Application of ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in children with appendix-related chronic abdominal pain / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in children with appendix-related chronic abdominal pain.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 30 children with the chief complaint of chronic abdominal pain who were admitted from August 2019 to May 2021. All the children were found to have inflammation of the appendix or intracavitary stool and fecalith by ultrasound and underwent ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy. The medical data for analysis included clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, length of hospital stay, and cure rate.@*RESULTS@#Among the 30 children with chronic abdominal pain, there were 13 boys (43%) and 17 girls (57%), with a mean age of (9±3) years (range 3-15 years) at diagnosis. The median duration of the disease was 12 months, and the median length of hospital stay was 3 days. The children had a median white blood cell count of 6.7×109/L and a neutrophil percentage of 50%±13%. Fecalith and a large amount of feces were flushed out of the appendix cavity for 21 children (70%) during surgery. The follow-up rate was 97% (29/30), and the median follow-up time was 11 months (range 5-26 months). Of the 29 children, abdominal pain completely disappeared in 27 children (93%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy is effective in children with chronic abdominal pain caused by feces or fecalith in the appendix cavity.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo- and positive-controlled phase III trial of 1% benvitimod cream in mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Benvitimod cream, a novel synthetic small molecule, was effective in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. We conducted a phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of benvitimod cream in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.@*METHODS@#We randomly assigned 686 patients (2:1:1) to receive 1% benvitimod cream, 0.005% calcipotriol ointment or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients with a 75% or greater reduction from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) score and with a score of 0 or 1 in static physician's global assessment (sPGA) at week 12.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that 50.4% of patients in the benvitimod group achieved PASI 75, which was significantly higher than that in the calcipotriol (38.5%, P < 0.05) and placebo (13.9%, P < 0.05) groups. The proportion of patients achieving an sPGA score 0 or 1 was 66.3% in the benvitimod group and 63.9% in the calcipotriol group, which were both significantly higher than that in the placebo group (34%, P < 0.05). In the long-term follow-up study, 50.8% of patients experienced recurrence. After retreatment with 1% benvitimod, 73.3% of patients achieved an sPGA score of 0 or 1 again at week 52. Adverse events included application site irritation, follicular papules, and contact dermatitis. No systemic adverse reactions were reported.@*CONCLUSION@#During this 12-week study, benvitimod cream was demonstrated with high effectiveness and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-TRC-13003259; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=6300.

Establishment of a congenital chloride diarrhea-associated SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) polymorphism-expressing cell model and a preliminary analysis of its mechanism of action / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD)-associated SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) polymorphism-expressing cell model, and to investigate its biological function.@*METHODS@#The sequence of the SLC26A3 gene in GenBank was used to design the upstream and downstream single-guide RNA (sgRNA) that could specifically recognize the 392 locus of the SLC26A3 gene, and the sgRNA was mixed with the pSpCas9-puro vector after enzyme digestion to construct an eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid (pSpCas9-SLC26A3). Caco-2 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid and synthesized single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs), and Taqman genotyping assay and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the expression of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) in Caco-2 cells. Wild-type Caco-2 cells were selected as normal control group and the Caco-2 cells with successful expression of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) was selected as P131R group. Both groups were treated with 100 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and then the normal control group was named as TNF-α group, and the P131R group was named as TNF-α+P131R group. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) assay was used to evaluate the change in the monolayer barrier function of intestinal epithelial cells in the above four groups, and Western blot was used to measure the change in the expression of SLC26A3 protein in the normal control group and the P131R group.@*RESULTS@#The eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid (pSpCas9-SLC26A3) was successfully constructed. Both Taqman genotyping assay and Sanger sequencing confirmed the successful establishment of the Caco-2 cell model of SLC26A3 c.392C>G (p.P131R) expression. ECIS assay showed that compared with the normal control group, the P131R group had a significant increase in the monolayer permeability of intestinal epithelial cells (PG (p.P131R) can reduce the expression of SLC26A3 protein, increase the monolayer permeability of intestinal epithelial cells, and thus lead to diarrhea.

