diagnostic Value of Nasopharyngeal Aspirates in Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The accuracy of nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) specimens in detecting lower respiratory pathogens remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of aspirates (NPAs) specimen in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The prospective study was designed to collect the data of paired NPAs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from children with acute LRTIs from January 2013 to December 2015. All specimens were subjected to pathogen detection: bacterial detection by culture, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) detection by polymerase chain reaction assay and virus (influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza virus [PIV] Types 1 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus) detection by immunofluorescence assay. The diagnostic accuracy analysis of NPAs was stratified by age ≤3 years (n = 194) and >3 years (n = 294).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We collected paired specimens from 488 children. The positive rate of pathogen was 61.6%. For Streptococcus pneumoniae, NPA culture had the specificity of 89.9% and negative predictive value of 100% in age ≤3 years, the specificity of 97.2% and negative predictive value of 98.9% in age >3 years. For Mp, the positive predictive values of NPA was 77.4% in children ≤3 years, and 89.1% in children >3 years. For PIV III, NPA specimen had the specificity of 99.8% and negative predictive value of 96.5% in children ≤3 years. For adenovirus, NPA had the specificity of 97.8% and negative predictive value of 98.4% in age ≤3 years, the specificity of 98.9% and negative predictive value of 99.3% in age >3 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NPAs are less invasive diagnostic respiratory specimens, a negative NPA result is helpful in "rule out" lower airway infection; however, a positive result does not reliably "rule in" the presence of pathogens.</p>

Clinical effect of PRP combined with calcium dobesilate in treatment of patients with DR / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the clinical effect of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) combined with calcium dobesilate in treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR).METHODS:Selected 120 cases (240 eyes) of DR diagnosed in our hospital from January 2011 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether calcium dobesilate was used, the treatment group was divided into two groups.Sixty cases were treated with PRP combined with calcium dobesilate, and 60 cases in the control group were treated with PRP only.The BCVA, CMT and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared.RESULTS:Before treatment, there was no significant difference on BCVA between combined group and control group (P>0.05).After treatment, BCVA of combined group was higher than that of the control group (P0.05);after treatment, the combination group on CMT, neovascularization and fluorescein leakage area value were less than the control group (P<0.01).After treatment, combined group was appearance effect in 65.0%, effective in 30.0%, invalid in 5.0%, the control group was 50.8%, effective 36.7%, invalid 12.5%, all statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:PRP combined with calcium dobesilate in treatment of DR has a more significant clinical effect than PRP alone.

Efficacy and safety of ranibizumab combined with laser treatment in patients with BRVO and macular edema / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate efficacy of ranibizumab combined with laser treatment for patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and macular edema.METHODS: We selected 67 patients (67 eyes) with BRVO and macular edema in our hospital from March 2013 to June 2016, they were randomly divided into observation group (n=31) and control group (n=36).The observation group was treated with ranibizumab combined with laser treatment.The control group was treated with macular grid photocoagulation.We observed best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), centre macular thickness (CMT) and macular leakage of two groups.RESULTS: The BCVA of observation group at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment were 0.41±0.07, 0.42±0.05 and 0.48±0.05, significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).The CMT of observation group at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment were 203.11±59.13μm, 201.41±56.22μm and 204.22±60.13μm, significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).The blood vessel leakage of observation group at 3mo after treatment was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05).No leakage ratio in the observation group was 71%.There were no postoperative infection, aseptic endophthalmitis and other complications in the two groups.CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab combined with laser treatment in patients with BRVO and macular edema has better curative effect, can improve the visual acuity of patients, eliminate macular edema, and is safe and reliable.

[Investigation of soil - transmitted nematode infections in Xiding Township, Menghai County, Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Xiding Township, Menghai County, Yunnan Province, so as to provide the reference for formulating the strategy of soil-transmitted nematodosis control. METHODS: Soil-transmitted nematode eggs in feces were detected by the Kato-Katz method, and the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected by the cellophane tape method in children. The soil samples were collected from vegetable, fruit and other crop fields of 15 residents randomly to detect hookworm. RESULTS: The stool samples from 1 002 residents were examined and the soil -transmitted nematode infection rate was 20.06% (201/1 002). The infection rates of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichura were 18.96% (190 cases), 1.70% (17 cases) and 0.90% (9 cases) respectively. The percentages of people with light infection of hookworm, A. lumbricoides and T. trichura were 97.37% (185/190), 88.24% (15/17) and 100% (9/9) respectively. No infection of E. vermicularis was found. Fifteen soil samples were tested, and no hookworm was found in the soil. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate of soil-transmitted nematode in Xiding Township, Menghai County is high, but the infectiosity is light. The control and monitoring of soil-transmitted nematodosis should be strengthened in this area.