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on mRNA expression of tight junction protein ZO-1 in intestinal epithelial cells after Escherichia coli LF82 infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the change in the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1 in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) and the protective effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) after adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (E.coli) LF82 infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Caco-2 cell line was used to establish an in vitro model of tight junction of intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2 cells were divided into EPA treatment groups (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L EPA) and EPA (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L EPA)+E.coli LF82 treatment (0, 6, and 12 hours) groups. A microscope was used to observe the morphological characteristics of the cells. MTT assay was used to determine the cell growth curve. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at both sides of the cell membrane was compared to evaluate the Caco-2 cell model. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to investigate the effects of different concentrations of EPA on the survival rate and apoptosis rate of Caco-2 cells. RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of ZO-1 in Caco-2 cells after EPA and/or E.coli LF82 treatment. ELISA was used to measure the change in the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in culture supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After EPA treatment (25 and 50 μmol/L), the proliferation of Caco-2 cells was induced in a dose-dependent manner. The survival rates of the cells were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The EPA treatment (100 and 200 μmol/L) groups had a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Caco-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The survival rates of the cells were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The EPA treatment (100 and 200 μmol/L) groups had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate compared with the control group (P<0.05). The 6- and 12-hour E.coli LF82 treatment groups had decreasing mRNA expression of ZO-1 in Caco-2 cells over the time of treatment and had significantly lower mRNA expression of ZO-1 than the untreated group (P<0.05). The Caco-2 cells treated with E.coli LF82 and 25 or 50 μmol/L EPA for 6 or 12 hours showed an increase in the mRNA expression of ZO-1 with the increasing concentration of EPA, as well as significantly higher mRNA expression of ZO-1 than the Caco-2 cells treated with E.coli LF82 alone (P<0.05). The Caco-2 cells treated with E.coli LF82 alone for 6 or 12 hours had increasing secretion of TNF-α over the time of treatment and had significantly higher secretion than the untreated Caco-2 cells (P<0.05). The Caco-2 cells treated with E.coli LF82 and 25 or 50 μmol/L EPA for 6 or 12 hours showed a reduction in the secretion of TNF-α with the increasing concentration of EPA and had significantly lower secretion than the Caco-2 cells treated with E.coli LF82 alone (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EPA can effectively prevent the destruction of tight junction of intestinal epithelial cells induced by E.coli LF82 infection and inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors. Therefore, it has a certain protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier.</p>

Observation of ultrastructure of morphological relationship between neurons and astrocytes in hippocampi of pentylenetetrazol-kindled epileptic rats / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe ultrastructure of the morphological relationship between neuron and astrocytes in hippocampi of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled epileptic rats,and to investigate the communicative ways between them.Methods Epilepsy models of 10 kindled rats established by intraperitoneal injection of PTZ[i.p.,35 mg/(kg · d)],assigned as kindled group.Five rats received 9 g/L saline as control group.Three days after being kindled,the ultrastructural relationship between neurons and the astrocytes was observed with transmission electron microscope and Cx43 labelling immuno-electron microscopy.Results 1.Synapses increased in hippocampi of PTZ-kindled epileptic rats.2.Gap junctions were observed between astrocytes and neurons.3.Astrocytic process extended into the synaptic cleft between pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membranes which formed the synaptic complex.4.The Cx43-hemichannels existed between astrocytes and neurons.Conclusions In hippocampi of PTZ-kindled epileptic rats,ultrastructure of morphological relationship between neurons and astrocytes includes synaptic complex,gap junctions and hemichannels,which might be communicative forms between neurons and astrocytes.

Receptor interacting protein 1 involved in ultraviolet B induced NIH3T3 cell apoptosis through expression of matrix metalloproteinases and reactive oxygen species production / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), which plays a key role in apoptosis, cell survival and programmed cell necrosis, is one of the most important proteins in the RIP family. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of RIP1 in the apoptosis, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) in fibroblasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>siRNA targeting RIP1 was used to silence RIP1 expression in the NIH3T3 fibroblasts. The mRNA and protein levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, caspase-3 and -8 activities, and ROS activities were determined by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunoblotting, caspase activity assay, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were significantly increased in RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells at 24 hours after UVB treatment. At 24 hours after exposure to UVB, RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells presented apoptotic morphology, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased accompanied by pronounced increase in caspase-8 and -3 activities. ROS production was inhibited by UVB at 12 hours in RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RIP1 is involved in NIH3T3 cell damage induced by UVB via participating in the apoptosis, expression of MMPs and ROS production.</p>

Infliximab monotherapy for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tumor necrosis factor-α is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to tumor necrosis factor-α. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy and safety of 5 mg/kg infliximab therapy in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 129 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized to the induction therapy (weeks 0, 2 and 6) with infliximab 5 mg/kg (n = 84) or placebo (n = 45), followed with infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at week 14 and week 22 in the infliximab group, and infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at weeks 10, 12 and 16 in the placebo group. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75 response rate) from baseline at week 10.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At week 10, 81.0% of patients treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg) achieved a 75% or greater improvement compared with 2.2% of patients treated with placebo (P < 0.001). A significant improvement in PASI, Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), was seen from week 6 through week 14 in the infliximab group compared with the placebo group. Through week 22, PASI, PGA, DLQI were well maintained. The incidence of adverse events for the infliximab treatment group was slightly higher in comparison to the placebo treatment group during the first 10 weeks without statistical significance. However, there were 3 cases of tuberculosis that developed during the 26 weeks treatment with infliximal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Infliximab treatment was effective as induction and maintenance treatments for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Most drug-induced adverse events were mild to moderate, and well tolerated. Screening for tuberculosis is essential and prophylactic treatment should be given if necessary.</p>

Motilin receptor expression in the interstitial cells of Cajal / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To look for the evidences of motilin receptor expression on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the rabbit.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Smooth muscle segments with ICC were isolated from the small intestine of 10-day old rabbits. The tissue segments equilibrated in Ca(2+)-free Hanks' solution were dispersed with an enzyme solution containing collagenase type II and then Ficoll density centrifugation was used to dissociate ICC. The cells were suspended and cultured in the M199 medium. The c-kit antibody was applied to distinguish the cultured ICC. The motilin receptor was identified by immunocytochemical assay with GPR38 antibody, c-kit antibody and hoechst 33342 combined to label ICC. Cells cultured for a few days were sorted for ICC with c-kit stained green fluorescent through flow cytometry. The total RNA and proteins extracted from the sorted ICC were respectively used to verify motilin receptor on the ICC by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>We had successfully dissociated and cultured ICC of rabbit small intestine in vitro. Fluorescent staining with c-kit antibody confirmed that the culture ICC was successful. Triple-labeled immunofluorescent staining had detected the motilin receptor on membrane of ICC. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the ratio of c-kit positive cell in the cultured cells was 64.3%. The number of sorted ICC was 6.7 × 10(5) and 5.6 × 10(6). The results of RT-PCR and Western blot confirmed that the ICC had motilin receptor expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study demonstrated presence of motilin receptor on ICC of the rabbit. The present results may suggest that ICC play an important role in gastrointestinal movement induced by motilin.</p>

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis inpatients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis inpatients in Peking Union Medical Hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively reviewed the records of the psoriasis patients admitted in the dermatological ward of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1st, 2003, to December 31st, 2008, and the height, weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein levels were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of metabolic syndrome of the psoriasis inpatients of Peking Union Medical College Hospital was 38.1%, with that of the male patients (43.1%) significantly higher than the female (25.0%, P0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients is higher than healthy adults. Screening and patient education are important for these patients in clinical practice.</p>