Expression and significance of VEGF, CD34, Ki-67 and p21 in pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM:To investigate the expression of VEGF, CD34, Ki-67 and p21 in pterygium as well as the correlation between their expression and clinical pathological characteristics;explore its pathogenesis. METHODS: lmmunohistochemical S - P staining method was adopted in detecting the expression of VEGF, CD34, Ki-67 and p21 in 62 cases of pterygia and 20 cases of normal conjunctival tissues. Relationship between these markers and clinical pathological characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS:(1) The positive expression of VEGF, CD34, Ki-67 and p21 in 62 cases of pterygia was 74. 2% (46/62), 77. 4% ( 48/62 ), 66. 1% ( 41/62 ) and 40. 3% ( 25/62 ) respectively. The differences were statistically significant compared with normal conjunctival tissues (P0. 05 ); the expression of Ki-67 was correlated with clinical stages (P0. 05 ); the expression of p21 was correlated with clinical stages and pterygium characters (P 0. 05 ). ( 3 ) Spearman correlation showed that there was a positive correlation between VEGF and Ki - 67 ( r = 0. 279, P 0. 05). CONCLUSlON: ( 1 ) Overexpression of VEGF, Ki-67, CD34 and low expression of p21 suggest that these markers are concerned with the development and progression of pterygium. ( 2 ) Expression of VEGF and CD34 increases along with the increase of clinical types and stages, expression of Ki-67 increases along with the increase of clinical stages, and expression of p21 decreases along with the improvement of clinical types or stages; they suggest that these markers may play important roles in the development and recurrence of pterygium. ( 3 ) There is positive correlation between VEGF and Ki-67, VEGF and CD34 as well as negative correlation between VEGF and p21. They suggest that there may be synergistic action between two factors during the development and progression of pterygium.

Congenital cystic lung lesions in 52 children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnosis,operation and outcomes of congenital cystic lung lesions in children.Methods Fifty-two children with congenital cystic lung lesions were collected.The clinical data s were analyzed including manifestations,lesion characteristics,imaging,histopathology,diagnosis,surgical treatment methods and short-term pulmonary functions.Results There were 33 male and 19 female,aged from 1 day to 159 months,their median age was 3.67 months.Five cases were neonates.There were 42 cases of bronchogenic cyst,6 cases of pulmonary sequestration,3 cases of congenital lobar emphysema and 1 case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.The cases commonly manifested by lung infections.Of 52 cases,61.5％ were diagnosed after the first onset of lung infection,21.1％ for repeated lung infections and 17.3％ with no symptom.Right lower lung was the most common lesion site and the cases accounted about for 36.5％.Multiple gas cysts were the most common imaging findings accounting about for 42.3％.The pathologic examination of all cases showed bronchogenic cysts.The missed diagnosis rate was 17.3％.The misdiagnosis rate was 24.9％,which of bronchogenic cyst cases was 19.2％.All cases received the lobectomy without death.Conclusions The preoperative diagnosis of congenital cystic lung lesions is mostly based on imaging findings.Clinical manifestations are useful for identifying early the lesions.The preoperative diagnosis may be easily missed or incorrectly done.Pathological findings contribute to make a definite diagnosis.The surgery effect is satisfactory and the outcome is good.

Impact factors for efficacy of specific immunotherapy in children with dust mite allergic asthma / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate impact factors for the efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) in children with dust mite allergic asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-nine children with house dust mite allergic asthma received standardized SIT, and the level of asthma control was evaluated after 6 months (S1 stage), 12 months (S2 stage), 18 months (S3 stage), and 24 months (S4 stage) of treatment. The age of first visit, course of asthma, level of asthma severity, initial serum specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) level, combination with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis, use of inhaled corticosteroids, and local or systemic side effects during treatment were recorded, and their impacts on the level of asthma control were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As the SIT proceeded, the number of clinically controlled cases increased significantly (P<0.01). The level of asthma control was significantly affected by the age of patients at first visit in S1 and S3 stages, and combination with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis in S1 stage (P<0.05). In all stages of SIT, the controlled cases had significantly higher initial serum sIgE levels than the uncontrolled cases (P<0.05). In S1 and S2 stages, there was a significantly higher proportion of controlled cases among children with a high level of asthma severity than among those with a low level of asthma severity (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a positive correlation between long-term efficacy of SIT and the course or the total dose of treatment. Patients with higher initial serum sIgE levels achieve clinical control earlier than those with lower initial serum sIgE levels during SIT.</p>