Effect of interstitial cells of Cajal on gastrointestinal motility induced by motilin receptor agonist ABT-229 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) on contraction of intestinal tract smooth muscle induced by motilin receptor agonist.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two kinds of smooth muscle segments were isolated from the duodenum and colon of rabbit. Both kinds of smooth muscle were divided into two groups: group a (normal ICC group of duodenum); group c (impaired ICC group of duodenum); group b (normal ICC group of colon); group d (impaired ICC group of colon), each group contained 20 segments. The impairment of ICC was induced by selectively destroying ICC in the smooth muscle via treatment with methylene blue plus light. Then the frequency and amplitude of contraction of group a and c, group b and d was compared. Then motilin receptor agonist (ABT-229) was added into the Krebs solution, the frequency and amplitude of smooth muscle contraction before and after adding ABT-229 were recorded and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The electron microscopy demonstrated that ICC in methylene blue plus light group were destroyed; the smooth muscle cells and neuron scattered close to ICC were normal. In group a, the contraction frequency, (17.89 +/- 1.88) times/min, was significantly lower as compared with that measured after ABT-229 was added [(18.76 +/- 1.18) times/min (P > 0.05)]; the amplitude of group a was (343 +/- 28) mg, which was lower as compared with that after adding ABT-229 [(597 +/- 68) mg (P < 0.001)]; in group b, the frequency was (5.89 +/- 1.03) times/min, the amplitude was (724 +/- 85) mg, after ABT-229 was added, the construction frequency increased to (8.45 +/- 0.69) times/min (P < 0.001), and the amplitude was (897 +/- 89) mg (P < 0.05), which was not affected by pretreatment with TTX, however it could be weakened by nifedipine significantly. In group c and d, the rhythmic contraction almost disappeared: in group c the contraction frequency was (1.06 +/- 0.24) times/min, and the amplitude were (50 +/- 10) mg. In group d, the amplitude and frequency significantly decreased as compared with the normal group (P < 0.001), in group c, and d, no significant difference in amplitude and frequency was found between the values measured before and after adding ABT-229 (P > 0.05). After Ach (100 micromol/L) was added, both group c and d could generate contraction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICC may play an important role in the rhythmic contraction of intestinal tract. The promoting effect of motilin receptor agonist on intestinal tract may be mediated by ICC. ICC deficiency may cause functional impairment of gastrointestinal tract motivation. The medication may become ineffective when the number of ICC is reduced to a certain extent or the network of ICC is incomplete.</p>

Screening of serum protein biomarkers by surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization with time-of-flight detection mass spectrometry in patients with mycosis fungoides / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen serum biomarkers in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) using surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization with time-of-flight detection mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum was analyzed from 14 patients with MF and 17 controls using CM10 Protein-chip to capture serum proteins, followed by Biomarker Wizard software analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In all specimens, about 131 protein peaks could be detected when the relative molecular weight ranged from 0 to 50 000. When comparing the protein fingerprint between these two groups, 14 differentially expressed protein peaks were found. By searching SWISS-PRO database, we found 7 670Da peaks accord with C-C motif chemokine 22.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SELDI-TOF-MS technique can be used for screening serum protein biomarkers in patients with MF.</p>

Expressions of CD1a and CD83 of Langerhans cells in the local lesions of epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of CD1a and CD83 of Langerhans cells (LC) in the lesions of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used immunohistochemical method to detect the expressions of CD1a and CD83 in the lesions of 10 patients with EV lesions and in the skins of 10 normal subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No CD83 + LCs was detected in all EV patients and normal controls, but CD1a + LC was found in all cases. The quantity of CD1a + LCs in the lesions of EV patients was significantly lower than that in the normal skin (P < 0.01); furthermore, the distribution of LCs in EV lesions was uneven.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The functions of LCs may be inhibited in EV patients.</p>

Pathogenesis of human papillomavirus infection in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis / 中国医学科学院学报

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), a rare inherited disease, is believed to be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. EVER1/2 genes, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and the biological characteristics of HPV itself may play roles in the pathogenesis of HPV infection.

Distribution of connexin 43 and interstitial cells of Cajal in bowels of children with Hirschsprung's disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the distribution of connexin 43 (Cx43) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in bowels of children with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and explore their roles in the pathogenesis of HD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two children with HD diagnosed by histopathology (33 males and 9 females) aged from 2 months to 10 years were enrolled. Expression of Cx43 and ICC in the bowels was detected using immunohistochemistry. These cases were all sporadic, including 30 cases of common type and 12 cases of short segment type. Five samples from the children with intussusception (aged from 1 month to 8 years) were used as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cx43 and ICC were not expressed in the muscle layers of the aganglionic segment in children with HD, which was significantly different from the Cx43 and ICC expression in the ganglionic segment of HD patients and the control bowels. Moderate expression of Cx43 and ICC were observed in the migratory segment, which was significantly different from that in the ganglionic and aganglionic segments in patients with HD. Moderate or strong expression of Cx43 and ICC was observed in the circular muscle and the region between the circular and longitudinal layer in the ganglionic segment from patients with HD. There were no significant differences in the Cx43 and ICC expression between the ganglionic segment of HD patients and control bowels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The absence of Cx43 and ICC expression in the aganglionic bowel and the destruction of the gap junction may induce the dysfunctions of intercellular substance exchange and communication transmission, which might partly be responsible for the pathogenesis of HD.</p>

Relationship between CCR5 gene polymorphism and condyloma acuminata / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between CCR5 delta32 gene polymorphism and condyloma acuminata.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used polymerase chain reaction to amplify the CCR5 gene fragments in 60 patients with condyloma acuminata and 50 age- and sampling date-matched controls, and compared the difference of genotypes between these two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No genotype difference was found between these two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Condyloma acuminata are not associated with genetic polymorphism of CCR5 delta32 gene.</p>

Clinical characteristics of 51 patients with mycosis fungoides / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To update the clinical characteristics of mycosis fungoides in Chinese patients.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 51 patients (29 men and 22 women) with mycosis fungoides in PUMC hospital from 1984 to 2006, to determine the ages at diagnosis, clinicopathologic characteristics of skin lesions, systemic manifestation, misdiagnosis and treatment of these patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age was (44.24 +/- 2.05) years at the diagnosis. Most patients were characterized by the typical evolution of patches, plaques and tumors, with some variations and subtypes. Clinical manifestations included generalized lesions (68.6%) and itchy (70.6%). Epidermotropism (68.6%) and Pautrier's microabscesses (52.9%) were common histopathologic features. The positive rate of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was 81.3%, and was independent of the histological features. Previous misdiagnosis rate was 64.7%. Skin-targeted therapies and biologic therapies were effective approaches to relieve the skin rash at early stage, and combined chemotherapy was typically applied in more advanced cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mycosis fungoides has various clinical characteristics and careful differential diagnosis should be made in clinical practice.</p>

Forlax in the treatment of childhood constipation: a randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical study / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 (forlax) in the treatment of constipation in children over 8 years old.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was designed as a randomized, positive medicine (lactulose) controlled multicenter trial. A total of 216 children with constipation from 8-18 years old from 7 hospitals across China who were matched with a uniform entry criteria were enrolled in this study. The 216 patients were randomized to receive either oral forlax (20 g/d, n=105) or lactulose (15 mL/d, n=111) for 2 weeks. The therapeutic effects, including bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, clinical complete remission rate of constipation and abdominal symptoms, and the safety of forlax and lactulose were evaluated at 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median weekly frequency of bowel movement in the forlax group increased by 4 and 5 times respectively after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, and increased by 3 and 4 times in the lactulose group (P < 0.05). The stool consistency of the two groups was both improved significantly after treatment. The Bristol score of stool consistency of the forlax and lactulose groups were 3.41+/-1.11 and 3.64+/-1.33 respectively (P < 0.05) after 1 week of treatment, and were 4.26+/-0.89 and 3.63+/-1.33 respectively (P < 0.05) after 2 weeks of treatment. The clinical complete remission rate of constipation in the forlax and lactulose groups was 70% and 40% respectively (P < 0.05) by week 1 of treatment, and that was 72% and 41% respectively (P < 0.05) by week 2 of treatment. Abdominal pain disappeared in 75% of patients in the forlax group but in only 57% in the lactulose group by week 2 of treatment (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events happened and no abnormalities were found in laboratory tests and physical examinations in the two groups after medication.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Forlax is safe and effective in the treatment of constipation in children over 8 years old.</p>