Clinical application of M-CHAT and CHAT-23 for autism screening / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and compare Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-23 (CHAT-23) in terms of clinical applicability, and to provide a basis for the understanding of early specific clinical manifestations of children with autism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 350 children aged 18-36 months who visited the Department of Developmental Pediatrics of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were enrolled as subjects. Of the 350 children, 284 who had not been previously diagnosed with autism were screened according to the two checklists. Sixty-eight confirmed cases of autism (including two of the 284 screening subjects diagnosed with autism) were assigned to the autism group, and 278 of the 284 screening subjects (except six children diagnosed with autism, mental retardation or cerebral palsy) were assigned to the control group. The two groups were compared with respect to the positive rate for each item in the checklists. The efficacy of the M-CHAT and CHAT-23 assessment criteria was evaluated by comparative analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The autism group showed the highest positive rate for Item 9. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the positive rates for all items except Item 16 (P<0.05). When the assessment criterion was that autism was confirmed if there were positive results for at least 3 of a total of 23 items, M-CHAT showed the lowest rate of missed diagnosis (0%); when the assessment criterion was that autism was confirmed if there were positive results for at least 6 of a total of 23 items, CHAT-23 showed the lowest rate of misdiagnosis (1.77%). The specificity of M-CHAT is lower than that of CHAT-23 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sensitivity between the two checklists (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CHAT-23 is more suitable than M-CHAT for clinical autism screening due to higher specificity, as well as having the advantages of low cost, easy completion,high efficiency and easy result judgment.</p>

[Experiences of comprehensive control of parasitic diseases in demonstration plot of Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province].

We established and perfected the system of control work, achieved the expected targets, and explored the advisable pattern for prevention and control on soil-transmitted nematode diseases. To perform the prevention and control on soil-transmitted nematodiasis, there should be the guidance of government, the multi-sectoral cooperation, community participation, paying attention to the organization and management, and highlighting the key points including education and deworming.

[Evaluation on intervention measures of comprehensive control for parasitic diseases in demonstration plot of Xiangyun County].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention measures to control and prevent parasitic diseases in the demonstration plot of Xiangyun County, so as to provide the evidence for establishing appropriate measures of parasitic diseases control and prevention. METHODS: The baseline data of soil-transmitted nematode infections were obtained in 2006. A series of intervention measures, including health education, deworming, drinking water improvement,latrine improvement, and environment reconstruction, were performed for three years and the effect of the comprehensive intervention measures was evaluated by the national expert group in 2009. RESULTS: The awareness rate of parasitic disease knowledge of residents in 2009 (86.96%) was significantly higher than that in 2006 (35.20%) (Chi2 = 122.95, P < 0.01). The passing rate of resident health behavior in 2009 (97.10%) was significantly higher than that in 2006 (48.00%) (Chi2 = 122.95, P < 0.01). The general infection rate of parasites in 2009 (2.47%) was significantly lower than that in 2006 (19.14%) (Chi2 = 162.88, P < 0.01). Of soil-transmitted nematode infections, the infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides in both 2006 and 2009 were the highest and the rates were 18.74% and 2.08%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the demonstration plots for parasitic diseases control and prevention of Xiangyun County, the effect of the comprehensive intervention measures which take health education as the forerunner and give priority to control source of parasite infection is remarkable. The measures implemented can achieve the purpose to reduce the infection rates of parasites and improve human health.

Relationship between gene mutations and intelligence in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the level of intelligence in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and the relationship between the level of intelligence and gene mutations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two children with DMD between January 2009 and March 2011 were enrolled. DMD gene detection was performed through the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in 84 cases. The level and the structure of intelligence were evaluated by Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC) in 50 children with DMD (≥6 years old; DMD group) and in 50 age-and gender-matched healthy children (control group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average intelligence quotient (IQ) was 84±21 in 102 children with DMD. Thirty patients (29.4%) had the full intelligence quotient (FIQ) less than 70. The FIQ, verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) and the scores of 11 sub-tests of intelligence in the DMD group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The IQ in patients with gene mutations at exon 56-79 was the lowest (59.3±11.9), followed by in patients with gene mutations at exon 45-55 (88.6±1.9), at exon 1-29 (97.5±9.6) and at exon 30-44 (102.8±3.8) (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The FIQ, VIQ and PIQ in children with DMD are lower than those in healthy children. There is association between mental retardation and gene mutations.</p>

Effects of inotodiol extracts from inonotus obliquus on proliferation cycle and apoptotic gene of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and cell proliferation cycle of human lung carcinoma cell line A549 treated with Inotodiol extracts from Inonotus obliquus and explore the possibility of Inotodiol extracts from Inonotus obliquus as a new tumor chemopreventive drug.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human lung cancer cell line A549 was treated with different concentrations of Inotodiol, the effects of Inotodiol on cell apoptosis, the expression of Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 and cell cycle were detected by TUNEL assay, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry assay respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inotodiol extracts had antiproliferation effect on human lung carcinoma cell line A549. The expression of Ki-67 decreased with the increase of Inotodiol concentration and exposure time (P<0.05), in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The typical characteristics of the apoptosis of A549 cells treated with Inotodiol were observed, and the apoptotic rate of A549 cell at 48 h was the highest by TUNEL assay. Inotodiol arrested A549 cells in the S phase, and apoptotic peak was observed by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry indicated that the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased, while the expression of p53 and Bax proteins increased in A549 cells treated with Inotodiol, compared with the control cells (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inotodiol can inhibit proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells, and its molecular mechanism may be associated with the up-regulating expression of p53 and bax proteins and down-regulating expression of Bcl-2 protein, which arrested A549 cells in S phase.</p>