Effect of carbenoxolone on expression of Fos, NMDAR2 and GFAP in the hippocampus of pentylenetetrazo-kindled epileptic rats / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Gap junctions, the clusters of intercellular channels, play an important role in synchronizing electrical activity. This study investigated the effect of gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (CBX) on epileptic activity in pentylenetetrazo (PTZ)-kindled rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, PTZ-kindled and CBX-treated groups (n=10 each). The rats from the PTZ-kindled and the CBX-treated groups were intraperitoneally injected with PTZ (35 mg/kg x d) to induce epilepsy. After epilepsy kindling, they were intraperitoneally injected for 3 days with CBX (10 mg/kg) (CBX-treated group) or with normal saline (PTZ-kindled group). The control group received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline. Anti-GFAP, anti-Fos, and anti-NMDARZ immunohistochemical ABC methods were used to detect the expression of GFAP-Li, Fos-Li and NMDAR2-Li in the hippocampus respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spontaneous seizures occurred in PTZ-kindled epileptic rats. CBX administration reduced spontaneous seizures. The NMDAR2-Li and Fos-Li neurons as well as GFAP-Li astrocytes in hippocampi increased in PTZ-kindled epileptic rats compared with controls. The numbers of Fos-Li (93.75 +/-7.94 vs 165.25 +/-15.87, P < 0.05) and NMDAR2-Li neurons (61.47 +/-3.62 vs 148.72 +/-14.53, P < 0.01) in the CBX-treated group were significantly less than in the PTZ-kindled group. There were no significant differences in the GFAP-Li expression between the CBX-treated and the PTZ-kindled groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CBX may inhibit spontaneous seizures and decrease the numbers of Fos-Li and NMDARZ-Li neurons, thus providing anti-epileptic effects.</p>

Mechanism of alopecia in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between the levels of antidesmoglein (DSG) 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and alopecia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sera from PNP patients, bullous pemphigoid patients, and normal healthy subjects were collected and 2 tissue samples from 2 healthy scalps were resected. Anti-DSG 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of PNP patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Indirect immunofluorescent assay was used to detect whether the antibodies in the sera of PNP patients binds with the follicular epithelium of normal healthy scalp.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Anti-DSG3 autoantibody was strongly positive and anti-DSG1 weakly positive in one patient, while both two antibodies were negative in the other patient. Their sera could bind to keratinocytes and follicular epithelium in human scalp. Immunofluorescent signals were found on the intercellular epidermal cell surface and outer root sheath of the follicular epithelium. However, the immunofluorescent signals in the section incubating with serum of bullous pemphigoid were only found on basal membrane zone. No signals were found in the section incubating with normal healthy serum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Alopecia in PNP patients are correlated with the anti-DSG3.</p>

Weight,Length and Bristol′s Scale of Normal Children / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the weight,length and scale of normal children′ stools and discuss clinical signification.Met-(hods) The fresh stools of 60 normal children (male 34,female 26)were measured,classify the stools according to Bristol′s scale.Results 1.The average weight of stools in 60 cases was (109.53?52.00) g,of male was (123.79?55.87) g,of female was (90.12?(39.66)) g,there was significant difference between them (t=0.013 P0.05);3.The stools was classified into 7 group according to Bristol′s scale.From 1 grade to 6 grade were 3.30%,(5.10%),5.10%,64.40%,15.30% and 6.80%,respectively,but there was no 7 grade stools.Conclusion The weight,length and scales of normal children′s stools can be used as a sign to evaluate the clonic movement of children,especially in diagnosis and treatment of constipation and stools dryness